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Kraut-Cohen J, Frenkel O, Covo S, Marcos-Hadad E, Carmeli S, Belausov E, Minz D, Cytryn E. A pipeline for rapidly evaluating activity and inferring mechanisms of action of prospective antifungal compounds. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:2804-2816. [PMID: 38323791 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fungal phytopathogens are a significant threat to crops and food security, and there is a constant need to develop safe and effective compounds that antagonize them. In-planta assays are complex and tedious and are thus not suitable for initial high-throughput screening of new candidate antifungal compounds. We propose an in vitro screening pipeline that integrates five rapid quantitative and qualitative methods to estimate the efficacy and mode of action of prospective antifungal compounds. RESULTS The pipeline was evaluated using five documented antifungal compounds (benomyl, catechol, cycloheximide, 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, and phenylacetic acid) that have different modes of action and efficacy, against the model soilborne fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis cucumerinum. We initially evaluated the five compounds' ability to inhibit fungal growth and metabolic activity using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled F. oxysporum and PrestoBlue staining, respectively, in multiwell plate assays. We tested the compounds' inhibition of both conidial germination and hyphal elongation. We then employed FUN-1 and SYTO9/propidium iodide staining, coupled to confocal microscopy, to differentiate between fungal growth inhibition and death at the cellular level. Finally, using a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-detection assay, we were able to quantify ROS production in response to compound application. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, the proposed pipeline provides a wide array of quantitative and qualitative data on the tested compounds that can help pinpoint promising novel compounds; these can then be evaluated more vigorously using in planta screening assays. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Kraut-Cohen
- Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Omer Frenkel
- Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Shay Covo
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Evgeniya Marcos-Hadad
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shmuel Carmeli
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler School of Chemistry, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Eduard Belausov
- Confocal Microscopy Unit, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Dror Minz
- Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Eddie Cytryn
- Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
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Deng YJ, Chen Z, Chen YP, Wang JP, Xiao RF, Wang X, Liu B, Chen MC, He J. Lipopeptide C 17 Fengycin B Exhibits a Novel Antifungal Mechanism by Triggering Metacaspase-Dependent Apoptosis in Fusarium oxysporum. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:7943-7953. [PMID: 38529919 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c00126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Fusarium wilt is a worldwide soil-borne fungal disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum that causes serious damage to agricultural products. Therefore, preventing and treating fusarium wilt is of great significance. In this study, we purified ten single lipopeptide fengycin components from Bacillus subtilis FAJT-4 and found that C17 fengycin B inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum FJAT-31362. We observed early apoptosis hallmarks, including reactive oxygen species accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and phosphatidylserine externalization in C17 fengycin B-treated F. oxysporum cells. Further data showed that C17 fengycin B induces cell apoptosis in a metacaspase-dependent manner. Importantly, we found that the expression of autophagy-related genes in the TOR signaling pathway was significantly upregulated; simultaneously, the accumulation of acidic autophagy vacuoles in F. oxysporum cell indicated that the autophagy pathway was activated during apoptosis induced by C17 fengycin B. Therefore, this study provides new insights into the antifungal mechanism of fengycin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Jie Deng
- Institute of Resources, Environment and Soil Fertilizer, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, China
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology & Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, China
| | - Zheng Chen
- Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, China
| | - Yan-Ping Chen
- Institute of Resources, Environment and Soil Fertilizer, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, China
| | - Jie-Ping Wang
- Institute of Resources, Environment and Soil Fertilizer, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, China
| | - Rong-Feng Xiao
- Institute of Resources, Environment and Soil Fertilizer, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, China
| | - Xun Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology & Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Institute of Resources, Environment and Soil Fertilizer, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, China
| | - Mei-Chun Chen
- Institute of Resources, Environment and Soil Fertilizer, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, China
| | - Jin He
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology & Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, China
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Daroodi Z, Taheri P, Tarighi S, Iranshahi M, Akaberi M. Efficacy of ergosterol peroxide obtained from the endophytic fungus Acrophialophora jodhpurensis against Rhizoctonia solani. J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxae031. [PMID: 38346851 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
AIM To investigate antifungal activity of the extract and major metabolite of the endophytic fungus Acrophialophora jodhpurensis (belonging to Chaetomiaceae) against crown and root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani (teleomorph: Thanatephorus cucumeris), as an important pathogen of tomato. METHODS AND RESULTS The endophytic fungus A. jodhpurensis, has high inhibitory effect against R. solani AG4-HG II in vitro and in vivo. The media conditions were optimized for production of the endophyte's metabolites. The highest amounts of secondary metabolites were produced at pH 7, 30°C temperature, and in the presence of 0.5% glucose, 0.033% sodium nitrate, and 1 gl-1 asparagine as the best carbon, nitrogen, and amino acid sources, respectively. The mycelia were extracted by methanol and the obtained extract was submitted to various chromatography techniques. Phytochemical analysis via thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy showed that ergosterol peroxide was the major component in the extract of this endophyte. Antifungal activities of the methanolic extract and ergosterol peroxide in the culture media were studied against R. solani. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the extract and ergosterol peroxide against the pathogen were 600 and 150 µg ml-1, respectively. Ergosterol peroxide revealed destructive effects on the pathogen structures in microscopic analyses and induced sclerotia production. Histochemical analyses revealed that it induced apoptosis in the mycelia of R. solani via superoxide production and cell death. Application of ergosterol peroxide in the leaf disc assay reduced the disease severity in tomato leaves. CONCLUSIONS Antifungal metabolites produced by A. jodhpurensis, such as ergosterol peroxide, are capable of controlling destructive Rhizoctonia diseases on tomato.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoha Daroodi
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948944, Iran
| | - Parissa Taheri
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948944, Iran
| | - Saeed Tarighi
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948944, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Iranshahi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9177948944, Iran
| | - Maryam Akaberi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9177948944, Iran
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Liang C, Xi-Xi X, Yun-Xiang S, Qiu-Hua X, Yang-Yong L, Yuan-Sen H, Ke B. Surfactin inhibits Fusarium graminearum by accumulating intracellular ROS and inducing apoptosis mechanisms. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:340. [PMID: 37821760 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03790-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium graminearum, a devastating fungal pathogen, is the main pathogen of Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat globally; it results in significant yield loss and mycotoxin contamination that severely threatens global wheat production and food safety. However, despite ongoing efforts, controlling this pathogen still remains a major challenge. Surfactin, primarily synthesized by Bacillus sp. via non-ribosomal peptide synthetases, exhibits potent surfactant and antibacterial properties, but its antifungal mechanism has yet to be fully elucidated. We found that the EC50 of surfactin against hyphal growth of F. graminearum was 102.1 µg/mL, and control efficacy against wheat FHB under field conditions achieved 86.38% in wheat cultivar Huaimai 40 and 81.60% in wheat cultivar Zhoumai 36, indicating that surfactin has potential antifungal activity against F. graminearum. Accumulated intracellular ROS, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), activated metacaspase activity and condensed chromatin, were induced by surfactin in F. graminearum hyphae, suggesting that growth inhibition of fungus is mainly caused by apoptosis-like cell death. Furthermore, accumulated intracellular ROS was evidenced to act as a key mediator of surfactin-induced apoptosis. Broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK treatment indicated that surfactin induces caspase-independent apoptosis in F. graminearum. Collectively, this study provides evidence that surfactin induces a ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis in F. graminearum hyphae, and may exert its antifungal activity against F. graminearum by activating apoptosis. This study demonstrates the potential of surfactin as an antifungal agent for FHB biocontrol, provides a new perspective on the antifungal mechanism of surfactin against filamentous fungi, and contributes to the application of surfactin-producing microbes in the biocontrol of plant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Liang
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Xu Xi-Xi
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Sun Yun-Xiang
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xin Qiu-Hua
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Lv Yang-Yong
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Hu Yuan-Sen
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Bian Ke
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
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Park SC, Lim HS, Mun SE, Jung YJ, Yoon AM, Son H, Kim CM, Choo YK, Lee JR. Potent Antifungal Functions of a Living Modified Organism Protein, CP4-EPSPS, against Pathogenic Fungal Cells. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28114289. [PMID: 37298765 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28114289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Various proteins introduced into living modified organism (LMO) crops function in plant defense mechanisms against target insect pests or herbicides. This study analyzed the antifungal effects of an introduced LMO protein, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) from Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4 (CP4-EPSPS). Pure recombinant CP4-EPSPS protein, expressed in Escherichia coli, inhibited the growth of human and plant fungal pathogens (Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium solani, F. graminearum, and Trichoderma virens), at minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) that ranged from 62.5 to 250 µg/mL. It inhibited fungal spore germination as well as cell proliferation on C. gloeosporioides. Rhodamine-labeled CP4-EPSPS accumulated on the fungal cell wall and within intracellular cytosol. In addition, the protein induced uptake of SYTOX Green into cells, but not into intracellular mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), indicating that its antifungal action was due to inducing the permeability of the fungal cell wall. Its antifungal action showed cell surface damage, as observed from fungal cell morphology. This study provided information on the effects of the LMO protein, EPSPS, on fungal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Cheol Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 38286, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Song Lim
- LMO Team, National Institute of Ecology (NIE), Seocheon 33657, Republic of Korea
- Department of Horticulture Industry, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Eun Mun
- Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jun Jung
- LMO Team, National Institute of Ecology (NIE), Seocheon 33657, Republic of Korea
| | - A-Mi Yoon
- LMO Team, National Institute of Ecology (NIE), Seocheon 33657, Republic of Korea
- Division of Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyosuk Son
- Department of Exhibition and Education, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon 33662, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul Min Kim
- Department of Horticulture Industry, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Kug Choo
- Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Ro Lee
- LMO Team, National Institute of Ecology (NIE), Seocheon 33657, Republic of Korea
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Liberato I, Lino LA, Souza JK, Neto JB, Sá LG, Cabral VP, Silva CR, Cavalcanti BC, Moraes MO, Freire VN, Júnior HV, Andrade CR. Gallic acid leads to cell death of Candida albicans by the apoptosis mechanism. Future Microbiol 2022; 17:599-606. [PMID: 35354285 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2021-0139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the antifungal activity of gallic acid (GA) against the strains of Candida spp. resistant to fluconazole and to determine its mechanism of action. Materials & methods: Antifungal activity was evaluated using the broth microdilution and flow cytometry techniques. Results: GA presented minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 16 to 72 μg/ml, causing alterations of the membrane integrity and mitochondrial transmembrane potential, production of reactive oxygen species and externalization of phosphatidylserine. Conclusion: GA has potential antifungal activity against Candida spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ito Liberato
- Department of Physics, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Leticia A Lino
- Department of Physics, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Juan Kd Souza
- Department of Physics, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - João Ba Neto
- Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Drug Research & Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Livia Gav Sá
- Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Drug Research & Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Vitória Pf Cabral
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Drug Research & Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Cecília R Silva
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Drug Research & Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Bruno C Cavalcanti
- Drug Research & Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Manoel O Moraes
- Drug Research & Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Valder N Freire
- Department of Physics, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Hélio Vn Júnior
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection in Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Drug Research & Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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Electron donor cytochrome b5 is required for hyphal tip accumulation of sterol-rich plasma membrane domains and membrane fluidity in Aspergillus fumigatus. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:AEM.02571-20. [PMID: 33257310 PMCID: PMC7851687 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02571-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The electron donor cytochrome b5 (CybE/Cyb5) fuels the activity of the ergosterol biosynthesis-related P450 enzymes/P450s by providing electrons to P450s to promote ergosterol biosynthesis. Previous studies reported that lack of Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) CybE reduces the proportion of ergosterol in total sterols and induces severe growth defects. However, the molecular characteristics of CybE and the underlying mechanism for CybE maintaining A. fumigatus growth remain poorly understood. Here, we found that CybE locates at the endoplasmic reticulum by its C-terminus with two transmembrane regions. Therefore, lack of the C-terminus of CybE is able to phenocopy a cybE deletion. Notably, cybE deletion reduced the accumulation of the sterol-rich plasma membrane domains (SRDs, the assembly platform of polarity factors/cell end markers and growth machinery) in hyphal tips and decreased membrane fluidity, which correspond to tardiness of hyphal extension and hypersensitivity to low temperature in cybE deletion mutant. Additionally, overexpressing another electron donor-heme-independent P450 reductase (CPR) significantly rescued growth defects and recovered SRD accumulation in deletion of cybE almost to the wild-type level, suggesting CybE maintaining the growth and deposition of SRDs in hyphal tips attributes to its nature as an electron donor. Protein pull-down assays revealed that CybE probably participates in metabolism and transfer of lipids, construction of cytoskeleton and mitochondria-associated energy metabolism to maintain the SRD accumulation in hyphal tips, membrane fluidity and hyphal extension. Findings in this study give a hint that inhibition of CybE may be an effective strategy for resisting the infection of the human pathogen A. fumigatus Importance Investigating the knowledge of the growth regulation in the human opportunistic pathogen A. fumigatus is conducive to design new antifungal approach. The electron donor cytochrome b5 (CybE) plays a crucial role in maintaining the normal growth of A. fumigatus, however, the potential mechanism remains elusive. Herein, we characterized the molecular features of CybE and found the C-terminus with two transmembrane domains are required for its ER localization and functions. In addition, we demonstrated that CprA, an electron donor-heme-independent P450 reductase, provides a reciprocal function for the missing cytochrome b5 protein-CybE in A. fumigatus CybE maintains the normal growth probably via supporting two crucial physiological processes, the SRD accumulation in hyphal tips and membrane fluidity. Therefore, our finding reveals the mechanisms underlying the regulatory effect of CybE on A. fumigatus growth and indicates that inhibition of CybE might be an effective approach for alleviating A. fumigatus infection.
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Precise Expression of Afmed15 Is Crucial for Asexual Development, Virulence, and Survival of Aspergillus fumigatus. mSphere 2020; 5:5/5/e00771-20. [PMID: 33028685 PMCID: PMC7568654 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00771-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification and characterization of regulators essential for virulence or development constitute one approach for antifungal drug development. In this study, we screened and functionally characterized Afmed15, a novel developmental regulator in A. fumigatus. We demonstrate that the precise transcriptional expression of Afmed15 is crucial for fungal asexual development, virulence, and survival. Downregulating the expression of Afmed15 abolished the conidiation and decreased the fungal virulence in an insect model. In contrast, the overexpression of Afmed15 caused fungal death accompanied by intensive autophagy. Our study provides a foundation for further studies to identify compounds perturbing the expression of Afmed15 that may be used for the prevention of invasive A. fumigatus infections. The rise of drug resistance in fungal pathogens is becoming a serious problem owing to the limited number of antifungal drugs available. Identifying and targeting factors essential for virulence or development unique to fungal pathogens is one approach to develop novel treatments for fungal infections. In this study, we present the identification and functional characterization of a novel developmental regulator in Aspergillus fumigatus, AfMed15, which contained a conserved Med15_fungal domain, as determined by screening of a mutant library that contained more than 2,000 hygromycin-resistant A. fumigatus transformants. Downregulating the expression of Afmed15 abolished the conidiation and decreased the fungal virulence in an insect model. Strikingly, the overexpression of Afmed15 caused fungal death accompanied by intensive autophagy. RNA sequencing of an Afmed15 overexpression strain revealed that altered gene expression patterns were associated with carbon metabolism, energy metabolism, and translation. Interestingly, the addition of metal ions could partially rescue fungal death caused by the overexpression of Afmed15, indicating that disordered ion homeostasis is a potential reason for the fungal death caused by the overexpression of Afmed15. Considering that the precise expression of Afmed15 is crucial for fungal development, virulence, and survival and that no ortholog was found in humans, Afmed15 is an ideal target for antifungal-drug development. IMPORTANCE The identification and characterization of regulators essential for virulence or development constitute one approach for antifungal drug development. In this study, we screened and functionally characterized Afmed15, a novel developmental regulator in A. fumigatus. We demonstrate that the precise transcriptional expression of Afmed15 is crucial for fungal asexual development, virulence, and survival. Downregulating the expression of Afmed15 abolished the conidiation and decreased the fungal virulence in an insect model. In contrast, the overexpression of Afmed15 caused fungal death accompanied by intensive autophagy. Our study provides a foundation for further studies to identify compounds perturbing the expression of Afmed15 that may be used for the prevention of invasive A. fumigatus infections.
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Di Ciaccio LS, Catalano AV, López PG, Rojas D, Cristos D, Fortunato RH, Salvat AE. In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub. extracts against Aspergillus flavus. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9040438. [PMID: 32252234 PMCID: PMC7238424 DOI: 10.3390/plants9040438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is a filamentous, saprophytic fungus, whose colonization occurs mainly in cereal grains and oilseeds once harvested. Under certain conditions, it could produce mycotoxins called aflatoxins, known as powerful human liver carcinogens. The aim of the present study was to describe the antifungal activity of extracts of Peltophorum dubium, a species from northern Argentina (Oriental Chaco), against A. flavus. The antifungal activities of different collection sites are reported. The extracts exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration of 125 µg/mL, and the differences between the treatments and the inoculum control were 11 mm of P. dubium A and 10 mm of P. dubium F in colony growth. Moreover, hyphae treated with the extracts stained blue with Evans blue showed alterations in the membrane and/or cell wall, allowing the dye income. Bio-guided fractionation, High Performance Liquid Chromatography diode array ultraviolet/visible (HPLC UV/VIS DAD), and Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (UPLC ESI-MS) analyses were conducted to characterize the extracts and their active fractions. The HPLC UV/VIS DAD analysis allowed the determination of the presence of flavonoids (flavonols and flavones), coumarins, terpenes, and steroids. UPLC ESI/MS analysis of active fractions revealed the presence of Kaempferol, Apigenin, Naringenin, Chrysin and Daidzein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía S. Di Ciaccio
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria, (IPvet), CICVyA, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Hurlingham 1686, Prov. de Buenos Aires, Argentina;
| | - Alejandra V. Catalano
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas—CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina; (A.V.C.); (P.G.L.); (R.H.F.)
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Cátedra de Farmacognosia, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina
| | - Paula G. López
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas—CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina; (A.V.C.); (P.G.L.); (R.H.F.)
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Cátedra de Farmacognosia, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina
| | - Dante Rojas
- Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Hurlingham 1686, Prov. de Buenos Aires, Argentina; (D.R.); (D.C.)
| | - Diego Cristos
- Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Hurlingham 1686, Prov. de Buenos Aires, Argentina; (D.R.); (D.C.)
| | - Renée H. Fortunato
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas—CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina; (A.V.C.); (P.G.L.); (R.H.F.)
- Instituto de Recursos Biológicos, CIRN, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Hurlingham 1686, Prov. de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Agronomía y Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Universidad de Morón, Morón 1708, Prov. de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Adriana E. Salvat
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria, (IPvet), CICVyA, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Hurlingham 1686, Prov. de Buenos Aires, Argentina;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +549 114621-1712/1289/0443 (Int. 3188)
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Nassimi Z, Taheri P, Tarighi S. Farnesol altered morphogenesis and induced oxidative burst-related responses in Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA. Mycologia 2019; 111:359-370. [PMID: 31021706 DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2019.1600315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Farnesol induces morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis in filamentous fungi. Growth-inhibitory effect and induced features of apoptosis on Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA were observed in our study by addition of exogenous farnesol to the culture. The obtained results implied that farnesol triggered apoptosis-like features, such as production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), in R. solani AG1-IA and that there was increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the presence of farnesol, as well as decreased fungal biomass. Light microscopic analysis showed that farnesol disrupted the cytoplasm and deformed the hyphae of R. solani AG1-IA. The diameter of the hyphal cross-section in the fungus treated with farnesol decreased compared with control. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed marked alternations in the cell wall, cell membrane, parenthesome, septum, and septal pore of the fungal cells. The findings of this work suggest that farnesol is deleterious to R. solani and has potential for use as an antifungal compound against this destructive phytopathogenic fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Nassimi
- a Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture , Ferdowsi University of Mashhad , P.O. Box 91775-1163 , Mashhad , Iran
| | - Parissa Taheri
- a Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture , Ferdowsi University of Mashhad , P.O. Box 91775-1163 , Mashhad , Iran
| | - Saeed Tarighi
- a Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture , Ferdowsi University of Mashhad , P.O. Box 91775-1163 , Mashhad , Iran
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11
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Calderón CE, Rotem N, Harris R, Vela‐Corcía D, Levy M. Pseudozyma aphidis activates reactive oxygen species production, programmed cell death and morphological alterations in the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2019; 20:562-574. [PMID: 30537338 PMCID: PMC6637909 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Many types of yeast have been studied in the last few years as potential biocontrol agents against different phytopathogenic fungi. Their ability to control plant diseases is mainly through combined modes of action. Among them, antibiosis, competition for nutrients and niches, induction of systemic resistance in plants and mycoparasitism have been the most studied. In previous work, we have established that the epiphytic yeast Pseudozyma aphidis inhibits Botrytis cinerea through induced resistance and antibiosis. Here, we demonstrate that P. aphidis adheres to B. cinerea hyphae and competes with them for nutrients. We further show that the secreted antifungal compounds activate the production of reactive oxygen species and programmed cell death in B. cinerea mycelium. Finally, P. aphidis and its secreted compounds negatively affect B. cinerea hyphae, leading to morphological alterations, including hyphal curliness, vacuolization and branching, which presumably affects the colonization ability and infectivity of B. cinerea. This study demonstrates additional modes of action for P. aphidis and its antifungal compounds against the plant pathogen B. cinerea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia E. Calderón
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and EnvironmentThe Hebrew University of JerusalemRehovot76100Israel
| | - Neta Rotem
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and EnvironmentThe Hebrew University of JerusalemRehovot76100Israel
| | - Raviv Harris
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and EnvironmentThe Hebrew University of JerusalemRehovot76100Israel
| | - David Vela‐Corcía
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and EnvironmentThe Hebrew University of JerusalemRehovot76100Israel
| | - Maggie Levy
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and EnvironmentThe Hebrew University of JerusalemRehovot76100Israel
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Chaves-Lopez C, Nguyen HN, Oliveira RC, Nadres ET, Paparella A, Rodrigues DF. A morphological, enzymatic and metabolic approach to elucidate apoptotic-like cell death in fungi exposed to h- and α-molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:20702-20716. [PMID: 30398279 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr06470a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The present study compares for the first time the effects of h-MoO3 and α-MoO3 against two fungal strains: Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. The h-MoO3 nanoparticles were more toxic to both fungi than α-MoO3. The toxic effects of h-MoO3 were more pronounced toward A. flavus, which presented a growth inhibition of 67.4% at 200 mg L-1. The presence of the nanoparticles affected drastically the hyphae morphology by triggering nuclear condensation and compromising the hyphae membrane. Further analysis of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by both fungi in the presence of the nanomaterials indicated important metabolic changes related to programmed cell death. These nanomaterials induced the production of specific antifungal VOCs, such as β-Elemene and t-Cadinol, by the fungi. The production of essential enzymes involved in fungal metabolism, such as acid phosphatase, naphthol-As-BI-phosphohydrolase, β-galactosidase, β-glucosidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, reduced significantly in the presence of the nanomaterials. The changes in enzymatic production and VOCs corroborate the fact that these nanoparticles, especially h-MoO3, exert changes in the fungal metabolism, triggering apoptotic-like cell death responses in these fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemencia Chaves-Lopez
- Facoltà di Bioscenze e Tecnologie Agroalimentari ed ambientali, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Via R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
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13
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Park SC, Kim IR, Kim JY, Lee Y, Kim EJ, Jung JH, Jung YJ, Jang MK, Lee JR. Molecular mechanism of Arabidopsis thaliana profilins as antifungal proteins. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:2545-2554. [PMID: 30056100 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It remains an open question whether plant phloem sap proteins are functionally involved in plant defense mechanisms. METHODS The antifungal effects of two profilin proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana, AtPFN1 and AtPFN2, were tested against 11 molds and 4 yeast fungal strains. Fluorescence profiling, biophysical, and biochemical analyses were employed to investigate their antifungal mechanism. RESULTS Recombinant AtPFN1 and AtPFN2 proteins, expressed in Escherichia coli, inhibited the cell growth of various pathogenic fungal strains at concentrations ranging from 10 to 160 μg/mL. The proteins showed significant intracellular accumulation and cell-binding affinity for fungal cells. Interestingly, the AtPFN proteins could penetrate the fungal cell wall and membrane and act as inhibitors of fungal growth via generation of cellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide. This triggered the AtPFN variant-induced cell apoptosis, resulting in morphological changes in the cells. CONCLUSION PFNs may play a critical role as antifungal proteins in the Arabidopsis defense system against fungal pathogen attacks. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The present study indicates that two profilin proteins, AtPFN1 and AtPFN2, can act as natural antimicrobial agents in the plant defense system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Cheol Park
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - Il Ryong Kim
- National Institute of Ecology (NIE), Seocheon, Choongnam 33657, Republic of Korea; Division of Applied Life Science and PMBBRC, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongnam 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Young Kim
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongjae Lee
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Goseong Agricultural Development/Technology Center, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do 52930, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Ji Kim
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hyun Jung
- Division of Applied Life Science and PMBBRC, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongnam 52828, Republic of Korea; Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Young Jun Jung
- National Institute of Ecology (NIE), Seocheon, Choongnam 33657, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Kyeong Jang
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jung Ro Lee
- National Institute of Ecology (NIE), Seocheon, Choongnam 33657, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Shlezinger N, Irmer H, Dhingra S, Beattie SR, Cramer RA, Braus GH, Sharon A, Hohl TM. Response to Comment on "Sterilizing immunity in the lung relies on targeting fungal apoptosis-like programmed cell death". Science 2018; 360:360/6395/eaas9457. [PMID: 29930111 DOI: 10.1126/science.aas9457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aouacheria et al question the interpretation of contemporary assays to monitor programmed cell death with apoptosis-like features (A-PCD) in Aspergillus fumigatus Although our study focuses on fungal A-PCD for host immune surveillance and infectious outcomes, the experimental approach incorporates multiple independent A-PCD markers and genetic manipulations based on fungal rather than mammalian orthologs to circumvent the limitations associated with any single approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neta Shlezinger
- Infectious Disease Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10075, USA
| | - Henriette Irmer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sourabh Dhingra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Sarah R Beattie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Robert A Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Gerhard H Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Amir Sharon
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Tobias M Hohl
- Infectious Disease Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10075, USA. .,Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10075, USA
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15
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Shlezinger N, Irmer H, Dhingra S, Beattie SR, Cramer RA, Braus GH, Sharon A, Hohl TM. Sterilizing immunity in the lung relies on targeting fungal apoptosis-like programmed cell death. Science 2018; 357:1037-1041. [PMID: 28883073 DOI: 10.1126/science.aan0365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Humans inhale mold conidia daily and typically experience lifelong asymptomatic clearance. Conidial germination into tissue-invasive hyphae can occur in individuals with defects in myeloid function, although the mechanism of myeloid cell-mediated immune surveillance remains unclear. By monitoring fungal physiology in vivo, we demonstrate that lung neutrophils trigger programmed cell death with apoptosis-like features in Aspergillus fumigatus conidia, the most prevalent human mold pathogen. An antiapoptotic protein, AfBIR1, opposes this process by inhibiting fungal caspase activation and DNA fragmentation in the murine lung. Genetic and pharmacologic studies indicate that AfBIR1 expression and activity underlie conidial susceptibility to NADPH (reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) oxidase-dependent killing and, in turn, host susceptibility to invasive aspergillosis. Immune surveillance exploits a fungal apoptosis-like programmed cell death pathway to maintain sterilizing immunity in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neta Shlezinger
- Infectious Disease Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Henriette Irmer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sourabh Dhingra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Sarah R Beattie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Robert A Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Gerhard H Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Amir Sharon
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Tobias M Hohl
- Infectious Disease Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA. .,Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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16
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Di Ciaccio LS, Spotorno VG, Córdoba Estévez MM, Ríos DJL, Fortunato RH, Salvat AE. Antifungal activity of Parastrephia quadrangularis (Meyen) Cabrera extracts against Fusarium verticillioides. Lett Appl Microbiol 2018; 66:244-251. [PMID: 29315703 DOI: 10.1111/lam.12844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are cosmopolitan organisms that grow in and adapt to a vast number of substrates and environments, and that can cause diseases in humans and animals, as well as in crops. The vast area and diverse geographical characteristics of Argentina, with the consequent climatic diversity make the country an important source of biological resources suitable for the search of new compounds. The aim of the present study was to describe the antifungal activity of extracts of Parastrephia quadrangularis, a species from northern Argentina, against Fusarium verticillioides M7075. Bio-guided fractionation and MS/MS studies were conducted to elucidate the chemical structure of active compounds. The extracts exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration among 118·74 and 250 μg ml-1 and the differences between the treatments and the inoculum control was 12·5-16·5 mm, respectively, in colony growth. Moreover, hyphae treated with the extracts stained blue with Evans blue, showed alterations in permeability of plasma membranes. HLPC-MS analysis of active fractions revealed the presence of p-coumaroyloxitremetone, and a derivate structure for another compound is proposed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY In Argentina, Fusarium verticillioides causes 'ear rot', a disease that produces important yield and nutritional quality losses in the maize producing region. This study suggests that Parastrephia quadrangularis extracts have potential for the growth inhibition against F. verticillioides M7075, and the bioactivity is reported for the first time. The results obtained will provide a starting point for discover new antimicotic candidate in natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Di Ciaccio
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, CONICET, Instituto de Patobiología, Prov. de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - V G Spotorno
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Instituto de Recursos Biológicos, Prov. de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M M Córdoba Estévez
- Laboratorio de desarrollo analítico y control de procesos, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial, CIDQ, Prov. de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - D J L Ríos
- Agencia de Extensión Rural INTA "Jose Remondegui", Abra Pampa, Prov. de Jujuy, Argentina
| | - R H Fortunato
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Instituto de Recursos Biológicos, Prov. de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET, Argentina.,Universidad de Morón, Prov. de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A E Salvat
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, CONICET, Instituto de Patobiología, Prov. de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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17
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Shlezinger N, Eizner E, Dubinchik S, Minz-Dub A, Tetroashvili R, Reider A, Sharon A. Measurement of apoptosis by SCAN ©, a system for counting and analysis of fluorescently labelled nuclei. MICROBIAL CELL (GRAZ, AUSTRIA) 2014; 1:406-415. [PMID: 28357220 PMCID: PMC5349136 DOI: 10.15698/mic2014.12.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis-like programmed cell death (A-PCD) is a universal process common to all types of eukaryotic organisms. Because A-PCD-associated processes are conserved, it is possible to define A-PCD by a standard set of markers. Many of the popular methods to measure A-PCD make use of fluorescent ligands that change in intensity or cellular localization during A-PCD. In single cell organisms, it is possible to quantify levels of A-PCD by scoring the number of apoptotic cells using flow cytometry instruments. In a multicellular organism, quantification of A-PCD is more problematic due to the complex nature of the tissue. The situation is further complicated in filamentous fungi, in which nuclei are divided between compartments, each containing a number of nuclei, which can also migrate between the compartments. We developed SCAN©, a System for Counting and Analysis of Nuclei, and used it to measure A-PCD according to two markers - chromatin condensation and DNA strand breaks. The package includes three modules designed for counting the number of nuclei in multi-nucleated domains, scoring the relative number of nuclei with condensed chromatin, and calculating the relative number of nuclei with DNA strand breaks. The method provides equal or better results compared with manual counting, the analysis is fast and can be applied on large data sets. While we demonstrated the utility of the software for measurement of A-PCD in fungi, the method is readily adopted for measurement of A-PCD in other types of multicellular specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neta Shlezinger
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Faculty of
Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Elad Eizner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Faculty of
Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Physical Electronics, Fleischman Faculty of
Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Stas Dubinchik
- Department of Physical Electronics, Fleischman Faculty of
Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Anna Minz-Dub
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Faculty of
Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Rachel Tetroashvili
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Faculty of
Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Adi Reider
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Faculty of
Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Amir Sharon
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Faculty of
Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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18
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Kumar A, Kumar S, Rhim WK, Kim GH, Nam JM. Oxidative Nanopeeling Chemistry-Based Synthesis and Photodynamic and Photothermal Therapeutic Applications of Plasmonic Core-Petal Nanostructures. J Am Chem Soc 2014; 136:16317-25. [DOI: 10.1021/ja5085699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amit Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, South Korea
| | - Sumit Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, South Korea
| | - Won-Kyu Rhim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, South Korea
| | - Gyeong-Hwan Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, South Korea
| | - Jwa-Min Nam
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, South Korea
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19
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Heat stress induces apoptotic-like cell death in two Pleurotus species. Curr Microbiol 2014; 69:611-6. [PMID: 24939386 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-014-0634-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
High temperature is an important environmental factor that affects the growth and development of most edible fungi, however, the mechanism(s) for resistance to high temperature remains elusive. Nitric oxide is known to be able to effectively alleviate oxidative damage and plays an important role in the regulation of trehalose accumulation during heat stress in mycelia of Pleurotus eryngii var. tuoliensis. In this paper, we investigated whether heat stress can activate apoptosis-like cell death in mycelia of Pleurotus. Two Pleurotus species were used to detect morphological features characteristic of apoptosis including nuclear condensation, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and DNA fragmentation when exposed to heat stress (42 °C). The results showed that these classical apoptosis markers were apparent in Pleurotus strains after heat treatment. The heat-induced apoptosis-like cell death in Pleurotus was further probed using oligomycin and N-acetylcysteine, both of which were shown to block processes leading to apoptosis. This is the first report that apoptosis-like cell death occurs in Pleurotus species as a result of abiotic stress, and that this process can be inhibited with chemicals that block mitochondrial-induced apoptotic pathways and/or with ROS-scavenging compounds.
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20
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Savi GD, Vitorino V, Bortoluzzi AJ, Scussel VM. Effect of zinc compounds on Fusarium verticillioides growth, hyphae alterations, conidia, and fumonisin production. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2013; 93:3395-3402. [PMID: 23775536 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2012] [Revised: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several strategies are used to eliminate toxigenic fungi that produce fumonisins in grains. Fusarium verticillioides can be controlled by the application of synthetic fungicides in the field or during storage. However, there may also be residuals, which may remain in the foods. Inorganic compounds such as zinc are cheap, stable and could present strong antifungal activity. Some Zn compounds can be utilized as dietary supplements and are authorized for the fortification of foods. Knowing the advantages and that low concentrations of Zn can have antimicrobial activity, our objective was to evaluate the effects of Zn compounds on the growth of F. verticillioides and the production of fumonisin and conidia. In addition, we aimed to verify that Zn compounds cause morphological alterations of the hyphae, mortality and production of reactive oxygen species. RESULTS Zn compounds efficiently reduced fungal growth and fumonisin production. Treatment using zinc perchlorate gave the best results. All treatments inhibited conidia production and caused morphological alterations of the hyphae. It was possible to observe cell death and production of reactive oxygen species. CONCLUSION Zn compounds have advantages compared to other antifungal compounds. In particular, they are non-toxic for the organism in appropriate amounts. They could be studied further as potential fungicides in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geovana D Savi
- Laboratory of Mycotoxicology and Food Contaminants, Food Science and Technology Department, Center of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, P.O. Box 476, 88034-001, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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21
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Semighini CP, Averette AF, Perfect JR, Heitman J. Deletion of Cryptococcus neoformans AIF ortholog promotes chromosome aneuploidy and fluconazole-resistance in a metacaspase-independent manner. PLoS Pathog 2011; 7:e1002364. [PMID: 22114551 PMCID: PMC3219705 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2011] [Accepted: 09/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death critical for development and homeostasis in multicellular organisms. Apoptosis-like cell death (ALCD) has been described in several fungi, including the opportunistic human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. In addition, capsular polysaccharides of C. neoformans are known to induce apoptosis in host immune cells, thereby contributing to its virulence. Our goals were to characterize the apoptotic signaling cascade in C. neoformans as well as its unique features compared to the host machinery to exploit the endogenous fungal apoptotic pathways as a novel antifungal strategy in the future. The dissection of apoptotic pathways revealed that apoptosis-inducing factor (Aif1) and metacaspases (Mca1 and Mca2) are independently required for ALCD in C. neoformans. We show that the apoptotic pathways are required for cell fusion and sporulation during mating, indicating that apoptosis may occur during sexual development. Previous studies showed that antifungal drugs induce ALCD in fungi and that C. neoformans adapts to high concentrations of the antifungal fluconazole (FLC) by acquisition of aneuploidy, especially duplication of chromosome 1 (Chr1). Disruption of aif1, but not the metacaspases, stimulates the emergence of aneuploid subpopulations with Chr1 disomy that are resistant to fluconazole (FLC(R)) in vitro and in vivo. FLC(R) isolates in the aif1 background are stable in the absence of the drug, while those in the wild-type background readily revert to FLC sensitivity. We propose that apoptosis orchestrated by Aif1 might eliminate aneuploid cells from the population and defects in this pathway contribute to the selection of aneuploid FLC(R) subpopulations during treatment. Aneuploid clinical isolates with disomies for chromosomes other than Chr1 exhibit reduced AIF1 expression, suggesting that inactivation of Aif1 might be a novel aneuploidy-tolerating mechanism in fungi that facilitates the selection of antifungal drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camile P. Semighini
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Anna F. Averette
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - John R. Perfect
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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22
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Shlezinger N, Minz A, Gur Y, Hatam I, Dagdas YF, Talbot NJ, Sharon A. Anti-apoptotic machinery protects the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea from host-induced apoptotic-like cell death during plant infection. PLoS Pathog 2011; 7:e1002185. [PMID: 21876671 PMCID: PMC3158046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2011] [Accepted: 06/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotrophic fungi are unable to occupy living plant cells. How such pathogens survive first contact with living host tissue and initiate infection is therefore unclear. Here, we show that the necrotrophic grey mold fungus Botrytis cinerea undergoes massive apoptotic-like programmed cell death (PCD) following germination on the host plant. Manipulation of an anti-apoptotic gene BcBIR1 modified fungal response to PCD-inducing conditions. As a consequence, strains with reduced sensitivity to PCD were hyper virulent, while strains in which PCD was over-stimulated showed reduced pathogenicity. Similarly, reduced levels of PCD in the fungus were recorded following infection of Arabidopsis mutants that show enhanced susceptibility to B. cinerea. When considered together, these results suggest that Botrytis PCD machinery is targeted by plant defense molecules, and that the fungal anti-apoptotic machinery is essential for overcoming this host-induced PCD and hence, for establishment of infection. As such, fungal PCD machinery represents a novel target for fungicides and antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neta Shlezinger
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anna Minz
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yonatan Gur
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ido Hatam
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yasin F. Dagdas
- School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | | | - Amir Sharon
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- * E-mail:
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