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Updated: Jan 26, 2026
11:07
Macrophage Cholesterol Depletion and Its Effect on the Phagocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans
Published on: December 19, 2014
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The Cryptococcus neoformans monocarboxylate transporter Jen4 is responsible for increased 3-bromopyruvate sensitivity
Katarzyna Niedźwiecka1, David Ribas2, Margarida Casal2
1Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland.
FEMS Yeast Research
|April 18, 2019
Summary
The Jen4 protein in Cryptococcus neoformans facilitates the uptake of 3-bromopyruvate (3BP), a crucial step for its antimicrobial activity. Identifying this transporter enhances understanding of 3BP
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- 3-bromopyruvate (3BP) is a potent anticancer and antimicrobial agent.
- Intracellular drug transport is key to 3BP's efficacy against cancer and microbes.
- Cryptococcus neoformans exhibits high sensitivity and uptake rates for 3BP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To functionally characterize the Jen4 protein in Cryptococcus neoformans.
- To determine Jen4's role in 3-bromopyruvate (3BP) transport and sensitivity.
- To investigate the potential of Jen4 as a 3BP transporter in pathogenic fungi.
Main Methods:
- Gene deletion of CNAG_04704 (encoding Jen4) in C. neoformans.
- Heterologous expression of Jen4 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (jen1Δ ady2Δ strain).
- 3-bromopyruvate (3BP) uptake assays and sensitivity testing.
- Green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagging for Jen4 localization studies.
Main Results:
- Deletion of the Jen4 gene significantly impaired 3BP transport and reduced sensitivity in C. neoformans.
- Heterologous expression of Jen4 restored 3BP transport in the S. cerevisiae jen1Δ ady2Δ mutant.
- Jen4 was localized to the plasma membrane of C. neoformans cells.
Conclusions:
- Jen4 is a functional transporter responsible for 3-bromopyruvate (3BP) uptake in Cryptococcus neoformans.
- Understanding Jen4's role is vital for developing 3BP-based antimicrobial therapies.
- Targeting 3BP transporters could enhance the effectiveness of this drug against fungal pathogens.
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