Spt20, a Structural Subunit of the SAGA Complex, Regulates Aspergillus fumigatus Biofilm Formation, Asexual Development, and Virulence.

The exopolysaccharide galactosaminogalactan (GAG) plays an important role in mediating adhesion, biofilm formation, and virulence in the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Previous work showed that in A. fumigatus, the Lim domain-binding protein PtaB can form a complex with the sequence-specific transcription factor SomA for regulating GAG biosynthesis, biofilm formation, and asexual development.

Reducing Aspergillus fumigatus Virulence through Targeted Dysregulation of the Conidiation Pathway.

Inhalation of conidia of the opportunistic mold by immunocompromised hosts can lead to invasive pulmonary disease. Inhaled conidia that escape immune defenses germinate to form filamentous hyphae that invade lung tissues. Conidiation rarely occurs during invasive infection of the human host, allowing the bulk of fungal energy to be directed toward vegetative growth.