Functional Characterization of cAMP-Regulated Gene, CAR1, in Cryptococcus neoformans.
- Author:
Kwang Woo JUNG
1
;
Shinae MAENG
;
Yong Sun BAHN
Author Information
1. Department of Biotechnology, Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. ysbahn@yonsei.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
CAR1;
Cryptococcus neoformans;
Cyclic AMP;
Transcriptome analysis
- MeSH:
Adenylyl Cyclases;
Blotting, Northern;
Cryptococcus;
Cryptococcus neoformans;
Cues;
Cyclic AMP;
Fungi;
Gene Expression Profiling;
Melanins;
Phenotype;
Sex Differentiation;
Virulence Factors
- From:Mycobiology
2010;38(1):26-32
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathway plays a major role in growth, sexual differentiation, and virulence factor synthesis of pathogenic fungi. In Cryptococcus neoformans, perturbation of the cAMP pathway, such as a deletion in the gene encoding adenylyl cyclase (CAC1), causes defects in the production of virulence factors, including capsule and melanin production, as well as mating. Previously, we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis of the Ras- and cAMP- pathway mutants, which revealed 163 potential cAMP-regulated genes (38 genes at a 2-fold cutoff). The present study characterized the role of one of the cAMP pathway-dependent genes (serotype A identification number CNAG_ 06576.2). The expression patterns were confirmed by Northern blot analysis and the gene was designated cAMP-regulated gene 1 (CAR1). Interestingly, deletion of CAR1 did not affect biosynthesis of any virulence factors and the mating process, unlike the cAMP-signaling deficient cac1Delta mutant. Furthermore, the cac1Delta mutant exhibited wild-type levels of the stress-response phenotype against diverse environmental cues, indicating that Car1, albeit regulated by the cAMP-pathway, is not essential to confer a cAMP-dependent phenotype in C. neoformans.
