Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunits have divergent roles in virulence factor production in two varieties of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.

ABSTRACT: Our earlier findings established that cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase functions in a signaling cascade that regulates mating and virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (serotype A). Mutants lacking the serotype A protein kinase A (PKA) catalytic subunit Pka1 are unable to mate, fail to produce melanin or capsule, and are avirulent in animal models, whereas mutants lacking the PKA regulatory subunit Pkr1 overproduce capsule and are hypervirulent. Because other mutations have been observed to confer different phenotypes in two diverged varieties of C. neoformans (grubii variety [serotype A] and neoformans variety [serotype D]), we analyzed the functions of the PKA genes in the serotype D neoformans variety. Surprisingly, the Pka1 catalytic subunit was not required for mating, h

SUBMITTER: Hicks JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC329511 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature