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Jiang L, Yan H. Cloning and biochemical characterization of a recombinant chitinase encoded by the CHT4 gene from Candida albicans. Protein Expr Purif 2023; 211:106343. [PMID: 37536579 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2023.106343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
As one of the major components in the fungal cell wall, chitin is a polymer of β-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine. Chitinases are hydrolytic enzymes that break down glycosidic bonds in the chitin. The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans has three chitinase-encoding genes, CaCHT1, CaCHT2 and CaCHT3. The CaCHT4 gene encodes a protein with the glycoside hydrolase family GH18 domain, Glyco_18, which suggests that CaCht4 might be a chitinase. In the present study, we have cloned, expressed and purified the N-terminally His6-tagged CaCht4 protein from bacterial cells. Further biochemical characterization has shown that this recombinant CaCht4 protein shows both exochitinase (chitobiosidase) and endochitinase activities, but has no N-acetylglucosaminase activity. The optimal temperature for the exochitinase activity of CaCht4 is 55 °C. Taken together, these data support that the CaCHT4 gene encodes a chitinase. Our finding provides a basis for us to understand the biological functions of the CaCHT4 gene in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linghuo Jiang
- Laboratory of Yeast Biology and Fermentation Technology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Technology, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, 530007, China.
| | - Hongbo Yan
- Department of Food Science, School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, China
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2
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Yao S, Feng Y, Zhang Y, Feng J. DNA damage checkpoint and repair: From the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:6343-6354. [PMID: 34938410 PMCID: PMC8645783 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells are constantly challenged by internal or external genotoxic assaults, which may induce a high frequency of DNA lesions, leading to genome instability. Accumulation of damaged DNA is severe or even lethal to cells and can result in abnormal proliferation that can cause cancer in multicellular organisms, aging or cell death. Eukaryotic cells have evolved a comprehensive defence system termed the DNA damage response (DDR) to monitor and remove lesions in their DNA. The DDR has been extensively studied in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Emerging evidence indicates that DDR genes in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans show functional consistency with their orthologs in S. cerevisiae, but may act through distinct mechanisms. In particular, the DDR in C. albicans appears critical for resisting DNA damage stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced from immune cells, and this plays a vital role in pathogenicity. Therefore, DDR genes could be considered as potential targets for clinical therapies. This review summarizes the identified DNA damage checkpoint and repair genes in C. albicans based on their orthologs in S. cerevisiae, and discusses their contribution to pathogenicity in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangyan Yao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
- Nantong Health College of Jiangsu Province, Nantong 226016, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuting Feng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinrong Feng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
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3
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Nunez‐Rodriguez JC, Ruiz‐Roldán C, Lemos P, Membrives S, Hera C. The phosphatase Ptc6 is involved in virulence and MAPK signalling in Fusarium oxysporum. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2020; 21:206-217. [PMID: 31802599 PMCID: PMC6988432 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways are involved in several important processes related to the development and virulence of Fusarium oxysporum. Reversible phosphorylation of the protein members of these pathways is a major regulator of essential biological processes. Among the phosphatases involved in dephosphorylation of MAPKs, type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs) play important roles regulating many developmental strategies and stress responses in yeasts. Nevertheless, the PP2C family is poorly known in filamentous fungi. The F. oxysporum PP2C family includes seven proteins, but only Ptc1 has been studied so far. Here we show the involvement of Ptc6 in the stress response and virulence of F. oxysporum. Expression analysis revealed increased expression of ptc6 in response to cell wall and oxidative stresses. Additionally, targeted inactivation of ptc6 entailed enhanced susceptibility to cell wall stresses caused by Calcofluor White (CFW). We also demonstrate that the lack of Ptc6 deregulates both the Mpk1 phosphorylation induced by CFW and, more importantly, the Fmk1 dephosphorylation induced by pH acidification of the extracellular medium, indicating that Ptc6 is involved in the regulation of these MAPKs. Finally, we showed, for the first time, the involvement of a phosphatase in the invasive growth and virulence of F. oxysporum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carmen Ruiz‐Roldán
- Departamento de GeneticaUniversidad de CordobaCampus de Excelencia Agroalimentario CeiA3Cordoba14071Spain
| | - Pedro Lemos
- Departamento de GeneticaUniversidad de CordobaCampus de Excelencia Agroalimentario CeiA3Cordoba14071Spain
| | - Sergio Membrives
- Departamento de GeneticaUniversidad de CordobaCampus de Excelencia Agroalimentario CeiA3Cordoba14071Spain
| | - Concepcion Hera
- Departamento de GeneticaUniversidad de CordobaCampus de Excelencia Agroalimentario CeiA3Cordoba14071Spain
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4
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Feng J, Shan A, Hu J, Cao Z, Lv R, Feng J. Genetic interaction between Ptc2 and protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) in the regulation of DNA damage response and virulence in Candida albicans. FEMS Yeast Res 2019; 19:5603746. [PMID: 31644792 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foz075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans, phosphoregulation of the checkpoint kinase Rad53 plays a crucial role in the filamentous growth response to genotoxic stresses. The protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) complex, containing Pph3 and either Psy2 or Psy4, is proved to play a critical role in Rad53 dephosphorylation. In previous studies, we characterized CaPtc2 (the ortholog of both Ptc2 and Ptc3 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a potential DNA-damage-related protein phosphatase. In this study, we checked the genetic interaction of PTC2 with the PP4 complex in the DNA damage response pathway. The results suggest that Ptc2 shows a negative genetic interaction with Pph3, but positive genetic interaction with either Psy2 or Psy4 in response to genotoxic stress. Deletion of PTC2 alone resulted in no significant change in cell virulence, but double deletion of PTC2 PPH3 significantly decreased virulence, while double deletions of either PTC2 PSY2 or PTC2 PSY4 caused virulence levels similar to that shown by PSY2 or PSY4 single-gene deletion cells. Taken together, we propose that Ptc2 in C. albicans plays a compensatory role for Pph3 but is dependent on Psy2 and Psy4 in regulation of DNA damage and cell virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Feng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, No.19 Qixiu Road, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Aidi Shan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, No.19 Qixiu Road, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, No.19 Qixiu Road, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Zhenyu Cao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, No.19 Qixiu Road, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Rui Lv
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, No.19 Qixiu Road, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Jinrong Feng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, No.19 Qixiu Road, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, Nantong 226001, China
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5
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Berndsen K, Lis P, Yeshaw WM, Wawro PS, Nirujogi RS, Wightman M, Macartney T, Dorward M, Knebel A, Tonelli F, Pfeffer SR, Alessi DR. PPM1H phosphatase counteracts LRRK2 signaling by selectively dephosphorylating Rab proteins. eLife 2019; 8:e50416. [PMID: 31663853 PMCID: PMC6850886 DOI: 10.7554/elife.50416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations that activate LRRK2 protein kinase cause Parkinson's disease. LRRK2 phosphorylates a subset of Rab GTPases within their Switch-II motif controlling interaction with effectors. An siRNA screen of all human protein phosphatases revealed that a poorly studied protein phosphatase, PPM1H, counteracts LRRK2 signaling by specifically dephosphorylating Rab proteins. PPM1H knockout increased endogenous Rab phosphorylation and inhibited Rab dephosphorylation in human A549 cells. Overexpression of PPM1H suppressed LRRK2-mediated Rab phosphorylation. PPM1H also efficiently and directly dephosphorylated Rab8A in biochemical studies. A "substrate-trapping" PPM1H mutant (Asp288Ala) binds with high affinity to endogenous, LRRK2-phosphorylated Rab proteins, thereby blocking dephosphorylation seen upon addition of LRRK2 inhibitors. PPM1H is localized to the Golgi and its knockdown suppresses primary cilia formation, similar to pathogenic LRRK2. Thus, PPM1H acts as a key modulator of LRRK2 signaling by controlling dephosphorylation of Rab proteins. PPM1H activity enhancers could offer a new therapeutic approach to prevent or treat Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerryn Berndsen
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Pawel Lis
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Wondwossen M Yeshaw
- Department of BiochemistryStanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Paulina S Wawro
- Department of BiochemistryStanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Raja S Nirujogi
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Melanie Wightman
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Thomas Macartney
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Mark Dorward
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Axel Knebel
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Francesca Tonelli
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Suzanne R Pfeffer
- Department of BiochemistryStanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Dario R Alessi
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
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CO 2 Signaling through the Ptc2-Ssn3 Axis Governs Sustained Hyphal Development of Candida albicans by Reducing Ume6 Phosphorylation and Degradation. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.02320-18. [PMID: 30647154 PMCID: PMC6336421 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02320-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most common cause of invasive fungal infections in humans. Its ability to sense and adapt to changing carbon dioxide levels is crucial for its pathogenesis. Carbon dioxide promotes hyphal development. The hypha-specific transcription factor Ume6 is rapidly degraded in air, but is stable under physiological CO2 and hypoxia to sustain hyphal elongation. Here, we show that Ume6 stability is regulated by two parallel E3 ubiquitin ligases, SCFGrr1 and Ubr1, in response to CO2 and O2, respectively. To uncover the CO2 signaling pathway that regulates Ume6 stability, we performed genetic screens for mutants unable to respond to CO2 for sustained filamentation. We find that the type 2C protein phosphatase Ptc2 is specifically required for CO2-induced stabilization of Ume6 and hyphal elongation. In contrast, the cyclin-dependent kinase Ssn3 is found to be required for Ume6 phosphorylation and degradation in atmospheric CO2 Furthermore, we find that Ssn3 is dephosphorylated in 5% CO2 in a Ptc2-dependent manner, whereas deletion of PTC2 has no effect on Ssn3 phosphorylation in air. Our study uncovers the Ptc2-Ssn3 axis as a new CO2 signaling pathway that controls hyphal elongation by regulating Ume6 stability in C. albicans IMPORTANCE The capacity to sense and adapt to changing carbon dioxide levels is crucial for all organisms. In fungi, CO2 is a key determinant involved in fundamental biological processes, including growth, morphology, and virulence. In the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans, high CO2 is directly sensed by adenylyl cyclase to promote hyphal growth. However, little is known about the mechanism by which hyphal development is maintained in response to physiological levels of CO2 Here we report that a signal transduction system mediated by a phosphatase-kinase pair controls CO2-responsive Ume6 phosphorylation and stability that in turn dictate hyphal elongation. Our results unravel a new regulatory mechanism of CO2 signaling in fungi.
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Asghar F, Yan H, Jiang L. The putative transcription factor CaMaf1 controls the sensitivity to lithium and rapamycin and represses RNA polymerase III transcription in Candida albicans. FEMS Yeast Res 2018; 18:5047891. [PMID: 29982370 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foy068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Maf1 is a repressor of RNA polymerase (Pol) III transcription for tRNA. Nutrient deprivation and environmental stress repress Pol III transcription through Maf1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The sole Candida albicans homolog CaMaf1 is a protein of 380 amino acids with conserved domains and motifs of the eukaryotic Maf1 family. Here, we show that C. albicans cells lacking CaMAF1 show elevated levels of tRNA. Deletion of CaMAF1 increases the sensitivity of C. albicans cells to lithium cation and SDS as well as tolerance to rapamycin and azole. In addition, deletion of CaMAF1 reduces the level of filamentation and alters the surface morphology of colonies. CaMaf1 is localized in the nucleus of log-phase growing cells. However, a dynamic change of subcellular localization of CaMaf1 exists during serum-induced morphological transition, with CaMaf1 being localized in the nuclei of cells with germ tubes and short filaments but outside of the nuclei of cells with long filaments. In addition, CaMaf1 is required for rapamycin-induced repression of CaERG20, encoding the farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase involved in ergosterol biosynthesis. Therefore, CaMaf1 plays a role as a general repressor of Pol III transcription in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Asghar
- Laboratory for Yeast Molecular and Cell Biology, the Research Center of Fermentation Technology, School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, 266 XiCunXi Road, Zibo 255000, China
| | - Hongbo Yan
- Laboratory for Yeast Molecular and Cell Biology, the Research Center of Fermentation Technology, School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, 266 XiCunXi Road, Zibo 255000, China
| | - Linghuo Jiang
- Laboratory for Yeast Molecular and Cell Biology, the Research Center of Fermentation Technology, School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, 266 XiCunXi Road, Zibo 255000, China
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8
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Lu Y, Qin Y, Zhu D, Shan A, Feng J. Identification and characterization of PP2C phosphatase SjPtc1 in Schistosoma japonicum. Parasitol Int 2017; 67:213-217. [PMID: 29183718 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation, regulated by protein kinases and protein phosphatases, is crucial for protein structure and function in eukaryotic organisms. Type 2C protein phosphatase (PP2C) belongs to the serine/threonine phosphatase family and its activities require the presence of a divalent magnesium or manganese ion. In the present study, a potential PP2C phosphatase (SjPtc1) was identified in Schistosoma japonicum. The SjPTC1 gene was found to be highly expressed in adult worms. A recombinant SjPtc1 protein showed typical PP2C phosphatase activity. Heterologous SjPTC1 expression reversed the sensitivity of yeast ptc1 null mutants toward H2O2, ZnCl2, cisplatin, and rapamycin. Collectively, the results suggest that SjPtc1 may take part in the regulation of cellular responses to oxidative stress, DNA damage stress, and the TOR (target of rapamycin) signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Lu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang 473061, China
| | - Yongwei Qin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Dandan Zhu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Aidi Shan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Jinrong Feng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.
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9
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Feng J, Duan Y, Qin Y, Sun W, Zhuang Z, Zhu D, Jiang L. The N-terminal pY33XL motif of CaPsy2 is critical for the function of protein phosphatase 4 in CaRad53 deactivation, DNA damage-induced filamentation and virulence in Candida albicans. Int J Med Microbiol 2017; 307:471-480. [PMID: 28967545 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphatase PP4 is composed of one catalytic subunit and one or two regulatory subunits and conserved in eukaryotic cells. The catalytic subunit CaPph3 forms a complex with the regulatory subunit CaPsy2, which dephosphorylates activated CaRad53 during adaptation to and recovery from MMS-mediated DNA damage. We show here that the N-terminal Y33A mutation of CaPsy2 blocks the interaction between CaPph3 and CaRad53, the deactivation of CaRad53 and the morphologic switch in recovery from genotoxic stress. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the ScPph3-ScPsy2-ScPsy4 complex functions to dephosphorylate γH2A. In this study, we show that CaPsy4 is a functional homolog of ScPsy4 and not involved in the deactivation of CaRad53 or CaHta, the ortholog of H2A. However, deletion of CaPSY4 causes C. albicans cells a sensitivity to genotoxic reagents and a defect in DNA damage-induced filamentation. CaPsy4 interacts with both CaPph3 and CaPsy2, but the function of CaPsy4 is independent of CaPph3 and CaPsy2 in response to genotoxic stress. C. albicans cells lacking CaPPH3, CaPSY2 or CaPSY4, and C. albicans cells carrying the Y33A mutation of CaPSY2, show increased virulence to mice. Therefore, PP4 plays a negative role in regulating the DNA damage-induced filamentation and the virulence in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinrong Feng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Yinong Duan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Yongwei Qin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Zhong Zhuang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Dandan Zhu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Linghuo Jiang
- Laboratory for Yeast Molecular and Cell Biology, The Research Center of Fermentation Technology, School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China.
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Albataineh MT, Kadosh D. Regulatory roles of phosphorylation in model and pathogenic fungi. Med Mycol 2015; 54:333-52. [PMID: 26705834 PMCID: PMC4818690 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myv098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, considerable advances have been made toward our understanding
of how post-translational modifications affect a wide variety of biological
processes, including morphology and virulence, in medically important fungi.
Phosphorylation stands out as a key molecular switch and regulatory modification that
plays a critical role in controlling these processes. In this article, we first
provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the regulatory roles that both
Ser/Thr and non-Ser/Thr kinases and phosphatases play in model and pathogenic fungi.
Next, we discuss the impact of current global approaches that are being used to
define the complete set of phosphorylation targets (phosphoproteome) in medically
important fungi. Finally, we provide new insights and perspectives into the potential
use of key regulatory kinases and phosphatases as targets for the development of
novel and more effective antifungal strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad T Albataineh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229
| | - David Kadosh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229
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Winkelströter LK, Dolan SK, Fernanda Dos Reis T, Bom VLP, Alves de Castro P, Hagiwara D, Alowni R, Jones GW, Doyle S, Brown NA, Goldman GH. Systematic Global Analysis of Genes Encoding Protein Phosphatases in Aspergillus fumigatus. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2015; 5:1525-39. [PMID: 25943523 PMCID: PMC4502386 DOI: 10.1534/g3.115.016766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungal pathogen that causes several invasive and noninvasive diseases named aspergillosis. This disease is generally regarded as multifactorial, considering that several pathogenicity determinants are present during the establishment of this illness. It is necessary to obtain an increased knowledge of how, and which, A. fumigatus signal transduction pathways are engaged in the regulation of these processes. Protein phosphatases are essential to several signal transduction pathways. We identified 32 phosphatase catalytic subunit-encoding genes in A. fumigatus, of which we were able to construct 24 viable deletion mutants. The role of nine phosphatase mutants in the HOG (high osmolarity glycerol response) pathway was evaluated by measuring phosphorylation of the p38 MAPK (SakA) and expression of osmo-dependent genes. We were also able to identify 11 phosphatases involved in iron assimilation, six that are related to gliotoxin resistance, and three implicated in gliotoxin production. These results present the creation of a fundamental resource for the study of signaling in A. fumigatus and its implications in the regulation of pathogenicity determinants and virulence in this important pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizziane K Winkelströter
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Stephen K Dolan
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Thaila Fernanda Dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Leite Pedro Bom
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Daisuke Hagiwara
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8673, Japan
| | - Raneem Alowni
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Gary W Jones
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Sean Doyle
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Neil Andrew Brown
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil National Laboratory of Science and Technology of Bioethanol (CTBE), 13083-970 Campinas, Brazil
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12
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Thakur A, Bachhawat AK. Charged/Polar-residue scanning of the hydrophobic face of transmembrane domain 9 of the yeast glutathione transporter, hgt1p, reveals a conformationally critical region for substrate transport. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2015; 5:921-9. [PMID: 25784163 PMCID: PMC4426376 DOI: 10.1534/g3.115.017079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Unraveling the mechanistic workings of membrane transporters has remained a challenging task. We describe a novel strategy that involves subjecting the residues of the hydrophobic face of a transmembrane helix to a charged/polar scanning mutagenesis. TMD9 of the yeast glutathione transporter, Hgt1p, has been identified as being important in substrate binding, and two residues, F523 and Q526, are expected to line the substrate translocation channel while the other face is hydrophobic. The hydrophobic face of TMD9 helix consists of residues A509, V513, L517, L520, I524, and I528, and these were mutated to lysine, glutamine, and glutamic acid. Among the 16 charged mutants created, six were nonfunctional, revealing a surprising tolerance of charged residues in the hydrophobic part of TM helices. Furthermore, the only position that did not tolerate any charged residue was I524, proximal to the substrate binding residues. However, P525, also proximal to the substrate binding residues, did tolerate charged/polar residues, suggesting that mere proximity to the substrate binding residues was not the only factor. The I524K/E/Q mutants expressed well and localized correctly despite lacking any glutathione uptake capability. Isolation of suppressors for all nonfunctional mutants yielded second-site suppressors only for I524K and I524Q, and suppressors for these mutations appeared at G202K/I and G202K/Q, respectively. G202 is in the hydrophilic loop between TMD3 and TMD4. The results suggest that I524 in the hydrophobic face interacts with this region and is also in a conformationally critical region for substrate translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Thakur
- Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Sector 39-A Chandigarh 160036, India Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Anand K Bachhawat
- Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Sector 39-A Chandigarh 160036, India
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Winkelströter LK, Bom VLP, de Castro PA, Ramalho LNZ, Goldman MHS, Brown NA, Rajendran R, Ramage G, Bovier E, Dos Reis TF, Savoldi M, Hagiwara D, Goldman GH. High osmolarity glycerol response PtcB phosphatase is important for Aspergillus fumigatus virulence. Mol Microbiol 2015; 96:42-54. [PMID: 25597841 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungal pathogen that is capable of adapting to different host niches and to avoid host defenses. An enhanced understanding of how, and which, A. fumigatus signal transduction pathways are engaged in the regulation of these processes is essential for the development of improved disease control strategies. Protein phosphatases are central to numerous signal transduction pathways. To comprehend the functions of protein phosphatases in A. fumigatus, 32 phosphatase catalytic subunit encoding genes were identified. We have recognized PtcB as one of the phosphatases involved in the high osmolarity glycerol response (HOG) pathway. The ΔptcB mutant has both increased phosphorylation of the p38 MAPK (SakA) and expression of osmo-dependent genes. The ΔptcB strain was more sensitive to cell wall damaging agents, had increased chitin and β-1,3-glucan, and impaired biofilm formation. The ΔptcB strain was avirulent in a murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. These results stress the importance of the HOG pathway in the regulation of pathogenicity determinants and virulence in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizziane K Winkelströter
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Hu K, Li W, Gao J, Liu Q, Wang H, Wang Y, Sang J. Role of Ppt1 in multiple stress responses in Candida albicans. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s11434-014-0552-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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RPM-1 uses both ubiquitin ligase and phosphatase-based mechanisms to regulate DLK-1 during neuronal development. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004297. [PMID: 24810406 PMCID: PMC4014440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Pam/Highwire/RPM-1 (PHR) proteins are key regulators of neuronal development that function in axon extension and guidance, termination of axon outgrowth, and synapse formation. Outside of development, the PHR proteins also regulate axon regeneration and Wallerian degeneration. The PHR proteins function in part by acting as ubiquitin ligases that degrade the Dual Leucine zipper-bearing Kinase (DLK). Here, we show that the Caenorhabditis elegans PHR protein, Regulator of Presynaptic Morphology 1 (RPM-1), also utilizes a phosphatase-based mechanism to regulate DLK-1. Using mass spectrometry, we identified Protein Phosphatase Magnesium/Manganese dependent 2 (PPM-2) as a novel RPM-1 binding protein. Genetic, transgenic, and biochemical studies indicated that PPM-2 functions coordinately with the ubiquitin ligase activity of RPM-1 and the F-box protein FSN-1 to negatively regulate DLK-1. PPM-2 acts on S874 of DLK-1, a residue implicated in regulation of DLK-1 binding to a short, inhibitory isoform of DLK-1 (DLK-1S). Our study demonstrates that PHR proteins function through both phosphatase and ubiquitin ligase mechanisms to inhibit DLK. Thus, PHR proteins are potentially more accurate and sensitive regulators of DLK than originally thought. Our results also highlight an important and expanding role for the PP2C phosphatase family in neuronal development. The molecular mechanisms that govern formation of functional synaptic connections are central to brain development and function. We have used the nematode C. elegans to explore the mechanism of how the intracellular signaling protein RPM-1 regulates neuronal development. Using a combination of proteomic, genetic, transgenic, and biochemical approaches we have shown that RPM-1 functions through a PP2C phosphatase, PPM-2, to regulate the activity of a MAP3 kinase, DLK-1. Our results indicate that a combination of PPM-2 phosphatase activity and RPM-1 ubiquitin ligase activity inhibit DLK-1.
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Tovar-Mendez A, Miernyk JA, Hoyos E, Randall DD. A functional genomic analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana PP2C clade D. PROTOPLASMA 2014; 251:265-271. [PMID: 23832523 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-013-0526-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In the reference dicot plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the PP2C family of P-protein phosphatases includes the products of 80 genes that have been separated into ten multi-protein clades plus six singletons. Clade D includes the products of nine genes distributed among three chromosomes (APD1, At3g12620; APD2, At3g17090; APD3, At3g51370; APD4, At3g55050; APD5, At4g33920; APD6, At4g38520; APD7, At5g02760; APD8, At5g06750; and APD9, At5g66080). As part of a functional genomics analysis of protein phosphorylation, we retrieved expression data from public databases and determined the subcellular protein localization of the members of clade D. While the nine proteins have been grouped together based upon primary sequence alignments, we observed no obvious common patterns in expression or localization. We found chimera with the GFP associated with the nucleus, plasma membrane, the endomembrane system, and mitochondria in transgenic plants.
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Feng J, Zhao Y, Duan Y, Jiang L. Genetic interactions between protein phosphatases CaPtc2p and CaPph3p in response to genotoxins and rapamycin inCandida albicans. FEMS Yeast Res 2013; 13:85-96. [DOI: 10.1111/1567-1364.12012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2012] [Revised: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 10/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jinrong Feng
- Department of Pathogen Biology; School of Medicine; Nantong University; Nantong; China
| | | | - Yinong Duan
- Department of Pathogen Biology; School of Medicine; Nantong University; Nantong; China
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Zhao Y, Feng J, Li J, Jiang L. Mithochondrial type 2C protein phosphatases CaPtc5p, CaPtc6p, and CaPtc7p play vital roles in cellular responses to antifungal drugs and cadmium inCandida albicans. FEMS Yeast Res 2012; 12:897-906. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1567-1364.2012.00840.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2012] [Revised: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yunying Zhao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology; Tianjin University; Tianjin; China
| | - Jinrong Feng
- Department of Pathogen Biology; School of Medicine; Nantong University; Nantong; China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology; Tianjin University; Tianjin; China
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Current awareness on yeast. Yeast 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/yea.1724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Abstract
Type 2C Ser/Thr phosphatases are a remarkable class of protein phosphatases, which are conserved in eukaryotes and involved in a large variety of functional processes. Unlike in other Ser/Thr phosphatases, the catalytic polypeptide is not usually associated with regulatory subunits, and functional specificity is achieved by encoding multiple isoforms. For fungi, most information comes from the study of type 2C protein phosphatase (PP2C) enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where seven PP2C-encoding genes (PTC1 to -7) with diverse functions can be found. More recently, data on several Candida albicans PP2C proteins became available, suggesting that some of them can be involved in virulence. In this work we review the available literature on fungal PP2Cs and explore sequence databases to provide a comprehensive overview of these enzymes in fungi.
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