David Kadosh, Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology, (pictured) and Ph.D. student Patricia Carlisle discovered a key factor involving the growth of the Candida albicans fungus. Their findings were published in the September edition of Eukaryotic Cell.
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Contact: Will Sansom, 210-567-2579

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 22, 2010) – Candida albicans, a fungus that kills more than 10,000 people with weakened immune systems each year, grows more dangerous as it forms and extends long strands of cells called hyphal filaments. In a recently published paper, UT Health Science Center San Antonio microbiologists describe a key factor involved in this damaging growth.

This finding may eventually lead to targets for antifungal strategies, the scientists said.

Related links: Definition of Ume6 Article published in Eukaryotic Cell

Patricia Carlisle, a Ph.D. student at the Health Science Center, and David Kadosh, Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology, found that Ume6, a key transcriptional regulator, targets a specific hyphal filament-development mechanism. “No one knew that Ume6 was involved in directing this process,” Dr. Kadosh said. “Perhaps we can learn how to mute its signals."

Candida albicans preys on hospitalized critical care patients, HIV/AIDS patients, cancer patients and others with weakened immune systems. It is the fourth-leading cause of hospital-acquired infections in the United States.

“The forming of hyphal filaments is very important in tissue invasion and other activities,” Dr. Kadosh said.

The findings were featured as a Spotlight article in the September issue of Eukaryotic Cell, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

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