Cryptococcus neoformans histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 regulates fungal adaptation to the host.

ABSTRACT: Cryptococcus neoformans is an environmental fungus and an opportunistic human pathogen. Previous studies have demonstrated major alterations in its transcriptional profile as this microorganism enters the hostile environment of the human host. To assess the role of chromatin remodeling in host-induced transcriptional responses, we identified the C. neoformans Gcn5 histone acetyltransferase and demonstrated its function by complementation studies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The C. neoformans gcn5Delta mutant strain has defects in high-temperature growth and capsule attachment to the cell surface, in addition to increased sensitivity to FK506 and oxidative stress. Treatment of wild-type cells with the histone acetyltransferase inhibitor garcinol mimics cellular effects of the gcn5Delta muta

SUBMITTER: O'Meara TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2918934 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature