Reciprocal modulation of ammonia and melanin production has implications for cryptococcal virulence.

ABSTRACT: The fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is the causative agent of cryptococcosis, a disease that is uniformly lethal unless treated with antifungal drugs, yet current regimens are hindered by host toxicity and pathogen resistance. An attractive alternative approach to combat this deadly disease is the direct targeting of pathogen-derived virulence mechanisms. C. neoformans expresses multiple virulence factors that have been studied previously as isolated entities. Among these, are urease, which increases phagosomal pH and promotes brain invasion, and melanization, which protects against immune cells and antifungal treatments. Here we report a reciprocal interdependency between these two virulence factors. Cells hydrolyzing urea release ammonia gas which acts at a distance to raise pH and increa

SUBMITTER: Baker RP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9932161 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature