Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrlyamidegel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)

Protein concentrations were estimated by the method of Bradford (1976). The A595wasmeasured after complexation with Bradford reagent. Bovine serum albumin was usedas standard against whichthe unknown protein concentrations were estimated

Protein estimation

Overexpression and purification of ArgPand ArgPdproteins

argP+, argPd-S94L, argPd-P108S, argPd-P274Sfragment downstream of the phage T7-promoter, such that the encoded proteins beara C-terminal His6-tag provided by the vector DNA sequence. Theresultant plasmid was transformed into strain BL21(DE3) which has the T7 RNA Polymerase under the isopropyl thio-β-D-galactoside (IPTG) inducible lacUV5promoter.The resultant strains were grownin LB (500-1000 ml) to an A600of around 0.6and were then induced with 1 mM IPTG and harvested after 4-hrs of induction.Bacterial cells were recovered by centrifugation, resuspended in 20 ml of lysis buffer(20 mM Tris-Cl, pH-8; 300 mM NaCl; 10 mM DTT and 10 mM imidazole) containing20 μg/ml lysozyme, and lysed by sonication with 30-sec pulses for 10-min. Theprotocol for His6-ArgP(ArgPds)protein purification involved (i) passing the lysate through a 5ml Ni-NTA (Qiagen) chromatographic columnequilibrated with lysis buffer, (ii) washing thecolumn with 100 ml of washing buffer (20 mM Tris-Cl, pH-8; 300 mM NaCl; 10 mMDTT; 30 mM imidazole), and (iii) elution of His6-ArgP(ArgPds)from the column with elutionbuffer (20 mM Tris-Cl, pH-8;300 mM NaCl; 10 mM DTT and 250 mM imidazole) andcollection of 1.5 ml eluate fractions (10 fractions). The fractions were tested forprotein by Bradford method and the protein-carrying fractions (generally tubes 2 to 5)were pooled and dialysed in a 1:200 volume ratio against 20 mM Tris-Cl, pH-8 with 10mM DTT, 300 mMNaCl for 5 hrs followedby a change to buffer of composition 20 mM Tris-Cl, pH-8 with 10 mM DTT, 300 mM NaCl and 40% glycerol for 24 hrs. The proteins were concentrated by centrifugation toaround 1 mg/ml by using Amicon filter (pore size 10-KDa) and stored at −20ºC or −70ºC

For preparing ArgP and ArgPd-S94L, -P108S and -P274S proteins, derivatives(designated as pHYD1705, pHYD2678, pHYD2679 and pHYD2680 respectively) of the plasmidvector pET21b (Novagen) was constructed which carries the PCR-amplified

Biochemical techniques

TheDNA samples were mixed with appropriate volumes of 6 X loading dye (0.25%bromophenol blue and 0.25% xylene cyanol and 30% glycerol in water) and subjectedto electrophoresis through 0.8 to 1 % agarose gel in TAE buffer. The gel was stained in1 μg/ml ethidium bromide solution for 15-min at room temperature and visualised byfluorescence under UV-light in a UV-transilluminator

Agarose gel electrophoresis

Test for canavanine (CAN) sensitivity

CAN is a toxic analog of Arg and is an inhibitor of bacterial growth. Strains were tested for sensitivity/resistance to CAN by streaking them on minimal A-glucose platessupplemented withoutand with40 μg/ml CAN(or other concentrations as indicated) and 40 μg/ml uracil

Competent cells for high efficiency transformations were prepared by a method ofInoue et al. (1990) with few modifications. An overnight culture of the strain (routinelyDH5α) was sub-cultured into fresh sterile LB-brothin 1:100 dilutions and grown at 18ºC to an A600of 0.55. The cells were harvested by centrifugation at 2500 rpm for 10-min at 4ºC. This was re-suspended in 0.4 volumes of INOUE buffer and incubated inice for 10 min. The cells were recovered by centrifugation at 2500 rpm at 4ºC for 10-min and finally re-suspended in 0.01 volume of the same buffer. Sterile DMSO wasadded to a final concentration of 7%. After incubating for 10-min in ice, the cells werealiquoted in 100 μl volumes, snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at –70ºC

Preparation of high efficiency competent cells

For routine plasmid transformations, following method which is modification of thatdescribed by Cohen et al. (1972) was used. An overnight culture of recipient strain wassub-cultured 1:100 in fresh LB medium and grown till mid-exponential phage. Theculture was chilled on ice for 15-min, and the steps thereafter were performed at 4ºC.20 ml of culture was centrifuged and pellet was re-suspended in 10 ml of 0.1 M CaCl2.After 15-min of incubation on ice, the cells were again centrifuged and re-suspended in2 ml of 0.1 M CaCl2. The suspension was incubated on ice for 30-min. To the 200 μl aliquot of the cell suspensionplasmid DNA (20 to 200 ng in less than 10 μl volume)was added, incubated for half an hron ice and given a heat shock for 90-sec at 41ºC.The cultures was rapidly chilled, mixed with 0.8 ml of LB-broth and incubated at 37ºCfor 1-hr, and plated on an appropriate selective medium at various dilutions. An aliquotof cell suspension to which plasmid DNA was not added served as a negative control

A. Calcium chloride method

Transformation

The primers used in this study are listed in Table 2.3.Table 2.3 Oligonucleotide primersa

Primers

For TEM, C. glabrata cells were digested with zymolyase 20T for 3 h at 30◦C, centrifuged at 1,000 g and washed with YPD medium. Cell fixation was performed as described for SEM and dehydrated samples were embedded in araldite 6005 resin. After complete polymerization at 80 ̊C for 72 h, ultra-thin (50-70 nm) sections were preparedwith a glass knife on Leica Ultra cut (UCT-GA-D/E-1/00)microtomeand mounted on copper grids. Aqueous uranyl acetate-stained and Reynolds lead citrate-counterstained samples were viewed under Hitachi H-7500 transmission electron microscope

Transmission electron microscopy

For SEM, C. glabratacells were fixed for 24 h in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH 7.2) at 4 ̊C, post-fixed in 2% aqueous osmium tetroxide for 4 h and dehydrated. After drying to critical point, mounted samples were coated with a thin layer of gold for 3 min using an automated sputter coater and visualized by SEM (JEOL-JSM 5600)

Scanning electron microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed at the Electron Microscope Facility, RUSKA LABs, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad

Electron Microscopy

Log-phase yeastcells were collected, washed and suspendedin 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) containing 50 mg/ml zymolyase-20T. Cell suspension was incubated at room temperature and absorbance was monitored at 600 nm every10mininterval. Initial absorbance of the cultures at 0 minwas normalized to 100%and the graph was plottedas%decrease in the absorbance with respect to time

Zymolyasedigestion assay

Resultant precipitate was dissolved in 3 N HCl and reprecipitated in methanol:acetic acid (8:1) solution. Following 16 h incubation at room temperature, the precipitate was washed withmethanol:acetic acid (8:1) solution till green colour of the supernatant disappeared.Finally,pellet was washed thrice with methanol and air dried. Driedpellet was resuspended in 0.5 NHCl and total mannan content was quantified with phenol-sulphuric acid carbohydrate estimation method as described earlier.Commercially available purified glucose was used as the standard

Total mannan from 3% NaOH-extractable supernatant of cell wall was precipitated by Benedict’s solution.Reducing sugars(mostly mannan) from alkali-extractable supernatant reactwith copper(II) sulphate present in Benedict’s solution and forms red copper(I) oxide precipitate.Briefly, equal volume of Benedict’s solution was added to 3% NaOH-extractable cell wall supernatant fraction and heated at 99 ̊C for 10 min

Total mannan estimation

Cell wall β-glucan measurement was carried out as describedpreviously with some modifications(Kapteynet.al.,2001). Briefly, cell wall fractions were washed multiple times with 1 N NaCl. Washed cell walls were boiled twice in 50 mM Tris-HCl(pH 7.8) containing 2% SDS, 100 mM Na-EDTA and 40 mM β-mercaptoethanol for 5 min to remove non-covalently linked proteins and other contaminants. SDS-treated cell wall fraction was collected and rinsed thrice with water. For β-glucan isolation, cell wallswere extracted three times, each for 1 h, in 0.5 ml 3% NaOH at 75 ̊C and centrifuged at 1,200 g.All 3% NaOH supernatant fractions were saved for isolation of mannan as described below. 3% NaOH-extractable cell wall pelletwasneutralized twice in 100 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) and once in 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) and digested with 5 mg/ml zymolyase-20T in 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) for 14-16 h at 37 ̊C. This treatment liberates approximately 90-95% glucose into the supernatant. Total glucan content in the cell wall was measured by estimating glucose from both the solubilised supernatant and zymolyase-20T insoluble pellet fractions with phenol-sulphuric acid carbohydrate estimation method using purified glucose as the standard

Total β-glucan estimation

min. Cells were normalized to equal OD600, resuspendedin 1 ml 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) and transferred to 2 ml microcentrifuge tubes. Cells were lysed with glass beadsin a homogenizer (FastPrep®-24,MP Biomedicals)asdescribed earlier.Brokencells were washed from glass beadswith 500 μl Tris-HCl (50 mM, pH 7.5) and pelleteddown at 15,000 g for 10 minto obtainall cell wall and membrane content. Pellet was then boiled for 10 minin 1mlTris-HCl(50mM; pH 7.5)solutioncontaining 2%SDS. SDS-extractable material(mannoproteins)was savedand remaining pellet wasboiled again in 500 μl Tris-HCl(50 mM; pH 7.5)buffer containing 2%SDS. Cell wallwas collectedby centrifugation at 15,000 g for 10 min, washed twice with1 ml waterandresuspendedin 100 μl 67 mM potassium phosphatebuffer. This washed cell wall materialwas used for β-glucan estimation as described below

Yeast cell wall was isolatedas describedpreviously(De Groot et al., 2004). Briefly, cells grown underdifferent environmental conditions were harvested at 5,000 g for 5

Crude cell wall isolation

Cell wall isolation, zymolyasedigestion assay and β-glucan estimation

Cells grown to log-phase in YPD medium were spotted on CAAmedium and overlaid with a nitrocellulose filter. Cells were allowed to grow at 30 ̊C for 18-20 h. After incubation, the filter was washed with water to remove cells and membrane-bound CPY was detected by immunoblotting withpolyclonal anti-CPY antibody (Thermo Scientific) at a dilution of 1:15,000

Carboxypeptidase Ysecretion assay

CPY activity was measured as described previously (Jones,2002). A 2.5 mg/ml stock solution of CPY-specific substrate N-benzoyl-L-tyrosine p-nitroanilide(BTPNA, prepared in dimethyl formamide) was diluted 5 times with 0.1 M Tris-HCl (pH 7.5). 100 μl diluted substrate solution was added to a 96-well plate containing 25 μl cell suspension (5 x 107cells). After 18 h of incubation at 37 ̊C, plate contents were clarified by centrifugation and colour formation was quantified by absorbance at 405 nm. Background absorbance measured using BTPNA-free cell cultures was subtracted from BTPNA-loaded cell cultures and absorbancevalues were normalized to total number of viable cells to enumerate total cellular CPY activity

Carboxypeptidase Y(CPY) activity assay

ammonium molybdate, respectively, to the assay buffer.For specific inhibition of vacuolar membrane H+-ATPaseactivity, vacuolar membrane fractions were incubatedwith 1-2.5 μM bafilomycin for 5 minprior to the activity assay.ATPase activity was initiatedby adding ATP to the assay buffer to afinal concentration of 5 mM and incubating the reactionat 30 ̊C for 30-60 min.Reaction was stopped by adding an equal volumeof a stop-developing solution (1% (w/v)SDS, 0.6 M H2SO4, 1.2%(w/v)ammonium molybdate and 1.6%(w/v)ascorbic acid). Amount of inorganic phosphate (Pi) liberated was measured at A750nmafter 10 minincubation at room temperature. Standard curve prepared with 0-50 micromoles of KH2PO4 was used for the determination of total Pi. The ATPase activity of the vacuolarmembrane H+-ATPase was expressed in micromoles of Pireleased per milligram protein per min

Vacuolar membrane H+-ATPase activitywas measured inbothcrude membrane fraction and purifiedvacuolar membrane fraction asdescribed previously(Woolfordet al.,1990).Activity inthe crude membrane fractions was carried out with 2.5-10 μgprotein in 50 μl assay buffer (5 mM MgCl2, 25 mM MES/Tris-HCl(pH 6.9)and 25 mM KCl). For activity inthe purified vacuolar membrane fraction, a totalof300 μl reactionmix was setup with of 2.5-10 μgprotein samples.Residual activities from other ATPases such as mitochondrial ATPases, plasma membrane H+-ATPase and phosphataseswere inhibited by adding 2 mM NaN3, 200 μM NaVO4and 0.2 mM

Vacuolar H+-ATPase activity measurement

Vacuole membraneswere isolatedwith slight modifications of Cabrera’s method(Cabrera et.al.,2008). Log-phase, YPD medium-grown cells wereinoculated in 1 lt YPDmedium to an initialOD600of 0.1. Cells were incubated at 30 ̊C with shaking at 200 rpm till the cell density reached to OD600of 0.8-1.0.Cells were harvested by centrifugation at 5,000 g and washed once with 30 ml 2% ice-cold glucose solution. Cells were incubated in 15 ml solution containingglycine-NaOH(50 mM; pH10)andDTT(2 mM) at 30 ̊C for 10 min. After incubation, cells were normalized to adensity of1000OD600and resuspendedin 15 ml spheroplasting buffer containing 10-15mg of zymolyase20T.Cells were incubated at 30 ̊C for 45-60 minor till the spheroplasting was completed.Spheroplasts werecollected by centrifugation at 4,500 rpmfor 5 minat 4 ̊C, washed gently with15 ml 1.2 M sorbitol solutionandresuspendedin 3.5 ml 15%ficoll solution made in PS buffercontaining 1X protease inhibitor cocktail. This suspension was homogenized on ice with 20-25 strokes in a loose-fitting Dounce homogenizer. Homogenate was transferred to an ice-cold,ultra-clear Beckman ultracentrifuge tube, overlaid witha gradient of3 ml 8%ficoll solution, 2.5 ml 4%ficoll solutionand 2.5 ml PS buffer lacking ficoll and centrifuged at 1,10,000g(30,000 rpm)for 90 minat 4 ̊Cin a pre-cooled Beckman ultracentrifuge with SW41-Ti swinging bucket rotor.Centrifugation was carried out with slow acceleration and deceleration settings.White creamy vacuole membrane layer wascollected from the interfaceof 0and4% ficoll gradientwithout mixing the layers.Total protein concentration in thevacuole fraction was estimated using BCAprotein assay kit as described earlier

Purified vacuole membrane isolation

Crude fractionation of total membraneswas carried outviadifferential centrifugation asdescribed previously (Moranoand Klionsky,1994)with slight modifications. Cells grown tolog-phase in YPDmedium werecollected, washed,normalizedto 10 OD600and resuspendedin 1 ml spheroplast buffer containing 1-2mg of zymolyase20T (MP Biomedicals).Following incubation at 30 ̊Cfor 30-45 min,spherolplastswerecollected by centrifugation at 800 g for 3 minat 4 ̊C and resuspendedin 1 mlice-cold Tris-EDTA (pH 7.5). Spheroplastswere lysed with 100 μl 0.5mm glass beads on a vortex mixer with 10 secpulsegiven thricewith intermittent ice-breaks.Cellsuspension was centrifuged at 800 g for 5 minat 4 ̊C to pellet unbrokenspheroplastsdown andthesupernatant was centrifuged at 15,000 g for 5 minat 4 ̊C to obtainthemembrane fraction pellet.Pellet was washed once with ice-cold Tris-EDTA (pH 7.5), resuspendedin 50 μl of the samebuffer and stored at -20 ̊Ctill further use. Protein concentration of pellet fraction was estimated using BCAprotein assay kit with BSA as thestandard

Crude vacuolar membrane extraction

Vacuolar H+-ATPase activity measurement

A calibration curve of fluorescence intensity values versuspH was prepared for BCECF-AM-loaded wt cells by incubatingcellsin YPD medium containing 50 mM MES, 50 mM HEPES, 50 mM KCl, 50 mM NaCl, 0.2 M ammonium acetate, 10 mM NaN3, 10 mM 2-deoxyglucoseand5 μM carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, titrated to five different pH values in the range of 4.0-8.0. Fluorescence intensity values were measured by excitation at 440and 490 nm with emission at 535 nm and a graph was plotted between the ratio of intensity at 490 to 440 nm versuspH. Similar to pHi calibration curve, a polynomial distribution of fluorescent intensity signal and pH was observedfor BCECF-AMprobe

In vivovacuolar pH calibration curve

fluorescence by excitation at 440 (pH-independent) and 490 nm (pH-dependent) with emission at 535 nm. Ratio offluorescence intensity at 490 to440 nm was used tocalculatethe vacuolar pH. Background fluorescence was removed by subtracting the fluorescence intensity values of cells without BCECF-AM from the fluorescence intensity values of the probe-loaded cells

