기본 정보
연구 분야
프로젝트
발행물
구성원
preprint|
gold
·인용수 0
·2025
Evolutionary unique N-glycan-dependent protein quality control system plays pivotal roles in cellular fitness and extracellular vesicle transport in Cryptococcus neoformans
Catia Mota, Kiseung Kim, Ye Ji Son, Eun Jung Thak, Su‐Bin Lee, Ju-El Kim, Jeong‐Kee Yoon, Min‐Ho Kang, Heeyoun Hwang, Yong‐Sun Bahn, J. Andrew Alspaugh, Hyun Ah Kang
초록

Abstract A conserved N-glycan-dependent endoplasmic reticulum protein quality control (ERQC) system has evolved in eukaryotes to ensure accuracy during glycoprotein folding. The human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans possesses a unique N-glycosylation pathway that affects microbial physiology and interactions with the infected host. To investigate the molecular features and functions of the ERQC system in C. neoformans, we characterized a set of mutants with deletion of genes coding for the ERQC sensor UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (UGG1) and putative α1,2-mannose-trimming enzymes (MNS1, MNS101, MNL1, and MNL2). The ugg1Δ, mns1Δ, mns101Δ, and mns1Δ101Δ mutants showed alterations in N-glycan profiles, defective cell surface organization, decreased survival in host cells, and varying degrees of reduced in vivo virulence. The ugg1Δ strain exhibited severely impaired extracellular secretion of capsular polysaccharides and virulence-related enzymes. Comparative transcriptome analysis showed the upregulation of protein folding, proteolysis, and cell wall remodeling genes, indicative of induced ER stress. However, no apparent changes were observed in the expression of genes involved in protein secretion or capsule biosynthesis. Additionally, extracellular vesicle (EV) analysis combined with proteomic analysis showed significant alterations in the number, size distribution, and cargo composition of EVs in ugg1Δ. These findings highlight the essential role of the functional ERQC system for cellular fitness under adverse conditions and proper EV-mediated transport of virulence factors, which are crucial for the full fungal pathogenicity of C. neoformans.

키워드
Cryptococcus neoformansExtracellular vesicleGlycanExtracellular vesiclesExtracellularCell biologyVesicleBiologyCryptococcusMicrobiology
타입
preprint
IF / 인용수
- / 0
게재 연도
2025