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Pogačar K, Grundner M, Žigon P, Coll A, Panevska A, Lukan T, Petek M, Razinger J, Gruden K, Sepčić K. Protein complexes from edible mushrooms as a sustainable potato protection against coleopteran pests. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:2518-2529. [PMID: 38733093 PMCID: PMC11331795 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Protein complexes from edible oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sp.) composed of pleurotolysin A2 (PlyA2) and pleurotolysin B (PlyB) exert toxicity in feeding tests against Colorado potato beetle (CPB) larvae, acting through the interaction with insect-specific membrane sphingolipid. Here we present a new strategy for crop protection, based on in planta production of PlyA2/PlyB protein complexes, and we exemplify this strategy in construction of transgenic potato plants of cv Désirée. The transgenics in which PlyA2 was directed to the vacuole and PlyB to the endoplasmic reticulum are effectively protected from infestation by CPB larvae without impacting plant performance. These transgenic plants showed a pronounced effect on larval feeding rate, the larvae feeding on transgenic plants being on average five to six folds lighter than larvae feeding on controls. Further, only a fraction (11%-37%) of the larvae that fed on transgenic potato plants completed their life cycle and developed into adult beetles. Moreover, gene expression analysis of CPB larvae exposed to PlyA2/PlyB complexes revealed the response indicative of a general stress status of larvae and no evidence of possibility of developing resistance due to the functional inactivation of PlyA2/PlyB sphingolipid receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karmen Pogačar
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate SchoolLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Maja Grundner
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical FacultyUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Primož Žigon
- Plant Protection DepartmentAgricultural Institute of SloveniaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Anna Coll
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical FacultyUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Tjaša Lukan
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Marko Petek
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Jaka Razinger
- Plant Protection DepartmentAgricultural Institute of SloveniaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Kristina Gruden
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical FacultyUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
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2
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Kraševec N. Pore-forming aegerolysin and MACPF proteins in extremotolerant or extremophilic fungi. IUBMB Life 2024. [PMID: 38970306 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Aegerolysin proteins are involved in various interactions by recognising a molecular receptor in the target organism. The formation of pores in combination with larger, non-aegerolysin-like protein partners (such as membrane attack complex/perforin proteins [MACPFs]) is one of the possible responses in the presumed competitive exclusion of other organisms from the ecological niche. Bicomponent pairs are already observed at the gene level. Fungi growing under extreme conditions can be divided into ubiquitous and extremotolerant generalists which can compete with mesophilic species and rare, isolated extremophilic and extremotolerant specialists with narrow ecological amplitude that cannot compete. Under extreme conditions, there are fewer competitors, so fungal specialists generally produce less diverse and complicated profiles of specialised molecules. Since extremotolerant and extremophilic fungi have evolved in numerous branches of the fungal tree of life and aegerolysins are unevenly distributed across fungal genomes, we investigated whether aegerolysins, together with their partner proteins, contribute to the extreme survival ecology of generalists and specialists. We compiled a list of 109 thermo-, psihro-, acido-, alkali-, halo-, metallo- and polyextremo-tolerant/-philic fungal species. Several challenges were identified that affected the outcome: renaming fungal species, defining extremotolerant/extremophilic traits, identifying extremotolerant/extremophilic traits as metadata in databases and linking fungal isolates to fungal genomes. The yield of genomes coding aegerolysins or MACPFs appears to be lower in extremotolerant/extremophilic fungi compared to all fungal genomes. No candidates for pore-forming gene pairs were identified in the genomes of extremophilic fungi. Aegerolysin and MACPFs partner pairs were identified in only two of 69 species with sequenced genomes, namely in the ubiquitous metallotolerant generalists Aspergillus niger and A. foetidus. These results support the hypothesised role of these pore-forming proteins in competitive exclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Kraševec
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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3
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Li Q, Feng Y, Li J, Hai Y, Si L, Tan C, Peng J, Hu Z, Li Z, Li C, Hao D, Tang W. Multi-omics approaches to understand pathogenicity during potato early blight disease caused by Alternaria solani. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1357579. [PMID: 38529180 PMCID: PMC10961351 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1357579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Potato early blight (PEB), a foliar disease of potato during the growing period, caused by Alternaria sp., is common in major potato-producing areas worldwide. Effective agents to control this disease or completely resistant potato varieties are absent. Large-scale use of fungicides is limited due to possibility of increase in pathogen resistance and the requirements of ecological agriculture. In this study, we focused on the composition and infection characteristics of early blight pathogens in Yunnan Province and screened candidate pathogenesis-related pathways and genes. We isolated 85 strains of Alternaria sp. fungi from typical early blight spots in three potato-growing regions in Yunnan Province from 2018 to 2022, and identified 35 strains of Alternaria solani and 50 strains of Alternaria alternata by morphological characterization and ITS sequence comparison, which were identified as the main and conditional pathogens causing early blight in potato, respectively. Scanning electron microscope analysis confirmed only A. solani producing appressorium at 4 h after inoculation successfully infected the leaf cells. Via genome assembly and annotation, combine transcriptome and proteomic analysis, the following pathogenicity-related unit, transcription factors and metabolic pathway were identified: (1) cell wall-degrading enzymes, such as pectinase, keratinase, and cellulase; (2) genes and pathways related to conidia germination and pathogenicity, such as ubiquitination and peroxisomes; and (3) transcription factors, such as Zn-clus, C2H2, bZIP, and bHLH. These elements were responsible for PEB epidemic in Yunnan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Potato Biology, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Yan Feng
- School of Economics and Management, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Jianmei Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Potato Biology, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Yang Hai
- Yunnan YinMore Modern Agriculture Co., Ltd., Kunming, China
| | - Liping Si
- Yunnan YinMore Modern Agriculture Co., Ltd., Kunming, China
| | - Chen Tan
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Jing Peng
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Zuo Hu
- Zhaotong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhaotong, China
| | - Zhou Li
- Zhaotong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhaotong, China
| | - Canhui Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Potato Biology, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Dahai Hao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Potato Biology, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Wei Tang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Potato Biology, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
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4
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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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5
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Panevska A, Čegovnik N, Fortuna K, Vukovič A, Grundner M, Modic Š, Bajc G, Skočaj M, Mravinec Bohte M, Popošek LL, Žigon P, Razinger J, Veranič P, Resnik N, Sepčić K. A single point mutation expands the applicability of ostreolysin A6 in biomedicine. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2149. [PMID: 36750638 PMCID: PMC9905591 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28949-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
An aegerolysin protein ostreolysin A6 (OlyA6) binds to cholesterol-complexed sphingomyelin and can be used for specific labelling of lipid rafts. In addition, OlyA6 interacts with even higher affinity with ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE), a sphingolipid that dominates in invertebrate cell membranes. In the presence of pleurotolysin B, a protein bearing the membrane-attack complex/perforin domain, OlyA6 forms pores in insect midgut cell membranes and acts as a potent bioinsecticide. It has been shown that a point mutation of glutamate 69 to alanine (E69A) allows OlyA6 to bind to cholesterol-free sphingomyelin. Using artificial lipid membranes and mammalian MDCK cells, we show that this mutation significantly enhances the interaction of OlyA6 with sphingomyelin and CPE, and allows recognition of these sphingolipids even in the absence of cholesterol. Our results suggest that OlyA6 mutant E69A could serve as complementary tool to detect and study cholesterol-associated and free sphingomyelin or CPE in membranes. However, the mutation does not improve the membrane-permeabilizing activity after addition of pleurotolysin B, which was confirmed in toxicity tests on insect and mammalian cell lines, and on Colorado potato beetle larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nastja Čegovnik
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Klavdija Fortuna
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alen Vukovič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Grundner
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Špela Modic
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova Ulica 17, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Bajc
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Martina Mravinec Bohte
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lara Larisa Popošek
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Primož Žigon
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova Ulica 17, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jaka Razinger
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova Ulica 17, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Veranič
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Resnik
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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6
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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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7
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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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Grundner M, Munjaković H, Tori T, Sepčić K, Gašperšič R, Oblak Č, Seme K, Guella G, Trenti F, Skočaj M. Ceramide Phosphoethanolamine as a Possible Marker of Periodontal Disease. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12070655. [PMID: 35877858 PMCID: PMC9324278 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12070655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Periodontal disease is a chronic oral inflammatory disorder initiated by pathobiontic bacteria found in dental plaques—complex biofilms on the tooth surface. The disease begins as an acute local inflammation of the gingival tissue (gingivitis) and can progress to periodontitis, which eventually leads to the formation of periodontal pockets and ultimately results in tooth loss. The main problem in periodontology is that the diagnosis is based on the assessment of the already obvious tissue damage. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the current diagnostics used to assess periodontal disease. Using lipidomic analyses, we show that both crucial periodontal pathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia, synthesize ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE) species, membrane sphingolipids not typically found in vertebrates. Previously, it was shown that this particular lipid can be specifically detected by an aegerolysin protein, erylysin A (EryA). Here, we show that EryA can specifically bind to CPE species from the total lipid extract from P. gingivalis. Furthermore, using a fluorescently labelled EryA-mCherry, we were able to detect CPE species in clinical samples of dental plaque from periodontal patients. These results demonstrate the potential of specific periodontal pathogen-derived lipids as biomarkers for periodontal disease and other chronic inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Grundner
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (H.M.); (T.T.); (K.S.)
| | - Haris Munjaković
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (H.M.); (T.T.); (K.S.)
| | - Tilen Tori
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (H.M.); (T.T.); (K.S.)
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (H.M.); (T.T.); (K.S.)
| | - Rok Gašperšič
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.G.); (Č.O.); (K.S.)
| | - Čedomir Oblak
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.G.); (Č.O.); (K.S.)
| | - Katja Seme
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.G.); (Č.O.); (K.S.)
| | - Graziano Guella
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 14, 38123 Trento, Italy; (G.G.); (F.T.)
| | - Francesco Trenti
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 14, 38123 Trento, Italy; (G.G.); (F.T.)
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (H.M.); (T.T.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-1-3203-395
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9
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Balbi T, Trenti F, Panevska A, Bajc G, Guella G, Ciacci C, Canonico B, Canesi L, Sepčić K. Ceramide Aminoethylphosphonate as a New Molecular Target for Pore-Forming Aegerolysin-Based Protein Complexes. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:902706. [PMID: 35693554 PMCID: PMC9174665 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.902706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ostreolysin A6 (OlyA6) is a 15 kDa protein produced by the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). It belongs to the aegerolysin family of proteins and binds with high affinity to the insect-specific membrane sphingolipid, ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE). In concert with its partnering protein with the membrane-attack-complex/perforin domain, pleurotolysin B (PlyB), OlyA6 can form bicomponent 13-meric transmembrane pores in artificial and biological membranes containing the aegerolysin lipid receptor, CPE. This pore formation is the main underlying molecular mechanism of potent and selective insecticidal activity of OlyA6/PlyB complexes against two economically important coleopteran plant pests: the western corn rootworm and the Colorado potato beetle. In contrast to insects, the main sphingolipid in cell membranes of marine invertebrates (i.e., molluscs and cnidarians) is ceramide aminoethylphosphonate (CAEP), a CPE analogue built on a phosphono rather than the usual phosphate group in its polar head. Our targeted lipidomic analyses of the immune cells (hemocytes) of the marine bivalve, the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, confirmed the presence of 29.0 mol% CAEP followed by 36.4 mol% of phosphatidylcholine and 34.6 mol% of phosphatidylethanolamine. Further experiments showed the potent binding of OlyA6 to artificial lipid vesicles supplemented with mussel CAEP, and strong lysis of these vesicles by the OlyA6/PlyB mixture. In Mytilus haemocytes, short term exposure (max. 1 h) to the OlyA6/PlyB mixture induced lysosomal membrane destabilization, decreased phagocytic activity, increased Annexin V binding and oxyradical production, and decreased levels of reduced glutathione, indicating rapid damage of endo-lysosomal and plasma membranes and oxidative stress. Our data suggest CAEP as a novel high-affinity receptor for OlyA6 and a target for cytolytic OlyA6/PlyB complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Balbi
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Trenti
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Bajc
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Graziano Guella
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Caterina Ciacci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Barbara Canonico
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Laura Canesi
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Kristina Sepčić, ; Laura Canesi,
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- *Correspondence: Kristina Sepčić, ; Laura Canesi,
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10
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Kraševec N, Panevska A, Lemež Š, Razinger J, Sepčić K, Anderluh G, Podobnik M. Lipid-Binding Aegerolysin from Biocontrol Fungus Beauveria bassiana. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:820. [PMID: 34822604 PMCID: PMC8624791 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi are the most common pathogens of insects and thus important regulators of their populations. Lipid-binding aegerolysin proteins, which are commonly found in the fungal kingdom, may be involved in several biologically relevant processes including attack and defense against other organisms. Aegerolysins act alone or together with membrane-attack-complex/perforin (MACPF)-like proteins to form transmembrane pores that lead to cell lysis. We performed an in-depth bioinformatics analysis of aegerolysins in entomopathogenic fungi and selected a candidate aegerolysin, beauveriolysin A (BlyA) from Beauveria bassiana. BlyA was expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli, and purified to further determine its functional and structural properties, including lipid-binding ability. Aegerolysins were found to be encoded in genomes of entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria, Cordyceps, Metarhizium and Ophiocordyceps. Detailed bioinformatics analysis revealed that they are linked to MACPF-like genes in most genomes. We also show that BlyA interacts with an insect-specific membrane lipid. These results were placed in the context of other fungal and bacterial aegerolysins and their partner proteins. We believe that aegerolysins play a role in promoting the entomopathogenic and antagonistic activity of B. bassiana, which is an active ingredient of bioinsecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Kraševec
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Š.L.); (G.A.); (M.P.)
| | - Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (K.S.)
| | - Špela Lemež
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Š.L.); (G.A.); (M.P.)
- Biotechnology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jaka Razinger
- Plant Protection Department, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (K.S.)
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Š.L.); (G.A.); (M.P.)
| | - Marjetka Podobnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Š.L.); (G.A.); (M.P.)
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11
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Zaghloul HAH, Hice RH, Arensburger P, Bideshi DK, Federici BA. Extended in vivo transcriptomes of two ascoviruses with different tissue tropisms reveal alternative mechanisms for enhancing virus reproduction in hemolymph. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16402. [PMID: 34385487 PMCID: PMC8361023 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95553-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascoviruses are large dsDNA viruses characterized by the extraordinary changes they induce in cellular pathogenesis and architecture whereby after nuclear lysis and extensive hypertrophy, each cell is cleaved into numerous vesicles for virion reproduction. However, the level of viral replication and transcription in vesicles compared to other host tissues remains uncertain. Therefore, we applied RNA-Sequencing to compare the temporal transcriptome of Spodoptera frugiperda ascovirus (SfAV) and Trichoplusia ni ascovirus (TnAV) at 7, 14, and 21 days post-infection (dpi). We found most transcription occurred in viral vesicles, not in initial tissues infected, a remarkably novel reproduction mechanism compared to all other viruses and most other intracellular pathogens. Specifically, the highest level of viral gene expression occurred in hemolymph, for TnAV at 7 dpi, and SfAV at 14 dpi. Moreover, we found that host immune genes were partially down-regulated in hemolymph, where most viral replication occurred in highly dense accumulations of vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba A H Zaghloul
- Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Microbiology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, Riverside, USA.,Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Robert H Hice
- Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Microbiology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, Riverside, USA
| | - Peter Arensburger
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA
| | - Dennis K Bideshi
- Department of Biological Sciences, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA, 92504, USA
| | - Brian A Federici
- Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Microbiology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, Riverside, USA. .,Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
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12
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Panevska A, Glavan G, Jemec Kokalj A, Kukuljan V, Trobec T, Žužek MC, Vrecl M, Drobne D, Frangež R, Sepčić K. Effects of Bioinsecticidal Aegerolysin-Based Cytolytic Complexes on Non-Target Organisms. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:457. [PMID: 34208927 PMCID: PMC8310125 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13070457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aegerolysin proteins ostreolysin A6 (OlyA6), pleurotolysin A2 (PlyA2) and erylysin A (EryA) produced by the mushroom genus Pleurotus bind strongly to an invertebrate-specific membrane sphingolipid, and together with a protein partner pleurotolysin B (PlyB), form transmembrane pore complexes. This pore formation is the basis for the selective insecticidal activity of aegerolysin/PlyB complexes against two economically important coleopteran pests: the Colorado potato beetle and the western corn rootworm. In this study, we evaluated the toxicities of these aegerolysin/PlyB complexes using feeding tests with two ecologically important non-target arthropod species: the woodlouse and the honey bee. The mammalian toxicity of the EryA/PlyB complex was also evaluated after intravenous administration to mice. None of the aegerolysin/PlyB complexes were toxic against woodlice, but OlyA6/PlyB and PlyA2/PlyB were toxic to honeybees, with 48 h mean lethal concentrations (LC50) of 0.22 and 0.39 mg/mL, respectively, in their food. EryA/PlyB was also tested intravenously in mice up to 3 mg/kg body mass, without showing toxicity. With no toxicity seen for EryA/PlyB for environmentally beneficial arthropods and mammals at the tested concentrations, these EryA/PlyB complexes are of particular interest for development of new bioinsecticides for control of selected coleopteran pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (G.G.); (A.J.K.); (D.D.)
| | - Gordana Glavan
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (G.G.); (A.J.K.); (D.D.)
| | - Anita Jemec Kokalj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (G.G.); (A.J.K.); (D.D.)
| | - Veronika Kukuljan
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia;
| | - Tomaž Trobec
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.T.); (M.C.Ž.); (M.V.)
| | - Monika Cecilija Žužek
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.T.); (M.C.Ž.); (M.V.)
| | - Milka Vrecl
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.T.); (M.C.Ž.); (M.V.)
| | - Damjana Drobne
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (G.G.); (A.J.K.); (D.D.)
| | - Robert Frangež
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.T.); (M.C.Ž.); (M.V.)
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (G.G.); (A.J.K.); (D.D.)
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13
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Milijaš Jotić M, Panevska A, Iacovache I, Kostanjšek R, Mravinec M, Skočaj M, Zuber B, Pavšič A, Razinger J, Modic Š, Trenti F, Guella G, Sepčić K. Dissecting Out the Molecular Mechanism of Insecticidal Activity of Ostreolysin A6/Pleurotolysin B Complexes on Western Corn Rootworm. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13070455. [PMID: 34209983 PMCID: PMC8310357 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13070455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ostreolysin A6 (OlyA6) is a protein produced by the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). It binds to membrane sphingomyelin/cholesterol domains, and together with its protein partner, pleurotolysin B (PlyB), it forms 13-meric transmembrane pore complexes. Further, OlyA6 binds 1000 times more strongly to the insect-specific membrane sphingolipid, ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE). In concert with PlyB, OlyA6 has potent and selective insecticidal activity against the western corn rootworm. We analysed the histological alterations of the midgut wall columnar epithelium of western corn rootworm larvae fed with OlyA6/PlyB, which showed vacuolisation of the cell cytoplasm, swelling of the apical cell surface into the gut lumen, and delamination of the basal lamina underlying the epithelium. Additionally, cryo-electron microscopy was used to explore the membrane interactions of the OlyA6/PlyB complex using lipid vesicles composed of artificial lipids containing CPE, and western corn rootworm brush border membrane vesicles. Multimeric transmembrane pores were formed in both vesicle preparations, similar to those described for sphingomyelin/cholesterol membranes. These results strongly suggest that the molecular mechanism of insecticidal action of OlyA6/PlyB arises from specific interactions of OlyA6 with CPE, and the consequent formation of transmembrane pores in the insect midgut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Milijaš Jotić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Ioan Iacovache
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (I.I.); (B.Z.)
| | - Rok Kostanjšek
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Martina Mravinec
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Benoît Zuber
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (I.I.); (B.Z.)
| | - Ana Pavšič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Jaka Razinger
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (J.R.); (Š.M.)
| | - Špela Modic
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (J.R.); (Š.M.)
| | - Francesco Trenti
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (F.T.); (G.G.)
| | - Graziano Guella
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (F.T.); (G.G.)
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-1-320-3419
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14
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What Can Mushroom Proteins Teach Us about Lipid Rafts? MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11040264. [PMID: 33917311 PMCID: PMC8067419 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11040264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The lipid raft hypothesis emerged as a need to explain the lateral organization and behavior of lipids in the environment of biological membranes. The idea, that lipids segregate in biological membranes to form liquid-disordered and liquid-ordered states, was faced with a challenge: to show that lipid-ordered domains, enriched in sphingomyelin and cholesterol, actually exist in vivo. A great deal of indirect evidence and the use of lipid-binding probes supported this idea, but there was a lack of tools to demonstrate the existence of such domains in living cells. A whole new toolbox had to be invented to biochemically characterize lipid rafts and to define how they are involved in several cellular functions. A potential solution came from basic biochemical experiments in the late 1970s, showing that some mushroom extracts exert hemolytic activities. These activities were later assigned to aegerolysin-based sphingomyelin/cholesterol-specific cytolytic protein complexes. Recently, six sphingomyelin/cholesterol binding proteins from different mushrooms have been identified and have provided some insight into the nature of sphingomyelin/cholesterol-rich domains in living vertebrate cells. In this review, we dissect the accumulated knowledge and introduce the mushroom lipid raft binding proteins as molecules of choice to study the dynamics and origins of these liquid-ordered domains in mammalian cells.
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15
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Crystal structure of RahU, an aegerolysin protein from the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and its interaction with membrane ceramide phosphorylethanolamine. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6572. [PMID: 33753805 PMCID: PMC7985367 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85956-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aegerolysins are proteins produced by bacteria, fungi, plants and protozoa. The most studied fungal aegerolysins share a common property of interacting with membranes enriched with cholesterol in combination with either sphingomyelin or ceramide phosphorylethanolamine (CPE), major sphingolipids in the cell membranes of vertebrates and invertebrates, respectively. However, genome analyses show a particularly high frequency of aegerolysin genes in bacteria, including the pathogenic genera Pseudomonas and Vibrio; these are human pathogens of high clinical relevance and can thrive in a variety of other species. The knowledge on bacterial aegerolysin-lipid interactions is scarce. We show that Pseudomonas aeruginosa aegerolysin RahU interacts with CPE, but not with sphingomyelin-enriched artificial membranes, and that RahU interacts with the insect cell line producing CPE. We report crystal structures of RahU alone and in complex with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris), which, like the phosphorylethanolamine head group of CPE, contains a primary amine. The RahU structures reveal that the two loops proximal to the amino terminus form a cavity that accommodates Tris, and that the flexibility of these two loops is important for this interaction. We show that Tris interferes with CPE-enriched membranes for binding to RahU, implying on the importance of the ligand cavity between the loops and its proximity in RahU membrane interaction. We further support this by studying the interaction of single amino acid substitution mutants of RahU with the CPE-enriched membranes. Our results thus represent a starting point for a better understanding of the role of P. aeruginosa RahU, and possibly other bacterial aegerolysins, in bacterial interactions with other organisms.
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16
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Nguyen M, Wemheuer B, Laffy PW, Webster NS, Thomas T. Taxonomic, functional and expression analysis of viral communities associated with marine sponges. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10715. [PMID: 33604175 PMCID: PMC7863781 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses play an essential role in shaping the structure and function of ecological communities. Marine sponges have the capacity to filter large volumes of ‘virus-laden’ seawater through their bodies and host dense communities of microbial symbionts, which are likely accessible to viral infection. However, despite the potential of sponges and their symbionts to act as viral reservoirs, little is known about the sponge-associated virome. Here we address this knowledge gap by analysing metagenomic and (meta-) transcriptomic datasets from several sponge species to determine what viruses are present and elucidate their predicted and expressed functionality. Sponges were found to carry diverse, abundant and active bacteriophages as well as eukaryotic viruses belonging to the Megavirales and Phycodnaviridae. These viruses contain and express auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) for photosynthesis and vitamin synthesis as well as for the production of antimicrobials and the defence against toxins. These viral AMGs can therefore contribute to the metabolic capacities of their hosts and also potentially enhance the survival of infected cells. This suggest that viruses may play a key role in regulating the abundance and activities of members of the sponge holobiont.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Nguyen
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation & School of Biological & Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bernd Wemheuer
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation & School of Biological & Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Patrick W Laffy
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia.,Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Torsten Thomas
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation & School of Biological & Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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17
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Kobayashi T, Tomishige N, Inaba T, Makino A, Murata M, Yamaji-Hasegawa A, Murate M. Impact of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors on Cellular Sphingomyelin Imaging with Specific Reporter Proteins. CONTACT (THOUSAND OAKS (VENTURA COUNTY, CALIF.)) 2021; 4:25152564211042456. [PMID: 37366372 PMCID: PMC10259817 DOI: 10.1177/25152564211042456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Sphingomyelin (SM) is a major sphingolipid in mammalian cells. Although SM is enriched in the outer leaflet of the cell plasma membrane, lipids are also observed in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane and intracellular organelles such as endolysosomes, the Golgi apparatus and nuclei. SM is postulated to form clusters with glycosphingolipids (GSLs), cholesterol (Chol), and other SM molecules through hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. Thus, different clusters composed of SM, SM/Chol, SM/GSL and SM/GSL/Chol with different stoichiometries may exist in biomembranes. In addition, SM monomers may be located in the glycerophospholipid-rich areas of membranes. Recently developed SM-binding proteins (SBPs) distinguish these different SM assemblies. Here, we summarize the effects of intrinsic factors regulating the lipid-binding specificity of SBPs and extrinsic factors, such as the lipid phase and lipid density, on SM recognition by SBPs. The combination of different SBPs revealed the heterogeneity of SM domains in biomembranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihide Kobayashi
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN
CPR, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et
Pathologies, Faculté de Pharmacie, UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg,
Illkirch, France
| | - Nario Tomishige
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN
CPR, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et
Pathologies, Faculté de Pharmacie, UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg,
Illkirch, France
| | | | - Asami Makino
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Michio Murata
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate
School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
- ERATO, Lipid Active Structure Project,
Japan Science and Technology Agency, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University,
Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Motohide Murate
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN
CPR, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et
Pathologies, Faculté de Pharmacie, UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg,
Illkirch, France
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18
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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: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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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19
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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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20
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Panevska A, Skočaj M, Modic Š, Razinger J, Sepčić K. Aegerolysins from the fungal genus Pleurotus - Bioinsecticidal proteins with multiple potential applications. J Invertebr Pathol 2020; 186:107474. [PMID: 32971130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2020.107474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The aegerolysin proteins ostreolysin A6, pleurotolysin A2 and erylysin A are produced by mushrooms of the genus Pleurotus. These aegerolysins can interact specifically with sphingolipid-enriched membranes. In particular, they strongly bind insect cells and to artificial lipid membranes that contain physiologically relevant concentrations of the main invertebrate-specific sphingolipid, ceramide phosphoethanolamine. Moreover, the aegerolysins permeabilise these membranes when combined with their protein partner pleurotolysin B, which contains a membrane-attack-complex/perforin domain. These aegerolysin/ pleurotolysin B complexes show strong and selective toxicity towards western corn rootworm larvae and adults and Colorado potato beetle larvae. Their insecticidal activities arise through aegerolysin binding to ceramide phosphoethanolamine in the insect midgut. This mode of membrane binding is different from those described for similar aegerolysin-based complexes of bacterial origin (e.g., Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1), or other Bacillus thuringiensis proteinaceous crystal toxins, which associate with protein receptors. The ability of Pleurotus aegerolysins to specifically interact with sphingolipid-enriched domains in mammalian cells can be further exploited to visualize lipid rafts in living cells, and to treat certain types of tumours and metabolic disorders. Finally, these proteins can strongly enhance fruiting initiation of P. ostreatus even when applied externally. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge of the potential biotechnological and biomedical applications of the Pleurotus aegerolysins, either alone or when complexed with pleurotolysin B, with special emphasis on their bioinsecticidal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Špela Modic
- Plant Protection Department, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Jaka Razinger
- Plant Protection Department, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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21
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Binding specificity of ostreolysin A6 towards Sf9 insect cell lipids. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183307. [PMID: 32298680 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) have recently been shown to produce insecticidal bi-component protein complexes based on the aegerolysin proteins. A role for these proteins is thus indicated for defence and protection of the mushroom, and we propose their use as new environmentally friendly bioinsecticides. These aegerolysin-based protein complexes permeabilise artificial lipid vesicles through aegerolysin binding to an insect-specific sphingolipid, ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE), and they are cytotoxic for the Spodoptera frugiferda (Sf9) insect cell line. Tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the Sf9 lipidome uncovered lipids not previously reported in the literature, including in particular C14 sphingosine-based CPE molecular species, which comprised ~4 mol% of the whole lipidome. Further analysis of the lipid binding specificity of an aegerolysin from P. ostreatus, ostreolysin A6 (OlyA6), to lipid vesicles composed of commercial lipids, to lipid vesicles composed of the total lipid extract from Sf9 cells, and to HPLC-separated Sf9 cell lipid fractions containing ceramides, confirmed CPE as the main OlyA6 receptor, but also highlighted the importance of membrane cholesterol for formation of strong and stable interactions of OlyA6 with artificial and natural lipid membranes. Binding assays performed with glycan arrays and surface plasmon resonance, which included invertebrate-specific glycans, excluded these saccharides as potential additional OlyA6 receptors.
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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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Panevska A, Hodnik V, Skočaj M, Novak M, Modic Š, Pavlic I, Podržaj S, Zarić M, Resnik N, Maček P, Veranič P, Razinger J, Sepčić K. Pore-forming protein complexes from Pleurotus mushrooms kill western corn rootworm and Colorado potato beetle through targeting membrane ceramide phosphoethanolamine. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5073. [PMID: 30911026 PMCID: PMC6433908 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41450-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Aegerolysins ostreolysin A (OlyA) and pleurotolysin A (PlyA), and pleurotolysin B (PlyB) with the membrane-attack-complex/perforin domain are proteins from the mushroom genus Pleurotus. Upon binding to sphingomyelin/cholesterol-enriched membranes, OlyA and PlyA can recruit PlyB to form multimeric bi-component transmembrane pores. Recently, Pleurotus aegerolysins OlyA, PlyA2 and erylysin A (EryA) were demonstrated to preferentially bind to artificial lipid membranes containing 50 mol% ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE), the main sphingolipid in invertebrate cell membranes. In this study, we demonstrate that OlyA6, PlyA2 and EryA bind to insect cells and to artificial lipid membranes with physiologically relevant CPE concentrations. Moreover, these aegerolysins permeabilize these membranes when combined with PlyB. These aegerolysin/PlyB complexes show selective toxicity toward western corn rootworm larvae and adults and Colorado potato beetle larvae. These data strongly suggest that these aegerolysin/PlyB complexes recognize CPE as their receptor molecule in the insect midgut. This mode of binding is different from those described for similar aegerolysin-based bacterial complexes, or other Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins, which have protein receptors. Targeting of Pleurotus aegerolysins to CPE and formation of transmembrane pores in concert with PlyB suggest the use of aegerolysin/PlyB complexes as novel biopesticides for the control of western corn rootworm and Colorado potato beetle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Hodnik
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maruša Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Špela Modic
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ivana Pavlic
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Sara Podržaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miki Zarić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Resnik
- 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, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Veranič
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jaka Razinger
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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24
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Hullin-Matsuda F, Murate M, Kobayashi T. Protein probes to visualize sphingomyelin and ceramide phosphoethanolamine. Chem Phys Lipids 2018; 216:132-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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25
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Dunstone MA. The emerging role of pore forming proteins in cell biology and development. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 72:99-100. [PMID: 28867198 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.08.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Dunstone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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