Epigenetic determinants of phenotypic plasticity in Candida albicans

Abstract

Epigenetics literally means heritable changes in gene expression without any modification in the DNA sequence. The field of epigenetics is revolutionising our understanding of basic fundamental principles behind the normal development and the diseased state of an individual. However, chromatin modifications during infection, wherein the pathogen interacts with its host, received comparatively little attention. Nevertheless, the role of epigenetics in the establishment of infectious diseases by breaching the host defense system is an emerging area of research. Epigenetic regulation impacts differentiation and expression of virulence attributes of a pathogen. For example, antigenic variations in parasites such as Giardia lamblia and Plasmodium falciparum are epigenetically determined. Similarly, chromatin modifying elements have been implicated in fungal morphogenesis and virulence. In particular, chromatin modifying enzymes including histone methyl transferases (KMTs), histone acetyl transferases (KATs), and histone deacetylases (KDACs) have been shown to epigenetically modulate pathogenicity of the human opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans. The significance of chromatin modifications has the potential for explaining the mechanistic basis for distinct lifestyles of the fungus. In this review, we summarize the existing body of evidence that emphasizes the importance of various chromatin modulations involved in providing phenotypic plasticity of the medically important fungal pathogen C. albicans.