The interplay between electron transport chain function and iron regulatory factors influences melanin formation in Cryptococcus neoformans.

ABSTRACT: Mitochondrial functions are critical for the ability of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans to cause disease. However, mechanistic connections between key functions such as the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) and virulence factor elaboration have yet to be thoroughly characterized. Here, we observed that inhibition of ETC complex III suppressed melanin formation, a major virulence factor. This inhibition was partially blocked upon loss of Cir1 or HapX, two transcription factors that regulate iron acquisition and use. In this regard, loss of Cir1 derepresses the expression of laccase genes as a potential mechanism to restore melanin, while HapX may condition melanin formation by controlling oxidative stress. We hypothesize that ETC dysfunction alters redox homeos

SUBMITTER: Xue P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10888943 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature