RNA-Seq analysis of Candida glabrata wild-type and Cghhf1Δhhf2Δ mutant in the presence and absence of methyl methanesulfonate (MMS).

To determine the effect of lack of two Histone H4 genes, CgHHF1 and CgHHF2, on global transcriptional profile, and on transcriptional response towards MMS exposure, RNA-Seq analysis was conducted on log-phase grown Candida glabrata wild-type and Cghhf1∆2∆ cells in the presence and absence of MMS. Comparative transcriptome analysis of wild-type and Cghhf1∆2∆ cells displayed deregulation of 303 genes due to the loss of CgHHF1 and CgHHF2 genes. C. glabrata responded to MMS by upregulating genes involved in transmembrane transport and invasive growth in response to glucose limitation, and by downregulating the aerobic respiration and ergosterol biosynthetic process genes. The study was designed to profile the transcriptomes of C. glabrata wild-type and Cghhf1Δhhf2Δ strains grown under normal (YPD medium) and DNA damage stress (MMS treatment) conditions via RNA-Sequencing approach. The experiment was performed with two biological replicates.