CAG1 — Candida albicans

Summary

C5_05220W_A (CAG1) in Candida albicans encodes a G-protein alpha subunit, a member of the fungal G-protein alpha family with GTPase activity and guanyl nucleotide binding. This gene is associated with GPCR signaling, the MAPK cascade, quorum sensing, pheromone response, cell morphogenesis during conjugation, and regulation of conidium formation and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, including sterigmatocystin and penicillin anabolism. It is linked to phenotypic switching, immune evasion, and cell wall beta-glucan metabolism. Localized to the heterotrimeric G-protein complex and cytoplasm, CAG1 is associated with mating efficiency, shmoo formation, cell cycle progression, budding rate, polyploidy, and nuclear fusion during mating. Related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and unaffected pathogenicity.