Sep7 is essential to modify septin ring dynamics and inhibit cell separation during Candida albicans hyphal growth

When Candida albicans yeast cells receive the appropriate stimulus, they switch to hyphal growth, characterized by continuous apical elongation and the inhibition of cell separation. The molecular basis of this inhibition is poorly known, despite its crucial importance for hyphal development. In C. albicans, septins are important for hypha formation and virulence. Here, we used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis to characterize the dynamics of septin rings during yeast and hyphal growth. On hyphal induction, septin rings are converted to a hyphal-specific state, characterized by the presence of a frozen core formed by Sep7/Shs1, Cdc3 and Cdc12, whereas Cdc10 is highly dynamic and oscillates between the ring and the cytoplasm. Conversion of septin rings to the hyphal-specific state inhibits the translocation of Cdc14 phosphatase, which controls cell separation, to the hyphal septum. Modification of septin ring dynamics during hyphal growth is dependent on Sep7 and the hyphal-specific cyclin Hgc1, which partially controls Sep7 phosphorylation status and protein levels. Our results reveal a link between the cell cycle machinery and septin cytoskeleton dynamics, which inhibits cell separation in the filaments and is essential for hyphal morphogenesis.     

A Candida albicans Temperature-Sensitive cdc12-6 Mutant Identifies Roles for Septins in Selection of Sites of Germ Tube Formation and Hyphal Morphogenesis

Septins were identified for their role in septation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and were subsequently implicated in other morphogenic processes. To study septins in Candida albicans hyphal morphogenesis, a temperature-sensitive mutation was created that altered the C terminus of the essential Cdc12 septin. The cdc12-6 cells grew well at room temperature, but at 37°C they displayed expected defects in septation, nuclear localization, and bud morphogenesis. Although serum stimulated the cdc12-6 cells at 37°C to form germ tube outgrowths, the mutant could not maintain polarized hyphal growth and instead formed chains of elongated cell compartments. Serum also stimulated the cdc12-6 mutant to induce a hyphal reporter gene (HWP1-GFP) and a characteristic zone of filipin staining at the leading edge of growth. Interestingly, cdc12-6 cells shifted to 37°C in the absence of serum gradually displayed enriched filipin staining at the tip, which may be due to the altered cell cycle regulation. A striking difference from the wild type was that the cdc12-6 cells frequently formed a second germ tube in close proximity to the first. The mutant cells also failed to form the diffuse band of septins at the base of germ tubes and hyphae, indicating that this septin band plays a role in preventing proximal formation of germ tubes in a manner analogous to bud site selection. These studies demonstrate that not only are septins important for cytokinesis, but they also promote polarized morphogenesis and selection of germ tube sites that may help disseminate an infection in host tissues.     

The role of Cdc42p GTPase-activating proteins in assembly of the septin ring in yeast

The septins are a conserved family of GTP-binding, filament-forming proteins. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the septins form a ring at the mother-bud neck that appears to function primarily by serving as a scaffold for the recruitment of other proteins to the neck, where they participate in cytokinesis and a variety of other processes. Formation of the septin ring depends on the Rho-type GTPase Cdc42p but appears to be independent of the actin cytoskeleton. In this study, we investigated further the mechanisms of septin-ring formation. Fluorescence-recovery-after-photobleaching (FRAP) experiments indicated that the initial septin structure at the presumptive bud site is labile (exchanges subunits freely) but that it is converted into a stable ring as the bud emerges. Mutants carrying the cdc42V36G allele or lacking two or all three of the known Cdc42p GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs: Bem3p, Rga1p, and Rga2p) could recruit the septins to the cell cortex but were blocked or delayed in forming a normal septin ring and had accompanying morphogenetic defects. These phenotypes were dramatically enhanced in mutants that were also defective in Cla4p or Gin4p, two protein kinases previously shown to be important for normal septin-ring formation. The Cdc42p GAPs colocalized with the septins both early and late in the cell cycle, and overexpression of the GAPs could suppress the septin-organization and morphogenetic defects of temperature-sensitive septin mutants. Taken together, the data suggest that formation of the mature septin ring is a process that consists of at least two distinguishable steps, recruitment of the septin proteins to the presumptive bud site and their assembly into the stable septin ring. Both steps appear to depend on Cdc42p, whereas the Cdc42p GAPs and the other proteins known to promote normal septin-ring formation appear to function in a partially redundant manner in the assembly step. In addition, because the eventual formation of a normal septin ring in a cdc42V36G or GAP mutant was invariably accompanied by a switch from an abnormally elongated to a more normal bud morphology distal to the ring, it appears that the septin ring plays a direct role in determining the pattern of bud growth.     

Robust cell polarity is a dynamic state established by coupling transport and GTPase signaling

Yeast cells can initiate bud formation at the G1/S transition in a cue-independent manner. Here, we investigate the dynamic nature of the polar cap and the regulation of the GTPase Cdc42 in the establishment of cell polarity. Using analysis of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, we found that Cdc42 exchanged rapidly between the polar caps and cytosol and that this rapid exchange required its GTPase cycle. A previously proposed positive feedback loop involving actomyosin-based transport of the Cdc42 GTPase is required for the generation of robust cell polarity during bud formation in yeast. Inhibition of actin-based transport resulted in unstable Cdc42 polar caps. Unstable polarity was also observed in mutants lacking Bem1, a protein previously implicated in a feedback loop for Cdc42 activation through a signaling pathway. When Bem1 and actin were both inhibited, polarization completely failed. These results suggest that cell polarity is established through coupling of transport and signaling pathways and maintained actively by balance of flux.     

Chemical genetic analysis of the budding-yeast p21-activated kinase Cla4p

The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are effectors for the Rho-family GTPase Cdc42p. Here we define the in vivo function of the kinase activity of the budding yeast PAK Cla4p, using cla4 alleles that are specifically inhibited by a cell-permeable compound that does not inhibit the wild-type kinase. CLA4 kinase inhibition in cells lacking the partially redundant PAK Ste20p causes reversible SWE1-dependent cell-cycle arrest and gives rise to narrow, highly elongated buds in which both actin and septin are tightly polarized to bud tips. Inhibition of Cla4p does not prevent polarization of F-actin, and cytokinesis is blocked only in cells that have not formed a bud before inhibitor treatment; cell polarization and bud emergence are not affected by Cla4p inhibition. Although localization of septin to bud necks is restored in swe1Delta cells, cytokinesis remains defective. Inhibition of Cla4p activity in swe1Delta cells causes a delay of bud emergence after cell polarization, indicating that this checkpoint may mediate an adaptive response that is capable of promoting budding when Cla4p function is reduced. Our data indicate that CLA4 PAK activity is required at an early stage of budding, after actin polarization and coincident with formation of the septin ring, for early bud morphogenesis and assembly of a cytokinesis site.     

Candida albicans Int1p interacts with the septin ring in yeast and hyphal cells.

The ability to switch between yeast and hyphal morphologies is an important virulence factor for the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans. Although the kinetics of appearance of the filamentous ring that forms at the incipient septum differ in yeast and cells forming hyphae (germ tubes) (), the molecular mechanisms that regulate this difference are not known. Int1p, a C. albicans gene product with similarity in its C terminus to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Bud4p, has a role in hyphal morphogenesis. Here we report that in S. cerevisiae, Int1p expression results in the growth of highly polarized cells with delocalized chitin and defects in cytokinesis and bud-site selection patterns, phenotypes that are also seen in S. cerevisiae septin mutant strains. Expression of high levels of Int1p in S. cerevisiae generated elaborate spiral-like structures at the periphery of the polarized cells that contained septins and Int1p. In addition, Int1p coimmunoprecipitated with the Cdc11p and Cdc12p septins, and Cdc12p is required for the establishment and maintenance of these Int1p/septin spirals. Although Swe1p kinase contributes to INT1-induced filamentous growth in S. cerevisiae, it is not required for the formation of ectopic Int1p/septin structures. In C. albicans, Int1p was important for the axial budding pattern and colocalized with Cdc3p septin in a ring at the mother-bud neck of yeast and pseudohyphal cells. Under conditions that induce hyphae, both Cdc3p and Int1p localized to a ring distal to the junction of the mother cell and germ tube. Thus, placement of the Int1p/septin ring with respect to the mother-daughter cell junction distinguishes yeast/pseudohyphal growth from hyphal growth in C. albicans.     

Late-G1 cyclin-CDK activity is essential for control of cell morphogenesis in budding yeast

The accurate spatial and temporal coordination of cell polarization with DNA replication and segregation guarantees the fidelity of genetic transmission. Here we report that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a build-up or burst of G1 cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity through activation of the cyclin genes CLN1,2 and PCL1,2 is essential for cell morphogenesis, but not for other events associated with the G1-S-phase transition, including DNA replication. Strains lacking a burst of late-G1 cyclin-CDK activity (LG1C(-)) undergo a catastrophic morphogenesis and halt the nuclear cycle at the morphogenesis checkpoint in G2 phase. Consistent with a role in morphogenesis, the Pho85 G1 cyclins Pcl1 and Pcl2 show a unique pattern of localization to sites of polarized cell growth, and strains lacking PCL1 and PCL2 show genetic interactions with the cell polarity GTPase Cdc42, its regulators and downstream effectors. Our data suggest that inability to assemble a septin ring and localize the GTP exchange factor Cdc24 at the incipient bud site may be the primary morphogenetic defects in LG1C-depleted cells. We conclude that a burst of late G1 cyclin-CDK activity is essential for establishing cell polarity and development of the cleavage apparatus.     

Spatiotemporal regulation of Rho1 and Cdc42 activity during Candida albicans filamentous growth

Rho G‐proteins are critical for polarized growth, yet little is known about the dynamics of their activation during fungal filamentous growth. We first investigated the roles of Rho1 and Rho2 during Candida albicans filamentous growth. Our results show that Rho1 is required for invasive filamentous growth and that Rho2 is not functionally redundant with Rho1. Using fluorescent reporters, we examined the dynamics of the active form of Rho1 and Cdc42 during initiation and maintenance of hyphal growth. Quantitative analyses indicated that the distribution, but not the level, of these active G‐proteins is altered during initial polarization upon germ tube emergence. A comparison of the dynamics of these active G‐proteins during budding and hyphal growth indicates that a higher concentration of active Cdc42 was recruited to the germ tube tip than to the bud tip. During hyphal elongation, active Cdc42 remained tightly restricted to the hyphal tip, whereas active Rho1 was broadly associated with the apex and subsequently recruited to the cell division site. Furthermore, our data suggest that phosphoinositide‐bis‐phosphates are critical to stabilize active Rho1 at the growth site. Together, our results point towards different regulation of Cdc42 and Rho1 activity during initiation and maintenance of filamentous growth.     

SUMO modification of septin-interacting proteins in Candida albicans

The initiation of bud and hyphal growth in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans both involve polarized morphogenesis. However, there are many differences including the function of the septin proteins, a family of proteins involved in membrane organization in a wide range of organisms. Septins form a characteristic ring on the inner surface of the plasma membrane at the bud neck, whereas the septins are diffusely localized across emerging hyphal tips. In addition, septin rings are maintained at sites of septum formation in hyphae rather than being disassembled immediately after cytokinesis. The possibility that C. albicans septins are regulated by the small ubiquitin-like protein SUMO was examined in this study because the Saccharomyces cerevisiae septins were shown previously to be modified by SUMO (Smt3p). However, SUMO conjugation to septins was not detected during budding or hyphal morphogenesis in C. albicans. These results are supported by the lack of conserved SUMO consensus motifs between septins from the two organisms even after adjusting the predicted Cdc3p and Cdc12p septin sequences to account for mRNA splicing in C. albicans. Interestingly, a homolog of the Smt3p SUMO was identified in the C. albicans genome, and an epitope tagged version of Smt3p was conjugated to a variety of proteins. Immunofluorescence analysis showed prominent Smt3p SUMO localization at bud necks and sites of septum formation in hyphae similar to the septins. However, Smt3p was primarily detected on the mother cell side of the septin ring. A subset of these Smt3p-modified proteins co-immunoprecipitated with the septin Cdc11p. These results indicate that septin-associated proteins and not the septins themselves are the key target of SUMO modification at the bud neck in C. albicans.     

Borg/septin interactions and the assembly of mammalian septin heterodimers,trimers, and filaments

Septins constitute a family of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that were first discovered in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae but are also present in many other eukaryotes. In yeast they congregate at the bud neck and are required for cell division. Their function in metazoan cells is uncertain, but they have been implicated in exocytosis and cytokinesis. Septins have been purified from cells as hetero-oligomeric filaments, but their mechanism of assembly is unknown. Further studies have been limited by the difficulty in expressing functional septin proteins in bacteria. We now show that stable, soluble septin heterodimers can be produced by co-expression from bicistronic vectors in bacteria and that the co-expression of three septins results in their assembly into filaments. Pre-assembled dimers and trimers bind guanine nucleotide and show a slow GTPase activity. The assembly of a heterodimer from monomers in vitro is accompanied by GTP hydrolysis. Borg3, a downstream effector of the Cdc42 GTPase, binds specifically to a septin heterodimer composed of Sept6 and Sept7 and to the Sept2/6/7 trimer, but not to septin monomers or to other heterodimers. Septins associate through their C-terminal coiled-coil domains, and Borg3 appears to recognize the interface between these domains in Sept6 and Sept7.     

In Candida albicans, the Nim1 kinases Gin4 and Hsl1 negatively regulate pseudohypha formation and Gin4 also controls septin organization

In the development of hyphal germ tubes of Candida albicans, a band of septin forms at the base of the germ tube (basal septin band). Later, a septin ring forms, which organizes the first septum within the germ tube (septin ring). We have investigated the role of the Nim1 kinases, Gin4 and Hsl1, in the formation of these septin structures. We show that during germ tube formation, Gin4 is required for the organization of the septin ring but not the basal septin band. Hsl1 is not required for the formation of either septin rings or basal bands. Unexpectedly, we found that both gin4Delta and hsl1Delta mutants form pseudohyphae constitutively, in a fashion that in the case of gin4Delta, is partly independent of Swe1. Gin4-depleted pseudohyphae are unable to form hyphae when challenged with serum, but this can be overcome by ectopic expression of Gin4 from the MET3 promoter. Thus, Gin4 may regulate the developmental switch from pseudohyphae to hyphae.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cdc42p GTPase is involved in preventing the recurrence of bud emergence during the cell cycle

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cdc42p GTPase interacts with multiple regulators and downstream effectors through an approximately 25-amino-acid effector domain. Four effector domain mutations, Y32K, F37A, D38E, and Y40C, were introduced into Cdc42p and characterized for their effects on these interactions. Each mutant protein showed differential interactions with a number of downstream effectors and regulators and various levels of functionality. Specifically, Cdc42(D38E)p showed reduced interactions with the Cla4p p21-activated protein kinase and the Bem3p GTPase-activating protein and cdc42(D38E) was the only mutant allele able to complement the Deltacdc42 null mutant. However, the mutant protein was only partially functional, as indicated by a temperature-dependent multibudded phenotype seen in conjunction with defects in both septin ring localization and activation of the Swe1p-dependent morphogenetic checkpoint. Further analysis of this mutant suggested that the multiple buds emerged consecutively with a premature termination of bud enlargement preceding the appearance of the next bud. Cortical actin, the septin ring, Cla4p-green fluorescent protein (GFP), and GFP-Cdc24p all predominantly localized to one bud at a time per multibudded cell. These data suggest that Cdc42(D38E)p triggers a morphogenetic defect post-bud emergence, leading to cessation of bud growth and reorganization of the budding machinery to another random budding site, indicating that Cdc42p is involved in prevention of the initiation of supernumerary buds during the cell cycle.     

Cyclin-dependent kinases control septin phosphorylation in Candida albicans hyphal development

Cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) control cytoskeleton polarization in yeast morphogenesis. However, the target and mechanism remain unclear. Here, we show that the Candida albicans Cdk Cdc28, through temporally controlled association with two cyclins Ccn1 and Hgc1, rapidly establishes and persistently maintains phosphorylation of the septin cytoskeleton protein Cdc11 for hyphal development. Upon hyphal induction, Cdc28-Ccn1 binds to septin complexes and phosphorylates Cdc11 on Ser394, a nonconsensus Cdk target. This phosphorylation requires prior phosphorylation on Ser395 by the septin-associated kinase Gin4. Mutating Ser394 or Ser395 blocked Cdc11 phosphorylation on Ser394 and impaired hyphal morphogenesis. Reconstitution experiments using purified Cdc28-Ccn1, Gin4, and septins reproduced phosphorylations on the same residues. Transient septin-Cdc28 associations were also detected prior to bud and mating-projection emergence in S. cerevisiae. Our study uncovers a direct link between the cell-cycle engine and the septin cytoskeleton that may be part of a conserved mechanism underlying polarized morphogenesis.     

Hyphal Elongation Is Regulated Independently of Cell Cycle in Candida albicans

The mechanism for apical growth during hyphal morphogenesis in Candida albicans is unknown. Studies from Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicate that cell morphogenesis may involve cell cycle regulation by cyclin-dependent kinase. To examine whether this is the mechanism for hyphal morphogenesis, the temporal appearance of different spindle pole body and spindle structures, the cell cycle-regulated rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton, and the phosphorylation state of the conserved Tyr19 of Cdc28 during the cell cycle were compared and found to be similar between yeast and serum-induced hyphal apical cells. These data suggest that hyphal elongation is not mediated by altering cell cycle progression or through phosphorylation of Tyr19 of Cdc28. We have also shown that germ tubes can evaginate before spindle pole body duplication, chitin ring formation, and DNA replication. Similarly, tip-associated actin polarization in each hypha occurs before the events of the G(1)/S transition and persists throughout the cell cycle, whereas cell cycle-regulated actin assemblies come and go. We have also shown that cells in phases other than G(1) can be induced to form hyphae. Hyphae induced from G(1) cells have no constrictions, and the first chitin ring is positioned in the germ tube at various distances from the base. Hyphae induced from budded cells have a constriction and a chitin ring at the bud neck, beyond which the hyphae continue to elongate with no further constrictions. Our data suggest that hyphal elongation and cell cycle morphogenesis programs are uncoupled, and each contributes to different aspects of cell morphogenesis.     

