Histoplasma capsulatum is a classic dimorphic fungal pathogen that initially infects mammalian hosts as a mold and then undergoes a complete transition to a yeast. The conversion, can be completely reproduced in vitro merely by raising the temperature from 25 degrees Celcius to 37 degrees Celcius, allowing us to mimic this natural switch between a form dedicated to a saprophytic lifestyle and a form dedicated to a parasitic lifestyle. Correspondingly, we anticipate that differences in gene expression between the two forms growing in vitro will not only relate to morphology, but also to phenotypes important for these alternative lifestyles. In this research plan, we will test the hypothesis that intracellular parasitism by H. capsulatum in rive is dependent on genes and gene products that are selectively upregulated during the conversion to or maintenance of the yeast phase in vitro. Our goal is to focus on genes that are transcriptionally more active during yeast growth (compared to mold growth) or that have a demonstrated importance for expression of a yeast phase-specific phenotype.
Our specific aims are to: I. Define structure-activity relationships for the secreted calcium-binding protein (CBP). Produced in large amounts by yeasts growing in vitro or within macrophages, CBP is a proven virulence factor with an unproven me_anism. We plan to use molecular genetics in a rationally designed study to link structural features with specific functions related to virulence, dimorphism, and calcium binding. II. Characterize the regulation of known yeast phase-specific products. We will use a combination of forwardand reverse genetic strategies to understand the regulation of two yeast phase-specific products: CBP, which is unique to H. capsulatum, and e Alpha-(1,3)-glucan, a common feature of organisms causing systemic mycoses. III. Generate physically marked mutants with phenotypes in yeast phase-specific characteristics. Combining Agrobacterium-mediated mutagenesis with a series of simple in vitro screens, we wilt identify and characterize mutants affiScted in a variety of virulence-related, phase-specific phenotypes such as dimorphism, calcium dependence, cell wall composition, pH modulation, and redox modulation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI025584-14
Application #
6859372
Study Section
Bacteriology and Mycology Subcommittee 2 (BM)
Program Officer
Duncan, Rory A
Project Start
1988-07-01
Project End
2009-02-28
Budget Start
2005-03-01
Budget End
2006-02-28
Support Year
14
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$382,500
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
SepĂșlveda, Victoria E; Williams, Corinne L; Goldman, William E (2014) Comparison of phylogenetically distinct Histoplasma strains reveals evolutionarily divergent virulence strategies. MBio 5:e01376-14
Edwards, Jessica A; Alore, Elizabeth A; Rappleye, Chad A (2011) The yeast-phase virulence requirement for ?-glucan synthase differs among Histoplasma capsulatum chemotypes. Eukaryot Cell 10:87-97
Chamilos, Georgios; Ganguly, Dipyaman; Lande, Roberto et al. (2010) Generation of IL-23 producing dendritic cells (DCs) by airborne fungi regulates fungal pathogenicity via the induction of T(H)-17 responses. PLoS One 5:e12955
Beck, Moriah R; Dekoster, Gregory T; Cistola, David P et al. (2009) NMR structure of a fungal virulence factor reveals structural homology with mammalian saposin B. Mol Microbiol 72:344-53
Beck, Moriah R; DeKoster, Gregory T; Hambly, David M et al. (2008) Structural features responsible for the biological stability of Histoplasma's virulence factor CBP. Biochemistry 47:4427-38
Rappleye, Chad A; Eissenberg, Linda Groppe; Goldman, William E (2007) Histoplasma capsulatum alpha-(1,3)-glucan blocks innate immune recognition by the beta-glucan receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104:1366-70
Rappleye, Chad A; Goldman, William E (2006) Defining virulence genes in the dimorphic fungi. Annu Rev Microbiol 60:281-303
Marion, Christopher L; Rappleye, Chad A; Engle, Jacquelyn T et al. (2006) An alpha-(1,4)-amylase is essential for alpha-(1,3)-glucan production and virulence in Histoplasma capsulatum. Mol Microbiol 62:970-83
Rappleye, Chad A; Engle, Jacquelyn T; Goldman, William E (2004) RNA interference in Histoplasma capsulatum demonstrates a role for alpha-(1,3)-glucan in virulence. Mol Microbiol 53:153-65
Magrini, Vincent; Warren, Wesley C; Wallis, John et al. (2004) Fosmid-based physical mapping of the Histoplasma capsulatum genome. Genome Res 14:1603-9

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