title: Evolution and Application of Inteins inCandidaspecies: A Review.
abstract: Inteins are invasive intervening sequences that perform an autocatalytic splicing from their host proteins. Among eukaryotes, these elements are present in many fungal species, including those considered opportunistic or primary pathogens, such asCandidaspp. Here we reviewed and updated the list ofCandidaspecies containing inteins in the genesVMA, THRRSandGLT1and pointed out the importance of these elements as molecular markers for molecular epidemiological researches and species-specific diagnosis, since the presence, as well as the size of these inteins, is polymorphic among the different species. Although absent inCandida albicans, these elements are present in different sizes, in some environmentalCandidaspp. and also in most of the non-albicansCandidaspp. considered emergent opportunistic pathogens. Besides, the possible role of these inteins in yeast physiology was also discussed in the light of the recent findings on the importance of these elements as post-translational modulators of gene expression, reinforcing their relevance as alternative therapeutic targets for the treatment of non-albicansCandidainfections, because, once the splicing of an intein is inhibited, its host protein, which is usually a housekeeping protein, becomes non-functional.
authors: Institute of Tropical Medicine of Rio Grande do Norte, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte Natal, Brazil.
authors: José A L
authors: JA
authors: Fernandes
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho Botucatu, Brazil.
authors: Tâmara H R
authors: TH
authors: Prandini
authors: Institute of Tropical Medicine of Rio Grande do Norte, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte Natal, Brazil.
authors: Maria da Conceiçao A
authors: MD
authors: Castro
authors: Institute of Tropical Medicine of Rio Grande do Norte, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do NorteNatal, Brazil; Post-graduation Program in Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do NorteNatal, Brazil.
authors: Thales D
authors: TD
authors: Arantes
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho Botucatu, Brazil.
authors: Juliana
authors: J
authors: Giacobino
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho Botucatu, Brazil.
authors: Eduardo
authors: E
authors: Bagagli
authors: Institute of Tropical Medicine of Rio Grande do Norte, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte Natal, Brazil.
authors: Raquel C
authors: RC
authors: Theodoro
keywords: Candida spp.; glutamate syntethase; intein; molecular identification; new therapeutic targets; threonyl-tRNA synthetase; vacuolar ATPase