Candida auris Metabolism Genes upregulated in Skin-Like Media

Authors

• J Nicklas
• C Deming
• D Proctor
• J Segre

Abstract

Candida auris is one of four pathogens designated as a critical priority group member in the WHO’s 2022 Fungal Priority Pathogens List and is one of five pathogens designated as an urgent threat in the CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report. C. auris’ high mortality rate (~50%), high antifungal resistance profile, and high transmission rates in healthcare facilities underlie its threat to global health. While most C. auris clinical cases are bloodstream infections, skin is the primary site of colonization. C. auris persists on skin for extended periods of time and is considered the major risk factor for development of life-threatening infections. A significant gap in knowledge regarding C. auris skin colonization is how it grows in the nutrient-poor environment of the skin. I conducted an exploratory screen that revealed that C. auris upregulates key lipid metabolism genes in artificial sweat media, which contains skin-like nutrients, compared to rich media. Preliminary data has shown that without key lipid metabolism genes C. auris mutants grow poorly in the artificial sweat media compared to rich media in vitro. Currently, I have screened a C. auris mutant library to find and validate the most important genes required for lipid metabolism and growth. Next, I will perform comparative genomics to study genes, perform additional in vitro studies, and use an in vivo model to study longitudinal colonization of C. auris strains. Collectively, this work will advance our understanding of how C. auris can utilize skin-like nutrients, grow, and persist on skin.

Scientific Focus Area: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

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