| Cryptococcus neoformans is an important pathogenic, encapsulated, basidiomycetous yeast, which infects the central nervous system (CNS) of immuno-6-ompromised individuals. The CNS has a high inositol concentration. The effects of various carbon sources, in defined media, on C. neoformans were studied. Saccharides present in cell extracts and slough-off capsular material of cells grown in glucose or inositol media were analyzed by paper chromatography. High levels of glucose-6-phosphate, inositol, glucose, and mannitol were detected. Capsular components, mannose, xylose, glucuronic acid were detected without variation due to carbon source. To examine a component of the synthesis of one monosaccharide, a fragment of the myo-inositol monophosphatase (IMP) gene from C. neoformans was PCR amplified using homologous oligonucleotides bases on other IMP genes. A 508-bp amplified DNA fragment was generated and partially sequenced, revealing 43.90% homology to other IMP genes. Studies to examine regulation of IMP mRNA and protein activity were initiated. |
