Role of carboxylate transporters during carbon adaptation in Candida glabrata

Candida glabrata is an important human fungal pathogen known to trigger serious infections in immune­compromised individuals. In order to survive and successfullyproliferate in the different host niches, C. glabrata must rapidly adapt to a diverse range of environmental stresses and assimilate the available nutrients.For instance, during gastrointestinal and vaginal colonization, where glucose is scarce, alternative carbon sources such as acetate or lactate are particularly abundant andmay support the growth and the proliferation of C. glabrata cells. Our studies have demonstrated that the presence of these alternative non­fermentable carbon sourcesinfluence biofilm formation, antifungal drug resistance and immune recognition. Additionally, there is evidence that carboxylic acid transporters have an important impacton these processes.Here, we provide a detailed view on the role of putative C. glabrata acetate transporters during carbon adaptation. Our data support the view that adaptive responsesof Candida cells to alternative carbon sources affect their virulence, through multifarious mechanisms