Metabolism of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in Candida albicans: significance as a precursor of inositol polyphosphates and in signal transduction during the dimorphic transition from yeast cells to germ tubes.

The metabolism of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] was examined in yeast cells and germ tubes of Candida albicans. Methods have been developed for analysis of the two key metabolic enzymes, Ins(1,4,5)P3, kinase and phosphatase. ATP-dependent Ins(1,4,5)P3 kinase activity was detected predominantly in the soluble fraction of cell extracts and exhibited a Km of approximately 9 microM. The apparent Km of Ins(1,4,5)P3 phosphatase for Ins(1,4,5)P3 was approximately 480 microM. The slow rate of dephosphorylation of Ins(1,4,5_P3 to inositol bisphosphate suggests a lower importance of the phosphatase within cells compared to the kinase. Since both yeast cells and germ tubes of C. albicans rapidly phosphorylated Ins(1,4,5)P3 to inositol tetrakisphosphate and inositol penta/hexakisphosphate, it is suggested that Ins(1,4,5)P3 has an important role as a precursor for production of these compounds. A sustained increase in cellular Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels was observed during germ tube formation and, prior to the onset of germination between 1 and 2 incubation, the Ins(1,4,5)P3 content increased up to eightfold. Transient increases in the level of Ins(1,4,5)P3 were also observed during yeast-like growth of C. albicans. The possible role and relative importance of Ins(1,4,5)P3 as a precursor for inositol polyphosphates and in signal transduction involving Ca2+ release from internal stores is discussed.