The C-terminal protein interaction domain of the chromatin reader Yaf9 is critical for pathogenesis of Candida albicans

Abstract

The scarcity of available antifungal drugs and rising resistance demand the development of therapies with new modes of action. In this context, chromatin regulation may be a target for novel antifungal therapeutics. To realize this potential, we must better understand the roles of chromatin regulators in fungal pathogens. Toward this goal, here, we studied the YEATS domain chromatin reader Yaf9 in Candida albicans . Yaf9 uses the YEATS domain for chromatin binding and a C-terminal domain to interact with chromatin remodeling complexes. By constructing mutants in these domains and characterizing their phenotypes, our data indicate that the Yaf9 YEATS domain might not be a suitable therapeutic drug target. Instead, the Yaf9 C-terminal domain is critical for C. albicans virulence. Collectively, our study informs how a class of chromatin regulators performs their cellular and pathogenesis roles in C. albicans and reveals strategies to inhibit them.