Role of in Control of Iron Acquisition and Gluconeogenesis in .

is a dimorphic pathogenic fungus causing opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. It is a facultative intracellular pathogen and is usually found inside the host macrophages during infection. Alternative carbons and iron are the important nutrients associated with intracellular survival and pathogenesis of . This study reported the importance of the transcription factor AcuK in control of gluconeogenesis and iron acquisition in . Deletion of gene in resulted in retardation of growth and germination in both mold and yeast phases. Microscopically, Δ showed double nuclei hyphae. However, the yeast cells showed normal morphology. The Δ failed to grow in iron-limiting conditions. Additionally, it could not grow in a medium containing gluconeogenic carbon sources. Moreover, Δ showed higher susceptibility to macrophage killing than the wild type. These results demonstrated that AcuK controlled both iron acquisition and gluconeogenesis, and it could contribute to the pathogenicity of this fungus.