G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) of human pathogenic fungi and their role on growth, morphogenesis and virulence

Human pathogenic fungi, such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus are important human fungal pathogens. C. albicans normally lives as a commensal in our intestinal tract or in the oral mucosa. In immunocompromised persons, however, it can cause a number of diseases ranging from superficial infections to subcutaneous as well as systemic infections, often resulting in death. Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus that lives in the environment, e.g. in compost. Spores of this species are inhaled by humans where it can become a deadly pathogen in immunocompromised patients. In the host, the pathogens need to be able to sense the availability of nutrients such as amino acids and glucose. Extracellular sensing of nutrients occurs via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In C. albicans the GPCR Gpr1 is involved in methionine/lactate/glucose sensing but the exact mechanism is unclear and will be investigated here. Possibly, one receptor may communicate to different downstream effectors depending on the ligand. An important virulence factor in A. fumigatus is melanin production. We recently obtained evidence that two different GPCRs are required for melanin production, but whether the two GPCRs detect the same signal, use the same downstream effector or use different effectors will be investigated here. The knowledge and expertise of both Belgian and Brazilian groups on fungal biology and fungal pathogenesis is a strong guarantee of the success of the scientific exchange.