Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2025

Biolistic Transformation of a Fluorescent Tagged Gene into the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
Published on: March 19, 2015
Roles of Different Signaling Pathways in Cryptococcus neoformans Virulence
Fawad Mahmood1, Jun-Ming Chen2, Ammar Mutahar Al-Huthaifi1
1Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
Abstract:
Cryptococcus neoformans is a widespread fungal pathogen that can infect the human central nervous system (CNS) and cause fungal meningitis, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide each year. Previous studies have demonstrated that many signal transduction pathways are crucial for the morphological development and virulence of C. neoformans. In this review, data from over 116 research articles have been compiled to show that many signaling pathways control various characteristics of C. neoformans, individually or in association with other pathways, and to establish strong links among them to better understand C. neoformans pathogenesis. Every characteristic of C. neoformans is closely linked to these signaling pathways, making this a rich area for further research. It is essential to thoroughly explore these pathways to address questions that remain and apply a molecular mechanistic approach to link them. Targeting these pathways is crucial for understanding the exact mechanism of infection pathogenesis and will facilitate the development of antifungal drugs as well as the diagnosis and prevention of cryptococcosis.
Related Concept Videos
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The...
Yeast Signaling
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not...

