SEP7 — Candida albicans

Summary

C1_02230W_A (SEP7, also known as CaSHS1 or SHS1) on chromosome 1 of Candida albicans encodes a septin family protein with GTPase activity, GTP binding, and structural constituent of cytoskeleton activity, as well as phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate, phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate, and 1-phosphatidylinositol binding. The gene is associated with numerous cellular processes including cytoskeleton-dependent cytokinesis, septin ring assembly and disassembly, mitotic actomyosin contractile ring assembly, chitin localization, ER polarization, chlamydospore formation, and adhesion of symbiont to host. It localizes to the cellular bud neck septin structure, hyphal septin ring, and septin filament array. Phenotypic associations include abnormal cell cycle progression, delayed cytokinesis, altered fermentative growth, abnormal bud neck morphology, increased aneuploidy, decreased mating efficiency, and reduced spore germination. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and candidiasis.