Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 13, 2026
Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure
Published on: May 27, 2022
Systematic Global Analysis of Genes Encoding Protein Phosphatases in Aspergillus fumigatus
Lizziane K Winkelströter1, Stephen K Dolan2, Thaila Fernanda Dos Reis1
1Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
Abstract:
Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungal pathogen that causes several invasive and noninvasive diseases named aspergillosis. This disease is generally regarded as multifactorial, considering that several pathogenicity determinants are present during the establishment of this illness. It is necessary to obtain an increased knowledge of how, and which, A. fumigatus signal transduction pathways are engaged in the regulation of these processes. Protein phosphatases are essential to several signal transduction pathways. We identified 32 phosphatase catalytic subunit-encoding genes in A. fumigatus, of which we were able to construct 24 viable deletion mutants. The role of nine phosphatase mutants in the HOG (high osmolarity glycerol response) pathway was evaluated by measuring phosphorylation of the p38 MAPK (SakA) and expression of osmo-dependent genes. We were also able to identify 11 phosphatases involved in iron assimilation, six that are related to gliotoxin resistance, and three implicated in gliotoxin production. These results present the creation of a fundamental resource for the study of signaling in A. fumigatus and its implications in the regulation of pathogenicity determinants and virulence in this important pathogen.
Insights
Researchers identified 32 protein phosphatase genes in Aspergillus fumigatus, crucial for fungal signaling. This study provides a key resource for understanding how these pathways regulate pathogenicity and virulence factors.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Signal Transduction
Background:
- Aspergillus fumigatus causes aspergillosis, a multifactorial disease.
- Pathogenicity determinants and signaling pathways in A. fumigatus require further investigation.
- Protein phosphatases are critical regulators of cellular signal transduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize protein phosphatases involved in A. fumigatus signaling pathways.
- To investigate the role of phosphatases in regulating pathogenicity determinants and virulence.
- To create a resource for studying A. fumigatus signaling.
Main Methods:
- Identified 32 phosphatase catalytic subunit-encoding genes in A. fumigatus.
- Constructed 24 viable deletion mutants.
- Assessed the role of nine phosphatase mutants in the high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) response pathway.
- Evaluated phosphatases involved in iron assimilation, gliotoxin resistance, and production.
Main Results:
- Characterized 32 phosphatase genes and created 24 deletion mutants.
- Determined the role of nine phosphatases in the HOG pathway, including SakA phosphorylation and osmo-dependent gene expression.
- Identified 11 phosphatases in iron assimilation, six in gliotoxin resistance, and three in gliotoxin production.
Conclusions:
- This study establishes a foundational resource for Aspergillus fumigatus signaling research.
- The identified phosphatases are implicated in regulating key pathogenicity determinants and virulence factors.
- Understanding these signaling pathways is crucial for combating aspergillosis.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:54Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
01:28Fungal Phylum Ascomycota