G protein8208;coupled receptors of the human8208;pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus

Ref ID: 18500

Author:

Martin Föge,
Thorsten Heinekamp,
Axel A, Brakhage

Author address:

Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans-Knöll-Institute, Department of
Molecular and Applied Microbiology 1,
Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany

Full conference title:

11 th European Conference on Fungal Genetics

Abstract:

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is present in diverse habitats and therefore confronted with a wide
variety of environmental stimuli. Due to its ability to grow on numerous nutrients, A. fumigatus is also able to
colonise the human body. In immunocompromised patients, severe life8208;threatening infections like invasive
aspergillosis can occur, thus making A. fumigatus the most important airborne fungal pathogen.
To be able to sense and respond to changing environmental conditions during infection, A. fumigatus contains a
large array of sensing and signaling mechanisms including G protein8208;coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs form the
largest group of membrane receptors among eukaryotic organisms. Until now, little is known about the stimuli and
signal transduction mechanisms of the 15 GPCRs predicted to be encoded by the genome of A. fumigatus.
Therefore, to understand their impact on fungal growth, development and pathogenicity, it is of major importance
to investigate their function in detail and to identify their possible contribution to pathogenicity.
We created a collection comprising single knock8208;out strains of almost all A. fumigatus GPRCs and started to
investigate their phenotypes. First results show that some mutant strains show reduced growth and production of
conidia, which gave first hints on the importance of functional signaling pathways for survival of A. fumigatus. The
ongoing analysis will define the function of different GPCRs in a filamentous fungus.

Abstract Number: PR7.17

Conference Year: 2012

Link to conference website: http://www.ecfg.info/images/Abstract_Book_Electronic.pdf

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