The Glyoxylate Cycle Is Involved in White-Opaque Switching in Candida albicans

Candida albicans is a commensal yeast that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract of humans. The master regulator white-opaque transition WOR1 has been implicated in adaptation to this status. A proteomic analysis cells overexpressing transcription factor (WOR1OE) suggested an altered metabolism carbon sources and phenotypic confirmed alteration. WOR1OE are deficient using trehalose xylose unable use 2C sources, which consistent with reduction amount Icl1, isocitrate lyase enzyme. icl1Δ/Δ mutants production phloxine B positive cells, main characteristic opaque phenotype also observed mating type hemizygous mtla1Δ suggesting involvement Icl1 state. In fact, have reduced fitness mouse as compared essentially isogenic heterozygous ICL1/icl1Δ, but overproduction mutant does not restore fitness. These results implicate glyoxylate shunt commensalism C. by mechanisms partially independent WOR1.