Next Article in Journal
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Linezolid-Resistant and Linezolid-Intermediate-Susceptibility Enterococcus faecalis Clinical Isolates in a Mexican Tertiary Care University Hospital
Previous Article in Journal
Gut Microbiome Alterations, Mental Health, and Alcohol Consumption: Investigating the Gut–Brain Axis in Firefighters
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Microorganisms
Volume 13
Issue 3
10.3390/microorganisms13030683
microorganisms-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Cas5 Regulates the Exposure of β-Glucan, the Cell Surface Hydrophobicity, and the Expression of Cell Wall Proteins to Remodel the Candida albicans Cell Wall and Participates in the Recruitment of Neutrophils

by
Qiyue Zhang
1,2,
Guanglin Li
1,2,
Yanmei Wang
1,2,
Chen Yang
1,2,
Wenhui Bai
1,2,
Qingqing Li
1,2,
Jiye Zhang
1,2 and
Peipei Zhang
1,2,*
1
School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
2
Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Microorganisms 2025, 13(3), 683; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13030683
Submission received: 6 February 2025 / Revised: 9 March 2025 / Accepted: 10 March 2025 / Published: 19 March 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is a major opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, underscoring the critical need to understand its pathogenic mechanisms. This study investigates the role of Cas5, a key transcription factor, in regulating C. albicans cell wall remodeling, virulence, and host interactions. Genetic manipulation and biochemical assays were used to examine the effects of Cas5 depletion on C. albicans cell wall structure, adhesion to host cells, morphology transition, innate immune cells recruitment, and pathogenicity in a BALB/C mouse model of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). The results showed that the Cas5 depletion mediated β-glucan exposure and enhanced C. albicans’s ability to recruit neutrophils in vivo. Additionally, Cas5-mediated changes in cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), CWP expressions, and morphological transition promoted C. albicans adhesion to biologically active surfaces (host cells) and increased fungal burden in the mouse model of OPC. In conclusion, Cas5 modulates C. albicans cell wall remodeling by masking cell wall β-glucan, altering CSH, and regulating the expression of cell wall proteins (CWPs). Additionally, Cas5 participates in inhibiting neutrophil recruitment and enhancing the C. albicans adhesion to host cells, as well as facilitating morphological transitions. These actions promote the colonization and invasion of C. albicans in OPC pathogenesis.
Keywords: Candida albicans; Cas5; virulence; cell wall Candida albicans; Cas5; virulence; cell wall

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Zhang, Q.; Li, G.; Wang, Y.; Yang, C.; Bai, W.; Li, Q.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, P. Cas5 Regulates the Exposure of β-Glucan, the Cell Surface Hydrophobicity, and the Expression of Cell Wall Proteins to Remodel the Candida albicans Cell Wall and Participates in the Recruitment of Neutrophils. Microorganisms 2025, 13, 683. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13030683

AMA Style

Zhang Q, Li G, Wang Y, Yang C, Bai W, Li Q, Zhang J, Zhang P. Cas5 Regulates the Exposure of β-Glucan, the Cell Surface Hydrophobicity, and the Expression of Cell Wall Proteins to Remodel the Candida albicans Cell Wall and Participates in the Recruitment of Neutrophils. Microorganisms. 2025; 13(3):683. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13030683

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhang, Qiyue, Guanglin Li, Yanmei Wang, Chen Yang, Wenhui Bai, Qingqing Li, Jiye Zhang, and Peipei Zhang. 2025. "Cas5 Regulates the Exposure of β-Glucan, the Cell Surface Hydrophobicity, and the Expression of Cell Wall Proteins to Remodel the Candida albicans Cell Wall and Participates in the Recruitment of Neutrophils" Microorganisms 13, no. 3: 683. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13030683

APA Style

Zhang, Q., Li, G., Wang, Y., Yang, C., Bai, W., Li, Q., Zhang, J., & Zhang, P. (2025). Cas5 Regulates the Exposure of β-Glucan, the Cell Surface Hydrophobicity, and the Expression of Cell Wall Proteins to Remodel the Candida albicans Cell Wall and Participates in the Recruitment of Neutrophils. Microorganisms, 13(3), 683. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13030683

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop