HXK1 — Candida albicans

Summary

Candida albicans HXK1 (C6_04580W_A) on chromosome 6 encodes a hexokinase with N-acetylglucosamine kinase, glucosamine kinase, hexokinase, mannokinase, glucokinase, and fructokinase activities (EC 2.7.1.59 and 2.7.1.1). The gene product is associated with glycolysis, glucose 6-phosphate metabolism, fructose and mannose metabolism, cellular respiration, and glucose homeostasis. It is linked to phenotypic switching, adhesion to host, host invasion, development of symbiont in host, and sterol metabolism. Localisation evidence connects HXK1 to the cytosol, nucleus, and mitochondria. The gene is associated with candidiasis and disseminated candidiasis, and with numerous phenotypes including abnormal prion inheritance and formation, absent innate thermotolerance, increased invasive growth, increased cold sensitivity, decreased hyperosmotic stress resistance, abnormal mitochondrial distribution and morphology, increased cell size, and arrested or absent vegetative growth. Studies of related genes in other species link the hexokinase family to nitrogen source utilisation and chemical compound accumulation.