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Yan B, Ma A. PriA is involved in Pleurotus ostreatus development and defense against Pseudomonas tolaasii. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2023; 117:1. [PMID: 38095768 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-023-01900-6] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Pleurotus ostreatus is a crucial commercial mushroom widely cultivated for diverse uses. Scientists have worked on breeding disease-resistant and high-yielding varieties to secure food supply. Studies on the molecular genetic mechanism of growth and development can provide valuable information to facilitate crop breeding programs by genetic engineering. Aegerolysins are pore-forming proteins widely distributed in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, which are reported to have haemolytic activity and be involved in the early stages of fructification. The present study aimed to explore biological function of a differential expressed aegerolysin gene PriA in P. ostreatus. The expression level of PriA gene was higher in primordium and fruiting body than that in mycelium. The PriA expression in overexpression (OE) and RNAi interference (RNAi) strains was detected by qRT-PCR. The RNAi strains grew at slightly slower rates and advanced producing yellow pigments than the wild type, while OE strains showed no prominent phenotypic characteristics. Furthermore, Pseudomonas tolaasii infection assays showed that the PriA OE strains could enhance mycelia and caps resistance to P. tolaasii. These data demonstrate PriA from P. ostreatus play an essential role in mycelial development and increase antagonism against P. tolaasii. Our study provides some reference information on interactions between edible fungi and pathogenic bacteria and offers a new resistance-conferring gene for breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biyun Yan
- College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Aimin Ma
- College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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2
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Venugopalan LP, Aimanianda V, Namperumalsamy VP, Prajna L, Kuppamuthu D, Jayapal JM. Comparative proteome analysis identifies species-specific signature proteins in Aspergillus pathogens. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s00253-023-12559-4. [PMID: 37166481 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12559-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus are important human pathogens that can infect the lung and cornea. During infection, Aspergillus dormant conidia are the primary morphotype that comes in contact with the host. As the conidial surface-associated proteins (CSPs) and the extracellular proteins during the early stages of growth play a crucial role in establishing infection, we profiled and compared these proteins between a clinical strain of A. flavus and a clinical strain of A. fumigatus. We identified nearly 100 CSPs in both Aspergillus, and these non-covalently associated surface proteins were able to stimulate the neutrophils to secrete interleukin IL-8. Mass spectrometry analysis identified more than 200 proteins in the extracellular space during the early stages of conidial growth and germination (early exoproteome). The conidial surface proteins and the early exoproteome of A. fumigatus were enriched with immunoreactive proteins and those with pathogenicity-related functions while that of the A. flavus were primarily enzymes involved in cell wall reorganization and binding. Comparative proteome analysis of the CSPs and the early exoproteome between A. flavus and A. fumigatus enabled the identification of a common core proteome and potential species-specific signature proteins. Transcript analysis of selected proteins indicate that the transcript-protein level correlation does not exist for all proteins and might depend on factors such as membrane-anchor signals and protein half-life. The probable signature proteins of A. flavus and A. fumigatus identified in this study can serve as potential candidates for developing species-specific diagnostic tests. KEY POINTS: • CSPs and exoproteins could differentiate A. flavus and A. fumigatus. • A. fumigatus conidial surface harbored more antigenic proteins than A. flavus. • Identified species-specific signature proteins of A. flavus and A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Prabha Venugopalan
- Department of Proteomics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Anna Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Present address: Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, India
| | - Vishukumar Aimanianda
- Unité des Aspergillus, Institut Pasteur, 75015, Paris, France
- Present address: Unité de recherche Mycologie Moléculaire, UMR2000, Institut Pasteur, 75015, Paris, France
| | | | - Lalitha Prajna
- Department of Ocular Microbiology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Anna Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Dharmalingam Kuppamuthu
- Department of Proteomics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Anna Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jeya Maheshwari Jayapal
- Department of Proteomics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Anna Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
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3
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Xiong Z, Zhang N, Xu L, Deng Z, Limwachiranon J, Guo Y, Han Y, Yang W, Scharf DH. Urease of Aspergillus fumigatus Is Required for Survival in Macrophages and Virulence. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0350822. [PMID: 36916906 PMCID: PMC10100864 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03508-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of patients suffering from fungal diseases has constantly increased during the last decade. Among the fungal pathogens, the airborne filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus can cause chronic and fatal invasive mold infections. So far, only three major classes of drugs (polyenes, azoles, and echinocandins) are available for the treatment of life-threatening fungal infections, and all present pharmacological drawbacks (e.g., low solubility or toxicity). Meanwhile, clinical antifungal-resistant isolates are continuously emerging. Therefore, there is a high demand for novel antifungal drugs, preferentially those that act on new targets. We studied urease and the accessory proteins in A. fumigatus to determine their biochemical roles and their influence on virulence. Urease is crucial for the growth on urea as the sole nitrogen source, and the transcript and protein levels are elevated on urea media. The urease deficient mutant displays attenuated virulence, and its spores are more susceptible to macrophage-mediated killing. We demonstrated that this observation is associated with an inability to prevent the acidification of the phagosome. Furthermore, we could show that a nickel-chelator inhibits growth on urea. The nickel chelator is also able to reverse the effects of urease on macrophage killing and phagosome acidification, thereby reducing virulence in systemic and trachea infection models. IMPORTANCE The development of antifungal drugs is an urgent task, but it has proven to be difficult due to many similarities between fungal and animal cells. Here, we characterized the urease system in A. fumigatus, which depends on nickel for activity. Notably, nickel is not a crucial element for humans. Therefore, we went further to explore the role of nickel-dependent urease in host-pathogen interactions. We were able to show that urease is important in preventing the acidification of the phagosome and therefore reduces the killing of conidia by macrophages. Furthermore, the deletion of urease shows reduced virulence in murine infection models. Taken together, we identified urease as an essential virulence factor of A. fumigatus. We were able to show that the application of the nickel-chelator dimethylglyoxime is effective in both in vitro and in vivo infection models. This suggests that nickel chelators or urease inhibitors are potential candidates for the development of novel antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Xiong
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liru Xu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiduo Deng
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jarukitt Limwachiranon
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yaojie Guo
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Han
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Biophysics and Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Daniel H. Scharf
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammatory Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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4
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Schwarz C, Eschenhagen P, Schmidt H, Hohnstein T, Iwert C, Grehn C, Roehmel J, Steinke E, Stahl M, Lozza L, Tikhonova E, Rosati E, Stervbo U, Babel N, Mainz JG, Wisplinghoff H, Ebel F, Jia LJ, Blango MG, Hortschansky P, Brunke S, Hube B, Brakhage AA, Kniemeyer O, Scheffold A, Bacher P. Antigen specificity and cross-reactivity drive functionally diverse anti-Aspergillus fumigatus T cell responses in cystic fibrosis. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:161593. [PMID: 36701198 PMCID: PMC9974102 DOI: 10.1172/jci161593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDThe fungus Aspergillus fumigatus causes a variety of clinical phenotypes in patients with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Th cells orchestrate immune responses against fungi, but the types of A. fumigatus-specific Th cells in pwCF and their contribution to protective immunity or inflammation remain poorly characterized.METHODSWe used antigen-reactive T cell enrichment (ARTE) to investigate fungus-reactive Th cells in peripheral blood of pwCF and healthy controls.RESULTSWe show that clonally expanded, high-avidity A. fumigatus-specific effector Th cells, which were absent in healthy donors, developed in pwCF. Individual patients were characterized by distinct Th1-, Th2-, or Th17-dominated responses that remained stable over several years. These different Th subsets target different A. fumigatus proteins, indicating that differential antigen uptake and presentation directs Th cell subset development. Patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) are characterized by high frequencies of Th2 cells that cross-recognize various filamentous fungi.CONCLUSIONOur data highlight the development of heterogenous Th responses targeting different protein fractions of a single fungal pathogen and identify the development of multispecies cross-reactive Th2 cells as a potential risk factor for ABPA.FUNDINGGerman Research Foundation (DFG), under Germany's Excellence Strategy (EXC 2167-390884018 "Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation" and EXC 2051-390713860 "Balance of the Microverse"); Oskar Helene Heim Stiftung; Christiane Herzog Stiftung; Mukoviszidose Institut gGmb; German Cystic Fibrosis Association Mukoviszidose e.V; German Federal Ministry of Education and Science (BMBF) InfectControl 2020 Projects AnDiPath (BMBF 03ZZ0838A+B).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Schwarz
- Klinikum Westbrandenburg, Campus Potsdam, Cystic Fibrosis Section, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Patience Eschenhagen
- Klinikum Westbrandenburg, Campus Potsdam, Cystic Fibrosis Section, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Henrijette Schmidt
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.,Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel and UKSH Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Thordis Hohnstein
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christina Iwert
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Translational Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Grehn
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jobst Roehmel
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine and Cystic Fibrosis Center, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt – Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Steinke
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine and Cystic Fibrosis Center, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt – Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research (DZL), associated partner site, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mirjam Stahl
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine and Cystic Fibrosis Center, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt – Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research (DZL), associated partner site, Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Lozza
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Precision for Medicine GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Tikhonova
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.,Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel and UKSH Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Elisa Rosati
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.,Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel and UKSH Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ulrik Stervbo
- Center for Translational Medicine and Immune Diagnostics Laboratory, Marien Hospital Herne, University Hospital of the Ruhr University Bochum, Herne, Germany
| | - Nina Babel
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Center for Translational Medicine and Immune Diagnostics Laboratory, Marien Hospital Herne, University Hospital of the Ruhr University Bochum, Herne, Germany
| | - Jochen G. Mainz
- Brandenburg Medical School/Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg (MHB), University, Pediatric Pulmonology/Cystic Fibrosis, Klinikum Westbrandenburg, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Hilmar Wisplinghoff
- Labor Dr. Wisplinghoff, Cologne, Germany.,Institute for Virology and Microbiology, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Frank Ebel
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Lei-Jie Jia
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Matthew G. Blango
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Peter Hortschansky
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander Scheffold
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel and UKSH Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Petra Bacher
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.,Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel and UKSH Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
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5
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Towards Understanding the Function of Aegerolysins. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14090629. [PMID: 36136567 PMCID: PMC9505663 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14090629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aegerolysins are remarkable proteins. They are distributed over the tree of life, being relatively widespread in bacteria and fungi, but also present in some insects, plants, protozoa, and viruses. Despite their abundance in cells of certain developmental stages and their presence in secretomes, only a few aegerolysins have been studied in detail. Their function, in particular, is intriguing. Here, we summarize previously published findings on the distribution, molecular interactions, and function of these versatile aegerolysins. They have very diverse protein sequences but a common fold. The machine learning approach of the AlphaFold2 algorithm, which incorporates physical and biological knowledge of protein structures and multisequence alignments, provides us new insights into the aegerolysins and their pore-forming partners, complemented by additional genomic support. We hypothesize that aegerolysins are involved in the mechanisms of competitive exclusion in the niche.
