Phenotypic variation and intracellular parasitism by histoplasma Capsulatum.
The success of Histoplasma capsulatum as an intracellular pathogen depends completely on successful conversion of the saprophytic mycelial (mold) form of this fungus to a parasitic yeast form. It is therefore not surprising that yeast phase-specific genes and gene products are proving to be important for survival and proliferation of H. capsulatum within macrophages. In this study, we have focused on the role and regulation of two yeast-specific characteristics: alpha-(1,3)-glucan, a cell wall polysaccharide modulated by cell-density (quorum) sensing, and a secreted calcium-binding protein (CBP) that is essential for pathogenicity.
Kügler
S
S
Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Schurtz Sebghati
T
T
Groppe Eissenberg
L
L
Goldman
W E
WE
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005936:Glucans / Q000378:metabolism; D006658:Histoplasma / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D010641:Phenotype; D014774:Virulence
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D005936:Glucans