FIP1 — Candida albicans

Summary

C1_14220C_A (FIP1, also known as FTR2) on chromosome 1 of Candida albicans encodes a protein of the FTR1/Fip1/EfeU family, with high-affinity ferrous iron transmembrane transporter activity and iron channel activity. The gene is associated with reductive iron assimilation, iron ion membrane transport, and cellular response to iron ion starvation. It is also linked to quorum sensing, biofilm formation, hyphal growth, cell adhesion, immune evasion, phagocytosis, sphingolipid and sterol metabolism, ergosterol anabolism, lipid homeostasis, ER stress response, detoxification, and regulation of cell growth. The product localizes to the high-affinity iron permease complex, plasmalemma, and Golgi complex. Phenotypic associations include altered cell size, budding pattern, stress resistance, thermotolerance, cold sensitivity, pH resistance, respiratory and fermentative growth, and sporulation efficiency. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to virulence and pathogenicity.