Haploinsufficiency-based large-scale forward genetic analysis of filamentous growth in the diploid human fungal pathogen C.albicans

M. Andrew Uhl, Matt Biery, Nancy Craig, Alexander D. Johnson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

140 Scopus citations

Abstract

Candida albicans is the most prevalent human fungal pathogen. Here, we take advantage of haploinsufficiency and transposon mutagenesis to perform large-scale loss-of-function genetic screen in this organism. We identified mutations in 146 genes that affect the switch between its single-cell (yeast) form and filamentous forms of growth; this switch appears central to the virulence of C.albicans The encoded proteins include those involved in nutrient sensing, signal transduction, transcriptional control, cytoskeletal organization and cell wall construction. Approximately one-third of the genes identified in the screen lack homologs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other model organisms and thus constitute candidate antifungal drug targets. These results illustrate the value of performing forward genetic studies in bona fide pathogens.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2668-2678
Number of pages11
JournalEMBO Journal
Volume22
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2 2003

Keywords

  • Candida albicans
  • Filamentous growth
  • Haploinsufficiency

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Haploinsufficiency-based large-scale forward genetic analysis of filamentous growth in the diploid human fungal pathogen C.albicans'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this