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Seki Kioshima E, de Souza Bonfim de Mendonça P, de Melo Teixeira M, Grenier Capoci IR, Amaral A, Vilugron Rodrigues-Vendramini FA, Lauton Simões B, Rodrigues Abadio AK, Fernandes Matos L, Soares Felipe MS. One Century of Study: What We Learned about Paracoccidioides and How This Pathogen Contributed to Advances in Antifungal Therapy. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:106. [PMID: 33540749 PMCID: PMC7913102 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020106] [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: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a notable fungal infection restricted to Latin America. Since the first description of the disease by Lutz up to the present day, Brazilian researchers have contributed to the understanding of the life cycle of this pathogen and provided the possibility of new targets for antifungal therapy based on the structural and functional genomics of Paracoccidioides. In this context, in silico approaches have selected molecules that act on specific targets, such as the thioredoxin system, with promising antifungal activity against Paracoccidioides. Some of these are already in advanced development stages. In addition, the application of nanostructured systems has addressed issues related to the high toxicity of conventional PCM therapy. Thus, the contribution of molecular biology and biotechnology to the advances achieved is unquestionable. However, it is still necessary to transcend the boundaries of synthetic chemistry, pharmaco-technics, and pharmacodynamics, aiming to turn promising molecules into newly available drugs for the treatment of fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Seki Kioshima
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Patrícia de Souza Bonfim de Mendonça
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Marcus de Melo Teixeira
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasilia, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil;
| | - Isis Regina Grenier Capoci
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - André Amaral
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil;
| | - Franciele Abigail Vilugron Rodrigues-Vendramini
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Bruna Lauton Simões
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Ana Karina Rodrigues Abadio
- Faculty of Agricultural Social Sciences, Mato Grosso State University, Nova Mutum, Mato Grosso 78450-000, Brazil;
| | - Larissa Fernandes Matos
- Faculty of Ceilandia, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Distrito Federal 72220-275, Brazil;
- Program in Microbial Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Sueli Soares Felipe
- Program of Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasília 70790-160, Brazil;
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Chen Y, Le X, Sun Y, Li M, Zhang H, Tan X, Zhang D, Liu Y, Zhang Z. MoYcp4 is required for growth, conidiogenesis and pathogenicity in Magnaporthe oryzae. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2017; 18:1001-1011. [PMID: 27377363 PMCID: PMC6638285 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Revised: 06/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor MoAP1 has been shown previously to be required for pathogenicity in Magnaporthe oryzae via mediation of the oxidative stress response. In the serial analysis gene expression database, it was found that expression of MoYcp4, a homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae flavodoxin-like protein ScYcp4, was affected by MoAP1. Transcriptional analysis demonstrated that MoYCP4 was significantly up-regulated during conidiation, appressorium formation and infection. The growth rate of a ΔMoycp4 mutant was reduced slightly, but conidial production was increased significantly (more than 10-fold), compared with the wild-type strain. Although the rate of appressorium formation was unaffected, the appressorial turgor was abnormal and the ability to infect rice and barley was reduced, resulting in decreased pathogenicity. In summary, MoYcp4, a target of MoAP1, is involved in the growth, conidiogenesis and pathogenicity of M. oryzae. Our studies provide a comprehensive analysis of flavodoxin-like proteins and will aid in the study of pathogen-related molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Chen
- Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Plant ProtectionChangshaHunan410125China
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of EducationNanjing210095China
| | - Xinyi Le
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of EducationNanjing210095China
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of EducationNanjing210095China
| | - Mengying Li
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of EducationNanjing210095China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of EducationNanjing210095China
| | - Xinqiu Tan
- Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Plant ProtectionChangshaHunan410125China
| | - Deyong Zhang
- Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Plant ProtectionChangshaHunan410125China
| | - Yong Liu
- Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Plant ProtectionChangshaHunan410125China
| | - Zhengguang Zhang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural University, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of EducationNanjing210095China
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Harikrishnan H, Ismail A, Banga Singh KK. Temperature-regulated expression of outer membrane proteins in Shigella flexneri. Gut Pathog 2013; 5:38. [PMID: 24330657 PMCID: PMC4029548 DOI: 10.1186/1757-4749-5-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacteria exist widely in a diversity of natural environments. In order to survive adverse conditions such as nutrient depletion, biochemical and biological disturbances, and high temperature, bacteria have developed a wide variety of coping mechanisms. Temperature is one of the most important factors that can enhance the expression of microbial proteins. This study was conducted to investigate how outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of the bacterium Shigella flexneri respond to stress, especially during fever when the host's body temperature is elevated. METHODS OMPs of S. flexneri ATCC 12022 and clinical isolate SH057 were extracted from an overnight culture grown at 37, 38.5, and 40°C. Comparisons of the expressed proteins under the different growth conditions were based on equal numbers of bacterial cells loaded in the SDS-PAGE gels. Separated proteins were stained with Coomassie brilliant blue. Selected proteins showing increased expression at 38.5 and 40°C were characterized by performing MALDI-ToF-ToF. RESULTS Different degrees of expression were demonstrated for different proteins expressed at 37°C compared to 38.5 and 40°C. The proteins with molecular sizes of 18.4, 25.6, and 57.0 kDa showed increased expression level at increasing temperature and were identified as Dps, WrbA, and PepA, respectively. CONCLUSION This study revealed that strains of S. flexneri respond at the proteomic level during stress caused by elevated temperature by decreasing the expression of proteins, maintaining the level of important proteins, or enhancing the levels of proteins presumably involved in survival and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kirnpal-Kaur Banga Singh
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
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Gene expression in human fungal pathogen Coccidioides immitis changes as arthroconidia differentiate into spherules and mature. BMC Microbiol 2013; 13:121. [PMID: 23714098 PMCID: PMC3693894 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-13-121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coccidioides immitis is a dimorphic fungus that causes disease in mammals, including human beings. It grows as a mycelium containing arthroconidia in the soil and in the host arthroconidia differentiates into a unique structure called a spherule. We used a custom open reading frame oligonucleotide microarray to compare the transcriptome of C. immitis mycelia with early (day 2) and late stage (day 8) spherules grown in vitro. All hybridizations were done in quadruplicate and stringent criteria were used to identify significantly differentially expressed genes. RESULTS 22% of C. immitis genes were differentially expressed in either day 2 or day 8 spherules compared to mycelia, and about 12% of genes were differentially expressed comparing the two spherule time points. Oxireductases, including an extracellular superoxide dismutase, were upregulated in spherules and they may be important for defense against oxidative stress. Many signal transduction molecules, including pleckstrin domain proteins, protein kinases and transcription factors were downregulated in day 2 spherules. Several genes involved in sulfur metabolism were downregulated in day 8 spherules compared to day 2 spherules. Transcription of amylase and α (1,3) glucan synthase was upregulated in spherules; these genes have been found to be important for differentiation to yeast in Histoplasma. There were two homologs of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (4-HPPD); transcription of one was up- and the other downregulated. We tested the effect of a 4-HPPD inhibitor, nitisinone, on mycelial and spherule growth and found that it inhibited mycelial but not spherule growth. CONCLUSIONS Transcription of many genes was differentially expressed in the process of arthroconidia to spherule conversion and spherule maturation, as would be expected given the magnitude of the morphologic change. The transcription profile of early stage (day 2) spherules was different than late stage (day 8) endosporulating spherules. In addition, very few genes that are important for spore to yeast conversion in other dimorphic fungi are differentially expressed in C. immitis mycelia and spherules suggesting that dimorphic fungi may have evolved different mechanisms to differentiate from mycelia to tissue invasive forms.
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Rezende TCV, Borges CL, Magalhães AD, de Sousa MV, Ricart CAO, Bailão AM, Soares CMA. A quantitative view of the morphological phases of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis using proteomics. J Proteomics 2011; 75:572-87. [PMID: 21920475 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2011.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2011] [Revised: 08/23/2011] [Accepted: 08/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a fungal pathogen with a broad distribution in Latin American countries. The mycelia-to-yeast morphological transition of P. brasiliensis is involved in the virulence of this pathogen, and this event is essential to the establishment of infection. Here, we report the first proteomic comparison between the mycelia, the mycelia-to-yeast transition and the yeast cells. Changes in the relative abundance of the components of the proteome during phase conversion of P. brasiliensis were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry. Using MALDI-TOF-MS, we identified 100 total proteins/isoforms. We show that 18, 30 and 33 proteins/isoforms in our map are overexpressed in the mycelia, the mycelia-to-yeast transition and in yeast cells, respectively. Nineteen proteins/isoforms did not present significant differences in the volume spots in the three analyzed conditions. The differential expression was confirmed for six different proteins by Western blot analysis. The quantitative differences observed by the proteomic analysis were correlated with the transcript levels, as determined by quantitative RT-PCR of the analyzed conditions, including conidial formation and the transition from conidia-to-yeast cells. The analysis of the functional categories to which these proteins belong provided an integrated view of the metabolic reorganization during the morphogenesis of P. brasiliensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza C V Rezende
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
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Zheng C, Choquer M, Zhang B, Ge H, Hu S, Ma H, Chen S. LongSAGE gene-expression profiling of Botrytis cinerea germination suppressed by resveratrol, the major grapevine phytoalexin. Fungal Biol 2011; 115:815-32. [PMID: 21872179 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2011.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2010] [Revised: 06/13/2011] [Accepted: 06/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The ascomycetes Botrytis cinerea is one of the most studied necrotrophic phytopathogens and one of the main fungal parasites of grapevine. As a defense mechanism, grapevine produces a phytoalexin compound, resveratrol, which inhibits germination of the fungal conidium before it can penetrate the plant barriers and lead to host cell necrotrophy. To elucidate the effect of resveratrol on transcriptional regulation in B. cinerea germlings, two LongSAGE (long serial analysis of gene expression) libraries were generated in vitro for gene-expression profiling: 41 428 tags and among them, 15 665 unitags were obtained from resveratrol-treated B. cinerea germlings and 41 358 tags, among them, 16 362 unitags were obtained from non-treated B. cinerea germlings. In-silico analysis showed that about half of these unitags match known genes in the complete B. cinerea genome sequence. Comparison of unitag frequencies between libraries highlighted 110 genes that were transcriptionally regulated in the presence of resveratrol: 53 and 57 genes were significantly down- and upregulated, respectively. Manual curation of their putative functional categories showed that primary metabolism of germinating conidia appears to be markedly affected under resveratrol treatment, along with changes in other putative metabolic pathways, such as resveratrol detoxification and virulence-effector secretion, in B. cinerea germlings. We propose a hypothetical model of cross talk between B. cinerea germinating conidia and resveratrol-producing grapevine at the very early steps of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanlin Zheng
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing
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Cardona F, Orozco H, Friant S, Aranda A, del Olmo ML. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae flavodoxin-like proteins Ycp4 and Rfs1 play a role in stress response and in the regulation of genes related to metabolism. Arch Microbiol 2011; 193:515-25. [PMID: 21442317 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-011-0696-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2010] [Revised: 02/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
SPI1 is a gene whose expression responds to many environmental stimuli, including entry into stationary phase. We have performed a screening to identify genes that activate SPI1 promoter when overexpressed. The phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase gene MSS4 was identified as a positive activator of SPI1. Another SPI1 transcriptional regulator isolated was the flavodoxin-like gene YCP4. YCP4 and its homolog RFS1 regulate the expression of many genes during the late stages of growth. The double deletion mutant in YCP4 and its homolog RFS1 has an impact on gene expression related to metabolism by increasing the expression of genes involved in hexose transport and glycolysis, and decreasing expression of genes of amino acid metabolism pathways. Genes related to mating and response to pheromone show a decreased expression in the double mutant, while transcription of genes involved in translational elongation is increased. Deletion of these genes, together with the third member of the family, PST2, has a complex effect on the stress response. For instance, double mutant ycp4Δrfs1Δ has an increased response to oxidative stress, but a decreased tolerance to cell-damaging agent SDS. Additionally, this mutation affects chronological aging and slightly increases fermentative capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Cardona
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, Paterna, Spain
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Maricato JT, Batista WL, Kioshima ÉS, Feitosa LS, Brito RRNE, Goldman GH, Mariano M, Puccia R, Lopes JD. The Paracoccidioides brasiliensis gp70 antigen is encoded by a putative member of the flavoproteins monooxygenase family. Fungal Genet Biol 2010; 47:179-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2009.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2009] [Revised: 10/06/2009] [Accepted: 10/06/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Wolfová J, Mesters JR, Brynda J, Grandori R, Natalello A, Carey J, Kutá Smatanová I. Crystallization and preliminary diffraction analysis of Escherichia coli WrbA in complex with its cofactor flavin mononucleotide. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2007; 63:571-5. [PMID: 17620713 PMCID: PMC2335133 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309107026103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2007] [Accepted: 05/28/2007] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The flavoprotein WrbA from Escherichia coli is considered to be the prototype of a new family of multimeric flavodoxin-like proteins that are implicated in cell protection against oxidative stress. The present study is aimed at structural characterization of the E. coli protein with respect to its recently revealed oxidoreductase activity. Crystals of WrbA holoprotein in complex with the oxidized flavin cofactor (FMN) were obtained using standard vapour-diffusion techniques. Deep yellow tetragonal crystals obtained from differing crystallization conditions display different space groups and unit-cell parameters. X-ray crystal structures of the WrbA holoprotein have been determined to resolutions of 2.0 and 2.6 A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Wolfová
- Institute of Physical Biology, University of South Bohemia České Budějovice, Zámek 136, CZ-373 33 Nové Hrady, Czech Republic
- Institute of Systems Biology and Ecology, v.v.i., Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, Zámek 136, CZ-373 33 Nové Hrady, Czech Republic
| | - Jeroen R. Mesters
- Institute of Biochemistry, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jiří Brynda
- Institute of Physical Biology, University of South Bohemia České Budějovice, Zámek 136, CZ-373 33 Nové Hrady, Czech Republic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, CZ-16637 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Rita Grandori
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonino Natalello
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Jannette Carey
- Chemistry Department, Princeton University, Washington Road and William Street, Princeton, NJ 08544-1009, USA
| | - Ivana Kutá Smatanová
- Institute of Physical Biology, University of South Bohemia České Budějovice, Zámek 136, CZ-373 33 Nové Hrady, Czech Republic
- Institute of Systems Biology and Ecology, v.v.i., Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, Zámek 136, CZ-373 33 Nové Hrady, Czech Republic
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Abstract
Most dimorphic fungal pathogens cause respiratory disease in mammals and must therefore possess virulence mechanisms to combat and overcome host pulmonary defenses. Over the past decade, advances in genetic tools have made it possible to investigate the basis of dimorphic fungal pathogenesis at the molecular level. Gene disruptions and RNA interference have now formally demonstrated the involvement of six virulence factors: CBP, alpha-(1,3)-glucan, BAD1, SOWgp, Mep1, and urease. Additional candidate virulence-associated genes have been identified on the premise that factors necessary for pathogenicity are associated specifically with the parasitic form. This principle continues to form the foundation for genomics-based analyses to further augment the list. Thus, the stage is set and the tools are in place for the next phase of medical mycology research: defining the virulence-associated factors underlying the success of dimorphic fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad A Rappleye
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
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Patridge EV, Ferry JG. WrbA from Escherichia coli and Archaeoglobus fulgidus is an NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase. J Bacteriol 2006; 188:3498-506. [PMID: 16672604 PMCID: PMC1482846 DOI: 10.1128/jb.188.10.3498-3506.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
WrbA (tryptophan [W] repressor-binding protein) was discovered in Escherichia coli, where it was proposed to play a role in regulation of the tryptophan operon; however, this has been put in question, leaving the function unknown. Here we report a phylogenetic analysis of 30 sequences which indicated that WrbA is the prototype of a distinct family of flavoproteins which exists in a diversity of cell types across all three domains of life and includes documented NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductases (NQOs) from the Fungi and Viridiplantae kingdoms. Biochemical characterization of the prototypic WrbA protein from E. coli and WrbA from Archaeoglobus fulgidus, a hyperthermophilic species from the Archaea domain, shows that these enzymes have NQO activity, suggesting that this activity is a defining characteristic of the WrbA family that we designate a new type of NQO (type IV). For E. coli WrbA, the K(m)(NADH) was 14 +/- 0.43 microM and the K(m)(benzoquinone) was 5.8 +/- 0.12 microM. For A. fulgidus WrbA, the K(m)(NADH) was 19 +/- 1.7 microM and the K(m)(benzoquinone) was 37 +/- 3.6 microM. Both enzymes were found to be homodimeric by gel filtration chromatography and homotetrameric by dynamic light scattering and to contain one flavin mononucleotide molecule per monomer. The NQO activity of each enzyme is retained over a broad pH range, and apparent initial velocities indicate that maximal activities are comparable to the optimum growth temperature for the respective organisms. The results are discussed and implicate WrbA in the two-electron reduction of quinones, protecting against oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric V Patridge
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802-4500, USA
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12
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Nunes LR, Costa de Oliveira R, Leite DB, da Silva VS, dos Reis Marques E, da Silva Ferreira ME, Ribeiro DCD, de Souza Bernardes LA, Goldman MHS, Puccia R, Travassos LR, Batista WL, Nóbrega MP, Nobrega FG, Yang DY, de Bragança Pereira CA, Goldman GH. Transcriptome analysis of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis cells undergoing mycelium-to-yeast transition. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2006; 4:2115-28. [PMID: 16339729 PMCID: PMC1317488 DOI: 10.1128/ec.4.12.2115-2128.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a thermodimorphic fungus associated with paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a systemic mycosis prevalent in South America. In humans, infection starts by inhalation of fungal propagules, which reach the pulmonary epithelium and transform into the yeast parasitic form. Thus, the mycelium-to-yeast transition is of particular interest because conversion to yeast is essential for infection. We have used a P. brasiliensis biochip carrying sequences of 4,692 genes from this fungus to monitor gene expression at several time points of the mycelium-to-yeast morphological shift (from 5 to 120 h). The results revealed a total of 2,583 genes that displayed statistically significant modulation in at least one experimental time point. Among the identified gene homologues, some encoded enzymes involved in amino acid catabolism, signal transduction, protein synthesis, cell wall metabolism, genome structure, oxidative stress response, growth control, and development. The expression pattern of 20 genes was independently verified by real-time reverse transcription-PCR, revealing a high degree of correlation between the data obtained with the two methodologies. One gene, encoding 4-hydroxyl-phenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (4-HPPD), was highly overexpressed during the mycelium-to-yeast differentiation, and the use of NTBC [2-(2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)-cyclohexane-1,3-dione], a specific inhibitor of 4-HPPD activity, as well as that of NTBC derivatives, was able to inhibit growth and differentiation of the pathogenic yeast phase of the fungus in vitro. These data set the stage for further studies involving NTBC and its derivatives as new chemotherapeutic agents against PCM and confirm the potential of array-based approaches to identify new targets for the development of alternative treatments against pathogenic microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz R Nunes
- Núcleo Integrado de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil
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13
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Gorman J, Shapiro L. Crystal structures of the tryptophan repressor binding protein WrbA and complexes with flavin mononucleotide. Protein Sci 2006; 14:3004-12. [PMID: 16322580 PMCID: PMC2253248 DOI: 10.1110/ps.051680805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The tryptophan repressor binding protein WrbA binds to the tryptophan repressor protein TrpR. Although the biological role of WrbA remains unclear, it has been proposed to function in enhancing the stability of TrpR-DNA complexes. Sequence database analysis has identified WrbA as a founding member of a flavodoxin-like family of proteins. Here we present crystal structures of WrbA from Deinococcus radiodurans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their complexes with flavin mononucleotide. The protomer structure is similar to that of previously determined long-chain flavodoxins; however, each contains a conserved inserted region unique to the WrbA family. Interestingly, each WrbA protein forms a homotetramer with 222 symmetry, unique among flavodoxin-like proteins, in which each protomer binds one flavin mononucleotide cofactor molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Gorman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, Box 18, New York, NY 10032, USA
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14
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Current awareness on yeast. Yeast 2005. [DOI: 10.1002/yea.1169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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