Abstract

Genome plasticity, in particular the occurrence of loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) events, plays an important role in the biology of Candida albicans , and several studies have identified conditions that favor their occurrence. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate LOH and their role on C. albicans fitness. Loll-Krippleber et al. (p. 311–322 ) present an innovative system combining fluorescent markers and flow cytometry to detect LOH in C. albicans at the single-cell level. Combining the LOH reporter and a gain-of-function screen, they further identify genes important for C. albicans genome integrity. This is the ground for genomewide identification of LOH regulators and a better understanding of how genomic instability may contribute to C. albicans success as a commensal and pathogen. Further, because the genome changes observed in this quasi-obligate diploid fungus are reminiscent of the genomic instability that characterizes cancer cells, this work is likely to provide new insights into the processes leading to tumor development in higher eukaryotes. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.