CHK1 — Candida albicans

Summary

C2_03320W_A (CHK1) on Candida albicans chromosome 2 encodes a hybrid histidine kinase with osmosensor, peroxide sensor, and histidine phosphotransfer kinase activities, containing GAF, histidine kinase, and response regulator domains. This gene is associated with osmolarity sensing via the two-component system, activation of the p38 cascade, cellular HOG response, and cellular response to AOS. CHK1 has been linked to cytokine production, mannan anabolism, downregulation of phagocytosis, quorum sensing, regulation of single-species biofilm formation on inanimate substrate, signal transduction involved in filamentous growth, flocculation, cell aggregation, nitrogen utilization, and regulation of conidium formation. The encoded protein localizes to the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, cell tip, and cell division site. Studies of related histidine kinases in other fungi link the family to pathogenicity in related genes in other species.