Vacuole pH inyeast cells was determined asdescribed previously (Padilla-López and Pearce, 2006). Briefly, log-phase,YPD medium-grown yeast cells were harvested and suspended in 200 μl YPD medium containing 50 μM 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein, acetoxymethyl ester (BCECF-AM; Invitrogen # B1150) to the final cell density of 4 x 107 cells. Cells were incubated at 30 ̊C for 30 min at room temperaturefollowed by three washeswith YPD medium. Washed cells were resuspended in 1 ml YPD medium and 200 μl cell suspension was used for recording

Measurement of vacuole pH

Vacuolar morphology of C. glabratacells was examinedby staining vacuoleswith FM4-64 (Molecular Probes, Invitrogen). FM4-64 is a lipophilic dye that exhibits long wavelength red fluorescence when boundto lipids. FM4-64 binds to the plasma membrane and follows the endocytic pathway to reach the vacuole(Vida and Emr, 1995).Log-phase,YPDmedium-grown cells were harvested and washed with 1X PBS. 1 ODcells were resuspendedin 50 μl YPDmedium containing 30 μM FM4-64 andincubated at 30 ̊C for 30-45 min. After incubation, cells were washed thricewith YPD mediumand resuspendedin 100 μl of the samemedium. Cells were observed under confocal laser scanning microscope(Zeiss LSM 510 Meta)with 63X objective lens,2.5X final zoom, pinhole set at 108 μm and emission filterset to LP 565nmto capture fluorescence image.Along with the fluorescenceimage, aphase contrastimage was alsocaptured for each sample

Staining of yeast vacuoleswith FM4-64

cellswere collected and washed with chilled sterile water.1 OD600cells were resuspendedin 20 μl chilled10%TCA solution containing 8 mM EDTA (pH 8.0) and incubated at room temperature for 15-20 min.Followingincubation, cellsuspension was centrifuged at 12,000 rpm for 5 minat 4 ̊Cand supernatant was transferred to a fresh 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube. 10 μl of this supernatant fraction was diluted 75-foldwith ATPassay mix dilution buffer provided with the kit. 50 μl of diluted suspension was added to anequal volume of ATPassay mix (Sigma # FLAAM) which containedfirefly luciferase and luciferin with MgSO4, EDTA, DTT and BSA inTricine buffer.Luminescence was measured inluminometer (Varioskan flash-3001,Thermo Scientific). Total ATP was quantified usingpurified ATP as the standardand expressed in moles/OD cells

ATPconcentrationin yeast cells was measuredby luminometricluciferase-luciferinbased assayusingATPbioluminescent kit(Sigma # FLAA).Briefly, log-phase yeast

Determination of intracellular ATPlevels

Estimation of total glycogen in cells was performed asdescribed previously (Parrou et al., 1997) with slightmodifications.Briefly, YPD medium-grown C. glabratacells were harvested, washed once with 1 ml ice-cold waterandresuspendedin 250 μl sodium carbonate(0.25 M)solution. After incubation at95 ̊C for 4 hin water bath with occasional stirring, cell suspension was cooled and pH of the suspension was adjusted to 5.2 by adding 150 μl 1 M acetic acid. Tothis suspension,600 μl 0.2M sodium acetatewas added and cell suspension was incubated with 1-2 U/ml of α-amyloglucosidase from A.niger(Sigma #A7420)at 57 ̊C for overnight with constant agitation.Resultant glucose liberated by α-amyloglucosidase digestion was collected in the supernatant fraction and quantifiedby phenol-sulphuric acid methodof carbohydratedetermination.For quantification, commercially available purified glucose was used as a standard and total glycogen incells was expressed as μg/2 x 107cells tonormalizeagainstcell density

Estimation of glycogenlevels

Trehalose from C. glabratacells was extracted by trichloro acetic acid (TCA)solutionas described previously (Lillie et al.,1980). Cells grown in YPDmediumwere collected at different time pointsof growth and washed thrice with ice-cold sterile water. Cells were immediatelystored at-20 ̊Ctill further use.For trehalose isolation, 10-20 OD600cells were thawed in 500 μl TCA (0.5 M) solutionon ice and incubated at room temperaturefor 1 h.Supernatant fraction was collected by sedimenting cells at 14,000 rpm for 5 minat 4 ̊C.TCA extractionwas repeated withcells once more and the resultingsupernatant was mixed with the earlier fraction.Extractedtrehalose was measuredby phenol-sulphuric acid methodof carbohydratedeterminationwithcommercially available purified trehalose(Becton, Dickinson and Co.) as a standard.Total trehalosecontent was normalized to the cell densityand expressed as μg/2 x 107cells

Estimation of trehalosecontent

Estimation oftrehalose, glycogen and ATPlevels

Quantitative measurement of periplasmic acid phosphatase activity in phosphate-starved C. glabratacells was performedas mentioned previously (Orkwis et al., 2010). A total of 0.5 OD600YNB-grown and phosphate-starved cells were collected, washed thrice with cold water and oncewith cold 0.1 M sodium acetatebuffer (pH 4.2). Washed cells were resuspendedin 500 μl sodium acetate (0.1 M)and incubated at 30 ̊C with constant stirring. After 10 min incubation, 500 μl freshly-prepared solution of 20 mM p-nitrophenyl phosphate in 0.1 M sodium acetate(pH 4.2) was added to the cell suspension. Enzymatic activity was stopped after incubation at 25 ̊C for 20 min by addition of 250 μl sodium carbonate (1 M)tothe reaction mix. Resultant colour change was measured by monitoring absorbance at 400 nm. Acid phosphatase activity was expressed as a ratio of OD400to OD600 to normalize against cell density

Determination of acid phosphatase activity

Cells grown overnight in YNBmedium wereinoculated in fresh YNB mediumand incubated at 30 ̊C with shaking at 200 rpm. Cells were harvested when the cell density reached to an OD600of 0.6-0.8.Cells were consecutively washed with sterile MQ water and YNB without phosphate (YNB-Pi) medium. Washed cells were inoculated either in YNB orYNB-Pimediumto the initial OD600of 0.1. Cells were incubated at 30 ̊C for 3-4 h, harvested and resuspendedin 100 μlYNB-Pimedium. Radioactive P32-labelled o-phosphoric acid(Jonaki# LCP 32)was added to the cell suspension to a final concentration of 1 μCi/mlandcells were incubated for 30 min.For determining phosphate uptake, a10-12 μl cell suspensionaliquot,after every5 min,was removed and kept on ice.To this cell suspension, 500 μl ice-cold YNB-Pimediumwas addedand cells were harvested by centrifugation at 5,000 g for 5 minat 4 ̊C.These cells were washed with ice-cold YNB-Pimedium thrice and resuspendedin 100 μlPBS(1X). 10-20 μl of this cell suspension was added to5 ml scintillation fluid and β-decay counts were measured in ascintillation counter(Tri-Carb 2910 TR Liquid Scintillation Analyzer, PerkinElmer).Scintillation counts were normalized to total cell number and plotted with respect to time. Total phosphateuptake was expressed as P32c.p.m/OD600cellswhere c.p.m refers tocounts per min

Phosphate uptake assay

Total cellular polyphosphates were quantified viapolyacrylamide-Tris borate gel electrophoresis (PAGE-TBE).Briefly, PAGEwas performed with Tris-borate buffer (pH 8.3) todeterminethe quantityand the typeof polyphosphatesextracted fromyeaststrains. Equal amount of total RNA (20 to 100 μg) was loadedon 34%PAGE-TBE gel (22cm long, 16 cm wide and 0.8 mm thick) and electrophoresedat 500Voltsfor 20-24 hin cold-roomtill the marker dye bromophenol blue(BPB)had migrated 15-16 cm awayfrom the well.After electrophoresis, total polyphosphates werevisualizedby staining the gel with 0.05%toluidine blue staining solutionfollowed by destaining. Polyphosphates wereobserved both as asmearin the top most portion of the gel as well asdiscreet bands of long chain polyphosphatesand shortchain polyphosphatesin middle andbottom half of the gel,respectively.Polyphosphateband intensity in the gelwas quantified using ImageJ software (http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/)and relative amountsof long chain and short chain polyphosphatesin C. glabratacells werecalculated

Quantitative analysisof polyphosphates

Polyphosphates from yeast cells were extracted with phenol-chloroform solutionas described previously(Neefand Kladde,2003). Cells grown eitherovernight or to logarithmic phase in YPDmediumwere harvested by centrifugation at 1,700 rpm for 5 min. Cells were washed with 10 ml sterile MQ water and resuspendedin ice-cold 500 μl20%trichloro acetic acid (TCA) solution to the final cell densityof 100 OD. Cell suspension was transferred toa1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube. After incubation at room temperature for 5 min, cells were harvested by centrifugation at 12,000 g for 10 minat 4 ̊C and resuspendedin 250-350 μlpolyphosphate extraction buffer.Equal volume of phenol-chloroform (25:24) was addedtothe microcentrifuge tube and aqueous phase was extracted by centrifugation at 12,000 g for 8 minat room temperature. Top aqueous layer was collected with a 200 μl tip. Aqueous layer extraction was repeated once more after removal of DNA with chloroform.After centrifugation,aqueous phasecontaining RNA and polyphosphates wascollected,RNA was quantified at A260nmandstored at -20 ̊C

Polyphosphate extraction

were maintained in log-phase by continuous passaging in fresh YNB medium every 4 h

For phosphate starvation,yeastcells grown to log-phase in YNB medium were harvested,washed with water,transferred to either regular YNBor YNB medium lackingphosphate and were grown for 16 h at 30 ̊C. Cells cultured in YNB medium

Phosphate starvationof yeast cells

Plasma membrane H+-ATPase activitywas measured inthe total membrane fraction as described previously (Nakamura et al., 2001).5μg totalmembrane fraction was incubated at 30 ̊C in 120 μl reaction buffer containing 10 mM MgSO4and 50 mM KCl in 50 mM MES (pH 5.7) with 5mM adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP). To eliminate possible contribution of residual ATPases, viz.,vacuolar ATPases, mitochondrial ATPases or non-specific phosphatases, 50mM KNO3, 5mM NaN3and 0.2mM ammonium molybdate were used, respectively, in the assay mixture. Reaction was stoppedafter 30 minby adding 130μl stop-developing solution containing 1% (w/v) SDS, 0.6M H2SO4, 1.2%(w/v)ammonium molybdate and 1.6%(w/v) ascorbic acid. Amount of inorganic phosphate (Pi) liberated was measured at A750nmafter 10 minincubation at room temperature. A standard curve prepared with0-50 μmolesof KH2PO4 was used fordetermination of total Piamount.ATPase activity of the plasma membrane was expressed in micromoles of Pireleased per milligram protein per min. ATPase activity was also determined in the presence of plasma membrane H+-ATPase inhibitor diethylstilbestrol (DES,Sigma# D4628),wherein total membrane fraction was incubated with 0.2mM DES for 5 min, prior to the enzymatic measurement

Plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity assay

dithiothreitol and1X protease inhibitor cocktail. Cell suspension was rapidly frozen at -80 ̊C,thawed and lysed with 0.5mm acid-washed glass beadsin a homogenizer (FastPrep®-24,MP Biomedicals)at maximum speed of 60 secfive times. Homogenate wasdiluted with 5mlTris-HCl (0.1M; pH 8.0)solutioncontaining 0.33M sucrose, 5mM EDTAand 2mM dithiothreitoland centrifuged at 1,000g for 3 minat 4 ̊C. Supernatant was collected and centrifuged again at 3,000g for 5 minat 4 ̊C to remove unbrokencells. The resulting supernatant was centrifuged at 19,000g for 45 minat 4 ̊C to obtain total membrane fraction. Total membrane pellet was resuspendedin 100μl membrane suspension buffer and stored at -80 ̊Ctill further use. Total protein concentration in the membrane fraction was estimated using BCAprotein assay kit (Thermo Scientific, US) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) used as astandard

Isolation of total membrane fractions from C. glabratastrains were carried out as described previously (Fernandes et al., 1998). Cells grown to log-phase under different environmental conditionswere harvested, washed and suspended to afinal density of 20 OD600cells in 1 ml solution containing100mM Tris (pH 10.7),5mM EDTA,2mM

Total membrane preparation

To assess the activity of plasma membrane proton pump, CgPma1, in cells grown in differentexternal pH environment,whole cell acidification assaywas carried out.This assay is a measurement of glucose-responsive proton pump activityin live cellsand is based on a decrease inthe pH of a weakly-buffered solutionupon extrusion of H+ions from thecell. The amount of change in the pH of the medium represents a crude measurement of the activity of functional plasma membrane proton pump in live cells. Whole cell acidification assay was conductedwithcellsgrown in YNB pH 5.5 and YNB pH 2.0medium as described previously (Martinez-Munoz and Kane, 2008) with slight modifications.After growth at30 ̊C for 2 h, cells were harvested, washed and resuspended(1.5-3.0 mg wet weight/ml) in 15ml MES/TEA (1mM; pH 5.0) buffer. Cell suspension was kept at 25 ̊C with continuousagitation. Extracellular pH of the buffer solution was recorded at 1 mininterval for 20 minwith the help of a pH meter(BT-600, BoecoGermany). To activate plasma membrane proton pumping, glucose and KCl were added to a final concentration of 40mM after 3 and 8 minincubation, respectively. Plasma membrane proton pump activitywas plotted as a change in the pH of the extracellular solutionversustime

Whole cell acidification assay

Measurement of plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity

Log-phasecells grown in YPD medium containing or lacking CaCl2and FK506 were collected, PBS-washed and loaded with ratiometric, high affinity, membrane-permeable calcium indicator, Fura-2 AM (10 M; Sigma #47989). After 30 min incubation at 30◦C, labelled cells were washed thrice with cold PBS, suspended in PBS and fluorescence was recorded at 505 nm with dual excitation at 340 and 380 nm. The ratio of fluorescence intensities between 340 and 380 nm, representing Ca-bound and Ca-free Fura-2 molecules, respectively, reflected free intracellular calcium concentrations

Measurement of intracellular calciumlevels

Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)levels in yeast cells weredetermined usingfluorescent probe 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA; Sigma# D6883). Cellular esterasesremove the diacetate groups ofthe DCFH-DAand produceDCFHwhich getsreadily oxidized to highly fluorescent product 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) by intracellular ROS. The fluorescent intensity of DCF corresponds to the amount ofintracellular ROSpresent in the cell.Cells grown under different environmental conditions were harvested,washed once with tissue-culture grade phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and resuspendedin PBS to the final cell density of 1 OD. Freshly-prepared DCFH-DA (0.01M stock in DMSO) was added to the cell suspension toafinal concentration of 100 μM. Cell suspension was mixed and incubated at 30 ̊C for 30 min. After incubation,cells were washed 2-3 times with 1 ml PBS and then resuspendedin 200 μlPBS. Fluorescence intensity values wererecorded usingspectrofluorophotometer (Varioskan flash-3001, Thermo Scientific) with excitation and emission at 488and 530 nm,respectively.Fluorescenceintensityvalues obtained from probe-loaded cells were subtracted from the fluorescence intensity values obtainedfrom cells-alone samplesto remove background fluorescence

Determination of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)levels

For determiningthe intracellular pH from fluorescence intensity values of CFDA-SE-loaded cells, anin vivocalibration curve was prepared between fluorescent intensity and pre-adjusted environmental pH values. Briefly,CFDA-SE-loaded wild-typeC. glabratacellswere incubatedwith 0.5 mM carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP; Sigma# C2759) at 30 ̊C for 10 min in 50 mM CP buffer adjusted to different pH values ranging from 4.0 to 7.5, with an interval of 0.5 unit.CCCP is an ionophore which dissipates the plasma membrane pH gradient, thus, rendering the intracellular pH similar to the extracellular pH. Fluorescent intensities were determinedand a calibration curvewas plotted between the ratio of intensity at 490 to430 nm versuspH.A polynomial distribution of fluorescent intensity signal and pH was observed for CFDA-SE probe(Figure2.1)and the graphequation was used todeterminethe intracellular pHof C. glabratacells

In vivointracellular pH calibration curve

OD600of 0.5and transferred to a 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube. Probe loading was carried out by adding freshly-prepared CFDA-SE solution (0.01 M stock in DMSO) tocell suspension to a final concentration of 160 μM. Cell suspension was mixed on vortex mixerfor 10 secand incubated at 37 ̊C for 1 hwith shaking at 300 rpmon thermo mixer.Cells were harvested, washed twice with 1 ml 50 mM CP buffer to remove unloaded probe,resuspendedin 250 μl CP buffer andwereincubated at 30 ̊C for 30 minwith shaking to recover from the stress induced during probe loading. Afterincubation,fluorescent intensitywasdetermined with spectrofluorophotometer (Varioskan flash-3001, Thermo Scientific) by excitation at 430 nm (pH-independent) and 490 nm (pH-dependent) with emission at 525 nm. Background fluorescence of the probe was removed by subtracting the fluorescence intensity of the probe in CP buffer from the fluorescence intensity of the probe-loaded cells

Intracellular pH(pHi)in yeast cells was determinedusing fluorescent 5,(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFDA-SE; Molecular Probes) asdescribed previously (Bracey et al.1998). For pHiprobe estimation,YNB medium-grown log-phase cells were inoculatedin YNB, YNB-pH 2.0 or YNB medium supplemented with acetic acid and incubated at 30 ̊C for different time points.Log-phase C. glabratacells were harvested and washed twice with 50 mM citric-phosphate (CP) buffer (pH 4.0). Washed cells were resuspendedin 1ml 50 mM CP buffer to an

Measurementof intracellular pH (pHi)

Following transfer,membrane was either stained with Ponceau reagent for checking the efficiency of transfer or directly processed for proteindetectionusing protein-specificantibodies.For immunoblotting, membranes were blockedwith 5% (w/v)non-fat milk solutioneitherin PBS-T or TBS-T for 2 hat RTand probedwith primary antibodies against the target proteins.For detection of CgPma1, membranes were probed with1:1000 dilution of polyclonal anti-Pma1antibody raised against S. cerevisiaePma1 (Santa Cruz #sc-33735)in PBS-T with 5% (w/v)fat-free milk for overnight at 4°C.For detection of phosphorylated form of CgSlt2,immunoblotting analysis was done withan anti-phospho-p44/42 MAPK (Thr202/Tyr204) primary antibody raised against human p44 MAPK(Cell signalingtechnology# 4370S) at a dilution of 1:6000 in TBS-T with 5% (w/v)fat-free milk for overnight at 4°C.For detection of CgCPY, membrane was incubated with polyclonal anti-CPY antibody raised against S. cerevisiaeCPY(Thermo Scientific # PA 1-27244) at a dilution of 1:10,000 in TBS-T with 5% (w/v)fat-free milk for overnight at 4°C.For CgGapdhdetection,anti-Gapdh primary antibody raised againsthuman Gapdh(Abcam # ab22555) at a dilution of 1:7000was usedin TBS-T with 5% (w/v)fat-free milk.Secondary antibodies conjugated with horseradish peroxidase(HRP)enzymewereusedin 1:10,000 dilutionto detect the immune-reactivity of primary antibodieswith the help of ECL plus Western blotting system (GE Healthcare)as per manufacturer’sinstructions

Total proteins resolved bySDS-PAGE were transferred to PVDFnylon membrane by Western blotting using a Bio-Rad Mini Trans-Blot electrophoretic transfer unit in Tris-glycinetransfer bufferat 4 ̊C either at 100 Voltsfor 3 hr or 30 Voltsfor overnight

Western blot analysis

SDS-PAGEwas performed as described previously (Laemilli, 1970).10-40 μg protein samples were mixed with 4X SDS loading buffer and either incubated at 50 ̊C or 90 ̊C for 10 min. Denatured samples were loaded either on8%or 10%SDS-PAGEgel and run in Tris-Glycine-SDSgel running buffer at 70-100 Volts for 2-3 hin a Mini-PROTEAN®3electrophoresis unit(Bio-Rad).After electrophoresis,gels were either visualized by coomassie brilliant blue (CBB) stainingor processedfor western blotting as described below

Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE)

Log-phase yeast cell cultures were harvested and total protein was extracted by lysingyeast cells using glass beads. Briefly,10 mllog-phase yeast culturesgrownin appropriate medium were harvested,washed once with ice-cold water and suspended in 250 μl homogenizing buffer containing 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride(inhibitsserine proteases), 10 mM sodium fluoride(inhibit Ser/Thr and acid phosphatases), 1 mM sodium orthovanadate (inhibits Tyr and alkaline phosphatases) and 1X concentration of protease inhibitor cocktail(RocheCat # 04693159001). Cells were lysedwith glass beads by vortexing five times at high speed for 1 min with intermittent 1 min ice breaks. Unbroken cells and cell debris were removed by centrifugation at 1,000 g for 5 min at 4 ̊C. Cell lysate was collected and protein was quantified using bicinchoninic acid (BCA)protein assay kit (Thermo Scientific # 23227) as per supplier’s instructions

Protein extraction

Biochemical techniques

1 μg good quality RNA was treated with DNase I (amplification grade, Invitrogen) to remove DNA contamination and used for complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis using reverse transcriptase enzyme and oligo-dT primers.SuperScript®III First-Strand Synthesis System (Invitrogen) was used to carry out cDNA synthesis reaction according to the manufacturer’s instructions. cDNA was stored at -20 ̊C

Complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis

Themethod was used for isolation of good quality genomic DNA that wasused to map Tn7insertionin C. glabratamutants.Briefly,10 mlsaturated yeast culturewasharvested, resuspendedin 1 ml sterile water and transferred toa2 ml microcentrifuge tube. Cells were pelleteddown by centrifugation at 4,000 rpm for 5 min. Supernatant was discarded and the pellet was resuspendedin 500 μl freshly prepared solutioncontaining100mM EDTAand 5% β-mercaptoethanol andincubated at 42 ̊C for 10 min. After incubation,cells were spun down at 5,000 rpm for 1 minand resuspendedin 500μl freshly-prepared BufferB. One tip full of lyticase(Sigma # L4025) was added and cellsuspension was incubated at 37 ̊C for 1 h. Following incubation,cell suspension was spun down at 6,000 rpm to recover spheroplasts.Spheroplasts weregently resuspendedin 500μl BufferCand DNA was twice extracted with 500μl phenol:chloroform:isoamyl alcohol (25:24:1)solution.Aqueous layer was collected in a new 2ml microcentrifuge tube and DNA was precipitated with 1ml ethanol and 1/10thvolume of 3M sodium acetate (pH 5.2)by centrifugation at 13,000 rpm for 5 min. Pellet was resuspendedin 200 μl TE containing 0.3 μl of RNase Cocktail™and incubated at 37 ̊C for 30 min.After incubation, 300 μl additional TE was added and DNAwas re-precipitated withethanol and 3 M sodium acetateas described above. Pellet was washed with 70% ethanol anddried under air. DNA pellet was finally suspended in 100 μl TE and stored at -20 ̊C

Protocol III(Spheroplast lysis method

Yeast cell viability was measured by plating appropriate dilutions of cell cultureonYPD plates at various time intervalsduringgrowth.Cell suspension was diluted in1X PBS. YPD plates were incubated at 30 ̊C for 2-3 daysand total colony forming units(CFUs)were calculated by counting the number of coloniesthat appeared onYPDplatesand dividing that number by anappropriate dilution factor

Yeast cell viability assessment viacolony forming unit (CFU) assay

Genomic DNAisolation buffersBuffer A:50 mM Tris-HCl10mM EDTA150 mM NaCl 1% Triton-X 1% SDSBuffer B:50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5)10 mM EDTA1.1 M Sorbitol50 mM β-mercaptoethanol(To be added just before use

Buffer C:100 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5)10 mM EDTA10% SDSRNA isolation bufferAE buffer: 3 M Sodium acetate0.5 M EDTA(pH 8.0)Phenol:Chloroform:Isoamyl Alcohol (25:24:1)solution:25 volume of Phenol24 volume of Chloroform1 volume of Isoamyl alcholDNA sampleloading buffer:0.25% Bromophenol blue0.25% Xylene cyanol15% Ficoll

Genomic DNA and RNA isolation buffers

0.67% Yeast Nitrogen Base2% DextroseYeast Carbon Base (YCB):1.17% Yeast CarbonBase1% DextroseCAA:0.67% Yeast Nitrogen Base 2% Dextrose0.6% Casamino acids Plates weremade by adding 2% agar

Yeast Extract-Peptone-Dextrose (YPD):1% Yeast extract2% Peptone 2% DextroseYeast Nitrogen Base (YNB)

Yeast medium

Luria Bertani (LB):0.5% Yeast Extract1% Tryptone 1% NaCl LB-ampicillinand LB-kanamycin plates:LB medium50 μg/ml ampicillin30 μg/ml kanamycinSuper Optimal Broth (SOB): 0.5% Yeast extract2% Peptone 10 mM NaCl2.5 mM KCl10 mM MgCl210 mM MgSO4

Bacterial medium

PI-3kinase reaction was set up ina total volume of50μlin a 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube as described below.PI-3 kinase reaction buffer = 25 μlSpheroplast lysate = 20 μl (equivalent to 10 μg protein)Sonicated phosphatidyl inositol = 5 μlReaction mix was incubated at 25ºC for 20 min and enzyme reaction was stopped by adding 80μlHCL (1N) solution. To extract phospholipids, 160 μl chloroform:methanol (1:1) was added to the reaction mix withcontinuous mixing. Organic phase containing phopholipidswas separated fromaqueous phase by centrifugation at 7,500g for 4 min at 4ºC and transferred to a new vial. Using vacuum evaporator apparatus, solvent was evaporated and phospholipidsweredissolved in 10 μl chloroform

PI-3 kinase reaction set up and phopsholipid extraction

For protein extraction, yeast cells were suspended in 50-100μl protein extraction buffer containing 320 mM (NH4)2SO4, 200 mM Tris-Cl (pH 8), 20 mM EDTA (pH 8), 10 mM EGTA (pH 8), 5 mM MgCl2, 1 mMDTT, 10% glycerol and protease inhibitorsand disrupted using glass beads.Cell lysate was centrifuged at 7,500g and4oC for 15 min. 30 μg of total protein was resolved on a 15% SDS-PAGE gelat 32 mA till the dye front reachedthe bottom. Resolved proteins were transferred to Hybond-P membrane at 350 mA for 1.5 h in the cold room.Transfer of the proteins was visually confirmed by examining marker’s lane and membranes wereincubated in a small box for 2 h in 5% fat free milkprepared in 1X TBST for blocking. Blocking solutions were discarded and primary antibody, appropriately diluted in 5% fat free milkprepared in 1X TBST,was added to the box containing membrane. After overnight incubation in primary antibody, membranes were washed thrice with 1X TBST for 10 min. Membranes wereincubated for 2 h inappropriate secondary antibodydiluted in 5% fat free milkprepared in 1X TBST. Blots were either developedby chemiluminescence based ECL-Plus western detection system orChemidocTMgel imagingsystem. CgGapdhwas used as a loading control. To exclude the possibility of any contribution of THP-1 proteins tocell extracts prepared frommacrophage-internalized yeast, two control experiments wereperformed. First, we probedthe blots with antibodies specific for mammalian tubulin and actin.As expected, we neitherdetectedanysignal for mammalian actin nor formammalian tubulin. In the second control experiment, we treated macrophage lysates with proteinase-K prior to the yeast pellet disruptionand probed yeast lysates for different histone modifications.This proteinase-K treatmentdid not alter the epigenetic signature of C. glabratacells.Together, these data indicate that yeast protein samples were devoid ofany mammalian protein contamination

Protein extraction and immunoblotting

CgRTT107(3.3 kb),CgRTT109(1.3 kb),CgVPS15(3.4kb) and CgVPS34(2.4kb) ORFs were PCR amplified from genomic DNA of the wild-type strain using high fidelity Platinum Pfx DNA polymerase with primers carrying restriction sites for SmaI-SalI,BamHI-SalI,XmaI-XhoIandSalI-XmaI,respectively.Amplified fragments werecloneddownstream of the PGK1promoterin the pGRB2.2 plasmid. Clones were verified by bacterial colony PCR, sequencing and complementation analysis

Cloningof C. glabrataORFs

After restriction enzyme digestion, digested products wereresolved on agarose gels and desired DNA fragmentswereextracted from the gel. Concentration of gel-extracted DNA fragments was determined usingspectrophotometerand ligation reactions were set up using a molar ratio of vector to insert of 1:3 and 1:1 for sticky and blunt end ligations, respectively. Ligation mixwas incubatedeither at 22ºC for 4 hor at 16°Cfor 14-16 h. After incubation,T4DNA ligase was inactivatedat 65ºC for 20 min

Ligation

QIAGEN QIAquick PCR purification kit containing buffers, spin columns and collection tubes wasused topurify DNA fragments from PCR andenzymatic digestion reactions as per the kit manufacturer’s instructions

Purification of restriction enzyme-digestedand PCR amplifiedproducts

QIAGEN QIAquick Gel extraction kit containing required buffers, spin columns and collection tubes was used to extract and purify DNA from agarose gels. Digested DNA sample was resolved on 1-1.2% agarose gel and gel piece containing desired fragment was cut ona UV-transilluminator. DNA fragment was purified as per the kit manufacturer’s instructions

Gel extraction of DNA

C. glabratacells grown either in RPMI medium or harvested from THP-1 macrophages were collected, washed with DEPC treated water and were disrupted with glass beads in trizol. Total RNA was isolated using acid phenol extraction method and frozen at -80C. Quality of RNA was examined by determiningtheRNAintegrity number (RIN) before microarrayanalysis.Microarray experiments wereperformed atOcimum Biosolutions Ltd., Hyderabad (http://www.ocimumbio.com). Briefly, a4x44K GE Agilent array comprised of 10,408 probes representing 5,205 ORFs of C. glabratawas used wherein average number of replicates for each probe was four to five. Feature Extraction software version 10.7.3.1. (Agilent) and Quantile normalization was used for data analysis. Hierarchical clustering was performed using Complete Linkage methodwith Euclidean Distance as distance measure. Data arethe average of two hybridizations from biological replicates ofeach sample and raw data sets for this study areavailable at the Gene Expression Omnibus database(Accession number -GSE38953)

Microarray Analysis

To preclude the possibility of human RNA contamination, cDNA prepared from internalized yeast was examined for the presence of human transcripts encoding Ccl5 and histone H3. However,no amplification forhuman genes was observed, thus, eliminating any possiblecontamination of THP-1 RNA with yeast RNA

Primersfor real-timePCR analysisweredesigned using Primer3 plus software and are listed in Table 4. To extractRNA from macrophage-ingested C. glabratacells, infected THP-1cells were washed twice with PBS and lysed in 1 ml ice-cold water. Lysate was centrifuged followed by two quick washes with DEPC-treated water andwashed yeast cell pellets were frozen on dry ice.For RNA extraction, yeast cells were disrupted with glass beads in trizol and total RNAwas isolated usingacid phenol extraction method described above.Optimal primer and cDNA concentrations were standardizedand qRT-PCR was performedusing ABI 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems).In brief, 0.5 μl cDNA,0.1 to 0.2picomoles of gene specific primers and 10 μl 2X MESA GREENqPCR™ Mastermix Plus containing SYBR green dye (Eurogentec)were mixed in thewellsof a 96-well PCRplate (Axygen). Final reaction volume was adjusted to 20 μl with DEPC-treated water. Transcript levels were quantified with an end-point value known as Ct(cyclethreshold). Expression of TDH3, which encodes CgGapdh,was used asaninternal control. The Ct defines the number of PCR cycles required for the fluorescent signalof SYBR green dye to cross beyondthe background level.Fold-change in transcript expression was determined usingfollowing formula.Fold change in expression = 2-ΔΔCtΔΔCt= ΔCttreated -ΔCtuntreatedΔCttreated = Ctvalue forthe gene of interest under treated condition -Ctvalue forthe internal control gene (TDH3) under treated conditionΔCt untreated = Ctvalue forthegene of interest under untreated condition -Ctvalue forthe internal control (TDH3) gene under untreated condition

Quantitative real-timePCR

Complementary-DNA synthesis was doneusing reverse transcriptase enzyme and oligo-dT primers. For this, 1 μg good quality RNA was treated with1μl(1 unit) DNase I for 15 min to remove DNA contamination. Next, SuperScript III First-Strand Synthesis System kit (Invitrogen) was used to synthesize cDNA according to the manufacturer’s instructions. cDNA synthesized was stored at -20 ̊C till further use

Synthesis of complementary DNA (cDNA)

For RNA experiments, all solutions were prepared in RNase free diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) water. Microcentrifuge tubes and tips used for RNAworkwere autoclaved twice and driedat 70 ̊C for overnight before use. Non-autoclavable plastic items were wiped with Ambion RNAseZap to remove RNAse contamination, if any. RNA was extracted from C.glabrata cells usingacid phenol extraction method. C. glabratacells were harvested at 2,500g for 5 minat 4 ̊C, resuspended in 1 ml ice-cold DEPC water and were transferred toa2 ml microcentrifuge tube. Cells were spun down at 6,000g for 3 minat 4 ̊C and resuspended in 350 μl AE solution. Next, 50 μl SDS and 400 μl acid phenol(pH 4.5)solutions were added to thetube and mixed well by vortexing. The tube wasincubated at 65 ̊C for 15 min with continuous mixing. After incubation, tube was kept on ice for 5 minand centrifuged at 7,500g for 5 minat 4 ̊C. Aqueous phase was transferred toa new 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube and RNAwasextracted with an equal volume of chloroform. Total RNA was precipitated at room temperature with 1/10thvolume of 3 M sodium acetate (pH 5.2) and 2.5 volumesof chilledabsolute ethanol for 20 min. Precipitated RNA was collected by centrifugation at 7,500g for 5 minat 4 ̊C. RNA pellet was washed with chilled 70% ethanol and resuspended in 50 μl nuclease-free water. RNA concentration was determined by measuring absorbance at 260 nm. Quality of extracted RNA was examined by gel electrophoresis on 0.8% agarose gel prepared in DEPC-treated TAE buffer

RNA extraction

Nucleosomal-associated DNA was extracted from RPMI-grownand macrophage-internalized C. glabratacells using EZ NucleosomalDNA prep kit (ZYMO Research),treated withmicrococcal nuclease digestionfor 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 min at 25ºC andwasresolved on 2% agarose gel

