Previous Article | Next Article 
Eukaryotic Cell, December 2007, p. 2260-2268, Vol. 6, No. 12
1535-9778/07/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/EC.00261-07
Copyright © 2007, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
O-Mannosyltransferase 1 in Aspergillus fumigatus (AfPmt1p) Is Crucial for Cell Wall Integrity and Conidium Morphology, Especially at an Elevated Temperature
Hui Zhou,1,
Hongyan Hu,2,
Lijuan Zhang,3
Ruoyu Li,3
Haomiao Ouyang,1
Jia Ming,1 and
Cheng Jin1*
State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China,1
The General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Beijing, China,2
Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China3
Received 20 July 2007/
Accepted 12 September 2007
Protein O-mannosyltransferases initiate O mannosylation of secretory proteins, which are of fundamental importance in eukaryotes. In this study, the PMT gene family of the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus was identified and characterized. Unlike the case in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where the PMT family is highly redundant, only one member of each PMT subfamily, namely, Afpmt1, Afpmt2, and Afpmt4, is present in A. fumigatus. Mutants with a deletion of Afpmt1 are viable. In vitro and in vivo activity assays confirmed that the protein encoded by Afpmt1 acts as an O-mannosyltransferase (AfPmt1p). Characterization of the
Afpmt1 mutant showed that a lack of AfPmt1p results in sensitivity to elevated temperature and defects in growth and cell wall integrity, thereby affecting cell morphology, conidium formation, and germination. In a mouse model, Afpmt1 was not required for the virulence of A. fumigatus under the experimental conditions used.
* Corresponding author. Mailing address: State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. Phone: 86-10 64807425. Fax: 86-10 64807429. E-mail:
jinc{at}sun.im.ac.cn
Published ahead of print on 28 September 2007.
H.Z. and H.H. made equal contributions to this work.
Eukaryotic Cell, December 2007, p. 2260-2268, Vol. 6, No. 12
1535-9778/07/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/EC.00261-07
Copyright © 2007, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
This article has been cited by other articles:
-
Mircus, G., Hagag, S., Levdansky, E., Sharon, H., Shadkchan, Y., Shalit, I., Osherov, N.
(2009). Identification of novel cell wall destabilizing antifungal compounds using a conditional Aspergillus nidulans protein kinase C mutant. J Antimicrob Chemother
64: 755-763
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Goto, M., Harada, Y., Oka, T., Matsumoto, S., Takegawa, K., Furukawa, K.
(2009). Protein O-Mannosyltransferases B and C Support Hyphal Development and Differentiation in Aspergillus nidulans. Eukaryot Cell
8: 1465-1474
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Kriangkripipat, T., Momany, M.
(2009). Aspergillus nidulans Protein O-Mannosyltransferases Play Roles in Cell Wall Integrity and Developmental Patterning. Eukaryot Cell
8: 1475-1485
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Wagener, J., Echtenacher, B., Rohde, M., Kotz, A., Krappmann, S., Heesemann, J., Ebel, F.
(2008). The Putative {alpha}-1,2-Mannosyltransferase AfMnt1 of the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus Is Required for Cell Wall Stability and Full Virulence. Eukaryot Cell
7: 1661-1673
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Jiang, H., Ouyang, H., Zhou, H., Jin, C.
(2008). GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase is essential for cell wall integrity, morphogenesis and viability of Aspergillus fumigatus. Microbiology
154: 2730-2739
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Schmalhorst, P. S., Krappmann, S., Vervecken, W., Rohde, M., Muller, M., Braus, G. H., Contreras, R., Braun, A., Bakker, H., Routier, F. H.
(2008). Contribution of Galactofuranose to the Virulence of the Opportunistic Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Eukaryot Cell
7: 1268-1277
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Li, Y., Zhang, L., Wang, D., Zhou, H., Ouyang, H., Ming, J., Jin, C.
(2008). Deletion of the msdS/AfmsdC gene induces abnormal polarity and septation in Aspergillus fumigatus. Microbiology
154: 1960-1972
[Abstract]
[Full Text]