Secreted protein involved in biofilm formation (PubMed:16839200). Further cleaved by KEX2 in 8 similar peptides (ECE1-I to ECE1-VIII) (PubMed:27027296). Acts as a cytolytic pepdide toxin that directly damages host epithelial membranes, triggers a danger response signaling pathway and activates epithelial immunity (PubMed:27027296). Probably acts similarly to cationic antimicrobial peptide toxins, inducing lesions after binding to target cell membranes and causing an inward current associated with calcium influx (PubMed:27027296). Expressed in elongating hyphae but not in budding yeast cells (PubMed:8359888). Expression is induced by human serum (PubMed:24673895). Expression is regulated by the transcription factor EFG1 (PubMed:10464197, PubMed:10790384). Expression is also regulated by the transcription factor BCR1 (PubMed:16839200). The N-ter alpha-helix of peptide ECE1-III allows insertion of the toxin into host epithelial cells membranes (PubMed:27027296). Cleavage by KEX2 generates 8 peptides ECE1-I to ECE1-VIII, all terminating in Lys-Arg (PubMed:18625069, PubMed:27027296). Only peptide ECE1-III, called candidalysin, shows toxin activity (PubMed:27027296). Impairs damaging of epithelia and induction of p-MKP1/c-Fos-mediated danger responses and cytokine secretion (PubMed:27027296).