Glucuronoxylomannan from Cryptococcus neoformans down-regulates the enzyme 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase of macrophages.

ABSTRACT: The encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans is the causative agent of cryptococosis, an opportunistic life-threatening infection. C. neoformans is coated by a polysaccharide capsule mainly composed of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM). GXM is considered a key virulence factor of this pathogen. The present work aimed at evaluating the effects of GXM on the key glycolytic enzyme, 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK). GXM inhibited PFK activity in cultured murine macrophages in both dose- and time-dependent manners, which occurred in parallel to cell viability decrease. The polysaccharide also inhibited purified PFK, promoting a decrease on the enzyme affinity for its substrates. In macrophages GXM and PFK partially co-localized, suggesting that internalized polysaccharide directly may interact with thi

SUBMITTER: Grechi J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3083223 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature