Calcineurin is required for hyphal elongation during mating and haploid fruiting in Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that causes meningitis in immunocompromised patients. Its growth is sensitive to the immunosuppressants FK506 and cyclosporin, which inhibit the Ca2+-calmodulin-activated protein phosphatase calcineurin. Calcineurin is required for growth at 37 degreesC and virulence of C.neoformans. We found that calcineurin is also required for mating. FK506 blocks mating of C.neoformans via FKBP12-dependent inhibition of calcineurin, and mutants lacking calcineurin are bilaterally sterile. Calcineurin is not essential for the initial fusion event, but is required for hyphal elongation and survival of the heterokaryon produced by cell fusion, It is also required for hyphal elongation in diploid strains and during asexual haploid fruiting of MAT alpha cells in response to nitrogen limitation. Because mating and haploid fruiting produce infectious basidiospores, our studies suggest a second link between calcineurin and virulence of C.neoformans. Calcineurin regulates filamentation and 37 degreesC growth via distinct pathways. Together with studies revealing that calcineurin mediates neurite extension and neutrophil migration in mammals, our findings indicate that calcineurin plays a conserved role in the control of cell morphology.