A Markerless CRISPR-Mediated System for Genome Editing in Candida auris Reveals a Conserved Role for Cas5 in the Caspofungin Response
Craig L. Ennis, Aaron D. Hernday, Clarissa J. Nobile
Abstract
Candida auris is a recently emerged multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen capable of causing life-threatening systemic infections in humans. Few tools are available for genome editing in C. auris. Here, we present a markerless genome editing system for C. auris that relies on CRISPR/Cas9 technology and works to modify the genomes of all known C. auris clades. Using this system, we discovered a conserved role for Cas5 in the caspofungin response between C. albicans and C. auris. Overall, the development of a system for facile genome editing in C. auris is a major step forward in improving our understanding of this important human fungal pathogen.
Topics & Concepts
Candida aurisBiologyGenomeGenome editingCaspofunginGeneticsGeneComputational biologyFungal pathogenModel organismSelectable markerCandida albicansHuman genomePathogenHuman pathogenAntifungal resistance and susceptibilityCRISPR and Genetic EngineeringFungal Infections and Studies