Glucan Unmasking Identifies Regulators of Temperature-Induced Translatome Reprogramming in C. neoformans
Amanda L. M. Bloom, David Goich, Corey M. Knowles, John C. Panepinto
Abstract
is a fungal pathogen that causes devastating morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. It possesses several virulence factors that aid in its evasion from the host immune system, including a large polysaccharide capsule that cloaks the antigenic cell wall. Studies investigating how the cell wall is remodeled to keep this pathogen disguised in response to stress have been limited. We previously found that host temperature stress results in translatome reprogramming that is necessary for keeping the highly antigenic β-(1, 3)-glucan component masked. Our data reveal signaling modules that trigger these responses and suggest the points of regulation at which these pathways act in achieving masking. Understanding these mechanisms may allow for therapeutic manipulation that may promote the immune recognition and clearance of this fungal pathogen.