The HOG MAPK pathway in Candida albicansmore than an osmosensing pathway

  1. Elvira Román 1
  2. Inês Correia 2
  3. Daniel Prieto 1
  4. Rebeca Alonso 1
  5. Jesús Pla Alonso 1
  1. 1 Universidad Complutense de Madrid
    info

    Universidad Complutense de Madrid

    Madrid, España

    ROR 02p0gd045

  2. 2 Universidade Do Porto
    info

    Universidade Do Porto

    Oporto, Portugal

    ROR https://ror.org/043pwc612

Journal:
International microbiology: official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology

ISSN: 1618-1905

Year of publication: 2020

Volume: 23

Issue: 1

Pages: 23-29

Type: Article

More publications in: International microbiology: official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology

Abstract

In 1993, Brewster and Gustin described the existence of a kinase whose activity was essential for Saccharomyces cerevisiae to grow in environments with high osmolarity. This led to the discovery of the HOG pathway, a MAP kinase (MAPK) pathway that has been revealed to be crucial to respond to a wide range of stress conditions frequently encountered by fungi in their common habitats. MAPK signaling is initiated at the plasma membrane, where triggering stimuli lead to a phosphorylation cascade that ultimately activates transcription factors to ensure an appropriate adaptive response. In pathogenic fungi, the HOG pathway gains special significance as it is involved in traits related to pathogenicity; these include biofilm formation, adhesion to surfaces, and morphogenetic and epigenetic transitions. It also plays a role in controlling both the pathogen and the commensal state program. Understanding the signals leading to its activation, the elements of the pathways and the targets of the pathway are therefore of primary importance in the design of novel antifungals.