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The Cryptococcus neoformans STE12 α gene: a putative Saccharomyces cerevisiae STE12 homologue that is mating type specific
Author(s) -
Wickes Brian L.,
Edman Ursula,
Edman Jeffrey C.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2958.1997.6322001.x
Subject(s) - cryptococcus neoformans , biology , mating type , saccharomyces cerevisiae , gene , virulence , genetics , fungal protein , microbiology and biotechnology
Cryptococcus neoformans possesses two mating types, MAT α and MATa . α‐Cells are more virulent than a ‐cells and are also, unlike a ‐cells, capable of producing extensive hyphae in the haploid phase. The molecular analysis of hyphae production in C. neoformans has resulted in the identification of a gene which displays substantial similarity to other fungal STE12 genes, including the presence of a highly conserved homeodomain. Overexpression of the C. neoformans gene resulted in poor growth, altered morphology and the presence of hyphal projections, phenotypes reported in similar studies of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae STE12 gene. Overexpression was also found to induce MF α, a pheromone, and CNLAC1 , a confirmed C. neoformans virulence gene. The C. neoformans STE12 α gene, however, has one striking difference from other fungal STE12 genes; it is found only in α‐cells. The existence of STE12 α in C. neoformans suggests that this fungus has elements of a conserved MAP kinase cascade, which may be organized in a novel manner.