title: An expanded regulatory network temporally controls Candida albicans biofilm formation.
abstract: Candida albicans biofilms are composed of highly adherent and densely arranged cells with properties distinct from those of free-floating (planktonic) cells. These biofilms are a significant medical problem because they commonly form on implanted medical devices, are drug resistant and are difficult to remove. C. albicans biofilms are not static structures; rather they are dynamic and develop over time. Here we characterize gene expression in biofilms during their development, and by comparing them to multiple planktonic reference states, we identify patterns of gene expression relevant to biofilm formation. In particular, we document time-dependent changes in genes involved in adhesion and metabolism, both of which are at the core of biofilm development. Additionally, we identify three new regulators of biofilm formation, Flo8, Gal4, and Rfx2, which play distinct roles during biofilm development over time. Flo8 is required for biofilm formation at all time points, and Gal4 and Rfx2 are needed for proper biofilm formation at intermediate time points.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.|Tetrad Program, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Emily P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Bui
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.|Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Jeniel E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Nett
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Nairi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hartooni
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mui
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.|Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Andes
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Clarissa J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Nobile
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins