title: A histidine kinase PmHHK1 regulates polar growth, sporulation and cell wall composition in the dimorphic fungus Penicillium marneffei.
abstract: Penicillium marneffei is an important opportunistic dimorphic fungal pathogen that can cause fatal systemic mycosis in AIDS patients. To find new ways of overcoming infection, candidate virulence associated genes and virulence mechanisms are under intensive investigation. In the present study, we have examined the function of a novel P. marneffei histidine kinase gene (PmHHK1) using dsRNAi mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Our results showed that reduction of PmHHK1 expression produces significant changes in morphogenesis (including polarized growth), sporulation and cell wall composition. Two-component signaling systems are widespread in the eukaryotes outside the animal kingdom, and could be potential drug targets for antifungal chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai, Shanghai 201203, China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Juhong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Huan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Xiaoxun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shengrong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Shuangxi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000821:virology; D016764:Cell Polarity; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006678:HIV; D000071677:Histidine Kinase; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology*; D010407:Penicillium / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D034622:RNA Interference; D013170:Spores; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D011494:Protein Kinases; D000071677:Histidine Kinase