1887

Abstract

The ECM33/SPS2 family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins plays an important role in maintaining fungal cell wall integrity and virulence. However, the precise molecular role of these proteins is unknown. In this work, , the gene encoding the homologue in the important pathogenic fungus , has been cloned and its function analysed. It is shown that disruption of results in rapid conidial germination, increased cell–cell adhesion, resistance to the antifungal agent caspofungin and increased virulence in an immunocompromised mouse model for disseminated aspergillosis. These results suggest that the protein encoded by is involved in key aspects of cell wall morphogenesis and plays an important role in virulence.

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2006-07-01
2024-03-29
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