CRZ1 explained

CRZ1, short for Calcineurin-Responsive Zinc Finger 1, is a transcription factor that regulates calcineurin dependent-genes in Candida albicans.^[1]

Mechanism of action

The cytoplasmic protein Crz1 is dephosphorylated by the calcineurin and is then targeted to the nucleus.^[2] The nuclear protein activates the transcription of genes involved in cell-wall maintenance and ion homeostasis.^{[1] [3]}

Structure

The protein Crz1 possesses a Zinc-Finger motif that binds to a specific motif called CDRE (Calcineurin-Dependent Response Element) present on the promoter of the targeted genes. It also possesses a nuclear localization signal (NLS) at the N-terminal part^[4]

Notes and References

1. Steinbach. William J.. Reedy. Jennifer L.. Cramer. Robert A.. Perfect. John R.. Heitman. Joseph. June 2007. Harnessing calcineurin as a novel anti-infective agent against invasive fungal infections. Nature Reviews. Microbiology. 5. 6. 418–430. 10.1038/nrmicro1680. 1740-1534. 17505522. 28292376.
2. Stathopoulos-Gerontides. A.. Guo. J. J.. Cyert. M. S.. 1999-04-01. Yeast calcineurin regulates nuclear localization of the Crz1p transcription factor through dephosphorylation. Genes & Development. 13. 7. 798–803. 0890-9369. 10197980. 316598. 10.1101/gad.13.7.798.
3. Stathopoulos. A. M.. Cyert. M. S.. 1997-12-15. Calcineurin acts through the CRZ1/TCN1-encoded transcription factor to regulate gene expression in yeast. Genes & Development. 11. 24. 3432–3444. 0890-9369. 9407035. 316814. 10.1101/gad.11.24.3432.
4. Karababa. Mahir. Valentino. Emilio. Pardini. Giacomo. Coste. Alix T.. Bille. Jacques. Sanglard. Dominique. March 2006. CRZ1, a target of the calcineurin pathway in Candida albicans: Calcineurin targets in Candida albicans. Molecular Microbiology. 59. 5. 1429–1451. 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2005.05037.x. 16468987. free.