GAS4 — Candida albicans

Summary

C5_05390C_A (GAS4, also known as PGA4, GEL1, CaGEL-1, CaGAS4, CaGAS5, CaGEL-4, GEL-4, CaGEL1, GAS5) in Candida albicans chromosome 5 encodes a glucanosyltransferase with 1,3-beta-glucanosyltransferase activity, belonging to the glycoside hydrolase superfamily. The gene is associated with cell wall 1,3-beta-glucan metabolism and ascospore wall beta-glucan anabolism, and its product localizes to the yeast-form and hyphal cell walls, bud membrane, lipid rafts, and extracellular vesicles. GAS4 is associated with biofilm formation on hosts and inanimate substrates, cell-substrate adhesion, host invasion, phagocytosis, and cellular responses to pH and calcium signaling. Phenotypic associations include abnormal cell wall morphology, absent filamentous and pseudohyphal growth, altered mating and sporulation efficiency, increased chitin deposition, and changes in stress resistance, cell cycle progression, and telomere length. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to reduced virulence and sporogenesis.