Contact-induced apical asymmetry drives the thigmotropic responses ofCandida albicanshyphae

• DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12369
• Publication Date: 2014-09-29T11:51:42Z
• Authors: Darren D. Thomson; Silvia Wehmeier; FitzRoy J. Byfield; Paul A. Janmey; David Caballero-Lima; Alison Crossley; Alexandra C. Brand
• Keywords: Tip growth; Apex (geometry)

Filamentous hyphae of the human pathogen, Candida albicans, invade mucosal layers and medical silicones. In vitro, hyphal tips reorient thigmotropically on contact with small obstacles. It is not known how surface topography sensed but lacking cortical marker, Rsr1/Bud1, are unresponsive. We show that, surfaces, morphology position internal polarity protein complexes asymmetrically skewed towards substratum biased softer two surfaces. nano-fabricated chambers, Spitzenkörper (Spk) responded to touch by translocating across apex point contact, where its stable maintenance correlated contour-following growth. rsr1Δ mutant, Spk meandered these responses were attenuated. Perpendicular collision caused lateral oscillation within tip until after establishment a new growth axis, suggesting does predict direction in C. albicans. Acute reorientation occurred only cells forward was countered friction sufficient generate force ∼ 8.7 μN (1.2 MPa), more than that required penetrate host cell membranes. These findings suggest mechanisms through which organization albicans facilitates probing, penetration invasion tissue.