Deletion of the Candida albicans TLO gene family using CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis allows characterisation of functional differences in α-, β- and γ- TLO gene function.

ABSTRACT: The Candida albicans genome contains between ten and fifteen distinct TLO genes that all encode a Med2 subunit of Mediator. In order to investigate the biological role of Med2/Tlo in C. albicans we deleted all fourteen TLO genes using CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis. ChIP-seq analysis showed that RNAP II localized to 55% fewer genes in the tloΔ mutant strain compared to the parent, while RNA-seq analysis showed that the tloΔ mutant exhibited differential expression of genes required for carbohydrate metabolism, stress responses, white-opaque switching and filamentous growth. Consequently, the tloΔ mutant grows poorly in glucose- and galactose-containing media, is unable to grow as true hyphae, is more sensitive to oxidative stress and is less virulent in the wax worm infection model. Reintegration

SUBMITTER: Fletcher J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10721199 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature