Vaginal candidiasis affects approximately 75% of all women. Hormone levels have been associated with an increased incidence of vaginal candidiasis, especially during pregnancy, and for individuals who use oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. C. albicans is the etiological agent in over 80% of vaginal candidiasis cases, thus making the relationship between estrogen and C. albicans an important one to study. Research into the effect of estrogen on C. albicans has been limited and the signaling mechanisms involved are unknown. Because great variability exists in various estrogen response elements in mammalian genes and because of the differences between mammalian systems and yeast, it is unlikely that a genome database search will identify all of the estrogen response mechanisms at work in C. albicans. This proposal seeks to determine the cellular growth characteristics of C. albicans in the presence of estrogen, identify C. albicans genes responsive to estrogen and define estrogen-responsive promoter elements using molecular biology techniques. Upon completion of these studies, we will have significant new knowledge about the interaction between C. albicans and estrogen.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31AI054328-01A1
Application #
6686105
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MBC-1 (29))
Program Officer
Hernandez, Milton J
Project Start
2003-07-01
Project End
2007-06-30
Budget Start
2003-07-01
Budget End
2004-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$28,599
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Department
Veterinary Sciences
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
041544081
City
Champaign
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
61820
Cheng, Georgina; Yeater, Kathleen M; Hoyer, Lois L (2006) Cellular and molecular biology of Candida albicans estrogen response. Eukaryot Cell 5:180-91