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Tan YP, Tsang CC, Chan KF, Fung SL, Kok KH, Lau SKP, Woo PCY. Differential innate immune responses of human macrophages and bronchial epithelial cells against Talaromyces marneffei. mSphere 2023; 8:e0025822. [PMID: 37695039 PMCID: PMC10597461 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00258-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Talaromyces marneffei is a thermally dimorphic fungal pathogen endemic in Southeast Asia. As inhalation of airborne conidia is believed as the major infection route, airway epithelial cells followed by pulmonary macrophages are the first cell types which the fungus encounters inside the host. In this study, we established an in vitro infection model based on human peripheral blood-derived macrophages (hPBDMs) cultured with the supplementation of autologous plasma. Using this model, we determined the transcriptomic changes of hPBDMs in response to T. marneffei infection by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction as well as high-throughput RNA sequencing. Results showed that T. marneffei infection could activate hPBDMs to the M1-like phenotype and trigger a potent induction of chemokine and pro-inflammatory cytokine production as well as the expression of other immunoregulatory genes. In contrast to hPBDMs, there was no detectable innate cytokine response against T. marneffei in human bronchial epithelial cells (hBECs). Using a green fluorescent protein-tagged T. marneffei strain and confocal microscopy, internalization of the fungus by hBECs was confirmed. Live cell imaging further demonstrated that the infected cells exhibited normal cellular physiology, especially that the process of cell division could be observed. Moreover, T. marneffei also survived better inside hBECs than hPBDMs. Our results illustrated a potential role of hBECs to serve as reservoir cells for T. marneffei to evade immunosurveillance by phagocytes, from which the fungus reactivates when the host immunity is weakened and causes infection. Such immunoevasion and reactivation may also help explain the long incubation period observed for talaromycosis, in particular the travel-related cases. IMPORTANCE Talaromyces marneffei is an important fungal pathogen especially in Southeast Asia. To understand the innate immune response to talaromycosis, a suitable infection model is needed. Here, we established an in vitro T. marneffei infection model using human peripheral blood-derived macrophages (hPBDMs). We then examined the transcriptomic changes of hPBDMs in response to T. marneffei infection with this model. We found that contact with T. marneffei could activate hPBDMs to the M1-like phenotype and induced mRNA expressions of five cytokines and eight immunoregulatory genes. Contrary to hPBDMs, such immunoresponse was not elicited in human bronchial epithelial cells (hBECs), despite normal physiology observed in infected cells. We also found that infected hBECs did not eliminate T. marneffei as efficiently as hPBDMs. Our observation suggested that hBECs may potentially serve as reservoir cells for T. marneffei to evade immunosurveillance. When the host immunity deteriorates later, then the fungus reactivates and causes infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Pei Tan
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi-Ching Tsang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Tung Wah College, Homantin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka-Fai Chan
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Siu-Leung Fung
- Tuberculosis and Chest Medicine Unit, Grantham Hospital, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kin-Hang Kok
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Susanna K. P. Lau
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Patrick C. Y. Woo
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
- Doctoral Program in Translational Medicine and Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Research Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Si P, Wang G, Wu W, Hussain S, Guo L, Wu W, Yang Q, Xing F. SakA Regulates Morphological Development, Ochratoxin A Biosynthesis and Pathogenicity of Aspergillus westerdijkiae and the Response to Different Environmental Stresses. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:292. [PMID: 37104230 PMCID: PMC10141874 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15040292] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ochratoxin A (OTA), as a common mycotoxin, has seriously harmful effects on agricultural products, livestock and humans. There are reports on the regulation of SakA in the MAPK pathway, which regulates the production of mycotoxins. However, the role of SakA in the regulation of Aspergillus westerdijkiae and OTA production is not clear. In this study, a SakA deletion mutant (ΔAwSakA) was constructed. The effects of different concentrations of D-sorbitol, NaCl, Congo red and H2O2 on the mycelia growth, conidia production and biosynthesis of OTA were investigated in A. westerdijkiae WT and ΔAwSakA. The results showed that 100 g/L NaCl and 3.6 M D-sorbitol significantly inhibited mycelium growth and that a concentration of 0.1% Congo red was sufficient to inhibit the mycelium growth. A reduction in mycelium development was observed in ΔAwSakA, especially in high concentrations of osmotic stress. A lack of AwSakA dramatically reduced OTA production by downregulating the expression of the biosynthetic genes otaA, otaY, otaB and otaD. However, otaC and the transcription factor otaR1 were slightly upregulated by 80 g/L NaCl and 2.4 M D-sorbitol, whereas they were downregulated by 0.1% Congo red and 2 mM H2O2. Furthermore, ΔAwSakA showed degenerative infection ability toward pears and grapes. These results suggest that AwSakA is involved in the regulation of fungal growth, OTA biosynthesis and the pathogenicity of A. westerdijkiae and could be influenced by specific environmental stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peidong Si
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (P.S.); (W.W.); (Q.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.W.); (W.W.); (S.H.); (L.G.)
| | - Gang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.W.); (W.W.); (S.H.); (L.G.)
| | - Wenqing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.W.); (W.W.); (S.H.); (L.G.)
| | - Sarfaraz Hussain
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.W.); (W.W.); (S.H.); (L.G.)
| | - Ling Guo
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.W.); (W.W.); (S.H.); (L.G.)
| | - Wei Wu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (P.S.); (W.W.); (Q.Y.)
| | - Qingli Yang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (P.S.); (W.W.); (Q.Y.)
| | - Fuguo Xing
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.W.); (W.W.); (S.H.); (L.G.)
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3
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Wang F, Han R, Chen S. An Overlooked and Underrated Endemic Mycosis-Talaromycosis and the Pathogenic Fungus Talaromyces marneffei. Clin Microbiol Rev 2023; 36:e0005122. [PMID: 36648228 PMCID: PMC10035316 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00051-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Talaromycosis is an invasive mycosis endemic in tropical and subtropical Asia and is caused by the pathogenic fungus Talaromyces marneffei. Approximately 17,300 cases of T. marneffei infection are diagnosed annually, and the reported mortality rate is extremely high (~1/3). Despite the devastating impact of talaromycosis on immunocompromised individuals, particularly HIV-positive persons, and the increase in reported occurrences in HIV-uninfected persons, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for talaromycosis have received far too little attention worldwide. In 2021, scientists living in countries where talaromycosis is endemic raised a global demand for it to be recognized as a neglected tropical disease. Therefore, T. marneffei and the infectious disease induced by this fungus must be treated with concern. T. marneffei is a thermally dimorphic saprophytic fungus with a complicated mycological growth process that may produce various cell types in its life cycle, including conidia, hyphae, and yeast, all of which are associated with its pathogenicity. However, understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of T. marneffei has been limited until recently. To achieve a holistic view of T. marneffei and talaromycosis, the current knowledge about talaromycosis and research breakthroughs regarding T. marneffei growth biology are discussed in this review, along with the interaction of the fungus with environmental stimuli and the host immune response to fungal infection. Importantly, the future research directions required for understanding this serious infection and its causative pathogenic fungus are also emphasized to identify solutions that will alleviate the suffering of susceptible individuals worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Intensive Care Unit, Biomedical Research Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - RunHua Han
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Shi Chen
- Intensive Care Unit, Biomedical Research Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Biomedical Research Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Yaakoub H, Mina S, Calenda A, Bouchara JP, Papon N. Oxidative stress response pathways in fungi. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:333. [PMID: 35648225 PMCID: PMC11071803 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04353-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Fungal response to any stress is intricate, specific, and multilayered, though it employs only a few evolutionarily conserved regulators. This comes with the assumption that one regulator operates more than one stress-specific response. Although the assumption holds true, the current understanding of molecular mechanisms that drive response specificity and adequacy remains rudimentary. Deciphering the response of fungi to oxidative stress may help fill those knowledge gaps since it is one of the most encountered stress types in any kind of fungal niche. Data have been accumulating on the roles of the HOG pathway and Yap1- and Skn7-related pathways in mounting distinct and robust responses in fungi upon exposure to oxidative stress. Herein, we review recent and most relevant studies reporting the contribution of each of these pathways in response to oxidative stress in pathogenic and opportunistic fungi after giving a paralleled overview in two divergent models, the budding and fission yeasts. With the concept of stress-specific response and the importance of reactive oxygen species in fungal development, we first present a preface on the expanding domain of redox biology and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Yaakoub
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, IRF, SFR ICAT, 49000, Angers, France
| | - Sara Mina
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | | | - Nicolas Papon
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, IRF, SFR ICAT, 49000, Angers, France.
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Talaromyces marneffei Infection: Virulence, Intracellular Lifestyle and Host Defense Mechanisms. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8020200. [PMID: 35205954 PMCID: PMC8880324 DOI: 10.3390/jof8020200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Talaromycosis (Penicilliosis) is an opportunistic mycosis caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei. Similar to other major causes of systemic mycoses, the extent of disease and outcomes are the results of complex interactions between this opportunistic human pathogen and a host’s immune response. This review will highlight the current knowledge regarding the dynamic interaction between T. marneffei and mammalian hosts, particularly highlighting important aspects of virulence factors, intracellular lifestyle and the mechanisms of immune defense as well as the strategies of the pathogen for manipulating and evading host immune cells.
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Development of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing system in Talaromyces marneffei. Microb Pathog 2021; 154:104822. [PMID: 33727171 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Talaromyces marneffei is an important pathogenic thermally dimorphic fungus causing systemic talaromycosis mainly prevalent in Southeast Asia. The dimorphic transition between mycelium and yeast is considered crucial for the pathogenicity of T. marneffei. However, the lack of genetic toolbox has been a major impediment for understanding its pathogenicity. Here a CRISPR-Cas9 system was developed to facilitate genetic manipulations in this organism. In this study, the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system uses a native U6 snRNA promoter from T. marneffei to drive the expression of sgRNA. Employing this system and PEG-mediated protoplast transformation, the sakA gene was mutated. Sanger sequencing confirmed nearly 40% site-directed mutation rate. The phenotype analysis confirmed the sakA gene function in T. marneffei dimorphic transition. Our study provided a powerful genome-manipulating tool, which could accelerate studies on T. marneffei for further revealing the mechanisms of its pathogenicity.
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Tsang CC, Lau SKP, Woo PCY. Sixty Years from Segretain’s Description: What Have We Learned and Should Learn About the Basic Mycology of Talaromyces marneffei? Mycopathologia 2019; 184:721-729. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-019-00395-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Manfiolli AO, Mattos EC, de Assis LJ, Silva LP, Ulaş M, Brown NA, Silva-Rocha R, Bayram Ö, Goldman GH. Aspergillus fumigatus High Osmolarity Glycerol Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases SakA and MpkC Physically Interact During Osmotic and Cell Wall Stresses. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:918. [PMID: 31134001 PMCID: PMC6514138 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillusfumigatus, a saprophytic filamentous fungus, is a serious opportunistic pathogen of mammals and it is the primary causal agent of invasive aspergillosis (IA). Mitogen activated protein Kinases (MAPKs) are important components involved in diverse cellular processes in eukaryotes. A. fumigatus MpkC and SakA, the homologs of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hog1 are important to adaptations to oxidative and osmotic stresses, heat shock, cell wall damage, macrophage recognition, and full virulence. We performed protein pull-down experiments aiming to identify interaction partners of SakA and MpkC by mass spectrometry analysis. In presence of osmotic stress with sorbitol, 118, and 213 proteins were detected as possible protein interactors of SakA and MpkC, respectively. Under cell wall stress caused by congo red, 420 and 299 proteins were detected interacting with SakA and MpkC, respectively. Interestingly, a group of 78 and 256 proteins were common to both interactome analysis. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) experiments showed that SakA::GFP is physically associated with MpkC:3xHA upon osmotic and cell wall stresses. We also validated the association between SakA:GFP and the cell wall integrity MAPK MpkA:3xHA and the phosphatase PtcB:3xHA, under cell wall stress. We further characterized A. fumigatus PakA, the homolog of the S. cerevisiae sexual developmental serine/threonine kinase Ste20, as a component of the SakA/MpkC MAPK pathway. The ΔpakA strain is more sensitive to cell wall damaging agents as congo red, calcofluor white, and caspofungin. Together, our data supporting the hypothesis that SakA and MpkC are part of an osmotic and general signal pathways involved in regulation of the response to the cell wall damage, oxidative stress, drug resistance, and establishment of infection. This manuscript describes an important biological resource to understand SakA and MpkC protein interactions. Further investigation of the biological roles played by these protein interactors will provide more opportunities to understand and combat IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Oliveira Manfiolli
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Eliciane Cevolani Mattos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Leandro José de Assis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Lilian Pereira Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Mevlüt Ulaş
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Neil Andrew Brown
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Rafael Silva-Rocha
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Özgür Bayram
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Tumukunde E, Li D, Qin L, Li Y, Shen J, Wang S, Yuan J. Osmotic-Adaptation Response of sakA/hogA Gene to Aflatoxin Biosynthesis, Morphology Development and Pathogenicity in Aspergillus flavus. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11010041. [PMID: 30646608 PMCID: PMC6356625 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11010041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is one of the fungi from the big family of Aspergillus genus and it is capable of colonizing a large number of seed/crops and living organisms such as animals and human beings. SakA (also called hogA/hog1) is an integral part of the mitogen activated protein kinase signal of the high osmolarity glycerol pathway. In this study, the AfsakA gene was deleted (∆AfsakA) then complemented (∆AfsakA::AfsakA) using homologous recombination and the osmotic stress was induced by 1.2 mol/L D-sorbital and 1.2 mol/L sodium chloride. The result showed that ∆AfsakA mutant caused a significant influence on conidial formation compared to wild-type and ∆AfsakA::AfsakA strains. It was also found that AfsakA responds to both the osmotic stress and the cell wall stress. In the absence of osmotic stress, ∆AfsakA mutant produced more sclerotia in contrast to other strains, whereas all strains failed to generate sclerotia under osmotic stress. Furthermore, the deletion of AfsakA resulted in the increase of Aflatoxin B1 production compared to other strains. The virulence assay on both maize kernel and peanut seeds showed that ∆AfsakA strain drastically produced more conidia and Aflatoxin B1 than wild-type and complementary strains. AfSakA-mCherry was located to the cytoplasm in the absence of osmotic stress, while it translocated to the nucleus upon exposure to the osmotic stimuli. This study provides new insights on the development and evaluation of aflatoxin biosynthesis and also provides better understanding on how to prevent Aspergillus infections which would be considered the first step towards the prevention of the seeds damages caused by A. flavus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Tumukunde
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Ding Li
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Ling Qin
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Yu Li
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Jiaojiao Shen
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Shihua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Jun Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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Garrido-Bazán V, Jaimes-Arroyo R, Sánchez O, Lara-Rojas F, Aguirre J. SakA and MpkC Stress MAPKs Show Opposite and Common Functions During Stress Responses and Development in Aspergillus nidulans. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2518. [PMID: 30405576 PMCID: PMC6205964 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress activated MAP kinases (SAPKs) of the Hog1/Sty1/p38 family are specialized in transducing stress signals. In contrast to what is seen in animal cells, very few fungal species contain more than one SAPK. Aspergillus nidulans and other Aspergilli contain two SAPKs called SakA/HogA and MpkC. We have shown that SakA is essential for conidia to maintain their viability and to survive high H2O2 concentrations. H2O2 induces SakA nuclear accumulation and its interaction with transcription factor AtfA. Although SakA and MpkC show physical interaction, little is known about MpkC functions. Here we show that ΔmpkC mutants are not sensitive to oxidative stress but in fact MpkC inactivation partially restores the oxidative stress resistance of ΔsakA mutants. ΔmpkC mutants display about twofold increase in the production of fully viable conidia. The inactivation of the SakA upstream MAPKK PbsB or the simultaneous elimination of sakA and mpkC result in virtually identical phenotypes, including decreased radial growth, a drastic reduction of conidiation and a sharp, progressive loss of conidial viability. SakA and to a minor extent MpkC also regulate cell-wall integrity. Given the roles of MpkC in conidiation and oxidative stress sensitivity, we used a functional MpkC::GFP fusion to determine MpkC nuclear localization as an in vivo indicator of MpkC activation during asexual development and stress. MpkC is mostly localized in the cytoplasm of intact conidia, accumulates in nuclei during the first 2 h of germination and then becomes progressively excluded from nuclei in growing hyphae. In the conidiophore, MpkC nuclear accumulation increases in vesicles, metulae and phialides and decreases in older conidia. Oxidative and osmotic stresses induce MpkC nuclear accumulation in both germinating conidia and hyphae. In all these cases, MpkC nuclear accumulation is largely dependent on the MAPKK PbsB. Our results indicate that SakA and MpkC play major, distinct and sometimes opposing roles in conidiation and conidiospore physiology, as well as common roles in response to stress. We propose that two SAPKs are necessary to delay (MpkC) or fully stop (SakA) mitosis during conidiogenesis and the terminal differentiation of conidia, in the highly prolific phialoconidiation process characteristic of the Aspergilli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Garrido-Bazán
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Unidad de Posgrado, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rafael Jaimes-Arroyo
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Olivia Sánchez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fernando Lara-Rojas
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jesús Aguirre
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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Wang Q, Du M, Wang S, Liu L, Xiao L, Wang L, Li T, Zhuang H, Yang E. MADS-Box Transcription Factor MadsA Regulates Dimorphic Transition, Conidiation, and Germination of Talaromyces marneffei. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1781. [PMID: 30131782 PMCID: PMC6090077 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic human pathogen Talaromyces marneffei exhibits a temperature-dependent dimorphic transition, which is closely related with its pathogenicity. This species grows as multinucleate mycelia that produce infectious conidia at 25°C, while undergoes a dimorphic transition to generate uninucleate yeast form cells at 37°C. The mechanisms of phenotype switching are not fully understood. The transcription factor madsA gene is a member of the MADS-box gene family. Previously, it was found that overexpression of madsA gene resulted in mycelial growth instead of yeast form at 37°C. In the current study, the madsA deletion mutant (ΔmadsA) and complemented strain (CMA) were constructed by genetic manipulation. We compared the phenotypes, growth, conidiation, conidial germination and susceptibility to stresses (including osmotic and oxidative) of the ΔmadsA with the wild-type (WT) and CMA strains. The results showed that the ΔmadsA displayed a faster process of the yeast-to-mycelium transition than the WT and CMA. In addition, the deletion of madsA led to a delay in conidia production and conidial germination. The tolerance of ΔmadsA conidia to hydrogen peroxide was better than that of the WT and CMA strains. Then, RNA-seq was performed to identify differences in gene expression between the ΔmadsA mutant and WT strain during the yeast phase, mycelium phase, yeast-to-mycelium transition and mycelium-to-yeast transition, respectively. Gene ontology functional enrichment analyses indicated that some important processes such as transmembrane transport, oxidation-reduction process, protein catabolic process and response to oxidative stress were affected by the madsA deletion. Together, our results suggest that madsA functions as a global regulator involved in the conidiation and germination, especially in the dimorphic transition of T. marneffei. Its roles in the survival, pathogenicity and transmission of T. marneffei require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangyi Wang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Minghao Du
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Linxia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Microbiology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liming Xiao
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Linqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Zhuang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ence Yang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation: an efficient tool for targeted gene disruption in Talaromyces marneffei. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2017; 33:183. [PMID: 28948456 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-017-2352-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Talaromyces marneffei causes life-threatening infections in immunocompromised hosts. An efficient tool for genetic manipulation of T. marneffei will allow for increased understanding of this thermally dimorphic fungus. Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) was optimized for targeted gene disruption in T. marneffei using the plasmid pDHt/acuD::pyrG. Molecular analyses of transformants were performed by PCR, Southern blot and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. A. tumefaciens strain EHA105 was more efficient at transformation than strain AGL-1 in ATMT via solid co-cultivation. An A. tumefaciens:T. marneffei ratio of 1000:1 in an ATMT liquid co-cultivation led to a relatively high transformation efficiency of 90 transformants per 106 yeast cells. Using ATMT-mediated knockout mutagenesis, we successfully deleted the acuD gene in T. marneffei. PCR and Southern blot analysis confirmed that acuD was disrupted and that the foreign pyrG gene was integrated into T. marneffei. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis further confirmed that pyrG was expressed normally. These results suggest that ATMT can be a potential platform for targeted gene disruption in T. marneffei and that liquid co-cultivation may provide new opportunities to develop clinical treatments.
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13
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Adaptation to macrophage killing by Talaromyces marneffei. Future Sci OA 2017; 3:FSO215. [PMID: 28884011 PMCID: PMC5583664 DOI: 10.4155/fsoa-2017-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei is an important opportunistic fungal pathogen. It causes disseminated infection in immunocompromised patients especially in Southeast Asian countries. The pathogenicity of T. marneffei depends on the ability of the fungus to survive the killing process and replicate inside the macrophage. Major stresses inside the phagosome of macrophages are heat, oxidative substances and nutrient deprivation. The coping strategies of this pathogen with these stresses are under investigation. This paper summarizes factors relating to the stress responses that contribute to the intracellular survival of T. marneffei. These include molecules in the MAP signal transduction cascade, heat shock proteins, antioxidant enzymes and enzymes responsible in nutrient retrieval. There is speculation that the ability of T. marneffei to withstand these defenses plays an important role in its pathogenicity. Talaromyces marneffei is an important dimorphic fungus that causes disease in immunocompromised patients. The pathogenicity of T. marneffei depends on the ability of the fungus to survive the killing process and replicate inside the host macrophage cells. This paper summarizes factors relating to the stress responses that contribute to the intracellular survival of T. marneffei. There is speculation that the ability of T. marneffei to withstand these defenses plays an important role in its pathogenicity.
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Lau SKP, Tsang CC, Woo PCY. Talaromyces marneffei Genomic, Transcriptomic, Proteomic and Metabolomic Studies Reveal Mechanisms for Environmental Adaptations and Virulence. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:E192. [PMID: 28608842 PMCID: PMC5488042 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9060192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Talaromycesmarneffei is a thermally dimorphic fungus causing systemic infections in patients positive for HIV or other immunocompromised statuses. Analysis of its ~28.9 Mb draft genome and additional transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic studies revealed mechanisms for environmental adaptations and virulence. Meiotic genes and genes for pheromone receptors, enzymes which process pheromones, and proteins involved in pheromone response pathway are present, indicating its possibility as a heterothallic fungus. Among the 14 Mp1p homologs, only Mp1p is a virulence factor binding a variety of host proteins, fatty acids and lipids. There are 23 polyketide synthase genes, one for melanin and two for mitorubrinic acid/mitorubrinol biosynthesis, which are virulence factors. Another polyketide synthase is for biogenesis of the diffusible red pigment, which consists of amino acid conjugates of monascorubin and rubropunctatin. Novel microRNA-like RNAs (milRNAs) and processing proteins are present. The dicer protein, dcl-2, is required for biogenesis of two milRNAs, PM-milR-M1 and PM-milR-M2, which are more highly expressed in hyphal cells. Comparative transcriptomics showed that tandem repeat-containing genes were overexpressed in yeast phase, generating protein polymorphism among cells, evading host's immunity. Comparative proteomics between yeast and hyphal cells revealed that glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, up-regulated in hyphal cells, is an adhesion factor for conidial attachment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna K P Lau
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
- Research Centre of Infection and Immunology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
| | - Chi-Ching Tsang
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
| | - Patrick C Y Woo
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
- Research Centre of Infection and Immunology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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15
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Dankai W, Pongpom M, Youngchim S, Cooper CR, Vanittanakom N. The yapA Encodes bZIP Transcription Factor Involved in Stress Tolerance in Pathogenic Fungus Talaromyces marneffei. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163778. [PMID: 27706212 PMCID: PMC5051730 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Talaromyces marneffei, formerly Penicillium marneffei, is a thermally dimorphic fungus. It causes a fatal disseminated disease in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Studies on the stress defense mechanism of T. marneffei can lead to a better understanding of the pathogenicity and the progression of the disease due to this fungus. The basic leucine-zipper (bZip) transcription factor gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, named yap1 (yeast activating protein-1), is known as a crucial central regulator of stress responses including those caused by oxidative agents, cadmium, and drugs. An ortholog of yap1, designated yapA, was identified in T. marneffei. We found that the yapA gene was involved in growth and fungal cell development. The yapA deletion mutant exhibited delays in the rate of growth, germination, and conidiation. Surprisingly, the yapA gene was also involved in the pigmentation of T. marneffei. Moreover, the mutant was sensitive to oxidative stressors such as H2O2 and menadione, similar to S. cerevisiae yap1 mutant, as well as the nitrosative stressor NaNO2. In addition, the yapA mutant demonstrated significantly decreased survival in human macrophage THP-1 compared to wild-type and complemented strains. This study reveals the role of yapA in fungal growth, cell development, stress response, and potential virulence in T. marneffei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiyada Dankai
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Monsicha Pongpom
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Sirida Youngchim
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Chester R. Cooper
- Center for Applied Chemical Biology and Department of Biological Sciences, Youngstown State University, One University Plaza, Youngstown, OH, 44555, United States of America
| | - Nongnuch Vanittanakom
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- * E-mail:
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Bruder Nascimento ACMDO, Dos Reis TF, de Castro PA, Hori JI, Bom VLP, de Assis LJ, Ramalho LNZ, Rocha MC, Malavazi I, Brown NA, Valiante V, Brakhage AA, Hagiwara D, Goldman GH. Mitogen activated protein kinases SakA(HOG1) and MpkC collaborate for Aspergillus fumigatus virulence. Mol Microbiol 2016; 100:841-59. [PMID: 26878695 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Here, we investigated which stress responses were influenced by the MpkC and SakA mitogen-activated protein kinases of the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway in the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. The ΔsakA and the double ΔmpkC ΔsakA mutants were more sensitive to osmotic and oxidative stresses, and to cell wall damaging agents. Both MpkC::GFP and SakA::GFP translocated to the nucleus upon osmotic stress and cell wall damage, with SakA::GFP showing a quicker response. The phosphorylation state of MpkA was determined post exposure to high concentrations of congo red and Sorbitol. In the wild-type strain, MpkA phosphorylation levels progressively increased in both treatments. In contrast, the ΔsakA mutant had reduced MpkA phosphorylation, and surprisingly, the double ΔmpkC ΔsakA had no detectable MpkA phosphorylation. A. fumigatus ΔsakA and ΔmpkC were virulent in mouse survival experiments, but they had a 40% reduction in fungal burden. In contrast, the ΔmpkC ΔsakA double mutant showed highly attenuated virulence, with approximately 50% mice surviving and a 75% reduction in fungal burden. We propose that both cell wall integrity (CWI) and HOG pathways collaborate, and that MpkC could act by modulating SakA activity upon exposure to several types of stresses and during CW biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thaila Fernanda Dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Juliana I Hori
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Leite Pedro Bom
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Leandro José de Assis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Marina Campos Rocha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Iran Malavazi
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Neil Andrew Brown
- Plant Science and Crop Biology, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Vito Valiante
- Leibniz Junior Research Group Biobricks of Microbial Natural Product Syntheses, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany; Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Daisuke Hagiwara
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Chan JFW, Lau SKP, Yuen KY, Woo PCY. Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei infection in non-HIV-infected patients. Emerg Microbes Infect 2016; 5:e19. [PMID: 26956447 PMCID: PMC4820671 DOI: 10.1038/emi.2016.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei is an important pathogenic thermally dimorphic fungus causing systemic mycosis in Southeast Asia. The clinical significance of T. marneffei became evident when the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic arrived in Southeast Asia in 1988. Subsequently, a decline in the incidence of T. marneffei infection among HIV-infected patients was seen in regions with access to highly active antiretroviral therapy and other control measures for HIV. Since the 1990s, an increasing number of T. marneffei infections have been reported among non-HIV-infected patients with impaired cell-mediated immunity. Their comorbidities included primary adult-onset immunodeficiency due to anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies and secondary immunosuppressive conditions including other autoimmune diseases, solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantations, T-lymphocyte-depleting immunsuppressive drugs and novel anti-cancer targeted therapies such as anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies and kinase inhibitors. Moreover, improved immunological diagnostics identified more primary immunodeficiency syndromes associated with T. marneffei infection in children. The higher case-fatality rate of T. marneffei infection in non-HIV-infected than HIV-infected patients might be related to delayed diagnosis due to the lack of clinical suspicion. Correction of the underlying immune defects and early use of antifungals are important treatment strategies. Clinicians should be familiar with the changing epidemiology and clinical management of T. marneffei infection among non-HIV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper FW Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Research Centre of Infection and Immunology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Susanna KP Lau
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Research Centre of Infection and Immunology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Research Centre of Infection and Immunology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Patrick CY Woo
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Research Centre of Infection and Immunology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Dankai W, Pongpom M, Vanittanakom N. Validation of reference genes for real-time quantitative RT-PCR studies in Talaromyces marneffei. J Microbiol Methods 2015; 118:42-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2015.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 08/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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The SrkA Kinase Is Part of the SakA Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Interactome and Regulates Stress Responses and Development in Aspergillus nidulans. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2015; 14:495-510. [PMID: 25820520 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00277-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Fungi and many other eukaryotes use specialized mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) of the Hog1/p38 family to transduce environmental stress signals. In Aspergillus nidulans, the MAPK SakA and the transcription factor AtfA are components of a central multiple stress-signaling pathway that also regulates development. Here we characterize SrkA, a putative MAPK-activated protein kinase, as a novel component of this pathway. ΔsrkA and ΔsakA mutants share a derepressed sexual development phenotype. However, ΔsrkA mutants are not sensitive to oxidative stress, and in fact, srkA inactivation partially suppresses the sensitivity of ΔsakA mutant conidia to H2O2, tert-butyl-hydroperoxide (t-BOOH), and menadione. In the absence of stress, SrkA shows physical interaction with nonphosphorylated SakA in the cytosol. We show that H2O2 induces a drastic change in mitochondrial morphology consistent with a fission process and the relocalization of SrkA to nuclei and mitochondria, depending on the presence of SakA. SakA-SrkA nuclear interaction is also observed during normal asexual development in dormant spores. Using SakA and SrkA S-tag pulldown and purification studies coupled to mass spectrometry, we found that SakA interacts with SrkA, the stress MAPK MpkC, the PPT1-type phosphatase AN6892, and other proteins involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA damage response, mRNA stability and protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, and other stress-related responses. We propose that oxidative stress induces DNA damage and mitochondrial fission and that SakA and SrkA mediate cell cycle arrest and regulate mitochondrial function during stress. Our results provide new insights into the mechanisms by which SakA and SrkA regulate the remodelling of cell physiology during oxidative stress and development.
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