Study of the veA Gene in the Human Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long term goal of this project is to investigate possible molecular strategies to control the detrimental effects of fungal pathogens on human health by targeting major regulatory genes that are unique to fungi. In this proposal the PI will focus on the human pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus. Regulatory signaling genes tend to be conserved among fungal species. The PI's laboratory group has demonstrated that velvet, or veA, is a global regulatory gene that controls both morphological development and secondary metabolism in species of the genus Aspergillus, and across fungal genera in Fusarium spp. Interestingly, VeA has only been found in fungi. Aspergillus fumigatus has emerged as an important human pathogen with high mortality rates for the inmmunosuppressed. The fact that deletion of veA affects different cellular processes suggests that veA could also be a key factor in A. fumigatus multifactorial pathogenesis. The PI intends to explore the role veA in A. fumigatus by study veA-dependent compounds, particularly secondary metabolites, which may contribute to fungal disease. In this proposal, virulence of the veA mutant strains will also be directly assessed in a murine infection model. These basic studies will provide an essential foundation into the potential of VeA- targeting to control human pathogens. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: veA is a global regulatory gene unique to fungi that controls development and secondary metabolism in Aspergillus and other fungal genera. We will explore the role veA in the pathogenic A. fumigatus by studying veA-dependent compounds, such as secondary metabolites that may contribute to disease. The role of veA in virulence will also be directly assessed through murine infection.