Coordination of fungal biofilm development by extracellular vesicle cargo

Robert Zarnowski, Andrea Noll, Marc G. Chevrette, Hiram Sanchez, Ryley Jones, Hanna Anhalt, Jen Fossen, Anna Jaromin, Cameron Currie, Jeniel E. Nett, Aaron Mitchell () and David R. Andes ()
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Robert Zarnowski: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Andrea Noll: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Marc G. Chevrette: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Hiram Sanchez: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Ryley Jones: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Hanna Anhalt: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Jen Fossen: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Anna Jaromin: University of Wroclaw
Cameron Currie: University of Wisconsin
Jeniel E. Nett: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Aaron Mitchell: University of Georgia
David R. Andes: University of Wisconsin–Madison

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract The fungal pathogen Candida albicans can form biofilms that protect it from drugs and the immune system. The biofilm cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) that promote extracellular matrix formation and resistance to antifungal drugs. Here, we define functions for numerous EV cargo proteins in biofilm matrix assembly and drug resistance, as well as in fungal cell adhesion and dissemination. We use a machine-learning analysis of cargo proteomic data from mutants with EV production defects to identify 63 candidate gene products for which we construct mutant and complemented strains for study. Among these, 17 mutants display reduced biofilm matrix accumulation and antifungal drug resistance. An additional subset of 8 cargo mutants exhibit defects in adhesion and/or dispersion. Representative cargo proteins are shown to function as EV cargo through the ability of exogenous wild-type EVs to complement mutant phenotypic defects. Most functionally assigned cargo proteins have roles in two or more of the biofilm phases. Our results support that EVs provide community coordination throughout biofilm development in C. albicans.

Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-26525-z

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26525-z

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