In silico analysis for transcription factors with Zn(II)(2)C(6) binuclear cluster DNA-binding domains in Candida albicans.

A total of 6047 open reading frames in the Candida albicans genome were screened for Zn(II)(2)C(6)-type zinc cluster proteins (or binuclear cluster proteins) involved in DNA recognition. These fungal proteins are transcription regulators of genes involved in a wide range of cellular processes, including metabolism of different compounds such as sugars or amino acids, as well as multi-drug resistance, control of meiosis, cell wall architecture, etc. The selection criteria used in the sequence analysis were the presence of the CysX(2)CysX(6)CysX(5-16)CysX(2)CysX(6-8)Cys motif and a putative nuclear localization signal. Using this approach, 70 putative Zn(II)(2)C(6) transcription factors have been found in the genome of C. albicans.