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Molecular Insights into Pathogenesis and Infection with Aspergillus Fumigatus
Ghazaei, Ciamak
Abstract
The virulence of fungi is dependent on multiple factors, including the immune status of
patients and biological features of fungi. In particular, the virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus
is due to the complex interaction among various molecules involved in thermotolerance (such
as ribosomal biogenesis proteins, α-mannosyltransferase and heat shock proteins), pigment
production (DHN-melanin), immune evasion (like melanin and hydrophobin) and nutrient
uptake (such as siderophores and zinc transporters). Other molecules also play important roles
in the virulence of A. fumigatus, including cell wall components and those which maintain its
integrity (for instance β-1-3 glucan, α-1-3 glucan, chitin, galactomannan and mannoproteins)
and adhesion (such as hydrophobins), as well as various hydrolytic enzymes (such as serine and
aspartic protease, phospholipases, metalloproteinase and dipeptidyl peptidases). Signalling
molecules (including G-protein, cAMP, Ras protein and calcineurin) also increase the virulence
through altering the metabolic response to stress conditions and toxins (such as gliotoxin,
fumitremorgins, fumagatin and helvolic acid).
Keywords
Aspergillus fumigatus; virulence; proteins; siderophores; G-protein
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