Role of the inositol polyphosphate kinase Vip1 in autophagy and pathogenesis in Candida albicans

Abstract

Aim: Inositol polyphosphate kinases are involved in regulation of many cellular processes in eukaryotic cells. In this study, we investigated the functions of the inositol polyphosphate kinase Vip1 in autophagy and pathogenicity of Candida albicans. Results: Loss of Vip1 caused significantly increased sensitivity to nitrogen source starvation, abnormal localization and degradation of autophagy protein, higher vacuolar pH and higher (rather than lower) intracellular ATP levels compared with control strains. Besides, the mutant showed attenuated hyphal development and virulence during systemic infection to mice. Conclusion: The results reveal that Vip1 is important to autophagy of C. albicans. The maintenance of vacuolar acidic pH contributed to the role of Vip1 in autophagy. Vip1 is also required for pathogenicity of C. albicans.