Wangiella (Exophiala) dermatitidis WdChs5p, a class V chitin synthase, is essential for sustained cell growth at temperature of infection.

ABSTRACT: The chitin synthase structural gene WdCHS5 was isolated from the black fungal pathogen of humans Wangiella dermatitidis. Sequence analysis revealed that the gene has a myosin motor-like-encoding region at its 5' end and a chitin synthase (class V)-encoding region at its 3' end. Northern blotting showed that WdCHS5 is expressed at high levels under conditions of stress. Analysis of the 5' upstream region of WdCHS5 fused to a reporter gene indicated that one or more of the potential regulatory elements present may have contributed to the high expression levels. Disruption of WdCHS5 produced mutants that grow normally at 25 degrees C but have severe growth and cellular abnormalities at 37 degrees C. Osmotic stabilizers, such as sorbitol and sucrose, rescued the wild-type phenotype, which indi

SUBMITTER: Liu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC329517 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature