title: Genome-wide functional analysis in Candida albicans.
abstract: Candida albicans is an important etiological agent of superficial and life-threatening infections in individuals with compromised immune systems. To date, we know of several overlapping genetic networks that govern virulence attributes in this fungal pathogen. Classical use of deletion mutants has led to the discovery of numerous virulence factors over the years, and genome-wide functional analysis has propelled gene discovery at an even faster pace. Indeed, a number of recent studies using large-scale genetic screens followed by genome-wide functional analysis has allowed for the unbiased discovery of many new genes involved in C. albicans biology. Here we share our perspectives on the role of these studies in analyzing fundamental aspects of C. albicans virulence properties.
authors.affiliation: a Agricultural Research Council - Small Grain Institute , Bethlehem , South Africa.
authors.forename: Thabiso E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Motaung
authors.affiliation: b University of the Free Sate , Bloemfontein , South Africa.
authors.forename: Ruan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ells
authors.affiliation: b University of the Free Sate , Bloemfontein , South Africa.
authors.forename: Carolina H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Pohl
authors.affiliation: b University of the Free Sate , Bloemfontein , South Africa.
authors.forename: Jacobus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Albertyn
authors.affiliation: a Agricultural Research Council - Small Grain Institute , Bethlehem , South Africa.|c Department of Life and Consumer Sciences , University of South Africa , Pretoria , South Africa.
authors.forename: Toi J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Tsilo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D016681:Genome, Fungal; D006801:Humans; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins
keywords: Candida albicans; genes; large-scale functional analysis; mutant libraries; phenotype; virulence