A novel Candida albicans nucleotide and polypeptide, CaSRF1, involved in regulating the morphogenetic transformation and virulence in response to engulfment by the immune response cells of its model host is described. The gene is unique in its ability to affect the virulence-associated morphogenesis in vivo but is not required for the morphogenesis in vitro. The putative membrane localization and its effect on cell wall integrity indicates that it is an ideal anti-candida drug target by virtue of its predicted easy accessibility to lead molecules/chemicals and its ability to affect virulence.