The MAP kinase network as the nervous system of fungi

Abstract

Signaling pathways involving MAP kinases are wide spread among eukaryotes. These routes allow cells to sense different stimuli and develop an appropriate response, mainly of transcriptional nature. Candida albicans is a pathogenic fungus of great clinical importance and a well-established model in basic research. This fungus colonizes the vaginal and gastrointestinal tract of humans as a harmless commensal but is able to generate diseases as the consequence of alteration of host defenses. The work done on this commensal yeast in the last years has led to the identification of many of the elements that mediate the transmission of the signal as well as to the characterization of their role in the cells through genetic and biochemical analyses. They participate in metabolic adaptation, adhesion, invasion, proliferation, biofilm formation and cell wall biogenesis. As a consequence, they are essential for the interaction with the host immune cells and modulate the immune response elicited. They are, in many cases, essential virulence determinants reflecting their potential usefulness to control fungal infections.