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. 2013 Apr 18;9(4):e1003305. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003305

Figure 8. Model for pheromone signaling responses in C. albicans white and opaque cells.

Figure 8

The same pheromone MAP kinase pathway operates in C. albicans white and opaque cells, and activates downstream responses via the same transcription factor, Cph1. White- and opaque-specific factors (WSF and OSF, respectively) work in concert with Cph1 to drive phase-specific phenotypes. The interactions with Cph1 could either be direct or indirect. In response to pheromone, C. albicans opaque cells undergo efficient polarized growth and cell conjugation. In contrast, white cells cannot mate but can form pheromone-stimulated biofilms under certain environmental conditions.