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6
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Towards a Fungal Science That Is Independent of Researchers’ Gender. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070675. [PMID: 35887432 PMCID: PMC9321353 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The main drivers of gender mainstreaming in basic and clinical research appear to be funding agencies and scientific journals. Some funding agencies have already recognized the importance of their actions for the global development of ideas in science, but further targeted efforts are needed. The challenges for women scientists in fungal research appear to be similar to those in other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines, although the gender gap in mycology publishing appears to be less pronounced; however, women are underrepresented as last (corresponding) authors. Two examples of best practices to bridge the gap have been promoted in the fungal community: “power hour” and a central resource database for women researchers of fungi and oomycetes. A more balanced ratio of women researchers among (plenary) session speakers, (plenary) session chairs, and committee members at the recent fungal genetics conference is an encouraging sign that the gender gap can be closed. The editorial policy of some journals follows the guidance “Sex and Gender Equality in Research,” and other journals should follow, and indicate the gender ratio among authors and reviewers.
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7
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Michels K, Solomon AL, Scindia Y, Sordo Vieira L, Goddard Y, Whitten S, Vaulont S, Burdick MD, Atkinson C, Laubenbacher R, Mehrad B. Aspergillus Utilizes Extracellular Heme as an Iron Source During Invasive Pneumonia, Driving Infection Severity. J Infect Dis 2022; 225:1811-1821. [PMID: 35267014 PMCID: PMC9113461 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depriving microbes of iron is critical to host defense. Hemeproteins, the largest source of iron within vertebrates, are abundant in infected tissues in aspergillosis due to hemorrhage, but Aspergillus species have been thought to lack heme import mechanisms. We hypothesized that heme provides iron to Aspergillus during invasive pneumonia, thereby worsening the outcomes of the infection. METHODS We assessed the effect of heme on fungal phenotype in various in vitro conditions and in a neutropenic mouse model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. RESULTS In mice with neutropenic invasive aspergillosis, we found a progressive and compartmentalized increase in lung heme iron. Fungal cells cultured under low iron conditions took up heme, resulting in increased fungal iron content, resolution of iron starvation, increased conidiation, and enhanced resistance to oxidative stress. Intrapulmonary administration of heme to mice with neutropenic invasive aspergillosis resulted in markedly increased lung fungal burden, lung injury, and mortality, whereas administration of heme analogs or heme with killed Aspergillus did not. Finally, infection caused by fungal germlings cultured in the presence of heme resulted in a more severe infection. CONCLUSIONS Invasive aspergillosis induces local hemolysis in infected tissues, thereby supplying heme iron to the fungus, leading to lethal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Michels
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Angelica L Solomon
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Yogesh Scindia
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Luis Sordo Vieira
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Yana Goddard
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Spencer Whitten
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Sophie Vaulont
- Université de Paris, INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Marie D Burdick
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Carl Atkinson
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Reinhard Laubenbacher
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Borna Mehrad
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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8
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Margalit A, Sheehan D, Carolan JC, Kavanagh K. Exposure to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretome alters the proteome and secondary metabolite production of Aspergillus fumigatus. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168:001164. [PMID: 35333152 PMCID: PMC9558348 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is frequently cultured from the sputum of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients along with the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A. fumigatus secretes a range of secondary metabolites, and one of these, gliotoxin, has inhibitory effects on the host immune response. The effect of P. aeruginosa culture filtrate (CuF) on fungal growth and gliotoxin production was investigated. Exposure of A. fumigatus hyphae to P. aeruginosa cells induced increased production of gliotoxin and a decrease in fungal growth. In contrast, exposure of A. fumigatus hyphae to P. aeruginosa CuF led to increased growth and decreased gliotoxin production. Quantitative proteomic analysis was used to characterize the proteomic response of A. fumigatus upon exposure to P. aeruginosa CuF. Changes in the profile of proteins involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis (e.g. gliotoxin, fumagillin, pseurotin A), and changes to the abundance of proteins involved in oxidative stress (e.g. formate dehydrogenase) and detoxification (e.g. thioredoxin reductase) were observed, indicating that the bacterial secretome had a profound effect on the fungal proteome. Alterations in the abundance of proteins involved in detoxification and oxidative stress highlight the ability of A. fumigatus to differentially regulate protein synthesis in response to environmental stresses imposed by competitors such as P. aeruginosa. Such responses may ultimately have serious detrimental effects on the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatte Margalit
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - David Sheehan
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - James C. Carolan
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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9
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Fungi—A Component of the Oral Microbiome Involved in Periodontal Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1373:113-138. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-96881-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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10
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Machata S, Müller MM, Lehmann R, Sieber P, Panagiotou G, Carvalho A, Cunha C, Lagrou K, Maertens J, Slevogt H, Jacobsen ID. Proteome analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids reveals host and fungal proteins highly expressed during invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in mice and humans. Virulence 2021; 11:1337-1351. [PMID: 33043780 PMCID: PMC7549978 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1824960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a severe infection that is difficult to diagnose due to the ubiquitous presence of fungal spores, the underlying diseases of risk patients, and limitations of currently available markers. In this study, we performed a comprehensive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based identification of host and fungal proteins expressed during IPA in mice and humans. The proteomic analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage samples of individual IPA and control cases allowed the description of common host factors that had significantly increased abundance in both infected animals and IPA patients compared to their controls. Although increased levels of these individual host proteins might not be sufficient to distinguish bacterial from fungal infection, a combination of these markers might be beneficial to improve diagnosis. We also identified 16 fungal proteins that were specifically detected during infection and may be valuable candidates for biomarker evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Machata
- Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute , Jena, Germany
| | - Mario M Müller
- Septomics Research Centre, Jena University Hospital , Jena, Germany
| | - Roland Lehmann
- Septomics Research Centre, Jena University Hospital , Jena, Germany
| | - Patricia Sieber
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute , Jena, Germany
| | - Gianni Panagiotou
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute , Jena, Germany.,School of the Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong, China.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong, China
| | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho , Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Cristina Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho , Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven , Leuven, Belgium.,Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Maertens
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven , Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Hematology, University Hospitals Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hortense Slevogt
- Septomics Research Centre, Jena University Hospital , Jena, Germany
| | - Ilse D Jacobsen
- Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute , Jena, Germany.,Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena , Jena, Germany
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11
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Wardlaw AJ, Rick EM, Pur Ozyigit L, Scadding A, Gaillard EA, Pashley CH. New Perspectives in the Diagnosis and Management of Allergic Fungal Airway Disease. J Asthma Allergy 2021; 14:557-573. [PMID: 34079294 PMCID: PMC8164695 DOI: 10.2147/jaa.s251709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergy to airway-colonising, thermotolerant, filamentous fungi represents a distinct eosinophilic endotype of often severe lung disease. This endotype, which particularly affects adult asthma, but also complicates other airway diseases and sometimes occurs de novo, has a heterogeneous presentation ranging from severe eosinophilic asthma to lobar collapse. Its hallmark is lung damage, characterised by fixed airflow obstruction (FAO), bronchiectasis and lung fibrosis. It has a number of monikers including severe asthma with fungal sensitisation (SAFS) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis/mycosis (ABPA/M), but these exclusive terms constitute only sub-sets of the condition. In order to capture the full extent of the syndrome we prefer the inclusive term allergic fungal airway disease (AFAD), the criteria for which are IgE sensitisation to relevant fungi in association with airway disease. The primary fungus involved is Aspergillus fumigatus, but a number of other thermotolerant species from several genera have been implicated. The unifying mechanism involves germination of inhaled fungal spores in the lung in the context of IgE sensitisation, leading to a persistent and vigorous eosinophilic inflammatory response in association with release of fungal proteases. Most allergenic fungi, including Alternaria and Cladosporium species, are not thermotolerant and cannot germinate in the airways so only act as aeroallergens and do not cause AFAD. Studies of the airway mycobiome have shown that A. fumigatus colonises the normal as much as the asthmatic airway, suggesting it is the tendency to become IgE-sensitised that is the critical triggering factor for AFAD rather than colonisation per se. Treatment is aimed at preventing exacerbations with glucocorticoids and increasingly by the use of anti-T2 biological therapies. Anti-fungal therapy has a limited place in management, but is an effective treatment for fungal bronchitis which complicates AFAD in about 10% of cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Wardlaw
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Respiratory Sciences, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, and Allergy and Respiratory Medicine Service, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Respiratory, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Eva-Maria Rick
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Respiratory Sciences, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, and Allergy and Respiratory Medicine Service, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Respiratory, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Leyla Pur Ozyigit
- Allergy and Respiratory Services University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Alys Scadding
- Allergy and Respiratory Services University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Erol A Gaillard
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Respiratory Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Department of Paediatrics, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Respiratory, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Catherine H Pashley
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Respiratory Sciences, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, and Allergy and Respiratory Medicine Service, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Respiratory, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
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12
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Rajan S, Schremmer C, Weber J, Alt P, Geiger F, Dietrich A. Ca 2+ Signaling by TRPV4 Channels in Respiratory Function and Disease. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040822. [PMID: 33917551 PMCID: PMC8067475 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily are broadly expressed in our body and contribute to multiple cellular functions. Most interestingly, the fourth member of the vanilloid family of TRP channels (TRPV4) serves different partially antagonistic functions in the respiratory system. This review highlights the role of TRPV4 channels in lung fibroblasts, the lung endothelium, as well as the alveolar and bronchial epithelium, during physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms. Data available from animal models and human tissues confirm the importance of this ion channel in cellular signal transduction complexes with Ca2+ ions as a second messenger. Moreover, TRPV4 is an excellent therapeutic target with numerous specific compounds regulating its activity in diseases, like asthma, lung fibrosis, edema, and infections.
