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SPECIALITY

From yeast to hypha:

How Candida albicans

makes the switch

C. albicans’ ability to shift forms can help it cause dangerous infections, and
a study suggests that a protein called Sir2 aids this transition

Microscope images show Candida albicans in two distinct forms: as single-celled yeast (left), and in an elongated, thread-like
form called a true hypha (right). Research suggests that a protein called Sir2 is among factors that help determine which of
these forms C. albicans takes. Credit: Guolei Zhao

ou might call Candida the journal mSphere, University “elongated hyphae form” are
albicans a shape-shifter: at Buffalo biologists Guolei Zhao “essential to infection,” helping C.
YAs this fungus grows, it can and Laura Rusche report that a albicans invade different niches of
multiply as single, oval-shaped protein called Sir2 may facilitate C. the human body.
cells called yeast or propagate in albicans’ transition from ovoid yeast
an elongated form called hypha, to thread-like hypha. C. albicans The influence of Sir2 on
consisting of thread-like filaments. cells that were missing the Sir2 morphology differed depending
gene were less likely to form true on the cells’ surroundings: In a
This dual nature can help the hyphae in lab experiments than nutrient-poor environment, C.
pathogen survive in the body, where cells of the same species that had albicans cells that were missing
it can cause disease, including that gene. the Sir2 gene were less likely
dangerous hospital-acquired to form both true hyphae and
infections. “When we got rid of the Sir2 gene, pseudohyphae, a sort of in-between
we saw less of the true hyphae stage where the cells are elongated
But how does this switching ability form,” says Zhao, first author and and grow in chains. But in a
occur? a PhD candidate in biological nutrient-rich situation, C. albicans
sciences in the UB College of Arts lacking the Sir2 gene formed
New research identifies one factor and Sciences. This is interesting,
that may contribute. In a study she says, because both the 10
that will be published on May 5 in “tiny round yeast form” and the

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