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Cell wall chitosan is necessary for virulence in the opportunistic pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.

Lorina G LG Baker, Charles A CA Specht, and Jennifer K JK Lodge

Eukaryot Cell 10(9):1264-8 (2011) PMID 21784998 PMCID PMC3187048

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes meningoencephalitis. Its cell wall is composed of glucans, proteins, chitin, and chitosan. Multiple genetic approaches have defined a chitosan-deficient syndrome that includes slow growth and decreased cell integrity. Here we demonstrate chitosan is necessary for virulence and persistence in the mammalian host.

DOI: 10.1128/EC.05138-11
Version: za2963e q8za5 q8zba q8zc9 q8zdb q8ze1 q8zf7 q8zgb
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