Open AccessStrain‐dependent effects of environmental signals on the production of extracellular phospholipase by Cryptococcus neoformans
Author(s) -
Wright Lesley C,
Chen Sharon C.A.,
Wilson Christabel F,
Simpanya Mukoma F,
Blackstock Rebecca,
Cox Gary M,
Murphy Juneann W,
Sorrell Tania C
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2002.tb11128.x
Subject(s) - cryptococcus neoformans , virulence , extracellular , microbiology and biotechnology , lysophospholipase , secretion , strain (injury) , biology , phospholipase , cell culture , biochemistry , enzyme , gene , genetics , anatomy
Extracellular phospholipase (PL) activities comprising phospholipase B, lysophospholipase and lysophospholipase transacylase have been identified in culture supernatants of Cryptococcus neoformans and contribute to virulence. We found that PL production was optimal after fungal growth at 30°C and secretion at 37°C for all six C. neoformans isolates studied (four C. neoformans var. neoformans and two C. neoformans var. gattii ). No increase in PL activity was found in one strain, NU‐2, in low iron or tissue culture media, conditions where upregulation of other virulence factors has been reported. The most virulent strains in an intravenous mouse model of infection were best able to produce PL at growth and secretion temperatures of 37°C, in tissue culture media and under assay conditions of pH 7.0.