Activation of the cAMP cascade by steroidogenic hormones and glucagon in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans

Incubation of Candida albicans yeast cells with human luteinizing hormone (hLH), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) or glucagon produced a significant rise in cAMP total levels. The effect of these hormones in permeabilized cells of the fungus produced a 2-3 fold increase in the Mg2+, GTP-dependent adenylyl cyclase activity as well as full activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity. These results indicate that the interaction of the mammalian hormones with the fungus triggered the cAMP activation cascade in a similar way to that found in higher eukaryotic organisms.