Acetate assimilation is an integral part of Candida glabrata survival in the human host

Abstract

Successful human colonizers such as Candidaspecies 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 Candidacells. 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 carboxylate transporters have an important impact on these processes.Here, we provide a detailed view on the role of C. glabrata acetate transporters during carbon adaptation. Our data support the view that adaptive responses of Candidacells to alternative carbon sources affect their virulence, through multifarious mechanisms.