Ume6 protein complexes connect morphogenesis, adherence and hypoxic genes to shape Candida albicans biofilm architecture.

Biofilms of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans can form on implanted medical devices and contribute to fungal virulence and are recalcitrant to antifungal therapy. The transcription factor Ume6 directs hyphal cell elongation and thus promotes biofilm formation in C. albicans. However, how exactly this key biofilm and virulence regulator functions has remained unclear. Here RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing data show that Ume6 binds to and activates multiple biofilm-relevant genes. Ume6-associated sequence motifs correspond to binding sites for biofilm master regulators Efg1 and Ndt80, and hypoxic response regulator Upc2. Co-immunoprecipitation assays show the existence of Ume6-Efg1, Ume6-Ndt80 and Ume6-Upc2 protein complexes. Promoter binding of Ume6 is partially dependent upon Efg1, Ndt80 or Upc2, as is Ume6 target gene activation, thus indicating that the protein complexes function to drive Ume6-target gene interaction. Ume6 therefore acts as a bridge that connects the hyphal morphogenesis and adherence genes that shape biofilm architecture and the hypoxic response genes required for growth in the low-oxygen biofilm environment. These findings are vital for our understanding of the pathobiology of C. albicans and could open the way to new treatment options.