CREA — Candida albicans

Summary

C1_13440C_A (CREA, also known as OFI1) in Candida albicans encodes a C2H2-type zinc-finger protein with DNA-binding transcription activator activity, DNA binding, and 14-3-3 protein binding activity. This gene is associated with cell-cell recognition, membrane depolarization, cellular responses to cold and acidic pH, regulation of apoptosis, metabolic burst, and innate immunity. It is linked to phenotypic switching, filamentous growth, biofilm formation via cell adhesion, division septum assembly, and calcineurin-mediated signaling. The gene product localizes to the cytoplasm, cytosol, and nucleus. Associations include abnormal pseudohyphal growth, decreased adhesion, altered chitin deposition, reduced UV and ionizing radiation resistance, decreased anaerobic and fermentative growth, increased sporulation and polyploidy, and cell cycle progression defects in G1, G2, and M phases. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to sugar content, germination rate, acid sensitivity, oxidative stress response, and reduced virulence.