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Dbf2 is essential for cytokinesis and correct mitotic spindle formation in Candida albicans
Author(s) -
GonzálezNovo Alberto,
Labrador Leticia,
PabloHernando M. Evangelina,
CorreaBordes Jaime,
Sánchez Miguel,
Jiménez Javier,
De Aldana Carlos R. Vázquez
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06729.x
Subject(s) - cytokinesis , biology , mitotic exit , microbiology and biotechnology , spindle pole body , polo like kinase , mitosis , anaphase , spindle apparatus , aurora b kinase , spindle checkpoint , cell cycle , genetics , cell division , cell
Summary We have characterized the DBF2 gene, encoding a protein kinase of the NDR family in Candida albicans, and demonstrate that this gene is essential for cell viability. Conditional mutants were constructed by using the MET3 promoter to analyse the phenotype of cells lacking this kinase. The absence of Dbf2 resulted in cells arrested as large‐budded pairs that failed to contract the actomyosin ring, a function similar to that described for its Saccharomyces cerevisiae orthologue. In addition to its role in cytokinesis, Dbf2 regulates mitotic spindle organization and nuclear segregation as Dbf2‐depleted cells have abnormal microtubules and severe defects in nuclear migration to the daughter cell, which results in a cell cycle block during mitosis. Taken together, these results imply that Dbf2 performs several functions during exit from mitosis and cytokinesis. Consistent with a role in spindle organization, the protein localizes to the mitotic spindle during anaphase, and it interacts physically with tubulin, as indicated by immunoprecipitation experiments. Finally, DBF2 depletion also resulted in impaired true hyphal growth.