Deletion of the Aspergillus fumigatus gene encoding the Ras-related protein RhbA reduces virulence in a model of Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

ABSTRACT: Aspergillus fumigatus is the predominant mold pathogen in patients who lack functional innate immunity. The A. fumigatus rhbA gene was first identified as a transcript that was upregulated when the organism was grown in the presence of mammalian cells. To gain insight into the function of rhbA in the growth and pathogenesis of A. fumigatus, we constructed a strain that lacks a functional rhbA gene. The Delta rhbA mutant showed a significant reduction in virulence compared to the virulence of the wild type in a mouse model of invasive aspergillosis. Complementation of the deletion with the wild-type gene restored full virulence. Although the Delta rhbA mutant grew as well as the wild type on solid medium containing the rich nitrogen source ammonium, the growth of the mutant was impaired on

SUBMITTER: Panepinto JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC153280 | biostudies-literature | 2003 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature