FOR — Candida albicans

Summary

Candida albicans gene C6_03760C_A, also known as FOR or SHM2, encodes a serine hydroxymethyltransferase (EC 2.1.2.1) with glycine hydroxymethyltransferase activity and pyridoxal phosphate binding, placing it in the Ser_HO-MeTrfase family. The gene is associated with glycine and tetrahydrofolate metabolism, tetrahydrofolate interconversion, and a wide range of cellular processes including neutrophil activation, innate immunity, quorum sensing, phagocytosis, immune response, exosome biogenesis, glucosylceramide and sterol anabolism, metabolic burst, DNA repair upregulation, cell communication, intracellular protein transport, and pH reduction. It localizes to the fungal biofilm matrix, mitochondria, cytoplasm, and cytosol. Phenotypic associations include effects on cell cycle progression (S phase arrest, premature metaphase and telophase), meiosis arrest, respiratory metabolism absence, increased fermentative metabolism, abnormal budding and cytokinesis, increased flocculation, decreased colony size, and altered mitochondrial genome maintenance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to nutrient utilization and turgor pressure.