On and Off: Epigenetic Regulation of <i>C. albicans</i> Morphological Switches

• Published in: Pathogens
• Main Authors: Elise Iracane, Samuel Vega-Estévez, Alessia Buscaino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-11-01
• Subjects: <i>Candida albicans</i>; epigenetic; yeast; chromatin; biofilm; hyphae
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/11/1463

The human fungal pathogen <i>Candida albicans</i> is a dimorphic opportunistic pathogen that colonises most of the human population without creating any harm. However, this fungus can also cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals. The ability to successfully colonise different host niches is critical for establishing infections and pathogenesis. <i>C. albicans</i> can live and divide in various morphological forms critical for its survival in the host. Indeed, <i>C. albicans</i> can grow as both yeast and hyphae and can form biofilms containing hyphae. The transcriptional regulatory network governing the switching between these different forms is complex but well understood. In contrast, non-DNA based epigenetic modulation is emerging as a crucial but still poorly studied regulatory mechanism of morphological transition. This review explores our current understanding of chromatin-mediated epigenetic regulation of the yeast to hyphae switch and biofilm formation. We highlight how modification of chromatin structure and non-coding RNAs contribute to these morphological transitions.