Morphogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans

Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans was first recognized as a human pathogen over 100 years ago when it was independently isolated from a patient with a tibial infection and from environmental sources (peach juice). This basidiomycete has subsequently been isolated from most regions of the world, causing a significant number of lethal infections each year, especially in AIDS patients. Originally described as a yeast-like fungus causing human and animal infections, C. neoformans is now known to undergo morphological transitions that are important for its survival and dissemination. Some of the signaling pathways that control yeast and hyphal morphogenesis in this organism are also central regulators of its pathogenesis. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.