Cell Wall Chitosan Is Necessary for Virulence in the Opportunistic Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes meningoencephalitis. Its cell wall is composed of glucans, proteins, chitin, and chitosan. Multiple genetic approaches have defined a chitosan-deficient syndrome that includes slow growth and decreased cell integrity. Here we de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Eukaryotic Cell 2011-09, Vol.10 (9), p.1264-1268
Main Authors: Baker, Lorina G, Specht, Charles A, Lodge, Jennifer K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cell Wall
Cell Wall - genetics
Cell Wall - metabolism
cell walls
chitin
Chitin - genetics
Chitin - metabolism
chitosan
Chitosan - metabolism
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis - microbiology
Cryptococcosis - pathology
Cryptococcus neoformans
Cryptococcus neoformans - genetics
Cryptococcus neoformans - growth & development
Cryptococcus neoformans - pathogenicity
Fungal Proteins
Fungal Proteins - genetics
Fungal Proteins - metabolism
fungi
Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
genetics
glucans
Glucans - genetics
Glucans - metabolism
growth & development
mammals
meningoencephalitis
metabolism
Mice
microbiology
Mutation
pathogenicity
pathogens
pathology
proteins
virulence
Virulence - genetics
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Summary:Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes meningoencephalitis. Its cell wall is composed of glucans, proteins, chitin, and chitosan. Multiple genetic approaches have defined a chitosan-deficient syndrome that includes slow growth and decreased cell integrity. Here we demonstrate chitosan is necessary for virulence and persistence in the mammalian host.
ISSN:1535-9778
1535-9786
DOI:10.1128/ec.05138-11