CLM2 — Candida albicans

Summary

CLM2 (ERG11) on Candida albicans chromosome 5 encodes a cytochrome P450 sterol 14α-demethylase (EC 1.14.14.154) with heme and iron binding, redox activity and methyltransferase activity. The product localises to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, perinuclear ER, cortical ER and plasma membrane. CLM2 is associated with sterol depletion response, zymosterol anabolism, membrane polarization, protein oxidation, IL-1 production, inflammatory response, germ tube formation, cell growth mode switching from budding to filamentous, mRNA transcription, PKC signal transduction, endosome organization, riboflavin anabolism, prenylation, sterol import and sulfur amino acid metabolism. The gene is linked to oropharyngeal and disseminated candidiasis, and to traits including protein content. Phenotypic associations include decreased micronucleophagy, nucleophagy and ribophagy, abnormal cell cycle progression, increased cell death, arrested vegetative and exponential growth, decreased invasive growth and increased lifespan. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to lethal pathogen phenotypes and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.