Abstract

Our long-term goal is to have a better understanding of melanin, one of the most important virulence factors of Cryptococcus neoformans. Melanin protects C. neoformans against a variety of stresses increasing its virulence and resistance to fungicidal treatment. We are using monoclonal antibodies against the phenolic oxidase enzyme (laccase) to study the process of melanogenesis in C. neoformans. The possible protective activity of these antibodies will be assayed and the role of the laccase enzyme during infection will be studied. Understanding of these processes will help us in developing better strategies for the control of C. neoformans.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31GM064100-02
Application #
6692701
Study Section
Minority Programs Review Committee (MPRC)
Program Officer
Gaillard, Shawn R
Project Start
2002-01-01
Project End
Budget Start
2003-01-01
Budget End
2003-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$45,060
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
071036636
City
Bronx
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10461

  Publications

Garcia-Rivera, Javier; Eisenman, Helene C; Nosanchuk, Joshua D et al. (2005) Comparative analysis of Cryptococcus neoformans acid-resistant particles generated from pigmented cells grown in different laccase substrates. Fungal Genet Biol 42:989-98
Garcia-Rivera, Javier; Tucker, Stephanie C; Feldmesser, Marta et al. (2005) Laccase expression in murine pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Infect Immun 73:3124-7
Garcia-Rivera, Javier; Chang, Yun C; Kwon-Chung, K J et al. (2004) Cryptococcus neoformans CAP59 (or Cap59p) is involved in the extracellular trafficking of capsular glucuronoxylomannan. Eukaryot Cell 3:385-92