title: Virulence-Associated Enzymes of Cryptococcus neoformans.
abstract: Enzymes play key roles in fungal pathogenesis. Manipulation of enzyme expression or activity can significantly alter the infection process, and enzyme expression profiles can be a hallmark of disease. Hence, enzymes are worthy targets for better understanding pathogenesis and identifying new options for combatting fungal infections. Advances in genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and mass spectrometry have enabled the identification and characterization of new fungal enzymes. This review focuses on recent developments in the virulence-associated enzymes from Cryptococcus neoformans. The enzymatic suite of C. neoformans has evolved for environmental survival, but several of these enzymes play a dual role in colonizing the mammalian host. We also discuss new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies that could be based on the underlying enzymology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, USA Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, USA Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA arturo.casadevall@einstein.yu.edu.
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casadevall
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015195:Drug Design; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D011134:Polysaccharides