51
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Improved strategies to efficiently isolate thermophilic, thermotolerant, and heat-resistant fungi from compost and soil. Mycol Prog 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11557-021-01674-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThermophilic, thermotolerant and heat-resistant fungi developed different physiological traits, enabling them to sustain or even flourish under elevated temperatures, which are life-hostile for most other eukaryotes. With the growing demand of heat-stable molecules in biotechnology and industry, the awareness of heat-adapted fungi as a promising source of respective enzymes and biomolecules is still increasing. The aim of this study was to test two different strategies for the efficient isolation and identification of distinctly heat-adapted fungi from easily accessible substrates and locations. Eight compost piles and ten soil sites were sampled in combination with different culture-dependent approaches to describe suitable strategies for the isolation and selection of thermophilous fungi. Additionally, an approach with a heat-shock treatment, but without elevated temperature incubation led to the isolation of heat-resistant mesophilic species. The cultures were identified based on morphology, DNA barcodes, and microsatellite fingerprinting. In total, 191 obtained isolates were assigned to 31 fungal species, from which half are truly thermophilic or thermotolerant, while the other half are heat-resistant fungi. A numerous amount of heat-adapted fungi was isolated from both compost and soil samples, indicating the suitability of the used approaches and that the richness and availability of those organisms in such environments are substantially high.
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52
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Wong SSW, Venugopalan LP, Beaussart A, Karnam A, Mohammed MRS, Jayapal JM, Bretagne S, Bayry J, Prajna L, Kuppamuthu D, Latgé JP, Aimanianda V. Species-Specific Immunological Reactivities Depend on the Cell-Wall Organization of the Two Aspergillus, Aspergillus fumigatus and A. flavus. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:643312. [PMID: 33718288 PMCID: PMC7950546 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.643312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although belong to the same genus, Aspergillus fumigatus is primarily involved in invasive pulmonary infection, whereas Aspergillus flavus is a common cause of superficial infection. In this study, we compared conidia (the infective propagules) of these two Aspergillus species. In immunocompetent mice, intranasal inoculation with conidia of A. flavus resulted in significantly higher inflammatory responses in the lungs compared to mice inoculated with A. fumigatus conidia. In vitro assays revealed that the dormant conidia of A. flavus, unlike A. fumigatus dormant conidia, are immunostimulatory. The conidial surface of A. fumigatus was covered by a rodlet-layer, while that of A. flavus were presented with exposed polysaccharides. A. flavus harbored significantly higher number of proteins in its conidial cell wall compared to A. fumigatus conidia. Notably, β-1,3-glucan in the A. flavus conidial cell-wall showed significantly higher percentage of branching compared to that of A. fumigatus. The polysaccharides ensemble of A. flavus conidial cell wall stimulated the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, and conidial cell wall associated proteins specifically stimulated IL-8 secretion from the host immune cells. Furthermore, the two species exhibited different sensitivities to antifungal drugs targeting cell wall polysaccharides, proposing the efficacy of species-specific treatment strategies. Overall, the species-specific organization of the conidial cell wall could be important in establishing infection by the two Aspergillus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Sze Wah Wong
- Institut Pasteur, Unité des Aspergillus, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Molecular Mycology Unit, CNRS, UMR-2000, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Anupama Karnam
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre de Recherché des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | - Jeya Maheshwari Jayapal
- Department of Proteomics & Ocular Microbiology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Madurai, India
| | - Stéphane Bretagne
- Institut Pasteur, Molecular Mycology Unit, CNRS, UMR-2000, Paris, France
| | - Jagadeesh Bayry
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre de Recherché des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Lalitha Prajna
- Department of Ocular Microbiology, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, India
| | - Dharmalingam Kuppamuthu
- Department of Proteomics & Ocular Microbiology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Madurai, India
| | | | - Vishukumar Aimanianda
- Institut Pasteur, Unité des Aspergillus, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Molecular Mycology Unit, CNRS, UMR-2000, Paris, France
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53
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van der Torre MH, Shen H, Rautemaa-Richardson R, Richardson MD, Novak-Frazer L. Molecular Epidemiology of Aspergillus fumigatus in Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis Patients. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7020152. [PMID: 33672698 PMCID: PMC7924367 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular fungal genotyping techniques developed and employed for epidemiological studies have understandably concentrated on establishing the genetic diversity of Aspergillus fumigatus in invasive aspergillosis due to its severity, the urgency for treatment, and the need to demonstrate possible sources. Some early studies suggested that these strains were phenotypically, if not genotypically, different from others. However, with improved discrimination and evaluations, incorporating environmental as well as clinical isolates from other Aspergillus conditions (e.g., chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and cystic fibrosis), this premise is no longer upheld. Moreover, with the onset of increased global triazole resistance, there has been a concerted effort to incorporate resistance profiling into genotyping studies and the realisation that the wider population of non-immunocompromised aspergillosis patients are at risk. This review summarises the developments in molecular genotyping studies that incorporate resistance profiling with attention to chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and an example of our UK experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireille H. van der Torre
- Mycology Reference Centre Manchester, ECMM Centre of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK; (M.H.v.d.T.); (R.R.-R.); (M.D.R.)
- Division of Infection, Inflammation and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
| | - Hongwei Shen
- Division of Infection, Inflammation and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
| | - Riina Rautemaa-Richardson
- Mycology Reference Centre Manchester, ECMM Centre of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK; (M.H.v.d.T.); (R.R.-R.); (M.D.R.)
- Division of Infection, Inflammation and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - Malcolm D. Richardson
- Mycology Reference Centre Manchester, ECMM Centre of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK; (M.H.v.d.T.); (R.R.-R.); (M.D.R.)
- Division of Infection, Inflammation and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
| | - Lilyann Novak-Frazer
- Mycology Reference Centre Manchester, ECMM Centre of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK; (M.H.v.d.T.); (R.R.-R.); (M.D.R.)
- Division of Infection, Inflammation and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-161-2915856
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54
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Margalit A, Carolan JC, Kavanagh K. Bacterial Interactions with Aspergillus fumigatus in the Immunocompromised Lung. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020435. [PMID: 33669831 PMCID: PMC7923216 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunocompromised airways are susceptible to infections caused by a range of pathogens which increases the opportunity for polymicrobial interactions to occur. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the predominant causes of pulmonary infection for individuals with respiratory disorders such as cystic fibrosis (CF). The spore-forming fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, is most frequently isolated with P. aeruginosa, and co-infection results in poor outcomes for patients. It is therefore clinically important to understand how these pathogens interact with each other and how such interactions may contribute to disease progression so that appropriate therapeutic strategies may be developed. Despite its persistence in the airways throughout the life of a patient, A. fumigatus rarely becomes the dominant pathogen. In vitro interaction studies have revealed remarkable insights into the molecular mechanisms that drive agonistic and antagonistic interactions that occur between A. fumigatus and pulmonary bacterial pathogens such as P. aeruginosa. Crucially, these studies demonstrate that although bacteria may predominate in a competitive environment, A. fumigatus has the capacity to persist and contribute to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +353-1-708-3859; Fax: +353-1-708-3845
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55
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Ferguson RMW, Neath CEE, Nasir ZA, Garcia-Alcega S, Tyrrel S, Coulon F, Dumbrell AJ, Colbeck I, Whitby C. Size fractionation of bioaerosol emissions from green-waste composting. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 147:106327. [PMID: 33387881 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Particle size is a significant factor in determining the dispersal and inhalation risk from bioaerosols. Green-waste composting is a significant source of bioaerosols (including pathogens), but little is known about the distribution of specific taxa across size fractions. To characterise size fractionated bioaerosol emissions from a compost facility, we used a Spectral Intensity Bioaerosol Sensor (SIBS) to quantify total bioaerosols and qPCR and metabarcoding to quantify microbial bioaerosols. Overall, sub-micron bioaerosols predominated, but molecular analysis showed that most (>75%) of the airborne microorganisms were associated with the larger size fractions (>3.3 µm da). The microbial taxa varied significantly by size, with Bacilli dominating the larger, and Actinobacteria the smaller, size fractions. The human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus dominated the intermediate size fractions (>50% da 1.1-4.7 µm), indicating that it has the potential to disperse widely and once inhaled may penetrate deep into the respiratory system. The abundance of Actinobacteria (>60% at da < 2.1 µm) and other sub-micron bioaerosols suggest that the main health effects from composting bioaerosols may come from allergenic respiratory sensitisation rather than directly via infection. These results emphasise the need to better understand the size distributions of bioaerosols across all taxa in order to model their dispersal and to inform risk assessments of human health related to composting facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M W Ferguson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Charlotte E E Neath
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK; School of Applied Sciences, University of South Wales, Cemetery Road, Glyntaff, Pontypridd CF37 4BD, UK
| | - Zaheer A Nasir
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Sonia Garcia-Alcega
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Sean Tyrrel
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Frederic Coulon
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Alex J Dumbrell
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Ian Colbeck
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Corinne Whitby
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK.
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56
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Li Y, Dai M, Zhang Y, Lu L. The sterol C-14 reductase Erg24 is responsible for ergosterol biosynthesis and ion homeostasis in Aspergillus fumigatus. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:1253-1268. [PMID: 33475797 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11104-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Ergosterol, a major lipid present in the fungal cell membrane, is considered as an effective antifungal drug target. A rational strategy for increasing drug reservoir relies on functionally validation of essential enzymes involved in fungal key biological pathway. Current knowledge regarding the essential genes in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway is still limited in the opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. In this study, we characterized two endoplasmic reticulum-localized sterol C-14 reductases encoded by both erg24A and erg24B homologs that are essential for the viability of A. fumigatus despite the fact that neither paralog is essential individually. Loss of one homolog of Erg24 impairs hyphal growth, conidiation, and virulence but has no effect on ergosterol biosynthesis. To investigate the functional significance of erg24, a conditional double mutant (Δerg24B niiA::erg24A) was constructed in the Δerg24B background. Strikingly, the conditional erg24 double mutant exhibited severe growth defects and accumulation of sterol intermediate. Moreover, the addition of metal ions and the overexpression of the corresponding ion transporters could rescue the growth defects of the erg24 double mutant in A. fumigatus, implying that the defective phenotype of the erg24 double mutant is tightly associated with dysregulation of ion homeostasis. Taken together, our results demonstrate the critical role of Erg24 in ergosterol biosynthesis and ion homeostasis in A. fumigatus, which may have important implications for antifungal discovery. KEY POINTS: • We characterized two endoplasmic reticulum-localized sterol C-14 reductases Erg24A and Erg24B in A. fumigatus. • Erg24A and Erg24B in combination, but not individually, are required for the viability of A. fumigatus. • Inactivation of Erg24 leads to the disruption of ion homeostasis and affects ergosterol biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeqi Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengyao Dai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Ling Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
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57
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Dümig M, Binder J, Gaculenko A, Daul F, Winandy L, Hasenberg M, Gunzer M, Fischer R, Künzler M, Krappmann S. The infectious propagules of Aspergillus fumigatus are coated with antimicrobial peptides. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13301. [PMID: 33331054 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Fungal spores are unique cells that mediate dispersal and survival in the environment. For pathogenic fungi encountering a susceptible host, these specialised structures may serve as infectious particles. The main causative agent of the opportunistic disease aspergillosis, Aspergillus fumigatus, produces asexual spores, the conidia, that become dissipated by air flows or water currents but also serve as propagules to infect a susceptible host. We demonstrate that the defX gene of this mould encodes putative antimicrobial peptides resembling cysteine-stabilised (CS)αβ defensins that are expressed in a specific spatial and temporal manner in the course of asexual spore formation. Localisation studies on strains expressing a fluorescent proxy or tagged defX alleles expose that these antimicrobial peptides are secreted to coat the conidial surface. Deletion mutants reveal that the spore-associated defX gene products delay the growth of Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and demonstrate that the defX gene and presumably its encoded spore-associated defensins confer a growth advantage to the fungal opponent over bacterial competitors. These findings have implications with respect to the ecological niche of A. fumigatus that serves as a 'virulence school' for this human pathogenic mould; further relevance is given for the infectious process resulting in aspergillosis, considering competition with the host microbiome or co-infecting microorganisms to break colonisation resistance at host surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Dümig
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jasmin Binder
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anastasia Gaculenko
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Franziska Daul
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lex Winandy
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Mike Hasenberg
- Imaging Centre Essen (IMCES) - Electron Microscopy Unit, University Hospital and University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital and University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Matthias Gunzer
- Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital and University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Fischer
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Markus Künzler
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sven Krappmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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58
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Malik A, Fatma T, Shamsi W, Khan HA, Gul A, Jamal A, Bhatti MF. Molecular Characterization of Medically Important Fungi: Current Research and Future Prospects. Fungal Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-60659-6_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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59
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Pennerman KK, Yin G, Glenn AE, Bennett JW. Identifying candidate Aspergillus pathogenicity factors by annotation frequency. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:342. [PMID: 33176679 PMCID: PMC7661267 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-02031-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Members of the genus Aspergillus display a variety of lifestyles, ranging from saprobic to pathogenic on plants and/or animals. Increased genome sequencing of economically important members of the genus permits effective use of "-omics" comparisons between closely related species and strains to identify candidate genes that may contribute to phenotypes of interest, especially relating to pathogenicity. Protein-coding genes were predicted from 216 genomes of 12 Aspergillus species, and the frequencies of various structural aspects (exon count and length, intron count and length, GC content, and codon usage) and functional annotations (InterPro, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes terms) were compared. RESULTS Using principal component analyses, the three sets of functional annotations for each strain were clustered by species. The species clusters appeared to separate by pathogenicity on plants along the first dimensions, which accounted for over 20% of the variance. More annotations for genes encoding pectinases and secondary metabolite biosynthetic enzymes were assigned to phytopathogenic strains from species such as Aspergillus flavus. In contrast, Aspergillus fumigatus strains, which are pathogenic to animals but not plants, were assigned relatively more terms related to phosphate transferases, and carbohydrate and amino-sugar metabolism. Analyses of publicly available RNA-Seq data indicated that one A. fumigatus protein among 17 amino-sugar processing candidates, a hexokinase, was up-regulated during co-culturing with human immune system cells. CONCLUSION Genes encoding hexokinases and other proteins of interest may be subject to future manipulations to further refine understanding of Aspergillus pathogenicity factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla K Pennerman
- United States Department of Agriculture, Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit, Athens, GA, 30605, USA.
| | - Guohua Yin
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Anthony E Glenn
- United States Department of Agriculture, Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit, Athens, GA, 30605, USA
| | - Joan W Bennett
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
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60
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Steenwyk JL, Mead ME, de Castro PA, Valero C, Damasio A, dos Santos RAC, Labella AL, Li Y, Knowles SL, Raja HA, Oberlies NH, Zhou X, Cornely OA, Fuchs F, Koehler P, Goldman GH, Rokas A. Genomic and phenotypic analysis of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.11.06.371971. [PMID: 33173866 PMCID: PMC7654854 DOI: 10.1101/2020.11.06.371971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first described from Wuhan, China. A subset of COVID-19 patients has been reported to have acquired secondary infections by microbial pathogens, such as fungal opportunistic pathogens from the genus Aspergillus . To gain insight into COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), we analyzed the genomes and characterized the phenotypic profiles of four CAPA isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus obtained from patients treated in the area of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. By examining the mutational spectrum of single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertion-deletion polymorphisms, and copy number variants among 206 genes known to modulate A. fumigatus virulence, we found that CAPA isolate genomes do not exhibit major differences from the genome of the Af293 reference strain. By examining virulence in an invertebrate moth model, growth in the presence of osmotic, cell wall, and oxidative stressors, and the minimum inhibitory concentration of antifungal drugs, we found that CAPA isolates were generally, but not always, similar to A. fumigatus reference strains Af293 and CEA17. Notably, CAPA isolate D had more putative loss of function mutations in genes known to increase virulence when deleted (e.g., in the FLEA gene, which encodes a lectin recognized by macrophages). Moreover, CAPA isolate D was significantly more virulent than the other three CAPA isolates and the A. fumigatus reference strains tested. These findings expand our understanding of the genomic and phenotypic characteristics of isolates that cause CAPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob L. Steenwyk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Matthew E. Mead
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Clara Valero
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - André Damasio
- Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas-SP, Brazil
- Experimental Medicine Research Cluster (EMRC), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas-SP, Brazil
| | - Renato A. C. dos Santos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Abigail L. Labella
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Yuanning Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sonja L. Knowles
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina 27402
| | - Huzefa A. Raja
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina 27402
| | - Nicholas H. Oberlies
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina 27402
| | - Xiaofan Zhou
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Oliver A. Cornely
- University of Cologne, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany
- University of Cologne, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
- ZKS Köln, Clinical Trials Centre Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn Cologne, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Frieder Fuchs
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Philipp Koehler
- University of Cologne, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany
- University of Cologne, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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61
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Heterotrimeric G-protein signalers and RGSs in Aspergillus fumigatus. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9110902. [PMID: 33126739 PMCID: PMC7693823 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9110902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterotrimeric G-protein (G-protein) signaling pathway is one of the most important signaling pathways that transmit external signals into the inside of the cell, triggering appropriate biological responses. The external signals are sensed by various G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and transmitted into G-proteins consisting of the α, β, and γ subunits. Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGSs) are the key controllers of G-protein signaling pathways. GPCRs, G-proteins, and RGSs are the primary upstream components of the G-protein signaling pathway, and they are highly conserved in most filamentous fungi, playing diverse roles in biological processes. Recent studies characterized the G-protein signaling components in the opportunistic pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. In this review, we have summarized the characteristics and functions of GPCRs, G-proteins, and RGSs, and their regulatory roles in governing fungal growth, asexual development, germination, stress tolerance, and virulence in A. fumigatus.
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Nywening AV, Rybak JM, Rogers PD, Fortwendel JR. Mechanisms of triazole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus. Environ Microbiol 2020; 22:4934-4952. [PMID: 33047482 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitous fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is the primary cause of opportunistic mould infections in humans. Aspergilli disseminate via asexual conidia passively travelling through air currents to germinate within a broad range of environs, wherever suitable nutrients are found. Though the average human inhales hundreds of conidia daily, A. fumigatus invasive infections primarily affect the immunocompromised. At-risk individuals can develop often fatal invasive disease for which therapeutic options are limited. Regrettably, the global insurgence of isolates resistant to the triazoles, the frontline antifungal class used in medicine and agriculture to control A. fumigatus, is complicating the treatment of patients. Triazole antifungal resistance in A. fumigatus has become recognized as a global, yet poorly comprehended, problem. Due to a multitude of factors, the magnitude of resistant infections and their contribution to treatment outcomes are likely underestimated. Current studies suggest that human drug-resistant infections can be either environmentally acquired or de novo host selected during patient therapy. While much concerning development of resistance is yet unknown, recent investigations have revealed assorted underlying mechanisms enabling triazole resistance within individual clinical and environmental isolates. This review will provide an overview of triazole resistance as it is currently understood, as well as highlight some of the prominent biological mechanisms associated with clinical and environmental resistance to triazoles in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley V Nywening
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 881 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN, USA.,College of Graduate Health Sciences, Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Rybak
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 881 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Phillip David Rogers
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 881 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jarrod R Fortwendel
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 881 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN, USA
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Steenwyk JL, Mead ME, Knowles SL, Raja HA, Roberts CD, Bader O, Houbraken J, Goldman GH, Oberlies NH, Rokas A. Variation Among Biosynthetic Gene Clusters, Secondary Metabolite Profiles, and Cards of Virulence Across Aspergillus Species. Genetics 2020; 216:481-497. [PMID: 32817009 PMCID: PMC7536862 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.120.303549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a major human pathogen. In contrast, Aspergillus fischeri and the recently described Aspergillus oerlinghausenensis, the two species most closely related to A. fumigatus, are not known to be pathogenic. Some of the genetic determinants of virulence (or "cards of virulence") that A. fumigatus possesses are secondary metabolites that impair the host immune system, protect from host immune cell attacks, or acquire key nutrients. To examine whether secondary metabolism-associated cards of virulence vary between these species, we conducted extensive genomic and secondary metabolite profiling analyses of multiple A. fumigatus, one A. oerlinghausenensis, and multiple A. fischeri strains. We identified two cards of virulence (gliotoxin and fumitremorgin) shared by all three species and three cards of virulence (trypacidin, pseurotin, and fumagillin) that are variable. For example, we found that all species and strains examined biosynthesized gliotoxin, which is known to contribute to virulence, consistent with the conservation of the gliotoxin biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) across genomes. For other secondary metabolites, such as fumitremorgin, a modulator of host biology, we found that all species produced the metabolite but that there was strain heterogeneity in its production within species. Finally, species differed in their biosynthesis of fumagillin and pseurotin, both contributors to host tissue damage during invasive aspergillosis. A. fumigatus biosynthesized fumagillin and pseurotin, while A. oerlinghausenensis biosynthesized fumagillin and A. fischeri biosynthesized neither. These biochemical differences were reflected in sequence divergence of the intertwined fumagillin/pseurotin BGCs across genomes. These results delineate the similarities and differences in secondary metabolism-associated cards of virulence between a major fungal pathogen and its nonpathogenic closest relatives, shedding light onto the genetic and phenotypic changes associated with the evolution of fungal pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob L Steenwyk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235
| | - Matthew E Mead
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235
| | - Sonja L Knowles
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina 27402
| | - Huzefa A Raja
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina 27402
| | - Christopher D Roberts
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina 27402
| | - Oliver Bader
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Germany
| | - Jos Houbraken
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-900 Brazil
| | - Nicholas H Oberlies
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina 27402
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235
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64
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Lin CJ, Hou YH, Chen YL. The histone acetyltransferase GcnE regulates conidiation and biofilm formation in Aspergillus fumigatus. Med Mycol 2020; 58:248-259. [PMID: 31100153 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone modifications play a crucial role in eukaryotic gene regulation. The Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex controls histone acetylation, with Gcn5 (GcnE) acting as the acetyltransferase. In the Aspergillus species, GcnE has been shown to regulate asexual development and secondary metabolism. Apart from this, GcnE is required for pathogenicity in plant fungal pathogen A. flavus; however, the role of GcnE in the pathogenicity of human pathogenic fungus A. fumigatus is unknown. In this study, we uncovered the key roles of GcnE in A. fumigatus conidiation, stress responses, and biofilm formation. We observed that deletion of gcnE resulted in aberrant conidiation in which conidiophores displayed abnormal phialide formation. In addition, the ΔgcnE mutant grew slightly faster under limited nitrogen sources (1 mM of ammonium or nitrate) compared to the wild type. The ΔgcnE mutant exhibited increased susceptibility to cell wall-perturbing agents, H2O2 and menadione but enhanced tolerance to LiCl. Furthermore, we showed that GcnE is involved in biofilm formation, and overexpression of adherence-related genes such as somA or uge3 partially rescued biofilm formation defects in the ΔgcnE mutant background. Interestingly, GcnE was not required for virulence in a neutropenic murine model of invasive aspergillosis. These results suggest that GcnE is critical for conidiation and biofilm formation but not virulence in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Jan Lin
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, 10617 Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Hou
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, 10617 Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Lien Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, 10617 Taipei, Taiwan
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65
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Orasch T, Dietl AM, Shadkchan Y, Binder U, Bauer I, Lass-Flörl C, Osherov N, Haas H. The leucine biosynthetic pathway is crucial for adaptation to iron starvation and virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus. Virulence 2020; 10:925-934. [PMID: 31694453 PMCID: PMC6844326 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1682760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to mammalia, fungi are able to synthesize the branched-chain amino acid leucine de novo. Recently, the transcription factor LeuB has been shown to cross-regulate leucine biosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism and iron homeostasis in Aspergillus fumigatus, the most common human mold pathogen. Moreover, the leucine biosynthetic pathway intermediate α-isopropylmalate (α-IPM) has previously been shown to posttranslationally activate LeuB homologs in S. cerevisiae and A. nidulans. Here, we demonstrate that in A. fumigatus inactivation of both leucine biosynthetic enzymes α-IPM synthase (LeuC), which disrupts α-IPM synthesis, and α-IPM isomerase (LeuA), which causes cellular α-IPM accumulation, results in leucine auxotrophy. However, compared to lack of LeuA, lack of LeuC resulted in increased leucine dependence, a growth defect during iron starvation and decreased expression of LeuB-regulated genes including genes involved in iron acquisition. Lack of either LeuA or LeuC decreased virulence in an insect infection model, and inactivation of LeuC rendered A. fumigatus avirulent in a pulmonary aspergillosis mouse model. Taken together, we demonstrate that the lack of two leucine biosynthetic enzymes, LeuA and LeuC, results in significant phenotypic consequences indicating that the regulator LeuB is activated by α-IPM in A. fumigatus and that the leucine biosynthetic pathway is an attractive target for the development of antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Orasch
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anna-Maria Dietl
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Yana Shadkchan
- Aspergillus and Antifungal Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ulrike Binder
- Institute of Hygiene & Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ingo Bauer
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene & Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nir Osherov
- Aspergillus and Antifungal Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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66
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Binder J, Shadkchan Y, Osherov N, Krappmann S. The Essential Thioredoxin Reductase of the Human Pathogenic Mold Aspergillus fumigatus Is a Promising Antifungal Target. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1383. [PMID: 32670238 PMCID: PMC7330004 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of cellular targets for antifungal compounds is a cornerstone for the development of novel antimycotics, for which a significant need exists due to increasing numbers of susceptible patients, emerging pathogens, and evolving resistance. For the human pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigatus, the causative agent of the opportunistic disease aspergillosis, only a limited number of established targets and corresponding drugs are available. Among several targets that were postulated from a variety of experimental approaches, the conserved thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity encoded by the trxR gene was assessed in this study. Its essentiality could be confirmed following a conditional TetOFF promoter replacement strategy. Relevance of the trxR gene product for oxidative stress resistance was revealed and, most importantly, its requirement for full virulence of A. fumigatus in two different models of infection resembling invasive aspergillosis. Our findings complement the idea of targeting the reductase component of the fungal thioredoxin system for antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Binder
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yana Shadkchan
- Aspergillus and Antifungal Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Nir Osherov
- Aspergillus and Antifungal Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Sven Krappmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Erlangen Center of Infection Research, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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67
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Kaeopookum P, Summer D, Pfister J, Orasch T, Lechner BE, Petrik M, Novy Z, Matuszczak B, Rangger C, Haas H, Decristoforo C. Modifying the Siderophore Triacetylfusarinine C for Molecular Imaging of Fungal Infection. Mol Imaging Biol 2020; 21:1097-1106. [PMID: 30838551 PMCID: PMC6877352 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-019-01325-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Aspergillus fumigatus produces the siderophore triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC) for iron acquisition which is essential for its virulence. Therefore, TAFC is a specific marker for invasive aspergillosis. We have shown previously that positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with [68Ga]TAFC exhibited excellent targeting properties in an A. fumigatus rat infection model. In this study, we aimed to prepare TAFC analogs modifying fusarinine C (FSC) by acylation with different carbon chain lengths as well as with charged substituents and investigated the influence of introduced substituents on preservation of TAFC characteristics in vitro and in vivo. Procedures Fifteen TAFC derivatives were prepared and labeled with gallium-68. In vitro uptake assays were carried out in A. fumigatus under iron-replete as well as iron-depleted conditions and distribution coefficient was determined. Based on these assays, three compounds, [68Ga]tripropanoyl(FSC) ([68Ga]TPFC), [68Ga]diacetylbutanoyl(FSC) ([68Ga]DABuFC), and [68Ga]trisuccinyl(FSC) ([68Ga]FSC(suc)3), with high, medium, and low in vitro uptake in fungal cultures, were selected for further evaluation. Stability and protein binding were evaluated and in vivo imaging performed in the A. fumigatus rat infection model. Results In vitro uptake studies using A. fumigatus revealed specific uptake of mono- and trisubstituted TAFC derivatives at RT. Lipophilicities as expressed by logD were 0.34 to − 3.80. The selected compounds displayed low protein binding and were stable in PBS and serum. Biodistribution and image contrast in PET/X-ray computed tomography of [68Ga]TPFC and [68Ga]DABuFC were comparable to [68Ga]TAFC, whereas no uptake in the infected region was observed with [68Ga]FSC(suc)3. Conclusions Our studies show the possibility to modify TAFC without losing its properties and specific recognition by A. fumigatus. This opens also new ways for multimodality imaging or theranostics of fungal infection by introducing functionalities such as fluorescent dyes or antifungal moieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piriya Kaeopookum
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Research and Development Division, Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand
| | - Dominik Summer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Joachim Pfister
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas Orasch
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Beatrix E Lechner
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Milos Petrik
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Novy
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Barbara Matuszczak
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christine Rangger
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clemens Decristoforo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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68
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Wu X, Lee B, Zhu L, Ding Z, Chen Y. Exposure to mold proteases stimulates mucin production in airway epithelial cells through Ras/Raf1/ERK signal pathway. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231990. [PMID: 32320453 PMCID: PMC7176129 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental mold (fungus) exposure poses a significant threat to public health by causing illnesses ranging from invasive fungal diseases in immune compromised individuals to allergic hypertensive diseases such as asthma and asthma exacerbation in otherwise healthy people. However, the molecular pathogenesis has not been completely understood, and treatment options are limited. Due to its thermo-tolerance to the normal human body temperature, Aspergillus. fumigatus (A.fumigatus) is one of the most important human pathogens to cause different lung fungal diseases including fungal asthma. Airway obstruction and hyperresponsiveness caused by mucus overproduction are the hallmarks of many A.fumigatus induced lung diseases. To understand the underlying molecular mechanism, we have utilized a well-established A.fumigatus extracts (AFE) model to elucidate downstream signal pathways that mediate A.fumigatus induced mucin production in airway epithelial cells. AFE was found to stimulate time- and dose-dependent increase of major airway mucin gene expression (MUC5AC and MUC5B) partly via the elevation of their promoter activities. We also demonstrated that EGFR was required but not sufficient for AFE-induced mucin expression, filling the paradoxical gap from a previous study using the same model. Furthermore, we showed that fungal proteases in AFE were responsible for mucin induction by activating a Ras/Raf1/ERK signaling pathway. Ca2+ signaling, but ROS, both of which were stimulated by fungal proteases, was an indispensable determinant for ERK activation and mucin induction. The discovery of this novel pathway likely contributes to our understanding of the pathogenesis of fungal sensitization in allergic diseases such as fungal asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianxian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Boram Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Lingxiang Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Zhi Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Changzhou High-Tech Research Institute of Nanjing University, Changzhou, China
- * E-mail: (ZD); (YC)
| | - Yin Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- Asthma & Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ZD); (YC)
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69
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Wassano NS, Goldman GH, Damasio A. Aspergillus fumigatus. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:594-595. [PMID: 32544445 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natália S Wassano
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André Damasio
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil; EMRC - Experimental Medicine Research Cluster, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil.
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The Cell Wall Integrity Pathway Contributes to the Early Stages of Aspergillus fumigatus Asexual Development. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.02347-19. [PMID: 32005734 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02347-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a major cause of human disease. The survival of this fungus is dependent on the cell wall organization and function of its components. The cell wall integrity pathway (CWIP) is the primary signaling cascade that controls de novo synthesis of the cell wall in fungi. Abundant conidiation is a hallmark in A. fumigatus, and uptake of conidia by a susceptible host is usually the initial event in infection. The formation of conidia is mediated by the development of fungus-specific specialized structures, conidiophores, which are accompanied by cell wall remodeling. The molecular regulation of these changes in cell wall composition required for the rise of conidiophore from the solid surface and to disperse the conidia into the air is currently unknown. Here, we investigated the role of CWIP in conidiation. We show that CWIP pkcA G579R, ΔmpkA, and ΔrlmA mutants displayed reduced conidiation during synchronized asexual differentiation. The transcription factor RlmA directly regulated the expression of regulators of conidiation, including flbB, flbC, brlA, abaA, and rasB, as well as genes involved in cell wall synthesis and remodeling, and this affected the chitin content in aerial hyphae. Phosphorylation of RlmA and MpkA was increased during asexual differentiation. We also observed that MpkA physically associated with the proteins FlbB, FlbC, BrlA, and RasB during this process, suggesting another level of cross talk between the CWIP and asexual development pathways. In summary, our results support the conclusion that one function of the CWIP is the regulation of asexual development in filamentous fungi.IMPORTANCE A remarkable feature of the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is its ability to produce impressive amounts of infectious propagules known as conidia. These particles reach immunocompromised patients and may initiate a life-threatening mycosis. The conidiation process in Aspergillus is governed by a sequence of proteins that coordinate the development of conidiophores. This process requires the remodeling of the cell wall so that the conidiophores can rise and withstand the chains of conidia. The events regulating cell wall remodeling during conidiation are currently unknown. Here, we show that the cell wall integrity pathway (CWIP) components RlmA and MpkA directly contribute to the activation of the conidiation cascade by enabling transcription or phosphorylation of critical proteins involved in asexual development. This study points to an essential role for the CWIP during conidiation and provides further insights into the complex regulation of asexual development in filamentous fungi.
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Rokas A, Mead ME, Steenwyk JL, Oberlies NH, Goldman GH. Evolving moldy murderers: Aspergillus section Fumigati as a model for studying the repeated evolution of fungal pathogenicity. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008315. [PMID: 32106242 PMCID: PMC7046185 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Matthew E. Mead
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jacob L. Steenwyk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Nicholas H. Oberlies
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract
Inhalation of conidia of the opportunistic mold Aspergillus fumigatus by immunocompromised hosts can lead to invasive pulmonary disease. Inhaled conidia that escape immune defenses germinate to form filamentous hyphae that invade lung tissues. Conidiation rarely occurs during invasive infection of the human host, allowing the bulk of fungal energy to be directed toward vegetative growth. We hypothesized that forced induction of conidiation during infection can suppress A. fumigatus vegetative growth, impairing the ability of this organism to cause disease. To study the effects of conidiation pathway dysregulation on A. fumigatus virulence, a key transcriptional regulator of conidiation (brlA) was expressed under the control of a doxycycline-inducible promoter. Time- and dose-dependent brlA overexpression was observed in response to doxycycline both in vitro and in vivo. Exposure of the inducible brlA overexpression strain to low doses of doxycycline under vegetative growth conditions in vitro induced conidiation, whereas high doses arrested growth. Overexpression of brlA attenuated A. fumigatus virulence in both an invertebrate and mouse model of invasive aspergillosis. RNA sequencing studies and phenotypic analysis revealed that brlA overexpression results in altered cell signaling, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism, including a marked upregulation of trehalose biosynthesis and a downregulation in the biosynthesis of the polysaccharide virulence factor galactosaminogalactan. This proof of concept study demonstrates that activation of the conidiation pathway in A. fumigatus can reduce virulence and suggests that brlA-inducing small molecules may hold promise as a new class of therapeutics for A. fumigatus infection.IMPORTANCE The mold Aspergillus fumigatus reproduces by the production of airborne spores (conidia), a process termed conidiation. In immunocompromised individuals, inhaled A. fumigatus conidia can germinate and form filaments that penetrate and damage lung tissues; however, conidiation does not occur during invasive infection. In this study, we demonstrate that forced activation of conidiation in filaments of A. fumigatus can arrest their growth and impair the ability of this fungus to cause disease in both an insect and a mouse model of invasive infection. Activation of conidiation was linked to profound changes in A. fumigatus metabolism, including a shift away from the synthesis of polysaccharides required for cell wall structure and virulence in favor of carbohydrates used for energy storage and stress resistance. Collectively, these findings suggest that activation of the conidiation pathway may be a promising approach for the development of new agents to prevent or treat A. fumigatus infection.
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Guruceaga X, Perez-Cuesta U, Abad-Diaz de Cerio A, Gonzalez O, Alonso RM, Hernando FL, Ramirez-Garcia A, Rementeria A. Fumagillin, a Mycotoxin of Aspergillus fumigatus: Biosynthesis, Biological Activities, Detection, and Applications. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 12:E7. [PMID: 31861936 PMCID: PMC7020470 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fumagillin is a mycotoxin produced, above all, by the saprophytic filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. This mold is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause invasive aspergillosis, a disease that has high mortality rates linked to it. Its ability to adapt to environmental stresses through the production of secondary metabolites, including several mycotoxins (gliotoxin, fumagillin, pseurotin A, etc.) also seem to play an important role in causing these infections. Since the discovery of the A. fumigatus fumagillin in 1949, many studies have focused on this toxin and in this review we gather all the information currently available. First of all, the structural characteristics of this mycotoxin and the different methods developed for its determination are given in detail. Then, the biosynthetic gene cluster and the metabolic pathway involved in its production and regulation are explained. The activity of fumagillin on its target, the methionine aminopeptidase type 2 (MetAP2) enzyme, and the effects of blocking this enzyme in the host are also described. Finally, the applications that this toxin and its derivatives have in different fields, such as the treatment of cancer and its microsporicidal activity in the treatment of honeybee hive infections with Nosema spp., are reviewed. Therefore, this work offers a complete review of all the information currently related to the fumagillin mycotoxin secreted by A. fumigatus, important because of its role in the fungal infection process but also because it has many other applications, notably in beekeeping, the treatment of infectious diseases, and in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Guruceaga
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (X.G.); (U.P.-C.); (A.A.-D.d.C.); (F.L.H.)
| | - Uxue Perez-Cuesta
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (X.G.); (U.P.-C.); (A.A.-D.d.C.); (F.L.H.)
| | - Ana Abad-Diaz de Cerio
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (X.G.); (U.P.-C.); (A.A.-D.d.C.); (F.L.H.)
| | - Oskar Gonzalez
- FARMARTEM Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (O.G.); (R.M.A.)
| | - Rosa M. Alonso
- FARMARTEM Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (O.G.); (R.M.A.)
| | - Fernando Luis Hernando
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (X.G.); (U.P.-C.); (A.A.-D.d.C.); (F.L.H.)
| | - Andoni Ramirez-Garcia
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (X.G.); (U.P.-C.); (A.A.-D.d.C.); (F.L.H.)
| | - Aitor Rementeria
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (X.G.); (U.P.-C.); (A.A.-D.d.C.); (F.L.H.)
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Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprotrophic fungus; its primary habitat is the soil. In its ecological niche, the fungus has learned how to adapt and proliferate in hostile environments. This capacity has helped the fungus to resist and survive against human host defenses and, further, to be responsible for one of the most devastating lung infections in terms of morbidity and mortality. In this review, we will provide (i) a description of the biological cycle of A. fumigatus; (ii) a historical perspective of the spectrum of aspergillus disease and the current epidemiological status of these infections; (iii) an analysis of the modes of immune response against Aspergillus in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients; (iv) an understanding of the pathways responsible for fungal virulence and their host molecular targets, with a specific focus on the cell wall; (v) the current status of the diagnosis of different clinical syndromes; and (vi) an overview of the available antifungal armamentarium and the therapeutic strategies in the clinical context. In addition, the emergence of new concepts, such as nutritional immunity and the integration and rewiring of multiple fungal metabolic activities occurring during lung invasion, has helped us to redefine the opportunistic pathogenesis of A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul Latgé
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Georgios Chamilos
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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Lwin HP, Choi YH, Lee MW, Yu JH, Shin KS. RgsA Attenuates the PKA Signaling, Stress Response, and Virulence in the Human Opportunistic Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20225628. [PMID: 31717953 PMCID: PMC6888639 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins play an important role in upstream control of heterotrimeric G-protein signaling pathways. In the genome of the human opportunistic pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, six RGS protein-encoding genes are present. To characterize the rgsA gene predicted to encode a protein with an RGS domain, we generated an rgsA null mutant and observed the phenotypes of the mutant. The deletion (Δ) of rgsA resulted in increased radial growth and enhanced asexual sporulation in both solid and liquid culture conditions. Accordingly, transcripts levels of the key asexual developmental regulators abaA, brlA, and wetA are elevated in the ΔrgsA mutant. Moreover, ΔrgsA resulted in elevated spore germination rates in the absence of a carbon source. The activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and mRNA levels of genes encoding PKA signaling elements are elevated by ΔrgsA. In addition, mRNA levels of genes associated with stress-response signaling increased with the lack of rgsA, and the ΔrgsA spores showed enhanced tolerance against oxidative stressors. Comparative transcriptomic analyses revealed that the ΔrgsA mutant showed higher mRNA levels of gliotoxin (GT) biosynthetic genes. Accordingly, the rgsA null mutant exhibited increased production of GT and elevated virulence in the mouse. Conversely, the majority of genes encoding glucan degrading enzymes were down-regulated by ΔrgsA, and endoglucanase activities were reduced. In summary, RgsA plays multiple roles, governing growth, development, stress responses, virulence, and external polymer degradation-likely by attenuating PKA signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hnin Phyu Lwin
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School, Daejeon University, Daejeon 34520, Korea; (H.P.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Yong-Ho Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School, Daejeon University, Daejeon 34520, Korea; (H.P.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Min-Woo Lee
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science, Soonchunhyang University, Chungcheongnam-do 31151, Korea;
| | - Jae-Hyuk Yu
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.-H.Y.); (K.-S.S.); Tel.: +1-608-262-4696 (J.-H.Y.); +82-42-280-2439 (K.-S.S.); Fax: +1-608-262-2976 (J.-H.Y.); +82-42-280-2608 (K.-S.S.)
| | - Kwang-Soo Shin
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School, Daejeon University, Daejeon 34520, Korea; (H.P.L.); (Y.-H.C.)
- Correspondence: (J.-H.Y.); (K.-S.S.); Tel.: +1-608-262-4696 (J.-H.Y.); +82-42-280-2439 (K.-S.S.); Fax: +1-608-262-2976 (J.-H.Y.); +82-42-280-2608 (K.-S.S.)
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Wang BT, Yu XY, Zhu YJ, Zhuang M, Zhang ZM, Jin L, Jin FJ. Research progress on the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors of Aspergillus species. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2019; 109:31-59. [PMID: 31677646 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2019.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins belong to a superfamily of transcription factors, and they are widely distributed in eukaryotic organisms. Members of the bHLH protein family can form homodimers or heterodimers with themselves or other family members, and they often play bifunctional roles as activators and repressors to uniquely regulate the transcription of downstream target genes. The bHLH transcription factors are usually involved in developmental processes, including cellular proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, these transcription factors often play crucial roles in regulating growth, development, and differentiation in eukaryotes. Aspergillus species fungi are widely distributed in the environment, and they play important roles not only in the decomposition of organic matter as an important environmental microorganism but also in the fermentation and the food processing industry. Furthermore, some pathogenic fungi, such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus, affect the environment and human health in important ways. Recent research has shown that some Aspergillus bHLH proteins are significantly involved in the regulation of asexual and sexual reproduction, secondary metabolite production, carbohydrate metabolism, conidial and sclerotial production, among other processes. Here, we review the regulatory mechanisms and biological functions of the bHLH transcription factors of the Aspergillus genus to provide a theoretical reference for further study on the growth and development of Aspergillus and the functions of bHLHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Teng Wang
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xing-Ye Yu
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun-Jia Zhu
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Miao Zhuang
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi-Min Zhang
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Long Jin
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng-Jie Jin
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China.
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Ghorbel D, Hadrich I, Neji S, Trabelsi H, Belaaj H, Sellami H, Cheikhrouhou F, Makni F, Ayadi A. Detection of virulence factors and antifungal susceptibility of human and avian Aspergillusflavus isolates. J Mycol Med 2019; 29:292-302. [PMID: 31570304 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2019.100900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillusflavus is the second leading cause of invasive and non-invasive aspergillosis. Secretion of hydrolytic enzymes is considered as a virulence factor in this species. Our work aimed to study in vitro production of some virulence factors, to evaluate the biofilm production against human and avian A. flavus isolates and to investigate the antifungal susceptibility agents. Hydrolytic enzymes, biofilm production and molecular typing were studied for 62 human and 36 avian A. flavus isolates by specific solid media and six microsatellite markers. The susceptibility to antifungal agents was evaluated for 37 human isolates. All human and avian A. flavus isolates showed positive activities of extracellular hydrolase: phospholipase, protease and hemolysin. A positive elastase activity was seen in 64.51% of human A. flavus isolates and 86.1% of avian A. flavus isolates. All A. flavus in these two populations formed biofilms. Statistical significant difference was observed for the mean phospholipase activities (P=0.025) and biofilm quantification (P=0.0001) between human and avian A. flavus isolates. The in vitro susceptibility results showed a resistance in 83.7%, 81.08% and 16.21% of A. flavus isolates respectively to amphotericin B, itraconazole and posaconazole. No association was noted between all virulence factors and the genotypes of human and avian isolates. Our study allowed us to show that human strains have a higher production of extracellular hydrolases and biofilm then avian strains. These virulence factors appear to act synergistically to contribute to the virulence of A. flavus strains. Moreover, significant correlation between virulence patterns and antifungal susceptibility profiles was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Ghorbel
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, university of Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - I Hadrich
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, university of Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - S Neji
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, university of Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - H Trabelsi
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, university of Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - H Belaaj
- Hematology department, UH Hedi Chaker, Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - H Sellami
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, university of Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - F Cheikhrouhou
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, university of Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - F Makni
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, university of Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - A Ayadi
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, university of Sfax, Tunisia.
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Seidl MF, Van den Ackerveken G. Activity and Phylogenetics of the Broadly Occurring Family of Microbial Nep1-Like Proteins. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2019; 57:367-386. [PMID: 31283435 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-phyto-082718-100054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Necrosis- and ethylene-inducing peptide 1 (Nep1)-like proteins (NLP) have an extremely broad taxonomic distribution; they occur in bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes. NLPs come in two forms, those that are cytotoxic to eudicot plants and those that are noncytotoxic. Cytotoxic NLPs bind to glycosyl inositol phosphoryl ceramide (GIPC) sphingolipids that are abundant in the outer leaflet of plant plasma membranes. Binding allows the NLP to become cytolytic in eudicots but not monocots. The function of noncytotoxic NLPs remains enigmatic, but the expansion of NLP genes in oomycete genomes suggests they are important. Several plant species have evolved the capacity to recognize NLPs as molecular patterns and trigger plant immunity, e.g., Arabidopsis thaliana detects nlp peptides via the receptor-like protein RLP23. In this review, we provide a historical perspective from discovery to understanding of molecular mechanisms and describe the latest developments in the NLP field to shed light on these fascinating microbial proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Seidl
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Guido Van den Ackerveken
- Plant-Microbe Interactions, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands;
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80
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Naranjo‐Ortiz MA, Gabaldón T. Fungal evolution: major ecological adaptations and evolutionary transitions. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1443-1476. [PMID: 31021528 PMCID: PMC6850671 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are a highly diverse group of heterotrophic eukaryotes characterized by the absence of phagotrophy and the presence of a chitinous cell wall. While unicellular fungi are far from rare, part of the evolutionary success of the group resides in their ability to grow indefinitely as a cylindrical multinucleated cell (hypha). Armed with these morphological traits and with an extremely high metabolical diversity, fungi have conquered numerous ecological niches and have shaped a whole world of interactions with other living organisms. Herein we survey the main evolutionary and ecological processes that have guided fungal diversity. We will first review the ecology and evolution of the zoosporic lineages and the process of terrestrialization, as one of the major evolutionary transitions in this kingdom. Several plausible scenarios have been proposed for fungal terrestralization and we here propose a new scenario, which considers icy environments as a transitory niche between water and emerged land. We then focus on exploring the main ecological relationships of Fungi with other organisms (other fungi, protozoans, animals and plants), as well as the origin of adaptations to certain specialized ecological niches within the group (lichens, black fungi and yeasts). Throughout this review we use an evolutionary and comparative-genomics perspective to understand fungal ecological diversity. Finally, we highlight the importance of genome-enabled inferences to envision plausible narratives and scenarios for important transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Naranjo‐Ortiz
- Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyDr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona08003Spain
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyDr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona08003Spain
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)08003BarcelonaSpain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 2308010BarcelonaSpain
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81
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Romsdahl J, Wang CCC. Recent advances in the genome mining of Aspergillus secondary metabolites (covering 2012-2018). MEDCHEMCOMM 2019; 10:840-866. [PMID: 31303983 PMCID: PMC6590338 DOI: 10.1039/c9md00054b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Secondary metabolites (SMs) produced by filamentous fungi possess diverse bioactivities that make them excellent drug candidates. Whole genome sequencing has revealed that fungi have the capacity to produce a far greater number of SMs than have been isolated, since many of the genes involved in SM biosynthesis are either silent or expressed at very low levels in standard laboratory conditions. There has been significant effort to activate SM biosynthetic genes and link them to their downstream products, as the SMs produced by these "cryptic" pathways offer a promising source for new drug discovery. Further, an understanding of the genes involved in SM biosynthesis facilitates product yield optimization of first-generation molecules and genetic engineering of second-generation analogs. This review covers advances made in genome mining SMs produced by Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus terreus in the past six years (2012-2018). Genetic identification and molecular characterization of SM biosynthetic gene clusters, along with proposed biosynthetic pathways, will be discussed in depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Romsdahl
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences , School of Pharmacy , University of Southern California , 1985 Zonal Avenue , Los Angeles , CA 90089 , USA . ; Tel: (323) 442 1670
| | - Clay C C Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences , School of Pharmacy , University of Southern California , 1985 Zonal Avenue , Los Angeles , CA 90089 , USA . ; Tel: (323) 442 1670
- Department of Chemistry , Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences , University of Southern California , 3551 Trousdale Pkwy , Los Angeles , CA 90089 , USA
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82
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Manfiolli AO, Mattos EC, de Assis LJ, Silva LP, Ulaş M, Brown NA, Silva-Rocha R, Bayram Ö, Goldman GH. Aspergillus fumigatus High Osmolarity Glycerol Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases SakA and MpkC Physically Interact During Osmotic and Cell Wall Stresses. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:918. [PMID: 31134001 PMCID: PMC6514138 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillusfumigatus, a saprophytic filamentous fungus, is a serious opportunistic pathogen of mammals and it is the primary causal agent of invasive aspergillosis (IA). Mitogen activated protein Kinases (MAPKs) are important components involved in diverse cellular processes in eukaryotes. A. fumigatus MpkC and SakA, the homologs of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hog1 are important to adaptations to oxidative and osmotic stresses, heat shock, cell wall damage, macrophage recognition, and full virulence. We performed protein pull-down experiments aiming to identify interaction partners of SakA and MpkC by mass spectrometry analysis. In presence of osmotic stress with sorbitol, 118, and 213 proteins were detected as possible protein interactors of SakA and MpkC, respectively. Under cell wall stress caused by congo red, 420 and 299 proteins were detected interacting with SakA and MpkC, respectively. Interestingly, a group of 78 and 256 proteins were common to both interactome analysis. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) experiments showed that SakA::GFP is physically associated with MpkC:3xHA upon osmotic and cell wall stresses. We also validated the association between SakA:GFP and the cell wall integrity MAPK MpkA:3xHA and the phosphatase PtcB:3xHA, under cell wall stress. We further characterized A. fumigatus PakA, the homolog of the S. cerevisiae sexual developmental serine/threonine kinase Ste20, as a component of the SakA/MpkC MAPK pathway. The ΔpakA strain is more sensitive to cell wall damaging agents as congo red, calcofluor white, and caspofungin. Together, our data supporting the hypothesis that SakA and MpkC are part of an osmotic and general signal pathways involved in regulation of the response to the cell wall damage, oxidative stress, drug resistance, and establishment of infection. This manuscript describes an important biological resource to understand SakA and MpkC protein interactions. Further investigation of the biological roles played by these protein interactors will provide more opportunities to understand and combat IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Oliveira Manfiolli
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Eliciane Cevolani Mattos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Leandro José de Assis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Lilian Pereira Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Mevlüt Ulaş
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Neil Andrew Brown
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Rafael Silva-Rocha
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Özgür Bayram
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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83
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Fang W, Latgé JP. Microbe Profile: Aspergillus fumigatus: a saprotrophic and opportunistic fungal pathogen. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2019; 164:1009-1011. [PMID: 30066670 PMCID: PMC6152418 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprotrophic fungus that continuously disseminates spores (conidia) into the environment. It is also the most common and opportunistic aerial fungal pathogen, causing allergic and chronic lung pathologies including the fatal invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. The pathobiology of aspergillosis is complex and depends on the competence of the host immune system. Moreover, A. fumigatus has become a model to study unique features of fungi. This includes the fungal cell wall, which not only acts as a rigid skeleton for protection against hostile environments but also plays significant roles during infection by manipulating the host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxia Fang
- 1National Engineering Research Center for Non-Food Biorefinery, State Key Laboratory of Non-Food Biomass and Enzyme Technology, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-refinery, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, PR China
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Huang J, Ma Z, Zhong G, Sheppard DC, Lu L, Zhang S. The mitochondrial thiamine pyrophosphate transporter TptA promotes adaptation to low iron conditions and virulence in fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Virulence 2019; 10:234-247. [PMID: 30880633 PMCID: PMC6527022 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1596505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the most prevalent airborne fungal pathogen that causes invasive fungal infections in immunosuppressed individuals. Adaptation to iron limited conditions is crucial for A. fumigatus virulence. To identify novel genes that play roles in adaptation to low iron conditions we performed an insertional mutagenesis screen in A. fumigatus. Using this approach, we identified the tptA gene in A. fumigatus, which shares homology with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae thiamine pyrophosphate (ThPP) transporter encoding gene tpc1. Heterologous expression of tpc1 in the tptA deletion mutant completely restored the ThPP auxotrophy phenotype, suggesting that Tpc1 and TptA are functional orthologues. Importantly, TptA was required for adaptation to low iron conditions in A. fumigatus. The ΔtptA mutant had decreased resistance to the iron chelator bathophenanthroline disulfonate (BPS) with severe growth defects. Moreover, loss of tptA decreased the expression of hapX, which is a major transcription factor indispensable for adaptation to iron starvation in A. fumigatus. Overexpression of hapX in the ΔtptA strain greatly rescued the growth defect and siderophore production by A. fumigatus in iron-depleted conditions. Mutagenesis experiments demonstrated that the conserved residues related to ThPP uptake in TptA were also required for low iron adaptation. Furthermore, TptA-mediated adaptation to low iron conditions was found to be dependent on carbon sources. Finally, loss of tptA resulted in the attenuation of virulence in a murine model of aspergillosis. Taken together, this study demonstrated that the mitochondrial ThPP transporter TptA promotes low iron adaptation and virulence in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Huang
- a Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences , Nanjing Normal University , Nanjing , China
| | - Zhihua Ma
- a Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences , Nanjing Normal University , Nanjing , China
| | - Guowei Zhong
- b Department of Hygiene Analysis and Detection, School of Public Health , Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Donald C Sheppard
- c Departments of Medicine, Microbiology & Immunology , McGill University , Montréal , QC , Canada.,d Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program , Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre , Montreal , QC , Canada
| | - Ling Lu
- a Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences , Nanjing Normal University , Nanjing , China
| | - Shizhu Zhang
- a Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences , Nanjing Normal University , Nanjing , China
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85
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Menacing Mold: Recent Advances in Aspergillus Pathogenesis and Host Defense. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:4229-4246. [PMID: 30954573 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The genus Aspergillus is ubiquitous in the environment and contains a number of species, primarily A. fumigatus, that cause mold-associated disease in humans. Humans inhale several hundred to several thousand Aspergillus conidia (i.e., vegetative spores) daily and typically clear these in an asymptomatic manner. In immunocompromised individuals, Aspergillus conidia can germinate into tissue-invasive hyphae, disseminate, and cause invasive aspergillosis. In this review, we first discuss novel concepts in host defense against Aspergillus infections and emphasize new insights in fungal recognition and signaling, innate immune activation, and fungal killing. Second, the review focuses on novel concepts of Aspergillus pathogenesis and highlights emerging knowledge regarding fungal strain heterogeneity, stress responses, and metabolic adaptations on infectious outcomes. Mechanistic insight into the host-pathogen interplay is thus critical to define novel druggable fungal targets and to exploit novel immune-based strategies to improve clinical outcomes associated with aspergillosis in vulnerable patient populations.
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86
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Sabino R, Veríssimo C, Viegas C, Viegas S, Brandão J, Alves-Correia M, Borrego LM, Clemons KV, Stevens DA, Richardson M. The role of occupational Aspergillus exposure in the development of diseases. Med Mycol 2019; 57:S196-S205. [PMID: 30816970 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myy090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus spp. have a high nutritional versatility and good growth on a large variety of construction materials. They also colonize soil or food, but decaying vegetation is their primary ecological niche. Therefore, exposure to fungi may occur at home, during hospitalization, during specific leisure activities, or at the workplace. The development of Aspergillus infections depends on the interplay between host susceptibility and the organism. Environments with high counts of fungal elements (conidia, hyphal fragments and others), high levels of bioarerosols, and elevated concentrations of mycotoxins or other volatile organic compounds should be considered as potential hazards, since they may present a risk to the exposed person. Rural tasks as well as work related to wood and food industries, poultries, swineries, waste handling plants, and other occupational environments involving contaminated organic material are among the ones posing higher respiratory risks to the workers. This paper presents a review of several studies related to occupational and indoor exposure to Aspergillus, potential health effects related to that exposure, and associated exposure assessment procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Sabino
- Nacional Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge - URSZ- Infectious Diseases Department, Lisbon, Portugal.,Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa
| | - Cristina Veríssimo
- Nacional Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge - URSZ- Infectious Diseases Department, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carla Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
| | - Susana Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
| | - João Brandão
- Nacional Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge - Department of Environmental Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Luís-Miguel Borrego
- Allergy Unit, CUF Descobertas Hospital, Lisbon.,The Chronic Diseases Research Center, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School / Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Karl V Clemons
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States.,California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, California, United States
| | - David A Stevens
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States.,California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, California, United States
| | - Malcolm Richardson
- Mycology Reference Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.,Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
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87
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Monk BC, Sagatova AA, Hosseini P, Ruma YN, Wilson RK, Keniya MV. Fungal Lanosterol 14α-demethylase: A target for next-generation antifungal design. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2019; 1868:140206. [PMID: 30851431 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The cytochrome P450 enzyme lanosterol 14α-demethylase (LDM) is the target of the azole antifungals used widely in medicine and agriculture as prophylaxis or treatments of infections or diseases caused by fungal pathogens. These drugs and agrochemicals contain an imidazole, triazole or tetrazole substituent, with one of the nitrogens in the azole ring coordinating as the sixth axial ligand to the LDM heme iron. Structural studies show that this membrane bound enzyme contains a relatively rigid ligand binding pocket comprised of a deeply buried heme-containing active site together with a substrate entry channel and putative product exit channel that reach to the membrane. Within the ligand binding pocket the azole antifungals have additional affinity determining interactions with hydrophobic side-chains, the polypeptide backbone and via water-mediated hydrogen bond networks. This review will describe the tools that can be used to identify and characterise the next generation of antifungals targeting LDM, with the goal of obtaining highly potent broad-spectrum fungicides that will be able to avoid target and drug efflux mediated antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C Monk
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
| | - Alia A Sagatova
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Parham Hosseini
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Yasmeen N Ruma
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Rajni K Wilson
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Mikhail V Keniya
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
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88
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Brown AJ, Gow NA, Warris A, Brown GD. Memory in Fungal Pathogens Promotes Immune Evasion, Colonisation, and Infection. Trends Microbiol 2019; 27:219-230. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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89
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Mead ME, Knowles SL, Raja HA, Beattie SR, Kowalski CH, Steenwyk JL, Silva LP, Chiaratto J, Ries LNA, Goldman GH, Cramer RA, Oberlies NH, Rokas A. Characterizing the Pathogenic, Genomic, and Chemical Traits of Aspergillus fischeri, a Close Relative of the Major Human Fungal Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. mSphere 2019; 4:e00018-19. [PMID: 30787113 PMCID: PMC6382966 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00018-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fischeri is closely related to Aspergillus fumigatus, the major cause of invasive mold infections. Even though A. fischeri is commonly found in diverse environments, including hospitals, it rarely causes invasive disease. Why A. fischeri causes less human disease than A. fumigatus is unclear. A comparison of A. fischeri and A. fumigatus for pathogenic, genomic, and secondary metabolic traits revealed multiple differences in pathogenesis-related phenotypes. We observed that A. fischeri NRRL 181 is less virulent than A. fumigatus strain CEA10 in multiple animal models of disease, grows slower in low-oxygen environments, and is more sensitive to oxidative stress. Strikingly, the observed differences for some traits are of the same order of magnitude as those previously reported between A. fumigatus strains. In contrast, similar to what has previously been reported, the two species exhibit high genomic similarity; ∼90% of the A. fumigatus proteome is conserved in A. fischeri, including 48/49 genes known to be involved in A. fumigatus virulence. However, only 10/33 A. fumigatus biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) likely involved in secondary metabolite production are conserved in A. fischeri and only 13/48 A. fischeri BGCs are conserved in A. fumigatus Detailed chemical characterization of A. fischeri cultures grown on multiple substrates identified multiple secondary metabolites, including two new compounds and one never before isolated as a natural product. Additionally, an A. fischeri deletion mutant of laeA, a master regulator of secondary metabolism, produced fewer secondary metabolites and in lower quantities, suggesting that regulation of secondary metabolism is at least partially conserved. These results suggest that the nonpathogenic A. fischeri possesses many of the genes important for A. fumigatus pathogenicity but is divergent with respect to its ability to thrive under host-relevant conditions and its secondary metabolism.IMPORTANCEAspergillus fumigatus is the primary cause of aspergillosis, a devastating ensemble of diseases associated with severe morbidity and mortality worldwide. A. fischeri is a close relative of A. fumigatus but is not generally observed to cause human disease. To gain insights into the underlying causes of this remarkable difference in pathogenicity, we compared two representative strains (one from each species) for a range of pathogenesis-relevant biological and chemical characteristics. We found that disease progression in multiple A. fischeri mouse models was slower and caused less mortality than A. fumigatus Remarkably, the observed differences between A. fischeri and A. fumigatus strains examined here closely resembled those previously described for two commonly studied A. fumigatus strains, AF293 and CEA10. A. fischeri and A. fumigatus exhibited different growth profiles when placed in a range of stress-inducing conditions encountered during infection, such as low levels of oxygen and the presence of chemicals that induce the production of reactive oxygen species. We also found that the vast majority of A. fumigatus genes known to be involved in virulence are conserved in A. fischeri, whereas the two species differ significantly in their secondary metabolic pathways. These similarities and differences that we report here are the first step toward understanding the evolutionary origin of a major fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Mead
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sonja L Knowles
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Huzefa A Raja
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sarah R Beattie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Caitlin H Kowalski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Jacob L Steenwyk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Lilian P Silva
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jessica Chiaratto
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Laure N A Ries
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Robert A Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Nicholas H Oberlies
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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90
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Klebsiella pneumoniae prevents spore germination and hyphal development of Aspergillus species. Sci Rep 2019; 9:218. [PMID: 30659217 PMCID: PMC6338788 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36524-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Different bacteria and fungi live as commensal organisms as part of the human microbiota, but shifts to a pathogenic state potentially leading to septic infections commonly occur in immunocompromised individuals. Several studies have reported synergistic or antagonistic interactions between individual bacteria and fungi which might be of clinical relevance. Here, we present first evidence for the interaction between Klebsiella pneumoniae and several Aspergillus species including A. fumigatus, A. terreus, A. niger and A. flavus which cohabit in the lungs and the intestines. Microbiological and molecular methods were employed to investigate the interaction in vitro, and the results indicate that Klebsiella pneumoniae is able to prevent Aspergillus spp. spore germination and hyphal development. The inhibitory effect is reversible, as demonstrated by growth recovery of Aspergillus spp. upon inhibition or elimination of the bacteria, and is apparently dependent on the physical interaction with metabolically active bacteria. Molecular analysis of Klebsiella-Aspergillus interaction has shown upregulation of Aspergillus cell wall-related genes and downregulation of hyphae-related genes, suggesting that Klebsiella induces cell wall stress response mechanisms and suppresses filamentous growth. Characterization of polymicrobial interactions may provide the basis for improved clinical management of mixed infections by setting the stage for appropriate diagnostics and ultimately for optimized treatment strategies.
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91
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Blachowicz A, Chiang AJ, Romsdahl J, Kalkum M, Wang CCC, Venkateswaran K. Proteomic characterization of Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from air and surfaces of the International Space Station. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 124:39-46. [PMID: 30611835 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The on-going Microbial Observatory Experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) revealed the presence of various microorganisms that may be affected by the distinct environment of the ISS. The low-nutrient environment combined with enhanced irradiation and microgravity may trigger changes in the molecular suite of microorganisms leading to increased virulence and resistance of microbes. Proteomic characterization of two Aspergillus fumigatus strains, ISSFT-021 and IF1SW-F4, isolated from HEPA filter debris and cupola surface of the ISS, respectively, is presented, along with a comparison to well-studied clinical isolates Af293 and CEA10. In-depth analysis highlights variations in the proteome of both ISS-isolated strains when compared to the clinical strains. Proteins that showed increased abundance in ISS isolates were overall involved in stress responses, and carbohydrate and secondary metabolism. Among the most abundant proteins were Pst2 and ArtA involved in oxidative stress response, PdcA and AcuE responsible for ethanol fermentation and glyoxylate cycle, respectively, TpcA, TpcF, and TpcK that are part of trypacidin biosynthetic pathway, and a toxin Asp-hemolysin. This report provides insight into possible molecular adaptation of filamentous fungi to the unique ISS environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Blachowicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Abby J Chiang
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jillian Romsdahl
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Clay C C Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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92
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Dietl AM, Binder U, Shadkchan Y, Osherov N, Haas H. Siroheme Is Essential for Assimilation of Nitrate and Sulfate as Well as Detoxification of Nitric Oxide but Dispensable for Murine Virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2615. [PMID: 30483221 PMCID: PMC6240589 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The saprophytic mold Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common airborne fungal pathogen causing severe invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Siroheme is a heme-like prosthetic group used by plants and microorganisms for sulfate and nitrate assimilation but is absent in higher eukaryotes. Here, we investigated the role of siroheme in A. fumigatus by deletion of the gene encoding the bifunctional dehydrogenase/ferrochelatase enzyme Met8. Met8-deficiency resulted in the inability to utilize sulfate and nitrate as sulfur and nitrogen sources, respectively. These results match previous data demonstrating that siroheme is an essential cofactor for nitrite and sulfite reductases. Moreover, Met8-deficiency caused significantly decreased resistance against nitric oxide (NO) underlining the importance of nitrite reductase in NO detoxification. Met8-deficiency did not affect virulence in murine models for invasive aspergillosis indicating that neither NO-detoxification nor assimilation of sulfate and nitrate play major roles in virulence in this host. Interestingly, Met8-deficiency resulted in mild virulence attenuation in the Galleria mellonella infection model revealing differences in interaction of A. fumigatus with G. mellonella and mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Maria Dietl
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ulrike Binder
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Yana Shadkchan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Nir Osherov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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93
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Long N, Orasch T, Zhang S, Gao L, Xu X, Hortschansky P, Ye J, Zhang F, Xu K, Gsaller F, Straßburger M, Binder U, Heinekamp T, Brakhage AA, Haas H, Lu L. The Zn2Cys6-type transcription factor LeuB cross-links regulation of leucine biosynthesis and iron acquisition in Aspergillus fumigatus. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007762. [PMID: 30365497 PMCID: PMC6221358 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Both branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and iron are essential nutrients for eukaryotic cells. Previously, the Zn2Cys6-type transcription factor Leu3/LeuB was shown to play a crucial role in regulation of BCAA biosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus nidulans. In this study, we found that the A. fumigatus homolog LeuB is involved in regulation of not only BCAA biosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism but also iron acquisition including siderophore metabolism. Lack of LeuB caused a growth defect, which was cured by supplementation with leucine or iron. Moreover, simultaneous inactivation of LeuB and HapX, a bZIP transcription factor required for adaptation to iron starvation, significantly aggravated the growth defect caused by inactivation of one of these regulators during iron starvation. In agreement with a direct role in regulation of both BCAA and iron metabolism, LeuB was found to bind to phylogenetically conserved motifs in promoters of genes involved in BCAA biosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, and iron acquisition in vitro and in vivo, and was required for full activation of their expression. Lack of LeuB also caused activation of protease activity and autophagy via leucine depletion. Moreover, LeuB inactivation resulted in virulence attenuation of A. fumigatus in Galleria mellonella. Taken together, this study identified a previously uncharacterized direct cross-regulation of BCCA biosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism and iron homeostasis as well as proteolysis. Adaptation to the host niche is an essential attribute of pathogens. Here we found that the Zn2Cys6-type transcription factor LeuB cross-regulates branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, iron acquisition via siderophores, and proteasome activity in the mold Aspergillus fumigatus. Lack of this regulatory circuit impaired virulence in an insect infection model. Mammals do neither express Zn2Cys6-type transcription factors nor have the capacity to produce branched-chain amino acids or siderophores. Consequently, this regulatory circuit is a paradigm for fungal pathogen-specific adaptation to the host niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanbiao Long
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, China
| | - Thomas Orasch
- Division of Molecular Biology/Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Shizhu Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoling Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peter Hortschansky
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), and Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Jing Ye
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fenli Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kai Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fabio Gsaller
- Division of Molecular Biology/Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maria Straßburger
- Transfer Group Anti-infectives, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Ulrike Binder
- Division of Hygiene & Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thorsten Heinekamp
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), and Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), and Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Division of Molecular Biology/Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain, Innsbruck, Austria
- * E-mail: (HH); (LL)
| | - Ling Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (HH); (LL)
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94
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Szalewski DA, Hinrichs VS, Zinniel DK, Barletta RG. The pathogenicity ofAspergillus fumigatus, drug resistance, and nanoparticle delivery. Can J Microbiol 2018; 64:439-453. [DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2017-0749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The genus Aspergillus includes fungal species that cause major health issues of significant economic importance. These microorganisms are also the culprit for production of carcinogenic aflatoxins in grain storages, contaminating crops, and economically straining the production process. Aspergillus fumigatus is a very important pathogenic species, being responsible for high human morbidity and mortality on a global basis. The prevalence of these infections in immunosuppressed individuals is on the rise, and physicians struggle with the diagnosis of these deadly pathogens. Several virulence determinants facilitate fungal invasion and evasion of the host immune response. Metabolic functions are also important for virulence and drug resistance, since they allow fungi to obtain nutrients for their own survival and growth. Following a positive diagnostic identification, mortality rates remain high due, in part, to emerging resistance to frequently used antifungal drugs. In this review, we discuss the role of the main virulence, drug target, and drug resistance determinants. We conclude with the review of new technologies being developed to treat aspergillosis. In particular, microsphere and nanoparticle delivery systems are discussed in the context of improving drug bioavailability. Aspergillus will likely continue to cause problematic infections in immunocompromised patients, so it is imperative to improve treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Szalewski
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0726, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0664, USA
| | - Victoria S. Hinrichs
- College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0702, USA
| | - Denise K. Zinniel
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0905, USA
| | - Raúl G. Barletta
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0905, USA
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95
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Cai Z, Du W, Zhang Z, Guan L, Zeng Q, Chai Y, Dai C, Lu L. TheAspergillus fumigatustranscription factor AceA is involved not only in Cu but also in Zn detoxification through regulating transporters CrpA and ZrcA. Cell Microbiol 2018; 20:e12864. [DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhendong Cai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology; College of Life Sciences; Nanjing Normal University; Nanjing China
| | - Wenlong Du
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology; College of Life Sciences; Nanjing Normal University; Nanjing China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine; Nanjing University; Nanjing China
| | - Luyu Guan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology; College of Life Sciences; Nanjing Normal University; Nanjing China
| | - Qiuqiong Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine; Nanjing University; Nanjing China
| | - Yanfei Chai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology; College of Life Sciences; Nanjing Normal University; Nanjing China
| | - Chuanchao Dai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology; College of Life Sciences; Nanjing Normal University; Nanjing China
| | - Ling Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology; College of Life Sciences; Nanjing Normal University; Nanjing China
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96
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Ogawara H. Comparison of Strategies to Overcome Drug Resistance: Learning from Various Kingdoms. Molecules 2018; 23:E1476. [PMID: 29912169 PMCID: PMC6100412 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance, especially antibiotic resistance, is a growing threat to human health. To overcome this problem, it is significant to know precisely the mechanisms of drug resistance and/or self-resistance in various kingdoms, from bacteria through plants to animals, once more. This review compares the molecular mechanisms of the resistance against phycotoxins, toxins from marine and terrestrial animals, plants and fungi, and antibiotics. The results reveal that each kingdom possesses the characteristic features. The main mechanisms in each kingdom are transporters/efflux pumps in phycotoxins, mutation and modification of targets and sequestration in marine and terrestrial animal toxins, ABC transporters and sequestration in plant toxins, transporters in fungal toxins, and various or mixed mechanisms in antibiotics. Antibiotic producers in particular make tremendous efforts for avoiding suicide, and are more flexible and adaptable to the changes of environments. With these features in mind, potential alternative strategies to overcome these resistance problems are discussed. This paper will provide clues for solving the issues of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Ogawara
- HO Bio Institute, Yushima-2, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0034, Japan.
- Department of Biochemistry, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Noshio-2, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan.
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97
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Kurucz V, Krüger T, Antal K, Dietl AM, Haas H, Pócsi I, Kniemeyer O, Emri T. Additional oxidative stress reroutes the global response of Aspergillus fumigatus to iron depletion. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:357. [PMID: 29747589 PMCID: PMC5946477 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4730-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aspergillus fumigatus has to cope with a combination of several stress types while colonizing the human body. A functional interplay between these different stress responses can increase the chances of survival for this opportunistic human pathogen during the invasion of its host. In this study, we shed light on how the H2O2-induced oxidative stress response depends on the iron available to this filamentous fungus, using transcriptomic analysis, proteomic profiles, and growth assays. RESULTS The applied H2O2 treatment, which induced only a negligible stress response in iron-replete cultures, deleteriously affected the fungus under iron deprivation. The majority of stress-induced changes in gene and protein expression was not predictable from data coming from individual stress exposure and was only characteristic for the combination of oxidative stress plus iron deprivation. Our experimental data suggest that the physiological effects of combined stresses and the survival of the fungus highly depend on fragile balances between economization of iron and production of essential iron-containing proteins. One observed strategy was the overproduction of iron-independent antioxidant proteins to combat oxidative stress during iron deprivation, e.g. the upregulation of superoxide dismutase Sod1, the thioredoxin reductase Trr1, and the thioredoxin orthologue Afu5g11320. On the other hand, oxidative stress induction overruled iron deprivation-mediated repression of several genes. In agreement with the gene expression data, growth studies underlined that in A. fumigatus iron deprivation aggravates oxidative stress susceptibility. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that studying stress responses under separate single stress conditions is not sufficient to understand how A. fumigatus adapts in a complex and hostile habitat like the human body. The combinatorial stress of iron depletion and hydrogen peroxide caused clear non-additive effects upon the stress response of A. fumigatus. Our data further supported the view that the ability of A. fumigatus to cause diseases in humans strongly depends on its fitness attributes and less on specific virulence factors. In summary, A. fumigatus is able to mount and coordinate complex and efficient responses to combined stresses like iron deprivation plus H2O2-induced oxidative stress, which are exploited by immune cells to kill fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Kurucz
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen, H-4032 Hungary
| | - Thomas Krüger
- Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Károly Antal
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Eszterházy Károly University, Eszterházy tér 1, Eger, H-3300 Hungary
| | - Anna-Maria Dietl
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, A6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, A6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen, H-4032 Hungary
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Tamás Emri
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen, H-4032 Hungary
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98
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Bakti F, Sasse C, Heinekamp T, Pócsi I, Braus GH. Heavy Metal-Induced Expression of PcaA Provides Cadmium Tolerance to Aspergillus fumigatus and Supports Its Virulence in the Galleria mellonella Model. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:744. [PMID: 29706948 PMCID: PMC5909057 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Most of the metal transporters in Aspergillus fumigatus are yet uncharacterized. Their role in fungal metabolism and virulence remains unclear. This paper describes the novel PIB-type cation ATPase PcaA, which links metal homeostasis and heavy metal tolerance in the opportunistic human pathogen A. fumigatus. The protein possesses conserved ATPase motif and shares 51% amino acid sequence identity with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cadmium exporter Pca1p. A pcaA deletion, an overexpression and a gfp-pcaA complementation strain of A. fumigatus were constructed and their heavy metal susceptibilities were studied. The pcaA knock out strain showed drastically decreased cadmium tolerance, however, its growth was not affected by the exposure to high concentrations of copper, iron, zinc, or silver ions. Although the lack of PcaA had no effect on copper adaption, we demonstrated that not only cadmium but also copper ions are able to induce the transcription of pcaA in A. fumigatus wild type Af293. Similarly, cadmium and copper ions could induce the copper exporting ATPase crpA. These data imply a general response on the transcriptomic level to heavy metals in A. fumigatus through the induction of detoxification systems. Confocal microscopy of the gfp-pcaA complementation strain expressing functional GFP-PcaA supports the predicted membrane localization of PcaA. The GFP-PcaA fusion protein is located in the plasma membrane of A. fumigatus in the presence of cadmium ions. Virulence assays support a function of PcaA for virulence of A. fumigatus in the Galleria mellonella wax moth larvae model, which might be linked to the elimination of reactive oxygen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fruzsina Bakti
- Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Christoph Sasse
- Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thorsten Heinekamp
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gerhard H Braus
- Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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99
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Aspergillus fumigatus Afssn3-Afssn8 Pair Reverse Regulates Azole Resistance by Conferring Extracellular Polysaccharide, Sphingolipid Pathway Intermediates, and Efflux Pumps to Biofilm. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.01978-17. [PMID: 29311083 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01978-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Antifungal treatment is often ineffectual, partly because of biofilm formation. In this study, by using a combined forward and reverse genetic strategy, we identified that nucleus-localized AfSsn3 and its partner AfSsn8, which constitute a Cdk8-cyclin pair, are required for azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus Deletion of Afssn3 led to increased absorption and utilization of glucose and amino acids. Interestingly, absorption and utilization of glucose accelerated the extracellular polysaccharide formation, while utilization of the amino acids serine, threonine, and glycine increased sphingolipid pathway intermediate accumulation. In addition, the absence of Afssn3 induced the activity of the efflux pump proteins. These factors indicate the mature biofilm is responsible for the major mechanisms of A. fumigatus resistance to azoles in the ΔAfssn3 mutant. Collectively, the loss of Afssn3 led to two "barrier" layers between the intracellular and extracellular spaces, which consequently decreased drug penetration into the cell.
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100
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Guruceaga X, Ezpeleta G, Mayayo E, Sueiro-Olivares M, Abad-Diaz-De-Cerio A, Aguirre Urízar JM, Liu HG, Wiemann P, Bok JW, Filler SG, Keller NP, Hernando FL, Ramirez-Garcia A, Rementeria A. A possible role for fumagillin in cellular damage during host infection by Aspergillus fumigatus. Virulence 2018; 9:1548-1561. [PMID: 30251593 PMCID: PMC6177242 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2018.1526528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Virulence mechanisms of the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus are multifactorial and depend on the immune state of the host, but little is known about the fungal mechanism that develops during the process of lung invasion. In this study, microarray technology was combined with a histopathology evaluation of infected lungs so that the invasion strategy followed by the fungus could be described. To achieve this, an intranasal mice infection was performed to extract daily fungal samples from the infected lungs over four days post-infection. The pathological study revealed a heavy fungal progression throughout the lung, reaching the blood vessels on the third day after exposure and causing tissue necrosis. One percent of the fungal genome followed a differential expression pattern during this process. Strikingly, most of the genes of the intertwined fumagillin/pseurotin biosynthetic gene cluster were upregulated as were genes encoding lytic enzymes such as lipases, proteases (DppIV, DppV, Asp f 1 or Asp f 5) and chitinase (chiB1) as well as three genes related with pyomelanin biosynthesis process. Furthermore, we demonstrate that fumagillin is produced in an in vitro pneumocyte cell line infection model and that loss of fumagillin synthesis reduces epithelial cell damage. These results suggest that fumagillin contributes to tissue damage during invasive aspergillosis. Therefore, it is probable that A. fumigatus progresses through the lungs via the production of the mycotoxin fumagillin combined with the secretion of lytic enzymes that allow fungal growth, angioinvasion and the disruption of the lung parenchymal structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Guruceaga
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Guillermo Ezpeleta
- Preventive Medicine and Hospital Hygiene Service, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Emilio Mayayo
- Pathology Unit, Medicine and Health Science Faculty, University of Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Monica Sueiro-Olivares
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Ana Abad-Diaz-De-Cerio
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - José Manuel Aguirre Urízar
- Department of Stomatology II, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Hong G. Liu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Philipp Wiemann
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jin Woo Bok
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Scott G. Filler
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nancy P. Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Fernando L. Hernando
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Andoni Ramirez-Garcia
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Aitor Rementeria
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
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