Disruption of the Aspergillus fumigatus ECM33 homologue results in rapid conidial germination, antifungal resistance and hypervirulence

• DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.28936-0
• Publication Date: 2006-06-27T23:04:33Z
• Authors: Jacob Romano; Guy Nimrod; Nir Ben-Tal; Yona Shadkchan; Koti Baruch; Haim Sharon; Nir Osherov
• Keywords: Fungal protein; Pathogenic fungus; Virulence factor

The ECM33/SPS2 family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins plays an important role in maintaining fungal cell wall integrity and virulence. However, the precise molecular these is unknown. In this work, AfuEcm33, gene encoding ECM33 homologue pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, has been cloned its function analysed. It shown that disruption AfuEcm33 results rapid conidial germination, increased cell-cell adhesion, resistance to antifungal agent caspofungin virulence immunocompromised mouse model for disseminated aspergillosis. These suggest protein encoded by involved key aspects morphogenesis A. fumigatus