Loss of cell wall alpha(1-3) glucan affects Cryptococcus neoformans from ultrastructure to virulence.

ABSTRACT: Yeast cell walls are critical for maintaining cell integrity, particularly in the face of challenges such as growth in mammalian hosts. The pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans additionally anchors its polysaccharide capsule to the cell surface via alpha(1-3) glucan in the wall. Cryptococcal cells disrupted in their alpha glucan synthase gene were sensitive to stresses, including temperature, and showed difficulty dividing. These cells lacked surface capsule, although they continued to shed capsule material into the environment. Electron microscopy showed that the alpha glucan that is usually localized to the outer portion of the cell wall was absent, the outer region of the wall was highly disorganized, and the inner region was hypertrophic. Analysis of cell wall composition demonstr

SUBMITTER: Reese AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1864955 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature