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Ropero-Pérez C, Moreno-Giménez E, Marcos JF, Manzanares P, Gandía M. Studies on the biological role of the antifungal protein PeAfpA from Penicillium expansum by functional gene characterization and transcriptomic profiling. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:131236. [PMID: 38554901 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131236] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Antifungal proteins (AFPs) from filamentous fungi have enormous potential as novel biomolecules for the control of fungal diseases. However, little is known about the biological roles of AFPs beyond their antifungal action. Penicillium expansum encodes three phylogenetically different AFPs (PeAfpA, PeAfpB and PeAfpC) with diverse profiles of antifungal activity. PeAfpA stands out as a highly active AFP that is naturally produced at high yields. Here, we provide new data about the function of PeAfpA in P. expansum through phenotypical characterization and transcriptomic studies of null mutants of the corresponding afpA gene. Mutation of afpA did not affect axenic growth, conidiation, virulence, stress responses or sensitivity towards P. expansum AFPs. However, RNA sequencing evidenced a massive transcriptomic change linked to the onset of PeAfpA production. We identified two large gene expression clusters putatively involved in PeAfpA function, which correspond to genes induced or repressed with the production of PeAfpA. Functional enrichment analysis unveiled significant changes in genes related to fungal cell wall remodeling, mobilization of carbohydrates and plasma membrane transporters. This study also shows a putative co-regulation between the three afp genes. Overall, our transcriptomic analyses provide valuable insights for further understanding the biological functions of AFPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Ropero-Pérez
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Elena Moreno-Giménez
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain; Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia 46022, Spain
| | - Jose F Marcos
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Paloma Manzanares
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Mónica Gandía
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
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Barreiro C, Albillos SM, García-Estrada C. Penicillium chrysogenum: Beyond the penicillin. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2024; 127:143-221. [PMID: 38763527 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Almost one century after the Sir Alexander Fleming's fortuitous discovery of penicillin and the identification of the fungal producer as Penicillium notatum, later Penicillium chrysogenum (currently reidentified as Penicillium rubens), the molecular mechanisms behind the massive production of penicillin titers by industrial strains could be considered almost fully characterized. However, this filamentous fungus is not only circumscribed to penicillin, and instead, it seems to be full of surprises, thereby producing important metabolites and providing expanded biotechnological applications. This review, in addition to summarizing the classical role of P. chrysogenum as penicillin producer, highlights its ability to generate an array of additional bioactive secondary metabolites and enzymes, together with the use of this microorganism in relevant biotechnological processes, such as bioremediation, biocontrol, production of bioactive nanoparticles and compounds with pharmaceutical interest, revalorization of agricultural and food-derived wastes or the enhancement of food industrial processes and the agricultural production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Barreiro
- Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain; Instituto de Biología Molecular, Genómica y Proteómica (INBIOMIC), Universidad de León, León, Spain.
| | - Silvia M Albillos
- Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Biotecnología y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Burgos, Burgos, Spain
| | - Carlos García-Estrada
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain; Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Universidad de León, León, Spain
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DMSO-Induced Unfolding of the Antifungal Disulfide Protein PAF and Its Inactive Variant: A Combined NMR and DSC Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021208. [PMID: 36674720 PMCID: PMC9864379 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
PAF and related antifungal proteins are promising antimicrobial agents. They have highly stable folds around room temperature due to the presence of 3-4 disulfide bonds. However, unfolded states persist and contribute to the thermal equilibrium in aqueous solution, and low-populated states might influence their biological impact. To explore such equilibria during dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-induced chemical unfolding, we studied PAF and its inactive variant PAFD19S using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). According to the NMR monitoring at 310 K, the folded structures disappear above 80 v/v% DMSO concentration, while the unfolding is completely reversible. Evaluation of a few resolved peaks from viscosity-compensated 15N-1H HSQC spectra of PAF yielded ∆G = 23 ± 7 kJ/M as the average value for NMR unfolding enthalpy. The NMR-based structures of PAF and the mutant in 50 v/v% DMSO/H2O mixtures were more similar in the mixed solvents then they were in water. The 15N NMR relaxation dynamics in the same mixtures verified the rigid backbones of the NMR-visible fractions of the proteins; still, enhanced dynamics around the termini and some loops were observed. DSC monitoring of the Tm melting point showed parabolic dependence on the DMSO molar fraction and suggested that PAF is more stable than the inactive PAFD19S. The DSC experiments were irreversible due to the applied broad temperature range, but still suggestive of the endothermic unfolding of PAF.
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Potential Original Drug for Aspergillosis: In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of 1-N,N-Dimethylamino-5-Isocyanonaphthalene (DIMICAN) on Aspergillus fumigatus. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8100985. [PMID: 36294550 PMCID: PMC9605569 DOI: 10.3390/jof8100985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
As the recent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has shown, viral infections are prone to secondary complications like invasive aspergillosis with a high mortality rate, and therefore the development of novel, effective antifungals is of paramount importance. We have previously demonstrated that 1-amino-5-isocyanonaphthalene (ICAN) derivatives are promising original drug candidates against Candida strains (Patent pending), even against fluconazole resistant C. albicans. Consequently, in this study ICANs were tested on Aspergillus fumigatus, an opportunistic pathogen, which is the leading cause of invasive and systematic pulmonary aspergillosis in immunosuppressed, transplanted and cancer- or COVID-19 treated patients. We have tested several N-alkylated ICANs, a well as 1,5-naphthalene-diisocyanide (DIN) with the microdilution method against Aspergillus fumigatus strains. The results revealed that the diisocyanide (DIN) was the most effective with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value as low as 0.6 µg mL−1 (3.4 µM); however, its practical applicability is limited by its poor water solubility, which needs to be overcome by proper formulation. The other alkylated derivatives also have in vitro and in vivo anti-Aspergillus fumigatus effects. For animal experiments the second most effective derivative 1-N, N-dimethylamino-5-isocyanonaphthalene (DIMICAN, MIC: 7–8 µg mL−1, 36–41 µM) was selected, toxicity tests were made with mice, and then the antifungal effect of DIMICAN was tested in a neutropenic aspergillosis murine model. Compared to amphotericin B (AMB), a well-known antifungal, the antifungal effect of DIMICAN in vivo turned out to be much better (40% vs. 90% survival after eight days), indicating its potential as a clinical drug candidate.
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Holzknecht J, Dubrac S, Hedtrich S, Galgóczy L, Marx F. Small, Cationic Antifungal Proteins from Filamentous Fungi Inhibit Candida albicans Growth in 3D Skin Infection Models. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0029922. [PMID: 35499318 PMCID: PMC9241769 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00299-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The emerging resistance of human-pathogenic fungi to antifungal drugs urges the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. The small, cationic antifungal proteins (AFPs) from filamentous ascomycetes represent promising candidates for next-generation antifungals. These bio-molecules need to be tested for tolerance in the host and efficacy against fungal pathogens before they can be safely applied in humans. Testing of the efficacy and possible adverse effects of new drug candidates in three-dimensional (3D) human-cell based models represents an advantageous alternative to animal experiments. In, this study, as a proof-of-principle, we demonstrate the usefulness of 3D skin infection models for screening new antifungal drug candidates for topical application. We established a cutaneous infection with the opportunistic human-pathogenic yeast Candida albicans in a commercially available 3D full-thickness (FT) skin model to test the curative potential of distinct AFPs from Penicillium chrysogenum (PAFopt, PAFB, and PAFC) and Neosartorya (Aspergillus) fischeri (NFAP2) in vitro. All tested AFPs were comparably well tolerated by the skin models. The infected 3D models exhibited reduced epidermal permeability barriers, allowing C. albicans to colonize the epidermal and dermal layers, and showed increased secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and the chemokine IL-8. AFP treatment diminished the fungal burden and penetration depth of C. albicans in the infected models. The epidermal permeability barrier was restored and the secretion of IL-8 was decreased following AFP treatment. In summary, our study proves that the tested AFPs exhibit antifungal potential against cutaneous C. albicans infection in a 3D FT skin model. IMPORTANCE Candida albicans represents one of the most prevalent opportunistic fungal pathogens, causing superficial skin and mucosal infections in humans with certain predisposing health conditions and life-threatening systemic infections in immunosuppressed patients. The emerging drug resistance of this human-pathogenic yeast and the limited number of antifungal drugs for prevention and treatment of infections urgently demands the identification of new antifungal compounds with novel mechanisms of action. Small, cationic antifungal proteins (AFPs) from filamentous fungi represent promising candidates for next-generation antifungals for topical application. These bio-molecules need to be tested for tolerance by the host and efficacy in pathogen clearance prior to being involved in clinical trials. In a proof-of-principle study, we provide evidence for the suitability of 3D human-cell based models as advantageous alternatives to animal experiments. We document the tolerance of specific AFPs and their curative efficacy against cutaneous C. albicans infection in a 3D skin model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanett Holzknecht
- Biocenter, Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sandrine Dubrac
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sarah Hedtrich
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - László Galgóczy
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Florentine Marx
- Biocenter, Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Gandía M, Moreno-Giménez E, Giner-Llorca M, Garrigues S, Ropero-Pérez C, Locascio A, Martínez-Culebras PV, Marcos JF, Manzanares P. Development of a FungalBraid Penicillium expansum-based expression system for the production of antifungal proteins in fungal biofactories. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:630-647. [PMID: 35084102 PMCID: PMC8867986 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal antifungal proteins (AFPs) have attracted attention as novel biofungicides. Their exploitation requires safe and cost‐effective producing biofactories. Previously, Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium digitatum produced recombinant AFPs with the use of a P. chrysogenum‐based expression system that consisted of the paf gene promoter, signal peptide (SP)‐pro sequence and terminator. Here, the regulatory elements of the afpA gene encoding the highly produced PeAfpA from Penicillium expansum were developed as an expression system for AFP production through the FungalBraid platform. The afpA cassette was tested to produce PeAfpA and P. digitatum PdAfpB in P. chrysogenum and P. digitatum, and its efficiency was compared to that of the paf cassette. Recombinant PeAfpA production was only achieved using the afpA cassette, being P. chrysogenum a more efficient biofactory than P. digitatum. Conversely, P. chrysogenum only produced PdAfpB under the control of the paf cassette. In P. digitatum, both expression systems allowed PdAfpB production, with the paf cassette resulting in higher protein yields. Interestingly, these results did not correlate with the performance of both promoters in a luciferase reporter system. In conclusion, AFP production is a complex outcome that depends on the regulatory sequences driving afp expression, the fungal biofactory and the AFP sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Gandía
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Elena Moreno-Giménez
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain.,Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Moisés Giner-Llorca
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Sandra Garrigues
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Carolina Ropero-Pérez
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Antonella Locascio
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Pedro V Martínez-Culebras
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain.,Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Ciencias de la Alimentación, Bromatología, Toxicología y Medicina Legal, Universitat de València, Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, Valencia, 46100, Spain
| | - Jose F Marcos
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Paloma Manzanares
- Food Biotechnology Department, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
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7
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Gandía M, Kakar A, Giner-Llorca M, Holzknecht J, Martínez-Culebras P, Galgóczy L, Marx F, Marcos JF, Manzanares P. Potential of Antifungal Proteins (AFPs) to Control Penicillium Postharvest Fruit Decay. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:449. [PMID: 34199956 PMCID: PMC8229795 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Penicillium phytopathogenic species provoke severe postharvest disease and economic losses. Penicillium expansum is the main pome fruit phytopathogen while Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum cause citrus green and blue mold, respectively. Control strategies rely on the use of synthetic fungicides, but the appearance of resistant strains and safety concerns have led to the search for new antifungals. Here, the potential application of different antifungal proteins (AFPs) including the three Penicillium chrysogenum proteins (PAF, PAFB and PAFC), as well as the Neosartorya fischeri NFAP2 protein to control Penicillium decay, has been evaluated. PAFB was the most potent AFP against P. digitatum, P. italicum and P. expansum, PAFC and NFAP2 showed moderate antifungal activity, whereas PAF was the least active protein. In fruit protection assays, PAFB provoked a reduction of the incidence of infections caused by P. digitatum and P. italicum in oranges and by P. expansum in apples. A combination of AFPs did not result in an increase in the efficacy of disease control. In conclusion, this study expands the antifungal inhibition spectrum of the AFPs evaluated, and demonstrates that AFPs act in a species-specific manner. PAFB is a promising alternative compound to control Penicillium postharvest fruit decay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Gandía
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Valencia, Spain; (M.G.); (M.G.-L.); (P.M.-C.); (J.F.M.)
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Ciencias de la Alimentación, Bromatología, Toxicología y Medicina Legal, Universitat de València, Vicente Andrès Estellès s/n, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Anant Kakar
- Biocenter, Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.); (J.H.); (F.M.)
| | - Moisés Giner-Llorca
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Valencia, Spain; (M.G.); (M.G.-L.); (P.M.-C.); (J.F.M.)
| | - Jeanett Holzknecht
- Biocenter, Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.); (J.H.); (F.M.)
| | - Pedro Martínez-Culebras
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Valencia, Spain; (M.G.); (M.G.-L.); (P.M.-C.); (J.F.M.)
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Ciencias de la Alimentación, Bromatología, Toxicología y Medicina Legal, Universitat de València, Vicente Andrès Estellès s/n, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - László Galgóczy
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Temesvári krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary;
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Florentine Marx
- Biocenter, Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.); (J.H.); (F.M.)
| | - Jose F. Marcos
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Valencia, Spain; (M.G.); (M.G.-L.); (P.M.-C.); (J.F.M.)
| | - Paloma Manzanares
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Valencia, Spain; (M.G.); (M.G.-L.); (P.M.-C.); (J.F.M.)
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Tóth L, Váradi G, Boros É, Borics A, Ficze H, Nagy I, Tóth GK, Rákhely G, Marx F, Galgóczy L. Biofungicidal Potential of Neosartorya ( Aspergillus) Fischeri Antifungal Protein NFAP and Novel Synthetic γ-Core Peptides. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:820. [PMID: 32477291 PMCID: PMC7237641 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of enormous crop losses worldwide due to pesticide-resistant plant pathogenic fungi, there is an increasing demand for the development of novel antifungal strategies in agriculture. Antifungal proteins (APs) and peptides are considered potential biofungicides; however, several factors limit their direct agricultural application, such as the high cost of production, narrow antifungal spectrum, and detrimental effects to plant development and human/animal health. This study evaluated the safety of the application of APs and peptides from the ascomycete Neosartorya fischeri as crop preservatives. The full-length N. fischeri AP (NFAP) and novel rationally designed γ-core peptide derivatives (PDs) γNFAP-opt and γNFAP-optGZ exhibited efficacy by inhibiting the growth of the agriculturally relevant filamentous ascomycetes in vitro. A high positive net charge, however, neither the hydrophilicity nor the primary structure supported the antifungal efficacy of these PDs. Further testing demonstrated that the antifungal activity did not require a conformational change of the β-pleated NFAP or the canonically ordered conformation of the synthetic PDs. Neither hemolysis nor cytotoxicity was observed when the NFAP and γNFAP-opt were applied at antifungally effective concentrations in human cell lines. Similarly, the Medicago truncatula plants that served as toxicity model and were grown from seedlings that were treated with NFAP, γNFAP-opt, or γNFAP-optGZ failed to exhibit morphological aberrations, reduction in primary root length, or the number of lateral roots. Crop protection experiments demonstrated that NFAP and associated antifungal active γ-core PDs were able to protect tomato fruits against the postharvest fungal pathogen Cladosporium herbarum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliána Tóth
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Györgyi Váradi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Éva Boros
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila Borics
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Hargita Ficze
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - István Nagy
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor K. Tóth
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- MTA-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Rákhely
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Florentine Marx
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - László Galgóczy
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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Two small, cysteine-rich and cationic antifungal proteins from Penicillium chrysogenum: A comparative study of PAF and PAFB. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183246. [PMID: 32142818 PMCID: PMC7138148 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum Q176 secretes the antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) PAF and PAFB, which share a compact disulfide-bond mediated, β-fold structure rendering them highly stable. These two AMPs effectively inhibit the growth of human pathogenic fungi in micromolar concentrations and exhibit antiviral potential without causing cytotoxic effects on mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo. The antifungal mechanism of action of both AMPs is closely linked to - but not solely dependent on - the lipid composition of the fungal cell membrane and requires a strictly regulated protein uptake into the cell, indicating that PAF and PAFB are not canonical membrane active proteins. Variations in their antifungal spectrum and their killing dynamics point towards a divergent mode of action related to their physicochemical properties and surface charge distribution. In this review, we relate characteristic features of PAF and PAFB to the current knowledge about other AMPs of different sources. In addition, we present original data that have never been published before to substantiate our assumptions and provide evidences that help to explain and understand better the mechanistic function of PAF and PAFB. Finally, we underline the promising potential of PAF and PAFB as future antifungal therapeutics. Penicillium chrysogenum secretes the small, cysteine-rich proteins PAF and PAFB. Both exhibit antifungal activity, but with differences in their mode of action. Structure, membrane interaction and cellular uptake determine their function. PAF and PAFB are well tolerated by mammalian cells. They promise applicability in medicine, plant protection and food industry.
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Huber A, Lerchster H, Marx F. Nutrient Excess Triggers the Expression of the Penicillium chrysogenum Antifungal Protein PAFB. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7120654. [PMID: 31817241 PMCID: PMC6956099 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7120654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrient limitation and nonfavorable growth conditions have been suggested to be major triggers for the expression of small, cysteine-rich antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) of fungal origin, e.g., the Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein (PAF), the Aspergillus giganteus antifungal protein (AFP), the Aspergillus niger antifungal protein (AnAFP). Therefore, these AMPs have been considered to be fungal secondary metabolite products. In contrast, the present study revealed that the expression of the PAF-related AMP P. chrysogenum antifungal protein B (PAFB) is strongly induced under nutrient excess during the logarithmic growth phase, whereas PAFB remained under the detection level in the supernatant of cultures grown under nutrient limitation. The efficiency of the pafB-promoter to induce PAFB expression was compared with that of two P. chrysogenum promoters that are well established for recombinant protein production: the paf-promoter and the xylose-inducible promoter of the xylanase gene, xylP. The inducibility of the pafB-promoter was superior to that of the xylP-promoter yielding comparable PAFB amounts as under the regulation of the paf-promoter. We conclude that (i) differences in the expression regulation of AMPs suggest distinct functional roles in the producer beyond their antifungal activity; and (ii) the pafB-promoter is a promising tool for recombinant protein production in P. chrysogenum, as it guarantees strong gene expression with the advantage of inducibility.
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11
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Wang C, Yuan S, Zhang W, Ng T, Ye X. Buckwheat Antifungal Protein with Biocontrol Potential To Inhibit Fungal ( Botrytis cinerea) Infection of Cherry Tomato. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:6748-6756. [PMID: 31136167 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b01144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A 11 kDa antifungal protein FEAP was purified from buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum) seed extract with a procedure involving (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and chromatography on SP-Sepharose, Affi-gel blue gel, Mono S, and Superdex peptide. Its N-terminal sequence was AQXGAQGGGAT, resembling those of buckwheat peptides Fα-AMP1 and Fα-AMP2. FEAP exhibited thermostability (20-100 °C) and acid resistance (pH 1-5). Its antifungal activity was retained in the presence of 10-150 mmol/L of K+, Mn2+, or Fe3+ ions, 10-50 mmol/L of Ca2+ or Mg2+ ions, and 50% methanol, 50% ethanol, 50% isopropanol, or 50% chloroform. Its half-maximal inhibitory concentrations toward spore germination and mycelial growth in Botrytis cinerea were 79.9 and 236.7 μg/mL, respectively. Its antifungal activity was superior to the fungicide cymoxanil mancozeb (248.1 μg/mL). FEAP prevented B. cinerea from infecting excised leaves, intact leaves, and isolated fruits of cherry tomato. Its mechanism involved induction of an increase in cell membrane permeability and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tzibun Ng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin , Hong Kong 999077 , China
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12
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Galgóczy L, Yap A, Marx F. Cysteine-Rich Antifungal Proteins from Filamentous Fungi are Promising Bioactive Natural Compounds in Anti- Candida Therapy. Isr J Chem 2019; 59:360-370. [PMID: 31680702 PMCID: PMC6813639 DOI: 10.1002/ijch.201800168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The emerging number of life-threatening invasive fungal infections caused by drug-resistant Candida strains urges the need for the development and application of fundamentally new and safe antifungal strategies in the clinical treatment. Recent studies demonstrated that the extracellular cysteine-rich and cationic antifungal proteins (crAFPs) originating from filamentous fungi, and de novo designed synthetic peptide derivatives of these crAFPs provide a feasible basis for this approach. This mini-review focuses on the global challenges of the anti-Canidia therapy and on the crAFPs as potential drug candidates to overcome existing problems. The advantages and limitations in the use of crAFPs and peptide derivatives compared to those of conventional antifungal drugs will also be critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Galgóczy
- Institute of Plant BiologyBiological Research CentreHungarian Academy of SciencesTemesvári krt. 62H-6726SzegedHungary
- Department of MicrobiologyFaculty of Science and InformaticsUniversity of SzegedKözép fasor 52H-6726SzegedHungary
| | - Annie Yap
- Division of Molecular BiologyBiocenterMedical University of InnsbruckInnrain 80–82A-6020InnsbruckAustria
| | - Florentine Marx
- Division of Molecular BiologyBiocenterMedical University of InnsbruckInnrain 80–82A-6020InnsbruckAustria
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13
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In Vivo Applicability of Neosartorya fischeri Antifungal Protein 2 (NFAP2) in Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.01777-18. [PMID: 30478163 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01777-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As a consequence of emerging numbers of vulvovaginitis cases caused by azole-resistant and biofilm-forming Candida species, fast and efficient treatment of this infection has become challenging. The problem is further exacerbated by the severe side effects of azoles as long-term-use medications in the recurrent form. There is therefore an increasing demand for novel and safely applicable effective antifungal therapeutic strategies. The small, cysteine-rich, and cationic antifungal proteins from filamentous ascomycetes are potential candidates, as they inhibit the growth of several Candida spp. in vitro; however, no information is available about their in vivo antifungal potency against yeasts. In the present study, we investigated the possible therapeutic application of one of their representatives in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis, Neosartorya fischeri antifungal protein 2 (NFAP2). NFAP2 inhibited the growth of a fluconazole (FLC)-resistant Candida albicans strain isolated from a vulvovaginal infection, and it was effective against both planktonic cells and biofilm in vitro We observed that the fungal cell-killing activity of NFAP2 is connected to its pore-forming ability in the cell membrane. NFAP2 did not exert cytotoxic effects on primary human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts at the MIC in vitro. In vivo murine vulvovaginitis model experiments showed that NFAP2 significantly decreases the number of FLC-resistant C. albicans cells, and combined application with FLC enhances the efficacy. These results suggest that NFAP2 provides a feasible base for the development of a fundamental new, safely applicable mono- or polytherapeutic topical agent for the treatment of superficial candidiasis.
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14
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Galgóczy L, Marx F. Do Antimicrobial Proteins Contribute to Overcoming the Hidden Antifungal Crisis at the Dawn of a Post-Antibiotic Era? Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7010016. [PMID: 30641886 PMCID: PMC6352135 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- László Galgóczy
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary.
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Florentine Marx
- Biocenter, Division of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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Leiter É, Csernoch L, Pócsi I. Programmed cell death in human pathogenic fungi - a possible therapeutic target. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2018; 22:1039-1048. [PMID: 30360667 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2018.1541087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diseases caused by pathogenic fungi are increasing because of antibiotic overuse, the rise of immunosuppressive therapies, and climate change. The limited variety of antimycotics and the rapid adaptation of pathogenic fungi to antifungal agents serve to exacerbate this issue. Unfortunately, about 1.6 million people are killed by fungal infections annually. Areas covered: The discovery of the small antimicrobial proteins produced by microorganisms, animals, humans, and plants will hopefully overcome challenges in the treatment of fungal infections. These small proteins are highly stable and any resistance to them rarely evolves; therefore, they are potentially good candidates for the treatment and prevention of infections caused by pathogenic fungi. Some of these proteins target the programmed cell death machinery of pathogenic fungi; this is potentially a novel approach in antimycotic therapies. In this review, we highlight the elements of apoptosis in human pathogenic fungi and related model organisms and discuss the possible therapeutic potential of the apoptosis-inducing, small, antifungal proteins. Expert opinion: Small antimicrobial proteins may establish a new class of antimycotics in the future. The rarity of resistance and their synergistic effects with other frequently used antifungal agents may help pave the way for their use in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éva Leiter
- a Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology , University of Debrecen , Debrecen , Hungary
| | - László Csernoch
- b Department of Physiology , University of Debrecen , Debrecen , Hungary
| | - István Pócsi
- a Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology , University of Debrecen , Debrecen , Hungary
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16
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Fizil Á, Sonderegger C, Czajlik A, Fekete A, Komáromi I, Hajdu D, Marx F, Batta G. Calcium binding of the antifungal protein PAF: Structure, dynamics and function aspects by NMR and MD simulations. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204825. [PMID: 30321182 PMCID: PMC6188699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium ions (Ca2+) play an important role in the toxicity of the cysteine-rich and cationic antifungal protein PAF from Penicillium chrysogenum: high extracellular Ca2+ levels reduce the toxicity of PAF in the sensitive model fungus Neurospora crassa in a concentration dependent way. However, little is known about the mechanistic details of the Ca2+ ion impact and the Ca2+ binding capabilities of PAF outside the fungal cell, which might be the reason for the activity loss. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), isothermal titration calorimetry and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations we demonstrated that PAF weakly, but specifically binds Ca2+ ions. MD simulations of PAF predicted one major Ca2+ binding site at the C-terminus involving Asp53 and Asp55, while Asp19 was considered as putative Ca2+ binding site. The exchange of Asp19 to serine had little impact on the Ca2+ binding, however caused the loss of antifungal activity, as was shown in our recent study. Now we replaced the C-terminal aspartates and expressed the serine variant PAFD53S/D55S. The specific Ca2+ binding affinity of PAFD53S/D55S decreased significantly if compared to PAF, whereas the antifungal activity was retained. To understand more details of Ca2+ interactions, we investigated the NMR and MD structure/dynamics of the free and Ca2+-bound PAF and PAFD53S/D55S. Though we found some differences between these protein variants and the Ca2+ complexes, these effects cannot explain the observed Ca2+ influence. In conclusion, PAF binds Ca2+ ions selectively at the C-terminus; however, this Ca2+ binding does not seem to play a direct role in the previously documented modulation of the antifungal activity of PAF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Fizil
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Christoph Sonderegger
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - András Czajlik
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Attila Fekete
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Komáromi
- Division of Clinical Laboratory Science, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Dorottya Hajdu
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Florentine Marx
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- * E-mail: (GB); (FM)
| | - Gyula Batta
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- * E-mail: (GB); (FM)
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Garrigues S, Gandía M, Castillo L, Coca M, Marx F, Marcos JF, Manzanares P. Three Antifungal Proteins From Penicillium expansum: Different Patterns of Production and Antifungal Activity. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2370. [PMID: 30344516 PMCID: PMC6182064 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antifungal proteins of fungal origin (AFPs) are small, secreted, cationic, and cysteine-rich proteins. Filamentous fungi encode a wide repertoire of AFPs belonging to different phylogenetic classes, which offer a great potential to develop new antifungals for the control of pathogenic fungi. The fungus Penicillium expansum is one of the few reported to encode three AFPs each belonging to a different phylogenetic class (A, B, and C). In this work, the production of the putative AFPs from P. expansum was evaluated, but only the representative of class A, PeAfpA, was identified in culture supernatants of the native fungus. The biotechnological production of PeAfpB and PeAfpC was achieved in Penicillium chrysogenum with the P. chrysogenum-based expression cassette, which had been proved to work efficiently for the production of other related AFPs in filamentous fungi. Western blot analyses confirmed that P. expansum only produces PeAfpA naturally, whereas PeAfpB and PeAfpC could not be detected. From the three AFPs from P. expansum, PeAfpA showed the highest antifungal activity against all fungi tested, including plant and human pathogens. P. expansum was also sensitive to its self-AFPs PeAfpA and PeAfpB. PeAfpB showed moderate antifungal activity against filamentous fungi, whereas no activity could be attributed to PeAfpC at the conditions tested. Importantly, none of the PeAFPs showed hemolytic activity. Finally, PeAfpA was demonstrated to efficiently protect against fungal infections caused by Botrytis cinerea in tomato leaves and Penicillium digitatum in oranges. The strong antifungal potency of PeAfpA, together with the lack of cytotoxicity, and significant in vivo protection against phytopathogenic fungi that cause postharvest decay and plant diseases, make PeAfpA a promising alternative compound for application in agriculture, but also in medicine or food preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Garrigues
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mónica Gandía
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia, Spain
| | - Laia Castillo
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG, CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Coca
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG, CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Florentine Marx
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jose F Marcos
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia, Spain
| | - Paloma Manzanares
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia, Spain
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18
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Meyer V, Jung S. Antifungal Peptides of the AFP Family Revisited: Are These Cannibal Toxins? Microorganisms 2018; 6:microorganisms6020050. [PMID: 29865265 PMCID: PMC6027536 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms6020050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence and spread of pathogenic fungi resistant to currently used antifungal drugs represents a serious challenge for medicine and agriculture. The use of smart antimicrobials, so-called “dirty drugs” which affect multiple cellular targets, is one strategy to prevent resistance. Of special interest is the exploitation of the AFP family of antimicrobial peptides, which include its founding member AFP from Aspergillus giganteus. This latter is a highly potent inhibitor of chitin synthesis and affects plasma membrane integrity in many human and plant pathogenic fungi. A transcriptomic meta-analysis of the afp-encoding genes in A. giganteus and A. niger predicts a role for these proteins during asexual sporulation, autophagy, and nutrient recycling, suggesting that AFPs are molecules important for the survival of A. niger and A. giganteus under nutrient limitation. In this review, we discuss parallels which exist between AFPs and bacterial cannibal toxins and provide arguments that the primary function of AFPs could be to kill genetically identical siblings. We hope that this review inspires computational and experimental biologists studying alternative explanations for the nature and function of antimicrobial peptides beyond the general assumption that they are mere defense molecules to fight competitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Meyer
- Department Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Institute of Biotechnology, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sascha Jung
- Department Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Institute of Biotechnology, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin, Germany.
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19
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New Antimicrobial Potential and Structural Properties of PAFB: A Cationic, Cysteine-Rich Protein from Penicillium chrysogenum Q176. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1751. [PMID: 29379111 PMCID: PMC5788923 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20002-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Small, cysteine-rich and cationic proteins with antimicrobial activity are produced by diverse organisms of all kingdoms and represent promising molecules for drug development. The ancestor of all industrial penicillin producing strains, the ascomycete Penicillium chryosgenum Q176, secretes the extensively studied antifungal protein PAF. However, the genome of this strain harbours at least two more genes that code for other small, cysteine-rich and cationic proteins with potential antifungal activity. In this study, we characterized the pafB gene product that shows high similarity to PgAFP from P. chrysogenum R42C. Although abundant and timely regulated pafB gene transcripts were detected, we could not identify PAFB in the culture broth of P. chrysogenum Q176. Therefore, we applied a P. chrysogenum-based expression system to produce sufficient amounts of recombinant PAFB to address unanswered questions concerning the structure and antimicrobial function. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based analyses revealed a compact β-folded structure, comprising five β-strands connected by four solvent exposed and flexible loops and an “abcabc” disulphide bond pattern. We identified PAFB as an inhibitor of growth of human pathogenic moulds and yeasts. Furthermore, we document for the first time an anti-viral activity for two members of the small, cysteine-rich and cationic protein group from ascomycetes.
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Garrigues S, Gandía M, Borics A, Marx F, Manzanares P, Marcos JF. Mapping and Identification of Antifungal Peptides in the Putative Antifungal Protein AfpB from the Filamentous Fungus Penicillium digitatum. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:592. [PMID: 28428776 PMCID: PMC5382200 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antifungal proteins (AFPs) from Ascomycetes are small cysteine-rich proteins that are abundantly secreted and show antifungal activity against non-producer fungi. A gene coding for a class B AFP (AfpB) was previously identified in the genome of the plant pathogen Penicillium digitatum. However, previous attempts to detect the AfpB protein were not successful despite the high expression of the corresponding afpB gene. In this work, the structure of the putative AfpB was modeled. Based on this model, four synthetic cysteine-containing peptides, PAF109, PAF112, PAF118, and PAF119, were designed and their antimicrobial activity was tested and characterized. PAF109 that corresponds to the γ-core motif present in defensin-like antimicrobial proteins did not show antimicrobial activity. On the contrary, PAF112 and PAF118, which are cationic peptides derived from two surface-exposed loops in AfpB, showed moderate antifungal activity against P. digitatum and other filamentous fungi. It was also confirmed that cyclization through a disulfide bridge prevented peptide degradation. PAF116, which is a peptide analogous to PAF112 but derived from the Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein PAF, showed activity against P. digitatum similar to PAF112, but was less active than the native PAF protein. The two AfpB-derived antifungal peptides PAF112 and PAF118 showed positive synergistic interaction when combined against P. digitatum. Furthermore, the synthetic hexapeptide PAF26 previously described in our laboratory also exhibited synergistic interaction with the peptides PAF112, PAF118, and PAF116, as well as with the PAF protein. This study is an important contribution to the mapping of antifungal motifs within the AfpB and other AFPs, and opens up new strategies for the rational design and application of antifungal peptides and proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Garrigues
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasValencia, Spain
| | - Mónica Gandía
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasValencia, Spain
| | - Attila Borics
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of SciencesSzeged, Hungary
| | - Florentine Marx
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of InnsbruckInnsbruck, Austria
| | - Paloma Manzanares
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasValencia, Spain
| | - Jose F Marcos
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of SciencesSzeged, Hungary
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21
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Sonderegger C, Fizil Á, Burtscher L, Hajdu D, Muñoz A, Gáspári Z, Read ND, Batta G, Marx F. D19S Mutation of the Cationic, Cysteine-Rich Protein PAF: Novel Insights into Its Structural Dynamics, Thermal Unfolding and Antifungal Function. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169920. [PMID: 28072824 PMCID: PMC5224997 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The cysteine-rich, cationic, antifungal protein PAF is abundantly secreted into the culture supernatant of the filamentous Ascomycete Penicillium chrysogenum. The five β-strands of PAF form a compact β-barrel that is stabilized by three disulphide bonds. The folding of PAF allows the formation of four surface-exposed loops and distinct charged motifs on the protein surface that might regulate the interaction of PAF with the sensitive target fungus. The growth inhibitory activity of this highly stable protein against opportunistic fungal pathogens provides great potential in antifungal drug research. To understand its mode of action, we started to investigate the surface-exposed loops of PAF and replaced one aspartic acid at position 19 in loop 2 that is potentially involved in PAF active or binding site, with a serine (Asp19 to Ser19). We analysed the overall effects, such as unfolding, electrostatic changes, sporadic conformers and antifungal activity when substituting this specific amino acid to the fairly indifferent amino acid serine. Structural analyses revealed that the overall 3D solution structure is virtually identical with that of PAF. However, PAFD19S showed slightly increased dynamics and significant differences in the surface charge distribution. Thermal unfolding identified PAFD19S to be rather a two-state folder in contrast to the three-state folder PAF. Functional comparison of PAFD19S and PAF revealed that the exchange at residue 19 caused a dramatic loss of antifungal activity: the binding and internalization of PAFD19S by target cells was reduced and the protein failed to trigger an intracellular Ca2+ response, all of which are closely linked to the antifungal toxicity of PAF. We conclude that the negatively charged residue Asp19 in loop 2 is essential for full function of the cationic protein PAF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Sonderegger
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ádám Fizil
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Laura Burtscher
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dorottya Hajdu
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Alberto Muñoz
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Zoltán Gáspári
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nick D. Read
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Gyula Batta
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Florentine Marx
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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22
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Tóth L, Kele Z, Borics A, Nagy LG, Váradi G, Virágh M, Takó M, Vágvölgyi C, Galgóczy L. NFAP2, a novel cysteine-rich anti-yeast protein from Neosartorya fischeri NRRL 181: isolation and characterization. AMB Express 2016; 6:75. [PMID: 27637945 PMCID: PMC5025423 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-016-0250-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing incidence of fungal infections and damages due to drug-resistant fungi urges the development of new antifungal strategies. The cysteine-rich antifungal proteins from filamentous ascomycetes provide a feasible base for protection against molds due to their potent antifungal activity on them. In contrast to this, they show no or weak activity on yeasts, hence their applicability against this group of fungi is questionable. In the present study a 5.6 kDa anti-yeast protein (NFAP2) is isolated, identified and characterized from the ferment broth of Neosartorya fischeri NRRL 181. Based on a phylogenetic analysis, NFAP2 and its putative homologs represent a new group of ascomycetous cysteine-rich antifungal proteins. NFAP2 proved to be highly effective against tested yeasts involving clinically relevant Candida species. NFAP2 did not cause metabolic inactivity and apoptosis induction, but its plasma membrane disruption ability was observed on Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The antifungal activity was maintained after high temperature treatment presumably due to the in silico predicted stable tertiary structure. The disulfide bond-stabilized, heat-resistant folded structure of NFAP2 was experimentally proved. After further investigations of antifungal mechanism, structure and toxicity, NFAP2 could be applicable as a potent antifungal agent against yeasts.
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Sonderegger C, Galgóczy L, Garrigues S, Fizil Á, Borics A, Manzanares P, Hegedüs N, Huber A, Marcos JF, Batta G, Marx F. A Penicillium chrysogenum-based expression system for the production of small, cysteine-rich antifungal proteins for structural and functional analyses. Microb Cell Fact 2016; 15:192. [PMID: 27835989 PMCID: PMC5106836 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-016-0586-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Small, cysteine-rich and cationic antifungal proteins (APs) from filamentous ascomycetes, such as NFAP from Neosartorya fischeri and PAF from Penicillium chrysogenum, are promising candidates for novel drug development. A prerequisite for their application is a detailed knowledge about their structure–function relation and mode of action, which would allow protein modelling to enhance their toxicity and specificity. Technologies for structure analyses, such as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) or NMR spectroscopy, require highly purified samples and in case of NMR milligrams of uniformly 15N-/13C-isotope labelled protein. To meet these requirements, we developed a P. chrysogenum-based expression system that ensures sufficient amount and optimal purity of APs for structural and functional analyses. Results The APs PAF, PAF mutants and NFAP were expressed in a P. chrysogenum ∆paf mutant strain that served as perfect microbial expression factory. This strain lacks the paf-gene coding for the endogenous antifungal PAF and is resistant towards several APs from other ascomycetes. The expression of the recombinant proteins was under the regulation of the strong paf promoter, and the presence of a paf-specific pre-pro sequence warranted the secretion of processed proteins into the supernatant. The use of defined minimal medium allowed a single-step purification of the recombinant proteins. The expression system could be extended to express PAF in the related fungus Penicillium digitatum, which does not produce detectable amounts of APs, demonstrating the versatility of the approach. The molecular masses, folded structures and antifungal activity of the recombinant proteins were analysed by ESI–MS, ECD and NMR spectroscopy and growth inhibition assays. Conclusion This study demonstrates the implementation of a paf promoter driven expression cassettes for the production of cysteine-rich, cationic, APs in different Penicillium species. The system is a perfect tool for the generation of correctly folded proteins with high quality for structure–function analyses. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-016-0586-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Sonderegger
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - László Galgóczy
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Sandra Garrigues
- Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Agustín Escardino 7, 46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ádám Fizil
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Attila Borics
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Paloma Manzanares
- Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Agustín Escardino 7, 46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nikoletta Hegedüs
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.,Sandoz GmbH, Biochemiestrasse 10, 6250, Kundl, Austria
| | - Anna Huber
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Jose F Marcos
- Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Agustín Escardino 7, 46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gyula Batta
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Florentine Marx
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
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Application of a low molecular weight antifungal protein from Penicillium chrysogenum (PAF) to treat pulmonary aspergillosis in mice. Emerg Microbes Infect 2016; 5:e114. [PMID: 27826143 PMCID: PMC5148020 DOI: 10.1038/emi.2016.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PAF, a small antifungal protein from Penicillium chrysogenum, inhibits the growth of several pathogenic filamentous fungi, including members of the Aspergillus genus. PAF has been proven to have no toxic effects in vivo in mice by intranasal application. To test its efficacy against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), experiments were carried out in mice suffering from IPA. Adult mice were immunosuppressed and then infected with Aspergillus fumigatus. After stable infection, the animals were inoculated with PAF intranasally at a concentration of 2.7 mg/kg twice per day. At this concentration—which is highly toxic in vitro to A. fumigatus—the mortality of the animals was slightly delayed but finally all animals died. Histological examinations revealed massive fungal infections in the lungs of both PAF-treated and untreated animal groups. Because intranasally administered PAF was unable to overcome IPA, modified and combined therapies were introduced. The intraperitoneal application of PAF in animals with IPA prolonged the survival of the animals only 1 day. Similar results were obtained with amphotericin B (AMB), with PAF and AMB being equally effective. Combined therapy with AMB and PAF—which are synergistic in vitro—was found to be more effective than either AMB or PAF treatment alone. As no toxic effects of PAF in mammals have been described thus far, and, moreover, there are so far no A. fumigatus strains with reported inherent or acquired PAF resistance, it is worth carrying out further studies to introduce PAF as a potential antifungal drug in human therapy.
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Abstract
In recent years, the increase of invasive fungal infections and the emergence of antifungal resistance stressed the need for new antifungal drugs. Peptides have shown to be good candidates for the development of alternative antimicrobial agents through high-throughput screening, and subsequent optimization according to a rational approach. This review presents a brief overview on antifungal natural peptides of different sources (animals, plants, micro-organisms), peptide fragments derived by proteolytic cleavage of precursor physiological proteins (cryptides), synthetic unnatural peptides and peptide derivatives. Antifungal peptides are schematically reported based on their structure, antifungal spectrum and reported effects. Natural or synthetic peptides and their modified derivatives may represent the basis for new compounds active against fungal infections.
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Manuscript title: antifungal proteins from moulds: analytical tools and potential application to dry-ripened foods. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:6991-7000. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7706-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Binder U, Benčina M, Fizil Á, Batta G, Chhillar AK, Marx F. Protein kinase A signaling and calcium ions are major players in PAF mediated toxicity against Aspergillus niger. FEBS Lett 2015; 589:1266-71. [PMID: 25882631 PMCID: PMC4424949 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus niger is highly susceptible to the antifungal protein PAF. Ca2+ and cAMP/PKA signalling are interconnected in response to PAF. PAF toxicity requires the activation of the cAMP/PkaA signaling cascade. PAF evokes a sustained increase in the [Ca2+]c resting level. Only a functional PAF protein interferes with the fungal Ca2+ homeostasis. PAF represents a promising molecule to develop new antifungal strategies.
The Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein PAF is toxic against potentially pathogenic Ascomycetes. We used the highly sensitive aequorin-expressing model Aspergillus niger to identify a defined change in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ dynamics in response to PAF. This Ca2+ signature depended on an intact positively charged lysine-rich PAF motif. By combining Ca2+ measurements in A. niger mutants with deregulated cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling, we proved the interconnection of Ca2+ perturbation and cAMP/PKA signaling in the mechanistic function of PAF. A deep understanding of the mode of action of PAF is an invaluable prerequisite for its future application as new antifungal drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Binder
- Biocenter, Division of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Schöpfstrasse 41, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mojca Benčina
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ádám Fizil
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gyula Batta
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Anil K Chhillar
- Biocenter, Division of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, IN-124001 Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Florentine Marx
- Biocenter, Division of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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Virágh M, Vörös D, Kele Z, Kovács L, Fizil Á, Lakatos G, Maróti G, Batta G, Vágvölgyi C, Galgóczy L. Production of a defensin-like antifungal protein NFAP from Neosartorya fischeri in Pichia pastoris and its antifungal activity against filamentous fungal isolates from human infections. Protein Expr Purif 2013; 94:79-84. [PMID: 24269762 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2013.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Revised: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 11/08/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Neosartorya fischeri NRRL 181 isolate secretes a defensin-like antifungal protein (NFAP) which has a remarkable antifungal effect against ascomycetous filamentous fungi. This protein is a promising antifungal agent of biotechnological value; however in spite of the available knowledge of the nature of its 5'-upstream transcriptional regulation elements, the bulk production of NFAP has not been resolved yet. In this study we carried out its heterologous expression in the yeast Pichia pastoris and investigated the growth inhibition effect exerted by the heterologous NFAP (hNFAP) on filamentous fungal isolates from human infections compared with what was caused by the native NFAP. P. pastoris KM71H transformant strain harboring the pPICZαA plasmid with the mature NFAP encoding gene produced the protein. The final yield of the hNFAP was sixfold compared to the NFAP produced by N. fischeri NRRL 181. Based on the signal dispersion of the amide region, it was proven that the hNFAP exists in folded state. The purified hNFAP effectively inhibited the growth of fungal isolates belonging to the Aspergillus and to the Fusarium genus, but all investigated zygomycetous strain proved to be insusceptible. There was no significant difference between the growth inhibition effect exerted by the native and the heterologous NFAP. These data indicated that P. pastoris KM71H can produce the NFAP in an antifungally active folded state. Our results provide a base for further research, e.g., investigation the connection between the protein structure and the antifungal activity using site directed mutagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Máté Virágh
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
| | - Dóra Vörös
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kele
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, Szeged H-6720, Hungary
| | - Laura Kovács
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
| | - Ádám Fizil
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen H-4010, Hungary
| | - Gergely Lakatos
- Institute of Biochemistry, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Biological Research Centre, Temesvári krt. 62, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
| | - Gergely Maróti
- Institute of Biochemistry, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Biological Research Centre, Temesvári krt. 62, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
| | - Gyula Batta
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen H-4010, Hungary
| | - Csaba Vágvölgyi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
| | - László Galgóczy
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, Szeged H-6726, Hungary.
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Miszti-Blasius K, Felszeghy S, Kiss C, Benkő I, Géresi K, Megyeri A, Hevessy Z, Kappelmayer J. P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 deficiency augments G-CSF induced myeloid cell mobilization. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2013; 387:109-18. [PMID: 24091681 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-013-0913-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was investigated in P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) deficient (PSGL-1(-/-)) and wild-type (PSGL-1(+/+)) mice to establish the role of this mucin in myeloid cell mobilization. G-CSF activates tissue proteases that cleave adhesion molecules, thus enhances the mobilization of myeloid cells and haematopoietic stem cells. Cytopenia was induced with a single dose of cyclophosphamide. In PSGL-1(-/-) animals, we observed a delayed extravasation of mature myeloid cells from the peripheral vessels into the tissue compartments and their faster mobilization from the bone marrow. Subsequently, animals received G-CSF twice a day for 4 days. Neutrophil and monocyte counts increased upon completion of G-CSF treatment and both values were significantly higher in PSGL-1(-/-) mice; 47.7 versus 28.3 G/l for neutrophils and 4.1 versus 2.0 G/l for monocytes. The ratio of atypical myeloid cells was also elevated. Analyzing the causes of the above differences, we identified a 4-fold increase in the colony-forming unit (CFU-GM) counts of the peripheral blood in PSGL-1(-/-) mice, compared to wild-type animals. A significantly elevated number of CFU-GM was detected also in the femurs of PSGL-1(-/-) mice, 4 and 5 days after cyclophosphamide treatment and these values paralleled with the elevation of CD34+/CD117+ stem cell counts in the peripheral blood. Our data suggest, that in the absence of PSGL-1, G-CSF was more potent in elevating absolute myeloid cell numbers by acting on cell release from the bone marrow, maturation from circulating precursor cells in the peripheral blood and prolonged retainment in the circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornél Miszti-Blasius
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt 98, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
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