How Cryptococcus neoformans changes its protein production during stress
Stress Responsive Reprogramming of Translating mRNA Pools in C. neoformans
This work looks at how the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans shifts which proteins it makes when facing stresses that occur during AIDS-associated infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252310 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers study fungal samples from patients and laboratory strains to see how stresses like high temperature and oxidative attack change which mRNAs are translated into proteins. They focus on two main controls: the Gcn4 transcription factor and the Gcn2 kinase that alter translation initiation, and pathways that remove mRNAs from the translating pool. The team compares clinical isolates from AIDS-associated cryptococcosis in Africa with lab strains to see which responses are conserved. Laboratory methods include measuring translating mRNA pools and testing how disrupting these pathways affects fungal survival under host-like stresses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with AIDS-associated cryptococcal infection who are seen at participating clinics and can provide clinical fungal isolates or consent to sample collection would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without cryptococcal infection or those seeking immediate changes to their clinical care are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic science work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This could reveal new targets for antifungal drugs and ultimately lead to better treatments for cryptococcal infections in people with HIV/AIDS.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have identified fungal stress-response programs and provided preliminary data linking translation reprogramming to survival, but translating these findings into new therapies remains early-stage.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Panepinto, John C — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Panepinto, John C
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.