Histidine phosphotransfer proteins in fungal two-component signal transduction pathways

Eukaryot Cell. 2013 Aug;12(8):1052-60. doi: 10.1128/EC.00083-13. Epub 2013 Jun 14.

Abstract

The histidine phosphotransfer (HPt) protein Ypd1 is an important participant in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae multistep two-component signal transduction pathway and, unlike the expanded histidine kinase gene family, is encoded by a single gene in nearly all model and pathogenic fungi. Ypd1 is essential for viability in both S. cerevisiae and in Cryptococcus neoformans. These and other aspects of Ypd1 biology, combined with the availability of structural and mutational data in S. cerevisiae, suggest that the essential interactions between Ypd1 and response regulator domains would be a good target for antifungal drug development. The goal of this minireview is to summarize the wealth of data on S. cerevisiae Ypd1 and to consider the potential benefits of conducting related studies in pathogenic fungi.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antifungal Agents / metabolism
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / genetics
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / pathogenicity
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Histidine / metabolism*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinases / genetics*
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / pathogenicity
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Histidine
  • Protein Kinases
  • YPD1 protein, S cerevisiae