A Human-Curated Annotation of the Candida albicans Genome

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Last Updated: Jul 25th, 2005 - 17:25:42

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A Human-Curated Annotation of the Candida albicans Genome

Jul 25, 2005, 17:13

http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/genetics/article_1921.shtml

Comparison with other fungal genomes permitted the identification of

numerous fungus-specific genes that are absent from the human genome

and whose products might be targeted for antifungal therapy.

By PLoS Genetics, Candida albicans is a commonly encountered fungal

pathogen usually responsible for superficial infections (thrush and

vaginitis). However, an estimated 30% of severe fungal infections,

most due to Candida, result in death. Those who are most at risk

include individuals taking immune-suppressive drugs following organ

transplantation, people with HIV infection, premature infants, and

cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Current therapies for this pathogen are made more difficult by the

significant secondary effects of anti-fungal drugs that target

proteins that are also found in the human host.

Recent sequencing and assembly of the genome for the fungal pathogen

C. albicans used simple automated procedures for the identification

of putative genes. Here, we report a detailed annotation of the

6,354 genes that are present in the genome sequence of this

organism, essentially writing the dictionary of the C. albicans

genome.

Comparison with other fungal genomes permitted the identification of

numerous fungus-specific genes that are absent from the human genome

and whose products might be targeted for antifungal therapy. The

results of these efforts will thus ensure that the Candida research

community has uniform and comprehensive genomic information for

medical research, for the development of functional genomic tools as

well as for future diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

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References

1. Braun BR, van het Hoog M, d'Enfert C, Martchenko M, Dungan J, et

al. (2005) A Human-Curated Annotation of the Candida albicans

Genome. PLoS Genet 1(1): e1