Ras1 acts through duplicated Cdc42 and Rac proteins to regulate morphogenesis and pathogenesis in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. 2013

Elizabeth Ripley Ballou, and Lukasz Kozubowski, and Connie B Nichols, and J Andrew Alspaugh
Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

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.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009024 Morphogenesis The development of anatomical structures to create the form of a single- or multi-cell organism. Morphogenesis provides form changes of a part, parts, or the whole organism.
D009154 Mutation Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations. Mutations
D003455 Cryptococcus neoformans A species of the fungus CRYPTOCOCCUS. Its teleomorph is Filobasidiella neoformans. Blastomyces neoformans,Debaryomyces neoformans,Filobasidiella neoformans,Lipomyces neoformans,Saccharomyces neoformans,Torula neoformans,Torulopsis neoformans,Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii
D005656 Fungal Proteins Proteins found in any species of fungus. Fungal Gene Products,Fungal Gene Proteins,Fungal Peptides,Gene Products, Fungal,Yeast Proteins,Gene Proteins, Fungal,Peptides, Fungal,Proteins, Fungal
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D015398 Signal Transduction The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway. Cell Signaling,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Pathways,Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Transduction Pathways,Signal Transduction Systems,Pathway, Signal,Pathway, Signal Transduction,Pathways, Signal,Pathways, Signal Transduction,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions,Signal Pathway,Signal Transduction Pathway,Signal Transduction System,Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated,Signal Transductions,Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated,System, Signal Transduction,Systems, Signal Transduction,Transduction, Signal,Transductions, Signal
D015966 Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control of gene action in fungi. Fungal Gene Expression Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression, Fungal,Regulation, Gene Expression, Fungal
D048749 Cytokinesis The process by which the CYTOPLASM of a cell is divided. Cytoplasmic Division,Cytokineses,Cytoplasmic Divisions,Division, Cytoplasmic,Divisions, Cytoplasmic
D020744 rac GTP-Binding Proteins A sub-family of RHO GTP-BINDING PROTEINS that is involved in regulating the organization of cytoskeletal filaments. This enzyme was formerly listed as EC 3.6.1.47. rac Proteins,rac G Protein,G Protein, rac,GTP-Binding Proteins, rac,rac GTP Binding Proteins
D020764 cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein A member of the Rho family of MONOMERIC GTP-BINDING PROTEINS. It is associated with a diverse array of cellular functions including cytoskeletal changes, filopodia formation and transport through the GOLGI APPARATUS. This enzyme was formerly listed as EC 3.6.1.47. G25K GTP-Binding Protein, Placental Isoform,G25K Protein,cdc42 Protein,p21 cdc42,Cell Division Control Protein 42 Homolog,Cell Division Cycle 42 Protein,G25K GTP-Binding Protein,G25K GTP Binding Protein,G25K GTP Binding Protein, Placental Isoform,GTP-Binding Protein, G25K,GTP-Binding Protein, cdc42,cdc42 GTP Binding Protein,cdc42, p21

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