Essential genes encoded by the mating-type locus of the human fungal pathogen <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i>.

ABSTRACT: Fungal sexual reproduction is controlled by the mating-type (MAT) locus. In contrast to a majority of species in the phylum Basidiomycota that have tetrapolar mating-type systems, the opportunistic human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans employs a bipolar mating-type system, with two mating types (a and α) determined by a single MAT locus that is unusually large (~120 kb) and contains more than 20 genes. While several MAT genes are associated with mating and sexual development, others control conserved cellular processes (e.g., cargo transport and protein synthesis), of which five (MYO2, PRT1, RPL22, RPL39, and RPO41) have been hypothesized to be essential. In this study, through genetic analysis involving sporulation of

SUBMITTER: Bian Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11980393 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature