Regulation of the biofilm development at the chromatin level in candida albicans

Abstract

The eukaryotic genome is packaged into the specialized organelle, the nucleus. The enormous size of DNA poses a major challenge to be accommodated inside the nuclear space. Within the nucleus, the DNA is packaged with basic proteins called histones to form chromatin. The wrapping of DNA around the histones contributes to the efficient condensation of the genetic material. However, compaction of DNA makes it inaccessible to DNA regulatory elements. Thus, chromatin has been evolved as a dynamic structure with different degrees of condensation. The structural plasticity of chromatin plays a key role in regulating global gene expression. Specific chromatin structure regulates the accessibility of binding of transcription factors and regulatory elements thereby controlling the DNA dependent basic processes such as transcription, DNA replication, DNA recombination and repair. Besides, the genetic information within the DNA is laden with various chemical modifications of DNA bases and histone tails at specific genomic locations conferring to the dynamic nature of chromatin.