Virulence-Associated Enzymes of Cryptococcus Neoformans

Overview

Journal Eukaryot Cell

Publisher American Society for Microbiology

Specialty Molecular Biology

Date 2015 Oct 11

PMID 26453651

Citations 66

Authors

Fausto Almeida

Julie M Wolf

Arturo Casadevall

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Enzymes play key roles in fungal pathogenesis. Manipulation of enzyme expression or activity can significantly alter the infection process, and enzyme expression profiles can be a hallmark of disease. Hence, enzymes are worthy targets for better understanding pathogenesis and identifying new options for combatting fungal infections. Advances in genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and mass spectrometry have enabled the identification and characterization of new fungal enzymes. This review focuses on recent developments in the virulence-associated enzymes from Cryptococcus neoformans. The enzymatic suite of C. neoformans has evolved for environmental survival, but several of these enzymes play a dual role in colonizing the mammalian host. We also discuss new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies that could be based on the underlying enzymology.

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