Analysis of the Candida Albicans Proteome

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Candida albicans is by far the most frequently isolated human mycotic agent. In the oral cavity, oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is a significant cause of morbidity in patients with HIV or AIDS. Other forms of mucosal candidiasis are also frequent in different patient populations such as infants, denture wearers, the elderly, and following antibiotic therapy. Azole derivatives, in particular fluconazole, are generally effective in the treatment of mucosal candidiasis. However, resistance has emerged as an important clinical problem. Large-scale DNA sequencing has provided an important sequence infrastructure for protein analysis. The term "Proteomics" refers to large-scale characterization of the proteins present in a cell, tissue or organism (the proteome) and involves the combined application of techniques to resolve, identify, quantitate and characterize proteins, as well as bioinformatics tools to store, communicate and interlink the resulting information. The experimental design of this proposal takes advantage of the recently completed NIDCR-funded Candida albicans genome sequencing project. The post-genomic era offers unprecedented opportunities to study host-fungal interactions. The specific aims of this proposal include: i) a pilot feasibility study of the analysis of the C. albicans proteome under a wide variety of conditions and development of a searchable proteomic map and database as a resource for the fungal community, ii) analysis of C. albicans azole resistance by proteomics and identification of proteins implicated in the regulatory networks of multidrug resistance. We will expect that these projects will establish the foundations for creating a fundamental tool for the C. albicans research community and for providing a detailed large-scale study of a biological phenomenon (drug resistance) with important clinical repercussions.