Cryptococcus neoformans is a human fungal pathogen that exists as three distinct varieties or sibling species: the predominantly opportunistic pathogens C. neoformans var. neoformans (serotype D) and C. neoformans var. grubii (serotype A) and the primary pathogen C. neoformans var. gattii (serotypes B and C). While serotypes A and D are cosmopolitan, serotypes B and C are typically restricted to tropical regions. However, serotype B isolates of C. neoformans var. gattii have recently caused an outbreak on Vancouver Island in Canada, highlighting the threat of this fungus and its capacity to infect immunocompetent individuals. Here we report a large-scale analysis of the mating abilities of serotype B and C isolates from diverse sources and identify unusual strains that mate robustly and are suitable for further genetic analysis. Unlike most isolates, which are of both the a and ␣ mating types but are predominantly sterile, the majority of the Vancouver outbreak strains are exclusively of the ␣ mating type and the majority are fertile. In an effort to enhance mating of these isolates, we identified and disrupted the CRG1 gene encoding the GTPase-activating protein involved in attenuating pheromone response. crg1 mutations dramatically increased mating efficiency and enabled mating with otherwise sterile isolates. Our studies provide a genetic and molecular foundation for further studies of this primary pathogen and reveal that the Vancouver Island outbreak may be attributable to a recent recombination event.
Sexual identity is governed by sex chromosomes in plants and animals, and by mating type (MAT) loci in fungi. Comparative analysis of the MAT locus from a species cluster of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus revealed sequential evolutionary events that fashioned this large, highly unusual region. We hypothesize that MAT evolved via four main steps, beginning with acquisition of genes into two unlinked sex-determining regions, forming independent gene clusters that then fused via chromosomal translocation. A transitional tripolar intermediate state then converted to a bipolar system via gene conversion or recombination between the linked and unlinked sex-determining regions. MAT was subsequently subjected to intra- and interallelic gene conversion and inversions that suppress recombination. These events resemble those that shaped mammalian sex chromosomes, illustrating convergent evolution in sex-determining structures in the animal and fungal kingdoms.
The ESCRT-I, -II, and -III protein complexes function to create multivesicular bodies (MVBs) for sorting of proteins destined for the lysosome or vacuole. Prior studies with Saccharomyces cerevisiae have shown that the ESCRT-III protein Snf7p interacts with the MVB pathway protein Bro1p as well as its homolog Rim20p. Rim20p has no role in MVB formation, but functions in the Rim101p pH-response pathway; Rim20p interacts with transcription factor Rim101p and is required for the activation of Rim101p by C-terminal proteolytic cleavage. We report here that ESCRT-III proteins Snf7p and Vps20p as well as all ESCRT-I and -II proteins are required for Rim101p proteolytic activation in S. cerevisiae. Mutational analysis indicates that the Rim20p N-terminal region interacts with Snf7p, and an insertion in the Rim20p "Bro1 domain" abolishes this interaction, as determined with two-hybrid assays. Disruption of the MVB pathway through mutations affecting non-ESCRT proteins does not impair Rim101p processing. The relationship between the MVB pathway and Rim101p pathway is conserved in Candida albicans, because mutations in four ESCRT subunit genes abolish alkaline pH-induced filamentation, a phenotype previously seen for rim101 and rim20 mutants. The defect is suppressed by expression of C-terminally truncated Rim101-405p, as expected for mutations that block Rim101p proteolytic activation. These results indicate that the ESCRT complexes govern a specific signal transduction pathway and suggest that the MVB pathway may provide a signal that regulates pH-responsive transcription.
The fungal cell wall is vital for growth, development, and interaction of cells with their environment. The response to cell wall damage is well understood from studies in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where numerous cell wall integrity (CWI) genes are activated by transcription factor ScRlm1. Prior evidence suggests the hypothesis that both response and regulation may be conserved in the major fungal pathogen Candida albicans. We have tested this hypothesis by using a new C. albicans genetic resource: we have screened mutants defective in putative transcription factor genes for sensitivity to the cell wall biosynthesis inhibitor caspofungin. We find that the zinc finger protein CaCas5, which lacks a unique ortholog in S. cerevisiae, governs expression of many CWI genes. CaRlm1 has a modest role in this response. The transcriptional coactivator CaAda2 is also required for expression of many CaCas5-dependent genes, as expected if CaCas5 recruits CaAda2 to activate target gene transcription. Many caspofungin-induced C. albicans genes specify endoplasmic reticulum and secretion functions. Such genes are not induced in S. cerevisiae, but promote its growth in caspofungin. We have used a new resource to identify a key C. albicans transcriptional regulator of CWI genes and antifungal sensitivity. Our gene expression findings indicate that both divergent and conserved response genes may have significant functional roles. Our strategy may be broadly useful for identification of pathogen-specific regulatory pathways and critical response genes.
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