Abstract: Objective To construct the TFP1 gene knockout strains of Candida albicans and analyze the relationship between TFP1 gene and genes related to calcineurin pathway. Methods The upstream and downstream flanking sequences of TFP1 gene and the screened markers were connected to form the gene knockout fragments through fusion PCR, and then transferred into Candida albicans SN152 by lithium acetate transfection method. TFP1^+/- strains were then screened out. The second allele was knocked out by the same method. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression levels of RTA2 and CRZ1 genes of TFP1^-/- strain, TFP1^+/- strain and SN152 strain. Results The Candida albicans SN152 TFP1^-/- double allelic deletion strains were successfully constructed, and the expression levels of RTA2 and CRZ1 genes in the SN152 TFP1^-/- strains were both decreased. Conclusion TFP1 gene of Candida albicans is related to calcineurin pathway.

Key words: Candida albicans, TFP1 gene, calcineurin pathway, gene knockout