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13
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Braz JD, Sardi JDCO, Pitangui NDS, Voltan AR, Almeida AMF, Mendes-Giannini MJS. Gene expression of Paracoccidioides virulence factors after interaction with macrophages and fibroblasts. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2021; 116:e200592. [PMID: 33787770 PMCID: PMC8011670 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis with high prevalence in Latin America that is caused by thermodimorphic fungal species of the Paracoccidioides genus. OBJECTIVES In this study, we used quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to investigate the expression of genes related to the virulence of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb18) and P. lutzii (Pb01) strains in their mycelial (M) and yeast (Y) forms after contact with alveolar macrophages (AMJ2-C11 cell line) and fibroblasts (MRC-5 cell line). METHODS The selected genes were those coding for 43 kDa glycoprotein (gp43), enolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), 14-3-3 protein (30 kDa), phospholipase, and aspartyl protease. FINDINGS In the Pb18 M form, the aspartyl protease gene showed the highest expression among all genes tested, both before and after infection of host cells. In the Pb18 Y form after macrophage infection, the 14-3-3 gene showed the highest expression among all genes tested, followed by the phospholipase and gp43 genes, and their expression was 50-fold, 10-fold, and 6-fold higher, respectively, than that in the M form. After fibroblast infection with the Pb18 Y form, the 14-3-3 gene showed the highest expression, followed by the phospholipase and aspartyl protease genes, and their expression was 25-fold, 10-fold, and 10-fold higher, respectively, than that in the M form. Enolase and aspartyl protease genes were expressed upon infection of both cell lines. After macrophage infection with the Pb01 Y form, the 14-3-3 gene showed the highest expression, followed by the phospholipase and aspartyl protease genes, and their expression was 18-fold, 12.5-fold, and 6-fold higher, respectively, than that in the M form. MAIN CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the data show that the expression of the genes analysed may be upregulated upon fungus-host interaction. Therefore, these genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of paracoccidioidomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline Derissi Braz
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
| | - Janaina de Cássia Orlandi Sardi
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil
| | - Nayla de Souza Pitangui
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Aline Raquel Voltan
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
| | - Ana Marisa Fusco Almeida
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
| | - Maria José Soares Mendes-Giannini
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
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14
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Margalit A, Carolan JC, Kavanagh K. Bacterial Interactions with Aspergillus fumigatus in the Immunocompromised Lung. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020435. [PMID: 33669831 PMCID: PMC7923216 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunocompromised airways are susceptible to infections caused by a range of pathogens which increases the opportunity for polymicrobial interactions to occur. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the predominant causes of pulmonary infection for individuals with respiratory disorders such as cystic fibrosis (CF). The spore-forming fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, is most frequently isolated with P. aeruginosa, and co-infection results in poor outcomes for patients. It is therefore clinically important to understand how these pathogens interact with each other and how such interactions may contribute to disease progression so that appropriate therapeutic strategies may be developed. Despite its persistence in the airways throughout the life of a patient, A. fumigatus rarely becomes the dominant pathogen. In vitro interaction studies have revealed remarkable insights into the molecular mechanisms that drive agonistic and antagonistic interactions that occur between A. fumigatus and pulmonary bacterial pathogens such as P. aeruginosa. Crucially, these studies demonstrate that although bacteria may predominate in a competitive environment, A. fumigatus has the capacity to persist and contribute to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +353-1-708-3859; Fax: +353-1-708-3845
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15
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Kraševec N, Novak M, Barat S, Skočaj M, Sepčić K, Anderluh G. Unconventional Secretion of Nigerolysins A from Aspergillus Species. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1973. [PMID: 33322461 PMCID: PMC7763983 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8121973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aegerolysins are small lipid-binding proteins particularly abundant in fungi. Aegerolysins from oyster mushrooms interact with an insect-specific membrane lipid and, together with MACPF proteins produced by the same organism, form pesticidal pore-forming complexes. The specific interaction with the same membrane lipid was recently demonstrated for nigerolysin A2 (NigA2), an aegerolysin from Aspergillus niger. In Aspergillus species, the aegerolysins were frequently found as secreted proteins, indicating their function in fungal defense. Using immunocytochemistry and live-cell imaging we investigated the subcellular localization of the nigerolysins A in A. niger, while their secretion was addressed by secretion prediction and Western blotting. We show that both nigerolysins A are leaderless proteins that reach the cell exterior by an unconventional protein secretion. NigA proteins are evenly distributed in the cytoplasm of fungal hyphae. A detailed bioinformatics analysis of Aspergillus aegerolysins suggests that the same function occurs only in a limited number of aegerolysins. From alignment, analysis of chromosomal loci, orthology, synteny, and phylogeny it follows that the same or a similar function described for pairs of pesticidal proteins of Pleurotus sp. can be expected in species of the subgenus Circumdati, section Nigri, series Nigri, and some other species with adjacent pairs of putative pesticidal proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Kraševec
- National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.B.); (G.A.)
| | - Maruša Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.N.); (M.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Simona Barat
- National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.B.); (G.A.)
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.N.); (M.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.N.); (M.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.N.); (M.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.B.); (G.A.)
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16
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Macleod T, Ainscough JS, Hesse C, Konzok S, Braun A, Buhl AL, Wenzel J, Bowyer P, Terao Y, Herrick S, Wittmann M, Stacey M. The Proinflammatory Cytokine IL-36γ Is a Global Discriminator of Harmless Microbes and Invasive Pathogens within Epithelial Tissues. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108515. [PMID: 33326792 PMCID: PMC7758160 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial tissues represent vital interfaces between organisms and their environment. As they are constantly exposed to harmful pathogens, innocuous commensals, and environmental microbes, it is essential they sense and elicit appropriate responses toward these different types of microbes. Here, we demonstrate that the epithelial cytokine interleukin-36γ (IL-36γ) acts as a global discriminator of pathogenic and harmless microbes via cell damage and proteolytic activation. We show that intracellular pro-IL-36γ is upregulated by both fungal and bacterial epithelial microbes; yet, it is only liberated from cells, and subsequently processed to its mature, potent, proinflammatory form, by pathogen-mediated cell damage and pathogen-derived proteases. This work demonstrates that IL-36γ senses pathogen-induced cell damage and proteolytic activity and is a key initiator of immune responses and pathological inflammation within epithelial tissues. As an apically located epithelial proinflammatory cytokine, we therefore propose that IL-36γ is critical as the initial discriminator of harmless microbes and invasive pathogens within epithelial tissues. Epithelial pathogens induce expression and release of IL-36γ Proteases secreted by several epithelial pathogens activate IL-36γ The A. fumigatus and S. pyogenes virulence factors Asp F13 and SpeB activate IL-36γ IL-36γ is a global sensor of pathogen-derived proteases during epithelial infection
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Macleod
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Joseph S Ainscough
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Christina Hesse
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Nikolai-Fuchs-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH) Research Network, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Konzok
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Nikolai-Fuchs-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH) Research Network, Hannover, Germany
| | - Armin Braun
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Nikolai-Fuchs-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH) Research Network, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Buhl
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, Bonn 53012, Germany
| | - Joerg Wenzel
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, Bonn 53012, Germany
| | - Paul Bowyer
- Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Yutaka Terao
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Sarah Herrick
- Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Miriam Wittmann
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Faculty of Medicine and Health, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, National Institute for Health Research, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Leeds, UK.
| | - Martin Stacey
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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17
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Dubey M, Jensen DF, Karlsson M. Functional characterization of the AGL1 aegerolysin in the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma atroviride reveals a role in conidiation and antagonism. Mol Genet Genomics 2020; 296:131-140. [PMID: 33052533 PMCID: PMC7840653 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-020-01732-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Aegerolysins are small secreted pore-forming proteins that are found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The role of aegerolysins in sporulation, fruit body formation, and in lysis of cellular membrane is suggested in fungi. The aim of the present study was to characterize the biological function of the aegerolysin gene agl1 in the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma atroviride, used for biological control of plant diseases. Gene expression analysis showed higher expression of agl1 during conidiation and during growth in medium supplemented with cell wall material from the plant pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani as the sole carbon source. Expression of agl1 was supressed under iron-limiting condition, while agl1 transcript was not detected during T. atroviride interactions with the prey fungi Botrytis cinerea or R. solani. Phenotypic analysis of agl1 deletion strains (Δagl1) showed reduced conidiation compared to T. atroviride wild type, thus suggesting the involvement of AGL1 in conidiation. Furthermore, the Δagl1 strains display reduced antagonism towards B. cinerea and R. solani based on a secretion assay, although no difference was detected during direct interactions. These data demonstrate the role of AGL1 in conidiation and antagonism in the mycoparasitic fungus T. atroviride.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh Dubey
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Uppsala Biocenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7026, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Dan Funck Jensen
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Uppsala Biocenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7026, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magnus Karlsson
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Uppsala Biocenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7026, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
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18
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Varona S, Lavín JL, Oguiza JA. Secretomes of medically important fungi reflect morphological and phylogenetic diversity. Fungal Biol 2020; 124:915-923. [PMID: 33059843 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2020.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Secretome represents a main target for understanding the mechanisms of fungal adaptation. In the present study, we focus on the secretomes of fungi associated with infections in humans and other mammals in order to explore relationships between the diverse morphological and phylogenetic groups. Almost all the mammalian pathogenic fungi analyzed have secretome sizes smaller than 1000 proteins and, secreted proteins comprise between 5% and 10% of the total proteome. As expected, the correlation pattern between the secretome size and the total proteome was similar to that described in previous secretome studies of fungi. With regard to the morphological groups, minimum secretome sizes of less than 250 secreted proteins and low values for the fraction of secreted proteins are shown in mammalian pathogenic fungi with reduced proteomes such as microsporidia, atypical fungi and some species of yeasts and yeast-like fungi (Malassezia). On the other hand, filamentous fungi have significantly more secreted proteins and the highest numbers are present in species of filamentous fungi that also are plant or insect pathogens (Fusarium verticilloides, Fusarium oxysporum and Basidiobolus meristosporus). With respect to phylogeny, there are also variations in secretome size across fungal subphyla: Microsporidia, Taphrinomycotina, Ustilagomycotina and Saccharomycotina contain small secretomes; whereas larger secretomes are found in Agaricomycotina, Pezizomycotina, Mucoromycotina and Entomophthoromycotina. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted on the complete secretomes. The PCA results revealed that, in general, secretomes of fungi belonging to the same morphological group or subphyla cluster together. In conclusion, our results point out that in medically important fungi there is a relationship between the secretome and the morphological group or phylogenetic classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarai Varona
- Bioinformatics Unit, CIC BioGUNE-BRTA, Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - José L Lavín
- Bioinformatics Unit, CIC BioGUNE-BRTA, Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.
| | - José A Oguiza
- Genetics, Genomics and Microbiology Research Group, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology (IMAB), Universidad Pública de Navarra, 31006, Pamplona, Spain.
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19
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Narayanan KB, Zo SM, Han SS. Novel biomimetic chitin-glucan polysaccharide nano/microfibrous fungal-scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 149:724-731. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.01.276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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20
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Wiesner DL, Merkhofer RM, Ober C, Kujoth GC, Niu M, Keller NP, Gern JE, Brockman-Schneider RA, Evans MD, Jackson DJ, Warner T, Jarjour NN, Esnault SJ, Feldman MB, Freeman M, Mou H, Vyas JM, Klein BS. Club Cell TRPV4 Serves as a Damage Sensor Driving Lung Allergic Inflammation. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 27:614-628.e6. [PMID: 32130954 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Airway epithelium is the first body surface to contact inhaled irritants and report danger. Here, we report how epithelial cells recognize and respond to aeroallergen alkaline protease 1 (Alp1) of Aspergillus sp., because proteases are critical components of many allergens that provoke asthma. In a murine model, Alp1 elicits helper T (Th) cell-dependent lung eosinophilia that is initiated by the rapid response of bronchiolar club cells to Alp1. Alp1 damages bronchiolar cell junctions, which triggers a calcium flux signaled through calcineurin within club cells of the bronchioles, inciting inflammation. In two human cohorts, we link fungal sensitization and/or asthma with SNP/protein expression of the mechanosensitive calcium channel, TRPV4. TRPV4 is also necessary and sufficient for club cells to sensitize mice to Alp1. Thus, club cells detect junction damage as mechanical stress, which signals danger via TRPV4, calcium, and calcineurin to initiate allergic sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darin L Wiesner
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Richard M Merkhofer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Carole Ober
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Gregory C Kujoth
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Mengyao Niu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; School of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - James E Gern
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | | | - Michael D Evans
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Daniel J Jackson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Thomas Warner
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Nizar N Jarjour
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Stephane J Esnault
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Michael B Feldman
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Matthew Freeman
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Hongmei Mou
- The Mucosal Immunology & Biology Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jatin M Vyas
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bruce S Klein
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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21
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Partial characteristics of hemolytic factors secreted from airborne Aspergillus and Penicillium, and an enhancement of hemolysis by Aspergillus micronesiensis CAMP-like factor via Staphylococcus aureus-sphingomyelinase. J Microbiol 2019; 57:1086-1094. [PMID: 31680218 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-019-9133-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
One of the advantages for initial survival of inhaled fungal spores in the respiratory tract is the ability for iron acquisition via hemolytic factor-production. To examine the ability of indoor Aspergillus and Penicillium affecting hemolysis, the secreted factors during the growth of thirteen strains from eight species were characterized in vitro for their hemolytic activity (HA) and CAMP-like reaction. The hemolytic index of HA on human blood agar of Aspergillus micronesiensis, Aspergillus wentii, Aspergillus westerdijkiae, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium copticola, Penicillium paxilli, Penicillium steckii, and Penicillium sumatrense were 1.72 ± 0.34, 1.61 ± 0.41, 1.69 ± 0.16, 1.58 ± 0.46, 3.10 ± 0.51, 1.22 ± 0.19, 2.55 ± 0.22, and 1.90 ± 0.14, respectively. The secreted factors of an Aspergillus wentii showed high HA when grown in undernourished broth at 25°C at an exponential phase and were heat sensitive. Its secreted proteins have an estimated relative molecular weight over 50 kDa. Whereas, the factors of Penicillium steckii were secreted in a similar condition at a late exponential phase but showed low HA and heat tolerance. In a CAMP-like test with sheep blood, the synergistic hemolytic reactions between most tested mold strains and Staphylococcus aureus were identified. Moreover, the enhancement of α-hemolysis of Staphylococcus aureus could occur through the interaction of Staphylococcus aureus-sphingomyelinase and CAMP-like factors secreted from Aspergillus micronesiensis. Further studies on the characterization of purified hemolytic- and CAMP-like-factors secreted from Aspergillus wentii and Aspergillus micronesiensis may lead to more understanding of their involvement of hemolysis and cytolysis for fungal survival prior to pathogenesis.
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22
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Novak M, Čepin U, Hodnik V, Narat M, Jamnik M, Kraševec N, Sepčić K, Anderluh G. Functional studies of aegerolysin and MACPF-like proteins in Aspergillus niger. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:1253-1269. [PMID: 31376198 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Proteins of the aegerolysin family have a high abundance in Fungi. Due to their specific binding to membrane lipids, and their membrane-permeabilization potential in concert with protein partner(s) belonging to a membrane-attack-complex/perforin (MACPF) superfamily, they were proposed as useful tools in different biotechnological and biomedical applications. In this work, we performed functional studies on expression of the genes encoding aegerolysin and MACPF-like proteins in Aspergillus niger. Our results suggest the sporulation process being crucial for strong induction of the expression of all these genes. However, deletion of either of the aegerolysin genes did not influence the growth, development, sporulation efficiency and phenotype of the mutants, indicating that aegerolysins are not key factors in the sporulation process. In all our expression studies we noticed a strong correlation in the expression of one aegerolysin and MACPF-like gene. Aegerolysins were confirmed to be secreted from the fungus. We also showed the specific interaction of a recombinant A. niger aegerolysin with an invertebrate-specific membrane sphingolipid. Moreover, using this protein labelled with mCherry we successfully stained insect cells membranes containing this particular sphingolipid. Our combined results suggest, that aegerolysins in this species, and probably also in other aspergilli, could be involved in defence against predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruša Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urška Čepin
- BioSistemika Ltd and National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Hodnik
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mojca Narat
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Jamnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nada Kraševec
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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23
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Zarrin M, Ganj F. Study of Hemolysin Gene " aspHS" and Its Phenotype in Aspergillus Fumigatus. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2019; 7:2399-2403. [PMID: 31666836 PMCID: PMC6814479 DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM: The main goal of this study was to analysis the “aspHS” gene and its phenotype in A. fumigatus. METHODS: Fifty-three A. fumigatus strains, including environmental, clinical and reference isolates, were used in this research. PCR was carried out based on Asp-hemolysin gene sequence. Two restriction enzymes TagI and NcoI were employed for digestion of PCR products. RESULTS: PCR products of 180 and 450 bp were generated for all A. fumigatus isolates. Digestion of the aspHS gene 180 bp amplicons with TagI and 450 bp amplicons with TagI and NcoI produced the expected bands for most isolates. Hemolysin production of A. fumigatus isolates was evaluated on sheep blood agar (SBA). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our results provide evidence hemolysin activity and analysis of aspHS gene of A. fumigatus. These data may be useful in early diagnosis of A. fumigatus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Zarrin
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Medical Mycology, Medical School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Ganj
- Department of Medical Mycology, Medical School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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24
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Melanin and pyomelanin in Aspergillus fumigatus: from its genetics to host interaction. Int Microbiol 2019; 23:55-63. [PMID: 31020477 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-019-00078-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a worldwide-distributed saprophytic fungus and the major cause of invasive aspergillosis. This fungus can produce two types of melanin-dihydroxynaphthalene melanin (DHN-melanin) and pyomelanin. These pigments are considered important resistance mechanisms to stress, as well as virulence factors. The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge of the genetic basis and metabolic pathways of melanin production, their activation, function, and interaction with the host immune system. The DHN-melanin pathway is encoded in a cluster that includes six genes (abr1, abr2, ayg1, arp1, arp2, and pksP/alb1 genes) whose encoded proteins seem to be the origin of the pigment in endosomes. These vesicles are secreted and the pigment is subsequently located in the wall of the conidium beneath the rodlet layer. Unlike DHN-melanin, pyomelanin does not have its own biosynthetic pathway but is related to the activation of the L-tyrosine/L-phenylalanine degradation pathway that includes a cluster of six genes (hppD, hmgX, hmgA, fahA, maiA, and hmgR). Its production is due to the polymerization of homogentisic acid and is linked to conidial germination. Despite the knowledge gained in recent years, further studies will be necessary to confirm the pathways that produce these pigments and their role in the virulence mechanisms of A. fumigatus.
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25
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Chauvin D, Hust M, Schütte M, Chesnay A, Parent C, Moreira GMSG, Arroyo J, Sanz AB, Pugnière M, Martineau P, Chandenier J, Heuzé-Vourc'h N, Desoubeaux G. Targeting Aspergillus fumigatus Crf Transglycosylases With Neutralizing Antibody Is Relevant but Not Sufficient to Erase Fungal Burden in a Neutropenic Rat Model. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:600. [PMID: 30972049 PMCID: PMC6443627 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an airborne opportunistic fungal pathogen responsible for severe infections. Among them, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis has become a major concern as mortality rates exceed 50% in immunocompromised hosts. In parallel, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis frequently encountered in cystic fibrosis patients, is also a comorbidity factor. Current treatments suffer from high toxicity which prevents their use in weakened subjects, resulting in impaired prognostic. Because of their low toxicity and high specificity, anti-infectious therapeutic antibodies could be a new alternative to conventional therapeutics. In this study, we investigated the potential of Chitin Ring Formation cell wall transglycosylases of A. fumigatus to be therapeutic targets for therapeutic antibodies. We demonstrated that the Crf target was highly conserved, regardless of the pathophysiological context; whereas the CRF1 gene was found to be 100% conserved in 92% of the isolates studied, Crf proteins were expressed in 98% of the strains. In addition, we highlighted the role of Crf proteins in fungal growth, using a deletion mutant for CRF1 gene, for which a growth decrease of 23.6% was observed after 48 h. It was demonstrated that anti-Crf antibodies neutralized the enzymatic activity of recombinant Crf protein, and delayed fungal growth by 12.3% in vitro when added to spores. In a neutropenic rat model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, anti-Crf antibodies elicited a significant recruitment of neutrophils, macrophages and T CD4 lymphocytes but it was not correlated with a decrease of fungal burden in lungs and improvement in survival. Overall, our study highlighted the potential relevance of targeting Crf cell wall protein (CWP) with therapeutic antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Chauvin
- INSERM, Centre d'Étude des Pathologies Respiratoires, U1100, Tours, France.,Department Faculté de Médecine, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Michael Hust
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mark Schütte
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Adélaïde Chesnay
- INSERM, Centre d'Étude des Pathologies Respiratoires, U1100, Tours, France.,Department Faculté de Médecine, Université de Tours, Tours, France.,Service de Parasitologie - Mycologie - Médecine Tropicale, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Christelle Parent
- INSERM, Centre d'Étude des Pathologies Respiratoires, U1100, Tours, France.,Department Faculté de Médecine, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | | | - Javier Arroyo
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Belén Sanz
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Martine Pugnière
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Martineau
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jacques Chandenier
- INSERM, Centre d'Étude des Pathologies Respiratoires, U1100, Tours, France.,Department Faculté de Médecine, Université de Tours, Tours, France.,Service de Parasitologie - Mycologie - Médecine Tropicale, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Nathalie Heuzé-Vourc'h
- INSERM, Centre d'Étude des Pathologies Respiratoires, U1100, Tours, France.,Department Faculté de Médecine, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Guillaume Desoubeaux
- INSERM, Centre d'Étude des Pathologies Respiratoires, U1100, Tours, France.,Department Faculté de Médecine, Université de Tours, Tours, France.,Service de Parasitologie - Mycologie - Médecine Tropicale, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
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26
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Blachowicz A, Chiang AJ, Romsdahl J, Kalkum M, Wang CCC, Venkateswaran K. Proteomic characterization of Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from air and surfaces of the International Space Station. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 124:39-46. [PMID: 30611835 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The on-going Microbial Observatory Experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) revealed the presence of various microorganisms that may be affected by the distinct environment of the ISS. The low-nutrient environment combined with enhanced irradiation and microgravity may trigger changes in the molecular suite of microorganisms leading to increased virulence and resistance of microbes. Proteomic characterization of two Aspergillus fumigatus strains, ISSFT-021 and IF1SW-F4, isolated from HEPA filter debris and cupola surface of the ISS, respectively, is presented, along with a comparison to well-studied clinical isolates Af293 and CEA10. In-depth analysis highlights variations in the proteome of both ISS-isolated strains when compared to the clinical strains. Proteins that showed increased abundance in ISS isolates were overall involved in stress responses, and carbohydrate and secondary metabolism. Among the most abundant proteins were Pst2 and ArtA involved in oxidative stress response, PdcA and AcuE responsible for ethanol fermentation and glyoxylate cycle, respectively, TpcA, TpcF, and TpcK that are part of trypacidin biosynthetic pathway, and a toxin Asp-hemolysin. This report provides insight into possible molecular adaptation of filamentous fungi to the unique ISS environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Blachowicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Abby J Chiang
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jillian Romsdahl
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Clay C C Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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27
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Miura N, Ueda M. Evaluation of Unconventional Protein Secretion by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other Fungi. Cells 2018; 7:cells7090128. [PMID: 30200367 PMCID: PMC6162777 DOI: 10.3390/cells7090128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of proteome analysis of extracellular proteins has revealed that a wide variety of proteins, including fungal allergens are present outside the cell. These secreted allergens often do not contain known secretion signal sequences. Recent research progress shows that some fungal allergens are secreted by unconventional secretion pathways, including autophagy- and extracellular-vesicle-dependent pathways. However, secretion pathways remain unknown for the majority of extracellular proteins. This review summarizes recent data on unconventional protein secretion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other fungi. Particularly, methods for evaluating unconventional protein secretion are proposed for fungal species, including S. cerevisiae, a popular model organism for investigating protein secretion pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuko Miura
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai 599-8531, Japan.
| | - Mitsuyoshi Ueda
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
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28
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Comparative systems analysis of the secretome of the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus and other Aspergillus species. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6617. [PMID: 29700415 PMCID: PMC5919931 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25016-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus and multiple other Aspergillus species cause a wide range of lung infections, collectively termed aspergillosis. Aspergilli are ubiquitous in environment with healthy immune systems routinely eliminating inhaled conidia, however, Aspergilli can become an opportunistic pathogen in immune-compromised patients. The aspergillosis mortality rate and emergence of drug-resistance reveals an urgent need to identify novel targets. Secreted and cell membrane proteins play a critical role in fungal-host interactions and pathogenesis. Using a computational pipeline integrating data from high-throughput experiments and bioinformatic predictions, we have identified secreted and cell membrane proteins in ten Aspergillus species known to cause aspergillosis. Small secreted and effector-like proteins similar to agents of fungal-plant pathogenesis were also identified within each secretome. A comparison with humans revealed that at least 70% of Aspergillus secretomes have no sequence similarity with the human proteome. An analysis of antigenic qualities of Aspergillus proteins revealed that the secretome is significantly more antigenic than cell membrane proteins or the complete proteome. Finally, overlaying an expression dataset, four A. fumigatus proteins upregulated during infection and with available structures, were found to be structurally similar to known drug target proteins in other organisms, and were able to dock in silico with the respective drug.
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29
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Health Risks Associated with Exposure to Filamentous Fungi. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14070719. [PMID: 28677641 PMCID: PMC5551157 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14070719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Filamentous fungi occur widely in the environment, contaminating soil, air, food and other substrates. Due to their wide distribution, they have medical and economic implications. Regardless of their use as a source of antibiotics, vitamins and raw materials for various industrially important chemicals, most fungi and filamentous fungi produce metabolites associated with a range of health risks, both in humans and in animals. The association of filamentous fungi and their metabolites to different negative health conditions in humans and animals, has contributed to the importance of investigating different health risks induced by this family of heterotrophs. This review aims to discuss health risks associated with commonly occurring filamentous fungal species which belong to genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium, as well as evaluating their pathogenicity and mycotoxic properties.
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30
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Butala M, Novak M, Kraševec N, Skočaj M, Veranič P, Maček P, Sepčić K. Aegerolysins: Lipid-binding proteins with versatile functions. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 72:142-151. [PMID: 28506897 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Proteins of the aegerolysin family span many kingdoms of life. They are relatively widely distributed in bacteria and fungi, but also appear in plants, protozoa and insects. Despite being produced in abundance in cells at specific developmental stages and present in secretomes, only a few aegerolysins have been studied in detail. In particular, their organism-specific physiological roles are intriguing. Here, we review published findings to date on the distribution, molecular interactions and biological activities of this family of structurally and functionally versatile proteins, the aegerolysins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Butala
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maruša Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nada Kraševec
- National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Veranič
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Maček
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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31
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Proteomics as a Tool to Identify New Targets Against Aspergillus and Scedosporium in the Context of Cystic Fibrosis. Mycopathologia 2017; 183:273-289. [PMID: 28484941 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-017-0139-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that increases the risk of suffering microbial, including fungal, infections. In this paper, proteomics-based information was collated relating to secreted and cell wall proteins with potential medical applications from the most common filamentous fungi in CF, i.e., Aspergillus and Scedosporium/Lomentospora species. Among the Aspergillus fumigatus secreted allergens, β-1,3-endoglucanase, the alkaline protease 1 (Alp1/oryzin), Asp f 2, Asp f 13/15, chitinase, chitosanase, dipeptidyl-peptidase V (DppV), the metalloprotease Asp f 5, mitogillin/Asp f 1, and thioredoxin reductase receive a special mention. In addition, the antigens β-glucosidase 1, catalase, glucan endo-1,3-β-glucosidase EglC, β-1,3-glucanosyltransferases Gel1 and Gel2, and glutaminase A were also identified in secretomes of other Aspergillus species associated with CF: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nidulans, and Aspergillus terreus. Regarding cell wall proteins, cytochrome P450 and eEF-3 were proposed as diagnostic targets, and alkaline protease 2 (Alp2), Asp f 3 (putative peroxiredoxin pmp20), probable glycosidases Asp f 9/Crf1 and Crf2, GPI-anchored protein Ecm33, β-1,3-glucanosyltransferase Gel4, conidial hydrophobin Hyp1/RodA, and secreted aspartyl protease Pep2 as protective vaccines in A. fumigatus. On the other hand, for Scedosporium/Lomentospora species, the heat shock protein Hsp70 stands out as a relevant secreted and cell wall antigen. Additionally, the secreted aspartyl proteinase and an ortholog of Asp f 13, as well as the cell wall endo-1,3-β-D-glucosidase and 1,3-β-glucanosyl transferase, were also found to be significant proteins. In conclusion, proteins mentioned in this review may be promising candidates for developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic tools for fungal infections in CF patients.
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32
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Sarma UP, Bhetaria PJ, Devi P, Varma A. Aflatoxins: Implications on Health. Indian J Clin Biochem 2017; 32:124-133. [PMID: 28428686 DOI: 10.1007/s12291-017-0649-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Environmental occurrence of Aspergillus and other fungal spores are hazardous to humans and animals. They cause a broad spectrum of clinical complications. Contamination of aflatoxins in agri-food and feed due to A. flavus and A. parasiticus result in toxicity in humans and animals. Recent advances in aspergillus genomics and aflatoxin management practices are encouraging to tackle the challenges posed by important aspergillus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha P Sarma
- Department of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012 India
| | - Preetida J Bhetaria
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132 USA
| | - Prameela Devi
- Department of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012 India
| | - Anupam Varma
- Department of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012 India
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33
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Ghazaei C. Molecular Insights into Pathogenesis and Infection with Aspergillus Fumigatus. Malays J Med Sci 2017; 24:10-20. [PMID: 28381925 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2017.24.1.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The virulence of fungi is dependent on multiple factors, including the immune status of patients and biological features of fungi. In particular, the virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus is due to the complex interaction among various molecules involved in thermotolerance (such as ribosomal biogenesis proteins, α-mannosyltransferase and heat shock proteins), pigment production (DHN-melanin), immune evasion (like melanin and hydrophobin) and nutrient uptake (such as siderophores and zinc transporters). Other molecules also play important roles in the virulence of A. fumigatus, including cell wall components and those which maintain its integrity (for instance β-1-3 glucan, α-1-3 glucan, chitin, galactomannan and mannoproteins) and adhesion (such as hydrophobins), as well as various hydrolytic enzymes (such as serine and aspartic protease, phospholipases, metalloproteinase and dipeptidyl peptidases). Signalling molecules (including G-protein, cAMP, Ras protein and calcineurin) also increase the virulence through altering the metabolic response to stress conditions and toxins (such as gliotoxin, fumitremorgins, fumagatin and helvolic acid).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciamak Ghazaei
- Department of Microbiology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, P.O. Box 179, Ardabil, Iran
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34
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Volke-Sepulveda T, Salgado-Bautista D, Bergmann C, Wells L, Gutierrez-Sanchez G, Favela-Torres E. Secretomic Insight into Glucose Metabolism of Aspergillus brasiliensis in Solid-State Fermentation. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:3856-3871. [PMID: 27548361 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The genus Aspergillus is ubiquitous in nature and includes various species extensively exploited industrially due to their ability to produce and secrete a variety of enzymes and metabolites. Most processes are performed in submerged fermentation (SmF); however, solid-state fermentation (SSF) offers several advantages, including lower catabolite repression and substrate inhibition and higher productivity and stability of the enzymes produced. This study aimed to explain the improved metabolic behavior of A. brasiliensis ATCC9642 in SSF at high glucose concentrations through a proteomic approach. Online respirometric analysis provided reproducible samples for secretomic studies when the maximum CO2 production rate occurred, ensuring consistent physiological states. Extracellular extracts from SSF cultures were treated by SDS-PAGE, digested with trypsin, and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Of 531 sequences identified, 207 proteins were analyzed. Twenty-five were identified as the most abundant unregulated proteins; 87 were found to be up-regulated and 95 were down-regulated with increasing glucose concentration. Of the regulated proteins, 120 were enzymes, most involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates (51), amino acids (23), and nucleotides (9). This study shows the high protein secretory activity of A. brasiliensis under SSF conditions. High glucose concentration favors catabolic activities, while some stress-related proteins and those involved in proteolysis are down-regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Volke-Sepulveda
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa , San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, Distrito Federal, C.P. 09340, México
| | - Daniel Salgado-Bautista
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa , San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, Distrito Federal, C.P. 09340, México
| | - Carl Bergmann
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center , 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, Georgia 30605, United States
| | - Lance Wells
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center , 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, Georgia 30605, United States
| | | | - Ernesto Favela-Torres
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa , San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, Distrito Federal, C.P. 09340, México
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Kalb D, Heinekamp T, Schieferdecker S, Nett M, Brakhage AA, Hoffmeister D. An Iterative O-Methyltransferase Catalyzes 1,11-Dimethylation of Aspergillus fumigatus Fumaric Acid Amides. Chembiochem 2016; 17:1813-1817. [PMID: 27442960 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201600293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransfer is a common biosynthetic strategy to modify natural products. We investigated the previously uncharacterized Aspergillus fumigatus methyltransferase FtpM, which is encoded next to the bimodular fumaric acid amide synthetase FtpA. Structure elucidation of two new A. fumigatus natural products, the 1,11-dimethyl esters of fumaryl-l-tyrosine and fumaryl-l-phenylalanine, together with ftpM gene disruption suggested that FtpM catalyzes iterative methylation. Final evidence that a single enzyme repeatedly acts on fumaric acid amides came from an in vitro biochemical investigation with recombinantly produced FtpM. Size-exclusion chromatography indicated that this methyltransferase is active as a dimer. As ftpA and ftpM homologues are found clustered in other fungi, we expect our work will help to identify and annotate natural product biosynthesis genes in various species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kalb
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Friedrich Schiller University, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Thorsten Heinekamp
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Friedrich Schiller University, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Sebastian Schieferdecker
- Research Group Secondary Metabolism of Predatory Bacteria, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Friedrich Schiller University, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Nett
- Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, Technical University Dortmund, Emil-Figge-Strasse 66, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Friedrich Schiller University, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Dirk Hoffmeister
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Friedrich Schiller University, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany.
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Luo T, Krüger T, Knüpfer U, Kasper L, Wielsch N, Hube B, Kortgen A, Bauer M, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Dimopoulos G, Brakhage AA, Kniemeyer O. Immunoproteomic Analysis of Antibody Responses to Extracellular Proteins of Candida albicans Revealing the Importance of Glycosylation for Antigen Recognition. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:2394-406. [PMID: 27386892 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b01065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
During infection, the human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans undergoes a yeast-to-hypha transition, secretes numerous proteins for invasion of host tissues, and modulates the host's immune response. Little is known about the interplay of C. albicans secreted proteins and the host adaptive immune system. Here, we applied a combined 2D gel- and LC-MS/MS-based approach for the characterization of C. albicans extracellular proteins during the yeast-to-hypha transition, which led to a comprehensive C. albicans secretome map. The serological responses to C. albicans extracellular proteins were investigated by a 2D-immunoblotting approach combined with MS for protein identification. On the basis of the screening of sera from candidemia and three groups of noncandidemia patients, a core set of 19 immunodominant antibodies against secreted proteins of C. albicans was identified, seven of which represent potential diagnostic markers for candidemia (Xog1, Lip4, Asc1, Met6, Tsa1, Tpi1, and Prx1). Intriguingly, some secreted, strongly glycosylated protein antigens showed high cross-reactivity with sera from noncandidemia control groups. Enzymatic deglycosylation of proteins secreted from hyphae significantly impaired sera antibody recognition. Furthermore, deglycosylation of the recombinantly produced, secreted aspartyl protease Sap6 confirmed a significant contribution of glycan epitopes to the recognition of Sap6 by antibodies in patient's sera.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Natalie Wielsch
- Department of Mass spectrometry/Proteomics, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology , 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena , 07743 Jena, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Axel A Brakhage
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena , 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena , 07743 Jena, Germany
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Moloney NM, Owens RA, Doyle S. Proteomic analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus – clinical implications. Expert Rev Proteomics 2016; 13:635-49. [DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2016.1203783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sean Doyle
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
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38
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Moloney NM, Owens RA, Meleady P, Henry M, Dolan SK, Mulvihill E, Clynes M, Doyle S. The iron-responsive microsomal proteome of Aspergillus fumigatus. J Proteomics 2016; 136:99-111. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Abstract
A gathering body of evidence has repeatedly revealed associations between indoor fungi and initiation, promotion, and exacerbation of allergic respiratory disease. The relationship between the exposure and outcome are complicated by the difficulties in measuring both exposure and outcome, the multifactorial nature of the disease, and the wide range of potential confounders. New technologies are becoming available that may enable better measurement of exposure and tighter case definitions so as to build more confidence in the associations discovered. The growing strength of the evidence base will aid the design of future public health interventions and generate new hypotheses on the cause of the rapid increase in allergic respiratory disease prevalence.
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Sav H, Ozakkas F, Altınbas R, Kiraz N, Tümgör A, Gümral R, Döğen A, Ilkit M, de Hoog GS. Virulence markers of opportunistic black yeast in Exophiala. Mycoses 2016; 59:343-50. [PMID: 26857806 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 01/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The black yeast genus Exophiala is known to cause a wide variety of diseases in severely ill individuals but can also affect immunocompetent individuals. Virulence markers and other physiological parameters were tested in eight clinical and 218 environmental strains, with a specific focus on human-dominated habitats for the latter. Urease and catalase were consistently present in all samples; four strains expressed proteinase and three strains expressed DNase, whereas none of the strains showed phospholipase, haemolysis, or co-haemolysis activities. Biofilm formation was identified in 30 (13.8%) of the environmental isolates, particularly in strains from dishwashers, and was noted in only two (25%) of the clinical strains. These results indicate that virulence factors are inconsistently present in the investigated Exophiala species, suggesting opportunism rather than pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafize Sav
- Department of Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fatma Ozakkas
- Department of Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Rabiye Altınbas
- Department of Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nuri Kiraz
- Department of Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayşegül Tümgör
- Department of Microbiology, Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
| | - Ramazan Gümral
- Department of Microbiology, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Aylin Döğen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Mersin, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Macit Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana, Turkey
| | - G Sybren de Hoog
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.,King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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41
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Petráčková D, Halada P, Bezoušková S, Křesinová Z, Svobodová K. A two-dimensional protein map of Pleurotus ostreatus microsomes-proteome dynamics. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2015; 61:63-71. [DOI: 10.1007/s12223-015-0410-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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42
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Destructin-1 is a collagen-degrading endopeptidase secreted by Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of white-nose syndrome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:7478-83. [PMID: 25944934 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1507082112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudogymnoascus destructans is the causative agent of white-nose syndrome, a disease that has caused the deaths of millions of bats in North America. This psychrophilic fungus proliferates at low temperatures and targets hibernating bats, resulting in their premature arousal from stupor with catastrophic consequences. Despite the impact of white-nose syndrome, little is known about the fungus itself or how it infects its mammalian host. P. destructans is not amenable to genetic manipulation, and therefore understanding the proteins involved in infection requires alternative approaches. Here, we identify hydrolytic enzymes secreted by P. destructans, and use a novel and unbiased substrate profiling technique to define active peptidases. These experiments revealed that endopeptidases are the major proteolytic activities secreted by P. destructans, and that collagen, the major structural protein in mammals, is actively degraded by the secretome. A serine endopeptidase, hereby-named Destructin-1, was subsequently identified, and a recombinant form overexpressed and purified. Biochemical analysis of Destructin-1 showed that it mediated collagen degradation, and a potent inhibitor of peptidase activity was identified. Treatment of P. destructans-conditioned media with this antagonist blocked collagen degradation and facilitated the detection of additional secreted proteolytic activities, including aminopeptidases and carboxypeptidases. These results provide molecular insights into the secretome of P. destructans, and identify serine endopeptidases that have the clear potential to facilitate tissue invasion and pathogenesis in the mammalian host.
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43
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Escobar-Tovar L, Guzmán-Quesada M, Sandoval-Fernández JA, Gómez-Lim MA. Comparative analysis of the in vitro and in planta secretomes from Mycosphaerella fijiensis isolates. Fungal Biol 2015; 119:447-70. [PMID: 25986542 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Revised: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Black Sigatoka, a devastating disease of bananas and plantains worldwide, is caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis. Several banana cultivars such as 'Yangambi Km 5' and Calcutta IV, have been known to be resistant to the fungus, but the resistance has been broken in 'Yangambi Km 5' in Costa Rica. Since the resistance of this variety still persists in Mexico, the aim of this study was to compare the in vitro and in planta secretomes from two avirulent and virulent M. fijiensis isolates using proteomics and bioinformatics approaches. We aimed to identify differentially expressed proteins in fungal isolates that differ in pathogenicity and that might be responsible for breaking the resistance in 'Yangambi Km 5'. We were able to identify 90 protein spots in the secretomes of fungal isolates encoding 42 unique proteins and 35 differential spots between them. Proteins involved in carbohydrate transport and metabolism were more prevalent. Several proteases, pathogenicity-related, ROS detoxification and unknown proteins were also highly or specifically expressed by the virulent isolate in vitro or during in planta infection. An unknown protein representing a virulence factor candidate was also identified. These results demonstrated that the secretome reflects major differences between both M. fijiensis isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Escobar-Tovar
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Unidad Irapuato, 36821, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Mauricio Guzmán-Quesada
- Dirección de Investigaciones, Sección de Fitopatología, Corporación Bananera Nacional, 390-7210, La Rita, Guápiles, Costa Rica
| | - Jorge A Sandoval-Fernández
- Dirección de Investigaciones, Sección de Fitopatología, Corporación Bananera Nacional, 390-7210, La Rita, Guápiles, Costa Rica
| | - Miguel A Gómez-Lim
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Unidad Irapuato, 36821, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
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44
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Novak M, Kraševec N, Skočaj M, Maček P, Anderluh G, Sepčić K. Fungal aegerolysin-like proteins: distribution, activities, and applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 99:601-10. [PMID: 25476018 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-6239-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The aegerolysin protein family (from aegerolysin of the mushroom Agrocybe aegerita) comprises proteins of ∼15-20 kDa from various eukaryotic and bacterial taxa. Aegerolysins are inconsistently distributed among fungal species, and variable numbers of homologs have been reported for species within the same genus. As such noncore proteins, without a member of a protein family in each of the sequenced fungi, they can give insight into different species-specific processes. Some aegerolysins have been reported to be hemolytically active against mammalian erythrocytes. However, some function as bi-component proteins that have membrane activity in concert with another protein that contains a membrane attack complex/perforin domain. The function of most of aegerolysins is unknown, although some have been suggested to have a role in development of the organism. Potential biotechnological applications of aegerolysins are already evident, despite the limited scientific knowledge available at present. Some mushroom aegerolysins, for example, can be used as markers to detect and label specific membrane lipids. Others can be used as biomarkers of fungal exposure, where their genes can serve as targets for detection of fungi and their progression during infectious diseases. Antibodies against aegerolysins can also be raised as immuno-diagnostic tools. Aegerolysins have been shown to serve as a species determination tool for fungal phytopathogen isolates in terms of some closely related species, where commonly used internal transcribed spacer barcoding has failed. Moreover, strong promoters that regulate aegerolysin genes can promote secretion of heterologous proteins from fungi and have been successfully applied in simultaneous multi-gene expression techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruša Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Döğen A, Gümral R, İlkit M. Haemolytic and co-haemolytic (CAMP-like) activity in dermatophytes. Mycoses 2014; 58:40-7. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.12269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2014] [Revised: 10/05/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aylin Döğen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology; Faculty of Pharmacy; University of Mersin; Mersin Turkey
| | - Ramazan Gümral
- Department of Microbiology; Gülhane Military Medical Academy; Ankara Turkey
| | - Macit İlkit
- Division of Mycology; Department of Microbiology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Çukurova; Adana Turkey
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Desoubeaux G, Chandenier J. [Contribution of proteomics in medical mycology in 2014: For who? For what?]. J Mycol Med 2014; 25:95-8. [PMID: 25510712 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2014.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Revised: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G Desoubeaux
- Service de parasitologie, mycologie, médecine tropicale, CHU de Tours, 37044 Tours cedex 09, France; Faculté de médecine, université François-Rabelais, CEPR, Inserm U1100/EA 6305, 37032 Tours cedex 01, France.
| | - J Chandenier
- Service de parasitologie, mycologie, médecine tropicale, CHU de Tours, 37044 Tours cedex 09, France; Faculté de médecine, université François-Rabelais, CEPR, Inserm U1100/EA 6305, 37032 Tours cedex 01, France
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Lapp K, Vödisch M, Kroll K, Strassburger M, Kniemeyer O, Heinekamp T, Brakhage AA. Characterization of the Aspergillus fumigatus detoxification systems for reactive nitrogen intermediates and their impact on virulence. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:469. [PMID: 25309516 PMCID: PMC4160965 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprophytic mold that can cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. In the lung, inhaled conidia are confronted with immune effector cells that attack the fungus by various mechanisms such as phagocytosis, production of antimicrobial proteins or generation of reactive oxygen intermediates. Macrophages and neutrophils can also form nitric oxide (NO) and other reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) that potentially also contribute to killing of the fungus. However, fungi can produce several enzymes involved in RNI detoxification. Based on genome analysis of A. fumigatus, we identified two genes encoding flavohemoglobins, FhpA, and FhpB, which have been shown to convert NO to nitrate in other fungi, and a gene encoding S-nitrosoglutathione reductase GnoA reducing S-nitrosoglutathione to ammonium and glutathione disulphide. To elucidate the role of these enzymes in detoxification of RNI, single and double deletion mutants of FhpA, FhpB, and GnoA encoding genes were generated. The analysis of mutant strains using the NO donor DETA-NO indicated that FhpA and GnoA play the major role in defense against RNI. By generating fusions with the green fluorescence protein, we showed that both FhpA-eGFP and GnoA-eGFP were located in the cytoplasm of all A. fumigatus morphotypes, from conidia to hyphae, whereas FhpB-eGFP was localized in mitochondria. Because fhpA and gnoA mRNA was also detected in the lungs of infected mice, we investigated the role of these genes in fungal pathogenicity by using a murine infection model for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Remarkably, all mutant strains tested displayed wild-type pathogenicity, indicating that the ability to detoxify host-derived RNI is not essential for virulence of A. fumigatus in the applied mouse infection model. Consistently, no significant differences in killing of ΔfhpA, ΔfhpB, or ΔgnoA conidia by cells of the macrophage cell line MH-S were observed when compared to the wild type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Lapp
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena Germany
| | - Martin Vödisch
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena Germany
| | - Kristin Kroll
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena Germany
| | - Maria Strassburger
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena Germany
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena Germany ; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena Germany ; Integrated Research Treatment-Center - Center for Sepsis Control and Care, University Hospital Jena, Jena Germany
| | - Thorsten Heinekamp
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena Germany ; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena Germany ; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena Germany
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48
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Owens RA, Hammel S, Sheridan KJ, Jones GW, Doyle S. A proteomic approach to investigating gene cluster expression and secondary metabolite functionality in Aspergillus fumigatus. PLoS One 2014; 9:e106942. [PMID: 25198175 PMCID: PMC4157829 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A combined proteomics and metabolomics approach was utilised to advance the identification and characterisation of secondary metabolites in Aspergillus fumigatus. Here, implementation of a shotgun proteomic strategy led to the identification of non-redundant mycelial proteins (n = 414) from A. fumigatus including proteins typically under-represented in 2-D proteome maps: proteins with multiple transmembrane regions, hydrophobic proteins and proteins with extremes of molecular mass and pI. Indirect identification of secondary metabolite cluster expression was also achieved, with proteins (n = 18) from LaeA-regulated clusters detected, including GliT encoded within the gliotoxin biosynthetic cluster. Biochemical analysis then revealed that gliotoxin significantly attenuates H2O2-induced oxidative stress in A. fumigatus (p>0.0001), confirming observations from proteomics data. A complementary 2-D/LC-MS/MS approach further elucidated significantly increased abundance (p<0.05) of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), NADH-quinone oxidoreductase and the gliotoxin oxidoreductase GliT, along with significantly attenuated abundance (p<0.05) of a heat shock protein, an oxidative stress protein and an autolysis-associated chitinase, when gliotoxin and H2O2 were present, compared to H2O2 alone. Moreover, gliotoxin exposure significantly reduced the abundance of selected proteins (p<0.05) involved in de novo purine biosynthesis. Significantly elevated abundance (p<0.05) of a key enzyme, xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase Xpt1, utilised in purine salvage, was observed in the presence of H2O2 and gliotoxin. This work provides new insights into the A. fumigatus proteome and experimental strategies, plus mechanistic data pertaining to gliotoxin functionality in the organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A. Owens
- Department of Biology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Stephen Hammel
- Department of Biology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Kevin J. Sheridan
- Department of Biology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Gary W. Jones
- Department of Biology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Sean Doyle
- Department of Biology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
- * E-mail:
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Bacher P, Kniemeyer O, Teutschbein J, Thön M, Vödisch M, Wartenberg D, Scharf DH, Koester-Eiserfunke N, Schütte M, Dübel S, Assenmacher M, Brakhage AA, Scheffold A. Identification of Immunogenic Antigens fromAspergillus fumigatusby Direct Multiparameter Characterization of Specific Conventional and Regulatory CD4+T Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:3332-43. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Rovenich H, Boshoven JC, Thomma BPHJ. Filamentous pathogen effector functions: of pathogens, hosts and microbiomes. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2014; 20:96-103. [PMID: 24879450 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2014.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2014] [Revised: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms play essential roles in almost every environment on earth. For instance, microbes decompose organic material, or establish symbiotic relationships that range from pathogenic to mutualistic. Symbiotic relationships have been particularly well studied for microbial plant pathogens and have emphasized the role of effectors; secreted molecules that support host colonization. Most effectors characterized thus far play roles in deregulation of host immunity. Arguably, however, pathogens not only deal with immune responses during host colonization, but also encounter other microbes including competitors, (myco)parasites and even potential co-operators. Thus, part of the effector catalog may target microbiome co-inhabitants rather than host physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Rovenich
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jordi C Boshoven
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bart P H J Thomma
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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