Heat shock protein 90 localizes to the surface and augments virulence factors of Cryptococcus neoformans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Thermotolerance is an essential attribute for pathogenesis of Cryptococcus as exemplified by the fact that only two species in the genus, which can grow at 37°C, are human pathogens. Species which have other virulence factors including capsule formation and melanisation, but lack the ability to propagate at 37°C are not pathogenic. In another related fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, heat shock protein 90 has been implicated to be a central player in commanding pathogenicity by governing yeast to hyphal transition and drug resistance. Exploring Hsp90 biology in Cryptococcus in context of thermotolerance may thus highlight important regulatory principles of virulence and open new therapeutic avenues.

Methodology/principal findings

Hsp90 is involved in regulating t

SUBMITTER: Chatterjee S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5559104 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature