title: Equatorial ring-like channels in the Cryptococcus neoformans polysaccharide capsule.
abstract: Under certain conditions, India ink particles can penetrate the capsule of the opportunistic pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. India ink penetration gave two distinct patterns, one as a ring in the middle of the capsule, and another as a double spot located at opposite poles of the cells. These spots were perpendicularly orientated to the bud. This pattern suggests the existence of a localized structure deep in the capsule that can accumulate large insoluble particles. Although the mechanisms responsible for the assemblage and maintenance of ring-like channels are not understood, their existence deep within the capsule implies a new level of complexity for this enigmatic structure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zaragoza
authors.forename: Erin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: McClelland
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Telzak
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casadevall
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000382:microbiology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D011134:Polysaccharides; C028433:chinese ink; D002244:Carbon