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PMID: 1576587 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. Review

High-frequency switching in Candida albicans.

Clinical microbiology reviews ·Vol. 5 ·No. 2 ·1992-04-00 ·Pages 183-203

Soll DR

Abstract

Most strains of Candida albicans are capable of switching frequently and reversibly between a number of phenotypes distinguishable by colony morphology. A number of different switching systems have been defined according to the limited set of phenotypes in each switching repertoire, and each strain appears to possess a single system. Switching can affect many aspects of cellular physiology and morphology and appears to be a second level of phenotypic variability superimposed upon the bud-hypha transition. The most dramatic switching system so far identified is the "white-opaque transition." This system dramatizes the extraordinary effects switching can have on the budding cell phenotype, including the synthesis of opaque-specific antigens, the expression of white-specific and opaque-specific genes, and the genesis of unique cell wall structures. Switching has been demonstrated to occur at sites of infection and between episodes of recurrent vaginitis, and it may function to generate variability in commensal and infecting populations for adaptive reasons. Although the molecular mechanisms involved in the switch event are not understood, recent approaches to its elucidation are discussed and an epigenetic mechanism is proposed.

MeSH Terms
Adaptation, Physiological Antigens, Fungal/analysis Candida albicans/genetics,pathogenicity,physiology Phenotype Virulence Zinc/pharmacology
Chemicals
Antigens, Fungal Zinc
Authors & Affiliations
1 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Soll D R
Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
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Article Info
Journal
Clinical microbiology reviews
Abbr.
Clin Microbiol Rev
ISSN
0893-8512
DOI
10.1128/CMR.5.2.183
Published
1992-04-00
Pages
183-203
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
8807282
PMCID
PMC358234
Subset
IM
Grants
NIAID NIH HHS · AI23922 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1128/CMR.5.2.183 PMC Full Text View journal details
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