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Fungal Genet Biol

Title:		Unisexual versus bisexual mating in Cryptococcus neoformans: Consequences and biological impacts
Author(s):		Fu C; Sun S; Billmyre RB; Roach KC; Heitman J;
Address:		"Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Electronic address: heitm001@duke.edu"
Journal Title:		Fungal Genet Biol
Year:		2015
Volume:		20140827
Issue:
Page Number:		65 - 75
DOI:		10.1016/j.fgb.2014.08.008
ISSN/ISBN:		1096-0937 (Electronic) 1087-1845 (Print) 1087-1845 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen and can undergo both bisexual and unisexual mating. Despite the fact that one mating type is dispensable for unisexual mating, the two sexual cycles share surprisingly similar features. Both mating cycles are affected by similar environmental factors and regulated by the same pheromone response pathway. Recombination takes place during unisexual reproduction in a fashion similar to bisexual reproduction and can both admix pre-existing genetic diversity and also generate diversity de novo just like bisexual reproduction. These common features may allow the unisexual life cycle to provide phenotypic and genotypic plasticity for the natural Cryptococcus population, which is predominantly alpha mating type, and to avoid Muller's ratchet. The morphological transition from yeast to hyphal growth during both bisexual and unisexual mating may provide increased opportunities for outcrossing and the ability to forage for nutrients at a distance. The unisexual life cycle is a key evolutionary factor for Cryptococcus as a highly successful global fungal pathogen"
Keywords:		"Cryptococcus neoformans/cytology/*genetics/*growth & development *Genes, Mating Type, Fungal Hyphae/growth & development *Recombination, Genetic Filamentation Muller's ratchet Nutrient foraging Recombination Unisexual mating de novo genetic diversity;"
Notes:		"MedlineFu, Ci Sun, Sheng Billmyre, R B Roach, Kevin C Heitman, Joseph eng R37 AI039115/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/ T32 GM007754/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/ T32 GM007184/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/ R01 AI039115/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/ R01 AI50113-10/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/ R01 AI050113/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/ AI39115-17/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/ Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Review 2014/09/01 Fungal Genet Biol. 2015 May; 78:65-75. doi: 10.1016/j.fgb.2014.08.008. Epub 2014 Aug 27"