fungal pathogenesis
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyAggregate Filamentous Growth Responses in YeastFilamentous growth is a fungal morphogenetic response that is critical for virulence in some fungal species. Many aspects of filamentous growth remain poorly understood. We have identified an aspect of filamentous growth in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the human pathogen Candida albicans...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceCharacterizing the Pathogenic, Genomic, and Chemical Traits of Aspergillus fischeri, a Close Relative of the Major Human Fungal Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatusAspergillus fumigatus is the primary cause of aspergillosis, a devastating ensemble of diseases associated with severe morbidity and mortality worldwide. A. fischeri is a close relative of A. fumigatus but is not generally...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyPho4 Is Essential for Dissemination of Cryptococcus neoformans to the Host Brain by Promoting Phosphate Uptake and Growth at Alkaline pHCryptococcal meningitis is fatal without treatment and responsible for more than 500,000 deaths annually. To be a successful pathogen, C. neoformans must obtain an adequate supply of essential nutrients, including phosphate, from various host niches. Phosphate acquisition in fungi is regulated by the PHO signaling cascade, which is activated when intracellular...
Minireview | Host-Microbe BiologyPotential Roles of Fungal Extracellular Vesicles during InfectionExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are produced by virtually all cell types. Within the past few years, work in this field has revealed more information about fungal EVs. Fungal EVs have been shown to carry proteins, lipids, pigments, polysaccharides, and RNA; these components are known virulence factors, a fact which supports the hypothesis that fungal EVs concentrate pathogenic determinants.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyRbdB, a Rhomboid Protease Critical for SREBP Activation and Virulence in Aspergillus fumigatusAspergillus fumigatus causes life-threatening infections, and treatment options remain limited. Thus, there is an urgent need to find new therapeutic targets to treat this deadly disease. Previously, we have shown that SREBP transcription factors and their regulatory components are critical for the pathobiology of A. fumigatus. Here we identify a role for RbdB, a rhomboid protease, as an essential component of SREBP...