Publication Date
Fall 2019
School
School of Health Sciences
Major
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Keywords
C. neoformans, capsule, meningoencephalitis
Disciplines
Biochemistry | Fungi | Infectious Disease | Molecular Biology
Recommended Citation
Weigner, Mara, "The Essential Role of Carbon Metabolism in the Virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans" (2019). Senior Honors Theses. 925.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/925
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans infections are a major cause of meningoencephalitis in immunosuppressed patients worldwide. Inhaled as spores or desiccated yeast cells, C. neoformans can undergo metabolic changes in response to the new host environment that allow it to cross the blood brain barrier and cause deadly central nervous system (CNS) infections. Nutrient acquisition, and specifically carbon metabolism, is critical for survival and proliferation within the host. Notably, efficient carbon metabolism is necessary to produce the polysaccharide capsule, which is arguably C. neoformans’ most important and well-studied virulence factor. As such, a better understanding of carbon acquisition and regulation is essential for the development of new targeted drug therapies to combat this deadly fungus.
Included in
Biochemistry Commons, Fungi Commons, Infectious Disease Commons, Molecular Biology Commons
