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Eukaryotic cells are exquisitely responsive to external and internal cues, achieving precise control of seemingly diverse growth processes through a complex interplay of regulatory mechanisms. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides a fascinating model of cell growth in its stress-responsive transition from planktonic single cells to a filamentous pseudohyphal growth form. During pseudohyphal growth, yeast cells undergo changes in morphology, polarity, and adhesion to form extended and invasive multicellular filaments. This pseudohyphal transition has been studied extensively as a model of conserved signaling pathways regulating cell growth and for its relevance in understanding the pathogenicity of the related opportunistic fungus Candida albicans, wherein filamentous growth is required for virulence. This review highlights the broad gene set enabling yeast pseudohyphal growth, signaling pathways that regulate this process, the role and regulation of proteins conferring cell adhesion, and interesting regulatory mechanisms enabling the pseudohyphal transition.
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Microfluidic quantification and separation of yeast based on surface adhesion
Fungal adhesion is fundamental to processes ranging from infections to food production to bioengineering. Yet, robust, population-scale quantification methods for yeast surface adhesion are lacking. We developed a microfluidic assay to discriminate and separate genetically-related yeast strains based on adhesion strength, and to quantify effects of ionic strength and substrate hydrophobicity on adhesion. This approach will enable the rapid screening and fractionation of yeast based on adhesive properties for genetic protein engineering, anti-fouling surfaces, and a host of other applications.
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- PAR ID:
- 10172535
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Lab on a Chip
- Volume:
- 19
- Issue:
- 20
- ISSN:
- 1473-0197
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 3481 to 3489
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1039/C9LC00275H
