title: MAP kinase pathways as regulators of fungal virulence.
abstract: MAP kinases are dual phosphorylated protein kinases, present in eukaryotes, which mediate differentiation programs and immune responses in mammalian cells. In pathogenic fungi, MAP kinases are key elements that control adaptation to environmental stress. Recent studies have shown that these pathways have an essential role in the control of essential virulence factors such as capsule biogenesis in Cryptococcus neoformans or morphogenesis, invasion and oxidative stress in Candida albicans. Although MAP kinases sense different activating signals, there is a considerable degree of crosstalk and/or overlap, which enables them to integrate, amplify and modulate the appropriate protective and adaptive response. MAP kinases behave as a 'functional nervous system' that controls virulence and influences the progression of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Elvira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Román
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Arana
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nombela
authors.forename: Rebeca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alonso-Monge
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pla
mesh_terms: D005658:Fungi / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000502:physiology*; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D010766:Phosphorylation; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases