The Role of Ceramide Synthases in the Pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) is estimated to cause about 220,000 new cases every year in patients with AIDS, despite advances in antifungal treatments. C. neoformans possesses a remarkable ability to disseminate through an immunocompromised host, making treatment difficult. Here, we examine the mechanism of survival of C. neoformans under varying host conditions and find a role for ceramide synthase in C. neoformans virulence. This study also provides a detailed lipidomics resource for the fungal lipid research community in addition to discovering a potential target for antifungal therapy. Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) is a fungal pathogen that causes about 220,000 deaths annually in immunocompromised individuals. Munshi et al. explore fungal lipid metabolism in the context of C. neoformans pathogenicity.