HST1 — Candida albicans

Summary

C2_01330C_A (HST1, also known as SIR2) on Candida albicans chromosome 2 encodes a member of the NAD-dependent sirtuin deacylase family, with NAD-dependent histone deacetylase activity on H3K4, H3K9, H3K14, and H4K16, and possesses NAD+ binding and transcription corepressor activity. The gene is associated with epigenetic regulation of gene expression, heterochromatin assembly at rDNA, centromeric, and subtelomeric regions, and suppression of telomeric and mitotic recombination. It is linked to quorum sensing, phenotypic switching, adhesion to host, suppression of host immune response, and regulation of cell differentiation and cell wall biogenesis. Phenotypic associations include increased virulence, absent biofilm formation, altered flocculation, delayed cell cycle progression, increased sporulation rate, and abnormal mitophagy. The gene product localizes to the nuclear lumen, chromatin, and heterochromatin regions, and is a component of the SET3C.