Lack of chitin synthase genes impacts capsular architecture and cellular physiology in Cryptococcus neoformans
Cryptococcus neoformans mutants lacking each of the eight putative chitin synthase genes (CHS) have been previously generated. However, it is still unclear how deletion of chitin synthase genes affects the cryptococcal capsule. Since the connections between chitin metabolism and capsular polysacchar...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2018-06-01
|
| Series: | The Cell Surface |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468233018300057 |
| _version_ | 1818504953546670080 |
|---|---|
| author | Jessica Rodrigues Caroline L. Ramos Susana Frases Rodrigo M. da C. Godinho Fernanda L. Fonseca Marcio L. Rodrigues |
| author_facet | Jessica Rodrigues Caroline L. Ramos Susana Frases Rodrigo M. da C. Godinho Fernanda L. Fonseca Marcio L. Rodrigues |
| author_sort | Jessica Rodrigues |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cryptococcus neoformans mutants lacking each of the eight putative chitin synthase genes (CHS) have been previously generated. However, it is still unclear how deletion of chitin synthase genes affects the cryptococcal capsule. Since the connections between chitin metabolism and capsular polysaccharides in C. neoformans are numerous, we analyzed the effects of deletion of CHS genes on capsular and capsule-related structures of C. neoformans. CHS deletion affected capsular morphology in multiple ways, as determined by scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence analysis. Molecular diameter, serological reactivity and export of capsular polysaccharide were also affected in most of the chsΔ mutants, but the most prominent alterations were observed in the chs3Δ strain. C. neoformans cells lacking CHS genes also had altered formation of extracellular vesicles and variable chitinase activity under stress conditions. These results reveal previously unknown functions of CHS genes that greatly impact the physiology of C. neoformans. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:44:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-faf0e505cd0a4efc9bf72a8d0b14df6e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2468-2330 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:44:11Z |
| publishDate | 2018-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Cell Surface |
| spelling | doaj.art-faf0e505cd0a4efc9bf72a8d0b14df6e2022-12-22T01:32:25ZengElsevierThe Cell Surface2468-23302018-06-0121423Lack of chitin synthase genes impacts capsular architecture and cellular physiology in Cryptococcus neoformansJessica Rodrigues0Caroline L. Ramos1Susana Frases2Rodrigo M. da C. Godinho3Fernanda L. Fonseca4Marcio L. Rodrigues5Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilInstituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilInstituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilInstituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilCentro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS) da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, BrazilInstituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Carlos Chagas (ICC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, PR, Brazil; Corresponding author at: Algacyr Munhoz Mader, 2135-2261-Cidade Industrial de Curitiba, Curitiba, PR 81310-020, Brazil.Cryptococcus neoformans mutants lacking each of the eight putative chitin synthase genes (CHS) have been previously generated. However, it is still unclear how deletion of chitin synthase genes affects the cryptococcal capsule. Since the connections between chitin metabolism and capsular polysaccharides in C. neoformans are numerous, we analyzed the effects of deletion of CHS genes on capsular and capsule-related structures of C. neoformans. CHS deletion affected capsular morphology in multiple ways, as determined by scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence analysis. Molecular diameter, serological reactivity and export of capsular polysaccharide were also affected in most of the chsΔ mutants, but the most prominent alterations were observed in the chs3Δ strain. C. neoformans cells lacking CHS genes also had altered formation of extracellular vesicles and variable chitinase activity under stress conditions. These results reveal previously unknown functions of CHS genes that greatly impact the physiology of C. neoformans.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468233018300057 |
| spellingShingle | Jessica Rodrigues Caroline L. Ramos Susana Frases Rodrigo M. da C. Godinho Fernanda L. Fonseca Marcio L. Rodrigues Lack of chitin synthase genes impacts capsular architecture and cellular physiology in Cryptococcus neoformans The Cell Surface |
| title | Lack of chitin synthase genes impacts capsular architecture and cellular physiology in Cryptococcus neoformans |
| title_full | Lack of chitin synthase genes impacts capsular architecture and cellular physiology in Cryptococcus neoformans |
| title_fullStr | Lack of chitin synthase genes impacts capsular architecture and cellular physiology in Cryptococcus neoformans |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lack of chitin synthase genes impacts capsular architecture and cellular physiology in Cryptococcus neoformans |
| title_short | Lack of chitin synthase genes impacts capsular architecture and cellular physiology in Cryptococcus neoformans |
| title_sort | lack of chitin synthase genes impacts capsular architecture and cellular physiology in cryptococcus neoformans |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468233018300057 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jessicarodrigues lackofchitinsynthasegenesimpactscapsulararchitectureandcellularphysiologyincryptococcusneoformans AT carolinelramos lackofchitinsynthasegenesimpactscapsulararchitectureandcellularphysiologyincryptococcusneoformans AT susanafrases lackofchitinsynthasegenesimpactscapsulararchitectureandcellularphysiologyincryptococcusneoformans AT rodrigomdacgodinho lackofchitinsynthasegenesimpactscapsulararchitectureandcellularphysiologyincryptococcusneoformans AT fernandalfonseca lackofchitinsynthasegenesimpactscapsulararchitectureandcellularphysiologyincryptococcusneoformans AT marciolrodrigues lackofchitinsynthasegenesimpactscapsulararchitectureandcellularphysiologyincryptococcusneoformans |