Turning on virulence: Mechanisms that underpin the morphologic transition and pathogenicity of Blastomyces
This review article focuses on the mechanisms underlying temperature adaptation and virulence of the etiologic agents of blastomycosis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Blastomyces gilchristii, and Blastomyces percursus. In response to temperature, Blastomyces undergoes a reversible morphologic switch betw...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2019-01-01
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| Series: | Virulence |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2018.1449506 |
| _version_ | 1818874267840806912 |
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| author | Joseph A. McBride Gregory M. Gauthier Bruce S. Klein |
| author_facet | Joseph A. McBride Gregory M. Gauthier Bruce S. Klein |
| author_sort | Joseph A. McBride |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This review article focuses on the mechanisms underlying temperature adaptation and virulence of the etiologic agents of blastomycosis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Blastomyces gilchristii, and Blastomyces percursus. In response to temperature, Blastomyces undergoes a reversible morphologic switch between hyphae and yeast known as the phase transition. The conversion to yeast for Blastomyces and related thermally dimorphic fungi is essential for virulence. In the yeast phase, Blastomyces upregulates the essential virulence factor, BAD1, which promotes attachment to host cells, impairs activation of immune cells, and blunts cytokine release. Blastomyces yeast also secrete dipeptidyl-peptidase IVA (DPPIVA), a serine protease that blunts the action of cytokines released from host immune cells. In vivo transcriptional profiling of Blastomyces yeast has uncovered genes such as PRA1 and ZRT1 involved in zinc scavenging that contribute to virulence during murine pulmonary infection. The discovery and characterization of genes important for virulence has led to advances at the bedside regarding novel diagnostics, vaccine development, and new targets for drug discovery. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T13:07:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-df75a96f40b84d789715c93079c19e5c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2150-5594 2150-5608 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T13:07:53Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Virulence |
| spelling | doaj.art-df75a96f40b84d789715c93079c19e5c2022-12-21T20:20:00ZengTaylor & Francis GroupVirulence2150-55942150-56082019-01-0110180180910.1080/21505594.2018.14495061449506Turning on virulence: Mechanisms that underpin the morphologic transition and pathogenicity of BlastomycesJoseph A. McBride0Gregory M. Gauthier1Bruce S. Klein2University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthThis review article focuses on the mechanisms underlying temperature adaptation and virulence of the etiologic agents of blastomycosis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Blastomyces gilchristii, and Blastomyces percursus. In response to temperature, Blastomyces undergoes a reversible morphologic switch between hyphae and yeast known as the phase transition. The conversion to yeast for Blastomyces and related thermally dimorphic fungi is essential for virulence. In the yeast phase, Blastomyces upregulates the essential virulence factor, BAD1, which promotes attachment to host cells, impairs activation of immune cells, and blunts cytokine release. Blastomyces yeast also secrete dipeptidyl-peptidase IVA (DPPIVA), a serine protease that blunts the action of cytokines released from host immune cells. In vivo transcriptional profiling of Blastomyces yeast has uncovered genes such as PRA1 and ZRT1 involved in zinc scavenging that contribute to virulence during murine pulmonary infection. The discovery and characterization of genes important for virulence has led to advances at the bedside regarding novel diagnostics, vaccine development, and new targets for drug discovery.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2018.1449506blastomycesblastomycosisbad1drk1dppivathermal dimorphismphase transitionsreb |
| spellingShingle | Joseph A. McBride Gregory M. Gauthier Bruce S. Klein Turning on virulence: Mechanisms that underpin the morphologic transition and pathogenicity of Blastomyces Virulence blastomyces blastomycosis bad1 drk1 dppiva thermal dimorphism phase transition sreb |
| title | Turning on virulence: Mechanisms that underpin the morphologic transition and pathogenicity of Blastomyces |
| title_full | Turning on virulence: Mechanisms that underpin the morphologic transition and pathogenicity of Blastomyces |
| title_fullStr | Turning on virulence: Mechanisms that underpin the morphologic transition and pathogenicity of Blastomyces |
| title_full_unstemmed | Turning on virulence: Mechanisms that underpin the morphologic transition and pathogenicity of Blastomyces |
| title_short | Turning on virulence: Mechanisms that underpin the morphologic transition and pathogenicity of Blastomyces |
| title_sort | turning on virulence mechanisms that underpin the morphologic transition and pathogenicity of blastomyces |
| topic | blastomyces blastomycosis bad1 drk1 dppiva thermal dimorphism phase transition sreb |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2018.1449506 |
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