The Vacuolar Ca 2+ ATPase Pump Pmc1p Is Required for Candida albicans Pathogenesis

Abstract

Maintenance of Ca 2+ homeostasis is important for fungal cells to respond to a multitude of stresses, as well as antifungal treatment, and for virulence in animal models. Here, we demonstrate that a P-type ATPase, Pmc1p, is required for Candida albicans to respond to a variety of stresses, affects azole susceptibility, and is required to sustain tissue invasive hyphal growth and to cause disease in a mouse model of disseminated infection. Defining the mechanisms responsible for maintaining proper Ca 2+ homeostasis in this important human pathogen can ultimately provide opportunities to devise new chemotherapeutic interventions that dysregulate intracellular signaling and induce Ca 2+ toxicity.