title: Networks of fibers and factors: regulation of capsule formation in Cryptococcus neoformans.
abstract: The ability of the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans to cause life-threatening meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised individuals is due in large part to elaboration of a capsule consisting of polysaccharide fibers. The size of the cell-associated capsule is remarkably responsive to a variety of environmental and host conditions, but the mechanistic details of the regulation, synthesis, trafficking, and attachment of the polysaccharides are poorly understood. Recent studies reveal a complex network of transcription factors that influence capsule elaboration in response to several different signals of relevance to disease (e.g., iron deprivation). The emerging complexity of the network is consistent with the diversity of conditions that influence the capsule and illustrates the responsiveness of the fungus to both the environment and mammalian hosts.
authors: Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors: Hao
authors: H
authors: Ding
authors: Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors: François L
authors: FL
authors: Mayer
authors: Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors: Eddy
authors: E
authors: Sánchez-León
authors: Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Glauber R
authors: GR
authors: de S Araújo
authors: Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Susana
authors: S
authors: Frases
authors: Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.|Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors: James W
authors: JW
authors: Kronstad
keywords: Fungi; cryptococcal capsule; transcription factors