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Katsipoulaki M, Stappers MHT, Malavia-Jones D, Brunke S, Hube B, Gow NAR. Candida albicans and Candida glabrata: global priority pathogens. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0002123. [PMID: 38832801 PMCID: PMC11332356 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00021-23] [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: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYA significant increase in the incidence of Candida-mediated infections has been observed in the last decade, mainly due to rising numbers of susceptible individuals. Recently, the World Health Organization published its first fungal pathogen priority list, with Candida species listed in medium, high, and critical priority categories. This review is a synthesis of information and recent advances in our understanding of two of these species-Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Of these, C. albicans is the most common cause of candidemia around the world and is categorized as a critical priority pathogen. C. glabrata is considered a high-priority pathogen and has become an increasingly important cause of candidemia in recent years. It is now the second most common causative agent of candidemia in many geographical regions. Despite their differences and phylogenetic divergence, they are successful as pathogens and commensals of humans. Both species can cause a broad variety of infections, ranging from superficial to potentially lethal systemic infections. While they share similarities in certain infection strategies, including tissue adhesion and invasion, they differ significantly in key aspects of their biology, interaction with immune cells, host damage strategies, and metabolic adaptations. Here we provide insights on key aspects of their biology, epidemiology, commensal and pathogenic lifestyles, interactions with the immune system, and antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrto Katsipoulaki
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Mark H. T. Stappers
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Dhara Malavia-Jones
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Neil A. R. Gow
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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Porollo A, Sayson SG, Ashbaugh A, Rebholz S, Landero Figueroa JA, Cushion MT. Insights into copper sensing and tolerance in Pneumocystis species. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1383737. [PMID: 38812685 PMCID: PMC11133566 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1383737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pneumocystis species are pathogenic fungi known to cause pneumonia in immunocompromised mammals. They are obligate to their host, replicate extracellularly in lung alveoli and thrive in the copper-enriched environment of mammalian lungs. In this study, we investigated the proteome of Pneumocystis murina, a model organism that infects mice, in the context of its copper sensing and tolerance. Methods and results The query for copper-associated annotations in FungiDB followed by a manual curation identified only 21 genes in P. murina, significantly fewer compared to other clinically relevant fungal pathogens or phylogenetically similar free-living fungi. We then employed instrumental analyses, including Size-Exclusion Chromatography Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (SEC-ICP-MS), Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC), and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), to isolate and identify copper-binding proteins from freshly extracted organisms, revealing 29 distinct cuproproteins. The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of P. murina exposed to various CuSO4 concentrations at three temporal intervals (0.5, 2, and 5 h) indicated that significant gene expression changes occurred only under the highest CuSO4 concentration probed (100 μM) and the longest exposure duration (5 h). This stimulus led to the upregulation of 43 genes and downregulation of 27 genes compared to untreated controls. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) confirmed the expression of four out of eight selected upregulated genes, including three assumed transcription factors (PNEG_01236, PNEG_01675, and PNEG_01730) and a putative copper transporter (PNEG_02609). Notably, the three applied methodologies - homology-based annotation, SEC-ICP-MS/IMAC/LC-MS/MS, and RNA-seq - yielded largely distinct findings, with only four genes (PNEG_02587, PNEG_03319, PNEG_02584, and PNEG_02989) identified by both instrumental methods. Discussion The insights contribute to the broader knowledge of Pneumocystis copper homeostasis and provide novel facets of host-pathogen interactions for extracellular pathogens. We suggest that future studies of Pneumocystis pathogenicity and copper stress survival should consider the entire spectrum of identified genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksey Porollo
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Steven G. Sayson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Alan Ashbaugh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Sandra Rebholz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | | | - Melanie T. Cushion
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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Sonnberger J, Kasper L, Lange T, Brunke S, Hube B. "We've got to get out"-Strategies of human pathogenic fungi to escape from phagocytes. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:341-358. [PMID: 37800630 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Human fungal pathogens are a deadly and underappreciated risk to global health that most severely affect immunocompromised individuals. A virulence attribute shared by some of the most clinically relevant fungal species is their ability to survive inside macrophages and escape from these immune cells. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms behind intracellular survival and elaborate how escape is mediated by lytic and non-lytic pathways as well as strategies to induce programmed host cell death. We also discuss persistence as an alternative to rapid host cell exit. In the end, we address the consequences of fungal escape for the host immune response and provide future perspectives for research and development of targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Sonnberger
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Theresa Lange
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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Hefny ZA, Ji B, Elsemman IE, Nielsen J, Van Dijck P. Transcriptomic meta-analysis to identify potential antifungal targets in Candida albicans. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:66. [PMID: 38413885 PMCID: PMC10898158 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03213-8] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida albicans is a fungal pathogen causing human infections. Here we investigated differential gene expression patterns and functional enrichment in C. albicans strains grown under different conditions. METHODS A systematic GEO database search identified 239 "Candida albicans" datasets, of which 14 were selected after rigorous criteria application. Retrieval of raw sequencing data from the ENA database was accompanied by essential metadata extraction from dataset descriptions and original articles. Pre-processing via the tailored nf-core pipeline for C. albicans involved alignment, gene/transcript quantification, and diverse quality control measures. Quality assessment via PCA and DESeq2 identified significant genes (FDR < = 0.05, log2-fold change > = 1 or <= -1), while topGO conducted GO term enrichment analysis. Exclusions were made based on data quality and strain relevance, resulting in the selection of seven datasets from the SC5314 strain background for in-depth investigation. RESULTS The meta-analysis of seven selected studies unveiled a substantial number of genes exhibiting significant up-regulation (24,689) and down-regulation (18,074). These differentially expressed genes were further categorized into 2,497 significantly up-regulated and 2,573 significantly down-regulated Gene Ontology (GO) IDs. GO term enrichment analysis clustered these terms into distinct groups, providing insights into the functional implications. Three target gene lists were compiled based on previous studies, focusing on central metabolism, ion homeostasis, and pathogenicity. Frequency analysis revealed genes with higher occurrence within the identified GO clusters, suggesting their potential as antifungal targets. Notably, the genes TPS2, TPS1, RIM21, PRA1, SAP4, and SAP6 exhibited higher frequencies within the clusters. Through frequency analysis within the GO clusters, several key genes emerged as potential targets for antifungal therapies. These include RSP5, GLC7, SOD2, SOD5, SOD1, SOD6, SOD4, SOD3, and RIM101 which exhibited higher occurrence within the identified clusters. CONCLUSION This comprehensive study significantly advances our understanding of the dynamic nature of gene expression in C. albicans. The identification of genes with enhanced potential as antifungal drug targets underpins their value for future interventions. The highlighted genes, including TPS2, TPS1, RIM21, PRA1, SAP4, SAP6, RSP5, GLC7, SOD2, SOD5, SOD1, SOD6, SOD4, SOD3, and RIM101, hold promise for the development of targeted antifungal therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Abdelmoghis Hefny
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium
| | - Boyang Ji
- BioInnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, Copenhagen, DK2200, Denmark
| | - Ibrahim E Elsemman
- Department of Information Systems, Faculty of Computers and Information, Assiut University, Assiut, 2071515, Egypt
| | - Jens Nielsen
- BioInnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, Copenhagen, DK2200, Denmark.
- Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, SE41296, Gothenburg, SE41296, Sweden.
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium.
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Gómez-Gallego T, Molina-Luzón MJ, Conéjéro G, Berthomieu P, Ferrol N. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis uses the copper exporting ATPase RiCRD1 as a major strategy for copper detoxification. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 341:122990. [PMID: 37992950 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122990] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi establish a mutualistic symbiosis with most land plants. AM fungi regulate plant copper (Cu) acquisition both in Cu deficient and polluted soils. Here, we report characterization of RiCRD1, a Rhizophagus irregularis gene putatively encoding a Cu transporting ATPase. Based on its sequence analysis, RiCRD1 was identified as a plasma membrane Cu + efflux protein of the P1B1-ATPase subfamily. As revealed by heterologous complementation assays in yeast, RiCRD1 encodes a functional protein capable of conferring increased tolerance against Cu. In the extraradical mycelium, RiCRD1 expression was highly up-regulated in response to high concentrations of Cu in the medium. Comparison of the expression patterns of different players of metal tolerance in R. irregularis under high Cu levels suggests that this fungus could mainly use a metal efflux based-strategy to cope with Cu toxicity. RiCRD1 was also expressed in the intraradical fungal structures and, more specifically, in the arbuscules, which suggests a role for RiCRD1 in Cu release from the fungus to the symbiotic interface. Overall, our results show that RiCRD1 encodes a protein which could have a pivotal dual role in Cu homeostasis in R. irregularis, playing a role in Cu detoxification in the extraradical mycelium and in Cu transfer to the apoplast of the symbiotic interface in the arbuscules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Gómez-Gallego
- Soil and Plant Microbiology Department, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - María Jesús Molina-Luzón
- Soil and Plant Microbiology Department, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Genevieve Conéjéro
- Institut des Sciences des Plantes de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Agro Montpellier, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Berthomieu
- Institut des Sciences des Plantes de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Agro Montpellier, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Montpellier, France
| | - Nuria Ferrol
- Soil and Plant Microbiology Department, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain.
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Zhou Y, Zhang L. The interplay between copper metabolism and microbes: in perspective of host copper-dependent ATPases ATP7A/B. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1267931. [PMID: 38106478 PMCID: PMC10723777 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1267931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Copper, a vital element in various physiological processes, is transported from the gastrointestinal tract to tissues and cells through diverse copper transporters. Among these transporters, ATP7A and ATP7B play significant roles in regulating systemic copper metabolism and exhibit precise regulation in their intracellular trafficking. These transporters undergo dynamic shuttling between the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and the plasma membrane via the endocytic recycling mechanism, which involves the retromer and other associated factors. Interestingly, the antimicrobial attribute of copper implies a potential connection between microbial infection and copper metabolism. Several microbes, including Salmonella enterica, Cryptococcus, Influenza A virus (IAV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) have been observed to impact the regulatory mechanisms of ATP7A/B, either directly or indirectly, as a means of survival. This review summarizes the key features and trafficking mechanisms of the copper transporters ATP7A/B, and examines the intricate interplay between microbes and copper metabolism. Ultimately, it highlights how microbes can perturb copper homeostasis through interactions with host factors, offering valuable insights into the mechanistic aspects of host-microbe interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Leiliang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
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Vig I, Benkő Z, Gila BC, Palczert Z, Jakab Á, Nagy F, Miskei M, Lee MK, Yu JH, Pócsi I, Emri T. Functional characterization of genes encoding cadmium pumping P 1B-type ATPases in Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus nidulans. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0028323. [PMID: 37676031 PMCID: PMC10581124 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00283-23] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Several P1B-type ATPases are important Cd2+/Cu2+ pumps in Aspergillus species, and they are tightly associated with the heavy metal stress tolerance of these ascomycetous fungi. To better understand the roles of the two P1B-type ATPases, Aspergillus nidulans CrpA Cd2+/Cu2+ pump (orthologue of the Candida albicans Crp1 Cd2+/Cu2+ pump) and Aspergillus fumigatus PcaA Cd2+ pump (orthologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pca1 Cd2+ pump), we have generated individual mutants and characterized their heavy metal susceptibilities. The deletion of CrpA in A. nidulans has led to the increased sensitivity of the fungus to stresses induced by Zn2+, Fe2+, or the combination of oxidative-stress-inducing menadione sodium bisulfite and Fe3+. Heterologous expression of A. fumigatus PcaA in the S. cerevisiae pca1 deletion mutant has resulted in enhanced tolerance of the yeast to stresses elicited by Cd2+or Zn2+ but not by Fe2+/Fe3+ or Cu2+. Mammalian host immune defense can attack microbes by secreting Zn2+ or Cu2+, and the oxidative stress induced by host immune systems can also disturb metal (Cu2+, Fe2+, and Zn2+) homeostasis in microbes. In summary, PcaA and CrpA can protect fungal cells from these complex stresses that contribute to the virulence of the pathogenic Aspergillus species. Moreover, due to their presence on the fungal cell surface, these P1B-type ATPases may serve as a novel drug target in the future. IMPORTANCE Mammalian host immune defense disrupts heavy metal homeostasis of fungal pathogens. P1B-type ATPase of Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus nidulans may help to cope with this stress and serve as virulence traits. In our experiments, both A. nidulans Cd2+/Cu2+ pump CrpA and A. fumigatus Cd2+ pump PcaA protected fungal cells from toxic Zn2+, and CrpA also decreased Fe2+ susceptibility most likely indirectly. In addition, CrpA protected cells against the combined stress induced by the oxidative stressor menadione and Fe3+. Since P1B-type ATPases are present on the fungal cell surface, these proteins may serve as a novel drug target in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildikó Vig
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zsigmond Benkő
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Barnabás Cs. Gila
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Palczert
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Jakab
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Fruzsina Nagy
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Márton Miskei
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mi-Kyung Lee
- Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Jeongeup-si, South Korea
| | - Jae-Hyuk Yu
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tamás Emri
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
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Wang F, Wang Z, Tang J. The interactions of Candida albicans with gut bacteria: a new strategy to prevent and treat invasive intestinal candidiasis. Gut Pathog 2023; 15:30. [PMID: 37370138 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-023-00559-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gut microbiota plays an important role in human health, as it can affect host immunity and susceptibility to infectious diseases. Invasive intestinal candidiasis is strongly associated with gut microbiota homeostasis. However, the nature of the interaction between Candida albicans and gut bacteria remains unclear. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to determine the nature of interaction and the effects of gut bacteria on C. albicans so as to comprehend an approach to reducing intestinal invasive infection by C. albicans. METHODS This review examined 11 common gut bacteria's interactions with C. albicans, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Helicobacter pylori, Lactobacillus spp., Bacteroides spp., Clostridium difficile, and Streptococcus spp. RESULTS Most of the studied bacteria demonstrated both synergistic and antagonistic effects with C. albicans, and just a few bacteria such as P. aeruginosa, Salmonella spp., and Lactobacillus spp. demonstrated only antagonism against C. albicans. CONCLUSIONS Based on the nature of interactions reported so far by the literature between gut bacteria and C. albicans, it is expected to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of invasive intestinal candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Wang
- Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, 128 Ruili Road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Zetian Wang
- Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, 128 Ruili Road, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Jianguo Tang
- Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, 128 Ruili Road, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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Moraes D, Rodrigues JGC, Silva MG, Soares LW, Soares CMDA, Bailão AM, Silva-Bailão MG. Copper acquisition and detoxification machineries are conserved in dimorphic fungi. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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10
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Li J, Wang X, Zou J, Yang K, Wang X, Wang Y, Zhang H, Huang H, Su X, Yao B, Luo H, Qin X. Identification and Characterization of the Determinants of Copper Resistance in the Acidophilic Fungus Acidomyces richmondensis MEY-1 Using the CRISPR/Cas9 System. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0210722. [PMID: 36912653 PMCID: PMC10056952 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02107-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Copper (Cu) homeostasis has not been well documented in filamentous fungi, especially extremophiles. One of the main obstacles impeding their characterization is the lack of a powerful genome-editing tool. In this study, we applied a CRISPR/Cas9 system for efficient targeted gene disruption in the acidophilic fungus Acidomyces richmondensis MEY-1, formerly known as Bispora sp. strain MEY-1. Using this system, we investigated the basis of Cu tolerance in strain MEY-1. This strain has extremely high Cu tolerance among filamentous fungi, and the transcription factor ArAceA (A. richmondensis AceA) has been shown to be involved in this process. The ArAceA deletion mutant (ΔArAceA) exhibits specific growth defects at Cu concentrations of ≥10 mM and is transcriptionally more sensitive to Cu than the wild-type strain. In addition, the putative metallothionein ArCrdA was involved in Cu tolerance only under high Cu concentrations. MEY-1 has no Aspergillus nidulans CrpA homologs, which are targets of AceA-like transcription factors and play a role in Cu tolerance. Instead, we identified the Cu-transporting P-type ATPase ArYgA, homologous to A. nidulans YgA, which was involved in pigmentation rather than Cu tolerance. When the ΔArYgA mutant was grown on medium supplemented with Cu ions, the black color was completely restored. The lack of CrpA homologs in A. richmondensis MEY-1 and its high tolerance to Cu suggest that a novel Cu detoxification mechanism differing from the AceA-CrpA axis exists. IMPORTANCE Filamentous fungi are widely distributed worldwide and play an important ecological role as decomposers. However, the mechanisms of their adaptability to various environments are not fully understood. Various extremely acidophilic filamentous fungi have been isolated from acidic mine drainage (AMD) with extremely low pH and high heavy metal and sulfate concentrations, including A. richmondensis. The lack of genetic engineering tools, particularly genome-editing tools, hinders the study of these acidophilic and heavy metal-resistant fungi at the molecular level. Here, we first applied a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene-editing system to A. richmondensis MEY-1. Using this system, we identified and characterized the determinants of Cu resistance in A. richmondensis MEY-1. The conserved roles of the Cu-binding transcription factor ArAceA in Cu tolerance and the Cu-transporting P-type ATPase ArYgA in the Cu-dependent production of pigment were confirmed. Our findings provide insights into the molecular basis of Cu tolerance in the acidophilic fungus A. richmondensis MEY-1. Furthermore, the CRISPR/Cas9 system used here would be a powerful tool for studies of the mechanisms of adaptability of acidophilic fungi to extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiahuan Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Honglian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huoqing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyun Su
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huiying Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Identification and Analysis of Fungal-Specific Regions in the Aspergillus fumigatus Cu Exporter CrpA That Are Essential for Cu Resistance but Not for Virulence. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043705. [PMID: 36835119 PMCID: PMC9966986 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is the primary invasive mold pathogen in humans, and is responsible for an estimated 200,000 yearly deaths worldwide. Most fatalities occur in immunocompromised patients who lack the cellular and humoral defenses necessary to halt the pathogen's advance, primarily in the lungs. One of the cellular responses used by macrophages to counteract fungal infection is the accumulation of high phagolysosomal Cu levels to destroy ingested pathogens. A. fumigatus responds by activating high expression levels of crpA, which encodes a Cu+ P-type ATPase that actively transports excess Cu from the cytoplasm to the extracellular environment. In this study, we used a bioinformatics approach to identify two fungal-unique regions in CrpA that we studied by deletion/replacement, subcellular localization, Cu sensitivity in vitro, killing by mouse alveolar macrophages, and virulence in a mouse model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Deletion of CrpA fungal-unique amino acids 1-211 containing two N-terminal Cu-binding sites, moderately increased Cu-sensitivity but did not affect expression or localization to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and cell surface. Replacement of CrpA fungal-unique amino acids 542-556 consisting of an intracellular loop between the second and third transmembrane helices resulted in ER retention of the protein and strongly increased Cu-sensitivity. Deleting CrpA N-terminal amino acids 1-211 or replacing amino acids 542-556 also increased sensitivity to killing by mouse alveolar macrophages. Surprisingly, the two mutations did not affect virulence in a mouse model of infection, suggesting that even weak Cu-efflux activity by mutated CrpA preserves fungal virulence.
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12
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Chandler CE, Hernandez FG, Totten M, Robinett NG, Schatzman SS, Zhang SX, Culotta VC. Biochemical Analysis of CaurSOD4, a Potential Therapeutic Target for the Emerging Fungal Pathogen Candida auris. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:584-595. [PMID: 35179882 PMCID: PMC9906785 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00590] [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: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen. With high mortality rates, there is an urgent need for new antifungals to combat C. auris. Possible antifungal targets include Cu-only superoxide dismutases (SODs), extracellular SODs that are unique to fungi and effectively combat the superoxide burst of host immunity. Cu-only SODs are essential for the virulence of diverse fungal pathogens; however, little is understood about these enzymes in C. auris. We show here that C. auris secretes an enzymatically active Cu-only SOD (CaurSOD4) when cells are starved for Fe, a condition mimicking host environments. Although predicted to attach to cell walls, CaurSOD4 is detected as a soluble extracellular enzyme and can act at a distance to remove superoxide. CaurSOD4 selectively binds Cu and not Zn, and Cu binding is labile compared to bimetallic Cu/Zn SODs. Moreover, CaurSOD4 is susceptible to inhibition by various metal-binding drugs that are without effect on mammalian Cu/Zn SODs. Our studies highlight CaurSOD4 as a potential antifungal target worthy of consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney E Chandler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Francisco G Hernandez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Marissa Totten
- Divsion of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Division of Microbiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States
| | - Natalie G Robinett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Sabrina S Schatzman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Sean X Zhang
- Divsion of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Division of Microbiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States
| | - Valeria C Culotta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal yeast fungus of the human oral, gastrointestinal, and genital mucosal surfaces, and skin. Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, iatrogenic immunosuppression, and/or medical interventions that impair the integrity of the mucocutaneous barrier and/or perturb protective host defense mechanisms enable C. albicans to become an opportunistic pathogen and cause debilitating mucocutaneous disease and/or life-threatening systemic infections. In this review, we synthesize our current knowledge of the tissue-specific determinants of C. albicans pathogenicity and host immune defense mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Pedro Lopes
- From the Fungal Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology (LCIM), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michail S Lionakis
- From the Fungal Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology (LCIM), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, MD, USA
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14
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Paul R, Banerjee S, Sen S, Dubey P, Maji S, Bachhawat AK, Datta R, Gupta A. A novel leishmanial copper P-type ATPase plays a vital role in parasite infection and intracellular survival. J Biol Chem 2021; 298:101539. [PMID: 34958799 PMCID: PMC8800121 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is essential for all life forms; however, in excess, it becomes toxic. Toxic properties of Cu are known to be utilized by host species against various pathogenic invasions. Leishmania, in both free-living and intracellular forms, exhibits appreciable tolerance toward Cu stress. While determining the mechanism of Cu-stress evasion employed by Leishmania, we identified and characterized a hitherto unknown Cu-ATPase in Leishmania major and established its role in parasite survival in host macrophages. This novel L. major Cu-ATPase, LmATP7, exhibits homology with its orthologs at multiple motifs. In promastigotes, LmATP7 primarily localized at the plasma membrane. We also show that LmATP7 exhibits Cu-dependent expression patterns and complements Cu transport in a Cu-ATPase-deficient yeast strain. Promastigotes overexpressing LmATP7 exhibited higher survival upon Cu stress, indicating efficacious Cu export compared with Wt and heterozygous LmATP7 knockout parasites. We further explored macrophage–Leishmania interactions with respect to Cu stress. We found that Leishmania infection triggers upregulation of major mammalian Cu exporter, ATP7A, in macrophages, and trafficking of ATP7A from the trans-Golgi network to endolysosomes in macrophages harboring amastigotes. Simultaneously, in Leishmania, we observed a multifold increase in LmATP7 transcripts as the promastigote becomes established in macrophages and morphs to the amastigote form. Finally, overexpressing LmATP7 in parasites increases amastigote survivability within macrophages, whereas knocking it down reduces survivability drastically. Mice injected in their footpads with an LmATP7-overexpressing strain showed significantly larger lesions and higher amastigote loads as compared with controls and knockouts. These data establish the role of LmATP7 in parasite infectivity and intramacrophagic survivability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupam Paul
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal -741246, India
| | - Sourav Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal -741246, India
| | - Samarpita Sen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal -741246, India
| | - Pratiksha Dubey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Knowledge city, Sector 81, Manauli, PO, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab-140306, India
| | - Saptarshi Maji
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal -741246, India
| | - Anand K Bachhawat
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Knowledge city, Sector 81, Manauli, PO, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab-140306, India
| | - Rupak Datta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal -741246, India.
| | - Arnab Gupta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal -741246, India.
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15
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Abstract
The antifungal resistance threat posed by Candida auris necessitates bold and innovative therapeutic options. Farnesol is a quorum-sensing molecule with a potential antifungal and/or adjuvant effect; it may be a promising candidate in alternative treatment regimens. To gain further insights into the farnesol-related effect on C. auris, genome-wide gene transcription analysis was performed using transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq). Farnesol exposure resulted in 1,766 differentially expressed genes. Of these genes, 447 and 304 genes with at least 1.5-fold increase or decrease in transcription, respectively, were selected for further investigation. Genes involved in morphogenesis, biofilm events (maturation and dispersion), gluconeogenesis, iron metabolism, and regulation of RNA biosynthesis showed downregulation, whereas those related to antioxidative defense, transmembrane transport, glyoxylate cycle, fatty acid β-oxidation, and peroxisome processes were upregulated. In addition, farnesol treatment increased the transcription of certain efflux pump genes, including MDR1, CDR1, and CDR2. Growth, measured by the change in the number of CFU, was significantly inhibited within 2 h of the addition of farnesol (5.8 × 107 ± 1.1 × 107 and 1.1 × 107 ± 0.3 × 107 CFU/ml for untreated control and farnesol-exposed cells, respectively) (P < 0.001). In addition, farnesol treatment caused a significant reduction in intracellular iron (152.2 ± 21.1 versus 116.0 ± 10.0 mg/kg), manganese (67.9 ± 5.1 versus 18.6 ± 1.8 mg/kg), and zinc (787.8 ± 22.2 versus 245.8 ± 34.4 mg/kg) (P < 0.05 to 0.001) compared to untreated control cells, whereas the level of cooper was significantly increased (274.6 ± 15.7 versus 828.8 ± 106.4 mg/kg) (P < 0.001). Our data demonstrate that farnesol significantly influences the growth, intracellular metal ion contents, and gene transcription related to fatty acid metabolism, which could open new directions in developing alternative therapies against C. auris. IMPORTANCECandida auris is a dangerous fungal pathogen that causes outbreaks in health care facilities, with infections associated with a high mortality rate. As conventional antifungal drugs have limited effects against the majority of clinical isolates, new and innovative therapies are urgently needed. Farnesol is a key regulator molecule of fungal morphogenesis, inducing phenotypic adaptations and influencing biofilm formation as well as virulence. Alongside these physiological modulations, it has a potent antifungal effect alone or in combination with traditional antifungals, especially at supraphysiological concentrations. However, our knowledge about the mechanisms underlying this antifungal effect against C. auris is limited. This study has demonstrated that farnesol enhances the oxidative stress and reduces the fungal survival strategies. Furthermore, it inhibits manganese, zinc transport, and iron metabolism as well as increases fungal intracellular copper content. In addition, metabolism was modulated toward β-oxidation. These results provide definitive explanations for the observed antifungal effects.
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16
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Radosa S, Sprague JL, Lau SH, Tóth R, Linde J, Krüger T, Sprenger M, Kasper L, Westermann M, Kniemeyer O, Hube B, Brakhage AA, Gácser A, Hillmann F. The fungivorous amoeba Protostelium aurantium targets redox homeostasis and cell wall integrity during intracellular killing of Candida parapsilosis. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13389. [PMID: 34460149 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Predatory interactions among microbes are major evolutionary driving forces for biodiversity. The fungivorous amoeba Protostelium aurantium has a wide fungal food spectrum including foremost pathogenic members of the genus Candida. Here we show that upon phagocytic ingestion by the amoeba, Candida parapsilosis is confronted with an oxidative burst and undergoes lysis within minutes of processing in acidified phagolysosomes. On the fungal side, a functional genomic approach identified copper and redox homeostasis as primary targets of amoeba predation, with the highly expressed copper exporter gene CRP1 and the peroxiredoxin gene PRX1 contributing to survival when encountered with P. aurantium. The fungicidal activity was largely retained in intracellular vesicles of the amoebae. Following their isolation, the content of these vesicles induced immediate killing and lysis of C. parapsilosis in vitro. Proteomic analysis identified 56 vesicular proteins from P. aurantium. Although completely unknown proteins were dominant, many of them could be categorised as hydrolytic enzymes targeting the fungal cell wall, indicating that fungal cell wall structures are under selection pressure by predatory phagocytes in natural environments. TAKE AWAY: The amoeba Protostelium aurantium feeds on fungi, such as Candida parapsilosis. Ingested yeast cells are exposed to reactive oxygen species. A copper exporter and a peroxiredoxin contribute to fungal defence. Yeast cells undergo intracellular lysis. Lysis occurs via a cocktail of hydrolytic enzymes from intracellular vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Radosa
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Jakob L Sprague
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Siu-Hin Lau
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Renáta Tóth
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Jörg Linde
- Research Group Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Krüger
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Marcel Sprenger
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | | | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Attila Gácser
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Falk Hillmann
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
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17
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Lorenzo-Gutiérrez D, Gómez-Gil L, Guarro J, Roncero MIG, Capilla J, López-Fernández L. Cu transporter protein CrpF protects against Cu-induced toxicity in Fusarium oxysporum. Virulence 2021; 11:1108-1121. [PMID: 32862758 PMCID: PMC7549990 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1809324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cu is an essential trace element for cell growth and proliferation. However, excess of Cu accumulation leads to cellular toxicity. Thus, precise and tight regulation of Cu homeostasis processes, including transport, delivery, storage, detoxification, and efflux machineries, is required. Moreover, the maintenance of Cu homeostasis is critical for the survival and virulence of fungal pathogens. Cu homeostasis has been extensively studied in mammals, bacteria, and yeast, but it has not yet been well documented in filamentous fungi. In the present work, we investigated Cu tolerance in the filamentous fungus Fusarium oxysporum by analysing the Cu transporter coding gene crpF, previously studied in Aspergillus fumigatus. The expression studies demonstrated that crpF is upregulated in the presence of Cu and its deletion leads to severe sensitivity to low levels of CuSO4 in F. oxysporum. Targeted deletion of crpF did not significantly alter the resistance of the fungus to macrophage killing, nor its pathogenic behaviour on the tomato plants. However, the targeted deletion mutant ΔcrpF showed increased virulence in a murine model of systemic infection compared to wild-type strain (wt).
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Affiliation(s)
- Damaris Lorenzo-Gutiérrez
- Unitat de Microbiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut and Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Reus, Spain
| | - Lucía Gómez-Gil
- Departamento de Genetica, Facultad de Ciencias and Campus De Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, Universidad de Cordoba , Cordoba, Spain
| | - Josep Guarro
- Unitat de Microbiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut and Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Reus, Spain
| | - M Isabel G Roncero
- Departamento de Genetica, Facultad de Ciencias and Campus De Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, Universidad de Cordoba , Cordoba, Spain
| | - Javier Capilla
- Unitat de Microbiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut and Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Reus, Spain
| | - Loida López-Fernández
- Unitat de Microbiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut and Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Reus, Spain
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18
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Jakab Á, Emri T, Csillag K, Szabó A, Nagy F, Baranyai E, Sajtos Z, Géczi D, Antal K, Kovács R, Szabó K, Dombrádi V, Pócsi I. The Negative Effect of Protein Phosphatase Z1 Deletion on the Oxidative Stress Tolerance of Candida albicans Is Synergistic with Betamethasone Exposure. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7070540. [PMID: 34356919 PMCID: PMC8305657 DOI: 10.3390/jof7070540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The glucocorticoid betamethasone (BM) has potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects; however, it increases the susceptibility of patients to superficial Candida infections. Previously we found that this disadvantageous side effect can be counteracted by menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB) induced oxidative stress treatment. The fungus specific protein phosphatase Z1 (CaPpz1) has a pivotal role in oxidative stress response of Candida albicans and was proposed as a potential antifungal drug target. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effects of CaPPZ1 gene deletion and MSB treatment in BM pre-treated C. albicans cultures. We found that the combined treatment increased redox imbalance, enhanced the specific activities of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced the growth in cappz1 mutant (KO) strain. RNASeq data demonstrated that the presence of BM markedly elevated the number of differentially expressed genes in the MSB treated KO cultures. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species, increased iron content and fatty acid oxidation, as well as the inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis and RNA metabolic processes explain, at least in part, the fungistatic effect caused by the combined stress exposure. We suggest that the synergism between MSB treatment and CaPpz1 inhibition could be considered in developing of a novel combinatorial antifungal strategy accompanying steroid therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ágnes Jakab
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (T.E.); (K.C.); (A.S.); (D.G.); (I.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Tamás Emri
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (T.E.); (K.C.); (A.S.); (D.G.); (I.P.)
| | - Kinga Csillag
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (T.E.); (K.C.); (A.S.); (D.G.); (I.P.)
| | - Anita Szabó
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (T.E.); (K.C.); (A.S.); (D.G.); (I.P.)
| | - Fruzsina Nagy
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.N.); (R.K.)
| | - Edina Baranyai
- Agilent Atomic Spectroscopy Partner Laboratory, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (E.B.); (Z.S.)
| | - Zsófi Sajtos
- Agilent Atomic Spectroscopy Partner Laboratory, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (E.B.); (Z.S.)
| | - Dóra Géczi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (T.E.); (K.C.); (A.S.); (D.G.); (I.P.)
| | - Károly Antal
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Eszterházy Károly University, 3300 Eger, Hungary;
| | - Renátó Kovács
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.N.); (R.K.)
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Szabó
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (K.S.); (V.D.)
| | - Viktor Dombrádi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (K.S.); (V.D.)
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (T.E.); (K.C.); (A.S.); (D.G.); (I.P.)
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19
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Cation Transporters of Candida albicans-New Targets to Fight Candidiasis? Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11040584. [PMID: 33923411 PMCID: PMC8073359 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Candidiasis is the wide-spread fungal infection caused by numerous strains of yeast, with the prevalence of Candida albicans. The current treatment of candidiasis is becoming rather ineffective and costly owing to the emergence of resistant strains; hence, the exploration of new possible drug targets is necessary. The most promising route is the development of novel antibiotics targeting this pathogen. In this review, we summarize such candidates found in C. albicans and those involved in the transport of (metal) cations, as the latter are essential for numerous processes within the cell; hence, disruption of their fluxes can be fatal for C. albicans.
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20
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Hunsaker EW, Yu CHA, Franz KJ. Copper Availability Influences the Transcriptomic Response of Candida albicans to Fluconazole Stress. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6162163. [PMID: 33693623 PMCID: PMC8049437 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The ability of pathogens to maintain homeostatic levels of essential biometals is known to be important for survival and virulence in a host, which itself regulates metal availability as part of its response to infection. Given this importance of metal homeostasis, we sought to address how the availability of copper in particular impacts the response of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans to treatment with the antifungal drug fluconazole. The present study reports whole transcriptome analysis via time-course RNA-seq of C. albicans cells exposed to fluconazole with and without 10 µM supplemental CuSO4 added to the growth medium. The results show widespread impacts of small changes in Cu availability on the transcriptional response of C. albicans to fluconazole. Of the 2359 genes that were differentially expressed under conditions of cotreatment, 50% were found to be driven uniquely by exposure to both Cu and fluconazole. The breadth of metabolic processes that were affected by cotreatment illuminates a fundamental intersectionality between Cu metabolism and fungal response to drug stress. More generally, these results show that seemingly minor fluctuations in Cu availability are sufficient to shift cells’ transcriptional response to drug stress. Ultimately, the findings may inform the development of new strategies that capitalize on drug-induced vulnerabilities in metal homeostasis pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth W Hunsaker
- Department of Chemistry, French Family Science Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | | | - Katherine J Franz
- Department of Chemistry, French Family Science Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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21
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Ceruloplasmin as a source of Cu for a fungal pathogen. J Inorg Biochem 2021; 219:111424. [PMID: 33765639 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Copper is an essential metal for virtually all organisms, yet little is known about the extracellular sources of this micronutrient. In serum, the most abundant extracellular Cu-binding molecule is the multi‑copper oxidase ceruloplasmin (Cp). Cp levels increase during infection and inflammation, and pathogens can be exposed to high Cp at sites of infection. It is not known whether Cp might serve as a Cu source for microbial pathogens and we tested this using the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans. We find that C. albicans can use whole serum as a Cu source and that this Cu is sensed by the transcription factor protein Mac1. Mac1 activates expression of Mn-SOD3 superoxide dismutase and represses Cu/Zn-SOD1 during Cu starvation and both responses are regulated by serum Cu. We also show that purified human Cp can act as a sole source of Cu for the fungus and likewise modulates the Mac1 Cu stress response. To investigate whether Cp is a Cu source in serum, we compared the ability of C. albicans to use serum from wild type versus Cp-/- mutant mice. We find that serum lacking Cp is deficient in its ability to trigger the Mac1 Cu response. C. albicans did accumulate Cu from Cp-/- serum, but this Cu was not efficiently sensed by Mac1. We conclude that Cp and non-Cp Cu sources are not equivalent and are handled differently by the fungal cell. Overall, these studies are the first to show that Cp is a preferred source of Cu for a pathogen.
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22
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Ragasa LRP, Joson SEA, Bagay WLR, Perez TR, Velarde MC. Transcriptome analysis reveals involvement of oxidative stress response in a copper-tolerant Fusarium oxysporum strain. Fungal Biol 2021; 125:435-446. [PMID: 34024591 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
High amount of copper is toxic to most organisms, but endophytic fungi can develop survival strategies to tolerate and respond to environmental stressors such as heavy metal contaminants. While high copper induces oxidative stress, it is still unclear which genes are associated with copper tolerance. Here, we performed a metatranscriptome analysis of endophytic fungi isolated from a black nightshade plant Solanum nigrum L. growing on mine tailings of a gold processing area. Initial screening revealed the presence of a copper-tolerant strain of Fusarium oxysporum, designated as IB-SN1W, which tolerated up to 1000 ppm and 300 ppm copper in solid and liquid media, respectively. Differential gene expression analysis by RNA sequencing showed that 23% of contigs are uniquely expressed in the copper-treated fungus. These genes are involved in copper ion import, polyamine transport, oxidoreductase activity, and oxidative stress response. Catalase transcripts were also highly upregulated in IB-SN1W compared to a non-tolerant F. oxysporum strain. Catalase inhibition decreased copper-tolerance in IB-SN1W, while the addition of antioxidants prevented the copper-dependent growth inhibition in the non-tolerant strain. Overall, these results suggest that oxidative stress response contributes to copper tolerance in F. oxysporum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz Rhuel P Ragasa
- Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Santiago Emil A Joson
- Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Windy Lou R Bagay
- Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; Natural Sciences Research Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Teresita R Perez
- Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; Natural Sciences Research Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Michael C Velarde
- Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; Natural Sciences Research Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
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23
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Culbertson EM, Culotta VC. Copper in infectious disease: Using both sides of the penny. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 115:19-26. [PMID: 33423931 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The transition metal Cu is an essential micronutrient that serves as a co-factor for numerous enzymes involved in redox and oxygen chemistry. However, Cu is also a potentially toxic metal, especially to unicellular microbes that are in direct contact with their environment. Since 400 BCE, Cu toxicity has been leveraged for its antimicrobial properties and even today, Cu based materials are being explored as effective antimicrobials against human pathogens spanning bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 agent of the 2019-2020 pandemic. Given that Cu has the double-edged property of being both highly toxic and an essential micronutrient, it plays an active and complicated role at the host-pathogen interface. Humans have evolved methods of incorporating Cu into innate and adaptive immune processes and both sides of the penny (Cu toxicity and Cu as a nutrient) are employed. Here we review the evolution of Cu in biology and its multi-faceted roles in infectious disease, from the viewpoints of the microbial pathogens as well as the animal hosts they infect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward M Culbertson
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Valeria C Culotta
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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24
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Ohno KM, Bishell AB, Stanosz GR. Gene Expression Analysis of Three Putative Copper-Transporting ATPases in Copper-Tolerant Fibroporia radiculosa. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:586940. [PMID: 33343526 PMCID: PMC7746681 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.586940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Copper tolerance of brown-rot basidiomycete decay fungi can lessen the efficacy of copper-containing wood preservatives for wood products in-service. The purpose of this study was to evaluate wood mass loss and differential expression of three genes that have putative annotations for copper-transporting ATPase pumps (FIBRA_00974, FIBRA_04716, and FIBRA_01430). Untreated southern pine (SP) and SP treated with three concentrations of ammoniacal copper citrate (CC, 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4%) were exposed to two copper-tolerant Fibroporia radiculosa isolates (FP-90848-T and L-9414-SP) and copper-sensitive Gloeophyllum trabeum isolate (MAD 617) in a 4-week-long standard decay test (AWPA E10-19). Decay of copper-treated wood was inhibited by G. trabeum (p = 0.001); however, there was no inhibition of decay with increasing copper concentrations by both F. radiculosa isolates. Initially, G. trabeum and one F. radiculosa isolate (L-9414-SP) highly upregulated FIBRA_00974 and FIBRA_04716 on copper-treated wood at week 1 (p = 0.005), but subsequent expression was either not detected or was similar to expression on untreated wood (p = 0.471). The other F. radiculosa isolate (FP-90848-T) downregulated FIBRA_00974 (p = 0.301) and FIBRA_04716 (p = 0.004) on copper-treated wood. FIBRA_01430 expression by G. trabeum was not detected, but was upregulated by both F. radiculosa FP-90848-T (p = 0.481) and L-9414-SP (p = 0.392). Results from this study suggest that all three test fungi utilized different mechanisms when decaying copper-treated wood. Additionally, results from this study do not provide support for the involvement of these putative gene annotations for copper-transporting ATPase pumps in the mechanism of copper-tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M Ohno
- USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Amy B Bishell
- USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Glen R Stanosz
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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25
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Grechnikova M, Ženíšková K, Malych R, Mach J, Sutak R. Copper detoxification machinery of the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri involves copper-translocating ATPase and the antioxidant system. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2020; 14:126-135. [PMID: 33096396 PMCID: PMC7578549 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Copper is a trace metal that is necessary for all organisms but toxic when present in excess. Different mechanisms to avoid copper toxicity have been reported to date in pathogenic organisms such as Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans. However, little if anything is known about pathogenic protozoans despite their importance in human and veterinary medicine. Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba that occurs naturally in warm fresh water and can cause a rapid and deadly brain infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Here, we describe the mechanisms employed by N. fowleri to tolerate high copper concentrations, which include various strategies such as copper efflux mediated by a copper-translocating ATPase and upregulation of the expression of antioxidant enzymes and obscure hemerythrin-like and protoglobin-like proteins. The combination of different mechanisms efficiently protects the cell and ensures its high copper tolerance, which can be advantageous both in the natural environment and in the host. Nevertheless, we demonstrate that copper ionophores are potent antiamoebic agents; thus, copper metabolism may be considered a therapeutic target. N. fowleri employs the combination of copper efflux and antioxidant system to ensure a high copper tolerance. Copper efflux in N. fowleri is mediated by a copper-translocating P-type ATPase. Copper ionophores have amoebicidal effect against N. fowleri and thus may be potentially used as antiamoebic agents. Iron-binding proteins hemerythrin and protoglobin are highly upregulated in N. fowleri under copper overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grechnikova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Ženíšková
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Ronald Malych
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Mach
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Sutak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic.
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26
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Ding Y, Mei J, Chai Y, Yang W, Mao Y, Yan B, Yu Y, Disi JO, Rana K, Li J, Qian W. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum utilizes host-derived copper for ROS detoxification and infection. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008919. [PMID: 33002079 PMCID: PMC7553324 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotrophic plant pathogen induces host reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which leads to necrosis in the host, allowing the pathogen to absorb nutrients from the dead tissues. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a typical necrotrophic pathogen that causes Sclerotinia stem rot in more than 400 species, resulting in serious economic losses. Here, we found that three S. sclerotiorum genes involved in copper ion import/transport, SsCTR1, SsCCS and SsATX1, were significantly up-regulated during infection of Brassica oleracea. Function analysis revealed that these genes involved in fungal ROS detoxification and virulence. On the host side, four genes putatively involved in copper ion homeostasis, BolCCS, BolCCH, BolMT2A and BolDRT112, were significantly down-regulated in susceptible B. oleracea, but stably expressed in resistant B. oleracea during infection. Their homologs were found to promote resistance to S. sclerotiorum and increase antioxidant activity in Arabidopsis thaliana. Furthermore, copper concentration analysis indicated that copper flow from healthy area into the necrotic area during infection. A model was proposed that S. sclerotiorum utilizes host copper to detoxify ROS in its cells, whereas the resistant hosts may restrict the supply of essential copper nutrients to S. sclerotiorum by maintaining copper ion homeostasis during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijuan Ding
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, China
| | - Jiaqin Mei
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, China
| | - Yaru Chai
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Wenjing Yang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, China
| | - Yi Mao
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, China
| | - Baoqin Yan
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, China
| | - Yang Yu
- College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, China
| | - Joseph Onwusemu Disi
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, United States of America
| | - Kusum Rana
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, China
| | - Jiana Li
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, China
| | - Wei Qian
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, China
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, China
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27
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Petito G, de Curcio JS, Pereira M, Bailão AM, Paccez JD, Tristão GB, de Morais COB, de Souza MV, de Castro Moreira Santos A, Fontes W, Ricart CAO, de Almeida Soares CM. Metabolic Adaptation of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in Response to in vitro Copper Deprivation. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1834. [PMID: 32849434 PMCID: PMC7430155 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Copper is an essential micronutrient for the performance of important biochemical processes such as respiration detoxification, and uptake of metals like iron. Studies have shown that copper deprivation is a strategy used by the host against pathogenic fungi such as Cryptoccocus neoformans and Candida albicans during growth and development of infections in the lungs and kidneys. Although there are some studies, little is known about the impact of copper deprivation in members of the Paracoccidioides genus. Therefore, using isobaric tag labeling (iTRAQ)-Based proteomic approach and LC-MS/MS, we analyzed the impact of in vitro copper deprivation in the metabolism of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. One hundred and sixty-four (164) differentially abundant proteins were identified when yeast cells were deprived of copper, which affected cellular respiration and detoxification processes. Changes in cellular metabolism such as increased beta oxidation and cell wall remodeling were described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Petito
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Juliana Santana de Curcio
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Maristela Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Melo Bailão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Juliano Domiraci Paccez
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Brum Tristão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Valle de Souza
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Wagner Fontes
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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28
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Liu X, Jiang Y, He D, Fang X, Xu J, Lee YW, Keller NP, Shi J. Copper Tolerance Mediated by FgAceA and FgCrpA in Fusarium graminearum. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1392. [PMID: 32676062 PMCID: PMC7333239 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
All organisms must secure essential trace elements (e.g., Cu) for survival and reproduction. However, excess trace element accumulation in cells is highly toxic. The maintenance of copper (Cu) homeostasis has been extensively studied in mammals, bacteria, and yeast but not in plant pathogens. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of copper tolerance in Fusarium graminearum, the important wheat head scab fungus. RNA-seq revealed induced expression of the P-type ATPase transporter FgCrpA and metallothionein (MT) FgCrdA after excess Cu treatment. Deletion of FgCrpA but not FgCrdA resulted in reduced tolerance to Cu toxicity. The “Cu fist” transcription factor FgAceA was involved in Cu detoxification through activation of FgCrpA. △FgAceA was more sensitive to copper toxicity than △FgCrpA and overexpression of FgCrpA restored copper tolerance in △FgAceA. FgAceA negatively regulated aurofusarin production and its biosynthetic gene expression. △FgCrpA and △FgAceA were reduced in virulence in flowering wheat heads and synthesized decreased amounts of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol when challenged with excess Cu. Taken together, these results suggest that mediation of Cu tolerance in F. graminearum mainly relies on the Cu efflux pump and that FgAceA governs Cu detoxification through activation of FgCrpA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Ministry of Science and Technology/Key Laboratory for Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory for Agro-product Safety Risk Evaluation (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety/Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.,School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yichen Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Ministry of Science and Technology/Key Laboratory for Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory for Agro-product Safety Risk Evaluation (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety/Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,College of Food Science, Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi, China
| | - Dan He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Ministry of Science and Technology/Key Laboratory for Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory for Agro-product Safety Risk Evaluation (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety/Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Fang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Ministry of Science and Technology/Key Laboratory for Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory for Agro-product Safety Risk Evaluation (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety/Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jianhong Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Ministry of Science and Technology/Key Laboratory for Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory for Agro-product Safety Risk Evaluation (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety/Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yin-Won Lee
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Ministry of Science and Technology/Key Laboratory for Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory for Agro-product Safety Risk Evaluation (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety/Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jianrong Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Ministry of Science and Technology/Key Laboratory for Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory for Agro-product Safety Risk Evaluation (Nanjing), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety/Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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29
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Hunsaker EW, Franz KJ. Candida albicans reprioritizes metal handling during fluconazole stress. Metallomics 2020; 11:2020-2032. [PMID: 31709426 DOI: 10.1039/c9mt00228f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of metal homeostasis is critical to cell survival due to the multitude of cellular processes that depend on one or more metal cofactors. Here, we show that the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans extensively remodels its metal homeostasis networks to respond to treatment with the antifungal drug fluconazole. Disruption of the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway by fluconazole requires C. albicans adaptation, including increased Cu import and storage, increased retention of Fe, Mn, and Zn, altered utilization of Cu- and Mn-dependent enzymes, mobilization of Fe stores, and increased production of the heme prosthetic group utilized by the enzyme target of fluconazole. The findings offer a new perspective for thinking about fungal response to drug stress that pushes cells out of their metal homeostatic zones, leading them to enact metal-associated adaptation mechanisms to restore homeostasis to survive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth W Hunsaker
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, French Family Science Center, 124 Science Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.
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30
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Copper overload in Paracoccidioides lutzii results in the accumulation of ergosterol and melanin. Microbiol Res 2020; 239:126524. [PMID: 32570056 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2020.126524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis is a highly prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America, caused by fungi of the genus Paracoccidioides. Copper is essential for eukaryotes and bacteria. This micronutrient is used in many vital biochemical processes, although metal excess levels can be toxic for organisms. Pathways underlying copper overload are poorly understood in members of the Paracoccidioides complex. The responses of Paracoccidioides lutzii yeast cells to copper overload were here evaluated. The results showed that under copper overload, cells presented a dark brown pigment, identified as melanin. Proteomic analyses identified mainly the accumulation of proteins related to amino acids metabolism, ergosterol synthesis and melanin production, suggesting that P. lutzii responds to copper overload by changing aspects of its metabolism and also plasma membrane and cell wall remodeling. Proteomic data were confirmed by biochemical analysis.
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31
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Khemiri I, Tebbji F, Sellam A. Transcriptome Analysis Uncovers a Link Between Copper Metabolism, and Both Fungal Fitness and Antifungal Sensitivity in the Opportunistic Yeast Candida albicans. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:935. [PMID: 32508775 PMCID: PMC7248230 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Copper homeostasis is an important determinant for virulence of many human pathogenic fungi such as the highly prevalent yeast Candida albicans. However, beyond the copper transporter Ctr1, little is known regarding other genes and biological processes that are affected by copper. To gain insight into the cellular processes that are modulated by copper abundance in C. albicans, we monitored the global gene expression dynamic under both copper depletion and excess using RNA-seq. Beyond copper metabolism, other different transcriptional programs related to fungal fitness such as stress responses, antifungal sensitivity, host invasion and commensalism were modulated in response to copper variations. We have also investigated the transcriptome of the mutant of the copper utilization regulator, mac1, and identified potential direct targets of this transcription factor under copper starvation. We also showed that Mac1 was required for the invasion and adhesion to host cells and antifungal tolerance. This study provides a framework for future studies to examine the link between copper metabolism and essential functions that modulate fungal virulence and fitness inside the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inès Khemiri
- CHU de Québec Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Faiza Tebbji
- CHU de Québec Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Adnane Sellam
- CHU de Québec Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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32
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The antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of a copper-loaded zinc oxide phosphate cement. Clin Oral Investig 2020; 24:3899-3909. [PMID: 32198658 PMCID: PMC7544705 DOI: 10.1007/s00784-020-03257-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Evidence about modifications of dental luting materials to minimize biological failure at the “marginal gap” between teeth and fixed prosthodontics is scarce. We compared a copper-modified (Co-ZOP) and a conventional zinc oxide phosphate cement (ZOP) in terms of antimicrobial and cytotoxic potentials in vitro and in vivo. Materials and methods Specimens of ZOP and Co-ZOP were characterized by the mean arithmetic roughness (Ra) and surface free energy (SFE). Powder components were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) showed elemental material compositions. In vitro microbial adhesion was shown using SEM, luminescence, and fluorescence assays. CCK-8 assays of mouse fibroblasts (L929) and human gingival fibroblasts (GF-1) were performed after 6, 24, and 48 h of specimen incubation. In vivo, ZOP and Co-ZOP specimens were applied intraorally for 12 h; biofilm accumulation was shown using SEM. Results Ra of ZOP and Co-ZOP showed no significant differences; SFE was significantly higher for Co-ZOP. EDX exhibited minor copper radiation for Co-ZOP, none for ZOP. In vitro fungal adhesion to Co-ZOP was significantly higher than to ZOP; in vitro streptococcal adhesion, cytotoxicity, and in vivo biofilm formation were not significantly different. Conclusions Co-ZOP showed low surface allocations of copper with no improved antimicrobial properties compared with conventional ZOP in vitro or in vivo. Clinical relevance Antimicrobial effects and low cytotoxicity of biomaterials are important for the clinical outcome. Based on our in vitro and in vivo results, no clinical recommendation can be given for the tested Co-ZOP.
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33
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Kim YJ, Park JY, Balusamy SR, Huo Y, Nong LK, Thi Le H, Yang DC, Kim D. Comprehensive Genome Analysis on the Novel Species Sphingomonas panacis DCY99 T Reveals Insights into Iron Tolerance of Ginseng. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2019. [PMID: 32188055 PMCID: PMC7139845 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria play vital roles not only in plant growth, but also in reducing biotic/abiotic stress. Sphingomonas panacis DCY99T is isolated from soil and root of Panax ginseng with rusty root disease, characterized by raised reddish-brown root and this is seriously affects ginseng cultivation. To investigate the relationship between 159 sequenced Sphingomonas strains, pan-genome analysis was carried out, which suggested genomic diversity of the Sphingomonas genus. Comparative analysis of S. panacis DCY99T with Sphingomonas sp. LK11 revealed plant growth-promoting potential of S. panacis DCY99T through indole acetic acid production, phosphate solubilizing, and antifungal abilities. Detailed genomic analysis has shown that S. panacis DCY99T contain various heavy metals resistance genes in its genome and the plasmid. Functional analysis with Sphingomonas paucimobilis EPA505 predicted that S. panacis DCY99T possess genes for degradation of polyaromatic hydrocarbon and phenolic compounds in rusty-ginseng root. Interestingly, when primed ginseng with S. panacis DCY99T during high concentration of iron exposure, iron stress of ginseng was suppressed. In order to detect S. panacis DCY99T in soil, biomarker was designed using spt gene. This study brings new insights into the role of S. panacis DCY99T as a microbial inoculant to protect ginseng plants against rusty root disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Ju Kim
- College of Life Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 16710, Korea; (Y.H.); (D.C.Y.)
| | - Joon Young Park
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea; (J.Y.P.); (L.K.N.); (H.T.L.)
| | | | - Yue Huo
- College of Life Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 16710, Korea; (Y.H.); (D.C.Y.)
| | - Linh Khanh Nong
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea; (J.Y.P.); (L.K.N.); (H.T.L.)
| | - Hoa Thi Le
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea; (J.Y.P.); (L.K.N.); (H.T.L.)
| | - Deok Chun Yang
- College of Life Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 16710, Korea; (Y.H.); (D.C.Y.)
| | - Donghyuk Kim
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea; (J.Y.P.); (L.K.N.); (H.T.L.)
- School of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea
- Korean Genomics Industrialization and Commercialization Center, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea
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Isah MB, Goldring JPD, Coetzer THT. Expression and copper binding properties of the N-terminal domain of copper P-type ATPases of African trypanosomes. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 235:111245. [PMID: 31751595 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Copper is an essential component of cuproproteins but can be toxic to cells, therefore copper metabolism is very carefully regulated within cells. To gain insight into trypanosome copper metabolism, Trypanosoma spp. genomic databases were screened for the presence of copper-containing and -transporting proteins. Among other genes encoding copper-binding proteins, a copper-transporting P-type ATPase (CuATPase) gene was identified. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses suggest that the gene codes for a Cu+ transporter belonging to the P1B-1 ATPase subfamily that has an N-terminal domain with copper binding motifs. The N-terminal cytosolic domains of the proteins from Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei brucei were recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli as maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion proteins. These N-terminal domains bound copper in vitro and within E. coli cells, more than the control MBP fusion partner alone. The copper binding properties of the recombinant proteins were further confirmed when they inhibited copper catalysed ascorbate oxidation. Native CuATPases were detected in a western blot of lysates of T. congolense IL3000 and T. b. brucei ILTat1.1 bloodstream form parasites using affinity purified IgY antibodies against N-terminal domain peptides. The CuATPase was also detected by immunofluorescence in T. b. brucei bloodstream form parasites where it was associated with subcellular vesicles. In conclusion, Trypanosoma species express a copper-transporting P1B-1-type ATPase and together with other copper-binding proteins identified in the genomes of kinetoplastid parasites may constitute potential targets for anti-trypanosomal drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murtala Bindawa Isah
- Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - J P Dean Goldring
- Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Theresa H T Coetzer
- Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
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Hunsaker EW, Franz KJ. Copper potentiates azole antifungal activity in a way that does not involve complex formation. Dalton Trans 2019; 48:9654-9662. [PMID: 30888372 PMCID: PMC6613581 DOI: 10.1039/c9dt00642g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
To survive, fungal pathogens must acquire nutrient metals that are restricted by the host while also tolerating mechanisms of metal toxicity that are induced by the host. Given this dual vulnerability, we hypothesized that a pathogen's access to and control of essential yet potentially dangerous metal ions would affect fungal tolerance to antifungal drug stress. Here, we show that Candida albicans becomes sensitized to both Cu limitation and Cu elevation during exposure in liquid culture to the antifungal drug fluconazole, a widely prescribed antifungal agent. Spectroscopic data confirm that while fluconazole forms a complex with Cu(ii) in water, interactions of fluconazole with neither Cu(ii) nor Cu(i) are observed in the cell culture media used for the cellular assays. This result is further supported by growth assays in deletion strains that lack Cu import machinery. Overall, we establish that increases in Cu levels by as little as 40 nM over basal levels in the growth medium reduce tolerance of C. albicans to fluconazole in a way that does not require formation of a Cu-fluconazole complex. Rather, our data point to a more complex relationship between drug stress and Cu availability that gives rise to metal-mediated outcomes of drug treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth W Hunsaker
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, French Family Science Center, 124 Science Drive, 27708, Durham, NC, USA.
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Antsotegi-Uskola M, Markina-Iñarrairaegui A, Ugalde U. New insights into copper homeostasis in filamentous fungi. Int Microbiol 2019; 23:65-73. [PMID: 31093811 PMCID: PMC6981102 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-019-00081-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Copper is a metal ion that is required as a micronutrient for growth and proliferation. However, copper accumulation generates toxicity by multiple mechanisms, potentially leading to cell death. Due to its toxic nature at high concentrations, different chemical variants of copper have been extensively used as antifungal agents in agriculture and medicine. Most studies on copper homeostasis have been carried out in bacteria, yeast, and mammalian organisms. However, knowledge on filamentous fungi is less well documented. This review summarizes the knowledge gathered in the last few years about copper homeostasis in the filamentous fungi Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus nidulans: The mechanism of action of copper, the uptake and detoxification systems, their regulation at the transcriptional level, and the role of copper homeostasis in fungal pathogenicity are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martzel Antsotegi-Uskola
- Microbial Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Ane Markina-Iñarrairaegui
- Microbial Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Unai Ugalde
- Microbial Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain.
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Copper Utilization, Regulation, and Acquisition by Aspergillus fumigatus. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20081980. [PMID: 31018527 PMCID: PMC6514546 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20081980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Copper is an essential micronutrient for the opportunistic human pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus. Maintaining copper homeostasis is critical for survival and pathogenesis. Copper-responsive transcription factors, AceA and MacA, coordinate a complex network responsible for responding to copper in the environment and determining which response is necessary to maintain homeostasis. For example, A. fumigatus uses copper exporters to mitigate the toxic effects of copper while simultaneously encoding copper importers and small molecules to ensure proper supply of the metal for copper-dependent processes such a nitrogen acquisition and respiration. Small molecules called isocyanides recently found to be produced by A. fumigatus may bind copper and partake in copper homeostasis similarly to isocyanide copper chelators in bacteria. Considering that the host uses copper as a microbial toxin and copper availability fluctuates in various environmental niches, understanding how A. fumigatus maintains copper homeostasis will give insights into mechanisms that facilitate the development of invasive aspergillosis and its survival in nature.
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Candida albicans Interactions with Mucosal Surfaces during Health and Disease. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8020053. [PMID: 31013590 PMCID: PMC6631630 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8020053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Flexible adaptation to the host environment is a critical trait that underpins the success of numerous microbes. The polymorphic fungus Candida albicans has evolved to persist in the numerous challenging niches of the human body. The interaction of C. albicans with a mucosal surface is an essential prerequisite for fungal colonisation and epitomises the complex interface between microbe and host. C. albicans exhibits numerous adaptations to a healthy host that permit commensal colonisation of mucosal surfaces without provoking an overt immune response that may lead to clearance. Conversely, fungal adaptation to impaired immune fitness at mucosal surfaces enables pathogenic infiltration into underlying tissues, often with devastating consequences. This review will summarise our current understanding of the complex interactions that occur between C. albicans and the mucosal surfaces of the human body.
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Yang K, Shadkchan Y, Tannous J, Landero Figueroa JA, Wiemann P, Osherov N, Wang S, Keller NP. Contribution of ATPase copper transporters in animal but not plant virulence of the crossover pathogen Aspergillus flavus. Virulence 2019; 9:1273-1286. [PMID: 30027796 PMCID: PMC6177249 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2018.1496774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus flavus is notorious for contaminating many important crops and food-stuffs with the carcinogenic mycotoxin, aflatoxin. This fungus is also the second most frequent Aspergillus pathogen after A. fumigatus infecting immunosuppressed patients. In many human fungal pathogens including A. fumigatus, the ability to defend from toxic levels of copper (Cu) is essential in pathogenesis. In A. fumigatus, the Cu-fist DNA binding protein, AceA, and the Cu ATPase transporter, CrpA, play critical roles in Cu defense. Here, we show that A. flavus tolerates higher concentrations of Cu than A. fumigatus and other Aspergillus spp. associated with the presence of two homologs of A. fumigatus CrpA termed CrpA and CrpB. Both crpA and crpB are transcriptionally induced by increasing Cu concentrations via AceA activity. Deletion of crpA or crpB alone did not alter high Cu tolerance, suggesting they are redundant. Deletion of both genes resulted in extreme Cu sensitivity that was greater than that following deletion of the regulatory transcription factor aceA. The ΔcrpAΔcrpB and ΔaceA strains were also sensitive to ROI stress. Compared to wild type, these mutants were impaired in the ability to colonize maize seed treated with Cu fungicide but showed no difference in virulence on non-treated seed. A mouse model of invasive aspergillosis showed ΔcrpAΔcrpB and to a lesser degree ΔaceA to be significantly reduced in virulence, following the greater sensitivity of ΔcrpAΔcrpB to Cu than ΔaceA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunlong Yang
- a Fujian Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences , Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou , China.,b Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology , University of Wisconsin , Madison , WI , USA
| | - Yana Shadkchan
- c Aspergillus and Antifungal Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv , Israel
| | - Joanna Tannous
- b Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology , University of Wisconsin , Madison , WI , USA
| | - Julio A Landero Figueroa
- d Agilent Metallomics Center, College of Arts & Science, Chemistry Department , University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , OH , USA
| | - Philipp Wiemann
- b Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology , University of Wisconsin , Madison , WI , USA
| | - Nir Osherov
- c Aspergillus and Antifungal Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv , Israel
| | - Shihua Wang
- a Fujian Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences , Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou , China
| | - Nancy P Keller
- b Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology , University of Wisconsin , Madison , WI , USA
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Hameed S, Hans S, Singh S, Fatima Z. Harnessing Metal Homeostasis Offers Novel and Promising Targets Against Candida albicans. Curr Drug Discov Technol 2019; 17:415-429. [PMID: 30827249 DOI: 10.2174/1570163816666190227231437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections, particularly of Candida species, which are the commensal organisms of human, are one of the major debilitating diseases in immunocompromised patients. The limited number of antifungal drugs available to treat Candida infections, with the concomitant increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, further worsens the therapeutic options. Thus, there is an urgent need for the better understanding of MDR mechanisms, and their reversal, by employing new strategies to increase the efficacy and safety profiles of currently used therapies against the most prevalent human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans. Micronutrient availability during C. albicans infection is regarded as a critical factor that influences the progression and magnitude of the disease. Intracellular pathogens colonize a variety of anatomical locations that are likely to be scarce in micronutrients, as a defense strategy adopted by the host, known as nutritional immunity. Indispensable critical micronutrients are required both by the host and by C. albicans, especially as a cofactor in important metabolic functions. Since these micronutrients are not freely available, C. albicans need to exploit host reservoirs to adapt within the host for survival. The ability of pathogenic organisms, including C. albicans, to sense and adapt to limited micronutrients in the hostile environment is essential for survival and confers the basis of its success as a pathogen. This review describes that micronutrients availability to C. albicans is a key attribute that may be exploited when one considers designing strategies aimed at disrupting MDR in this pathogenic fungi. Here, we discuss recent advances that have been made in our understanding of fungal micronutrient acquisition and explore the probable pathways that may be utilized as targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saif Hameed
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Gurugram (Manesar)-122413, India
| | - Sandeep Hans
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Gurugram (Manesar)-122413, India
| | - Shweta Singh
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Gurugram (Manesar)-122413, India
| | - Zeeshan Fatima
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Gurugram (Manesar)-122413, India
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41
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Douglas LM, Konopka JB. Plasma membrane architecture protects Candida albicans from killing by copper. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1007911. [PMID: 30633741 PMCID: PMC6345494 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to resist copper toxicity is important for microbial pathogens to survive attack by innate immune cells. A sur7Δ mutant of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans exhibits decreased virulence that correlates with increased sensitivity to copper, as well as defects in other stress responses and morphogenesis. Previous studies indicated that copper kills sur7Δ cells by a mechanism distinct from the known resistance pathways involving the Crp1 copper exporter or the Cup1 metallothionein. Since Sur7 resides in punctate plasma membrane domains known as MCC/eisosomes, we examined overexpression of SUR7 and found that it rescued the copper sensitivity of a mutant that fails to form MCC/eisosomes (pil1Δ lsp1Δ), indicating that these domains act to facilitate Sur7 function. Genetic screening identified new copper-sensitive mutants, the strongest of which were similar to sur7Δ in having altered plasma membranes due to defects in membrane trafficking, cortical actin, and morphogenesis (rvs161Δ, rvs167Δ, and arp2Δ arp3Δ). Consistent with the mutants having altered plasma membrane organization, they were all more readily permeabilized by copper, which is known to bind phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine and cause membrane damage. Although these phospholipids are normally localized to the intracellular leaflet of the plasma membrane, their exposure on the surface of the copper-sensitive mutants was indicated by increased susceptibility to membrane damaging agents that bind to these phospholipids. Increased copper sensitivity was also detected for a drs2Δ mutant, which lacks a phospholipid flippase that is involved in maintaining phospholipid asymmetry. Copper binds phosphatidylserine with very high affinity, and deleting CHO1 to prevent phosphatidylserine synthesis rescued the copper sensitivity of sur7Δ cells, confirming a major role for phosphatidylserine in copper sensitivity. These results highlight how proper plasma membrane architecture protects fungal pathogens from copper and attack by the immune system, thereby opening up new avenues for therapeutic intervention. The transition metal copper is used by the innate immune system to attack microbial pathogens. To better understand how the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans resists this type of stress, we screened for mutants that were more susceptible to killing by copper. Interestingly, we identified a new class of copper-sensitive mutants whose plasma membranes are more readily permeabilized by copper. The common characteristic of these new copper-sensitive mutants is that they have an altered cell surface, which weakened their resistance to copper. These results help to explain the toxic effects of copper and suggest novel therapeutic strategies for fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lois M. Douglas
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - James B. Konopka
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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The Role of Copper Homeostasis at the Host-Pathogen Axis: From Bacteria to Fungi. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20010175. [PMID: 30621285 PMCID: PMC6337107 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Copper is an essential trace element participating in many vital biological processes, however it becomes a toxic agent when in excess. Thus, precise and tight regulation of copper homeostasis processes, including transport, delivery, storage, detoxification, and efflux machineries, is important, ensuring that only the amount needed to sustain basic biological functions and simultaneously prevent copper toxicity in the cell is maintained. Numerous exciting studies have revealed that copper plays an indispensable role at the microbial pathogen-host axis for entities ranging from pathogenic bacteria to deadly fungal species. Analyses of copper homeostases in bacteria and fungi extensively demonstrate that copper is utilized by the host immune system as an anti-microbial agent. The expression of copper efflux and detoxification from microbial pathogens is induced to counteract the host's copper bombardment, which in turn disrupts these machineries, resulting in the attenuation of microbial survival in host tissue. We hereby review the latest work in copper homeostases in pathogenic bacteria and fungi and focus on the maintenance of a copper balance at the pathogen-host interaction axis.
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43
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Cai Z, Du W, Zhang Z, Guan L, Zeng Q, Chai Y, Dai C, Lu L. TheAspergillus fumigatustranscription factor AceA is involved not only in Cu but also in Zn detoxification through regulating transporters CrpA and ZrcA. Cell Microbiol 2018; 20:e12864. [DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhendong Cai
- 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
| | - Wenlong Du
- 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
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine; Nanjing University; Nanjing China
| | - Luyu Guan
- 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
| | - Qiuqiong Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine; Nanjing University; Nanjing China
| | - Yanfei Chai
- 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
| | - Chuanchao Dai
- 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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Abstract
Fungal cells colonize and proliferate in distinct niches, from soil and plants to diverse tissues in human hosts. Consequently, fungi are challenged with the goal of obtaining nutrients while simultaneously elaborating robust regulatory mechanisms to cope with a range of availability of nutrients, from scarcity to excess. Copper is essential for life but also potentially toxic. In this review we describe the sophisticated homeostatic mechanisms by which fungi acquire, utilize, and control this biochemically versatile trace element. Fungal pathogens, which can occupy distinct host tissues that have their own intrinsic requirements for copper homeostasis, have evolved mechanisms to acquire copper to successfully colonize the host, disseminate to other tissues, and combat host copper bombardment mechanisms that would otherwise mitigate virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dennis J Thiele
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, and.,Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710;
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45
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Kosman DJ. For Cryptococcus neoformans, responding to the copper status in a colonization niche is not just about copper. Mol Microbiol 2018; 108:463-466. [PMID: 29633394 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Most fungi express two transcription factors that regulate the expression of genes associated with copper uptake for nutritional needs, and with copper resistance when copper approaches a cytotoxic level. These factors are characterized by cysteine-rich motifs which are associated with copper-sensing, DNA-binding and release, and/or cytoplasmic retention. Cryptococcus neoformans differs from most in that it expresses a single such copper-sensing trans-factor, Cuf1, a protein that up-regulates copper uptake when copper is scarce, and up-regulates copper sequestration when cells become super-replete. For C. neoformans this is an essential task in as much as copper is relatively bioavailable in lung airways while the brain interstitium can be copper-limiting for growth. While fungal dependence on and sensitivity to copper have long been considered targets for anti-fungal chemistry, fungi have proven adept at finding 'work arounds' by using a chelated form of copper as nutrient or adapting to a copper-surfaced hospital bed by increased resistance. However, the cohort of Cuf1 targets identified in this report represent far more than just the uptake and sequestration machinery, but include additional loci that, perhaps, are less easily 'defended' by the fungus. Garcia-Santamarina et al. provide that list and thus lay the ground-work for developing novel anti-fungal reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Kosman
- Department of Biochemistry, The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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Beneš V, Leonhardt T, Sácký J, Kotrba P. Two P 1B-1-ATPases of Amanita strobiliformis With Distinct Properties in Cu/Ag Transport. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:747. [PMID: 29740406 PMCID: PMC5924815 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
As we have shown previously, the Cu and Ag concentrations in the sporocarps of Ag-hyperaccumulating Amanita strobiliformis are correlated, and both metals share the same uptake system and are sequestered by the same metallothioneins intracellularly. To further improve our knowledge of the Cu and Ag handling in A. strobiliformis cells, we searched its transcriptome for the P1B-1-ATPases, recognizing Cu+ and Ag+ for transport. We identified transcripts encoding 1097-amino acid (AA) AsCRD1 and 978-AA AsCCC2, which were further subjected to functional studies in metal sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The expression of AsCRD1 conferred highly increased Cu and Ag tolerance to metal sensitive yeasts in which the functional AsCRD1:GFP (green fluorescent protein) fusion localized exclusively to the tonoplast, indicating that the AsCRD1-mediated Cu and Ag tolerance was a result of vacuolar sequestration of the metals. Increased accumulation of AsCRD1 transcripts observed in A. strobiliformis mycelium upon the treatments with Cu and Ag (8.7- and 4.5-fold in the presence of 5 μM metal, respectively) supported the notion that AsCRD1 can be involved in protection of the A. strobiliformis cells against the toxicity of both metals. Neither Cu nor Ag affected the levels of AsCCC2 transcripts. Heterologous expression of AsCCC2 in mutant yeasts did not contribute to Cu tolerance, but complemented the mutant genotype of the S. cerevisiae ccc2Δ strain. Consistent with the role of the yeast Ccc2 in the trafficking of Cu from cytoplasm to nascent proteins via post-Golgi, the GFP fluorescence in AsCCC2-expressing ccc2Δ yeasts localized among Golgi-like punctate foci within the cells. The AsCRD1- and AsCCC2-associated phenotypes were lost in yeasts expressing mutant transporter variants in which a conserved phosphorylation/dephosphorylation site was altered. Altogether, the data support the roles of AsCRD1 and AsCCC2 as genuine P1B-1-ATPases, and indicate their important functions in the removal of toxic excess of Cu and Ag from the cytoplasm and charging the endomembrane system with Cu, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojtěch Beneš
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Tereza Leonhardt
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jan Sácký
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pavel Kotrba
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
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47
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Bakti F, Sasse C, Heinekamp T, Pócsi I, Braus GH. Heavy Metal-Induced Expression of PcaA Provides Cadmium Tolerance to Aspergillus fumigatus and Supports Its Virulence in the Galleria mellonella Model. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:744. [PMID: 29706948 PMCID: PMC5909057 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Most of the metal transporters in Aspergillus fumigatus are yet uncharacterized. Their role in fungal metabolism and virulence remains unclear. This paper describes the novel PIB-type cation ATPase PcaA, which links metal homeostasis and heavy metal tolerance in the opportunistic human pathogen A. fumigatus. The protein possesses conserved ATPase motif and shares 51% amino acid sequence identity with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cadmium exporter Pca1p. A pcaA deletion, an overexpression and a gfp-pcaA complementation strain of A. fumigatus were constructed and their heavy metal susceptibilities were studied. The pcaA knock out strain showed drastically decreased cadmium tolerance, however, its growth was not affected by the exposure to high concentrations of copper, iron, zinc, or silver ions. Although the lack of PcaA had no effect on copper adaption, we demonstrated that not only cadmium but also copper ions are able to induce the transcription of pcaA in A. fumigatus wild type Af293. Similarly, cadmium and copper ions could induce the copper exporting ATPase crpA. These data imply a general response on the transcriptomic level to heavy metals in A. fumigatus through the induction of detoxification systems. Confocal microscopy of the gfp-pcaA complementation strain expressing functional GFP-PcaA supports the predicted membrane localization of PcaA. The GFP-PcaA fusion protein is located in the plasma membrane of A. fumigatus in the presence of cadmium ions. Virulence assays support a function of PcaA for virulence of A. fumigatus in the Galleria mellonella wax moth larvae model, which might be linked to the elimination of reactive oxygen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fruzsina Bakti
- Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Christoph Sasse
- Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thorsten Heinekamp
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gerhard H Braus
- Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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48
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Wiemann P, Perevitsky A, Lim FY, Shadkchan Y, Knox BP, Landero Figueora JA, Choera T, Niu M, Steinberger AJ, Wüthrich M, Idol RA, Klein BS, Dinauer MC, Huttenlocher A, Osherov N, Keller NP. Aspergillus fumigatus Copper Export Machinery and Reactive Oxygen Intermediate Defense Counter Host Copper-Mediated Oxidative Antimicrobial Offense. Cell Rep 2018; 19:1008-1021. [PMID: 28467895 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fenton-chemistry-generating properties of copper ions are considered a potent phagolysosome defense against pathogenic microbes, yet our understanding of underlying host/microbe dynamics remains unclear. We address this issue in invasive aspergillosis and demonstrate that host and fungal responses inextricably connect copper and reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI) mechanisms. Loss of the copper-binding transcription factor AceA yields an Aspergillus fumigatus strain displaying increased sensitivity to copper and ROI in vitro, increased intracellular copper concentrations, decreased survival in challenge with murine alveolar macrophages (AMΦs), and reduced virulence in a non-neutropenic murine model. ΔaceA survival is remediated by dampening of host ROI (chemically or genetically) or enhancement of copper-exporting activity (CrpA) in A. fumigatus. Our study exposes a complex host/microbe multifactorial interplay that highlights the importance of host immune status and reveals key targetable A. fumigatus counter-defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Wiemann
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Adi Perevitsky
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Fang Yun Lim
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Yana Shadkchan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Benjamin P Knox
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Julio A Landero Figueora
- University of Cincinnati/Agilent Technologies Metallomics Center of the Americas, Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Tsokyi Choera
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Mengyao Niu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | | | - Marcel Wüthrich
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Rachel A Idol
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Bruce S Klein
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Mary C Dinauer
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Nir Osherov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel.
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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49
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Vincent M, Duval RE, Hartemann P, Engels-Deutsch M. Contact killing and antimicrobial properties of copper. J Appl Microbiol 2018; 124:1032-1046. [PMID: 29280540 DOI: 10.1111/jam.13681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
With the emergence of antibiotic resistance, the interest for antimicrobial agents has recently increased again in public health. Copper was recognized in 2008 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the first metallic antimicrobial agent. This led to many investigations of the various properties of copper as an antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral agent. This review summarizes the latest findings about 'contact killing', the mechanism of action of copper nanoparticles and the different ways micro-organisms develop resistance to copper.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vincent
- CNRS, LEMTA, UMR 7563, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France.,Université de Lorraine, LEMTA, UMR 7563, Vandœuvre-lès Nancy, France
| | - R E Duval
- CNRS, UMR 7565, SRSMC, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France.,Université de Lorraine, UMR 7565, SRSMC, Nancy, France.,ABC Platform®, Nancy, France
| | - P Hartemann
- Faculté de Médecine, EA 7298, ERAMBO, DESP, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - M Engels-Deutsch
- CNRS, LEMTA, UMR 7563, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France.,Université de Lorraine, LEMTA, UMR 7563, Vandœuvre-lès Nancy, France.,Faculté de Médecine, EA 7298, ERAMBO, DESP, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
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50
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Gerwien F, Skrahina V, Kasper L, Hube B, Brunke S. Metals in fungal virulence. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2018; 42:4562650. [PMID: 29069482 PMCID: PMC5812535 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fux050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Metals are essential for life, and they play a central role in the struggle between infecting microbes and their hosts. In fact, an important aspect of microbial pathogenesis is the 'nutritional immunity', in which metals are actively restricted (or, in an extended definition of the term, locally enriched) by the host to hinder microbial growth and virulence. Consequently, fungi have evolved often complex regulatory networks, uptake and detoxification systems for essential metals such as iron, zinc, copper, nickel and manganese. These systems often differ fundamentally from their bacterial counterparts, but even within the fungal pathogens we can find common and unique solutions to maintain metal homeostasis. Thus, we here compare the common and species-specific mechanisms used for different metals among different fungal species-focusing on important human pathogens such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus or Cryptococcus neoformans, but also looking at model fungi such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae or A. nidulans as well-studied examples for the underlying principles. These direct comparisons of our current knowledge reveal that we have a good understanding how model fungal pathogens take up iron or zinc, but that much is still to learn about other metals and specific adaptations of individual species-not the least to exploit this knowledge for new antifungal strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Gerwien
- Department Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology– Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Volha Skrahina
- Department Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology– Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology– Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology– Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology– Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
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