Histone acetyltransferase encoded by NGG1 is required for morphological conversion and virulence of Candida albicans.

Aim: To assess the function of Ngg1 in Candida albicans and reveal the role of NGG1 in the morphological conversion and virulence of C. albicans.

Materials & Methods: C. albicans NGG1 gene was deleted in the wild-type strain SC5314 and the function of Ngg1 was assessed by western blot analysis. The phenotypes and the virulence of the ngg1 mutants were examined. Microarray analysis was performed to explore the mechanism.

Results: The ngg1 mutants attenuated acetylated histone H3, obviously reduced filamentous growth and showed significantly diminished pathogenicity in all the infection models.

Conclusion: This study suggested the histone acetyltransferase activity of C. albicans Ngg1 and revealed the important role of NGG1 in morphological conversion and virulence of C. albicans. [Formula: see text].