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Kendil W, Dergal F, Tefiani I, Mahdad YM, Benladghem Z, Ziani-Cherif C, Seddiki SML. Improvement of a low-cost protocol for a simultaneous comparative evaluation of hydrolytic activity between sessile and planktonic cells: Candida albicans as a study model. BIOFOULING 2024; 40:431-445. [PMID: 38973173 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2024.2376637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Candida albicans is often implicated in nosocomial infections with fatal consequences. Its virulence is contributed to hydrolytic enzymes and biofilm formation. Previous research focused on studying these virulence factors individually. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of biofilm formation on the hydrolytic activity using an adapted low-cost method. Eleven strains of C. albicans were used. The biofilms were formed on pre-treated silicone discs using 24-well plates and then deposited on the appropriate agar to test each enzyme, while the planktonic cells were conventionally seeded. Biofilms were analysed using Raman spectroscopy, fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy. The adapted method provided an evaluation of hydrolytic enzymes activity in C. albicans biofilm and showed that sessile cells had a higher phospholipase and proteinase activities compared with planktonic cells. These findings were supported by spectroscopic and microscopic analyses, which provided valuable insights into the virulence mechanisms of C. albicans during biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wafaa Kendil
- Antifungal Antibiotic: Physico-Chemical Synthesis and Biological Activity Laboratory (LAPSAB), Biology Department, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Fayçal Dergal
- Scientific and Technical Research Center in Physico-Chemical Analysis (CRAPC), Tipaza, Algeria
- Laboratory of Catalysis and Synthesis in Organic Chemistry (LCSCO), Faculty of Sciences, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Ikram Tefiani
- Antifungal Antibiotic: Physico-Chemical Synthesis and Biological Activity Laboratory (LAPSAB), Biology Department, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Yassine Moustafa Mahdad
- Laboratory for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas, University Center of Naâma, Naâma, Algeria
- Laboratory of Applied Genetic in Agriculture, Ecology and Public Health, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Zakaria Benladghem
- Antifungal Antibiotic: Physico-Chemical Synthesis and Biological Activity Laboratory (LAPSAB), Biology Department, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
- Department of Biology, University of Tamanrasset, Tamanrasset, Algeria
| | - Chewki Ziani-Cherif
- Laboratory of Catalysis and Synthesis in Organic Chemistry (LCSCO), Faculty of Sciences, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Sidi Mohammed Lahbib Seddiki
- Antifungal Antibiotic: Physico-Chemical Synthesis and Biological Activity Laboratory (LAPSAB), Biology Department, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
- Laboratory for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas, University Center of Naâma, Naâma, Algeria
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Kumar D, Kumar A. Molecular Determinants Involved in Candida albicans Biofilm Formation and Regulation. Mol Biotechnol 2024; 66:1640-1659. [PMID: 37410258 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00796-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is known for its pathogenicity, although it lives within the human body as a commensal member. The commensal nature of C. albicans is well controlled and regulated by the host's immune system as they live in the harmonized microenvironment. However, the development of certain unusual microhabitat conditions (change in pH, co-inhabiting microorganisms' population ratio, debilitated host-immune system) pokes this commensal fungus to transform into a pathogen in such a way that it starts to propagate very rapidly and tries to breach the epithelial barrier to enter the host's systemic circulations. In addition, Candida is infamous as a major nosocomial (hospital-acquired infection) agent because it enters the human body through venous catheters or medical prostheses. The hysterical mode of C. albicans growth builds its microcolony or biofilm, which is pathogenic for the host. Biofilms propose additional resistance mechanisms from host immunity or extracellular chemicals to aid their survival. Differential gene expressions and regulations within the biofilms cause altered morphology and metabolism. The genes associated with adhesiveness, hyphal/pseudo-hyphal growth, persister cell transformation, and biofilm formation by C. albicans are controlled by myriads of cell-signaling regulators. These genes' transcription is controlled by different molecular determinants like transcription factors and regulators. Therefore, this review has focused discussion on host-immune-sensing molecular determinants of Candida during biofilm formation, regulatory descriptors (secondary messengers, regulatory RNAs, transcription factors) of Candida involved in biofilm formation that could enable small-molecule drug discovery against these molecular determinants, and lead to disrupt the well-structured Candida biofilms effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dushyant Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, 492010, India
| | - Awanish Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, 492010, India.
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Xu Z, Li Y, Xu A, Xue L, Soteyome T, Yuan L, Ma Q, Seneviratne G, Hong W, Mao Y, Kjellerup BV, Liu J. Differential alteration in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum quorum-sensing systems and reduced Candida albicans yeast survival and virulence gene expression in dual-species interaction. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0035324. [PMID: 38717160 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00353-24] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum (L. plantarum) are frequently identified in various niches, but their dual-species interaction, especially with C. albicans in yeast form, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the dual-species interaction of L. plantarum and C. albicans, including proliferation, morphology, and transcriptomes examined by selective agar plate counting, microscopy, and polymicrobial RNA-seq, respectively. Maintaining a stable and unchanged growth rate, L. plantarum inhibited C. albicans yeast cell proliferation but not hyphal growth. Combining optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy, cell-to-cell direct contact and co-aggregation with L. plantarum cells surrounding C. albicans yeast cells were observed during dual-species interaction. Reduced C. albicans yeast cell proliferation in mixed culture was partially due to L. plantarum cell-free culture supernatant but not the acidic environment. Upon polymicrobial transcriptomics analysis, interesting changes were identified in both L. plantarum and C. albicans gene expression. First, two L. plantarum quorum-sensing systems showed contrary changes, with the activation of lamBDCA and repression of luxS. Second, the upregulation of stress response-related genes and downregulation of cell cycle, cell survival, and cell integrity-related pathways were identified in C. albicans, possibly connected to the stress posed by L. plantarum and the reduced yeast cell proliferation. Third, a large scale of pathogenesis and virulence factors were downregulated in C. albicans, indicating the potential interruption of pathogenic activities by L. plantarum. Fourth, partial metabolism and transport pathways were changed in L. plantarum and C. albicans. The information in this study might aid in understanding the behavior of L. plantarum and C. albicans in dual-species interaction.IMPORTANCEThe anti-Candida albicans activity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum has been explored in the past decades. However, the importance of C. albicans yeast form and the effect of C. albicans on L. plantarum had also been omitted. In this study, the dual-species interaction of L. plantarum and C. albicans was investigated with a focus on the transcriptomes. Cell-to-cell direct contact and co-aggregation with L. plantarum cells surrounding C. albicans yeast cells were observed. Upon polymicrobial transcriptomics analysis, interesting changes were identified, including contrary changes in two L. plantarum quorum-sensing systems and reduced cell survival-related pathways and pathogenesis determinants in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenbo Xu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, Engineering Research Center of Starch and Vegetable Protein Processing Ministry of Education, School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaqin Li
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, Engineering Research Center of Starch and Vegetable Protein Processing Ministry of Education, School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aijuan Xu
- Guangzhou Hybribio Medical Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang Xue
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, Engineering Research Center of Starch and Vegetable Protein Processing Ministry of Education, School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, China, Guangzhou, Guangdong
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Thanapop Soteyome
- Home Economics Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lei Yuan
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Functional Foods, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Processing, Sericultural and Agri-Food Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Wei Hong
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuzhu Mao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Birthe V Kjellerup
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Junyan Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Lingnan Specialty Food Science and Technology, College of Light Industry and Food Science, Academy of Contemporary Agricultural Engineering Innovations, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Processing and Intelligent Manufacturing of Lingnan Specialty Food, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
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Yang J, Ma Y, Li B, Xi Z, Zhang L, Wang Y, Feng W. Roles of Nucleolar Factor RCL1 in Itraconazole Resistance of Clinical Candida albicans Under Different Stress Conditions. Infect Drug Resist 2024; 17:769-777. [PMID: 38433785 PMCID: PMC10908289 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s431024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose RNA terminal phosphate cyclase like 1 (RCL1) undergoes overexpression during the immune response of Candida albicans following drug treatment. This study aims to investigate the expression levels of RCL1 in C. albicans under various stress conditions. Methods Fifteen itraconazole (ITR)-resistant strains of clinical C. albicans, and one standard strain were employed for RCL1 sequencing, and mutations in RCL1 were analyzed. Subsequently, 14 out of the 15 ITR-resistant clinical strains and 14 clinical strains sensitive to ITR, fluconazole (FCA) as well as voriconazole (VRC) were cultured under diverse conditions. The expression of RCL1 ITR-resistant and sensitive C. albicans was then assessed using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays. Results Compared to the standard strain, three missense mutations (C6A, G10A, and A11T) were identified in the RCL1 gene of ITR-resistant C. albicans through successful forward sequencing. Additionally, using successful reverse sequencing, one synonymous mutation (C1T) and four missense mutations (C1T, A3T, A7G, and T8G) were found in the RCL1 gene of ITR-resistant C. albicans. RCL1 expression was significantly higher in ITR-resistant C. albicans than in sensitive strains under standard conditions (37°C, 0.03% CO2, pH 4.0). Low temperature (25°C) increased RCL1 expression in sensitive C. albicans while decreasing it in ITR-resistant strains. Elevated CO2 concentrations (5% CO2) had a negligible effect on RCL1 expression in sensitive C. albicans, but effectively reduced RCL1 level in ITR-resistant strains. Furthermore, a medium with a pH of 7 decreased the expression of RCL1 in both resistant and sensitive C. albicans. Conclusion This study demonstrated that RCL1 mutations in ITR-resistant C. albicans, and variations in culture conditions significantly influence RCL1 expression in both ITR-resistant and sensitive C. albicans, thereby inducing alterations in the dimorphism of C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiqin Xi
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenli Feng
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
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Kovács-Simon A, Fones HN. Use of chitin:DNA ratio to assess growth form in fungal cells. BMC Biol 2024; 22:10. [PMID: 38233847 PMCID: PMC10795418 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01815-2] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dimorphism, the ability to switch between a 'yeast-like' and a hyphal growth form, is an important feature of certain fungi, including important plant and human pathogens. The switch to hyphal growth is often associated with virulence, pathogenicity, biofilm formation and stress resistance. Thus, the ability to accurately and efficiently measure fungal growth form is key to research into these fungi, especially for discovery of potential drug targets. To date, fungal growth form has been assessed microscopically, a process that is both labour intensive and costly. RESULTS Here, we unite quantification of the chitin in fungal cell walls and the DNA in nuclei to produce a methodology that allows fungal cell shape to be estimated by calculation of the ratio between cell wall quantity and number of nuclei present in a sample of fungus or infected host tissue. Using the wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici as a test case, with confirmation in the distantly related Fusarium oxysporum, we demonstrate a close, linear relationship between the chitin:DNA ratio and the average polarity index (length/width) of fungal cells. We show the utility of the method for estimating growth form in infected wheat leaves, differentiating between the timing of germination in two different Z. tritici isolates using this ratio. We also show that the method is robust to the occurrence of thick-walled chlamydospores, which show a chitin:DNA ratio that is distinct from either 'yeast-like' blastospores or hyphae. CONCLUSIONS The chitin:DNA ratio provides a simple methodology for determining fungal growth form in bulk tissue samples, reducing the need for labour-intensive microscopic studies requiring specific staining or GFP-tags to visualise the fungus within host tissues. It is applicable to a range of dimorphic fungi under various experimental conditions.
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6
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Sahoo S, Sharma S, Singh MP, Singh SK, Vamanu E, Rao KH. Metabolic and Phenotypic Changes Induced during N-Acetylglucosamine Signalling in the Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1997. [PMID: 37509635 PMCID: PMC10377528 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The human commensal yeast Candida albicans is pathogenic and results in a variety of mucosal and deep tissue problems when the host is immunocompromised. Candida exhibits enormous metabolic flexibility and dynamic morphogenetic transition to survive under host niche environmental conditions and to cause virulence. The amino sugar N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) available at the host infection sites, apart from acting as an extremely good carbon and nitrogen source, also induces cellular signalling in this pathogen. In C. albicans, GlcNAc performs multifaceted roles, including GlcNAc scavenging, GlcNAc import and metabolism, morphogenetic transition (yeast-hyphae and white-opaque switch), GlcNAc-induced cell death (GICD), and virulence. Understanding the molecular mechanism(s) involved in GlcNAc-induced cellular processes has become the main focus of many studies. In the current study, we focused on GlcNAc-induced metabolic changes associated with phenotypic changes. Here, we employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which is a high-throughput and sensitive technology, to unveil global metabolomic changes that occur in GlcNAc vs. glucose grown conditions in Candida cells. The morphogenetic transition associated with metabolic changes was analysed by high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Metabolite analysis revealed the upregulation of metabolites involved in the glyoxylate pathway, oxidative metabolism, and fatty acid catabolism to probably augment the synthesis of GlcNAc-induced hypha-specific materials. Furthermore, GlcNAc-grown cells showed slightly more sensitivity to amphotericin B treatment. These results all together provide new insights into the development of antifungal therapeutics for the control of candidiasis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somnath Sahoo
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India
| | - Sarika Sharma
- Department of Sponsored Research, Division of Research & Development, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India
| | - Mahendra P Singh
- Department of Zoology and Centre of Genomics and Bioinformatics, DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur 273009, India
| | - Sandeep K Singh
- Indian Scientific Education and Technology Foundation, Lucknow 226002, India
| | - Emanuel Vamanu
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Kongara Hanumantha Rao
- Department of Biochemistry/Bioinformatics, School of Sciences, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, India
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Bacillus Metabolites: Compounds, Identification and Anti-Candida albicans Mechanisms. MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres13040070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans seriously threatens human health, especially for immunosuppressed groups. The antifungal agents mainly include azoles, polyenes and echinocandins. However, the few types of existing antifungal drugs and their resistance make it necessary to develop new antifungal drugs. Bacillus and its metabolites has antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi. This review introduces the application of Bacillus metabolites in the control of C. albicans in recent years. Firstly, several compounds produced by Bacillus spp. are listed. Then the isolation and identification techniques of Bacillus metabolites in recent years are described, including high-precision separation technology and omics technology for the separation of similar components of Bacillus metabolites. The mechanisms of Bacillus metabolites against C. albicans are distinguished from the inhibition of pathogenic fungi and inhibition of the fungal virulence factors. The purpose of this review is to systematically summarize the recent studies on the inhibition of pathogenic fungi by Bacillus metabolites. The review is expected to become the reference for the control of pathogenic fungi such as C. albicans and the application of Bacillus metabolites in the future.
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Bettauer V, Costa ACBP, Omran RP, Massahi S, Kirbizakis E, Simpson S, Dumeaux V, Law C, Whiteway M, Hallett MT. A Deep Learning Approach to Capture the Essence of Candida albicans Morphologies. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0147222. [PMID: 35972285 PMCID: PMC9604015 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01472-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We present deep learning-based approaches for exploring the complex array of morphologies exhibited by the opportunistic human pathogen Candida albicans. Our system, entitled Candescence, automatically detects C. albicans cells from differential image contrast microscopy and labels each detected cell with one of nine morphologies. This ranges from yeast white and opaque forms to hyphal and pseudohyphal filamentous morphologies. The software is based upon a fully convolutional one-stage (FCOS) object detector, a deep learning technique that uses an extensive set of images that we manually annotated with the location and morphology of each cell. We developed a novel cumulative curriculum-based learning strategy that stratifies our images by difficulty from simple yeast forms to complex filamentous architectures. Candescence achieves very good performance (~85% recall; 81% precision) on this difficult learning set, where some images contain hundreds of cells with substantial intermixing between the predicted classes. To capture the essence of each C. albicans morphology and how they intermix, we used a second technique from deep learning entitled generative adversarial networks. The resultant models allow us to identify and explore technical variables, developmental trajectories, and morphological switches. Importantly, the model allows us to quantitatively capture morphological plasticity observed with genetically modified strains or strains grown in different media and environments. We envision Candescence as a community meeting point for quantitative explorations of C. albicans morphology. IMPORTANCE The fungus Candida albicans can "shape shift" between 12 morphologies in response to environmental variables. The cytoprotective capacity provided by this polymorphism makes C. albicans a formidable pathogen to treat clinically. Microscopy images of C. albicans colonies can contain hundreds of cells in different morphological states. Manual annotation of images can be difficult, especially as a result of densely packed and filamentous colonies and of technical artifacts from the microscopy itself. Manual annotation is inherently subjective, depending on the experience and opinion of annotators. Here, we built a deep learning approach entitled Candescence to parse images in an automated, quantitative, and objective fashion: each cell in an image is located and labeled with its morphology. Candescence effectively replaces simple rules based on visual phenotypes (size, shape, and shading) with neural circuitry capable of capturing subtle but salient features in images that may be too complex for human annotators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van Bettauer
- Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | - Samira Massahi
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Shawn Simpson
- Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Vanessa Dumeaux
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chris Law
- Centre for Microscopy and Cellular Imaging, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Malcolm Whiteway
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael T. Hallett
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Lactobacillus iners Cell-Free Supernatant Enhances Biofilm Formation and Hyphal/Pseudohyphal Growth by Candida albicans Vaginal Isolates. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122577. [PMID: 34946178 PMCID: PMC8706969 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal fungus of the vaginal mucosa and the principal etiological agent of vaginal candidiasis. Vaginal dysbiosis has been reported during vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), with a progressive decrease in Lactobacillus crispatus population and an increase in L. iners population. To date, the role of L. iners in VVC pathogenesis remains scarcely explored. Herein we investigated the in vitro effect of L. iners cell-free supernatant (CFS) on the ability of C. albicans to form biofilms. Biomass and metabolic activity were measured by crystal violet and XTT assays. Further, light microscopy was performed to determine the effect of L. iners CFS on biofilm cellular morphology. We found that L. iners CFS induced a significant increase in biofilm formation by C. albicans clinical isolates which were categorized as moderate or weak biofilm producers. This effect was associated with an enhancement of hyphal/pseudohyphal growth, and the expression levels of HWP1 and ECE1, which are typical hyphae-associated genes, were upregulated. Overall, these results suggest that L. iners contributes to the pathogenesis of VVC and highlight the complexity of the interaction between C. albicans and vaginal lactobacilli. Understanding these interactions could prove essential for the development of new strategies for treating VVC.
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Yang L, Sui Y, Zhong L, Ma T, Ma Z, Liu X. Carnosol inhibits the growth and biofilm of Candida albicans. J Mycol Med 2021; 32:101234. [PMID: 34929524 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2021.101234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was to explore the inhibitory effects of carnosol on the growth and biofilm of Candida albicans. RESULTS Our results showed that carnosol inhibited the planktonic growth of C. albicans with a MIC of 100 μg/mL. Carnosol can also inhibit the biofilm formation and development of C. albicans. 25-100 μg/mL of carnosol can obviously inhibit the yeast-to-hyphal transition in four kinds of hyphal-inducing media and the adhesion of C. albicans to polystyrene surfaces. Results from PI staining indicated that carnosol may disrupt cell membrane of C. albicans. CONCLUSION Carnosol can inhibit the planktonic growth and virulence factors of C. albicans, such as biofilm formation, adhesion and hyphal growth. The antifungal mechanism may involve the increase in cell membrane permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longfei Yang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Yujie Sui
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Lili Zhong
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Tonghui Ma
- School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhiming Ma
- Department of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Hernia Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China.
| | - Xin Liu
- Eye Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130024, China.
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Mokhtar M, Rismayuddin NAR, Mat Yassim AS, Ahmad H, Abdul Wahab R, Dashper S, Arzmi MH. Streptococcus salivarius K12 inhibits Candida albicans aggregation, biofilm formation and dimorphism. BIOFOULING 2021; 37:767-776. [PMID: 34425729 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2021.1967334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans causes candidiasis, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Streptococcus salivarius K12 (K12) is a probiotic isolated from a healthy oral cavity. The study aimed to determine the effect of K12 on C. albicans aggregation, biofilm formation and dimorphism. C. albicans ATCC MYA-4901, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) isolate (ALC2), and oral cancer isolate (ALC3) and K12 were used in the study. All C. albicans strains and K12 were grown in yeast peptone dextrose agar and brain heart infusion agar, respectively, prior to aggregation, biofilm and dimorphism assays. Auto-aggregation of C. albicans MYA-4901 and ALC2 was categorised as high, while the co-aggregation of the strains was low in the presence of K12. C. albicans total cell count decreased significantly when co-cultured with K12 compared with monocultured C. albicans biofilm (p < 0.05). Inhibition of yeast-to-hyphae transition was also observed when co-cultured with K12. In conclusion, K12 inhibits C. albicans aggregation, biofilm formation and dimorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munirah Mokhtar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Cluster of Cancer Research Initiative IIUM (COCRII), International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Alia Risma Rismayuddin
- Cluster of Cancer Research Initiative IIUM (COCRII), International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Aini Syahida Mat Yassim
- Cluster of Cancer Research Initiative IIUM (COCRII), International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Department of Fundamental Dental and Medical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Dentistry, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Hasna Ahmad
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Cluster of Cancer Research Initiative IIUM (COCRII), International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Ridhwan Abdul Wahab
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Stuart Dashper
- Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mohd Hafiz Arzmi
- Cluster of Cancer Research Initiative IIUM (COCRII), International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Department of Fundamental Dental and Medical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Dentistry, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
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12
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Uddin W, Dhabalia D, Prakash SMU, Kabir MA. Systematic truncations of chromosome 4 and their responses to antifungals in Candida albicans. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2021; 19:92. [PMID: 34152516 PMCID: PMC8217416 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-021-00197-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida albicans is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen responsible for superficial and systemic life-threatening infections. Treating these infections is challenging as many clinical isolates show increased drug resistance to antifungals. Chromosome (Chr) 4 monosomy was implicated in a fluconazole-resistant mutant. However, exposure to fluconazole adversely affects Candida cells and can generate numerous mutations. Hence, the present study aimed to truncate Chr4 and challenge the generated Candida strains to antifungals and evaluate their role in drug response. RESULTS Herein, Chr4 was truncated in C. albicans using the telomere-mediated chromosomal truncation method. The resulting eight Candida strains carrying one truncated homolog of Chr4 were tested for response to multiple antifungals. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for these strains was determined against three classes of antifungals. The MIC values against fluconazole, amphotericin B, and caspofungin were closer to that of the wild type strain. Microdilution assay against fluconazole showed that the mutants and wild type strains had similar sensitivity to fluconazole. The disc diffusion assay against five azoles and two polyenes revealed that the zones of inhibition for all the eight strains were similar to those of the wild type. Thus, none of the generated strains showed any significant resistance to the tested antifungals. However, spot assay exhibited a reasonably high tolerance of a few generated strains with increasing concentrations of fluconazole. CONCLUSION This analysis suggested that Chr4 aneuploidy might not underlie drug resistance but rather drug tolerance in Candida albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasim Uddin
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Calicut, Kerala, 673601, India
| | - Darshan Dhabalia
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Calicut, Kerala, 673601, India
| | - S M Udaya Prakash
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Calicut, Kerala, 673601, India
| | - M Anaul Kabir
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Calicut, Kerala, 673601, India.
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13
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Villa S, Hamideh M, Weinstock A, Qasim MN, Hazbun TR, Sellam A, Hernday AD, Thangamani S. Transcriptional control of hyphal morphogenesis in Candida albicans. FEMS Yeast Res 2021; 20:5715912. [PMID: 31981355 PMCID: PMC7000152 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foaa005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a multimorphic commensal organism and opportunistic fungal pathogen in humans. A morphological switch between unicellular budding yeast and multicellular filamentous hyphal growth forms plays a vital role in the virulence of C. albicans, and this transition is regulated in response to a range of environmental cues that are encountered in distinct host niches. Many unique transcription factors contribute to the transcriptional regulatory network that integrates these distinct environmental cues and determines which phenotypic state will be expressed. These hyphal morphogenesis regulators have been extensively investigated, and represent an increasingly important focus of study, due to their central role in controlling a key C. albicans virulence attribute. This review provides a succinct summary of the transcriptional regulatory factors and environmental signals that control hyphal morphogenesis in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Villa
- Masters in Biomedical Science Program, Midwestern University, 19555 N. 59th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Mohammad Hamideh
- Masters in Biomedical Science Program, Midwestern University, 19555 N. 59th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Anthony Weinstock
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, 19555 N. 59th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Mohammad N Qasim
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Tony R Hazbun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Adnane Sellam
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Aaron D Hernday
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Shankar Thangamani
- Department of Pathology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, 19555 N. 59th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
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14
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Zhang LB, Qiu TT, Guan Y, Huang ZH, Ye XY. Analyses of transcriptomics and metabolomics reveal pathway of vacuolar Sur7 contributed to biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana. J Invertebr Pathol 2021; 181:107564. [PMID: 33689762 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2021.107564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Beauveria bassiana is a critical entomopathogenic fungus for pest biocontrol, whose efficiency depends on fungal development and stress resistance. Unlike its revealed location in plasma membrane patches in other organisms, B. bassiana Sur7 specifically localized in vacuoles. This vacuolar Sur7 was previously demonstrated to affect stress tolerance, hyphal development and virulence. There, however, remain more mechanistic details to be explored. In this study, transcriptomics and metabolomics were applied to investigate the mechanism of vacuolar Sur7. Analyses of transcriptomics and metabolomics displayed many differentially expressed genes and abundant metabolites in response to Sur7 loss, respectively. Together with genes associated with vacuolar biofunction (including transportation and hydrolysis), the altered metabolites contributed to cell wall construction and stress resistance. Particularly, an N-acetylglucosamine-associated Brg1/Nrg1 pathway was enriched and partially affected by Sur7. Absence of Sur7 changed the expression level of Brg1/Nrg1 pathway-related transcript factors, which interfered with downstream phenotype of sporulation. In addition, Sur7 was involved in the accumulation of sphingoid bases, which may affect sphingolipid-related signaling pathway. Although experimental evidence is further required, our studies provide a preliminary framework for future exploring the regulatory mechanism of Sur7, and give a new version of metabolic agency connecting Sur7 and downstream signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Bin Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Enzyme Engineering, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350116, China.
| | - Ting-Ting Qiu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Enzyme Engineering, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350116, China
| | - Yi Guan
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Enzyme Engineering, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350116, China
| | - Zhi-Hong Huang
- Chemical Engineering Institution, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China
| | - Xiu-Yun Ye
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Enzyme Engineering, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350116, China
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15
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Abstract
In the last decades, Candida albicans has served as the leading causal agent of life-threatening invasive infections with mortality rates approaching 40% despite treatment. Candida albicans (C. albicans) exists in three biological phases: yeast, pseudohyphae, and hyphae. Hyphae, which represent an important phase in the disease process, can cause tissue damage by invading mucosal epithelial cells then leading to blood infection. In this review, we summarized recent results from different fields of fungal cell biology that are instrumental in understanding hyphal growth. This includes research on the differences among C. albicans phases; the regulatory mechanism of hyphal growth, extension, and maintaining cutting-edge polarity; cross regulations of hyphal development and the virulence factors that cause serious infection. With a better understanding of the mechanism on mycelium formation, this review provides a theoretical basis for the identification of targets in candidiasis treatment. It also gives some reference to the study of antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuedong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Biao Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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16
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Sánchez-Arreguin JA, Ruiz-Herrera J, Mares-Rodriguez FDJ, León-Ramírez CG, Sánchez-Segura L, Zapata-Morín PA, Coronado-Gallegos J, Aréchiga-Carvajal ET. Acid pH Strategy Adaptation through NRG1 in Ustilago maydis. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:91. [PMID: 33525315 PMCID: PMC7912220 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the Ustilago maydis putative homolog of the transcriptional repressor ScNRG1, previously described in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, was analyzed by means of its mutation. In S. cerevisiae this gene regulates a set of stress-responsive genes, and in C. neoformans it is involved in pathogenesis. It was observed that the U. maydisNRG1 gene regulates several aspects of the cell response to acid pH, such as the production of mannosyl-erythritol lipids, inhibition of the expression of the siderophore cluster genes, filamentous growth, virulence and oxidative stress. A comparison of the gene expression pattern of the wild type strain versus the nrg1 mutant strain of the fungus, through RNA Seq analyses, showed that this transcriptional factor alters the expression of 368 genes when growing at acid pH (205 up-regulated, 163 down-regulated). The most relevant genes affected by NRG1 were those previously reported as the key ones for particular cellular stress responses, such as HOG1 for osmotic stress and RIM101 for alkaline pH. Four of the seven genes included WCO1 codifying PAS domain ( These has been shown as the key structural motif involved in protein-protein interactions of the circadian clock, and it is also a common motif found in signaling proteins, where it functions as a signaling sensor) domains sensors of blue light, two of the three previously reported to encode opsins, one vacuolar and non-pH-responsive, and another one whose role in the acid pH response was already known. It appears that all these light-reactive cell components are possibly involved in membrane potential equilibrium and as virulence sensors. Among previously described specific functions of this transcriptional regulator, it was found to be involved in glucose repression, metabolic adaptation to adverse conditions, cellular transport, cell rescue, defense and interaction with an acidic pH environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Alejandro Sánchez-Arreguin
- Laboratorio de Micología y Fitopatología, Unidad de Manipulación Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 66451 San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - José Ruiz-Herrera
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Unidad Irapuato, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Km 9.6, Libramiento Norte, Carretera Irapuato-León, 36821 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - F de Jesus Mares-Rodriguez
- Laboratorio de Micología y Fitopatología, Unidad de Manipulación Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 66451 San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Claudia Geraldine León-Ramírez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Unidad Irapuato, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Km 9.6, Libramiento Norte, Carretera Irapuato-León, 36821 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Lino Sánchez-Segura
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Unidad Irapuato, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Km 9.6, Libramiento Norte, Carretera Irapuato-León, 36821 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Patricio Adrián Zapata-Morín
- Laboratorio de Micología y Fitopatología, Unidad de Manipulación Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 66451 San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Jordan Coronado-Gallegos
- Laboratorio de Micología y Fitopatología, Unidad de Manipulación Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 66451 San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Elva Teresa Aréchiga-Carvajal
- Laboratorio de Micología y Fitopatología, Unidad de Manipulación Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 66451 San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico
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17
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Rodríguez-Cerdeira C, Martínez-Herrera E, Carnero-Gregorio M, López-Barcenas A, Fabbrocini G, Fida M, El-Samahy M, González-Cespón JL. Pathogenesis and Clinical Relevance of Candida Biofilms in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:544480. [PMID: 33262741 PMCID: PMC7686049 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.544480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of Candida spp. to form biofilms is crucial for its pathogenicity, and thus, it should be considered an important virulence factor in vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and recurrent VVC (RVVC). Its ability to generate biofilms is multifactorial and is generally believed to depend on the site of infection, species and strain involved, and the microenvironment in which the infection develops. Therefore, both cell surface proteins, such as Hwp1, Als1, and Als2, and the cell wall-related protein, Sun41, play a critical role in the adhesion and virulence of the biofilm. Immunological and pharmacological approaches have identified the NLRP3 inflammasome as a crucial molecular factor contributing to host immunopathology. In this context, we have earlier shown that Candida albicans associated with hyphae-secreted aspartyl proteinases (specifically SAP4-6) contribute to the immunopathology of the disease. Transcriptome profiling has revealed that non-coding transcripts regulate protein synthesis post-transcriptionally, which is important for the growth of Candida spp. Other studies have employed RNA sequencing to identify differences in the 1,245 Candida genes involved in surface and invasive cellular metabolism regulation. In vitro systems allow the simultaneous processing of a large number of samples, making them an ideal screening technique for estimating various physicochemical parameters, testing the activity of antimicrobial agents, and analyzing genes involved in biofilm formation and regulation (in situ) in specific strains. Murine VVC models are used to study C. albicans infection, especially in trials of novel treatments and to understand the cause(s) for resistance to conventional therapeutics. This review on the clinical relevance of Candida biofilms in VVC focuses on important advances in its genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. Moreover, recent experiments on the influence of biofilm formation on VVC or RVVC pathogenesis in laboratory animals have been discussed. A clear elucidation of one of the pathogenesis mechanisms employed by Candida biofilms in vulvovaginal candidiasis and its applications in clinical practice represents the most significant contribution of this manuscript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Rodríguez-Cerdeira
- Efficiency, Quality, and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Health Research Institute, SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain.,Department of Dermatology, Hospital do Meixoeiro and University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain.,European Women's Dermatologic and Venereologic Society, Tui, Spain.,Psychodermatology Task Force of the Ibero-Latin American College of Dermatology (CILAD), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Erick Martínez-Herrera
- Psychodermatology Task Force of the Ibero-Latin American College of Dermatology (CILAD), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca, Ixtapaluca, Mexico
| | - Miguel Carnero-Gregorio
- Efficiency, Quality, and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Health Research Institute, SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain.,Department of Molecular Diagnosis (Array & NGS Division), Institute of Cellular and Molecular Studies, Lugo, Spain
| | - Adriana López-Barcenas
- European Women's Dermatologic and Venereologic Society, Tui, Spain.,Psychodermatology Task Force of the Ibero-Latin American College of Dermatology (CILAD), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Section of Mycology, Department of Dermatology, Manuel Gea González hospital, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gabriella Fabbrocini
- European Women's Dermatologic and Venereologic Society, Tui, Spain.,Department of Dermatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Monika Fida
- European Women's Dermatologic and Venereologic Society, Tui, Spain.,Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine, Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - May El-Samahy
- European Women's Dermatologic and Venereologic Society, Tui, Spain.,Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - José Luís González-Cespón
- Efficiency, Quality, and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Health Research Institute, SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain
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18
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Preventing Candida albicans biofilm formation using aromatic-rich piperazines. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115810. [PMID: 33091849 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The global increase in microbial resistance is an imminent threat to public health. Effective treatment of infectious diseases now requires new antimicrobial therapies. We report herein the discovery of aromatic-rich piperazines that inhibit biofilm formation by C. albicans. 22 piperazines, including 16 novel ones, were prepared efficiently using a combination of solid- and solution phase synthesis. The most potent compound prevents morphological switching under several hypha-inducing conditions and reduces C. albicans' ability to adhere to epithelial cells. These processes are essential to the development of Candida biofilms, which are associated with its increased resistance to immune defenses and antifungal agents.
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19
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Liu Y, Ren H, Wang D, Zhang M, Sun S, Zhao Y. The synergistic antifungal effects of gypenosides combined with fluconazole against resistant Candida albicans via inhibiting the drug efflux and biofilm formation. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 130:110580. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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20
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Mercer DK, Torres MDT, Duay SS, Lovie E, Simpson L, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, de la Fuente-Nunez C, O'Neil DA, Angeles-Boza AM. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Antimicrobial Peptides to Better Predict Efficacy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:326. [PMID: 32733816 PMCID: PMC7358464 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During the development of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) as potential therapeutics, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) stands as an essential part of the process in identification and optimisation of candidate AMP. Standard methods for AST, developed almost 60 years ago for testing conventional antibiotics, are not necessarily fit for purpose when it comes to determining the susceptibility of microorganisms to AMP. Without careful consideration of the parameters comprising AST there is a risk of failing to identify novel antimicrobials at a time when antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is leading the planet toward a post-antibiotic era. More physiologically/clinically relevant AST will allow better determination of the preclinical activity of drug candidates and allow the identification of lead compounds. An important consideration is the efficacy of AMP in biological matrices replicating sites of infection, e.g., blood/plasma/serum, lung bronchiolar lavage fluid/sputum, urine, biofilms, etc., as this will likely be more predictive of clinical efficacy. Additionally, specific AST for different target microorganisms may help to better predict efficacy of AMP in specific infections. In this manuscript, we describe what we believe are the key considerations for AST of AMP and hope that this information can better guide the preclinical development of AMP toward becoming a new generation of urgently needed antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcelo D. T. Torres
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Institute for Computational Science, and Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Searle S. Duay
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Emma Lovie
- NovaBiotics Ltd, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Institute for Computational Science, and Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Alfredo M. Angeles-Boza
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
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21
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Mei Y, Jiang T, Zou Y, Wang Y, Zhou J, Li J, Liu L, Tan J, Wei L, Li J, Dai H, Peng Y, Zhang L, Lopez-Ribot JL, Shapiro RS, Chen C, Liu NN, Wang H. FDA Approved Drug Library Screening Identifies Robenidine as a Repositionable Antifungal. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:996. [PMID: 32582050 PMCID: PMC7283467 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the increasing prevalence of pathogenic fungal infections, the emergence of antifungal resistant clinical isolates worldwide, and the limited arsenal of available antifungals, developing new antifungal strategies is imperative. In this study, we screened a library of 1068 FDA-approved drugs to identify hits that exhibit broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Robenidine, an anticoccidial agent which has been widely used to treat coccidian infections of poultry and rabbits, was identified in this screen. Physiological concentration of robenidine (8 μM) was able to significantly inhibit yeast cell growth, filamentation and biofilm formation of Candida albicans – the most extensively studied human fungal pathogen. Moreover, we observed a broad-spectrum antifungal activity of this compound against fluconazole resistant clinical isolates of C. albicans, as well as a wide range of other clinically relevant fungal pathogens. Intriguingly, robenidine-treated C. albicans cells were hypersensitive to diverse cell wall stressors, and analysis of the cell wall structure by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the cell wall was severely damaged by robenidine, implying that this compound may target the cell wall integrity signaling pathway. Indeed, upon robenidine treatment, we found a dose dependent increase in the phosphorylation of the cell wall integrity marker Mkc1, which was decreased after prolonged exposure. Finally, we provide evidence by RNA-seq and qPCR that Rlm1, the downstream transcription factor of Mkc1, may represent a potential target of robenidine. Therefore, our data suggest that robenidine, a FDA approved anti-coccidiosis drug, displays a promising and broadly effective antifungal strategy, and represents a potentially repositionable candidate for the treatment of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikun Mei
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Jiang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Zou
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Zhou
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinyang Li
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingcong Tan
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Luqi Wei
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingquan Li
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huanqin Dai
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yibing Peng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lixin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jose L Lopez-Ribot
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.,South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Changbin Chen
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning-Ning Liu
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Min K, Naseem S, Konopka JB. N-Acetylglucosamine Regulates Morphogenesis and Virulence Pathways in Fungi. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 6:jof6010008. [PMID: 31878148 PMCID: PMC7151181 DOI: 10.3390/jof6010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) is being increasingly recognized for its ability to stimulate cell signaling. This amino sugar is best known as a component of cell wall peptidoglycan in bacteria, cell wall chitin in fungi and parasites, exoskeletons of arthropods, and the extracellular matrix of animal cells. In addition to these structural roles, GlcNAc is now known to stimulate morphological and stress responses in a wide range of organisms. In fungi, the model organisms Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe lack the ability to respond to GlcNAc or catabolize it, so studies with the human pathogen Candida albicans have been providing new insights into the ability of GlcNAc to stimulate cellular responses. GlcNAc potently induces C. albicans to transition from budding to filamentous hyphal growth. It also promotes an epigenetic switch from White to Opaque cells, which differ in morphology, metabolism, and virulence properties. These studies have led to new discoveries, such as the identification of the first eukaryotic GlcNAc transporter. Other results have shown that GlcNAc can induce signaling in C. albicans in two ways. One is to act as a signaling molecule independent of its catabolism, and the other is that its catabolism can cause the alkalinization of the extracellular environment, which provides an additional stimulus to form hyphae. GlcNAc also induces the expression of virulence genes in the C. albicans, indicating it can influence pathogenesis. Therefore, this review will describe the recent advances in understanding the role of GlcNAc signaling pathways in regulating C. albicans morphogenesis and virulence.
