Title |
MINIREVIEW] Transcriptional control of sexual development in Cryptococcus neoformans |
Author |
Matthew E. Mead1,2 and Christina M. Hull1,3* |
Address |
1Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA, 2Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA, 3Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA |
Bibliography |
Journal of Microbiology, 54(5),339-346, 2016,
|
DOI |
10.1007/s12275-016-6080-1
|
Key Words |
transcription factor network, fungal sexual development,
fungal pathogenesis, evolution |
Abstract |
Developmental processes are essential for the normal life cycles
of many pathogenic fungi, and they can facilitate survival
in challenging environments, including the human host. Sexual
development of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
not only produces infectious particles (spores) but has
also enabled the evolution of new disease-related traits such as
drug resistance. Transcription factor networks are essential
to the development and pathogenesis of C. neoformans, and a
variety of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins control
both key developmental transitions and virulence by regulating
the expression of their target genes. In this review we discuss
the roles of known transcription factors that harbor important
connections to both development and virulence. Recent studies
of these transcription factors have identified a common
theme in which metabolic, stress, and other responses that are
required for sexual development appear to have been co-opted
for survival in the human host, thus facilitating pathogenesis.
Future work elucidating the connection between development
and pathogenesis will provide vital insights into the evolution
of complex traits in eukaryotes as well as mechanisms that
may be used to combat fungal pathogens. |