Ctr2 links copper homeostasis to polysaccharide capsule formation and phagocytosis inhibition in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

PLoS One. 2010 Sep 2;5(9):e12503. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012503.

Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans is a human opportunistic fungal pathogen responsible for approximately 1/3 of HIV/AIDS deaths worldwide. This budding yeast expresses a polysaccharide capsule necessary for virulence. Capsule production inhibits phagocytosis by macrophages. Here we describe results that link copper homeostasis to capsule production and the inhibition of phagocytosis. Specifically, using Agrobacterium-mediated insertional mutagenesis, we identified an insertion in the promoter region of the putative copper transporter-encoding gene CTR2 that results in reduced expression of CTR2 and increased phagocytosis by murine RAW264.7 macrophages. The mutant also displayed sensitivity to copper starvation and defects in polysaccharide capsule production and melanization. These defects were all reversed by genetic correction of the promoter insertion by homologous targeting. Several melanization-defective mutants identified previously, those in the RIM20, RIM101, and VPS25 genes, also display sensitivity to copper starvation, reduced capsule production and increased phagocytosis. Together these results indicate a previously undescribed link between copper homeostasis to polysaccharide capsule production and phagocytosis inhibition in Cryptococcus neoformans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cation Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Cation Transport Proteins / immunology
  • Cation Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Copper / metabolism*
  • Cryptococcosis / immunology*
  • Cryptococcosis / microbiology
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / chemistry
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / genetics
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / immunology
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation*
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / immunology
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / microbiology
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phagocytosis*
  • Polysaccharides / metabolism*
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Polysaccharides
  • Copper