A CRISPR-Cas9-based gene drive platform for genetic interaction analysis in Candida albicans.

ABSTRACT: Candida albicans is the leading cause of fungal infections; yet, complex genetic interaction analysis remains cumbersome in this diploid pathogen. Here, we developed a CRISPR-Cas9-based 'gene drive array' platform to facilitate efficient genetic analysis in C. albicans. In our system, a modified DNA donor molecule acts as a selfish genetic element, replaces the targeted site and propagates to replace additional wild-type loci. Using mating-competent C. albicans haploids, each carrying a different gene drive disabling a gene of interest, we are able to create diploid strains that are homozygous double-deletion mutants. We generate double-gene deletion libraries to demonstrate this technology, targeting antifungal efflux and biofilm adhesion factors. We screen these libraries to identify vir

SUBMITTER: Shapiro RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5832965 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature