The three clades of the telomere-associated Tlo gene family of Candida albicans have different splicing, localization, and expression features

Matthew Z. Anderson, Joshua A. Baller, Keely Dulmage, Lauren Wigen, Judith Berman*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Candida albicans grows within a wide range of host niches, and this adaptability enhances its success as a commensal and as a pathogen. The telomere-associated TLO gene family underwent a recent expansion from one or two copies in other CUG clade members to 14 expressed copies in C. albicans. This correlates with increased virulence and clinical prevalence relative to those of other Candida clade species. The 14 expressed TLO gene family members have a conserved Med2 domain at the N terminus, suggesting a role in general transcription. The C-terminal half is more divergent, distinguishing three clades: clade α and cladeβ have no introns and encode proteins that localize primarily to the nucleus; clade γ sometimes undergoes splicing, and the gene products localize within the mitochondria as well as the nuclei. Additionally, TLOα genes are generally expressed at much higher levels than are TLOγ genes We propose that expansion of the TLO gene family and the predicted role of Tlo proteins in transcription regulation provide C. albicans with the ability to adapt rapidly to the broad range of different environmental niches within the human host.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1268-1275
Number of pages8
JournalEukaryotic Cell
Volume11
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2012

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesR01AI075096

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'The three clades of the telomere-associated Tlo gene family of Candida albicans have different splicing, localization, and expression features'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this