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Stieber H, Junghanns L, Wilhelm H, Batliner M, Aldejohann AM, Kurzai O, Martin R. The sphingolipid inhibitor myriocin increases Candida auris susceptibility to amphotericin B. Mycoses 2024; 67:e13723. [PMID: 38551121 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13723] [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: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emergence of the pathogenic yeast Candida auris is of global concern due to its ability to cause hospital outbreaks and develop resistance against all antifungal drug classes. Based on published data for baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, sphingolipid biosynthesis, which is essential for maintaining membrane fluidity and formation of lipid rafts, could offer a target for additive treatment. METHODS We analysed the susceptibility of C. auris to myriocin, which is an inhibitor of the de novo synthesis of sphingolipids in eukaryotic cells in comparison to other Candida species. In addition, we combined sublethal concentrations of myriocin with the antifungal drugs amphotericin B and fluconazole in E-tests. Consequently, the combinatory effects of myriocin and amphotericin B were examined in broth microdilution assays. RESULTS Myriocin-mediated inhibition of the sphingolipid biosynthesis affected the growth of C. auris. Sublethal myriocin concentrations increased fungal susceptibility to amphotericin B. Isolates which are phenotypically resistant (≥2 mg/L) to amphotericin B became susceptible in presence of myriocin. However, addition of myriocin had only limited effects onto the susceptibility of C. auris against fluconazole. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that inhibition of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis increases the susceptibility of C. auris to amphotericin B. This may potentially enhance antifungal treatment options fighting this often resistant yeast pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Stieber
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lara Junghanns
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hannah Wilhelm
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maria Batliner
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Maximilian Aldejohann
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Oliver Kurzai
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Research Group Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Ronny Martin
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Ali B, Kumar M, Kumar P, Chauhan A, Usmani SA, Rudramurthy SM, Meis JF, Chakrabarti A, Singh A, Gaur NA, Mondal AK, Prasad R. Sphingolipid diversity in Candida auris: unraveling interclade and drug resistance fingerprints. FEMS Yeast Res 2024; 24:foae008. [PMID: 38444195 PMCID: PMC10941814 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foae008] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we explored the sphingolipid (SL) landscape in Candida auris, which plays pivotal roles in fungal biology and drug susceptibility. The composition of SLs exhibited substantial variations at both the SL class and molecular species levels among clade isolates. Utilizing principal component analysis, we successfully differentiated the five clades based on their SL class composition. While phytoceramide (PCer) was uniformly the most abundant SL class in all the isolates, other classes showed significant variations. These variations were not limited to SL class level only as the proportion of different molecular species containing variable number of carbons in fatty acid chains also differed between the isolates. Also a comparative analysis revealed abundance of ceramides and glucosylceramides in fluconazole susceptible isolates. Furthermore, by comparing drug-resistant and susceptible isolates within clade IV, we uncovered significant intraclade differences in key SL classes such as high PCer and low long chain base (LCB) content in resistant strains, underscoring the impact of SL heterogeneity on drug resistance development in C. auris. These findings shed light on the multifaceted interplay between genomic diversity, SLs, and drug resistance in this emerging fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basharat Ali
- Amity Institute of Integrative Science and Health and Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Gurgaon, Haryana, 122413, India
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Mohit Kumar
- Amity Institute of Integrative Science and Health and Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Gurgaon, Haryana, 122413, India
- Yeast Biofuel Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Praveen Kumar
- Amity Institute of Integrative Science and Health and Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Gurgaon, Haryana, 122413, India
| | - Anshu Chauhan
- Amity Institute of Integrative Science and Health and Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Gurgaon, Haryana, 122413, India
| | - Sana Akhtar Usmani
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226007 India
| | | | - Jacques F Meis
- Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University of Cologne, Cologne, 50931 Germany
| | | | - Ashutosh Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226007 India
| | - Naseem A Gaur
- Yeast Biofuel Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Alok K Mondal
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Rajendra Prasad
- Amity Institute of Integrative Science and Health and Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Gurgaon, Haryana, 122413, India
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Perez-Rodriguez A, Eraso E, Quindós G, Mateo E. Antimicrobial Peptides with Anti-Candida Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169264. [PMID: 36012523 PMCID: PMC9409312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycoses are accountable for millions of infections yearly worldwide. Invasive candidiasis is the most usual, presenting a high morbidity and mortality. Candida albicans remains the prevalent etiologic agent, but the incidence of other species such as Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata and Candida auris keeps increasing. These pathogens frequently show a reduced susceptibility to commonly used antifungal drugs, including polyenes, triazoles and echinocandins, and the incidence of emerging multi-drug-resistant strains of these species continues to increase. Therefore, the need to search for new molecules that target these pathogenic species in a different manner is now more urgent than ever. Nature is an almost endless source of interesting new molecules that could meet this need. Among these molecules, antimicrobial peptides, present in different sources in nature, possess some advantages over conventional antifungal agents, even with their own drawbacks, and are considered as a promising pharmacological option against a wide range of microbial infections. In this review, we describe 20 antimicrobial peptides from different origins that possess an activity against Candida.
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4
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Murphy SE, Bicanic T. Drug Resistance and Novel Therapeutic Approaches in Invasive Candidiasis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:759408. [PMID: 34970504 PMCID: PMC8713075 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.759408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida species are the leading cause of invasive fungal infections worldwide and are associated with acute mortality rates of ~50%. Mortality rates are further augmented in the context of host immunosuppression and infection with drug-resistant Candida species. In this review, we outline antifungal drugs already in clinical use for invasive candidiasis and candidaemia, their targets and mechanisms of resistance in clinically relevant Candida species, encompassing not only classical resistance, but also heteroresistance and tolerance. We describe novel antifungal agents and targets in pre-clinical and clinical development, including their spectrum of activity, antifungal target, clinical trial data and potential in treatment of drug-resistant Candida. Lastly, we discuss the use of combination therapy between conventional and repurposed agents as a potential strategy to combat the threat of emerging resistance in Candida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Murphy
- Institute of Infection & Immunity, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tihana Bicanic
- Institute of Infection & Immunity, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom.,Clinical Academic Group in Infection and Immunity, St. George's University Hospital National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Luo X, Wu W, Feng L, Treves H, Ren M. Short Peptides Make a Big Difference: The Role of Botany-Derived AMPs in Disease Control and Protection of Human Health. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11363. [PMID: 34768793 PMCID: PMC8583512 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Botany-derived antimicrobial peptides (BAMPs), a class of small, cysteine-rich peptides produced in plants, are an important component of the plant immune system. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments have demonstrated their powerful antimicrobial activity. Besides in plants, BAMPs have cross-kingdom applications in human health, with toxic and/or inhibitory effects against a variety of tumor cells and viruses. With their diverse molecular structures, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, multiple mechanisms of action, and low cytotoxicity, BAMPs provide ideal backbones for drug design, and are potential candidates for plant protection and disease treatment. Lots of original research has elucidated the properties and antimicrobial mechanisms of BAMPs, and characterized their surface receptors and in vivo targets in pathogens. In this paper, we review and introduce five kinds of representative BAMPs belonging to the pathogenesis-related protein family, dissect their antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer mechanisms, and forecast their prospects in agriculture and global human health. Through the deeper understanding of BAMPs, we provide novel insights for their applications in broad-spectrum and durable plant disease prevention and control, and an outlook on the use of BAMPs in anticancer and antiviral drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiumei Luo
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu Agricultural Science and Technology Center, Chengdu 610000, China; (X.L.); (W.W.); (L.F.)
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormones and Development Regulation of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Science of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Wenxian Wu
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu Agricultural Science and Technology Center, Chengdu 610000, China; (X.L.); (W.W.); (L.F.)
| | - Li Feng
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu Agricultural Science and Technology Center, Chengdu 610000, China; (X.L.); (W.W.); (L.F.)
| | - Haim Treves
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel;
| | - Maozhi Ren
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu Agricultural Science and Technology Center, Chengdu 610000, China; (X.L.); (W.W.); (L.F.)
