Reduced virulence of Candida albicans MKC1 mutants: A role for mitogen-activated protein kinase in pathogenesis

Deletion of the Candida albicans mitogen-activated protein kinase MKCl gene gave rise to viable cells whose cell integrity was affected (F. Navarro-Garcia, M. Sanchez, J. Pla, and C. Nombela, Mol. Cell. Biol. 15:2197-2206, 1995), In an experimental infection system using a murine model, the C. albicans mkcl Delta/mkcl Delta strain was found to be less pathogenic than the parental strain, as show the different time of survival, percentage of mortality, fungal load in the most representative organs, and histological analysis. This is the first study that shows the involvement of the cell integrity pathway in the pathogenicity of a dimorphic fungus.