GMP Synthase Is Required for Virulence Factor Production and Infection by Cryptococcus neoformans.

ABSTRACT: Over the last four decades the HIV pandemic and advances in medical treatments that also cause immunosuppression have produced an ever-growing cohort of individuals susceptible to opportunistic pathogens. Of these, AIDS patients are particularly vulnerable to infection by the encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans Most commonly found in the environment in purine-rich bird guano, C. neoformans experiences a drastic change in nutrient availability during host infection, ultimately disseminating to colonize the purine-poor central nervous system. Investigating the consequences of this challenge, we have characterized C. neoformans GMP synthase, the second enzyme in the guanylate branch of de novo purine biosynthesis. We show that in the absence of GMP synthase,

SUBMITTER: Chitty JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5314198 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature