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Tian S, Rong C, Li H, Wu Y, Wu N, Chu Y, Jiang N, Zhang J, Shang H. Genetic microevolution of clinical Candida auris with reduced Amphotericin B sensitivity in China. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2398596. [PMID: 39234778 PMCID: PMC11385638 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2398596] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
The global rate of Amphotericin B (AmB) resistance in Candida auris has surpassed 12%. However, there is limited data on available clinical treatments and microevolutionary analyses concerning reduced AmB sensitivity. In this study, we collected 18 C. auris isolates from five patients between 2019 and 2022. We employed clinical data mining, genomic, and transcriptomic analyses to identify genetic evolutionary features linked to reduced AmB sensitivity in these isolates during clinical treatment. We identified six isolates with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AmB below 0.5 µg/mL (AmB0.5) and 12 isolates with an AmB-MIC of 1 µg/mL (AmB1) or ≥ 2 µg/mL (AmB2). All five patients received 24-hour AmB (5 mg/L) bladder irrigation treatment. Evolutionary analyses revealed an ERG3 (c923t) mutation in AmB1 C. auris. Additionally, AmB2 C. auris was found to contain a t2831c mutation in the RAD2 gene. In the AmB1 group, membrane lipid-related gene expression (ERG1, ERG2, ERG13, and ERG24) was upregulated, while in the AmB2 group, expression of DNA-related genes (e.g. DNA2 and PRI1) was up-regulated. In a series of C.auris strains with reduced susceptibility to AmB, five key genes were identified: two upregulated (IFF9 and PGA6) and three downregulated (HGT7, HGT13,and PRI32). In this study, we demonstrate the microevolution of reduced AmB sensitivity in vivo and further elucidate the relationship between reduced AmB sensitivity and low-concentration AmB bladder irrigation. These findings offer new insights into potential antifungal drug targets and clinical markers for the "super fungus", C. auris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sufei Tian
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Rong
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailong Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, The First Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yusheng Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunzhuo Chu
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Jiang
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingping Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Shang
- National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, The First Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
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2
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El Meouche I, Jain P, Jolly MK, Capp JP. Drug tolerance and persistence in bacteria, fungi and cancer cells: Role of non-genetic heterogeneity. Transl Oncol 2024; 49:102069. [PMID: 39121829 PMCID: PMC11364053 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A common feature of bacterial, fungal and cancer cell populations upon treatment is the presence of tolerant and persistent cells able to survive, and sometimes grow, even in the presence of usually inhibitory or lethal drug concentrations, driven by non-genetic differences among individual cells in a population. Here we review and compare data obtained on drug survival in bacteria, fungi and cancer cells to unravel common characteristics and cellular pathways, and to point their singularities. This comparative work also allows to cross-fertilize ideas across fields. We particularly focus on the role of gene expression variability in the emergence of cell-cell non-genetic heterogeneity because it represents a possible common basic molecular process at the origin of most persistence phenomena and could be monitored and tuned to help improve therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imane El Meouche
- Université Paris Cité, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, INSERM, IAME, F-75018 Paris, France.
| | - Paras Jain
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Jean-Pascal Capp
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, INSA/University of Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, Toulouse, France.
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3
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Szomek M, Akkerman V, Lauritsen L, Walther HL, Juhl AD, Thaysen K, Egebjerg JM, Covey DF, Lehmann M, Wessig P, Foster AJ, Poolman B, Werner S, Schneider G, Müller P, Wüstner D. Ergosterol promotes aggregation of natamycin in the yeast plasma membrane. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2024; 1866:184350. [PMID: 38806103 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2024.184350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Polyene macrolides are antifungal substances, which interact with cells in a sterol-dependent manner. While being widely used, their mode of action is poorly understood. Here, we employ ultraviolet-sensitive (UV) microscopy to show that the antifungal polyene natamycin binds to the yeast plasma membrane (PM) and causes permeation of propidium iodide into cells. Right before membrane permeability became compromised, we observed clustering of natamycin in the PM that was independent of PM protein domains. Aggregation of natamycin was paralleled by cell deformation and membrane blebbing as revealed by soft X-ray microscopy. Substituting ergosterol for cholesterol decreased natamycin binding and caused a reduced clustering of natamycin in the PM. Blocking of ergosterol synthesis necessitates sterol import via the ABC transporters Aus1/Pdr11 to ensure natamycin binding. Quantitative imaging of dehydroergosterol (DHE) and cholestatrienol (CTL), two analogues of ergosterol and cholesterol, respectively, revealed a largely homogeneous lateral sterol distribution in the PM, ruling out that natamycin binds to pre-assembled sterol domains. Depletion of sphingolipids using myriocin increased natamycin binding to yeast cells, likely by increasing the ergosterol fraction in the outer PM leaflet. Importantly, binding and membrane aggregation of natamycin was paralleled by a decrease of the dipole potential in the PM, and this effect was enhanced in the presence of myriocin. We conclude that ergosterol promotes binding and aggregation of natamycin in the yeast PM, which can be synergistically enhanced by inhibitors of sphingolipid synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Szomek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Vibeke Akkerman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Line Lauritsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Hanna-Loisa Walther
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Alice Dupont Juhl
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Katja Thaysen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Jacob Marcus Egebjerg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Douglas F Covey
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, USA
| | - Max Lehmann
- Institute for Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Pablo Wessig
- Institute for Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Alexander J Foster
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Bert Poolman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Stephan Werner
- Department of X-Ray Microscopy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Albert-Einstein-Str. 15, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerd Schneider
- Department of X-Ray Microscopy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Albert-Einstein-Str. 15, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Müller
- Department of Biology, Humboldt University Berlin, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Wüstner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.
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4
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Blake AD, Chao J, SantaMaria AM, Ekaputri S, Green KJ, Brown ST, Rakowski CK, Choi EK, Aring L, Chen PJ, Snead NM, Matje DM, Geng T, Octaviani A, Bailey K, Hollenbach SJ, Fan TM, Seo YA, Burke MD. Minimizing higher-order aggregation maximizes iron mobilization by small molecules. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:1282-1293. [PMID: 38664586 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01596-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
The natural product hinokitiol mobilizes iron across lipid bilayers at low concentrations and restores hemoglobinization in iron transporter protein-deficient systems. But hinokitiol fails to similarly mobilize iron at higher concentrations, limiting its uses in chemical biology and medicine. Here we show that at higher concentrations, hinokitiol3:Fe(III) complexes form large, higher-order aggregates, leading to loss of transmembrane iron mobilization. Guided by this understanding and systematic structure-function studies enabled by modular synthesis, we identified FeM-1269, which minimally aggregates and dose-dependently mobilizes iron across lipid bilayers even at very high concentrations. In contrast to hinokitiol, FeM-1269 is also well-tolerated in animals at high doses for extended periods of time. In a mouse model of anemia of inflammation, FeM-1269 increases serum iron, transferrin saturation, hemoglobin and hematocrit. This rationally developed iron-mobilizing small molecule has enhanced potential as a molecular prosthetic for understanding and potentially treating iron transporter deficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Blake
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | - Anna M SantaMaria
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Stella Ekaputri
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Kelsie J Green
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Samantha T Brown
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | - Eun-Kyung Choi
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Luisa Aring
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Peng-Jui Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Tao Geng
- Ambys Medicines, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Keith Bailey
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Timothy M Fan
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Young-Ah Seo
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Martin D Burke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Molecule Maker Lab Institute, Arnold and Mabel Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Champaign, IL, USA.
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5
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Gao Y, Cao Q, Xiao Y, Wu Y, Ding L, Huang H, Li Y, Yang J, Meng L. The progress and future of the treatment of Candida albicans infections based on nanotechnology. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:568. [PMID: 39285480 PMCID: PMC11406819 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02841-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic infection with Candida albicans poses a significant risk for people with weakened immune systems and carries a mortality rate of up to 60%. However, current therapeutic options have several limitations, including increasing drug tolerance, notable off-target effects, and severe adverse reactions. Over the past four decades, the progress in developing drugs to treat Candida albicans infections has been sluggish. This comprehensive review addresses the limitations of existing drugs and summarizes the efforts made toward redesigning and innovating existing or novel drugs through nanotechnology. The discussion explores the potential applications of nanomedicine in Candida albicans infections from four perspectives: nano-preparations for anti-biofilm therapy, innovative formulations of "old drugs" targeting the cell membrane and cell wall, reverse drug resistance therapy targeting subcellular organelles, and virulence deprivation therapy leveraging the unique polymorphism of Candida albicans. These therapeutic approaches are promising to address the above challenges and enhance the efficiency of drug development for Candida albicans infections. By harnessing nano-preparation technology to transform existing and preclinical drugs, novel therapeutic targets will be uncovered, providing effective solutions and broader horizons to improve patient survival rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- International Center for Synthetic Biology, School of Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Qinyan Cao
- International Center for Synthetic Biology, School of Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yuyang Xiao
- International Center for Synthetic Biology, School of Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yue Wu
- International Center for Synthetic Biology, School of Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Liang Ding
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - He Huang
- International Center for Synthetic Biology, School of Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yanan Li
- International Center for Synthetic Biology, School of Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Jingpeng Yang
- International Center for Synthetic Biology, School of Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Lingtong Meng
- International Center for Synthetic Biology, School of Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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6
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Schaefer S, Corrigan N, Brunke S, Lenardon MD, Boyer C. Combatting Fungal Infections: Advances in Antifungal Polymeric Nanomaterials. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:5670-5701. [PMID: 39177507 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens cause over 6.5 million life-threatening systemic infections annually, with mortality rates ranging from 20 to 95%, even with medical intervention. The World Health Organization has recently emphasized the urgent need for new antifungal drugs. However, the range of effective antifungal agents remains limited and resistance is increasing. This Review explores the current landscape of fungal infections and antifungal drugs, focusing on synthetic polymeric nanomaterials like nanoparticles that enhance the physicochemical properties of existing drugs. Additionally, we examine intrinsically antifungal polymers that mimic naturally occurring peptides. Advances in polymer characterization and synthesis now allow precise design and screening for antifungal activity, biocompatibility, and drug interactions. These antifungal polymers represent a promising new class of drugs for combating fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Schaefer
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Nathaniel Corrigan
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Megan D Lenardon
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Cyrille Boyer
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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7
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Huang Z, Xiao F, Wang Q, Zhang X, Shen Y, Deng Y, Shi P. BSC2 modulates AmB resistance via the maintenance of intracellular sodium/potassium ion homeostasis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Res Microbiol 2024:104245. [PMID: 39245192 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2024.104245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies on BSC2 have shown that it enhances yeast cell resistance to AmB via antioxidation and induces multidrug resistance by contributing to biofilm formation. Herein, we found that BSC2 overexpression could reverse the sensitivity of pmp3Δ to AmB and help the tested strains restore the intracellular sodium/potassium balance under exposure to AmB. Meanwhile, overexpression of the chitin gene CHS2 could simulate BSC2 to reverse the sensitivity of pmp3Δ and nha1Δ to high salt or AmB. However, BSC2 overexpression in flo11Δ failed to induce AmB resistance, form biofilms, and affect cell wall biogenesis, while CHS2 overexpression compensated the resistance of flo11Δ to AmB. Additionally, BSC2 levels were positively correlated with maintaining cell membrane integrity under exposure to AmB, CAS, or a combination of both. BSC2 overexpression in nha1Δ exhibited a similar function of CHS2, which can compensate for the sensitivity of the mutant to high salt. Altogether, the results demonstrate for the first time that BSC2 may promote ion equilibrium by strengthening cell walls and inhibiting membrane damage in a FLO path-dependent manner, thus enhancing the resistance of yeast cells to AmB. This study also reveals the possible mechanism of antifungal drugs CAS and AmB combined to inhibit fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Huang
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 Renmin Road, Shanghai, 201620, China.
| | - Fulong Xiao
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 Renmin Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Qiao Wang
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 Renmin Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Xiaojuan Zhang
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 Renmin Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Yuhu Shen
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810008, China; Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences of Qinghai University (Qinghai Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences), Xining, 810016, China
| | - Yunxia Deng
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 Renmin Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Ping Shi
- Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences of Qinghai University (Qinghai Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences), Xining, 810016, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
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8
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Zhen C, Wang L, Feng Y, Whiteway M, Hang S, Yu J, Lu H, Jiang Y. Otilonium Bromide Exhibits Potent Antifungal Effects by Blocking Ergosterol Plasma Membrane Localization and Triggering Cytotoxic Autophagy in Candida Albicans. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2406473. [PMID: 38995235 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202406473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Candidiasis, which presents a substantial risk to human well-being, is frequently treated with azoles. However, drug-drug interactions caused by azoles inhibiting the human CYP3A4 enzyme, together with increasing resistance of Candida species to azoles, represent serious issues with this class of drug, making it imperative to develop innovative antifungal drugs to tackle this growing clinical challenge. A drug repurposing approach is used to examine a library of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs, ultimately identifying otilonium bromide (OTB) as an exceptionally encouraging antifungal agent. Mechanistically, OTB impairs vesicle-mediated trafficking by targeting Sec31, thereby impeding the plasma membrane (PM) localization of the ergosterol transporters, such as Sip3. Consequently, OTB obstructs the movement of ergosterol across membranes and triggers cytotoxic autophagy. It is noteworthy that C. albicans encounters challenges in developing resistance to OTB because it is not a substrate for drug transporters. This study opens a new door for antifungal therapy, wherein OTB disrupts ergosterol subcellular distribution and induces cytotoxic autophagy. Additionally, it circumvents the hepatotoxicity associated with azole-mediated liver enzyme inhibition and avoids export-mediated drug resistance in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yanru Feng
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Malcolm Whiteway
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Sijin Hang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jinhua Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Hui Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yuanying Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
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9
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Huang Y, Su Y, Chen X, Xiao M, Xu Y. Insight into Virulence and Mechanisms of Amphotericin B Resistance in the Candida haemulonii Complex. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:615. [PMID: 39330375 DOI: 10.3390/jof10090615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Candida haemulonii complex includes emerging opportunistic human fungal pathogens with documented multidrug-resistance profiles. It comprises Candida haemulonii sensu stricto, Candida haemulonii var. vulnera, Candida duobushaemulonii, Candida pseudohaemulonii, and Candida vulturna. In recent years, rates of clinical isolation of strains from this complex have increased in multiple countries, including China, Malaysia, and Brazil. Biofilm formation, hydrolytic enzymes, surface interaction properties, phenotype switching and cell aggregation abilities, extracellular vesicles production, stress response, and immune evasion help these fungi to infect the host and exert pathological effects. Multidrug resistance profiles also enhance the threat they pose; they exhibit low susceptibility to echinocandins and azoles and an intrinsic resistance to amphotericin B (AMB), the first fungal-specific antibiotic. AMB is commonly employed in antifungal treatments, and it acts via several known mechanisms. Given the propensity of clinical Candida species to initiate bloodstream infections, clarifying how C. haemulonii resists AMB is of critical clinical importance. This review outlines our present understanding of the C. haemulonii complex's virulence factors, the mechanisms of action of AMB, and the mechanisms underlying AMB resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyan Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases (BZ0447), Beijing 100730, China
- Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yanyu Su
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases (BZ0447), Beijing 100730, China
- Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xinfei Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases (BZ0447), Beijing 100730, China
| | - Meng Xiao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases (BZ0447), Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yingchun Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases (BZ0447), Beijing 100730, China
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10
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Schaefer S, Vij R, Sprague JL, Austermeier S, Dinh H, Judzewitsch PR, Müller-Loennies S, Lopes Silva T, Seemann E, Qualmann B, Hertweck C, Scherlach K, Gutsmann T, Cain AK, Corrigan N, Gresnigt MS, Boyer C, Lenardon MD, Brunke S. A synthetic peptide mimic kills Candida albicans and synergistically prevents infection. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6818. [PMID: 39122699 PMCID: PMC11315985 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50491-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
More than two million people worldwide are affected by life-threatening, invasive fungal infections annually. Candida species are the most common cause of nosocomial, invasive fungal infections and are associated with mortality rates above 40%. Despite the increasing incidence of drug-resistance, the development of novel antifungal formulations has been limited. Here we investigate the antifungal mode of action and therapeutic potential of positively charged, synthetic peptide mimics to combat Candida albicans infections. Our data indicates that these synthetic polymers cause endoplasmic reticulum stress and affect protein glycosylation, a mode of action distinct from currently approved antifungal drugs. The most promising polymer composition damaged the mannan layer of the cell wall, with additional membrane-disrupting activity. The synergistic combination of the polymer with caspofungin prevented infection of human epithelial cells in vitro, improved fungal clearance by human macrophages, and significantly increased host survival in a Galleria mellonella model of systemic candidiasis. Additionally, prolonged exposure of C. albicans to the synergistic combination of polymer and caspofungin did not lead to the evolution of tolerant strains in vitro. Together, this work highlights the enormous potential of these synthetic peptide mimics to be used as novel antifungal formulations as well as adjunctive antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Schaefer
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Raghav Vij
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Jakob L Sprague
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sophie Austermeier
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Hue Dinh
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter R Judzewitsch
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sven Müller-Loennies
- Division of Biophysics, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Taynara Lopes Silva
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Eric Seemann
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Britta Qualmann
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Hertweck
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Kirstin Scherlach
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Gutsmann
- Division of Biophysics, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Amy K Cain
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Nathaniel Corrigan
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark S Gresnigt
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Cyrille Boyer
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Megan D Lenardon
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany.
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11
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Gupta P, Meher MK, Tripathi S, Poluri KM. Nanoformulations for dismantling fungal biofilms: The latest arsenals of antifungal therapy. Mol Aspects Med 2024; 98:101290. [PMID: 38945048 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2024.101290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Globally, fungal infections have evolved as a strenuous challenge for clinicians, particularly in patients with compromised immunity in intensive care units. Fungal co-infection in Covid-19 patients has made the situation more formidable for healthcare practitioners. Surface adhered fungal population known as biofilm often develop at the diseased site to elicit antifungal tolerance and recalcitrant traits. Thus, an innovative strategy is required to impede/eradicate developed biofilm and avoid the formation of new colonies. The development of nanocomposite-based antibiofilm solutions is the most appropriate way to withstand and dismantle biofilm structures. Nanocomposites can be utilized as a drug delivery medium and for fabrication of anti-biofilm surfaces capable to resist fungal colonization. In this context, the present review comprehensively described different forms of nanocomposites and mode of their action against fungal biofilms. Amongst various nanocomposites, efficacy of metal/organic nanoparticles and nanofibers are particularly emphasized to highlight their role in the pursuit of antibiofilm strategies. Further, the inevitable concern of nanotoxicology has also been introduced and discussed with the exigent need of addressing it while developing nano-based therapies. Further, a list of FDA-approved nano-based antifungal formulations for therapeutic usage available to date has been described. Collectively, the review highlights the potential, scope, and future of nanocomposite-based antibiofilm therapeutics to address the fungal biofilm management issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payal Gupta
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India; Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Demmed to be Unievrsity), Dehradun, 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar Meher
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Shweta Tripathi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Krishna Mohan Poluri
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India; Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India.
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12
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Yiu B, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Interdisciplinary approaches for the discovery of novel antifungals. Trends Mol Med 2024; 30:723-735. [PMID: 38777733 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.04.018] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi are an increasing public health concern. The emergence of antifungal resistance coupled with the scarce antifungal arsenal highlights the need for novel therapeutics. Fortunately, the past few years have witnessed breakthroughs in antifungal development. Here, we discuss pivotal interdisciplinary approaches for the discovery of novel compounds with efficacy against diverse fungal pathogens. We highlight breakthroughs in improving current antifungal scaffolds, as well as the utility of compound combinations to extend the lifespan of antifungals. Finally, we describe efforts to refine candidate chemical scaffolds by leveraging structure-guided approaches, and the use of functional genomics to expand our knowledge of druggable antifungal targets. Overall, we emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations in the endeavor to develop innovative antifungal strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie Yiu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1M1, Canada.
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13
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Han R, Borcik CG, Wang S, Warmuth OA, Geohring K, Mullen C, Incitti M, Stringer JA, Rienstra CM. Solid-State NMR 13C sensitivity at high magnetic field. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2024; 365:107709. [PMID: 38991265 PMCID: PMC11391299 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2024.107709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Sensitivity is the foundation of every NMR experiment, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) should increase with static (B0) magnetic field, by a proportionality that primarily depends on the design of the NMR probe and receiver. In the low B0 field limit, where the coil geometry is much smaller than the wavelength of the NMR frequency, SNR can increase in proportion to B0 to the power 7/4. For modern magic-angle spinning (MAS) probes, this approximation holds for rotor sizes up to 3.2 mm at 14.1 Tesla (T), corresponding to 600 MHz 1H and 151 MHz 13C Larmor frequencies. To obtain the anticipated benefit of larger coils and/or higher B0 fields requires a quantitative understanding of the contributions to SNR, utilizing standard samples and protocols that reproduce SNR measurements with high accuracy and precision. Here, we present such a systematic and comprehensive study of 13C SNR under MAS over the range of 14.1 to 21.1 T. We evaluate a range of probe designs utilizing 1.6, 2.5 and 3.2 mm rotors, including 24 different sets of measurements on 17 probe configurations using five spectrometers. We utilize N-acetyl valine as the primary standard and compare and contrast with other commonly used standard samples (adamantane, glycine, hexamethylbenzene, and 3-methylglutaric acid). These robust approaches and standard operating procedures provide an improved understanding of the contributions from probe efficiency, receiver noise figure, and B0 dependence in a range of custom-designed and commercially available probes. We find that the optimal raw SNR is obtained with balanced 3.2 mm design at 17.6 T, that the best mass-limited SNR is achieved with a balanced 1.6 mm design at 21.1 T, and that the raw SNR at 21.1 T reaches diminishing returns with rotors larger than 2.5 mm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixian Han
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Collin G Borcik
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Songlin Wang
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison (NMRFAM), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Owen A Warmuth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Chad M Rienstra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States; Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States; National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison (NMRFAM), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
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14
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Van Genechten W, Vergauwen R, Van Dijck P. The intricate link between iron, mitochondria and azoles in Candida species. FEBS J 2024; 291:3568-3580. [PMID: 37846606 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are rapidly increasing, and the opportunistic pathogenic Candida species are the fourth most common cause of nosocomial systemic infections. The current antifungal classes, of which azoles are the most widely used, all have shortcomings. Azoles are generally considered fungistatic rather than fungicidal, they do not actively kill fungal cells and therefore resistance against azoles can be rapidly acquired. Combination therapies with azoles provide an interesting therapeutic outlook and agents limiting iron are excellent candidates. We summarize how iron is acquired by the host and transported towards both storage and iron-utilizing organelles. We indicate whether these pathways alter azole susceptibility and/or tolerance, to finally link these transport mechanisms to mitochondrial iron availability. In this review, we highlight putative novel intracellular iron shuffling mechanisms and indicate that mitochondrial iron dynamics in relation to azole treatment and iron limitation is a significant knowledge gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Van Genechten
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rudy Vergauwen
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Belgium
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15
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Khalifa HO, Oreiby A, Abdelhamid MAA, Ki MR, Pack SP. Biomimetic Antifungal Materials: Countering the Challenge of Multidrug-Resistant Fungi. Biomimetics (Basel) 2024; 9:425. [PMID: 39056866 PMCID: PMC11274442 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9070425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In light of rising public health threats like antifungal and antimicrobial resistance, alongside the slowdown in new antimicrobial development, biomimetics have shown promise as therapeutic agents. Multidrug-resistant fungi pose significant challenges as they quickly develop resistance, making traditional antifungals less effective. Developing new antifungals is also complicated by the need to target eukaryotic cells without harming the host. This review examines biomimetic antifungal materials that mimic natural biological mechanisms for targeted and efficient action. It covers a range of agents, including antifungal peptides, alginate-based antifungals, chitosan derivatives, nanoparticles, plant-derived polyphenols, and probiotic bacteria. These agents work through mechanisms such as disrupting cell membranes, generating reactive oxygen species, and inhibiting essential fungal processes. Despite their potential, challenges remain in terms of ensuring biocompatibility, optimizing delivery, and overcoming potential resistance. Production scalability and economic viability are also concerns. Future research should enhance the stability and efficacy of these materials, integrate multifunctional approaches, and develop sophisticated delivery systems. Interdisciplinary efforts are needed to understand interactions between these materials, fungal cells, and the host environment. Long-term health and environmental impacts, fungal resistance mechanisms, and standardized testing protocols require further study. In conclusion, while biomimetic antifungal materials represent a revolutionary approach to combating multidrug-resistant fungi, extensive research and development are needed to fully realize their potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazim O. Khalifa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 1555, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Atef Oreiby
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt;
| | - Mohamed A. A. Abdelhamid
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejong-ro 2511, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea; (M.A.A.A.); (M.-R.K.)
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt
| | - Mi-Ran Ki
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejong-ro 2511, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea; (M.A.A.A.); (M.-R.K.)
- Institute of Industrial Technology, Korea University, Sejong-ro 2511, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Pil Pack
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejong-ro 2511, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea; (M.A.A.A.); (M.-R.K.)
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16
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Beenken A. Taking the amphoterism out of amphotericin: a wonder drug in the making. Kidney Int 2024; 106:9-12. [PMID: 38906655 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2024.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Beenken
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.
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17
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Tulloch LB, Tinti M, Wall RJ, Weidt SK, Corpas- Lopez V, Dey G, Smith TK, Fairlamb AH, Barrett MP, Wyllie S. Sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51) activity in Leishmania donovani is likely dependent upon cytochrome P450 reductase 1. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012382. [PMID: 38991025 PMCID: PMC11265716 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Liposomal amphotericin B is an important frontline drug for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis, a neglected disease of poverty. The mechanism of action of amphotericin B (AmB) is thought to involve interaction with ergosterol and other ergostane sterols, resulting in disruption of the integrity and key functions of the plasma membrane. Emergence of clinically refractory isolates of Leishmania donovani and L. infantum is an ongoing issue and knowledge of potential resistance mechanisms can help to alleviate this problem. Here we report the characterisation of four independently selected L. donovani clones that are resistant to AmB. Whole genome sequencing revealed that in three of the moderately resistant clones, resistance was due solely to the deletion of a gene encoding C24-sterol methyltransferase (SMT1). The fourth, hyper-resistant resistant clone (>60-fold) was found to have a 24 bp deletion in both alleles of a gene encoding a putative cytochrome P450 reductase (P450R1). Metabolic profiling indicated these parasites were virtually devoid of ergosterol (0.2% versus 18% of total sterols in wild-type) and had a marked accumulation of 14-methylfecosterol (75% versus 0.1% of total sterols in wild-type) and other 14-alpha methylcholestanes. These are substrates for sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51) suggesting that this enzyme may be a bona fide P450R specifically involved in electron transfer from NADPH to CYP51 during catalysis. Deletion of P450R1 in wild-type cells phenocopied the metabolic changes observed in our AmB hyper-resistant clone as well as in CYP51 nulls. Likewise, addition of a wild type P450R1 gene restored sterol profiles to wild type. Our studies indicate that P450R1 is essential for L. donovani amastigote viability, thus loss of this gene is unlikely to be a driver of clinical resistance. Nevertheless, investigating the mechanisms underpinning AmB resistance in these cells provided insights that refine our understanding of the L. donovani sterol biosynthetic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay B. Tulloch
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Tinti
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. Wall
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan K. Weidt
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Victoriano Corpas- Lopez
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Gourav Dey
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Terry K. Smith
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Alan H. Fairlamb
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
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18
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Kalra S, Tanwar S, Bari VK. Overexpression of PDR16 Confers Amphotericin B Resistance in a PMP3-Dependent Manner in Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Microb Drug Resist 2024; 30:279-287. [PMID: 38727600 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2024.0008] [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] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections in humans with compromised immune systems are the primary cause of morbidity and mortality, which is becoming more widely acknowledged. Amphotericin B (AmB) is one of the antifungal drugs used to treat such infections. AmB binds with plasma membrane ergosterol, inducing cellular ions to leak and causing cell death. Reduction in ergosterol content and modification of cell walls have been described as AmB resistance mechanisms. In addition, when the sphingolipid level is decreased, the cell becomes more susceptible to AmB. Previously, PDR16, a gene that encodes phosphatidylinositol transfer protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was shown to enhance AmB resistance upon overexpression. However, the mechanism of PDR16-mediated AmB resistance is not clear. Here, in this study, it was discovered that a plasma membrane proteolipid 3 protein encoded by PMP3 is essential for PDR16-mediated AmB resistance. PDR16-mediated AmB resistance does not depend on ergosterol, but a functional sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway is required. Additionally, PMP3-mediated alteration in membrane integrity abolishes PDR16 mediated AmB resistance, confirming the importance of PMP3 in the PDR16 mediated AmB resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sapna Kalra
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | - Sunita Tanwar
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | - Vinay Kumar Bari
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
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19
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Omelchuk O, Tevyashova A, Efimova S, Grammatikova N, Bychkova E, Zatonsky G, Dezhenkova L, Savin N, Solovieva S, Ostroumova O, Shchekotikhin A. A Study on the Effect of Quaternization of Polyene Antibiotics' Structures on Their Activity, Toxicity, and Impact on Membrane Models. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:608. [PMID: 39061290 PMCID: PMC11274224 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13070608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyene antibiotics have been used in antifungal therapy since the mid-twentieth century. They are highly valued for their broad spectrum of activity and the rarity of pathogen resistance to their action. However, their use in the treatment of systemic mycoses often results in serious side-effects. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in the development of new antifungal drugs based on polyenes, particularly due to the emergence of highly dangerous pathogenic strains of fungi, such as Candida auris, and the increased incidence of mucormycosis. Considerable understanding has been established regarding the structure-biological activity relationships of polyene antifungals. Yet, no previous studies have examined the effect of introducing quaternized fragments into their molecular structure. In this study, we present a series of amides of amphotericin B, nystatin, and natamycin bearing a quaternized group in the side chain, and discuss their biological properties: antifungal activity, cytotoxicity, and effects on lipid bilayers that mimic fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Our research findings suggest that the nature of the introduced quaternized residue plays a more significant role than merely the introduction of a constant positive charge. Among the tested polyenes, derivatives 4b, 5b, and 6b, which contain a fragment of N-methyl-4-(aminomethyl)pyridinium in their structure, are particularly noteworthy due to their biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Omelchuk
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics, 11 B. Pirogovskaya, Moscow 119021, Russia (G.Z.)
| | - Anna Tevyashova
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics, 11 B. Pirogovskaya, Moscow 119021, Russia (G.Z.)
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
| | - Svetlana Efimova
- Institute of Cytology, The Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Ave., St. Petersburg 194064, Russia; (S.E.); (O.O.)
| | - Natalia Grammatikova
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics, 11 B. Pirogovskaya, Moscow 119021, Russia (G.Z.)
| | - Elena Bychkova
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics, 11 B. Pirogovskaya, Moscow 119021, Russia (G.Z.)
| | - George Zatonsky
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics, 11 B. Pirogovskaya, Moscow 119021, Russia (G.Z.)
| | - Lyubov Dezhenkova
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics, 11 B. Pirogovskaya, Moscow 119021, Russia (G.Z.)
| | - Nikita Savin
- Research Laboratory of Biophysics, National University of Science and Technology “MISIS”, 4 p.1 Leninsky Pr., Moscow 119049, Russia
| | - Svetlana Solovieva
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics, 11 B. Pirogovskaya, Moscow 119021, Russia (G.Z.)
| | - Olga Ostroumova
- Institute of Cytology, The Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Ave., St. Petersburg 194064, Russia; (S.E.); (O.O.)
| | - Andrey Shchekotikhin
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics, 11 B. Pirogovskaya, Moscow 119021, Russia (G.Z.)
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20
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Izadi A, Paknia F, Roostaee M, Mousavi SAA, Barani M. Advancements in nanoparticle-based therapies for multidrug-resistant candidiasis infections: a comprehensive review. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 35:332001. [PMID: 38749415 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ad4bed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Candida auris, a rapidly emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, poses a global health threat, with cases reported in over 47 countries. Conventional detection methods struggle, and the increasing resistance ofC. auristo antifungal agents has limited treatment options. Nanoparticle-based therapies, utilizing materials like silver, carbon, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, polymer, and gold, show promise in effectively treating cutaneous candidiasis. This review explores recent advancements in nanoparticle-based therapies, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize antifungal therapy, particularly in combatingC. aurisinfections. The discussion delves into mechanisms of action, combinations of nanomaterials, and their application against multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens, offering exciting prospects for improved clinical outcomes and reduced mortality rates. The aim is to inspire further research, ushering in a new era in the fight against multidrug-resistant fungal infections, paving the way for more effective and targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Izadi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Medical Mycology and Bacteriology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Paknia
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-154, Iran
| | - Maryam Roostaee
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Seyed Amin Ayatollahi Mousavi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Medical Mycology and Bacteriology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahmood Barani
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Nano and Bio Science and Technology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr 75168, Iran
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21
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Efimova SS, Ostroumova OS. Antibiotic Loaded Phytosomes as a Way to Develop Innovative Lipid Formulations of Polyene Macrolides. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:665. [PMID: 38794328 PMCID: PMC11124810 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16050665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The threat of antibiotic resistance of fungal pathogens and the high toxicity of the most effective drugs, polyene macrolides, force us to look for new ways to develop innovative antifungal formulations. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine how the sterol, phospholipid, and flavonoid composition of liposomal forms of polyene antibiotics, and in particular, amphotericin B (AmB), affects their ability to increase the permeability of lipid bilayers that mimic the membranes of mammalian and fungal cells. METHODS To monitor the membrane permeability induced by various polyene-based lipid formulations, a calcein leakage assay and the electrophysiological technique based on planar lipid bilayers were used. KEY RESULTS The replacement of cholesterol with its biosynthetic precursor, 7-dehydrocholesterol, led to a decrease in the ability of AmB-loaded liposomes to permeabilize lipid bilayers mimicking mammalian cell membranes. The inclusion of plant flavonoid phloretin in AmB-loaded liposomes increased the ability of the formulation to disengage a fluorescent marker from lipid vesicles mimicking the membranes of target fungi. I-V characteristics of the fungal-like lipid bilayers treated with the AmB phytosomes were symmetric, demonstrating the functioning of double-length AmB pores and assuming a decrease in the antibiotic threshold concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND PERSPECTIVES The therapeutic window of polyene lipid formulations might be expanded by varying their sterol composition. Polyene-loaded phytosomes might be considered as the prototypes for innovative lipid antibiotic formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana S. Efimova
- Laboratory of Membrane and Ion Channel Modeling, Institute of Cytology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia;
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22
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Mathuria A, Ali N, Kataria N, Mani I. Drug repurposing for fungal infections. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 207:59-78. [PMID: 38942545 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.04.002] [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: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
The rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria is a well-recognized threat to world health, necessitating the implementation of effective treatments. This issue has been identified as a top priority on the global agenda by the World Health Organization. Certain strains, such as Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida lusitaniae, Candida auris, select cryptococcal species, and opportunistic Aspergillus or Fusarium species, have significant intrinsic resistance to numerous antifungal medicines. This inherent resistance and subsequent suboptimal clinical outcomes underscore the critical imperative for enhanced therapeutic alternatives and management protocols. The challenge of effectively treating fungal infections, compounded by the protracted timelines involved in developing novel drugs, underscores the pressing need to explore alternative therapeutic avenues. Among these, drug repurposing emerges as a particularly promising and expeditious solution, providing cost-effective solutions and safety benefits. In the fight against life-threatening resistant fungal infections, the idea of repurposing existing medications has encouraged research into both established and new compounds as a last-resort therapy. This chapter seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of contemporary antifungal drugs, as well as their key resistance mechanisms. Additionally, it seeks to provide insight into the antimicrobial properties of non-traditional drugs, thereby offering a holistic perspective on the evolving landscape of antifungal therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshu Mathuria
- Department of Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Namra Ali
- Department of Microbiology, Gargi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Naina Kataria
- Department of Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Indra Mani
- Department of Microbiology, Gargi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India.
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23
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Janik S, Luchowski R, Grela E, Grudzinski W, Gruszecki WI. How Does the Antibiotic Amphotericin B Enter Membranes and What Does It Do There? J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:4823-4827. [PMID: 38668706 PMCID: PMC11089563 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c00496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/15/2024]
Abstract
Amphotericin B is a popular antifungal antibiotic, but the exact way it works is still a matter of debate. Here, we used monolayers composed of phosphatidylcholine with ergosterol as a model of fungal lipid membranes to study drug incorporation from the aqueous phase and analyze the molecular reorganization of membranes underlying the biological activity of the antibiotic. The results show that the internalization of antibiotic molecules into membranes occurs only in the presence of ergosterol in the lipid phase. Comparison of images of solid-supported monolayers obtained by atomic force microscopy and lifetime imaging fluorescence microscopy shows the formation of intramembrane clusters of various sizes in the lipid phase, consisting mainly of antibiotic dimers and relatively large membrane pores (∼15 nm in diameter). The results reveal multiple modes of action of amphotericin B, acting simultaneously, each of which adversely affects the structural properties of the lipid membranes and their physiological functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Janik
- Department
of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria
Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Rafal Luchowski
- Department
of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria
Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
- Department
of Biophysics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Grela
- Department
of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria
Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
- Division
of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Grudzinski
- Department
of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria
Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Wieslaw I. Gruszecki
- Department
of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria
Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
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24
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Geremia N, Giovagnorio F, Colpani A, De Vito A, Caruana G, Meloni MC, Madeddu G, Panese S, Parisi SG. What do We Know about Cryptic Aspergillosis? Microorganisms 2024; 12:886. [PMID: 38792716 PMCID: PMC11124275 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptic Aspergillus species are increasingly recognized as pathogens involved in human disease. They are ubiquitarian fungi with high tenacity in their environment and can express various resistance mechanisms, often due to exposure to antifungal agents employed in agriculture and farming. The identification of such species is increasing thanks to molecular techniques, and a better description of this type of pathogen is granted. Nevertheless, the number of species and their importance in the clinical setting still need to be well studied. Furthermore, their cross-sectional involvement in animal disease, plants, and human activities requires a multidisciplinary approach involving experts from various fields. This comprehensive review aims to provide a sharp vision of the cryptic Aspergillus species, from the importance of correct identification to the better management of the infections caused by these pathogens. The review also accentuates the importance of the One Health approach for this kind of microorganism, given the interconnection between environmental exposure and aspergillosis, embracing transversely the multidisciplinary process for managing the cryptic Aspergillus species. The paper advocates the need for improving knowledge in this little-known species, given the burden of economic and health implications related to the diffusion of these bugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Geremia
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Dell’Angelo, 30174 Venice, Italy;
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Civile “S.S. Giovanni e Paolo”, 30122 Venice, Italy
| | - Federico Giovagnorio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (F.G.); (S.G.P.)
| | - Agnese Colpani
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.V.); (M.C.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Andrea De Vito
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.V.); (M.C.M.); (G.M.)
- Biomedical Science Department, School in Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giorgia Caruana
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Institute of microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maria Chiara Meloni
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.V.); (M.C.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Giordano Madeddu
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.V.); (M.C.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Sandro Panese
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Dell’Angelo, 30174 Venice, Italy;
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Civile “S.S. Giovanni e Paolo”, 30122 Venice, Italy
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25
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Kim Y. Fisetin-Mediated Perturbations of Membrane Permeability and Intracellular pH in Candida albicans. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 34:783-794. [PMID: 38213272 PMCID: PMC11091701 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2311.11027] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The antifungal activity of fisetin against Candida albicans is explored, elucidating a mechanism centered on membrane permeabilization and ensuing disruption of pH homeostasis. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of fisetin, indicative of its interaction with the fungal membrane, increases in the presence of ergosterol. Hoechst 33342 and propidium-iodide staining reveal substantial propidium-iodide accumulation in fisetin-treated C. albicans cells at their MIC, with crystal violet uptake assays confirming fisetin-induced membrane permeabilization. Leakage analysis demonstrates a significant release of DNA and proteins in fisetin-treated cells compared to controls, underscoring the antifungal effect through membrane disruption. Green fluorescence, evident in both the cytoplasm and vacuoles of fisetin-treated cells under BCECF, AM staining, stands in contrast to controls where only acidic vacuoles exhibit staining. Ratiometric pH measurements using BCECF, AM reveal a noteworthy reduction in intracellular pH in fisetin-treated cells, emphasizing its impact on pH homeostasis. DiBAC4(3) uptake assays demonstrate membrane hyperpolarization in fisetin-treated cells, suggesting potential disruptions in ion flux and cellular homeostasis. These results provide comprehensive insights into the antifungal mechanisms of fisetin, positioning it as a promising therapeutic agent against Candida infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younhee Kim
- Department of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, Jecheon 27136, Republic of Korea
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26
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Regen SL. Drug Design: Do Not Forget the Supramolecular Factor. Biochemistry 2024; 63:953-957. [PMID: 38545902 PMCID: PMC11025121 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
A major challenge currently facing medicinal chemists is designing agents that can selectively destroy drug resistant fungi and bacteria that have begun to emerge. One factor that has been overlooked by virtually all drug discovery/development approaches is the supramolecular factor, in which aggregated forms of a drug candidate exhibit low selectivity in destroying targeted cells while the corresponding monomers exhibit high selectivity. This Perspective discusses how we were led to the supramolecular factor through fundamental studies with simple model systems, how we reasoned that the selectivity of monomers of the antifungal agent amphotericin B should be much greater than the selectivity of the corresponding aggregates, and how we confirmed this hypothesis using derivatives of amphotericin B. In a broader context, these findings provide a strong rationale for considering the supramolecular factor in the design of new drug candidates and the testing of virtually all of them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven L. Regen
- Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
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27
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Puumala E, Fallah S, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Advancements and challenges in antifungal therapeutic development. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0014223. [PMID: 38294218 PMCID: PMC10938895 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00142-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Over recent decades, the global burden of fungal disease has expanded dramatically. It is estimated that fungal disease kills approximately 1.5 million individuals annually; however, the true worldwide burden of fungal infection is thought to be higher due to existing gaps in diagnostics and clinical understanding of mycotic disease. The development of resistance to antifungals across diverse pathogenic fungal genera is an increasingly common and devastating phenomenon due to the dearth of available antifungal classes. These factors necessitate a coordinated response by researchers, clinicians, public health agencies, and the pharmaceutical industry to develop new antifungal strategies, as the burden of fungal disease continues to grow. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the new antifungal therapeutics currently in clinical trials, highlighting their spectra of activity and progress toward clinical implementation. We also profile up-and-coming intracellular proteins and pathways primed for the development of novel antifungals targeting their activity. Ultimately, we aim to emphasize the importance of increased investment into antifungal therapeutics in the current continually evolving landscape of infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Puumala
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Fallah
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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28
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Melhem MSC, Leite Júnior DP, Takahashi JPF, Macioni MB, Oliveira LD, de Araújo LS, Fava WS, Bonfietti LX, Paniago AMM, Venturini J, Espinel-Ingroff A. Antifungal Resistance in Cryptococcal Infections. Pathogens 2024; 13:128. [PMID: 38392866 PMCID: PMC10891860 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Antifungal therapy, especially with the azoles, could promote the incidence of less susceptible isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complexes (SC), mostly in developing countries. Given that these species affect mostly the immunocompromised host, the infections are severe and difficult to treat. This review encompasses the following topics: 1. infecting species and their virulence, 2. treatment, 3. antifungal susceptibility methods and available categorical endpoints, 4. genetic mechanisms of resistance, 5. clinical resistance, 6. fluconazole minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), clinical outcome, 7. environmental influences, and 8. the relevance of host factors, including pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) parameters, in predicting the clinical outcome to therapy. As of now, epidemiologic cutoff endpoints (ECVs/ECOFFs) are the most reliable antifungal resistance detectors for these species, as only one clinical breakpoint (amphotericin B and C. neoformans VNI) is available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia S C Melhem
- Graduate Program in Sciences, Secretary of Health, São Paulo 01246-002, SP, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Tropical Diseases, State University of São Paulo, Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Juliana P F Takahashi
- Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil
- Pathology Division, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo 01246-002, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Lisandra Siufi de Araújo
- Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil
- Central Public Health Laboratory-LACEN, Mycology Unit, Adolfo Lutz Institut, São Paulo 01246-002, SP, Brazil
| | - Wellington S Fava
- Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil
| | - Lucas X Bonfietti
- Central Public Health Laboratory-LACEN, Mycology Unit, Adolfo Lutz Institut, São Paulo 01246-002, SP, Brazil
| | - Anamaria M M Paniago
- Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil
| | - James Venturini
- Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil
| | - Ana Espinel-Ingroff
- Central Public Health Laboratory-LACEN, Campo Grande 79074-460, MS, Brazil
- VCU Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
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29
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Schier C, Gruhlke MCH, Reucher G, Slusarenko AJ, Rink L. Combating Black Fungus: Using Allicin as a Potent Antifungal Agent against Mucorales. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17519. [PMID: 38139348 PMCID: PMC10743604 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal (IF) diseases are a leading global cause of mortality, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic further exacerbated this scenario, intensifying comorbid IF infections such as mucormycoses of the nasopharynx. In the work reported here, it is shown that zygomycetes, significant contributors to mycoses, are sensitive to the natural product allicin. Inhibition of Mucorales fungi by allicin in solution and by allicin vapor was demonstrated. Mathematical modeling showed that the efficacy of allicin vapor is comparable to direct contact with the commercially available antifungal agent amphotericin B (ampB). Furthermore, the study revealed a synergistic interaction between allicin and the non-volatile ampB. The toxicity of allicin solution to human cell lines was evaluated and it was found that the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of allicin was 25-72 times higher in the cell lines as compared to the fungal spores. Fungal allicin sensitivity depends on the spore concentration, as demonstrated in a drop test. This study shows the potential of allicin, a sulfur-containing defense compound from garlic, to combat zygomycete fungi. The findings underscore allicin's promise for applications in infections of the nasopharynx via inhalation, suggesting a novel therapeutic avenue against challenging fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Schier
- Department of Plant Physiology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (C.S.); (A.J.S.)
- Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Martin C. H. Gruhlke
- GENAWIF e.V.—Society for Natural Compound and Active Ingredient Research, Lukasstraße 1, 52070 Aachen, Germany;
- Institute of Applied Microbiology—iAMB, Aachener Biology and Biotechnology—ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Georg Reucher
- Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Alan J. Slusarenko
- Department of Plant Physiology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (C.S.); (A.J.S.)
- GENAWIF e.V.—Society for Natural Compound and Active Ingredient Research, Lukasstraße 1, 52070 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Lothar Rink
- Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
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30
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Ajetunmobi OH, Badali H, Romo JA, Ramage G, Lopez-Ribot JL. Antifungal therapy of Candida biofilms: Past, present and future. Biofilm 2023; 5:100126. [PMID: 37193227 PMCID: PMC10182175 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2023.100126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Virtually all Candida species linked to clinical candidiasis are capable of forming highly resistant biofilms on different types of surfaces, which poses an additional significant threat and further complicates therapy of these infections. There is a scarcity of antifungal agents, and their effectiveness, particularly against biofilms, is limited. Here we provide a historical perspective on antifungal agents and therapy of Candida biofilms. As we reflect upon the past, consider the present, and look towards the future of antifungal therapy of Candida biofilms, we believe that there are reasons to remain optimistic, and that the major challenges of Candida biofilm therapy can be conquered within a reasonable timeframe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olabayo H. Ajetunmobi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Hamid Badali
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jesus A. Romo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Gordon Ramage
- Glasgow Biofilm Research Network, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Jose L. Lopez-Ribot
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Corresponding author. Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA.
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31
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Boyce KJ. The Microevolution of Antifungal Drug Resistance in Pathogenic Fungi. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2757. [PMID: 38004768 PMCID: PMC10673521 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The mortality rates of invasive fungal infections remain high because of the limited number of antifungal drugs available and antifungal drug resistance, which can rapidly evolve during treatment. Mutations in key resistance genes such as ERG11 were postulated to be the predominant cause of antifungal drug resistance in the clinic. However, recent advances in whole genome sequencing have revealed that there are multiple mechanisms leading to the microevolution of resistance. In many fungal species, resistance can emerge through ERG11-independent mechanisms and through the accumulation of mutations in many genes to generate a polygenic resistance phenotype. In addition, genome sequencing has revealed that full or partial aneuploidy commonly occurs in clinical or microevolved in vitro isolates to confer antifungal resistance. This review will provide an overview of the mutations known to be selected during the adaptive microevolution of antifungal drug resistance and focus on how recent advances in genome sequencing technology have enhanced our understanding of this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie J Boyce
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3085, Australia
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32
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Synthetic drug kills fungi but spares kidney cells. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-03358-y. [PMID: 37938331 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-03358-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
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33
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Marcelino HR, Solgadi A, Chéron M, do Egito EST, Ponchel G. Exploring the permeability of Amphotericin B trough serum albumin dispersions and lipid nanocarriers for oral delivery. Int J Pharm 2023; 646:123444. [PMID: 37757958 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Amphotericin B (AmB) is a potent polyenic antifungal agent with leishmanicidal activity. Due to its low solubility and permeability in the gastrointestinal tract, AmB is usually administered intravenously. In this context, various approaches have been used to try to improve these properties. Some of the systems developed have shown proven successful, but there is still a lack of knowledge about the pathways AmB takes after oral administration. Therefore, the aim of this work was not only to obtain aqueous dispersions containing AmB at different aggregation states, but also to entrap this molecule in nanocarriers, and evaluate the influence of these conditions on the jejunal permeability of AmB. To observe the aggregation states of AmB, physicochemical characterization of AmB-albumin complexes and AmB-loaded formulations was performed. Different degrees of AmB aggregation states were obtained. Thus, permeability tests were performed in the Ussing chamber and a decrease in AmB concentration in the donor compartment was observed. Electrophysiological measurements showed different responses depending on the AmB formulation. In conclusion, although control of the AmB aggregation state was observed by physicochemical characterization, this approach does not seem to have a sufficient effect on AmB permeability, but on its toxicity. For a complete understanding of AmB-loaded nanocarriers, other pathways, such as lymphatic absorption, should also be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Rodrigues Marcelino
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences (PPgCSa), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal/RN 59012-570, Brazil; Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 8612, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay 91190, France; College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador/BA 40170-115, Brazil (Recent affiliation)
| | - Audrey Solgadi
- SFR IPSIT (Paris-Saclay Institute of Therapeutic Innovation), University Paris-Saclay, Orsay 91190, France
| | - Monique Chéron
- College of Pharmacy, University Paris-Saclay, Orsay 91190, France
| | | | - Gilles Ponchel
- Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 8612, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay 91190, France; College of Pharmacy, University Paris-Saclay, Orsay 91190, France
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Maji A, Soutar CP, Zhang J, Lewandowska A, Uno BE, Yan S, Shelke Y, Murhade G, Nimerovsky E, Borcik CG, Arango AS, Lange JD, Marin-Toledo JP, Lyu Y, Bailey KL, Roady PJ, Holler JT, Khandelwal A, SantaMaria AM, Sanchez H, Juvvadi PR, Johns G, Hageman MJ, Krise J, Gebremariam T, Youssef EG, Bartizal K, Marr KA, Steinbach WJ, Ibrahim AS, Patterson TF, Wiederhold NP, Andes DR, Pogorelov TV, Schwieters CD, Fan TM, Rienstra CM, Burke MD. Tuning sterol extraction kinetics yields a renal-sparing polyene antifungal. Nature 2023; 623:1079-1085. [PMID: 37938782 PMCID: PMC10883201 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06710-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Decades of previous efforts to develop renal-sparing polyene antifungals were misguided by the classic membrane permeabilization model1. Recently, the clinically vital but also highly renal-toxic small-molecule natural product amphotericin B was instead found to kill fungi primarily by forming extramembraneous sponge-like aggregates that extract ergosterol from lipid bilayers2-6. Here we show that rapid and selective extraction of fungal ergosterol can yield potent and renal-sparing polyene antifungals. Cholesterol extraction was found to drive the toxicity of amphotericin B to human renal cells. Our examination of high-resolution structures of amphotericin B sponges in sterol-free and sterol-bound states guided us to a promising structural derivative that does not bind cholesterol and is thus renal sparing. This derivative was also less potent because it extracts ergosterol more slowly. Selective acceleration of ergosterol extraction with a second structural modification yielded a new polyene, AM-2-19, that is renal sparing in mice and primary human renal cells, potent against hundreds of pathogenic fungal strains, resistance evasive following serial passage in vitro and highly efficacious in animal models of invasive fungal infections. Thus, rational tuning of the dynamics of interactions between small molecules may lead to better treatments for fungal infections that still kill millions of people annually7,8 and potentially other resistance-evasive antimicrobials, including those that have recently been shown to operate through supramolecular structures that target specific lipids9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Maji
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Molecule Maker Lab, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Corinne P Soutar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jiabao Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Agnieszka Lewandowska
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Brice E Uno
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Su Yan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Yogesh Shelke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Ganesh Murhade
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Evgeny Nimerovsky
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department for NMR-Based Structural Biology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Collin G Borcik
- Molecule Maker Lab, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Andres S Arango
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Justin D Lange
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | - Yinghuan Lyu
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Keith L Bailey
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Patrick J Roady
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Jordan T Holler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Anuj Khandelwal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Anna M SantaMaria
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hiram Sanchez
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Praveen R Juvvadi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | | | - Michael J Hageman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Joanna Krise
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | | | - Eman G Youssef
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute, Torrance, CA, USA
| | | | | | - William J Steinbach
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Ashraf S Ibrahim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute, Torrance, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thomas F Patterson
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Nathan P Wiederhold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - David R Andes
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Taras V Pogorelov
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- National Center for Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Charles D Schwieters
- Computational Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance Core, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Timothy M Fan
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Chad M Rienstra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Martin D Burke
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Carle-Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA.
- Molecule Maker Lab Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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Wang L, Lu H, Jiang Y. Natural Polyketides Act as Promising Antifungal Agents. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1572. [PMID: 38002254 PMCID: PMC10669366 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections present a significant risk to human health. The current arsenal of antifungal drugs is hindered by drug resistance, limited antifungal range, inadequate safety profiles, and low oral bioavailability. Consequently, there is an urgent imperative to develop novel antifungal medications for clinical application. This comprehensive review provides a summary of the antifungal properties and mechanisms exhibited by natural polyketides, encompassing macrolide polyethers, polyether polyketides, xanthone polyketides, linear polyketides, hybrid polyketide non-ribosomal peptides, and pyridine derivatives. Investigating natural polyketide compounds and their derivatives has demonstrated their remarkable efficacy and promising clinical application as antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hui Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China;
| | - Yuanying Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China;
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36
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Munzen ME, Reguera Gomez M, Hamed MF, Enriquez V, Charles-Niño CL, Dores MR, Alviña K, Martinez LR. Palmitoylethanolamide shows limited efficacy in controlling cerebral cryptococcosis in vivo. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0045923. [PMID: 37750714 PMCID: PMC10583666 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00459-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is an encapsulated neurotropic fungal pathogen and the causative agent of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CME) in humans. Recommended treatment for CME is Amphotericin B (AmpB) and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). Though effective, AmpB has displayed numerous adverse side effects due to its potency and nephrotoxicity, prompting investigation into alternative treatments. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an immunomodulatory compound capable of promoting neuroprotection and reducing inflammation. To investigate the efficacy of PEA as a therapeutic alternative for CME, we intracerebrally infected mice with Cn and treated them with PEA or AmpB alone or in combination. Our results demonstrate that PEA alone does not significantly prolong survival nor reduce fungal burden, but when combined with AmpB, PEA exerts an additive effect and promotes both survivability and fungal clearance. However, we compared this combination to traditional AmpB and 5-FC treatment in a survivability study and observed lower efficacy. Overall, our study revealed that PEA alone is not effective as an antifungal agent in the treatment of CME. Importantly, we describe the therapeutic capability of PEA in the context of Cn infection and show that its immunomodulatory properties may confer limited protection when combined with an effective fungicidal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa E. Munzen
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Marta Reguera Gomez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Mohamed F. Hamed
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Vanessa Enriquez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Claudia L. Charles-Niño
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Michael R. Dores
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, USA
| | - Karina Alviña
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Luis R. Martinez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Immunology and Transplantation, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Abstract
Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that presents a serious threat to global human health. Since the first reported case in 2009 in Japan, C. auris infections have been reported in more than 40 countries, with mortality rates between 30% and 60%. In addition, C. auris has the potential to cause outbreaks in health care settings, especially in nursing homes for elderly patients, owing to its efficient transmission via skin-to-skin contact. Most importantly, C. auris is the first fungal pathogen to show pronounced and sometimes untreatable clinical drug resistance to all known antifungal classes, including azoles, amphotericin B, and echinocandins. In this review, we explore the causes of the rapid spread of C. auris. We also highlight its genome organization and drug resistance mechanisms and propose future research directions that should be undertaken to curb the spread of this multidrug-resistant pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Chowdhary
- Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India;
- National Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance in Fungal Pathogens, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Kusum Jain
- Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India;
| | - Neeraj Chauhan
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
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38
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Choy HL, Gaylord EA, Doering TL. Ergosterol distribution controls surface structure formation and fungal pathogenicity. mBio 2023; 14:e0135323. [PMID: 37409809 PMCID: PMC10470819 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01353-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ergosterol, the major sterol in fungal membranes, is critical for defining membrane fluidity and regulating cellular processes. Although ergosterol synthesis has been well defined in model yeast, little is known about sterol organization in the context of fungal pathogenesis. We identified a retrograde sterol transporter, Ysp2, in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. We found that the lack of Ysp2 under host-mimicking conditions leads to abnormal accumulation of ergosterol at the plasma membrane, invagination of the plasma membrane, and malformation of the cell wall, which can be functionally rescued by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis with the antifungal drug fluconazole. We also observed that cells lacking Ysp2 mislocalize the cell surface protein Pma1 and have abnormally thin and permeable capsules. As a result of perturbed ergosterol distribution and its consequences, ysp2∆ cells cannot survive in physiologically relevant environments such as host phagocytes and are dramatically attenuated in virulence. These findings expand our knowledge of cryptococcal biology and underscore the importance of sterol homeostasis in fungal pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that kills over 100,000 people worldwide each year. Only three drugs are available to treat cryptococcosis, and these are variously limited by toxicity, availability, cost, and resistance. Ergosterol is the most abundant sterol in fungi and a key component in modulating membrane behavior. Two of the drugs used for cryptococcal infection, amphotericin B and fluconazole, target this lipid and its synthesis, highlighting its importance as a therapeutic target. We discovered a cryptococcal ergosterol transporter, Ysp2, and demonstrated its key roles in multiple aspects of cryptococcal biology and pathogenesis. These studies demonstrate the role of ergosterol homeostasis in C. neoformans virulence, deepen our understanding of a pathway with proven therapeutic importance, and open a new area of study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hau Lam Choy
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Gaylord
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Tamara L. Doering
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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39
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Johnston EJ, Tallis J, Cunningham-Oakes E, Moses T, Moore SJ, Hosking S, Rosser SJ. Yeast lacking the sterol C-5 desaturase Erg3 are tolerant to the anti-inflammatory triterpenoid saponin escin. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13617. [PMID: 37604855 PMCID: PMC10442444 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40308-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Escin is a mixture of over 30 glycosylated triterpenoid (saponin) structures, extracted from the dried fruit of horse chestnuts. Escin is currently used as an anti-inflammatory, and has potential applications in the treatment of arthritis and cancer. Engineered yeast would enable production of specific bioactive components of escin at industrial scale, however many saponins have been shown to be toxic to yeast. Here we report that a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain specifically lacking the sterol C-5 desaturase gene ERG3, exhibits striking enhanced tolerance to escin treatment. Transcriptome analyses, as well as pre-mixing of escin with sterols, support the hypothesis that escin interacts directly with ergosterol, but not as strongly with the altered sterols present in erg3Δ. A diverse range of saponins are of commercial interest, and this research highlights the value of screening lipidome mutants to identify appropriate hosts for engineering the industrial production of saponins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Johnston
- Centre for Engineering Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3BD, UK.
| | - Jess Tallis
- Centre for Engineering Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3BD, UK
| | - Edward Cunningham-Oakes
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Tessa Moses
- EdinOmics, RRID:SCR_021838, University of Edinburgh, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Simon J Moore
- Genetic Science Division, Thermo Fisher Scientific, 7 Kingsland Grange, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 4SR, UK
| | - Sarah Hosking
- Unilever R&D Port Sunlight, Quarry Road East, Bebington, Wirral, CH63 3JW, UK
| | - Susan J Rosser
- Centre for Engineering Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3BD, UK.
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40
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Scott NE, Edwin Erayil S, Kline SE, Selmecki A. Rapid Evolution of Multidrug Resistance in a Candida lusitaniae Infection during Micafungin Monotherapy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0054323. [PMID: 37428075 PMCID: PMC10433866 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00543-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida (Clavispora) lusitaniae is a rare, emerging non-albicans Candida species that can cause life-threatening invasive infections, spread within hospital settings, and rapidly acquire antifungal drug resistance, including multidrug resistance. The frequency and spectrum of mutations causing antifungal drug resistance in C. lusitaniae are poorly understood. Analyses of serial clinical isolates of any Candida species are uncommon and often analyze a limited number of samples collected over months of antifungal therapy with multiple drug classes, limiting the ability to understand relationships between drug classes and specific mutations. Here, we performed comparative genomic and phenotypic analysis of 20 serial C. lusitaniae bloodstream isolates collected daily from an individual patient treated with micafungin monotherapy during a single 11-day hospital admission. We identified isolates with decreased micafungin susceptibility 4 days after initiation of antifungal therapy and a single isolate with increased cross-resistance to micafungin and fluconazole, despite no history of azole therapy in this patient. Only 14 unique single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified between all 20 samples, including three different FKS1 alleles among isolates with decreased micafungin susceptibility and an ERG3 missense mutation found only in the isolate with increased cross-resistance to both micafungin and fluconazole. This is the first clinical evidence of an ERG3 mutation in C. lusitaniae that occurred during echinocandin monotherapy and is associated with cross-resistance to multiple drug classes. Overall, the evolution of multidrug resistance in C. lusitaniae is rapid and can emerge during treatment with only first-line antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy E. Scott
- University of Minnesota, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- University of Minnesota, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Serin Edwin Erayil
- University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Susan E. Kline
- University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Anna Selmecki
- University of Minnesota, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- University of Minnesota, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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41
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Zhu G, Chen S, Zhang Y, Lu L. Mitochondrial Membrane-Associated Protein Mba1 Confers Antifungal Resistance by Affecting the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species in Aspergillus fumigatus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0022523. [PMID: 37428039 PMCID: PMC10433838 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00225-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Azole resistance in the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is becoming a major threat to global health. To date, mutations in the azole target-encoding cyp51A gene have been implicated in conferring azole resistance, but a steady increase in the number of A. fumigatus isolates with azole resistance resulting from non-cyp51A mutations has been recognized. Previous studies have revealed that some isolates with non-cyp51A mutation-induced azole resistance are related to mitochondrial dysfunction. However, knowledge of the molecular mechanism underlying the involvement of non-cyp51A mutations is limited. In this study, using next-generation sequencing, we found that nine independent azole-resistant isolates without cyp51A mutations had normal mitochondrial membrane potential. Among these isolates, a mutation in a mitochondrial ribosome-binding protein, Mba1, conferred multidrug resistance to azoles, terbinafine, and amphotericin B but not caspofungin. Molecular characterization verified that the TIM44 domain of Mba1 was crucial for drug resistance and that the N terminus of Mba1 played a major role in growth. Deletion of mba1 had no effect on Cyp51A expression but decreased the fungal cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, which contributed to mba1-mediated drug resistance. The findings in this study suggest that some non-cyp51A proteins drive drug resistance mechanisms that result from reduced ROS production induced by antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxing Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shu Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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42
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Hetta HF, Ramadan YN, Al-Kadmy IMS, Ellah NHA, Shbibe L, Battah B. Nanotechnology-Based Strategies to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris Infections. Pathogens 2023; 12:1033. [PMID: 37623993 PMCID: PMC10458664 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
An emerging multidrug-resistant pathogenic yeast called Candida auris has a high potential to spread quickly among hospitalized patients and immunodeficient patients causing nosocomial outbreaks. It has the potential to cause pandemic outbreaks in about 45 nations with high mortality rates. Additionally, the fungus has become resistant to decontamination techniques and can survive for weeks in a hospital environment. Nanoparticles might be a good substitute to treat illnesses brought on by this newly discovered pathogen. Nanoparticles have become a trend and hot topic in recent years to combat this fatal fungus. This review gives a general insight into the epidemiology of C. auris and infection. It discusses the current conventional therapy and mechanism of resistance development. Furthermore, it focuses on nanoparticles, their different types, and up-to-date trials to evaluate the promising efficacy of nanoparticles with respect to C. auris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helal F. Hetta
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt;
| | - Yasmin N. Ramadan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt;
| | - Israa M. S. Al-Kadmy
- Branch of Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad P.O. Box 10244, Iraq;
| | - Noura H. Abd Ellah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt;
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Assiut, Naser City, Assiut 2014101, Egypt
| | - Lama Shbibe
- Faculty of Science, Damascus University, Damascus 97009, Syria;
| | - Basem Battah
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Syrian Private University (SPU), Daraa International Highway, Damascus 36822, Syria
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43
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Della Ripa LA, Courtney JM, Phinney SM, Borcik CG, Burke MD, Rienstra CM, Pogorelov TV. Segmental Dynamics of Membranous Cholesterol are Coupled. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:15043-15048. [PMID: 37410392 PMCID: PMC10638920 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c01775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Cholesterol promotes the structural integrity of the fluid cell membrane and interacts dynamically with many membrane proteins to regulate function. Understanding site-resolved cholesterol structural dynamics is thus important. This long-standing challenge has thus far been addressed, in part, by selective isotopic labeling approaches. Here we present a new 3D solid-state NMR (SSNMR) experiment utilizing scalar 13C-13C polarization transfer and recoupling of the 1H-13C interactions in order to determine average dipolar couplings for all 1H-13C vectors in uniformly 13C-enriched cholesterol. The experimentally determined order parameters (OP) agree exceptionally well with molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories and reveal coupling among several conformational degrees of freedom in cholesterol molecules. Quantum chemistry shielding calculations further support this conclusion and specifically demonstrate that ring tilt and rotation are coupled to changes in tail conformation and that these coupled segmental dynamics dictate the orientation of cholesterol. These findings advance our understanding of physiologically relevant dynamics of cholesterol, and the methods that revealed them have broader potential to characterize how structural dynamics of other small molecules impact their biological functions.
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44
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Lee Y, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Molecular mechanisms governing antifungal drug resistance. NPJ ANTIMICROBIALS AND RESISTANCE 2023; 1:5. [PMID: 38686214 PMCID: PMC11057204 DOI: 10.1038/s44259-023-00007-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens are a severe public health problem. The leading causative agents of systemic fungal infections include species from the Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus genera. As opportunistic pathogens, these fungi are generally harmless in healthy hosts; however, they can cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Despite the profound impact of pathogenic fungi on global human health, the current antifungal armamentarium is limited to only three major classes of drugs, all of which face complications, including host toxicity, unfavourable pharmacokinetics, or limited spectrum of activity. Further exacerbating this issue is the growing prevalence of antifungal-resistant infections and the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens. In this review, we discuss the diverse strategies employed by leading fungal pathogens to evolve antifungal resistance, including drug target alterations, enhanced drug efflux, and induction of cellular stress response pathways. Such mechanisms of resistance occur through diverse genetic alterations, including point mutations, aneuploidy formation, and epigenetic changes given the significant plasticity observed in many fungal genomes. Additionally, we highlight recent literature surrounding the mechanisms governing resistance in emerging multidrug-resistant pathogens including Candida auris and Candida glabrata. Advancing our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms by which fungi adapt to the challenge of antifungal exposure is imperative for designing therapeutic strategies to tackle the emerging threat of antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjin Lee
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1 Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1 Canada
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1 Canada
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Madaan K, Bari VK. Emerging Role of Sphingolipids in Amphotericin B Drug Resistance. Microb Drug Resist 2023. [PMID: 37327022 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2022.0353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections in humans are common in people with compromised immune systems and are difficult to treat, resulting in high mortality. Amphotericin B (AmB) is one of the main antifungal drugs available to treat these infections. AmB binds with plasma membrane ergosterol, causing leakage of cellular ions and promoting cell death. The increasing use of available antifungal drugs to combat pathogenic fungal infections has led to the development of drug resistance. AmB resistance is not very common and is usually caused by changes in the amount or type of ergosterol or changes in the cell wall. Intrinsic AmB resistance occurs in the absence of AmB exposure, whereas acquired AmB resistance can develop during treatment. However, clinical resistance arises due to treatment failure with AmB and depends on multiple factors such as the pharmacokinetics of AmB, infectious fungal species, and host immune status. Candida albicans is a common opportunistic pathogen that can cause superficial infections of the skin and mucosal surfaces, thrush, to life-threatening systemic or invasive infections. In addition, immunocompromised individuals are more susceptible to systemic infections caused by Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus. Several antifungal drugs with different modes of action are used to treat systemic to invasive fungal infections and are approved for clinical use in the treatment of fungal diseases. However, C. albicans can develop a variety of defenses against antifungal medications. In fungi, plasma membrane sphingolipid molecules could interact with ergosterol, which can lead to the alteration of drug susceptibilities such as AmB. In this review, we mainly summarize the role of sphingolipid molecules and their regulators in AmB resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kashish Madaan
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | - Vinay Kumar Bari
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
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Janik S, Grela E, Stączek S, Zdybicka-Barabas A, Luchowski R, Gruszecki WI, Grudzinski W. Amphotericin B-Silver Hybrid Nanoparticles Help to Unveil the Mechanism of Biological Activity of the Antibiotic: Disintegration of Cell Membranes. Molecules 2023; 28:4687. [PMID: 37375242 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphotericin B is a popular antifungal antibiotic, and despite decades of pharmacological application, the exact mode of its biological activity is still a matter of debate. Amphotericin B-silver hybrid nanoparticles (AmB-Ag) have been reported to be an extremely effective form of this antibiotic to combat fungi. Here, we analyze the interaction of AmB-Ag with C. albicans cells with the application of molecular spectroscopy and imaging techniques, including Raman scattering and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy. The results lead to the conclusion that among the main molecular mechanisms responsible for the antifungal activity of AmB is the disintegration of the cell membrane, which occurs on a timescale of minutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Janik
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Grela
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sylwia Stączek
- Department of Immunobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Zdybicka-Barabas
- Department of Immunobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Rafal Luchowski
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Wieslaw I Gruszecki
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Wojciech Grudzinski
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
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47
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Chen MM, Shi GH, Dai Y, Fang WX, Wu Q. Identifying genetic variants associated with amphotericin B (AMB) resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus via k-mer -based GWAS. Front Genet 2023; 14:1133593. [PMID: 37229189 PMCID: PMC10203564 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1133593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the most common pathogenic fungi, which results in high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Amphotericin B (AMB) is used as the core drug for the treatment of triazole-resistant A. fumigatus. Following the usage of amphotericin B drugs, the number of amphotericin B-resistant A. fumigatus isolates showed an increasing trend over the years, but the mechanism and mutations associated with amphotericin B sensitivity are not fully understood. In this study, we performed a k-mer-based genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 98 A. fumigatus isolates from public databases. Associations identified with k-mers not only recapitulate those with SNPs but also discover new associations with insertion/deletion (indel). Compared to SNP sites, the indel showed a stronger association with amphotericin B resistance, and a significant correlated indel is present in the exon region of AFUA_7G05160, encoding a fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) family protein. Enrichment analysis revealed sphingolipid synthesis and transmembrane transport may be related to the resistance of A. fumigatus to amphotericin B. The expansion of variant types detected by the k-mer method increases opportunities to identify and exploit complex genetic variants that drive amphotericin B resistance, and these candidate variants help accelerate the selection of prospective gene markers for amphotericin B resistance screening in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Meng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guo-Hui Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Xia Fang
- Guangxi Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Center, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Qi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Costa-Orlandi CB, Bila NM, Bonatti JLC, Vaso CO, Santos MB, Polaquini CR, Santoni Biasioli MM, Herculano RD, Regasini LO, Fusco-Almeida AM, Mendes-Giannini MJS. Membranolytic Activity Profile of Nonyl 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoate: A New Anti-Biofilm Compound for the Treatment of Dermatophytosis. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051402. [PMID: 37242644 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of dermatophytes to live in communities and resist antifungal drugs may explain treatment recurrence, especially in onychomycosis. Therefore, new molecules with reduced toxicity that target dermatophyte biofilms should be investigated. This study evaluated nonyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (nonyl) susceptibility and mechanism of action on planktonic cells and biofilms of T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes. Metabolic activities, ergosterol, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were quantified, and the expression of genes encoding ergosterol was determined by real-time PCR. The effects on the biofilm structure were visualized using confocal electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes biofilms were susceptible to nonyl and resistant to fluconazole, griseofulvin (all strains), and terbinafine (two strains). The SEM results revealed that nonyl groups seriously damaged the biofilms, whereas synthetic drugs caused little or no damage and, in some cases, stimulated the development of resistance structures. Confocal microscopy showed a drastic reduction in biofilm thickness, and transmission electron microscopy results indicated that the compound promoted the derangement and formation of pores in the plasma membrane. Biochemical and molecular assays indicated that fungal membrane ergosterol is a nonyl target. These findings show that nonyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate is a promising antifungal compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline B Costa-Orlandi
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (U.N.E.S.P.), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Níura M Bila
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (U.N.E.S.P.), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil
- Department of Para-Clinic, School of Veterinary, Eduardo Modlane University (UEM), Maputo 257, Mozambique
| | - Jean Lucas C Bonatti
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (U.N.E.S.P.), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Carolina O Vaso
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (U.N.E.S.P.), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana B Santos
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (U.N.E.S.P.), Sao Jose do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos R Polaquini
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (U.N.E.S.P.), Sao Jose do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana M Santoni Biasioli
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (U.N.E.S.P.), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Rondinelli D Herculano
- Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (U.N.E.S.P.), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Luis O Regasini
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (U.N.E.S.P.), Sao Jose do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (U.N.E.S.P.), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria José S Mendes-Giannini
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (U.N.E.S.P.), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil
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Li W, Long Y, Yin X, Wang W, Zhang R, Mo F, Zhang Z, Chen T, Chen J, Wang B, Chen X. Antifungal activity and mechanism of tetramycin against Alternaria alternata, the soft rot causing fungi in kiwifruit. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 192:105409. [PMID: 37105636 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Kiwifruit rot caused by the fungus Alternaria alternata occurs in many countries, leading to considerable losses during kiwifruit production. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal activity and mechanism of tetramycin against kiwifruit soft rot caused by Alternaria alternata. Tetramycin exerted antifungal effects through the suppression of mycelial growth, conidial germination, and the pathogenicity of A. alternata. Scanning electron microscopic observations revealed that tetramycin destroyed the mycelial structure, causing the mycelia to twist, shrink, and even break. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy revealed that tetramycin caused severe plasmolysis and a decrease in cell inclusions, and the cell wall appeared thinner with blurred boundaries. In addition, tetramycin destroyed cell membrane integrity, resulting in the leakage of cellular components such as nucleic acids and proteins in mycelial suspensions. Moreover, tetramycin also caused cell wall lysis by enhancing the activities of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase and inducing the overexpression of related chitinase gene (Chit) and β-1,3-glucanase gene (β-1,3-glu) in A. alternata. In field trials, tetramycin not only decreased the incidence of kiwifruit rot but also create a beneficial living space for kiwifruit growth. Overall, this study indicated that the application of tetramycin could serve as an alternative measure for the management of kiwifruit rot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhi Li
- Research Center for Engineering Technology of Kiwifruit, Institute of Crop Protection, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Youhua Long
- Research Center for Engineering Technology of Kiwifruit, Institute of Crop Protection, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China; Teaching Experiment Farm, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Xianhui Yin
- Research Center for Engineering Technology of Kiwifruit, Institute of Crop Protection, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Weizhen Wang
- Research Center for Engineering Technology of Kiwifruit, Institute of Crop Protection, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Rongquan Zhang
- Management Committee of Eastern Agricultural Industrial Park of Shuicheng County, Liupanshui 553000, China
| | - Feixu Mo
- Research Center for Engineering Technology of Kiwifruit, Institute of Crop Protection, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Zhuzhu Zhang
- Research Center for Engineering Technology of Kiwifruit, Institute of Crop Protection, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Tingting Chen
- Research Center for Engineering Technology of Kiwifruit, Institute of Crop Protection, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Jia Chen
- Research Center for Engineering Technology of Kiwifruit, Institute of Crop Protection, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Bingce Wang
- Research Center for Engineering Technology of Kiwifruit, Institute of Crop Protection, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Xuetang Chen
- Research Center for Engineering Technology of Kiwifruit, Institute of Crop Protection, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
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50
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Fridman M, Sakurai K. Deciphering the Biological Activities of Antifungal Agents with Chemical Probes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202211927. [PMID: 36628503 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202211927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The growing number of fungal infections caused by pathogens resistant to one or more classes of antifungal drugs emphasizes the threat that these microorganisms pose to animal and human health and global food security. Open questions remain regarding the mechanisms of action of the limited repertoire of antifungal agents, making it challenging to rationally develop more efficacious therapeutics. In recent years, the use of chemical biology approaches has resolved some of these questions and has provided new promising concepts to guide the design of antifungal agents. By focusing on examples from studies carried out in recent years, this minireview describes the key roles that probes based on antifungal agents and their derivatives have played in uncovering details about their activities, in detecting resistance, and in characterizing the interactions between these agents and their targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micha Fridman
- School of Chemistry, Raymond & Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Kaori Sakurai
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 4-24-16, Naka-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
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