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Morphogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans

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Morphogenesis and Pathogenicity in Fungi

Part of the book series: Topics in Current Genetics ((TCG,volume 22))

Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans was first recognized as a human pathogen over 100 years ago when it was independently isolated from a patient with a tibial infection and from environmental sources (peach juice). This basidiomycete has subsequently been isolated from most regions of the world, causing a significant number of lethal infections each year, especially in AIDS patients. Originally described as a yeast-like fungus causing human and animal infections, C. neoformans is now known to undergo morphological transitions that are important for its survival and dissemination. Some of the signaling pathways that control yeast and hyphal morphogenesis in this organism are also central regulators of its pathogenesis.

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  1. Departments of Medicine and Molecular Genetics/Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, DUMC 3355, 1543 Duke Hospital, South Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Elizabeth R. Ballou, J. Andrew Alspaugh & Connie B. Nichols

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  1. Elizabeth R. Ballou
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  2. J. Andrew Alspaugh
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  3. Connie B. Nichols
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Correspondence to J. Andrew Alspaugh .

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  1. , Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia CSIC, Madrid, 28049, Spain

    José Pérez-Martín

  2. , Department of Genetics, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, 14071, Spain

    Antonio Di Pietro

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Ballou, E.R., Alspaugh, J.A., Nichols, C.B. (2012). Morphogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans . In: Pérez-Martín, J., Di Pietro, A. (eds) Morphogenesis and Pathogenicity in Fungi. Topics in Current Genetics, vol 22. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-22916-9_10

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