Hph1 and Hph2 are novel components of the Sec63/Sec62 posttranslational translocation complex that aid in vacuolar proton ATPase biogenesis

Hph1 and Hph2 are homologous integral endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane proteins required for Saccharomyces cerevisiae survival under environmental stress conditions. To investigate the molecular functions of Hph1 and Hph2, we carried out a split-ubiquitin-membrane-based yeast two-hybrid screen and identified their interactions with Sec71, a subunit of the Sec63/Sec62 complex, which mediates posttranslational translocation of proteins into the ER. Hph1 and Hph2 likely function in posttranslational translocation, as they interact with other Sec63/Sec62 complex subunits, i.e., Sec72, Sec62, and Sec63. hph1Δ hph2Δ cells display reduced vacuole acidification; increased instability of Vph1, a subunit of vacuolar proton ATPase (V-ATPase); and growth defects similar to those of mutants lacking V-ATPase activity. sec71Δ cells exhibit similar phenotypes, indicating that Hph1/Hph2 and the Sec63/Sec62 complex function during V-ATPase biogenesis. Hph1/Hph2 and the Sec63/Sec62 complex may act together in this process, as vacuolar acidification and Vph1 stability are compromised to the same extent in hph1Δ hph2Δ and hph1Δ hph2Δ sec71Δ cells. In contrast, loss of Pkr1, an ER protein that promotes posttranslocation assembly of Vph1 with V-ATPase subunits, further exacerbates hph1Δ hph2Δ phenotypes, suggesting that Hph1 and Hph2 function independently of Pkr1-mediated V-ATPase assembly. We propose that Hph1 and Hph2 aid Sec63/Sec62-mediated translocation of specific proteins, including factors that promote efficient biogenesis of V-ATPase, to support yeast cell survival during environmental stress.     

Alkaline stress triggers an immediate calcium fluctuation in Candida albicans mediated by Rim101p and Crz1p transcription factors

In the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, environmental pH has profound effects on morphogenesis and response to extracellular pH is clearly relevant to the pathogenicity of this fungus. Yeast cells have evolved a complex network of mechanisms in response to the environmental pH and they often require the integration of the Rim101 and calcineurin/Crz1 signaling pathways. Ca(2+) burst is a common cellular response when cells are exposed to environmental stresses; therefore, in this study, we asked whether it follows the same case under alkaline stress and whether this calcium change is regulated by Rim101p and Crz1p. We confirmed the calcium influx was activated by KOH stimuli using a flow cytometry-based method, but it was obviously abolished in cells lacking MID1 or CCH1. We also found that alkaline pH-induced activation of the PHO89 promoter was blocked without the same gene; moreover, the response was Crz1p- and Rim101p-dependent. Finally, we investigated the regulation role of Rim101p and Crz1p in calcium influx through MID1, CCH1 and YVC1 genes, which were all downregulated in rim101Δ/Δ and crz1Δ/Δ mutants. The important role of calcium influx in the alkaline stress response and its regulation suggested a potential integration effect of Rim101 and Crz1 signaling pathways in C. albicans.     

碱性pH条件下白念珠菌钙离子通道CCH1和MID1基因对钙内流的影响及Crz1p转录因子对其的调控作用

白念珠菌Candida albicans对环境pH的适应能力与其致病性有密切关系,钙信号转导途径介导许多环境压力的应答并伴随胞内钙离子浓度的瞬间变化。通过构建钙通道基因CCH1和MID1的缺失突变株,在碱性pH条件下,研究其对胞内钙内流的影响以及转录因子Crz1p对CCH1和MID1基因的调控作用。使用二步法PCR介导的基因敲除技术构建cch1Δ/Δ和mid1Δ/Δ突变菌株,利用流式细胞术比较野生型和突变型菌株在碱性pH条件刺激下胞内钙的瞬间变化,进一步构建pPHO89-LacZ重组质粒并利用β-半乳糖苷     

Genetic architecture of Hsp90-dependent drug resistance

Hsp90 potentiates the evolution of azole resistance in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans via calcineurin. Here, we explored effectors downstream of calcineurin regulating this Hsp90-dependent trait. Using S. cerevisiae erg3 mutants as a model, we determined that both Crz1 and Hph1 modulate azole resistance.     

An essential role of the yeast pheromone-induced Ca2+ signal is to activate calcineurin.

Previous studies showed that, in wild-type (MATa) cells, alpha-factor causes an essential rise in cytosolic Ca2+. We show that calcineurin, the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, is one target of this Ca2+ signal. Calcineurin mutants lose viability when incubated with mating pheromone, and overproduction of constitutively active (Ca(2+)-independent) calcineurin improves the viability of wild-type cells exposed to pheromone in Ca(2+)-deficient medium. Thus, one essential consequence of the pheromone-induced rise in cytosolic Ca2+ is activation of calcineurin. Although calcineurin inhibits intracellular Ca2+ sequestration in yeast cells, neither increased extracellular Ca2+ nor defects in vacuolar Ca2+ transport bypasses the requirement for calcineurin during the pheromone response. These observations suggest that the essential function of calcineurin in the pheromone response may be distinct from its modulation of intracellular Ca2+ levels. Mutants that do not undergo pheromone-induced cell cycle arrest (fus3, far1) show decreased dependence on calcineurin during treatment with pheromone. Thus, calcineurin is essential in yeast cells during prolonged exposure to pheromone and especially under conditions of pheromone-induced growth arrest. Ultrastructural examination of pheromone-treated cells indicates that vacuolar morphology is abnormal in calcineurin-deficient cells, suggesting that calcineurin may be required for maintenance of proper vacuolar structure or function during the pheromone response.