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Science of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya 572025, China
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6
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Struyfs C, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Membrane-Interacting Antifungal Peptides. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:649875. [PMID: 33912564 PMCID: PMC8074791 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.649875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of invasive fungal infections is increasing worldwide, resulting in more than 1.6 million deaths every year. Due to growing antifungal drug resistance and the limited number of currently used antimycotics, there is a clear need for novel antifungal strategies. In this context, great potential is attributed to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are part of the innate immune system of organisms. These peptides are known for their broad-spectrum activity that can be directed toward bacteria, fungi, viruses, and/or even cancer cells. Some AMPs act via rapid physical disruption of microbial cell membranes at high concentrations causing cell leakage and cell death. However, more complex mechanisms are also observed, such as interaction with specific lipids, production of reactive oxygen species, programmed cell death, and autophagy. This review summarizes the structure and mode of action of antifungal AMPs, thereby focusing on their interaction with fungal membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Struyfs
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Davis J, Pares R, Palmgren M, López-Marqués R, Harper J. A potential pathway for flippase-facilitated glucosylceramide catabolism in plants. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2020; 15:1783486. [PMID: 32857675 PMCID: PMC8550518 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2020.1783486] [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: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The Aminophospholipid ATPase (ALA) family of plant lipid flippases is involved in the selective transport of lipids across membrane bilayers. Recently, we demonstrated that double mutants lacking both ALA4 and -5 are severely dwarfed. Dwarfism in ala4/5 mutants was accompanied by cellular elongation defects and various lipidomic perturbations, including a 1.4-fold increase in the accumulation of glucosylceramides (GlcCers) relative to total sphingolipid content. Here, we present a potential model for flippase-facilitated GlcCer catabolism in plants, where a combination of ALA flippases transport GlcCers to cytosolic membrane surfaces where they are degraded by Glucosylceramidases (GCDs). GCDs remove the glucose headgroup from GlcCers to produce a ceramide (Cer) backbone, which can be further degraded to sphingoid bases (Sphs, e.g, phytosphingosine) and fatty acids (FAs). In the absence of GlcCer-transporting flippases, GlcCers are proposed to accumulate on extracytoplasmic (i.e., apoplastic) or lumenal membrane surfaces. As GlcCers are potential precursors for Sph production, impaired GlcCer catabolism might also result in the decreased production of the secondary messenger Sph-1-phosphate (Sph-1-P, e.g., phytosphingosine-1-P), a regulator of cell turgor. Importantly, we postulate that either GlcCer accumulation or reduced Sph-1-P signaling might contribute to the growth reductions observed in ala4/5 mutants. Similar catabolic pathways have been proposed for humans and yeast, suggesting flippase-facilitated GlcCer catabolism is conserved across eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J.A. Davis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
- CONTACT Davis, J.A. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV89557, USA
| | - R.B. Pares
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - M. Palmgren
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - R.L. López-Marqués
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - J.F. Harper
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
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8
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Song J, Liu X, Li R. Sphingolipids: Regulators of azole drug resistance and fungal pathogenicity. Mol Microbiol 2020; 114:891-905. [PMID: 32767804 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the role of sphingolipids in pathogenic fungi, in terms of pathogenicity and resistance to azole drugs, has been a rapidly growing field. This review describes evidence about the roles of sphingolipids in azole resistance and fungal virulence. Sphingolipids can serve as signaling molecules that contribute to azole resistance through modulation of the expression of drug efflux pumps. They also contribute to azole resistance by participating in various microbial pathways such as the unfolded protein response (UPR), pH-responsive Rim pathway, and pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) pathway. In addition, sphingolipid signaling and eisosomes also coordinately regulate sphingolipid biosynthesis in response to azole-induced membrane stress. Sphingolipids are important for fungal virulence, playing roles during growth in hosts under stressful conditions, maintenance of cell wall integrity, biofilm formation, and production of various virulence factors. Finally, we discuss the possibility of exploiting fungal sphingolipids for the development of new therapeutic strategies to treat infections caused by pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxing Song
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province and School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, PR China
| | - Xiao Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province and School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, PR China
| | - Rongpeng Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province and School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, PR China
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9
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Abstract
The ability for cells to maintain homeostasis in the presence of extracellular stress is essential for their survival. Stress adaptations are especially important for microbial pathogens to respond to rapidly changing conditions, such as those encountered during the transition from the environment to the infected host. Many fungal pathogens have acquired the ability to quickly adapt to changes in extracellular pH to promote their survival in the various microenvironments encountered during a host infection. For example, the fungus-specific Rim/Pal alkaline response pathway has been well characterized in many fungal pathogens, including Cryptococcus neoformans However, alternative mechanisms for sensing and responding to host pH have yet to be extensively studied. Recent observations from a genetic screen suggest that the C. neoformans sterol homeostasis pathway is required for growth at elevated pH. This work explores interactions among mechanisms of membrane homeostasis, alkaline pH tolerance, and Rim pathway activation. We find that the sterol homeostasis pathway is necessary for growth in an alkaline environment and that an elevated pH is sufficient to induce Sre1 activation. This pH-mediated activation of the Sre1 transcription factor is linked to the biosynthesis of ergosterol but is not dependent on Rim pathway signaling, suggesting that these two pathways are responding to alkaline pH independently. Furthermore, we discover that C. neoformans is more susceptible to membrane-targeting antifungals under alkaline conditions, highlighting the impact of microenvironmental pH on the treatment of invasive fungal infections. Together, these findings further connect membrane integrity and composition with the fungal pH response and pathogenesis.IMPORTANCE The work described here further elucidates how microorganisms sense and adapt to changes in their environment to establish infections in the human host. Specifically, we uncover a novel mechanism by which an opportunistic human fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, responds to increases in extracellular pH in order to survive and thrive within the relatively alkaline environment of the human lung. This mechanism, which is intimately linked with fungal membrane sterol homeostasis, is independent of the previously well-studied alkaline response Rim pathway. Furthermore, this ergosterol-dependent alkaline pH response is present in Candida albicans, indicating that this mechanism spans diverse fungal species. These results are also relevant for novel antimicrobial drug development as we show that currently used ergosterol-targeting antifungals are more active in alkaline environments.
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do Amaral VSG, Santos SACS, de Andrade PC, Nowatzki J, Júnior NS, de Medeiros LN, Gitirana LB, Pascutti PG, Almeida VH, Monteiro RQ, Kurtenbach E. Pisum sativum Defensin 1 Eradicates Mouse Metastatic Lung Nodules from B16F10 Melanoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2662. [PMID: 32290394 PMCID: PMC7219108 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Psd1 is a pea plant defensin which can be actively expressed in Pichia pastoris and shows broad antifungal activity. This activity is dependent on fungal membrane glucosylceramide (GlcCer), which is also important for its internalization, nuclear localization, and endoreduplication. Certain cancer cells present a lipid metabolism imbalance resulting in the overexpression of GlcCer in their membrane. In this work, in vitroassays using B16F10 cells showed that labeled fluorescein isothiocyanate FITC-Psd1 internalized into live cultured cells and targeted the nucleus, which underwent fragmentation, exhibiting approximately 60% of cells in the sub-G0/G1 stage. This phenomenon was dependent on GlcCer, and the participation of cyclin-F was suggested. In a murine lung metastatic melanoma model, intravenous injection of Psd1 together with B16F10 cells drastically reduced the number of nodules at concentrations above 0.5 mg/kg. Additionally, the administration of 1 mg/kg Psd1 decreased the number of lung inflammatory cells to near zero without weight loss, unlike animals that received melanoma cells only. It is worth noting that 1 mg/kg Psd1 alone did not provoke inflammation in lung tissue or weight or vital signal losses over 21 days, inferring no whole animal cytotoxicity. These results suggest that Psd1 could be a promising prototype for human lung anti-metastatic melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Sara Grancieri do Amaral
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil; (V.S.G.d.A.); (S.A.C.S.S.); (P.C.d.A.); (J.N.); (N.S.J.); (L.N.d.M.); (P.G.P.)
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil; (V.H.A.); (R.Q.M.)
| | - Stephanie Alexia Cristina Silva Santos
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil; (V.S.G.d.A.); (S.A.C.S.S.); (P.C.d.A.); (J.N.); (N.S.J.); (L.N.d.M.); (P.G.P.)
| | - Paula Cavalcante de Andrade
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil; (V.S.G.d.A.); (S.A.C.S.S.); (P.C.d.A.); (J.N.); (N.S.J.); (L.N.d.M.); (P.G.P.)
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil; (V.H.A.); (R.Q.M.)
| | - Jenifer Nowatzki
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil; (V.S.G.d.A.); (S.A.C.S.S.); (P.C.d.A.); (J.N.); (N.S.J.); (L.N.d.M.); (P.G.P.)
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil; (V.H.A.); (R.Q.M.)
| | - Nilton Silva Júnior
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil; (V.S.G.d.A.); (S.A.C.S.S.); (P.C.d.A.); (J.N.); (N.S.J.); (L.N.d.M.); (P.G.P.)
| | - Luciano Neves de Medeiros
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil; (V.S.G.d.A.); (S.A.C.S.S.); (P.C.d.A.); (J.N.); (N.S.J.); (L.N.d.M.); (P.G.P.)
| | - Lycia Brito Gitirana
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil;
| | - Pedro Geraldo Pascutti
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil; (V.S.G.d.A.); (S.A.C.S.S.); (P.C.d.A.); (J.N.); (N.S.J.); (L.N.d.M.); (P.G.P.)
| | - Vitor H. Almeida
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil; (V.H.A.); (R.Q.M.)
| | - Robson Q. Monteiro
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil; (V.H.A.); (R.Q.M.)
| | - Eleonora Kurtenbach
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brasil; (V.S.G.d.A.); (S.A.C.S.S.); (P.C.d.A.); (J.N.); (N.S.J.); (L.N.d.M.); (P.G.P.)
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11
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Huber A, Oemer G, Malanovic N, Lohner K, Kovács L, Salvenmoser W, Zschocke J, Keller MA, Marx F. Membrane Sphingolipids Regulate the Fitness and Antifungal Protein Susceptibility of Neurospora crassa. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:605. [PMID: 31031714 PMCID: PMC6471014 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The membrane sphingolipid glucosylceramide (GlcCer) plays an important role in fungal fitness and adaptation to most diverse environments. Moreover, reported differences in the structure of GlcCer between fungi, plants and animals render this pathway a promising target for new generation therapeutics. Our knowledge about the GlcCer biosynthesis in fungi is mainly based on investigations of yeasts, whereas this pathway is less well characterized in molds. We therefore performed a detailed lipidomic profiling of GlcCer species present in Neurospora crassa and comprehensively show that the deletion of genes encoding enzymes involved in GlcCer biosynthesis affects growth, conidiation and stress response in this model fungus. Importantly, our study evidences that differences in the pathway intermediates and their functional role exist between N. crassa and other fungal species. We further investigated the role of GlcCer in the susceptibility of N. crassa toward two small cysteine-rich and cationic antimicrobial proteins (AMPs), PAF and PAFB, which originate from the filamentous ascomycete Penicillium chrysogenum. The interaction of these AMPs with the fungal plasma membrane is crucial for their antifungal toxicity. We found that GlcCer determines the susceptibility of N. crassa toward PAF, but not PAFB. A higher electrostatic affinity of PAFB than PAF to anionic membrane surfaces might explain the difference in their antifungal mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Huber
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gregor Oemer
- Division of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nermina Malanovic
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Karl Lohner
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Laura Kovács
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Johannes Zschocke
- Division of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Markus A Keller
- Division of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florentine Marx
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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12
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Amaral VSG, Fernandes CM, Felício MR, Valle AS, Quintana PG, Almeida CC, Barreto-Bergter E, Gonçalves S, Santos NC, Kurtenbach E. Psd2 pea defensin shows a preference for mimetic membrane rafts enriched with glucosylceramide and ergosterol. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2019; 1861:713-728. [PMID: 30639288 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2018.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Psd2 is a pea defensin with 47 amino acid residues that inhibits the growth of fungal species by an uncharacterized mechanism. In this work, Psd2 interactions with model membranes mimicking the lipid compositions of different organisms were evaluated. Protein-lipid overlay assays indicated that Psd2 recognizes Fusarium solani glucosylceramide (GlcCerF.solani) and ergosterol (Erg) in addition to phosphatidylcholine (POPC) and some phosphatidylinositol species, such as PtdIns (3)P, (5)P and (3,5)P2, suggesting that these lipids may play important roles as Psd2 targets. Assays using lipid vesicles were also performed to study the behaviour and dynamics that occur after peptide-membrane interactions. Surface plasmon resonance analysis showed that Psd2 has a higher affinity for pure POPC and POPC-based vesicles containing GlcCer and Erg at a 70:30 proportion than for vesicles containing cholesterol (Chol). Partition experiments by fluorescence spectroscopy showed a decrease in Trp42 quantum yield of Psd2 in the presence of GlcCerF.solani and Erg, individually or in simultaneously enriched membranes. The partition coefficient (Kp) obtained indicated a Psd2 partition preference for this vesicles, confirmed by quenching assays using acrylamide and 5/16-doxyl-stearic acid. Furthermore, we showed that the presence of C8C9 double bonds and a methyl group at position C9 of the sphingoid base backbone of GlcCer was relevant to Psd2 activity against Aspergillus nidulans. These results are consistent with the selectivity of Psd2 against fungi and its lack of toxicity in human erythrocytes. Psd2 represents a promising natural compound for the treatment of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Sara Grancieri Amaral
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Mário R Felício
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Aline Sol Valle
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paula G Quintana
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Caroline Correa Almeida
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eliana Barreto-Bergter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goés, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sónia Gonçalves
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eleonora Kurtenbach
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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13
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Zheng YH, Ma YY, Ding Y, Chen XQ, Gao GX. An insight into new strategies to combat antifungal drug resistance. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2018; 12:3807-3816. [PMID: 30464412 PMCID: PMC6225914 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s185833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections especially in immunocompromised patients represent a dominating cause of mortality. The most commonly used antifungal agents can be divided into three broad categories, including triazoles, echinocandins and polyenes. Antifungal resistance is on the increase, posing a growing threat to the stewardship of immunocompromised patients with fungal infections. The paucity of currently available antifungals leads to the rapid emergence of drug resistance and thus aggravates the refractoriness of invasive fungal infections. Therefore, deep exploration into mechanisms of drug resistance and search for new antifungal targets are required. This review highlights the therapeutic strategies targeting Hsp90, calcineurin, trehalose biosynthesis and sphingolipids biosynthesis, in an attempt to provide clinical evidence for overcoming drug resistance and to form the rationale for combination therapy of conventional antifungals and agents with novel mechanisms of action. What’s more, this review also gives a concise introduction of three new-fashioned antifungals, including carboxymethyl chitosan, silver nanoparticles and chromogranin A-N46.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Hua Zheng
- Department of Hematology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, ;
| | - Yue-Yun Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yi Ding
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xie-Qun Chen
- Department of Hematology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, ;
| | - Guang-Xun Gao
- Department of Hematology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, ;
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14
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Vieira ER, Xisto MIDDS, Pele MA, Alviano DS, Alviano CS, Barreto-Bergter E, de Campos-Takaki GM. Monohexosylceramides from Rhizopus Species Isolated from Brazilian Caatinga: Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of Their Anti-Biofilm and Antibacterial Activities. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23061331. [PMID: 29865153 PMCID: PMC6100016 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Monohexosylceramides (CMHs) are highly conserved fungal glycosphingolipids playing a role in several cellular processes such as growth, differentiation and morphological transition. In this study, we report the isolation, purification and chemical characterization of CMHs from Rhizopus stolonifer and R. microspores. Using positive ion mode ESI-MS, two major ion species were observed at m/z 750 and m/z 766, respectively. Both ion species consisted of a glucose/galactose residue attached to a ceramide moiety containing 9-methyl-4,8-sphingadienine with an amidic linkage to a hydroxylated C16:0 fatty acid. The antimicrobial activity of CMH was evaluated against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria using the agar diffusion assay. CMH from both Rhizopus species inhibited the growth of Bacillus terrae, Micrococcus luteus (M. luteus) and Pseudomonas stutzeri (P. stutzeri) with a MIC50 of 6.25, 6.25 and 3.13 mg/mL, respectively. The bactericidal effect was detected only for M. luteus and P. stutzeri, with MBC values of 25 and 6.25 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the action of CMH on the biofilm produced by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was analyzed using 12.5 and 25 mg/mL of CMH from R. microsporus. Total biofilm biomass, biofilm matrix and viability of the cells that form the biofilm structure were evaluated. CMH from R. microsporus was able to inhibit the MRSA biofilm formation in all parameters tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edson Rodrigues Vieira
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Ambientais e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Pernambuco, Recife 50050-590, PE, Brazil.
| | - Mariana Ingrid Dutra da Silva Xisto
- Laboratório de Química Biológica de Microrganismos, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Milagre Américo Pele
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Ambientais e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Pernambuco, Recife 50050-590, PE, Brazil.
| | - Daniela Sales Alviano
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Celuta Sales Alviano
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Eliana Barreto-Bergter
- Laboratório de Química Biológica de Microrganismos, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Galba Maria de Campos-Takaki
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Ambientais e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Pernambuco, Recife 50050-590, PE, Brazil.
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15
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Abstract
Filamentous and dimorphic fungi cause invasive mycoses associated with high mortality rates. Among the fungal determinants involved in the establishment of infection, glycosphingolipids (GSLs) have gained increased interest in the last few decades. GSLs are ubiquitous membrane components that have been isolated from both filamentous and dimorphic species and play a crucial role in polarized growth as well as hypha-to-yeast transition. In fungi, two major classes of GSLs are found: neutral and acidic GSLs. Neutral GSLs comprise glucosylceramide and galactosylceramide, which utilize Δ4-Δ8-9-methyl-sphingadienine as a sphingoid base, linked to a C16-18 fatty acid chain, forming ceramide, and to a sugar residue, such as glucose or galactose. In contrast, acidic GSLs include glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides (GIPCs), composed of phytosphingosine attached to a long or very long fatty acid chain (C18-26) and to diverse and complex glycan groups via an inositol-phosphate linker. GIPCs are absent in mammalian cells, while fungal glucosylceramide and galactosylceramide are present but diverge structurally from their counterparts. Therefore, these compounds and their biosynthetic pathways represent potential targets for the development of selective therapeutic strategies. In this minireview, we discuss the enzymatic steps involved in the production of fungal GSLs, analyze their structure, and address the role of the currently characterized genes in the biology and pathogenesis of filamentous and dimorphic fungi.
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16
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Ferdouse J, Yamamoto Y, Taguchi S, Yoshizaki Y, Takamine K, Kitagaki H. Glycosylceramide modifies the flavor and metabolic characteristics of sake yeast. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4768. [PMID: 29761062 PMCID: PMC5949206 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the manufacture of sake, Japanese traditional rice wine, sake yeast is fermented with koji, which is steamed rice fermented with the non-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus oryzae. During fermentation, sake yeast requires lipids, such as unsaturated fatty acids and sterols, in addition to substances provided by koji enzymes for fermentation. However, the role of sphingolipids on the brewing characteristics of sake yeast has not been studied. In this study, we revealed that glycosylceramide, one of the sphingolipids abundant in koji, affects yeast fermentation. The addition of soy, A. oryzae, and Grifola frondosa glycosylceramide conferred a similar effect on the flavor profiles of sake yeast. In particular, the addition of A. oryzae and G. frondosa glycosylceramide were very similar in terms of the decreases in ethyl caprylate and ethyl 9-decenoate. The addition of soy glycosylceramide induced metabolic changes to sake yeast such as a decrease in glucose, increases in ethanol and glycerol and changes in several amino acids and organic acids concentrations. Tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, pyruvate metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism were overrepresented in the cultures incubated with sake yeast and soy glycosylceramide. This is the first study of the effect of glycosylceramide on the flavor and metabolic profile of sake yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannatul Ferdouse
- Department of Biochemistry and Applied Biosciences, United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamamoto
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Seiga Taguchi
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Yumiko Yoshizaki
- Department of Biochemistry and Applied Biosciences, United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kazunori Takamine
- Department of Biochemistry and Applied Biosciences, United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kitagaki
- Department of Biochemistry and Applied Biosciences, United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.,Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Saga University, Saga, Japan
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17
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Regulated Cell Death as a Therapeutic Target for Novel Antifungal Peptides and Biologics. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:5473817. [PMID: 29854086 PMCID: PMC5944218 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5473817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The rise of microbial pathogens refractory to conventional antibiotics represents one of the most urgent and global public health concerns for the 21st century. Emergence of Candida auris isolates and the persistence of invasive mold infections that resist existing treatment and cause severe illness has underscored the threat of drug-resistant fungal infections. To meet these growing challenges, mechanistically novel agents and strategies are needed that surpass the conventional fungistatic or fungicidal drug actions. Host defense peptides have long been misunderstood as indiscriminant membrane detergents. However, evidence gathered over the past decade clearly points to their sophisticated and selective mechanisms of action, including exploiting regulated cell death pathways of their target pathogens. Such peptides perturb transmembrane potential and mitochondrial energetics, inducing phosphatidylserine accessibility and metacaspase activation in fungi. These mechanisms are often multimodal, affording target pathogens fewer resistance options as compared to traditional small molecule drugs. Here, recent advances in the field are examined regarding regulated cell death subroutines as potential therapeutic targets for innovative anti-infective peptides against pathogenic fungi. Furthering knowledge of protective host defense peptide interactions with target pathogens is key to advancing and applying novel prophylactic and therapeutic countermeasures to fungal resistance and pathogenesis.
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18
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FUKUNAGA S, WADA S, SATO T, HAMAGUCHI M, AOI W, HIGASHI A. Effect of Torula Yeast ( Candida utilis)-Derived Glucosylceramide on Skin Dryness and Other Skin Conditions in Winter. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2018; 64:265-270. [DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.64.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shoko FUKUNAGA
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University
| | - Sayori WADA
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University
| | | | - Masahide HAMAGUCHI
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
| | - Wataru AOI
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University
| | - Akane HIGASHI
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University
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19
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Sphingolipids from the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Biochimie 2017; 141:9-15. [PMID: 28652019 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2017.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Sphingolipids (SPLs) are key components of the plasma membrane in yeast and filamentous fungi. These molecules are involved in a number of cellular processes, and particularly, SGLs are essential components of the highly polarized fungal growth where they are required for the formation of the polarisome organization at the hyphal apex. Aspergillus fumigatus, a human fungal pathogen, produce SGLs that are discriminated into neutral cerebrosides, glycosylinositolphosphoceramides (GIPCs) and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors. In addition to complex hydrophilic head groups of GIPCs, A. fumigatus is, to date, the sole fungus that produces a GPI-anchored polysaccharide. These SPLs follow three different biosynthetic pathways. Genetics blockage leading to the inhibition of any SPL biosynthesis or to the alteration of the structure of SPL induces growth and virulence defects. The complete lipid moiety of SPLs is essential for the lipid microdomain organization and their biosynthetic pathways are potential antifungal targets but remains understudied.
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20
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Gonçalves S, Silva PM, Felício MR, de Medeiros LN, Kurtenbach E, Santos NC. Psd1 Effects on Candida albicans Planktonic Cells and Biofilms. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017. [PMID: 28649561 PMCID: PMC5465278 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is an important human pathogen, causing opportunistic infections. The adhesion of planktonic cells to a substrate is the first step for biofilm development. The antimicrobial peptide (AMP) Psd1 is a defensin isolated from Pisum sativum seeds. We tested the effects of this AMP on C. albicans biofilms and planktonic cells, comparing its activity with amphotericin B and fluconazole. Three C. albicans variants were studied, one of them a mutant deficient in glucosylceramide synthase, conferring resistance to Psd1 antifungal action. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to assess morphological and biomechanical changes on fungal cells. Surface alterations, with membrane disruption and leakage of cellular contents, were observed. Cytometry assays and confocal microscopy imaging showed that Psd1 causes cell death, in a time and concentration-dependent manner. These results demonstrate Psd1 pleiotropic action against a relevant fungal human pathogen, suggesting its use as natural antimycotic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Gonçalves
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal
| | - Patrícia M Silva
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal
| | - Mário R Felício
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal
| | - Luciano N de Medeiros
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eleonora Kurtenbach
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal
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21
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Fernandes CM, de Castro PA, Singh A, Fonseca FL, Pereira MD, Vila TVM, Atella GC, Rozental S, Savoldi M, Del Poeta M, Goldman GH, Kurtenbach E. Functional characterization of the Aspergillus nidulans glucosylceramide pathway reveals that LCB Δ8-desaturation and C9-methylation are relevant to filamentous growth, lipid raft localization and Psd1 defensin activity. Mol Microbiol 2016; 102:488-505. [PMID: 27479571 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
C8-desaturated and C9-methylated glucosylceramide (GlcCer) is a fungal-specific sphingolipid that plays an important role in the growth and virulence of many species. In this work, we investigated the contribution of Aspergillus nidulans sphingolipid Δ8-desaturase (SdeA), sphingolipid C9-methyltransferases (SmtA/SmtB) and glucosylceramide synthase (GcsA) to fungal phenotypes, sensitivity to Psd1 defensin and Galleria mellonella virulence. We showed that ΔsdeA accumulated C8-saturated and unmethylated GlcCer, while gcsA deletion impaired GlcCer synthesis. Although increased levels of unmethylated GlcCer were observed in smtA and smtB mutants, ΔsmtA and wild-type cells showed a similar 9,Me-GlcCer content, reduced by 50% in the smtB disruptant. The compromised 9,Me-GlcCer production in the ΔsmtB strain was not accompanied by reduced filamentation or defects in cell polarity. When combined with the smtA deletion, smtB repression significantly increased unmethylated GlcCer levels and compromised filamentous growth. Furthermore, sdeA and gcsA mutants displayed growth defects and raft mislocalization, which were accompanied by reduced neutral lipids levels and attenuated G. mellonella virulence in the ΔgcsA strain. Finally, ΔsdeA and ΔgcsA showed increased resistance to Psd1, suggesting that GlcCer synthesis and fungal sphingoid base structure specificities are relevant not only to differentiation but also to proper recognition by this antifungal defensin.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Fernandes
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - P A de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - A Singh
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - F L Fonseca
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - M D Pereira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - T V M Vila
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - G C Atella
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - S Rozental
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - M Savoldi
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - M Del Poeta
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - G H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - E Kurtenbach
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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22
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Abstract
Invasive fungal infections have significantly increased in the last few decades. Three classes of drugs are commonly used to treat these infections: polyenes, azoles and echinocandins. Unfortunately each of these drugs has drawbacks; polyenes are toxic, resistance against azoles is emerging and echinocandins have narrow spectrum of activity. Thus, the development of new antifungals is urgently needed. In this context, fungal sphingolipids have emerged as a potential target for new antifungals, because their biosynthesis in fungi is structurally different than in mammals. Besides, some fungal sphingolipids play an important role in the regulation of virulence in a variety of fungi. This review aims to highlight the diverse strategies that could be used to block the synthesis or/and function of fungal sphingolipids.
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23
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Glucosylceramide Administration as a Vaccination Strategy in Mouse Models of Cryptococcosis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153853. [PMID: 27082428 PMCID: PMC4833283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen and the causative agent of the disease cryptococcosis. Cryptococcosis is initiated as a pulmonary infection and in conditions of immune deficiency disseminates to the blood stream and central nervous system, resulting in life-threatening meningoencephalitis. A number of studies have focused on the development of a vaccine against Cryptococcus, primarily utilizing protein-conjugated components of the Cryptococcus polysaccharide capsule as antigen. However, there is currently no vaccine against Cryptococcus in the clinic. Previous studies have shown that the glycosphingolipid, glucosylceramide (GlcCer), is a virulence factor in C. neoformans and antibodies against this lipid inhibit fungal growth and cell division. In the present study, we have investigated the possibility of using GlcCer as a therapeutic agent against C. neoformans infections in mouse models of cryptococcosis. GlcCer purified from a non-pathogenic fungus, Candida utilis, was administered intraperitoneally, prior to infecting mice with a lethal dose of C. neoformans. GlcCer administration prevented the dissemination of C. neoformans from the lungs to the brain and led to 60% mouse survival. GlcCer administration did not cause hepatic injury and elicited an anti-GlcCer antibody response, which was observed independent of the route of administration and the strains of mouse. Taken together, our results suggest that fungal GlcCer can protect mice against lethal doses of C. neoformans infection and can provide a viable vaccination strategy against Cryptococcus.
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24
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Tani M. Structure–Function Relationship of Complex Sphingolipids in Yeast. TRENDS GLYCOSCI GLYC 2016. [DOI: 10.4052/tigg.1509.1j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Motohiro Tani
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University
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25
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Affiliation(s)
- Motohiro Tani
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University
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26
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Mor V, Rella A, Farnoud AM, Singh A, Munshi M, Bryan A, Naseem S, Konopka JB, Ojima I, Bullesbach E, Ashbaugh A, Linke MJ, Cushion M, Collins M, Ananthula HK, Sallans L, Desai PB, Wiederhold NP, Fothergill AW, Kirkpatrick WR, Patterson T, Wong LH, Sinha S, Giaever G, Nislow C, Flaherty P, Pan X, Cesar GV, de Melo Tavares P, Frases S, Miranda K, Rodrigues ML, Luberto C, Nimrichter L, Del Poeta M. Identification of a New Class of Antifungals Targeting the Synthesis of Fungal Sphingolipids. mBio 2015; 6:e00647. [PMID: 26106079 PMCID: PMC4479701 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00647-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Recent estimates suggest that >300 million people are afflicted by serious fungal infections worldwide. Current antifungal drugs are static and toxic and/or have a narrow spectrum of activity. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of new antifungal drugs. The fungal sphingolipid glucosylceramide (GlcCer) is critical in promoting virulence of a variety of human-pathogenic fungi. In this study, we screened a synthetic drug library for compounds that target the synthesis of fungal, but not mammalian, GlcCer and found two compounds [N'-(3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-methylbenzohydrazide (BHBM) and its derivative, 3-bromo-N'-(3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzylidene) benzohydrazide (D0)] that were highly effective in vitro and in vivo against several pathogenic fungi. BHBM and D0 were well tolerated in animals and are highly synergistic or additive to current antifungals. BHBM and D0 significantly affected fungal cell morphology and resulted in the accumulation of intracellular vesicles. Deep-sequencing analysis of drug-resistant mutants revealed that four protein products, encoded by genes APL5, COS111, MKK1, and STE2, which are involved in vesicular transport and cell cycle progression, are targeted by BHBM. IMPORTANCE Fungal infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current antifungal drugs suffer from various drawbacks, including toxicity, drug resistance, and narrow spectrum of activity. In this study, we have demonstrated that pharmaceutical inhibition of fungal glucosylceramide presents a new opportunity to treat cryptococcosis and various other fungal infections. In addition to being effective against pathogenic fungi, the compounds discovered in this study were well tolerated by animals and additive to current antifungals. These findings suggest that these drugs might pave the way for the development of a new class of antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Visesato Mor
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Antonella Rella
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Amir M Farnoud
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Ashutosh Singh
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Mansa Munshi
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Arielle Bryan
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Shamoon Naseem
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - James B Konopka
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Iwao Ojima
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Erika Bullesbach
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Alan Ashbaugh
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | - Margaret Collins
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Larry Sallans
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Pankaj B Desai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Nathan P Wiederhold
- Department of Pathology, Fungus Testing Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Annette W Fothergill
- Department of Pathology, Fungus Testing Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - William R Kirkpatrick
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas Patterson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Lai Hong Wong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
| | - Sunita Sinha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
| | - Guri Giaever
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
| | - Corey Nislow
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
| | - Patrick Flaherty
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xuewen Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gabriele Vargas Cesar
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patricia de Melo Tavares
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susana Frases
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Chiara Luberto
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
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Silva PM, Gonçalves S, Santos NC. Defensins: antifungal lessons from eukaryotes. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:97. [PMID: 24688483 PMCID: PMC3960590 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last years, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been the focus of intense research toward the finding of a viable alternative to current antifungal drugs. Defensins are one of the major families of AMPs and the most represented among all eukaryotic groups, providing an important first line of host defense against pathogenic microorganisms. Several of these cysteine-stabilized peptides present a relevant effect against fungi. Defensins are the AMPs with the broader distribution across all eukaryotic kingdoms, namely, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia, and were recently shown to have an ancestor in a bacterial organism. As a part of the host defense, defensins act as an important vehicle of information between innate and adaptive immune system and have a role in immunomodulation. This multidimensionality represents a powerful host shield, hard for microorganisms to overcome using single approach resistance strategies. Pathogenic fungi resistance to conventional antimycotic drugs is becoming a major problem. Defensins, as other AMPs, have shown to be an effective alternative to the current antimycotic therapies, demonstrating potential as novel therapeutic agents or drug leads. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on some eukaryotic defensins with antifungal action. An overview of the main targets in the fungal cell and the mechanism of action of these AMPs (namely, the selectivity for some fungal membrane components) are presented. Additionally, recent works on antifungal defensins structure, activity, and cytotoxicity are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia M Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sónia Gonçalves
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
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Kjellberg MA, Mattjus P. Glycolipid transfer protein expression is affected by glycosphingolipid synthesis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e70283. [PMID: 23894633 PMCID: PMC3722133 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the glycolipid transfer protein superfamily (GLTP) are found from animals and fungi to plants and red micro-alga. Eukaryotes that encode the glucosylceramide synthase responsible for the synthesis of glucosylceramide, the precursor for most glycosphingolipids, also produce GLTPs. Cells that does not synthesize glucosylceramide neither express GLTPs. Based on this genetic relationship there must be a strong correlation between the synthesis of glucosylceramide and GLTPs. To regulate the levels of glycolipids we have used inhibitors of intracellular trafficking, glycosphingolipid synthesis and degradation, and small interfering RNA to down-regulate the activity of glucosylceramide synthase activity. We found that GLTP expression, both at the mRNA and protein levels, is elevated in cells that accumulate glucosylceramide. Monensin and brefeldin A block intracellular vesicular transport mechanisms. Brefeldin A treatment leads to accumulation of newly synthesized glucosylceramide, galactosylceramide and lactosylceramide in a fused endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi complex. On the other hand, inhibiting glycosphingolipid degradation with conduritol-B-epoxide, that generates glucosylceramide accumulation in the lysosomes, did not affect the levels of GLTP. However, glycosphingolipid synthesis inhibitors like PDMP, NB-DNJ and myriocin, all decreased glucosylceramide and GLTP below normal levels. We also found that an 80% loss of glucosylceramide due to glucosylceramide synthase knockdown resulted in a significant reduction in the expression of GLTP. We show here that interfering with membrane trafficking events and simple neutral glycosphingolipid synthesis will affect the expression of GLTP. We postulate that a change in the glucosylceramide balance causes a response in the GLTP expression, and put forward that GLTP might play a role in lipid directing and sensing of glucosylceramide at the ER-Golgi interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti A Kjellberg
- Biochemistry, Department of Biosciences, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
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29
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Ishibashi Y, Kohyama-Koganeya A, Hirabayashi Y. New insights on glucosylated lipids: metabolism and functions. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2013; 1831:1475-85. [PMID: 23770033 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2013.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Revised: 06/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Ceramide, cholesterol, and phosphatidic acid are major basic structures for cell membrane lipids. These lipids are modified with glucose to generate glucosylceramide (GlcCer), cholesterylglucoside (ChlGlc), and phosphatidylglucoside (PtdGlc), respectively. Glucosylation dramatically changes the functional properties of lipids. For instance, ceramide acts as a strong tumor suppressor that causes apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, while GlcCer has an opposite effect, downregulating ceramide activities. All glucosylated lipids are enriched in lipid rafts or microdomains and play fundamental roles in a variety of cellular processes. In this review, we discuss the biological functions and metabolism of these three glucosylated lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Ishibashi
- Laboratory for Molecular Membrane Neuroscience, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan
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Arakaki A, Iwama D, Liang Y, Murakami N, Ishikura M, Tanaka T, Matsunaga T. Glycosylceramides from marine green microalga Tetraselmis sp. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2013; 85:107-114. [PMID: 23089133 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2012.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2012] [Revised: 08/08/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Glycosylceramides are ubiquitous and important components of the plasma membrane in most eukaryotic cells and a few bacteria. They play significant roles in a variety of cellular functions. Their molecular structures are well recognized in animals, higher plants, and fungi, but are poorly characterized in lower plants. In this study, a high glycosylceramide-producing microalgal strain Tetraselmis sp. NKG 400013 was found. TLC and MS analyses established the presence of glycosylceramides, GT1 and GT2, in this strain. Their chemical structures were determined by NMR spectroscopy and GC/MS, and were identified as glycosylceramides consisting of the typical botanical sphingoid base ([4E, 8E]-sphinga-4, 8-dienine) and 2-hydroxy-Δ3-unsaturated fatty acyl chains, respectively. To our knowledge, the occurrence of glycosylceramides in microalga of the class Prasinophyceae was previously unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Arakaki
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
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31
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Chalat M, Menon I, Turan Z, Menon AK. Reconstitution of glucosylceramide flip-flop across endoplasmic reticulum: implications for mechanism of glycosphingolipid biosynthesis. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:15523-32. [PMID: 22427661 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.343038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Most glycosphingolipids are synthesized by the sequential addition of monosaccharides to glucosylceramide (GlcCer) in the lumen of the Golgi apparatus. Because GlcCer is synthesized on the cytoplasmic face of Golgi membranes, it must be flipped to the non-cytoplasmic face by a lipid flippase in order to nucleate glycosphingolipid synthesis. Halter et al. (Halter, D., Neumann, S., van Dijk, S. M., Wolthoorn, J., de Mazière, A. M., Vieira, O. V., Mattjus, P., Klumperman, J., van Meer, G., and Sprong, H. (2007) Pre- and post-Golgi translocation of glucosylceramide in glycosphingolipid synthesis. J. Cell Biol. 179, 101-115) proposed that this essential flipping step is accomplished via a complex trafficking itinerary; GlcCer is moved from the cytoplasmic face of the Golgi to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by FAPP2, a cytoplasmic lipid transfer protein, flipped across the ER membrane, then delivered to the lumen of the Golgi complex by vesicular transport. We now report biochemical reconstitution studies to analyze GlcCer flipping at the ER. Using proteoliposomes reconstituted from Triton X-100-solubilized rat liver ER membrane proteins, we demonstrate rapid (t(½) < 20 s), ATP-independent flip-flop of N-(6-((7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)amino)hexanoyl)-D-glucosyl-β1-1'-sphingosine, a fluorescent GlcCer analog. Further studies involving protein modification, biochemical fractionation, and analyses of flip-flop in proteoliposomes reconstituted with ER membrane proteins from yeast indicate that GlcCer translocation is facilitated by well characterized ER phospholipid flippases that remain to be identified at the molecular level. By reason of their abundance and membrane bending activity, we considered that the ER reticulons and the related Yop1 protein could function as phospholipid-GlcCer flippases. Direct tests showed that these proteins have no flippase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhavan Chalat
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA
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32
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Singh A, Wang H, Silva LC, Na C, Prieto M, Futerman AH, Luberto C, Del Poeta M. Methylation of glycosylated sphingolipid modulates membrane lipid topography and pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans. Cell Microbiol 2012; 14:500-16. [PMID: 22151739 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2011.01735.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In previous studies we showed that the replication of Cryptococcus neoformans in the lung environment is controlled by the glucosylceramide (GlcCer) synthase gene (GCS1), which synthesizes the membrane sphingolipid GlcCer from the C9-methyl ceramide. Here, we studied the effect of the mutation of the sphingolipid C9 methyltransferase gene (SMT1), which adds a methyl group to position 9 of the sphingosine backbone of ceramide. The C. neoformans Δsmt1 mutant does not make C9-methyl ceramide and, thus, any methylated GlcCer. However, it accumulates demethylated ceramide and demethylated GlcCer. The Δsmt1 mutant loses more than 80% of its virulence compared with the wild type and the reconstituted strain. Interestingly, growth of C. neoformans Δsmt1 in the lung was decreased and C. neoformans cells were contained in lung granulomas, which significantly reduced the rate of their dissemination to the brain reducing the onset of meningoencephalitis. Thus, using fluorescent spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy we compared the wild type and Δsmt1 mutant and found that the altered membrane composition and GlcCer structure affects fungal membrane rigidity, suggesting that specific sphingolipid structures are required for proper fungal membrane organization and integrity. Therefore, we propose that the physical structure of the plasma membrane imparted by specific classes of sphingolipids represents a critical factor for the ability of the fungus to establish virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpita Singh
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Ishibashi Y, Ikeda K, Sakaguchi K, Okino N, Taguchi R, Ito M. Quality control of fungus-specific glucosylceramide in Cryptococcus neoformans by endoglycoceramidase-related protein 1 (EGCrP1). J Biol Chem 2011; 287:368-381. [PMID: 22072709 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.311340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A fungus-specific glucosylceramide (GlcCer), which contains a unique sphingoid base possessing two double bonds and a methyl substitution, is essential for pathogenicity in fungi. Although the biosynthetic pathway of the GlcCer has been well elucidated, little is known about GlcCer catabolism because a GlcCer-degrading enzyme (glucocerebrosidase) has yet to be identified in fungi. We found a homologue of endoglycoceramidase tentatively designated endoglycoceramidase-related protein 1 (EGCrP1) in several fungal genomic databases. The recombinant EGCrP1 hydrolyzed GlcCer but not other glycosphingolipids, whereas endoglycoceramidase hydrolyzed oligosaccharide-linked glycosphingolipids but not GlcCer. Disruption of egcrp1 in Cryptococcus neoformans, a typical pathogenic fungus causing cryptococcosis, resulted in the accumulation of fungus-specific GlcCer and immature GlcCer that possess sphingoid bases without a methyl substitution concomitant with a dysfunction of polysaccharide capsule formation. These results indicated that EGCrP1 participates in the catabolism of GlcCer and especially functions to eliminate immature GlcCer in vivo that are generated as by-products due to the broad specificity of GlcCer synthase. We conclude that EGCrP1, a glucocerebrosidase identified for the first time in fungi, controls the quality of GlcCer by eliminating immature GlcCer incorrectly generated in C. neoformans, leading to accurate processing of fungus-specific GlcCer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Ishibashi
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Ikeda
- Department of Metabolome, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, 246-2 Mizukami, Kakuganji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
| | - Keishi Sakaguchi
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
| | - Nozomu Okino
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
| | - Ryo Taguchi
- Department of Metabolome, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life and Health Sciences, Chubu University, 1200 Matsumoto-cho, Kasugai-shi, Aichi 487-8501, Japan
| | - Makoto Ito
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan; New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), MUZA, Saiwai-ku, Kanagawa 212-8554, Japan.
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Nimrichter L, Rodrigues ML. Fungal glucosylceramides: from structural components to biologically active targets of new antimicrobials. Front Microbiol 2011; 2:212. [PMID: 22025918 PMCID: PMC3198225 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2011.00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Accepted: 09/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The first work reporting synthesis of glucosylceramide (cerebrin, GlcCer) by yeasts was published in 1930. During approximately 70 years members of this class of glycosphingolipids (GSL) were considered merely structural components of plasma membrane in fungi. However, in the last decade GlcCer was reported to be involved with fungal growth, differentiation, virulence, immunogenicity, and lipid raft architecture in at least two human pathogens. Fungal GlcCer are structurally distinct from their mammalian counterparts and enriched at the cell wall, which makes this molecule an effective target for antifungal activity of specific ligands (peptides and antibodies to GlcCer). Therefore, GSL are promising targets for new drugs to combat fungal diseases. This review discusses the most recent information on biosynthesis and role of GlcCer in fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Nimrichter
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Abstract
Despite the availability of various classes of antimycotics, the treatment of patients with systemic fungal infections is challenging. Therefore the development of new antifungals is urgently required. Promising new antifungal candidates are antimicrobial peptides. In the present review, we provide an overview of antifungal peptides isolated from plants, insects, amphibians and mammals that induce apoptosis. Their antifungal spectrum, mode of action and toxicity are discussed in more detail.
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Rhome R, Singh A, Kechichian T, Drago M, Morace G, Luberto C, Poeta MD. Surface localization of glucosylceramide during Cryptococcus neoformans infection allows targeting as a potential antifungal. PLoS One 2011; 6:e15572. [PMID: 21283686 PMCID: PMC3024982 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2010] [Accepted: 11/14/2010] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is a significant human pathogen that, despite current treatments, continues to have a high morbidity rate especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The need for more tolerable and specific therapies has been clearly shown. In the search for novel drug targets, the gene for glucosylceramide synthase (GCS1) was deleted in Cn, resulting in a strain (Δgcs1) that does not produce glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and is avirulent in mouse models of infection. To understand the biology behind the connection between virulence and GlcCer, the production and localization of GlcCer must be characterized in conditions that are prohibitive to the growth of Δgcs1 (neutral pH and high CO(2)). These prohibitive conditions are physiologically similar to those found in the extracellular spaces of the lung during infection. Here, using immunofluorescence, we have shown that GlcCer localization to the cell surface is significantly increased during growth in these conditions and during infection. We further seek to exploit this localization by treatment with Cerezyme (Cz), a recombinant enzyme that metabolizes GlcCer, as a potential treatment for Cn. Cz treatment was found to reduce the amount of GlcCer in vitro, in cultures, and in Cn cells inhabiting the mouse lung. Treatment with Cz induced a membrane integrity defect in wild type Cn cells similar to Δgcs1. Cz treatment also reduced the in vitro growth of Cn in a dose and condition dependent manner. Finally, Cz treatment was shown to have a protective effect on survival in mice infected with Cn. Taken together, these studies have established the legitimacy of targeting the GlcCer and other related sphingolipid systems in the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Rhome
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Arpita Singh
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Talar Kechichian
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Monica Drago
- Dipartimento di Sanita' Pubblica, Microbiologia-Virologia, Universita' degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Morace
- Dipartimento di Sanita' Pubblica, Microbiologia-Virologia, Universita' degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Luberto
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
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Takahashi HK, Toledo MS, Suzuki E, Tagliari L, Straus AH. Current relevance of fungal and trypanosomatid glycolipids and sphingolipids: studies defining structures conspicuously absent in mammals. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2010; 81:477-88. [PMID: 19722017 DOI: 10.1590/s0001-37652009000300012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2008] [Accepted: 02/20/2009] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, glycosphingolipids have been attracting attention due to their role on biological systems as second messengers or modulators of signal transduction, affecting several events, which range from apoptosis to regulation of the cell cycle. In pathogenic fungi, glycolipids are expressed in two classes: neutral monohexosylceramides (glucosyl-or galactosylceramide) and acidic glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides (the latter class carries longer glycan chains). It is worth to mention that monohexosylceramides exhibit significant structural differences in their lipid moieties compared to their mammalian counterparts, whereas the glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides exhibit remarkable structural differences in their carbohydrate moieties in comparison to mammal glycosphingolipids counterpart. We observed that glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides are capable of promoting immune response in infected humans. In addition, inhibiting fungal glycosphingolipid biosynthetic pathways leads to an inhibition of colony formation, spore germination, cell cycle, dimorphism and hyphal growth. Other pathogens, such as trypanosomatids, also present unique glycolipids, which may have an important role for the parasite development and/or disease establishment. Regarding host-pathogen interaction, cell membrane rafts, which are enriched in sphingolipids and sterols, participate in parasite/fungal infection. In this review, it is discussed the different biological roles of (glyco) (sphingo)lipids of pathogenic/opportunistic fungi and trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helio K Takahashi
- Setor de Imunoquímica de Glicoconjugados, Departamento de Bioquímica, Ed. J.L. Prado, Rua Botucatu, 862, 04023-900 São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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The antifungal plant defensin RsAFP2 from radish induces apoptosis in a metacaspase independent way in Candida albicans. FEBS Lett 2009; 583:2513-6. [PMID: 19596007 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2009] [Revised: 06/24/2009] [Accepted: 07/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We show that the antifungal plant defensin Raphanus sativus antifungal protein 2 (RsAFP2) from radish induces apoptosis and concomitantly triggers activation of caspases or caspase-like proteases in the human pathogen Candida albicans. Furthermore, we demonstrate that deletion of C. albicans metacaspase 1, encoding the only reported (putative) caspase in C. albicans, significantly affects caspase activation by the apoptotic stimulus acetic acid, but not by RsAFP2. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the induction of apoptosis with concomitant caspase activation by a defensin in this pathogen. Moreover, our data point to the existence of at least two different types of caspases or caspase-like proteases in C. albicans.
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Santos ALS, Bittencourt VCB, Pinto MR, Silva BA, Barreto-Bergter E. Biochemical characterization of potential virulence markers in the human fungal pathogen Pseudallescheria boydii. Med Mycol 2009; 47:375-86. [PMID: 19235547 DOI: 10.1080/13693780802610305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitous Pseudallescheria boydii (anamorph Scedosporium apiospermum) is a saprophytic filamentous fungus recognized as a potent etiologic agent of a wide variety of infections in immunocompromised as well as in immunocompetent patients. Very little is known about the virulence factors expressed by this fungal pathogen. The present review provides an overview of recent discoveries related to the identification and biochemical characterization of potential virulence attributes produced by P. boydii, with special emphasis on surface and released molecules. These structures include polysaccharides (glucans), glycopeptides (peptidorhamnomannans), glycolipids (glucosylceramides) and hydrolytic enzymes (proteases, phosphatases and superoxide dismutase), which have been implicated in some fundamental cellular processes in P. boydii including growth, differentiation and interaction with host molecules. Elucidation of the structure of cell surface components as well as the secreted molecules, especially those that function as virulence determinants, is of great relevance to understand the pathogenic mechanisms of P. boydii.
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Affiliation(s)
- André L S Santos
- Laboratorio de Estudos Integrados em Bioquimica Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral/IMPPG, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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40
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In vitro activity of the antifungal plant defensin RsAFP2 against Candida isolates and its in vivo efficacy in prophylactic murine models of candidiasis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2008; 52:4522-5. [PMID: 18824606 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00448-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
We show that RsAFP2, a plant defensin that interacts with fungal glucosylceramides, is active against Candida albicans, inhibits to a lesser extent other Candida species, and is nontoxic to mammalian cells. Moreover, glucosylceramide levels in Candida species correlate with RsAFP2 sensitivity. We found RsAFP2 prophylactically effective against murine candidiasis.
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Nimrichter L, Rodrigues ML, Barreto-Bergter E, Travassos LR. Sophisticated Functions for a Simple Molecule: The Role of Glucosylceramides in Fungal Cells. Lipid Insights 2008. [DOI: 10.4137/lpi.s1014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that mammalian glycosphingolipids (GSL) play key roles in different physiological and pathophysiological processes. The simplest GSL, glucosylceramide (GlcCer), is formed through the enzymatic transfer of glucose to a ceramide moiety. In mammalian cells this molecule is the building block for the synthesis of lactosylceramides and many other complex GSLs. In fungal cells GlcCer is a major neutral GSL that has been considered during decades merely as a structural component of cell membranes. The recent literature, however, describes the participation of fungal GlcCer in vital processes such as secretion, cell wall assembly, recognition by the immune system and regulation of virulence. In this review we discuss the most recent information regarding fungal GlcCer, including (i) new aspects of GlcCer metabolism, (ii) the involvement of these molecules in virulence mechanisms, (iii) their role as targets of new antifungal drugs and immunotherapeutic agents and, finally, (v) their potential participation on cellular signaling in response to different stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Nimrichter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Eliana Barreto-Bergter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Luiz R. Travassos
- Unidade de Oncologia Experimental and Disciplina de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo, SP 04023-062, Brazil
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Rodrigues ML, Nimrichter L, Oliveira DL, Nosanchuk JD, Casadevall A. Vesicular Trans-Cell Wall Transport in Fungi: A Mechanism for the Delivery of Virulence-Associated Macromolecules? Lipid Insights 2008; 2:27-40. [PMID: 20617119 DOI: 10.4137/lpi.s1000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal cells are encaged in rigid, complex cell walls. Until recently, there was remarkably little information regarding the trans-fungal cell wall transfer of intracellular macromolecules to the extracellular space. Recently, several studies have begun to elucidate the mechanisms that fungal cells utilize to secrete a wide variety of macromolecules through the cell wall. The combined use of transmission electron microscopy, serology, biochemistry, proteomics and lipidomics have revealed that the fungal pathogens Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Sporothrix schenckii, as well as the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, each produces extracellular vesicles that carry lipids, proteins, polysaccharides and pigment-like structures of unquestionable biological significance. Compositional analysis of the C. neoformans and H. capsulatum extracellular vesicles suggests that they may function as 'virulence bags', with the potential to modulate the host-pathogen interaction in favor of the fungus. The cellular origin of the extracellular vesicles remains unknown, but morphological and biochemical features indicate that they are similar to the well-described mammalian exosomes.
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Takakuwa N, Ohnishi M, Oda Y. Significance of the KlLAC1 gene in glucosylceramide production by Kluyveromyces lactis. FEMS Yeast Res 2008; 8:839-45. [PMID: 18631186 DOI: 10.1111/j.1567-1364.2008.00407.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Each of the 12 genes involved in the synthesis of glucosylceramide was overexpressed in cells of Kluyveromyces lactis to construct a strain accumulating a high quantity of glucosylceramide. Glucosylceramide was doubled by the KlLAC1 gene, which encodes ceramide synthase, and not by 11 other genes, including the KlLAG1 gene, a homologue of KlLAC1. Disruption of the KlLAC1 gene reduced the content below the detection level. Heterologous expression of the KlLAC1 gene in the cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae caused the accumulation of ceramide, composed of C(18) fatty acid. The KlLAC1 protein preferred long-chain (C(18)) fatty acids to very-long-chain (C(26)) fatty acids for condensation with sphingoid bases and seemed to supply a ceramide moiety as the substrate for the formation of glucosylceramide. When the amino acid sequences of ceramide synthase derived from eight yeast species were compared, LAC1 proteins from five species producing glucosylceramide were clearly discriminated from those of the other three species and all LAG1 proteins. The LAC1 protein of K. lactis is the enzyme that plays a crucial role in the synthesis of glucosylceramide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Takakuwa
- Memuro Research Station, National Agricultural Research Center for Hokkaido Region, NARO, Hokkaido, Japan
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West G, Viitanen L, Alm C, Mattjus P, Salminen TA, Edqvist J. Identification of a glycosphingolipid transfer protein GLTP1 in Arabidopsis thaliana. FEBS J 2008; 275:3421-37. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2008.06498.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Pinto MR, Barreto-Bergter E, Taborda CP. Glycoconjugates and polysaccharides of fungal cell wall and activation of immune system. Braz J Microbiol 2008; 39:195-208. [PMID: 24031202 PMCID: PMC3768395 DOI: 10.1590/s1517-83822008000200001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2007] [Accepted: 02/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycoproteins, glycosphingolipids and polysaccharides exposed at the most external layers of the wall are involved in several types of interactions of fungal cells with the exocellular environment. These molecules are fundamental building blocks of organisms, contributing to the structure, integrity, cell growth, differentiation and signaling. Several of them are immunologically active compounds with potential as regulators of pathogenesis and the immune response of the host. Some of these structures can be specifically recognized by antibodies from patients’ sera, suggesting that they can be also useful in the diagnosis of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Pinto
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade de São Paulo , São Paulo, SP , Brasil
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46
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Garcia J, Shea J, Alvarez-Vasquez F, Qureshi A, Luberto C, Voit EO, Del Poeta M. Mathematical modeling of pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans. Mol Syst Biol 2008; 4:183. [PMID: 18414484 PMCID: PMC2387229 DOI: 10.1038/msb.2008.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2007] [Accepted: 02/20/2008] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is the most common cause of fungal meningitis worldwide. In infected patients, growth of the fungus can occur within the phagolysosome of phagocytic cells, especially in non-activated macrophages of immunocompromised subjects. Since this environment is characteristically acidic, Cn must adapt to low pH to survive and efficiently cause disease. In the present work, we designed, tested, and experimentally validated a theoretical model of the sphingolipid biochemical pathway in Cn under acidic conditions. Simulations of metabolic fluxes and enzyme deletions or downregulation led to predictions that show good agreement with experimental results generated post hoc and reconcile intuitively puzzling results. This study demonstrates how biochemical modeling can yield testable predictions and aid our understanding of fungal pathogenesis through the design and computational simulation of hypothetical experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Halter D, Neumann S, van Dijk SM, Wolthoorn J, de Mazière AM, Vieira OV, Mattjus P, Klumperman J, van Meer G, Sprong H. Pre- and post-Golgi translocation of glucosylceramide in glycosphingolipid synthesis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 179:101-15. [PMID: 17923531 PMCID: PMC2064740 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200704091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Glycosphingolipids are controlled by the spatial organization of their metabolism and by transport specificity. Using immunoelectron microscopy, we localize to the Golgi stack the glycosyltransferases that produce glucosylceramide (GlcCer), lactosylceramide (LacCer), and GM3. GlcCer is synthesized on the cytosolic side and must translocate across to the Golgi lumen for LacCer synthesis. However, only very little natural GlcCer translocates across the Golgi in vitro. As GlcCer reaches the cell surface when Golgi vesicular trafficking is inhibited, it must translocate across a post-Golgi membrane. Concanamycin, a vacuolar proton pump inhibitor, blocks translocation independently of multidrug transporters that are known to translocate short-chain GlcCer. Concanamycin did not reduce LacCer and GM3 synthesis. Thus, GlcCer destined for glycolipid synthesis follows a different pathway and transports back into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via the late Golgi protein FAPP2. FAPP2 knockdown strongly reduces GM3 synthesis. Overall, we show that newly synthesized GlcCer enters two pathways: one toward the noncytosolic surface of a post-Golgi membrane and one via the ER toward the Golgi lumen LacCer synthase.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Halter
- Membrane Enzymology, Bijvoet Center, and Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, Netherlands
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Thevissen K, Kristensen HH, Thomma BPHJ, Cammue BPA, François IEJA. Therapeutic potential of antifungal plant and insect defensins. Drug Discov Today 2007; 12:966-71. [PMID: 17993416 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2007.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2007] [Revised: 07/17/2007] [Accepted: 07/18/2007] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
To defend themselves against invading fungal pathogens, plants and insects largely depend on the production of a wide array of antifungal molecules, including antimicrobial peptides such as defensins. Interestingly, plant and insect defensins display antimicrobial activity not only against plant and insect pathogens but also against human fungal pathogens, including Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. This review focuses on these defensins as novel leads for antifungal therapeutics. Their mode of action, involving interaction with fungus-specific sphingolipids, and heterologous expression, required for cost-effective production, are major assets for development of plant and insect defensins as antifungal leads. Studies evaluating their in vivo antifungal efficacy demonstrate their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
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49
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Rhome R, McQuiston T, Kechichian T, Bielawska A, Hennig M, Drago M, Morace G, Luberto C, Del Poeta M. Biosynthesis and immunogenicity of glucosylceramide in Cryptococcus neoformans and other human pathogens. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2007; 6:1715-26. [PMID: 17693597 PMCID: PMC2043385 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00208-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Rhome
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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50
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Current awareness on yeast. Yeast 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/yea.1323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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