CTA8 — Candida albicans

Summary

CTA8 (also known as HSF1 or CaHSF1) on chromosome 1 of Candida albicans encodes a DNA-binding transcription activator with RNA polymerase II-specific activity, containing an HSF-type DNA-binding domain. The gene product also exhibits phosphorelay response regulator and transferase activities. CTA8 is associated with cellular thermotolerance, response to heat and singlet oxygen, quorum sensing, mating type switching, sexual reproduction, cell wall biogenesis, cell size control, osmotic response, and memory. It localizes to the nucleus, cytoplasm, cytosol, chromatin, and RNA polymerase II transcription regulator complexes. The gene is linked to candidiasis and has been studied in mouse models. Phenotypic associations include increased thermotolerance, altered cell cycle progression, abnormal spore germination, and changes in prion inheritance, mating response, and desiccation resistance.