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Sci Rep

Title:		"A novel bZIP protein, Gsb1, is required for oxidative stress response, mating, and virulence in the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans"
Author(s):		Cheon SA; Thak EJ; Bahn YS; Kang HA;
Address:		"Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Korea. Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea. Department of Biotechnology, Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea. Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Korea. hyunkang@cau.ac.kr"
Journal Title:		Sci Rep
Year:		2017
Volume:		20170622
Issue:		1
Page Number:		4044 -
DOI:		10.1038/s41598-017-04290-8
ISSN/ISBN:		2045-2322 (Electronic) 2045-2322 (Linking)
Abstract:		"The human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, which causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised individuals, normally faces diverse stresses in the human host. Here, we report that a novel, basic, leucine-zipper (bZIP) protein, designated Gsb1 (general stress-related bZIP protein 1), is required for its normal growth and diverse stress responses. C. neoformans gsb1Delta mutants grew slowly even under non-stressed conditions and showed increased sensitivity to high or low temperatures. The hypersensitivity of gsb1Delta to oxidative and nitrosative stresses was reversed by addition of a ROS scavenger. RNA-Seq analysis during normal growth revealed increased expression of a number of genes involved in mitochondrial respiration and cell cycle, but decreased expression of several genes involved in the mating-pheromone-responsive MAPK signaling pathway. Accordingly, gsb1Delta showed defective mating and abnormal cell-cycle progression. Reflecting these pleiotropic phenotypes, gsb1Delta exhibited attenuated virulence in a murine model of cryptococcosis. Moreover, RNA-Seq analysis under oxidative stress revealed that several genes involved in ROS defense, cell-wall remodeling, and protein glycosylation were highly induced in the wild-type strain but not in gsb1Delta. Gsb1 localized exclusively in the nucleus in response to oxidative stress. In conclusion, Gsb1 is a key transcription factor modulating growth, stress responses, differentiation, and virulence in C. neoformans"
Keywords:		"Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors/*genetics/*metabolism Cell Cycle/genetics Cryptococcosis/*microbiology Cryptococcus neoformans/*physiology Gene Expression Profiling Humans Mitochondria/metabolism *Oxidative Stress Protein Transport Stress, Phys;"
Notes:		"MedlineCheon, Seon Ah Thak, Eun Jung Bahn, Yong-Sun Kang, Hyun Ah eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2017/06/24 Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 22; 7(1):4044. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-04290-8"