The role of autophagy on the pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans and as a potential drug target

• Grant number: 16/50185-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2016
• End date: September 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology
• Agreement: University of Melbourne
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Afonso Vallim
• Grantee: Marcelo Afonso Vallim
• Principal researcher abroad: Alexander Idnurm
• Institution abroad: University of Melbourne, Australia
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/04400-9 - The role of autophagy in Cryptococcus neorformas high temperature (37°C) growth and virulence, AP.R

Abstract

Cryptocaccus neoformans and C. gattii are two fungal pathogens that infect humans with normal and suppressed immune systems, killing more than 500,000 people each year. Both species have hallmarks properties of having southern hemisphere origins, yet there is a limited focus on these neglected pathogens in countries like Brazil and Australia. The proposal aims to use the medium of a research collaboration based on the process of autophagy in C. neoformans to link two laboratories at the Federal University of Sao Paulo and the University of Melbourne, building on the expertise and resources of the investigators at both institutions. Planned experiments will include a proteomic examination of interacting partners with the Ape4 protein, and an accurate assessment of the possible role of the ATG4 gene in viability of C. neoformans. In addition, as part of planned exchanges each year, broader interactions will be initiated to provide wider benefits to each University and in order to assemble a consortium of investigators from southern hemisphere countries to tackle the pathogenic Cryptococcus species (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ROBERTO, THIAGO NUNES; LIMA, RICARDO FERREIRA; PASCON, RENATA CASTIGLIONI; IDNURM, ALEXANDER; VALLIM, MARCELO AFONSO. Biological functions of the autophagy-related proteins Atg4 and Atg8 in Cryptococcus neoformans. PLoS One, v. 15, n. 4, APR 6 2020. (16/50185-5, 16/14542-8, 15/04400-9)