Journal article
Gluconate Kinase Is Required for Gluconate Assimilation and Sporulation in Cryptococcus neoformans
Microbiology spectrum, Vol.10(2), pp.e0030122-e0030122
04/27/2022
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00301-22
PMCID: PMC9045243
PMID: 35412378
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an environmental yeast and an opportunistic human pathogen. The ability to cause disease depends on the ability to adapt to the human host. Previous studies implicated
nfectivity-
elated
inase
(
, CNAG_03048) as required for establishing an infection. We genetically and biochemically characterized
as a gluconate kinase and propose the name
. This metabolic enzyme utilizes gluconate to produce 6-phosphogluconate as part of the alternative oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway (AOXPPP). The presence of
confirms that the AOXPPP is present and able to compensate for loss of the traditional OXPPP, providing an explanation for its nonessentiality. C. neoformans can utilize gluconate as an alternative carbon source in a
-dependent manner. In our efforts to understand the role of
in host adaptation and virulence, we found that
-deficient mutants have variable virulence and carbon dioxide tolerance across multiple strains, suggesting that second site mutations frequently interact with
deletion mutations. In our effort to isolate these genetic loci by backcrossing experiments, we discovered that
deficient strains are unable to sporulate. These data suggest that gluconate metabolism is critical for sporulation of C. neoformans.
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that contributes to nearly 180,000 deaths annually. We characterized a gene named
that appears to interact with other genetic loci involved with the ability of C. neoformans to act as a pathogen. While these interacting genetic loci remain elusive, we discovered that
plays roles in both metabolism and mating/sporulation. Further interrogation of the mechanistic role for
in sexual reproduction may uncover a larger network of genes that are important for host adaptation and virulence.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Gluconate Kinase Is Required for Gluconate Assimilation and Sporulation in Cryptococcus neoformans
- Creators
- Andrew J Jezewski - University of IowaSarah R Beattie - University of IowaKaty M Alden - University of IowaDamian J Krysan - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Microbiology spectrum, Vol.10(2), pp.e0030122-e0030122
- DOI
- 10.1128/spectrum.00301-22
- PMID
- 35412378
- PMCID
- PMC9045243
- NLM abbreviation
- Microbiol Spectr
- ISSN
- 2165-0497
- eISSN
- 2165-0497
- Grant note
- T32 AI007511 / NIAID NIH HHS F32 AI145160 / NIAID NIH HHS R01 AI147541 / NIAID NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/27/2022
- Academic Unit
- Microbiology and Immunology; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Infectious Disease (Pediatrics)
- Record Identifier
- 9984297436102771
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