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Neves-da-Rocha J, Santos-Saboya MJ, Lopes MER, Rossi A, Martinez-Rossi NM. Insights and Perspectives on the Role of Proteostasis and Heat Shock Proteins in Fungal Infections. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1878. [PMID: 37630438 PMCID: PMC10456932 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11081878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms that infect humans, animals, and plants. To successfully colonize their hosts, pathogenic fungi must continuously adapt to the host's unique environment, e.g., changes in temperature, pH, and nutrient availability. Appropriate protein folding, assembly, and degradation are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and survival under stressful conditions. Therefore, the regulation of proteostasis is crucial for fungal pathogenesis. The heat shock response (HSR) is one of the most important cellular mechanisms for maintaining proteostasis. It is activated by various stresses and regulates the activity of heat shock proteins (HSPs). As molecular chaperones, HSPs participate in the proteostatic network to control cellular protein levels by affecting their conformation, location, and degradation. In recent years, a growing body of evidence has highlighted the crucial yet understudied role of stress response circuits in fungal infections. This review explores the role of protein homeostasis and HSPs in fungal pathogenicity, including their contributions to virulence and host-pathogen interactions, as well as the concerted effects between HSPs and the main proteostasis circuits in the cell. Furthermore, we discuss perspectives in the field and the potential for targeting the components of these circuits to develop novel antifungal therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Neves-da-Rocha
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (M.J.S.-S.); (M.E.R.L.); (A.R.)
| | | | | | | | - Nilce M. Martinez-Rossi
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (M.J.S.-S.); (M.E.R.L.); (A.R.)
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Azole Resistance in Candida albicans Isolates from Oropharyngeal Candidiasis is Associated with ERG11 Mutation and Efflux Overexpression. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2022. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm-131046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Azole resistance rates are rising in Candida species. Fluconazole is one of the most important antifungal drugs used in candidiasis treatment. Objectives: We identified the molecular mechanisms of fluconazole resistance of Candida albicans oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) isolates obtained from head and neck cancer patients, a study carried out between 2018 and 2020. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five Candida albicans clinical isolates were collected. Antifungal susceptibilities were determined by the CLSI- M27-A3 method. The ERG11 gene was amplified and sequenced to discover SNP mutation. Moreover, real-time PCR was carried out to measure the mRNA levels of ERG11, CDR1, CDR2, and MDR1. Results: Resistance to fluconazole was found in 15 C. albicans isolates. Amino acid substitutions E266D and D116E were observed in resistant, sensitive dose-dependent (SDD), and susceptible C. albicans isolates. K128T, G465S, A114S, Y257H and V488I were in relation to fluconazole resistance. D504A, P375A, W520C, G59S, and V51L were novel substitutions detected in the isolates; except for D504A, other mutations were observed only in resistance isolates. The expression levels of CDR2, CDR1, MDR1, and ERG11 were increased compared to susceptible isolates, respectively. Conclusions: ERG11 mutation was the principal mechanism for fluconazole resistance in C. albicans isolated from oropharyngeal candidiasis patients, and caspofungin can be used as the effective antifungal substance in fluconazole resistance situation for C. albicans infection.
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Al-Saari N, Azmi NSA, Samsulrizal NH. Trichoderma Genes for Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants. Fungal Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-91650-3_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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The Effects of Dehydrozingerone on Growth, Biofilm Formation, and Ergosterol Biosynthesis of Candida albicans. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021. [DOI: 10.52547/jommid.9.2.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Nejatbakhsh S, Ilkhanizadeh-Qomi M, Razzaghi-Abyaneh M, Jahanshiri Z. The Effects of Ellagic Acid on Growth and Biofilm Formation of Candida albicans. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020. [DOI: 10.29252/jommid.8.1.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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Jahanshiri Z, Manifar S, Hatami F, Arastehnazar F, Shams-Ghahfarokhi M, Razzaghi-Abyaneh M. Genotyping of Candida albicans isolates from oropharyngeal candidiasis in head and neck cancer patients in Iran: Molecular epidemiology and SAP2 gene expression. J Mycol Med 2019; 29:310-316. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2019.100896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Sun ZB, Wang Q, Sun MH, Li SD. The heat shock protein 70 gene is involved for colony morphology, sporulation and mycoparasitism of Clonostachys rosea. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2019; 366:fnz188. [PMID: 31504485 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnz188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is an evolutionarily conserved chaperone protein. However, the role of HSP70 in mycoparasitism is unclear. Clonostachys rosea shows great potential against plant fungal pathogens. An HSP70 encoding gene, crhsp, from C. rosea 67-1 was significantly upregulated during C. rosea parasitization of the sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. In the present study, we investigated the role of crhsp in mycoparasitism using gene knockout experiments. The results showed that disruption of crhsp had remarkabe effects on the morphological characteristics of C. rosea. In addition, the ability of C. rosea to parasitize sclerotia and control soybean Sclerotinia stem rot in the greenhouse was significantly reduced in the Δcrhsp mutant. The results indicated that crhsp is involved in C. rosea mycoparasitism and provide the basis for further study of the molecular mechanism of C. rosea mycoparasitism. This is the first report to demonstrate the involvement of the HSP70 gene in C. rosea mycoparasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan-Bin Sun
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- School of Food and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Man-Hong Sun
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shi-Dong Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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Martinez-Rossi NM, Jacob TR, Sanches PR, Peres NTA, Lang EAS, Martins MP, Rossi A. Heat Shock Proteins in Dermatophytes: Current Advances and Perspectives. Curr Genomics 2016; 17:99-111. [PMID: 27226766 PMCID: PMC4864838 DOI: 10.2174/1389202917666151116212437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2015] [Revised: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are proteins whose transcription responds rapidly to temperature shifts. They constitute a family of molecular chaperones, involved in the proper folding and stabilisation of proteins under physiological and adverse conditions. HSPs also assist in the protection and recovery of cells exposed to a variety of stressful conditions, including heat. The role of HSPs extends beyond chaperoning proteins, as they also participate in diverse cellular functions, such as the assembly of macromolecular complexes, protein transport and sorting, dissociation of denatured protein aggregates, cell cycle control, and programmed cell death. They are also important antigens from a variety of pathogens, are able to stimulate innate immune cells, and are implicated in acquired immunity. In fungi, HSPs have been implicated in virulence, dimorphic transition, and drug resistance. Some HSPs are potential targets for therapeutic strategies. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of HSPs in dermatophytes, which are a group of keratinophilic fungi responsible for superficial mycoses in humans and animals. Computational analyses were performed to characterise the group of proteins in these dermatophytes, as well as to assess their conservation and to identify DNA-binding domains (5′-nGAAn-3′) in the promoter regions of the hsp genes. In addition, the quantification of the transcript levels of few genes in a pacC background helped in the development of an extended model for the regulation of the expression of the hsp genes, which supports the participation of the pH-responsive transcriptional regulator PacC in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilce M Martinez-Rossi
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Tiago R Jacob
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Pablo R Sanches
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Nalu T A Peres
- Present address: Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe, SE, Brazil
| | - Elza A S Lang
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Maíra P Martins
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Antonio Rossi
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Kachuei R, Yadegari MH, Safaie N, Ghiasian A, Noorbakhsh F, Piranfar V, Rezaie S. PCR - RFLP patterns for the differentiation of the Fusarium species in virtue of ITS rDNA. Curr Med Mycol 2015; 1:4-11. [PMID: 28680974 PMCID: PMC5490315 DOI: 10.18869/acadpub.cmm.1.1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Fusarium species are among the most important fungi in the medical, veterinary and agricultural fields. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present study, 172 strains of these fungi have been analyzed. The high molecular weight DNAs were extracted from 23 reference strains as well as from 149 isolated Fusarium species. Using the designed nucleotide primers from rDNA of Fusarium species, PCR analysis was performed for the amplification of ITS regions. Afterwards, the location of the effective endonuclease enzymes has been evaluated within approximately 930 bp of rDNA sequence. RESULTS Through the selected enzymes including; HhaI, MspI, TaqI and FaqI, the mentioned Fusarium species have been divided into 33 groups. The first three enzymes were able to classify Fusarium species into 23 groups of which 19 groups included one member, one group included two members and three groups included three members of the Fusarium species. This study also revealed the possibility in the identification of F. semitectum, F. solani complex, F. pseudograminearum, F. nisikadoi, F. coeruleum and F. acuminatum species by one unique enzyme. In addition, our study indicated the ability of the differentiation of F. Compactum from F. equiseti. CONCLUSION As Compared to previous studies with more endonuclease enzymes and with limited in identifications, the ITS-RFLP patterns reported here an attempted to evaluate most of the Fusarium species successfully.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kachuei
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medicine Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - M H Yadegari
- Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medicine Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - N Safaie
- Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - A Ghiasian
- Medical Parasitology and Mycology Department, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Hamadan, Iran
| | - F Noorbakhsh
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Science , Islamic Azad University-Pishva Varamin Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - V Piranfar
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - S Rezaie
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Public Health, Tehran University of Medial Sciences, Iran
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Biology of the heat shock response and protein chaperones: budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a model system. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2012; 76:115-58. [PMID: 22688810 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.05018-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 372] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic heat shock response is an ancient and highly conserved transcriptional program that results in the immediate synthesis of a battery of cytoprotective genes in the presence of thermal and other environmental stresses. Many of these genes encode molecular chaperones, powerful protein remodelers with the capacity to shield, fold, or unfold substrates in a context-dependent manner. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae continues to be an invaluable model for driving the discovery of regulatory features of this fundamental stress response. In addition, budding yeast has been an outstanding model system to elucidate the cell biology of protein chaperones and their organization into functional networks. In this review, we evaluate our understanding of the multifaceted response to heat shock. In addition, the chaperone complement of the cytosol is compared to those of mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, organelles with their own unique protein homeostasis milieus. Finally, we examine recent advances in the understanding of the roles of protein chaperones and the heat shock response in pathogenic fungi, which is being accelerated by the wealth of information gained for budding yeast.
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Montero-Barrientos M, Hermosa R, Cardoza RE, Gutiérrez S, Nicolás C, Monte E. Transgenic expression of the Trichoderma harzianum hsp70 gene increases Arabidopsis resistance to heat and other abiotic stresses. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2010; 167:659-65. [PMID: 20080316 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2009.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2009] [Revised: 11/12/2009] [Accepted: 11/15/2009] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The ability of some Trichoderma strains, a biological control agent, to overcome extreme environmental conditions has previously been reported and related to heat-shock proteins (HSPs). These proteins are induced environmentally and are involved in important processes, acting as molecular chaperones in all organisms. In a previous study, we demonstrated, by overexpression, that the Trichoderma harzianum hsp70 gene conferred tolerance to heat and other abiotic stresses to this fungus. In this work, we investigate the function of the T. harzianum T34 hsp70 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana. We analyze transgenic plant responses under adverse environmental conditions and the expression levels of a set of seven stress genes, using quantitative RT-PCR. As expected, transgenic plants expressing the T. harzianum hsp70 gene exhibited enhanced tolerance to heat stress. In addition, they did not show growth inhibition and, after heat pre-treatment, transgenic seedlings were more tolerant to osmotic, salt and oxidative stresses with respect to the wild-type behavior. Transgenic lines also had increased transcript levels of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 1 (SOS1) and ascorbate peroxidase 1 (APX1) genes, involved in salt and oxidative stress responses, respectively. However, the heat-shock factor (HSF) and four HSP genes tested were down-regulated in 35S:hsp70 plants. Overall, our results indicate that hsp70 confers tolerance to heat and other abiotic stresses and that the fungal HSP70 protein acts as a negative regulator of the HSF transcriptional activity in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Montero-Barrientos
- Centro Hispano-Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias (CIALE), Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca, Río Duero 12, 37185 Villamayor, Salamanca, Spain
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Trichomonas vaginalis: investigation of a novel diagnostic method in urine samples using cysteine proteinase 4 gene and PCR technique. Exp Parasitol 2010; 126:187-90. [PMID: 20434441 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2009] [Revised: 03/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is the agent of a highly prevalent sexually transmitted disease that leads to vaginitis, urethritis, ectocervicitis and has been associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Detection of T. vaginalis based on wet-mount microscopy and culture methods is insensitive and time consuming, respectively. Thus the quest for reliable PCR techniques of T. vaginalis in vaginal discharge and urine sample is more importance. In this study, 500 urine and vaginal-discharge samples were collected from women referred to Sexual Transmitted Disease Clinic of Mirzakuchakkhan Hospital in Tehran, Iran between May 2008 and March 2009. Wet-mount and culture methods were done on the vaginal discharges, and PCR assay targeting cysteine proteinase 4 (CP4) was performed on the urine samples. The present study demonstrated 16 (3.2%) of patients were infected with T. vaginalis using culture and wet-mount, whereas PCR assay using CP4 could detect 12 (2.4%) positivity. Sensitivity and specificity of urine PCR assay compared to culture were 80% (95% CI, 54-96) and 99.6% (95% CI, 98.96-100), respectively. These results indicate that using urine-based detection method for T. vaginalis may not be appropriate in women.
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Squina FM, Leal J, Cipriano VTF, Martinez-Rossi NM, Rossi A. Transcription of the Neurospora crassa 70-kDa class heat shock protein genes is modulated in response to extracellular pH changes. Cell Stress Chaperones 2010; 15:225-31. [PMID: 19618296 PMCID: PMC2866986 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-009-0131-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2009] [Revised: 06/25/2009] [Accepted: 06/30/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat shock proteins belong to a conserved superfamily of molecular chaperones found in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. These proteins are linked to a myriad of physiological functions. In this study, we show that the N. crassa hsp70-1 (NCU09602.3) and hsp70-2 (NCU08693.3) genes are preferentially expressed in an acidic milieu after 15 h of cell growth in sufficient phosphate at 30 degrees C. No significant accumulation of these transcripts was detected at alkaline pH values. Both genes accumulated to a high level in mycelia that were incubated for 1 h at 45 degrees C, regardless of the phosphate concentration and extracellular pH changes. Transcription of the hsp70-1 and hsp70-2 genes was dependent on the pacC (+) background in mycelia cultured under optimal growth conditions or at 45 degrees C. The pacC gene encodes a Zn-finger transcription factor that is involved in the regulation of gene expression by pH. Heat shock induction of these two hsp genes in mycelia incubated in low-phosphate medium was almost not altered in the nuc-1 (-) background under both acidic and alkaline pH conditions. The NUC-1 transcriptional regulator is involved in the derepression of nucleases, phosphatases, and transporters that are necessary for fulfilling the cell's phosphate requirements. Transcription of the hsp70-3 (NCU01499.3) gene followed a different pattern of induction-the gene was depressed under insufficient phosphate conditions but was apparently unaffected by alkalinization of the culture medium. Moreover, this gene was not induced by heat shock. These results reveal novel aspects of the heat-sensing network of N. crassa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio M. Squina
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
- Centro de Ciência e Tecnologia do Bioetanol-CTBE, Associação Brasileira de Tecnologia de Luz Síncrotron, Campinas, SP Brazil
| | - Juliana Leal
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
| | - Vivian T. F. Cipriano
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
| | - Nilce M. Martinez-Rossi
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
| | - Antonio Rossi
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
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Investigation of stored wheat mycoflora, reporting theFusarium cf.langsethiae in three provinces of Iran during 2007. ANN MICROBIOL 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03178344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Gene expression profiling in the human pathogenic dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum during growth on proteins. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2008; 8:241-50. [PMID: 19098130 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00208-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Dermatophytes are highly specialized filamentous fungi which cause the majority of superficial mycoses in humans and animals. The high secreted proteolytic activity of these microorganisms during growth on proteins is assumed to be linked to their particular ability to exclusively infect keratinized host structures such as the skin stratum corneum, hair, and nails. Individual secreted dermatophyte proteases were recently described and linked with the in vitro digestion of keratin. However, the overall adaptation and transcriptional response of dermatophytes during protein degradation are largely unknown. To address this question, we constructed a cDNA microarray for the human pathogenic dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum that was based on transcripts of the fungus grown on proteins. Profiles of gene expression during the growth of T. rubrum on soy and keratin protein displayed the activation of a large set of genes that encode secreted endo- and exoproteases. In addition, other specifically induced factors potentially implicated in protein utilization were identified, including heat shock proteins, transporters, metabolic enzymes, transcription factors, and hypothetical proteins with unknown functions. Of particular interest is the strong upregulation of key enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle in T. rubrum during growth on soy and keratin, namely, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase. This broad-scale transcriptional analysis of dermatophytes during growth on proteins reveals new putative pathogenicity-related host adaptation mechanisms of these human pathogenic fungi.
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Montero-Barrientos M, Hermosa R, Nicolás C, Cardoza RE, Gutiérrez S, Monte E. Overexpression of a Trichoderma HSP70 gene increases fungal resistance to heat and other abiotic stresses. Fungal Genet Biol 2008; 45:1506-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2008.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2008] [Revised: 09/02/2008] [Accepted: 09/03/2008] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Behzadi E, Behzadi P, Sirmatel F. Identification of 30-kDa heat shock protein gene in Trichophyton rubrum. Mycoses 2008; 52:234-8. [PMID: 18643918 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2008.01561.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are chaperones that are crucial in the heat shock response but also have important non-stress roles within the cell. HSP70 in Trichophyton rubrum is already detected and carefully characterised; however, no study was carried out for HSP30 in this pathogenic fungus. In the present study, T. rubrum was obtained from patients with dermatophytosis and cultured in appropriate conditions. High-molecular-weight DNA was extracted using standard extraction methods. Pairs of 21 nt primers were designed from highly conserved regions of the similar genes in other eukaryotic cells. Mentioned primers were utilised in PCR using isolated genomic DNA and extracted RNA templates of T. rubrum. The PCR fragments were then sequenced and 415 nucleotides of HSP30 in this pathogenic fungus were detected; the open reading frame had 156 nucleotides and was coding 51 amino acids. This gene (called TrHSP30) is registered in GenBank at National Center for Biotechnology Information (NIH, USA) database. Detection of TrHSP30 gene may open the way to determination of its possible role in the pathogenesis of dermatophyte infections due to T. rubrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Behzadi
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey
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The effect of griseofulvin on the gene regulation of β-tubulin in the dermatophyte pathogen Trichophyton rubrum. J Infect Chemother 2007; 13:373-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s10156-007-0552-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2007] [Accepted: 07/15/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Abstract
Heat-shock proteins (hsps) have been identified as molecular chaperones conserved between microbes and man and grouped by their molecular mass and high degree of amino acid homology. This article reviews the major hsps of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, their interactions with trehalose, the effect of fermentation and the role of the heat-shock factor. Information derived from this model, as well as from Neurospora crassa and Achlya ambisexualis, helps in understanding the importance of hsps in the pathogenic fungi, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus spp., Histoplasma capsulatum, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Trichophyton rubrum, Phycomyces blakesleeanus, Fusarium oxysporum, Coccidioides immitis and Pneumocystis jiroveci. This has been matched with proteomic and genomic information examining hsp expression in response to noxious stimuli. Fungal hsp90 has been identified as a target for immunotherapy by a genetically recombinant antibody. The concept of combining this antibody fragment with an antifungal drug for treating life-threatening fungal infection and the potential interactions with human and microbial hsp90 and nitric oxide is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Burnie
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Clinical Sciences Building, University of Manchester, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK.
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Uthman A, Dockal M, Söltz-Szöts J, Tschachler E. Fluconazole upregulates sconC expression and inhibits sulphur metabolism in Microsporum canis. Fungal Genet Biol 2005; 42:719-25. [PMID: 15922636 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2005.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2004] [Revised: 04/04/2005] [Accepted: 04/06/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Azole derivatives such as fluconazole are the mainstay of therapeutic agents for the treatment of fungal infections. Their mode of action involving alteration in the conversion of lanosterol to ergosterol is well established. Here we report the effect of fluconazole on the sulphur metabolism negative regulator gene (sconC) in Microsporum canis. Characterization of the M. canis sconC gene revealed that its ORF is comprised of 495bp interrupted by four introns of 47-70bp. Exposure of M. canis in suspension to fluconazole upregulates sconC mRNA level and protein expression as determined by Northern and Western blot analysis, respectively. Upregulation of sconC was accompanied by inhibition of sulphur metabolism of the fungus resulting in a greatly reduced incorporation of radioactive labelled sulphuric acid into fungal proteins. These data establish that in addition to its action on ergosterol synthesis, fluconazole acts on other biological pathways in fungal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aumaid Uthman
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Studies of Venero-Dermatological Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Cernila B, Cresnar B, Breskvar K. Molecular characterization of a ribosome-associated Hsp70-homologous gene from Rhizopus nigricans. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003; 1629:109-13. [PMID: 14522086 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbaexp.2003.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A ribosome-associated Hsp70-homologous gene (Rnssb-1) was isolated from the genomic library of the filamentous zygomycete fungus Rhizopus nigricans. The nucleotide sequence of a genomic clone encoded the N-terminal part of a protein with high similarity to the yeast SSB ribosome-associated chaperones. The missing 3' end of the gene was obtained by 3' RACE. The Northern blot analysis showed that the Rnssb-1 gene is constitutively expressed and is not induced upon heat shock at 37 degrees C. The primary structure analyses revealed that the coding region of the Rnssb-1 gene is interrupted by at least four introns. Their splicing was not inhibited by exposure of the organism to heat shock as proven by RT-PCR. A Southern blot analysis of R. nigricans genomic DNA confirmed the presence of two additional gene copies of ribosome-associated Hsp70 genes in the fungal genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bostjan Cernila
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
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Cernila B, Cresnar B, Breskvar K. Molecular characterization of genes encoding cytosolic Hsp70s in the zygomycete fungus Rhizopus nigricans. Cell Stress Chaperones 2003; 8:317-28. [PMID: 15115284 PMCID: PMC514903 DOI: 10.1379/1466-1268(2003)008<0317:mcogec>2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that some stressors, including steroid hormones 21-OH progesterone and testosterone, stimulate the accumulation of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) population in the zygomycete filamentous fungus Rhizopus nigricans. In this study we report the cloning of 3 R nigricans hsp70 genes (Rnhsp70-1, Rnhsp70-2, and Rnhsp70-3) encoding cytosolic Hsp70s. With a Southern blot experiment under high stringency conditions we did not detect any additional highly homologous copies of the cytosolic hsp70 genes in the R nigricans genome. Sequence analyses showed that all 3 genes contain introns within the open reading frame. The dynamics of the R nigricans molecular response to progesterone, 21-OH progesterone, and testosterone, as well as to heat shock, copper ions, hydrogen peroxide, and ethanol was studied by temporal analysis of Rnhsp70-1 and Rnhsp70-2 mRNA accumulation. Northern blot experiments revealed that the Rnhsp70-2 transcript level is not affected by testosterone, whereas mRNA levels of both genes are rapidly increased with all the other stressors studied. Moreover, the decrease of transcript levels is notably delayed in ethanol stress, and a difference is observed between the profiles of Rnhsp70-1 and Rnhsp70-2 transcripts during heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bostjan Cernila
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Qin W, Tyshenko MG, Wu BS, Walker VK, Robertson RM. Cloning and characterization of a member of the hsp70 gene family from Locusta migratoria, a highly thermotolerant insect. Cell Stress Chaperones 2003; 8:144-52. [PMID: 14627200 PMCID: PMC514866 DOI: 10.1379/1466-1268(2003)008<0144:cacoam>2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) and the corresponding gene segment encoding a member of the 70-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) family have been cloned and sequenced from Locusta migratoria, the African migratory locust. These animals are noted for their thermotolerance, which can exceed temperatures of 50 degrees C. Conceptually translated, the sequence shows a 654-residue protein with theoretical molecular weight of 71.4 kDa, which more closely resembles the mammalian Hsp70 (84-85% similarity) than Hsp70 from other insects, with approximately 75% similarity to the sequence from the fruit fly. Comparisons of cDNA and genomic sequences show that the gene contains 2 introns, a 245-bp intron located in the 5' untranslated region and a 91-bp intron in the coding region. Transcript abundance, as estimated by Northern blot analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, shows that heat shock treatment (45 degrees C for 3 hours) does not elevate hsp70 messenger ribonucleic acid levels in fat bodies or in neural tissues. Immunological assays of Hsp70 show that the protein is constitutively expressed, with a modest, approximately 2-fold induction after a 3-hour heat shock in fat body preparations. Although this sequence could be an hsc70 rather than an hsp70, it was the only cDNA isolated from heat-shocked tissue. Whatever the formal designation, such modest induction and constitutive expression may be ideally suited as an adaptation to the locust's chronic exposure to heat shock temperatures and the consequent demand for chaperone proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wensheng Qin
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6 Canada
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Uthman A, Rezaie S, Dockal M, Ban J, Söltz-Szöts J, Tschachler E. Fluconazole downregulates metallothionein expression and increases copper cytotoxicity in Microsporum canis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2002; 299:688-92. [PMID: 12470632 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-291x(02)02724-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Azole antifungals are widely used to treat infections with dermatophyte fungi. Whereas it is well established that this class of drugs interferes with fungal ergosterol synthesis, little is known about its potential other biological effects. Here we report the isolation and structural organization of Microsporum canis metallothionein gene and demonstrate that fluconazole is able to downregulate the baseline as well as copper-induced expression of this gene. Since this effect occurred within 30 min after exposure of the fungus to fluconazole, it is unlikely that it is due to impaired ergosterol synthesis. Our additional demonstration that fluconazole enhances copper toxicity for M. canis suggests that inhibition of metallothionein expression by fluconazole is biologically relevant and may represent an important additional mode of the antifungal action of this drug. Therefore our data indicate that antifungal effects of azole derivatives might not only be due to interference with cell wall synthesis but may also affect other biological circuits within the fungal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aumaid Uthman
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for venero-dermatological infection, University of Vienna Medical School, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
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