Gene switch of the Candida albicans toxin Candidalysin under the magnifying glass

Hyphae formation of Candia albicans, a key virulence trait of the human pathogenic fungus, is associated with the secretion of the cytotoxin Candidalysin. The toxic peptide contributes greatly to the virulence of the fungus as it destructs host cell membranes. The precursor protein of Candidalysin is encoded by the gene ECE1. Enrico Garbe and his colleagues of the two Septomics groups Fungal Septomics and Host Fungal Interfaces have dissected the structure of the promotor region of the ECE1 gene using green fluorenscent protein (GFP) promotor constructs. Their findings indicate that ECE1 is under control of a rather long promotor. This allows binding of a complex network of transcription factors to ensure tight gene regulation. The results of this functional analysis were now published in Microbiology Spectrum.

Garbe E, Thielemann N, Hohner S, Kumar A, Vylkova S, Kurzai O, Martin R. (2023) Functional analysis of the Candida albicans ECE1 Promoter. Microbiol Spectr. e0025323. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.00253-23.