Candida albicans two-component hybrid kinase gene, CaNik1, and use thereof

A Candida albicans gene, CaNik1, is involved in phenotypic switching which is significant because of a direct correlation between the switching and the level of virulence of the organism. A method of screening for anti-fungal pharmaceutical candidates entails bringing a test substance into contact with cells containing a CaNik1 gene or a variant thereof and then monitoring the effect, if any, on the level of expression of the gene.