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Signaling
of C. neoformans Sch9 Kinase in survival of macrophages
and virulence |
Polysaccharide capsule formation is one of the established virulence
factors in C. neoformans. Our previous studies have shown that
an Sch9 protein kinase homolog controls capsule formation and
virulence in conjunction with the Gpa1-PKA signaling pathway
in C. neoformans. We are interested in exploring the mechanism
by which Sch9 acts in capsule formation and virulence, and plan
to employ an in vitro macrophage survival model to examine how
Sch9 is activated and its genetic interactions with signaling
pathways important in mating, capsule formation and virulence.
Our goals are to understand how Sch9 signals in an intracellular
environment that will lead to better understanding of how fungal
pathogens such as C. neoformans circumvent the host's immune
system to cause disease.
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