Deletion of RAP1 affects iron homeostasis, azole resistance, and virulence in Candida albicans
ABSTRACT Rap1 is a DNA-binding protein conserved from yeast to mammals for its role in telomeric maintenance. Here, to explore additional functions of Candida albicans Rap1, we performed RNA sequencing analysis. Experimental validations further showed that Rap1 plays a role in iron regulation, espec...
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American Society for Microbiology
2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msphere.00155-25 |
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| author | Min-Chi Yang Wei-Luen Huang Hsuan-Yu Chen Shin-Huey Lin Yu-Shan Chang Kuo-Yun Tseng Hsiu-Jung Lo I-Ching Wang Chi-Jan Lin Chung-Yu Lan |
| author_facet | Min-Chi Yang Wei-Luen Huang Hsuan-Yu Chen Shin-Huey Lin Yu-Shan Chang Kuo-Yun Tseng Hsiu-Jung Lo I-Ching Wang Chi-Jan Lin Chung-Yu Lan |
| author_sort | Min-Chi Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Rap1 is a DNA-binding protein conserved from yeast to mammals for its role in telomeric maintenance. Here, to explore additional functions of Candida albicans Rap1, we performed RNA sequencing analysis. Experimental validations further showed that Rap1 plays a role in iron regulation, especially under low-iron conditions. Moreover, Rap1 was involved in iron acquisition and modulation of iron-related genes. Rap1 was found to be associated with fluconazole resistance in a low-iron condition. Finally, we demonstrated that the deletion of RAP1 leads to reduced C. albicans virulence in a mouse model of infection. Together, this study reveals new functions of C. albicans Rap1, particularly in iron homeostasis, azole resistance, and virulence.IMPORTANCECandida albicans is an important pathogenic fungus that can cause superficial to life-threatening infections. Iron is essential for almost all organisms, yet it is highly restricted within the human host to defend against pathogens. To grow and survive in the iron-limited host environment, C. albicans has evolved multiple iron acquisition mechanisms. Understanding the regulation of iron homeostasis is, therefore, critical for elucidating C. albicans pathogenesis and virulence. This study explores the novel functions of C. albicans Rap1, with a focus on its contribution to iron acquisition and utilization. Our findings further highlight how iron availability impacts antifungal resistance and virulence through Rap1, providing insight into the complex iron regulatory machinery of C. albicans. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0d438870e23c48aa8cb2da80c03f5b6b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2379-5042 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | American Society for Microbiology |
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| series | mSphere |
| spelling | doaj-art-0d438870e23c48aa8cb2da80c03f5b6b2025-08-20T01:56:25ZengAmerican Society for MicrobiologymSphere2379-50422025-05-0110510.1128/msphere.00155-25Deletion of RAP1 affects iron homeostasis, azole resistance, and virulence in Candida albicansMin-Chi Yang0Wei-Luen Huang1Hsuan-Yu Chen2Shin-Huey Lin3Yu-Shan Chang4Kuo-Yun Tseng5Hsiu-Jung Lo6I-Ching Wang7Chi-Jan Lin8Chung-Yu Lan9Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, TaiwanInstitute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, TaiwanInstitute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, TaiwanInstitute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, TaiwanInstitute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, TaiwanInstitute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, TaiwanTaiwan Mycology Reference Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, TaiwanInstitute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, TaiwanInstitute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, TaiwanInstitute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, TaiwanABSTRACT Rap1 is a DNA-binding protein conserved from yeast to mammals for its role in telomeric maintenance. Here, to explore additional functions of Candida albicans Rap1, we performed RNA sequencing analysis. Experimental validations further showed that Rap1 plays a role in iron regulation, especially under low-iron conditions. Moreover, Rap1 was involved in iron acquisition and modulation of iron-related genes. Rap1 was found to be associated with fluconazole resistance in a low-iron condition. Finally, we demonstrated that the deletion of RAP1 leads to reduced C. albicans virulence in a mouse model of infection. Together, this study reveals new functions of C. albicans Rap1, particularly in iron homeostasis, azole resistance, and virulence.IMPORTANCECandida albicans is an important pathogenic fungus that can cause superficial to life-threatening infections. Iron is essential for almost all organisms, yet it is highly restricted within the human host to defend against pathogens. To grow and survive in the iron-limited host environment, C. albicans has evolved multiple iron acquisition mechanisms. Understanding the regulation of iron homeostasis is, therefore, critical for elucidating C. albicans pathogenesis and virulence. This study explores the novel functions of C. albicans Rap1, with a focus on its contribution to iron acquisition and utilization. Our findings further highlight how iron availability impacts antifungal resistance and virulence through Rap1, providing insight into the complex iron regulatory machinery of C. albicans.https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msphere.00155-25Candida albicansRap1iron acquisitioniron utilizationvirulencefluconazole susceptibility |
| spellingShingle | Min-Chi Yang Wei-Luen Huang Hsuan-Yu Chen Shin-Huey Lin Yu-Shan Chang Kuo-Yun Tseng Hsiu-Jung Lo I-Ching Wang Chi-Jan Lin Chung-Yu Lan Deletion of RAP1 affects iron homeostasis, azole resistance, and virulence in Candida albicans mSphere Candida albicans Rap1 iron acquisition iron utilization virulence fluconazole susceptibility |
| title | Deletion of RAP1 affects iron homeostasis, azole resistance, and virulence in Candida albicans |
| title_full | Deletion of RAP1 affects iron homeostasis, azole resistance, and virulence in Candida albicans |
| title_fullStr | Deletion of RAP1 affects iron homeostasis, azole resistance, and virulence in Candida albicans |
| title_full_unstemmed | Deletion of RAP1 affects iron homeostasis, azole resistance, and virulence in Candida albicans |
| title_short | Deletion of RAP1 affects iron homeostasis, azole resistance, and virulence in Candida albicans |
| title_sort | deletion of rap1 affects iron homeostasis azole resistance and virulence in candida albicans |
| topic | Candida albicans Rap1 iron acquisition iron utilization virulence fluconazole susceptibility |
| url | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msphere.00155-25 |
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