The Cdc42p GTPase is involved in a G2/M morphogenetic checkpoint regulating the apical-isotropic switch and nuclear division in yeast.

The Cdc42p GTPase is involved in the signal transduction cascades controlling bud emergence and polarized cell growth in S. cerevisiae. Cells expressing the cdc42(V44A) effector domain mutant allele displayed morphological defects of highly elongated and multielongated budded cells indicative of a defect in the apical-isotropic switch in bud growth. In addition, these cells contained one, two, or multiple nuclei indicative of a G2/M delay in nuclear division and also a defect in cytokinesis and/or cell separation. Actin and chitin were delocalized, and septin ring structure was aberrant and partially delocalized to the tips of elongated cdc42(V44A) cells; however, Cdc42(V44A)p localization was normal. Two-hybrid protein analyses showed that the V44A mutation interfered with Cdc42p's interactions with Cla4p, a p21(Cdc42/Rac)-activated kinase (PAK)-like kinase, and the novel effectors Gic1p and Gic2p, but not with the Ste20p or Skm1p PAK-like kinases, the Bni1p formin, or the Iqg1p IQGAP homolog. Furthermore, the cdc42(V44A) morphological defects were suppressed by deletion of the Swe1p cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitory kinase and by overexpression of Cla4p, Ste20p, the Cdc12 septin protein, or the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Cdc24p. In sum, these results suggest that proper Cdc42p function is essential for timely progression through the apical-isotropic switch and G2/M transition and that Cdc42(V44A)p differentially interacts with a number of effectors and regulators.     

Molecular dissection of a yeast septin: distinct domains are required for septin interaction,localization, and function

The septins are a family of cytoskeletal proteins present in animal and fungal cells. They were first identified for their essential role in cytokinesis, but more recently, they have been found to play an important role in many cellular processes, including bud site selection, chitin deposition, cell compartmentalization, and exocytosis. Septin proteins self-associate into filamentous structures that, in yeast cells, form a cortical ring at the mother bud neck. Members of the septin family share common structural domains: a GTPase domain in the central region of the protein, a stretch of basic residues at the amino terminus, and a predicted coiled-coil domain at the carboxy terminus. We have studied the role of each domain in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae septin Cdc11 and found that the three domains are responsible for distinct and sometimes overlapping functions. All three domains are important for proper localization and function in cytokinesis and morphogenesis. The basic region was found to bind the phosphoinositides phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate. The coiled-coil domain is important for interaction with Cdc3 and Bem4. The GTPase domain is involved in Cdc11-septin interaction and targeting to the mother bud neck. Surprisingly, GTP binding appears to be dispensable for Cdc11 function, localization, and lipid binding. Thus, we find that septins are multifunctional proteins with specific domains involved in distinct molecular interactions required for assembly, localization, and function within the cell.     

Phosphatidylserine is polarized and required for proper Cdc42 localization and for development of cell polarity

Polarity is key to the function of eukaryotic cells. On the establishment of a polarity axis, cells can vectorially target secretion, generating an asymmetric distribution of plasma membrane proteins. From Saccharomyces cerevisiae to mammals, the small GTPase Cdc42 is a pivotal regulator of polarity. We used a fluorescent probe to visualize the distribution of phosphatidylserine in live S. cerevisiae. Remarkably, phosphatidylserine was polarized in the plasma membrane, accumulating in bud necks, the bud cortex and the tips of mating projections. Polarization required vectorial delivery of phosphatidylserine-containing secretory vesicles, and phosphatidylserine was largely excluded from endocytic vesicles, contributing to its polarized retention. Mutants lacking phosphatidylserine synthase had impaired polarization of the Cdc42 complex, leading to a delay in bud emergence, and defective mating. The addition of lysophosphatidylserine resulted in resynthesis and polarization of phosphatidylserine, as well as repolarization of Cdc42. The results indicate that phosphatidylserine--and presumably its polarization--are required for optimal Cdc42 targeting and activation during cell division and mating.