Epigenetic Regulation of Fungal Virulence

Dear Colleagues,

Conrad Waddington conied the term “epigenetics” in 1942 to explain the presence of other mechanisms of inheritance of certain traits in addition to genetics. Since then, it has been shown that epigenetic changes such as chromatin remodeling involving histone acetylation and methylation play a critical role in the regulation of gene expression. New evidence indicates that chromatin structure impacts fungal virulence and/or pathogen fitness in the host. Furthermore, chromatin remodeling and assembly pathways regulate the dynamic interplay with host immune surveillance, facilitate immune evasion, and drive antifungal drug resistance.

During host-pathogen interactions, the host immune system often triggers epigenetic changes in the pathogen, which in turn activate transcriptional networks to coordinate an adaptive response. Conversely, it has also been noted that certain pathogens manipulate the post-translational modification of host proteins to promote their replication and to evade the host immune system.

To continue a discussion on the spirit of epigenetics and of the recent exciting discoveries in the field, we would like to dedicate a Special Issue to “Epigenetic regulation of fungal virulence.” Research articles that include, but are not limited to, current and emerging therapies targeting chromatin, phenotypes of fungal epigenetic (lysine acetyltransferases (KATs)/lysine deacetylases (KDACs) and methyltransferases) regulatory mutants, inhibitors of KATs/KDACs and methyltransferases, and antifungal drugs and their mechanism(s) of action will be of special interest.

Dr. Neeraj Chauhan
Prof. Dr. Karl Kuchler

Guest Editors

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