Lack of chitin synthase genes impacts capsular architecture and cellular physiology in .

mutants lacking each of the eight putative chitin synthase genes () have been previously generated. However, it is still unclear how deletion of chitin synthase genes affects the cryptococcal capsule. Since the connections between chitin metabolism and capsular polysaccharides in are numerous, we analyzed the effects of deletion of genes on capsular and capsule-related structures of . deletion affected capsular morphology in multiple ways, as determined by scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence analysis. Molecular diameter, serological reactivity and export of capsular polysaccharide were also affected in most of the mutants, but the most prominent alterations were observed in the strain. cells lacking genes also had altered formation of extracellular vesicles and variable chitinase activity under stress conditions. These results reveal previously unknown functions of genes that greatly impact the physiology of .