Micrococcal nuclease digestion assay

temperature. Genomic DNA pellet was dissolvedeitherin 50 μl 0.1X TE or molecular biology grade water containing 0.3 μlAmbion RNAse cocktail and incubated at 37ºC for 30 min.After RNA digestion, 100 μl of 0.1X TE or nuclease-free water was added to the tube and stored at -20ºC. Quality of extracted genomic DNA was checkedon 0.6% agarosegel by electrophoresis

Desired C. glabratastrain wasgrownovernight in YPD liquid medium and yeast cells were harvested by centrifugation at 2,500g in 15 ml polypropylene tube.Yeast cells were washed with PBS, resuspendedin 500μl lysis buffer (Buffer A) andwere transferred toa2ml microcentrifuge tube. Yeast cells were incubated for 15 minon a thermomixer set at 65 ̊C and 750 rpm. After incubation, 0.5 gm glass beads (0.5 mm) and 500 μl PCI solution were added to thetube. Yeast cells were lysedthree times for 45 seconds each on a bead beating apparatus with intermittent cooling on ice to prevent overheating. Cell lysates were centrifugedat 7,500gfor 5 minandupperaqueous phase (300-350 μl) wastransferred carefully to a new 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube. 1 mlabsolute ethanol was added andmixedwellby inverting the tube3-4 times. To precipitate genomic DNA, suspension was centrifuged at 7,500g for 10min.Precipitated genomic DNA was washedwith 70% ethanolanddried at room

Genomic DNA isolationby glass bead lysis method

C. glabrata cells were grown overnight in 10 ml YPD liquid medium. Cells were harvested at 2,500g for 5 min, resuspended in 400 μl Buffer A (50 mM Tris-HCl, 10 mM EDTA, 150 mM NaCl, 1% Triton X-100 and 1% SDS) and were transferred to a 2 ml microcentrifuge tube. Equal volume of phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol (PCI) solution was added tocell suspension and tubes were vortexed for 2-3 min. After incubation at 42 ̊C for 30 minon a thermomixer set at 800 rpm (Eppendorf), cell debris was removed by centrifugation at 7,500g for 10 minand aqueous phase (300-350 μl) was carefully transferred to a new 2 ml microcentrifuge tube. Genomic DNA was precipitated with800 μl chilled absolute ethanol and 35 μl sodium acetate (3 M, pH 5.2). DNA pellet was washed with chilled 70% ethanol and dried at room temperature for 5-10 min. Genomic DNA pellet was dissolved either in 50 μl 0.1X TE or molecular biology grade water containing 0.3 μl Ambion RNase cocktail and incubated at 37 ̊C for 30 minfor digestionof RNA. After RNA degradation, 100 μl of 0.1X TE or nuclease-free water was added to the tube and stored at -20ºC. Quality of extracted genomic DNA was checkedon 0.6% agarosegel by electrophoresis

Genomic DNA isolationby quick genomic DNA extraction method

Stripping of membranes in buffer containing 0.4 M NaCl yielded slightly better results. Hybond membranes were reused for 5-10 times after stripping

Radiolabeled-bound probes were stripped from the membrane by boiling in 1% SDS containing 0.1X SSC for 15 min. Alternatively, membraneswereincubatedtwicein stripping solution (0.4 M NaOH)at 45°C for 30 minto remove the bound probes

Stripping of probes from hybridized membranes

After 2-3 h exposure,phosphorimagerscreenwas scannedon Fuji FLA-9000 to acquire hybridization images. Next,signal intensity for each spot on the membrane for both input and outputsampleswas quantifiedusing Fuji Multi Gauge V3.0 software andpercentage intensity foreach spot relative tothe whole signal intensity ofthe membranewas determined.To identify mutants with altered survival profiles,ratio of output (Op) to input (Ip) signal for each spot (oligonucleotide tag)present on the membranewas calculated.Mutantsdisplaying at least 6-fold higher and 10-fold lower survival were selectedas “up’ (Op/Ip= 6.0) and ‘down’ (Op/Ip = 0.1) mutants, respectively

Data analysis

After14-16 hincubation, hybridization buffer was decanted to a radioactive liquid waste container.Membraneswere washedtwice with 2X SSC (saline-sodium citrate) containing 0.1% SDS for 15 min at 55°C followed by two washes with 1X SSC containing 0.1% SDS for 15 min at room temperature. Post washes,membranes were rinsed with 1XSSC buffer at room temperature and exposed to phosphorimager screen for 2-3 h

Post-hybridization washes

Primers (OgRK 25 and OgRK 26, 200 pM ) –1 μl, eachTaq DNA polymerase –0.5 μlαP32-dCTP( specific activity-3,000 Ci/mMol)–2.5 μlWater –38.5 μlαP32-dCTPlabeled PCR productswere denatured by incubatingtubesat100°C for 5 min followed by immediatechilling on ice. After 2 h prehybridization, radiolabeleddenatured input and output probes were added to respective bottles and bottles were transferred to a hybridization oven set at 42ºC and 6 rpm

Two Hybond-N membranes,each carrying 96 immobilized DNA with unique signature sequences,were transferred to 15 cm long hybridization bottlesandlabeledas input and output. 10 mlprehybridization buffer was added to each bottle and bottles were transferred to a hybridization oven setat 42ºC and 6 rpm. To prepare input and output probes,genomic DNAsfrom input and output C. glabratacell pelletswere extracted using glass bead lysismethodandunique signature tags were PCR amplifiedwith nucleotide mix containing αP32-dCTP using primerscomplementary to the invariant region flanking each unique oligonucleotide sequence.Following is the composition of50 μlPCR cocktail used to prepare radiolabeledinput and output probes.10X PCR buffer–5 μldNTP mix (without dCTP, 2mM) –0.5 μldCTP (0.05 mM) –1 μl

Southern hybridization

E. colistrains containing plasmids with unique oligonucleotide signature sequences were inoculated in LBmedium containing ampicillin and grown overnight at 37°Cand 200 rpm. Plasmids were extracted, quantitated anddenatured in alkaline denaturing solution. Approximately, 200 ng of each plasmid DNA was transferred to theHybond-Nmembraneusing96-well Dot Blot apparatus. Membranes were neutralized in 2X SSC and denatured plasmids were cross-linked to Hybond-N membranes usingUV cross linker

Membrane preparation

E. colistrains carrying plasmids were inoculated and grown overnight at 37ºC and 200 rpm in LB-liquid medium supplemented with either 50 μg/ml ampicillinor 30 μg/ml kanamycin. Cells were harvested by centrifugation at 2,500g for 5 min. Plasmids were extracted using Qiagen plasmid miniprep kit following the manufacturer’s instructions. Concentration of the extracted plasmid DNAs was measured using spectrophotometerat 280 nmandstored at -20ºC

Plasmid DNA purification

Molecular biology methods

at 30°C andimages were captured after 2-8daysof incubationdepending upon the medium used

Yeast strains were grown in YPD medium for 14-16 hat 30°Cunder continuous shaking at 200 rpm. Cells were harvested from 1 mlculture, washed with PBS and were diluted to an OD600of 1. Five ten-fold serial dilutions were preparedfrom aninitial culture of 1OD600.4 μl cultureof each dilution was spotted onYNB-agar plates containing different carbon sources. For spotting on YPD plates containing different compounds, 3 μl cultureof each dilution was spotted. Plates were incubated

Serial dilution spotting assay

weretransferred toa sterile 100 mm cell culture dishcontaining 11 mlfresh and prewarmed completemedium andculturedin tissue culture incubatorat37°C and 5% CO2.After 12hincubation, medium was replacedwith fresh prewarmed mediumand cells were allowed to proliferate till they acquire 80% confluence

Freezer stocks of THP-1 and Lec-2 cells were prepared either in commercial cell preservation medium (Gibco) or completemedium supplemented with 10%heat inactivated serum and 10% DMSO. For cryopreservation, 5-6 million cells were resuspended in 0.5 mlfreezing medium in 2 ml cryopreservation vials,stored in an isopropanol bath and were transferred to-70°C freezer. Aftertwo days, freezer stocks were transferred to liquid nitrogen containertill further use. To revive the cells, freezer stocks were taken outfrom liquid nitrogen container and transferred immediately to37°C water bath. After2-3 min, when freezing medium hadthawed completely,cells

Cryopreservationand revival of cell lines

SDS-loading buffer was prepared as a 4X stock solutionin H2Oand used at a 1X concentration.SDS-PAGE running buffer0.25 M Tris-HCl (pH 8.0)1.92 M Glycine1% SDSRunning buffer was preparedas a 10X stock solution and diluted to 1X concentration before use.Buffers for Western blotanalysisTransfer buffer (10X stock solution)0.25 M Tris-HCl (pH 8.0)1.92 M Glycine1% SDSTransfer buffer was prepared as a 10X stock solution and diluted to 1X concentration.1X Transfer buffer (1 litre)200 ml of methanol100 ml of 10X transfer buffer700 ml of waterTris-BufferSaline (TBS)25 mM Tris150 mM NaClpH was adjusted to 7.4 with HCl.TBS buffer was prepared asa10X stock solution and diluted to 1X concentration.Blocking and wash buffers (PBS-T and TBS-T)5% Fat-free milk0.1% Tween-20Volume was made to 100 ml with 1X TBS

