Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that grows as budding 
yeast, pseudohyphal, and hyphal forms. In response to external signals, C. 
albicans switches rapidly among these forms. mRNA-containing cytoplasmic 
granules, termed processing bodies (P-bodies), have been reported to accumulate 
under various environmental stress conditions in diverse species from yeast to 
mammals. Here, we provide the first microscopic and genetic characterization of 
P-bodies in C. albicans. The core components of P-bodies, including the 
decapping machinery (Dcp2 and Dhh1), 5'-3' exoribonuclease (Kem1/Xrn1), and the 
P-body scaffolding protein (Edc3), were identified and their localizations with 
respect to P-bodies were demonstrated. Various growth conditions, including 
glucose deprivation, hyperosmotic stress, and heat stress, stimulated the 
accumulation of P-bodies. In addition, we observed P-body aggregation during 
hyphal development. The deletion mutant strain edc3/edc3 had a defect in 
filamentation and exhibited a dramatic reduction in the number of P-bodies. 
These results suggest that Edc3 plays an essential role in the assembly and 
maintenance of P-bodies in C. albicans, and that the switch to filamentous 
growth appears to accompany P-body accumulation.