Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are the two etiologic agents of
cryptococcosis. They belong to the phylum Basidiomycota and can be readily distinguished …

Metals are essential for life, and they play a central role in the struggle between infecting
microbes and their hosts. In fact, an important aspect of microbial pathogenesis is the …

Iron is the most abundant transition metal in the human body and its bioavailability is
stringently controlled. In particular, iron is tightly bound to host proteins such as transferrin to …

Melanins are synthesized macromolecules that are found in all biological kingdoms. These
pigments have a myriad of roles that range from microbial virulence to key components of …

The devastating infections that fungal pathogens cause in humans are underappreciated
relative to viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases. In recent years, the contributions to …

Copper (Cu) is an essential metal that is toxic at high concentrations. Thus, pathogens often
rely on host Cu for growth, but host cells can hyperaccumulate Cu to exert antimicrobial …

Cryptococcus neoformans causes fatal fungal meningoencephalitis. Here, we study the
roles played by fungal kinases and transcription factors (TFs) in blood-brain barrier (BBB) …

Nutrient sensing is critical for adaptation of fungi to environmental and host conditions. The
conserved cAMP/PKA signaling pathway contributes to adaptation by sensing the …

The fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is a major cause of illness in
immunocompromised individuals such as AIDS patients. The ability of the fungus to acquire …

Genome analyses revealed in various basidiomycetes the existence of multiple genes for
blue multi-copper oxidases (MCOs). Whole genomes are now available from saprotrophs …