Characterization of the gcsA gene expression and cellular localization of the GcsA::GFP protein in the pathogenic fungi Aspergillus fumigatus

• Grant number: 13/24358-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2014
• End date: July 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Marcia Regina von Zeska Kress
• Grantee: Raquel Santos da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The ADP- ribosylation factor proteins (ARF) - GTPase -activating proteins (GAPs) belong to a family of proteins that induce the hydrolysis of GTP bound to ARF. The substrate ARF- GTP is the active form and binds to proteins that coat transport vesicles, allowing its formation. Thus, members of the ARF family are responsible for vesicle biogenesis in intracellular traffic. In Age3 Candida albicans gene that encodes a protein with ARF- GAP domain is required for hyphal elongation and susceptibility to antifungal agents. GCS, the ortholog of Age3 in Aspergillus fumigatus, proves to be important for the response to drugs that act on the sphingolipid pathway which is a major component of the fungal cell membrane. Thus, the purpose of this project is the location of the protein GCSA by building lines GCSA:: GFP in A. fumigatus and characterization of gene expression of said gene by quantitative PCR in wild strain of A. fumigatus in the presence of different antifungals, and drugs that act on the road of sphingolipids.