Mechanisms underlying the adaptation of Candida glabrata to environmental stressors

Candida glabrata (C. glabrata) is a potential microbial industrial production platform for various chemicals. It has high inherent tolerance to various environmental stressors, such as high salinity, high temperature, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), as compared to the model yeast system S. cerevisiae. These traits are of industrial and medical significance and the underlying mechanisms are not well characterized.  Here, we used adaptive laboratory evolution combined with next generation sequencing to identify the genetic determinants of C. glabrata adaptation to different environmental stressors including oxidative stress (with the use of hydrogen peroxide). Several candidate genetic determinants for enhanced tolerance to hydrogen peroxide were identified via whole genome resequencing of isolated clones and populations.  The genomic data was correlated with transcriptomic data to pin point potential mechanisms, including membrane and cell wall remodeling and global regulatory changes, for increased tolerance to hydrogen peroxide.  Taken together, these knowledge will benefit the understanding of the adaptive mechanisms of C. glabrata to hydrogen peroxide and its engineering toward a more successful producer of desired chemicals.