Gene Function of the Transcription Factors Mig1, Mig2, and Zfu2 in Candida albicans

Candida albicans is a commensal fungus that can cause life-threatening illnesses for those that are immunocompromised, have had major surgery, or have in-dwelling medical devices. C. albicans lives on most mucosal surfaces in the body where it employs drastically
different transcriptional patterns depending on which body site it inhabits, or whether it acts as a commensal or a pathogenic organism. The ability of C. albicans to alter its
transcriptional landscape to live in these diverse niches within the body is a testament to its genetic flexibility. This thesis will attempt to understand the functions of three
distinct transcription factors Mig1, Mig2, and Zfu2 that enable C. albicans to coordinate proper gene expression in vivo and in vitro. These transcription factors play distinct roles in controlling proper gene expression in two different contexts. Zfu2 may control gene expression in the context of in vivo biofilm formation, while Mig1 and Mig2 are repressors of alternative carbon source utilization genes and control cell wall integrity. All three of these transcription factors play a role in virulence and therefore are of importance to study.