PIR1 — Candida albicans

Summary

CR_05190W_A (PIR1) on Candida albicans chromosome 8 encodes a yeast cell wall mannoprotein of the PIR family, with 1,3-beta-D-glucan binding activity and a structural constituent of the cell wall. The gene is associated with fungal-type cell wall biogenesis, organization, and assembly, as well as hyphal growth, filamentous growth, biofilm formation, chlamydospore formation, and mating. It is linked to cellular response to thermal stimulus, oxidative phosphorylation, vitamin and ergosterol anabolism, demethylation, phagocytosis, and immune evasion. The product localizes to the yeast-form and fungal-type cell wall, the fungal biofilm matrix, and the extracellular space. PIR1 is also linked to relative growth rate. Related genes in other species are linked to increased virulence and disseminated candidiasis.