Ras1 acts through duplicated Cdc42 and Rac proteins to regulate morphogenesis and pathogenesis in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Proliferation and morphogenesis in eukaryotic cells depend on the concerted activity of Rho-type GTPases, including Ras, Cdc42, and Rac. The sexually dimorphic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, which encodes paralogous, non-essential copies of all three, provides a unique model in which to examine the interactions of these conserved proteins. Previously, we demonstrated that RAS1 mediates C. neoformans virulence by acting as a central regulator of both thermotolerance and mating. We report here that ras1Δ mutants accumulate defects in polarized growth, cytokinesis, and cell cycle progression. We demonstrate that the ras1Δ defects in thermotolerance and mating can be largely explained by the compromised activity of four downstream Rho-GTPases: the Cdc42 paralogs, Cdc42 and Cdc420; and the Rac paralogs, Rac1 and Rac2. Further, we demonstrate that the separate GTPase classes play distinct Ras-dependent roles in C. neoformans morphogenesis and pathogenesis. Cdc42 paralogs primarily control septin localization and cytokinesis, while Rac paralogs play a primary role in polarized cell growth. Together, these duplicate, related signaling proteins provide a robust system to allow microbial proliferation in the presence of host-derived cell stresses.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Ballou, ER; Kozubowski, L; Nichols, CB; Alspaugh, JA
Published Date
- 2013
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 9 / 8
Start / End Page
- e1003687 -
PubMed ID
- 23950731
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC3738472
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1553-7404
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003687
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States