title: Functional analysis of CaRAP1, encoding the Repressor/activator protein 1 of Candida albicans.
abstract: The RAP1 gene (repressor/activator protein 1) encodes a transcription factor and telomere binding protein that is essential for viability in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The genome sequence of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans contains a RAP1 homologue. We generated C. albicans mutants in which both RAP1 alleles were deleted. The Deltarap1 mutants grew as well as the wild-type parental strain and formed normal germ tubes and hyphae in response to a variety of inducing conditions. However, under conditions that promote budding yeast growth in the wild-type strain, the Deltarap1 mutants formed both yeast and pseudohyphal cells. This phenotype was reverted upon reintroduction of a functional RAP1 copy. Our results demonstrate that RAP1 is a non-essential gene in C. albicans which is required to repress the formation of pseudohyphae under conditions favouring growth as budding yeast.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Molekulare Infektionsbiologie, Universität Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Kajal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: Klaus-Jörg
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Rieger
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morschhäuser
mesh_terms: D002176:Candida albicans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D020043:Genes, Essential / Q000235:genetics; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D000089804:Shelterin Complex; D034501:Telomere-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; C474965:RAP1 protein, Candida albicans; D000089804:Shelterin Complex; D034501:Telomere-Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors