Abstract
The gene of protein phosphatase Z1 (Ca__PPZ1__)^1^ that codes a fungus specific regulatory enzyme was investigated in Candida albicans. After cloning and sequencing Ca__PPZ1__ we revealed the heterozygous nature of the ATCC 10231 reference strain, and identified two new alleles termed Ca__PPZ1‐2__ and Ca__PPZ1‐3__. The genetic polymorphism in Ca__PPZ1__ was extended by finding a fourth allele Ca__PPZ1‐4__ in a clinical isolate. Single nucleotide replacements and short in/del mutations were identified in the gene, some of which resulted in amino acid changes in the protein. The analysis of the hypervariable 3′‐noncoding gene region in 27 DNA sequences obtained from reference strains and clinical samples confirmed the presence of four distinct DNA sequence‐groups that correspond to the four main alleles of Ca__PPZ1__. In addition to the allelic combinations, we detected individual mutations elevating genetic variability of the opportunistic pathogen. We utilized the hypervariable gene region for genotyping C. albicans in clinical isolates by sequencing the cloned amplified region, by direct sequencing of the PCR products, or by RFLP analysis. The comparison of the genotypes of the strains originating from different body parts of the same patient proved to be useful in delineating the origin of the infection. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)