METABOLIC STUDIES OF OPPORTUNISTIC FUNGI AND PROTOZOA

This application represents a biological approach to the development of new
forms of treatment of opportunistic infections in the acquired immune
deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The approach involves five projects which
focus on metabolic and biochemical studies of opportunistic fungi and
protozoa which will provide important information about their nutrient
requirements and lead to the development of new therapeutic targets.
Project 1 deals with the development of an axenic culture system for
Pneumocystis carinii. Project 2 focuses on the analysis of the transport
and metabolism of the lipids of P. carinii. Project 3 involves studies of
purine metabolism of Toxoplasma gondii and P. carinii. Project 4 is
concerned with D-mannitol metabolism in Cryptococcus neoformans. Project
5 deals with studies of the cytochrome P450 lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase
and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase genes of C. neoformans. The
application emphasizes close collaboration and communication among
investigators so that knowledge gained about one organism can be applied to
other opportunistic pathogens.