Cryptococcus neoformans adapts to the host environment through TOR-mediated remodeling of phospholipid asymmetry.

ABSTRACT: Cryptococcus spp. are environmental fungi that first must adapt to the host environment before they can cause life-threatening meningitis in immunocompromised patients. Host CO₂ concentrations are 100-fold higher than the external environment and strains unable to grow at host CO₂ concentrations are not pathogenic. Using a genetic screening and transcriptional profiling approach, we report that the TOR pathway is critical for C. neoformans adaptation to host CO₂ partly through Ypk1-dependent remodeling of phosphatidylserine asymmetry at the plasma membrane. We also describe a C. neoformans ABC/PDR transporter (PDR9) that is highly expressed in CO₂-sensitive environmental strains, suppresses CO₂-induced phosphatidylserine/phospholipid r

SUBMITTER: Ristow LC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10584969 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature