A role for the unfolded protein response (UPR) in virulence and antifungal susceptibility in Aspergillus fumigatus.

ABSTRACT: Filamentous fungi rely heavily on the secretory pathway, both for the delivery of cell wall components to the hyphal tip and the production and secretion of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes needed to support growth on polymeric substrates. Increased demand on the secretory system exerts stress on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is countered by the activation of a coordinated stress response pathway termed the unfolded protein response (UPR). To determine the contribution of the UPR to the growth and virulence of the filamentous fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, we disrupted the hacA gene, encoding the major transcriptional regulator of the UPR. The DeltahacA mutant was unable to activate the UPR in response to ER stress and was hypersensitive to agents that disrupt ER homeostasi

SUBMITTER: Richie DL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2606855 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature