Enhanced Filamentous Growth protein 1 and Regulator of IMp2-101 signaling pathway (Efg1/Rim101)

The Enhanced Filamentous Growth protein 1 (Efg1) and the Regulator of IMp2-101 (Rim101) signaling pathway are essential regulatory networks in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans (UniProt P50329, P87014). Efg1 is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor that serves as a primary effector of the cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway, controlling the transition from yeast to hyphal growth, which is a prerequisite for tissue invasion and biofilm formation (Nobile & Johnson, 2015). The Rim101 pathway is a pH-responsive cascade that activates the Rim101 zinc-finger transcription factor in response to alkaline environments, facilitating cell wall remodeling and further promoting filamentation (Davis, 2003). These two systems operate in a coordinated manner to integrate host-derived signals such as pH and nutrient availability, making them critical for the pathogen's virulence and survival within the host. Because these pathways are central to fungal pathogenicity but distinct from human signaling mechanisms, they are considered high-priority targets for "anti-virulence" therapeutic strategies (Pierce et al., 2015). Targeting these regulators aims to prevent the morphological switch required for infection, potentially reducing the selective pressure for drug resistance compared to traditional fungicidal agents.

Other names

EFG1RIM101pH-response pathwaycAMP/PKA-Efg1 axisRim101/PalC signaling

Inhibition of the yeast-to-hypha transition and disruption of alkaline pH adaptation to attenuate fungal virulence.