Functional characterization of putative acetate transporters and channels in the human fungal pathogen Candida glabrata

Abstract

Successful human colonizers such as Candida species have evolved distinct strategies to survive and proliferate within the human host. These strategies include sophisticated mechanisms to rapidly adapt to a diverse range of environmental stresses and assimilate the available nutrients. For instance, during gastrointestinal and vaginal colonization, where glucose is scarce, alternative carbon sources such as acetate or lactate are particularly abundant and may support the growth and the proliferation of C. glabrata cells. Our studies have demonstrated that the presence of these alternative non‐fermentable carbon sources influence biofilm formation, antifungal drug resistance and immune recognition. Additionally, there is evidence that putative acetate transporters and channels have an important impact on these processes. Here, we provide a detailed view on the role of putative C. glabrata acetate transporters during carbon adaptation. Our data support the view that adaptive responses of Candida cells to alternative carbon sources affect their virulence, through multifarious mechanisms.