Transcription of N- and O-linked mannosyltransferase genes is modulated by the pacC gene in the human dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum

In fungi, ambient pH sensing involves the activation of the Pal/PacC signalling pathway. In the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum, pH-dependent secretion of keratinases, which are major virulence determinants, is affected by disruption of the pacC gene. Here, the transcription profiling of the genes coding for N- and O-linked mannosyltransferases, enzymes involved in protein glycosylation, was evaluated in T. rubrum in response to disruption of the pacC gene and growth in keratin, glucose, and glucose plus glycine. We show that transcription of these mannosyltransferase genes is affected by nutrients at acidic pH and by PacC.

▸ The PacC/Pal transduction pathway mediates the metabolic response to pH sensing. ▸ pH-dependent secretion of keratinases is modulated by the pacC gene in T. rubrum. ▸ The pacC gene modulates transcription of O- and N-mannosyltransferase genes at acidic pH. ▸ An O-mannosyltransferase gene is preferentially transcribed in keratin at pH 5.0. ▸ An N-mannosyltransferase gene is preferentially transcribed in non-buffered glucose at pH 5.0.