PIR1 — Candida albicans

Summary

C1_03890W_A (PIR1) in Candida albicans encodes a yeast cell wall mannoprotein of the PIR family, with 1,3-beta-D-glucan binding activity and a structural constituent of the cell wall. This gene is associated with fungal-type cell wall biogenesis, organization, and assembly, as well as hyphal and filamentous growth, biofilm formation, chlamydospore formation, and mating. It is linked to cellular responses to thermal stimulus, oxidative phosphorylation, vitamin and ergosterol anabolism, demethylation, phagocytosis, and immune evasion. The protein localizes to the yeast-form and fungal-type cell wall, fungal biofilm matrix, and extracellular space. PIR1 is also linked to relative growth rate. Related genes in other species, such as PIR3 in mouse, connect the family to increased virulence and disseminated candidiasis.