1 mM sodium orthovanadate1 X protease inhibitor cocktail SDS-PAGE30% Acrylamide solution29 g Acrylamide1 gBis-acrylamideDissolved in 100 ml H2O.10% Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS)10 g SDS in 100 ml H2OResolving gel mix (12%) (20 ml)6.6 ml H2O8 ml 30% acrylamide:bisacrylamide (29:1) mix5 ml 1.5 M Tris-HCl (pH 8.8)200 μl 10% SDS200 μl 10% Ammonium persulfate(APS)8 μl N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethylenediamine(TEMED)Stacking gel mix (5%, 6 ml)4.1 ml H2O1 ml 30% acrylamide:bisacrylamide (29:1) mix750 μl 1 M Tris-HCl (pH 6.8)60 μl 10% SDS60 μl 10% APS6 μl TEMEDSDS loading buffer130 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0)20% (v/v) Glycerol4.6% (w/v) SDS0.02% Bromophenol Blue2% DTT

Whole cell lysis buffer (Homogenizing buffer)50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5)2 mM EDTA10 mM sodium fluoride

Buffers for protein extraction and analysis by SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis)

Oligonucleotides used in this study were designed either by freely available online tool Primer 3 plus (http://www.bioinformatics.nl/cgi-bin/primer3plus/primer3plus.cgi/)or Generunner software. Oligonucleotides were commercially synthesised at MWG Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India. Oligonucleotides used in this study are listed in Table 2.3

Oligonucleotides

competent cells pre-inoculum was prepared. A single bacterial colony was picked from LB agar plate that has been incubated for 16-20 hours at 37 °C and inoculated into 3 mlLB medium and incubated overnight at 37 °C temperature with 200 rpm shaking. 1% of this pre-inoculum was sub cultured in 100 ml LB-broth and incubated at 18 °C until OD 600 reached 0.5 -0.6 (approx.). Culture was kept on ice for 10 min. with constant shaking. Cells were pelleted by centrifugation at 2000xg/4°C/8 min. Pellet was resuspended in 40 ml of ice-cold Innoue buffer. Bacterial suspension was kept on ice for 30 min, re-spun at 2000 xg/4°C/8 min. Pellet was resuspended in 8 ml of TB buffer inwhich final concentration of DMSO was 7% and left on ice for 10 min. 100μl aliquots were made and snap frozenin liquid nitrogen and stored at -80 °C

All the salts (10 mM PIPES, 15 mM CaCl2.2H2O, 250 mM KCl,55 mM MnCl2. 2H2O) except MnCl2were dissolved in water and pH was adjusted to 6.7 with 1N KOH. MnCl2was dissolved separately in water. MnCl2was added drop wise while stirring (MnCl2if added directly will give a brown colour to the solution and precipitates;hence it needs to be dissolved separately). Solution was then sterilized by filteringand stored. To prepare

PreparationofUltra competent cells

Of theligation mixture,2μl (of total volume of 10 μl reaction)was added to atube of 100μlultra competent DH5α bacterial cells and incubated in ice for 30 minutes. The tubewas quickly transferred to a water bath maintained at 42°C to give a heat shock for 90 seconds and again quickly transferred to ice. 1ml of LB broth was added to the tube and then incubated at 37°C for 1 hour. The bacterial cells were then pelletdownby centrifugation at 6000 rpm for 5 minutes and plated on LB agarcontaining appropriate antibiotic

Transformation of ligated DNA

A total of 100-200ng of DNA was used in each ligation reaction. Vector to insert ratio of 1:3 to 1:5was maintained. The reaction volume was generally maintained at 10μl containing 1μl of 10X ligation buffer (provided by the manufacturer) and 0.05 Weissunit of T4-DNA ligase. The reaction was carried outat 16ºC for 14-to 16-hrs or at room temperature for 4hours

Ligation of DNA

Digested DNA fragments required for ligation were eluted from the agarose gel after electrophoresis. The gel was visualised over a UV illuminator and section of it containing the desired DNA fragment was carefully sliced out from the gel. The sliced agarose gel was then processed using commercially available gel elution kitsfor this purpose. The elution efficiency was checked by running a small aliquot of DNA sample on agarose gel

Purification of DNA by gel elution

For restriction digestion(either single or double), 0.5 to 1μg of DNA was used in a reaction containing2 to 5units of commercially available restriction enzyme(s)and 5μl of the recommended buffer (suppliedas 10X concentrationsby the vendor)in atotal reaction volume of 50μl. The reaction mixture was incubated for 2 h or overnight at 37°C. The digested DNA fragments were then visualised by ethidium bromide staining after electrophoresis on agarose gels. Commercially available DNA size markers were loaded along with the samples to ascertain or estimate the sizes of the digestedfragments

Restriction enzyme digestion

Overnight grown bacterial culture (3ml)was pellet down by centrifugationat4ºC for10-min at 6000 rpm. The cells were re-suspended in 200μl of Resuspension solution(solutionI). 400μl of freshly prepared Lysissolution(solution II)was then added and mixed by gently inverting the tubesfor 4-6 times and allowed to lyse for 5 min at room temperature.The complete lysis was ascertained by uniformity and clarityof the contents. Subsequently, 400μl of Neutralization solution(solution III)was added and the tubes were inverted 4-6 timesand gently for homogeneous mixing followed byincubation for 5 min on ice. After centrifuging at 12,000 rpm for 15-min, supernatant was decanted into a fresh tube, and0.7 volume of iso-propanol was added.Theprecipitated nucleic acids were then recovered by centrifugation at 12,000 rpm for 30-min. The pellet was washed once with 70% ethanol, air-dried and re-suspended in 100μl of TE-buffer. It was treated with RNase at a concentration of 20μg/ml by incubating at 37ºC for 1hour. It was further extracted with an equal volume of phenol: chloroform: isoamyl alcohol (25:24:1) mixture. After centrifugation, the clear supernatant was used for recovering the nucleic acids. The nucleic acids were precipitated with 2.5 volumesof ethanolin presence of3 M sodium acetate. In case where high purity plasmid preparations are required (for transfection to cells) the plasmid isolation was carried out with the commercially available midiprep or miniprep kits following the manufacturer’s instruction. Plasmids were observed on 1% agarose gel

Isolation of plasmid DNA

Recombinant DNA techniques

2μg of total RNA was reverse-transcribed using SuperScript III Reverse Transcriptase which is a commercially available version of M-MLVRT with reduced RNase H activity and increased thermal stability.According to manufacturer’s protocol1μg of RNA,1μl oligo(dT)(500ng),1μl 10mM dNTPand nuclease freewater was added to afinal volume of 13μlin a PCR tube.Thismixture was then incubated at 65°C for 5 minutesin a thermo cyclerand then quicklytransferredtoicefor 1minute. To this 4μl of 5X first strand buffer 1μl of 0.1MDTTand1μl ofRNaseOUT (40U/μl) were added. Then contents were then mixed and 1μl (200 units/μl) of SuperScript III RT was added. Themixture was then incubated at 50°C for 60 minutesin a thermo cycler.Lastlythe reaction was stopped byincubating the mixture at 70°C for 15 minutes. The cDNA thus prepared was then usedas a template for PCR

RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase PCR)

drop wiseaddition and kept at 4⁰C for 24h. Cells were then washed with PBS and stained with DNA staining solutionat 370C in darkwith intermittent shaking. The DNA content of cells was measured by flow cytometryusing FACS-Aria (Beckton-Dickenson) at 695 ±20 nm using a 655 long pass filter.The DNA content was then analysed by FACSDivaor FlowJosoftwareto evaluate the various phases of cell cycle. The diploid 2N DNA content was referred as G1/G0 population and the 4N DNA content was referred as G2/M population. Cells with intermediary DNA content (between 2N -4N) content were considered as S phasecells and those below 2N DNA content as sub G0 cells

Thecells were collected at various time points by trypsinization, washed in phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.2) and fixed in chilled 70% methanol: ethanol (1:1) solution by

Cell cycle analysis

Malachite green reagent

DNA loading dye

Neutralization solution(Solution III)

EMSA Buffer

Blocking buffer: 2% BSA

Stripping Buffer

Blocking Buffer

TBST

Transfer Buffer

Running Buffer

Stacking and resolving AcrylamidegelsResolving gel (10 ml)

6X protein loading buffer (Laemmlibuffer)

Cell lysis buffer(RIPA Buffer)

For Immunoblotting