{"entity": "researcher", "timestamp": "2026-08-23T09:27:55.243Z", "family": "Silao", "given": "Fitz Gerald S", "initials": "FGS", "orcid": "0000-0002-4350-8395", "affiliations": [], "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/2759166353e14a7683c0833cb5503b43.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/2759166353e14a7683c0833cb5503b43"}}, "publications": [{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "6ea621cd8bf04495abdf9760323093b0", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/6ea621cd8bf04495abdf9760323093b0.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/6ea621cd8bf04495abdf9760323093b0"}}, "title": "Diverse mechanisms control amino acid-dependent environmental alkalization by Candida albicans.", "authors": [{"family": "Silao", "given": "Fitz Gerald S", "initials": "FGS", "orcid": "0000-0002-4350-8395", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/2759166353e14a7683c0833cb5503b43.json"}}, {"family": "Valeriano", "given": "Valerie Diane", "initials": "VD"}, {"family": "Uddstr\u00f6m", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E"}, {"family": "Falconer", "given": "Emilie", "initials": "E"}, {"family": "Ljungdahl", "given": "Per O", "initials": "PO"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2024-04-00", "journal": {"title": "Mol. Microbiol.", "issn": "1365-2958", "volume": "121", "issue": "4", "pages": "696-716", "issn-l": "0950-382X"}, "abstract": "Candida albicans has the capacity to neutralize acidic growth environments by releasing ammonia derived from the catabolism of amino acids. The molecular components underlying alkalization and its physiological significance remain poorly understood. Here, we present an integrative model with the cytosolic NAD+-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (Gdh2) as the principal ammonia-generating component. We show that alkalization is dependent on the SPS-sensor-regulated transcription factor STP2 and the proline-responsive activator Put3. These factors function in parallel to derepress GDH2 and the two proline catabolic enzymes PUT1 and PUT2. Consistently, a double mutant lacking STP2 and PUT3 exhibits a severe alkalization defect that nearly phenocopies that of a gdh2-/- strain. Alkalization is dependent on mitochondrial activity and in wild-type cells occurs as long as the conditions permit respiratory growth. Strikingly, Gdh2 levels decrease and cells transiently extrude glutamate as the environment becomes more alkaline. Together, these processes constitute a rudimentary regulatory system that counters and limits the negative effects associated with ammonia generation. These findings align with Gdh2 being dispensable for virulence, and based on a whole human blood virulence assay, the same is true for C. glabrata and C. auris. Using a transwell co-culture system, we observed that the growth and proliferation of Lactobacillus crispatus, a common component of the acidic vaginal microenvironment and a potent antagonist of C. albicans, is unaffected by fungal-induced alkalization. Consequently, although Candida spp. can alkalinize their growth environments, other fungal-associated processes are more critical in promoting dysbiosis and virulent fungal growth.", "doi": "10.1111/mmi.15216", "pmid": "38178569", "labels": [], "xrefs": [], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T11:19:03.902Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T11:19:03.986Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "8bb1885075cf4edfaef5f47786b3f22e", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/8bb1885075cf4edfaef5f47786b3f22e.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/8bb1885075cf4edfaef5f47786b3f22e"}}, "title": "Diverse mechanisms control amino acid-dependent environmental alkalization by Candida albicans", "authors": [{"family": "Silao", "given": "Fitz Gerald S", "initials": "FGS", "orcid": "0000-0002-4350-8395", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/2759166353e14a7683c0833cb5503b43.json"}}, {"family": "Valeriano", "given": "Valerie Diane", "initials": "VD"}, {"family": "Uddstr\u00f6m", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E"}, {"family": "Falconer", "given": "Emilie", "initials": "E"}, {"family": "Ljungdahl", "given": "Per O", "initials": "PO", "orcid": "0000-0002-6625-3540", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/683fcaec33bf44159f021fde794c746c.json"}}], "type": "posted-content", "published": "2023-08-04", "journal": {"issn-l": null}, "abstract": null, "doi": "10.1101/2023.08.04.551922", "pmid": null, "labels": [], "xrefs": [], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T10:47:21.535Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T10:47:21.614Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "bdc3c405d23346bea843514658cbf156", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/bdc3c405d23346bea843514658cbf156.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/bdc3c405d23346bea843514658cbf156"}}, "title": "Amino Acid Sensing and Assimilation by the Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans in the Human Host.", "authors": [{"family": "Silao", "given": "Fitz Gerald S", "initials": "FGS", "orcid": "0000-0002-4350-8395", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/2759166353e14a7683c0833cb5503b43.json"}}, {"family": "Ljungdahl", "given": "Per O", "initials": "PO"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2021-12-22", "journal": {"title": "Pathogens", "issn": "2076-0817", "volume": "11", "issue": "1", "issn-l": null}, "abstract": "Nutrient uptake is essential for cellular life and the capacity to perceive extracellular nutrients is critical for coordinating their uptake and metabolism. Commensal fungal pathogens, e.g., Candida albicans, have evolved in close association with human hosts and are well-adapted to using diverse nutrients found in discrete host niches. Human cells that cannot synthesize all amino acids require the uptake of the \"essential amino acids\" to remain viable. Consistently, high levels of amino acids circulate in the blood. Host proteins are rich sources of amino acids but their use depends on proteases to cleave them into smaller peptides and free amino acids. C. albicans responds to extracellular amino acids by pleiotropically enhancing their uptake and derive energy from their catabolism to power opportunistic virulent growth. Studies using Saccharomyces cerevisiae have established paradigms to understand metabolic processes in C. albicans; however, fundamental differences exist. The advent of CRISPR/Cas9-based methods facilitate genetic analysis in C. albicans, and state-of-the-art molecular biological techniques are being applied to directly examine growth requirements in vivo and in situ in infected hosts. The combination of divergent approaches can illuminate the biological roles of individual cellular components. Here we discuss recent findings regarding nutrient sensing with a focus on amino acid uptake and metabolism, processes that underlie the virulence of C. albicans.", "doi": "10.3390/pathogens11010005", "pmid": "35055954", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC8781990"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "pathogens11010005"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T13:42:47.084Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T13:42:47.159Z"}]}