<i>Candida albicans</i>Zcf37, a zinc finger protein, is required for stabilization of the white state

Abstract

Candida albicans, the most prevalent human fungal pathogen, can switch stochastically between white and opaque phases. In this study, we identified Zcf37, a zinc finger protein, as a new regulator of white-opaque switching. Deletion of ZCF37 increased white-to-opaque switching frequency and stabilized the opaque state. Overexpression of ZCF37 promoted conversion of opaque cells to white phase, but needed existence of Efg1, a key regulator required for maintenance of the white state. Deletion of EFG1 abolished the effect of ectopically expressed Zcf37 on opaque-to-white switching, whereas ectopic expression of EFG1 promoted white cell formation without presence of Zcf37. Our results suggest that Zcf37 acts as an activator of white cell formation and a repressor of opaque state and functions upstream of Efg1.