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Alves-Silva JM, Zuzarte M, Gonçalves MJ, Cruz MT, Cavaleiro C, Salgueiro L. Unveiling the bioactive potential of the essential oil of a Portuguese endemism, Santolina impressa. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 244:112120. [PMID: 31352022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Santolina species are widely used in traditional medicine in the Mediterranean region for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, digestive, and analgesic properties. S. impressa, a Portuguese endemism, is traditionally recognized for its beneficial anti-inflammatory properties in several gastrointestinal affections and is also used in oropharyngeal infections. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study aims to characterize the essential oil of S. impressa growing in Portugal and validate its traditional uses by assessing the anti-inflammatory potential of its essential oil at concentrations without toxicity. The antifungal properties of the oil are also addressed, as well as, the putative mechanism of action underlying these effects. MATERIAL AND METHODS The essential oil was obtained in accordance with the European Pharmacopoeia and characterized by GC and GC-MS. The anti-inflammatory potential of the oil was assessed on LPS-stimulated macrophages, through the production of nitric oxide (NO) using the Griess reaction. Putative mechanisms of action included the role of the oil as a NO scavenger, as well as its effect on the expression of two key pro-inflammatory enzymes, iNOS and COX-2 by Western blot analysis. The antifungal effect of the oil was evaluated according to the CLSI guidelines on several yeast and filamentous strains and on two major virulence factors in Candida albicans, namely germ tubes and biofilms. Ultrastructural modifications on dermatophytes were also unveiled by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS S. impressa essential oil was primarily characterized by the presence of monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes, being the main compounds β-pinene (22.5%), 1,8-cineole (10.0%), limonene (9.1%), camphor (8.1%) and β-phellandrene (8.0%). A significant decrease (ca 60.0%) in nitrite levels was observed in LPS-stimulated macrophages treated with the oil without affecting cell viability. This effect could be explained by a great reduction on iNOS expression (85.0% inhibition), thus underpinning the anti-inflammatory potential of the oil. The oil also showed a fungicidal effect, being more active against Cryptococcus neoformans, Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophytum rubrum. For these dermatophytes, significant ultrastructural modifications in cell wall structure were detected. Strikingly, for C. albicans, the oil showed a significant anti-infective potential (at 0.07 mg/mL for germ tube inhibition and 0.02 mg/mL for biofilm disruption) before fungal growth inhibition occurred. CONCLUSIONS Our results validate the main traditional use ascribed to S. impressa, namely its anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, an antifungal potential is pointed out, thus corroborating the antimicrobial uses and adding new value to an endemic species poorly recognized by the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Alves-Silva
- CNC.IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Health Sciences Campus, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal; CIEPQPF and Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Health Sciences Campus, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - M Zuzarte
- CNC.IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Health Sciences Campus, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - M J Gonçalves
- CIEPQPF and Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Health Sciences Campus, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - M T Cruz
- CNC.IBILI, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Health Sciences Campus, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - C Cavaleiro
- CIEPQPF and Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Health Sciences Campus, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - L Salgueiro
- CIEPQPF and Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Health Sciences Campus, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Characterization of the promoter, downstream target genes and recognition DNA sequence of Mhy1, a key filamentation-promoting transcription factor in the dimorphic yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. Curr Genet 2019; 66:245-261. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-019-01018-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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The potential of respiration inhibition as a new approach to combat human fungal pathogens. Curr Genet 2019; 65:1347-1353. [PMID: 31172256 PMCID: PMC6820612 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-019-01001-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The respiratory chain has been proposed as an attractive target for the development of new therapies to tackle human fungal pathogens. This arises from the presence of fungal-specific electron transport chain components and links between respiration and the control of virulence traits in several pathogenic species. However, as the physiological roles of mitochondria remain largely undetermined with respect to pathogenesis, its value as a potential new drug target remains to be determined. The use of respiration inhibitors as fungicides is well developed but has been hampered by the emergence of rapid resistance to current inhibitors. In addition, recent data suggest that adaptation of the human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, to respiration inhibitors can enhance virulence traits such as yeast-to-hypha transition and cell wall organisation. We conclude that although respiration holds promise as a target for the development of new therapies to treat human fungal infections, we require a more detailed understanding of the role that mitochondria play in stress adaption and virulence.
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Diverse roles of Tup1p and Cyc8p transcription regulators in the development of distinct types of yeast populations. Curr Genet 2018; 65:147-151. [PMID: 30191307 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-018-0883-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Yeasts create multicellular structures of varying complexity, such as more complex colonies and biofilms and less complex flocs, each of which develops via different mechanisms. Colony biofilms originate from one or more cells that, through growth and division, develop a complicated three-dimensional structure consisting of aerial parts, agar-embedded invasive parts and a central cavity, filled with extracellular matrix. In contrast, flocs arise relatively quickly by aggregation of planktonic cells growing in liquid cultures after they reach the appropriate growth phase and/or exhaust nutrients such as glucose. Creation of both types of structures is dependent on the presence of flocculins: Flo11p in the former case and Flo1p in the latter. We recently showed that formation of both types of structures by wild Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain BR-F is regulated via transcription regulators Tup1p and Cyc8p, but in a divergent manner. Biofilm formation is regulated by Cyc8p and Tup1p antagonistically: Cyc8p functions as a repressor of FLO11 gene expression and biofilm formation, whereas Tup1p counteracts the Cyc8p repressor function and positively regulates biofilm formation and Flo11p expression. In addition, Tup1p stabilizes Flo11p probably by repressing a gene coding for a cell wall or extracellular protease that is involved in Flo11p degradation. In contrast, formation of BR-F flocs is co-repressed by the Cyc8p-Tup1p complex. These findings point to different mechanisms involved in yeast multicellularity.
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Sonderegger C, Váradi G, Galgóczy L, Kocsubé S, Posch W, Borics A, Dubrac S, Tóth GK, Wilflingseder D, Marx F. The Evolutionary Conserved γ-Core Motif Influences the Anti- Candida Activity of the Penicillium chrysogenum Antifungal Protein PAF. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1655. [PMID: 30079061 PMCID: PMC6062912 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Small, cysteine-rich and cationic antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) from filamentous ascomycetes represent ideal bio-molecules for the development of next-generation antifungal therapeutics. They are promising candidates to counteract resistance development and may complement or even replace current small molecule-based antibiotics in the future. In this study, we show that a 14 amino acid (aa) long peptide (Pγ) spanning the highly conserved γ-core motif of the Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein (PAF) has antifungal activity against the opportunistic human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. By substituting specific aa we elevated the positive net charge and the hydrophilicity of Pγ and created the peptide variants Pγvar and Pγopt with 10-fold higher antifungal activity than Pγ. Similarly, the antifungal efficacy of the PAF protein could be significantly improved by exchanging the respective aa in the γ-core of the protein by creating the protein variants PAFγvar and PAFγopt. The designed peptides and proteins were investigated in detail for their physicochemical features and mode of action, and were tested for cytotoxicity on mammalian cells. This study proves for the first time the important role of the γ-core motif in the biological function of an AMP from ascomycetes. Furthermore, we provide a detailed phylogenetic analysis that proves the presence and conservation of the γ-core motif in all AMP classes from Eurotiomycetes. We emphasize the potential of this common protein motif for the design of short antifungal peptides and as a protein motif in which targeted aa substitutions enhance antimicrobial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Sonderegger
- Biocenter, Division of Molecular Biology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Györgyi Váradi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Galgóczy
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sándor Kocsubé
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Wilfried Posch
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Attila Borics
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sandrine Dubrac
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergy, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gábor K. Tóth
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- MTA-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Doris Wilflingseder
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florentine Marx
- Biocenter, Division of Molecular Biology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
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