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Hang S, Lu H, Jiang Y. Marine-Derived Metabolites Act as Promising Antifungal Agents. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:180. [PMID: 38667797 PMCID: PMC11051449 DOI: 10.3390/md22040180] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The incidence of invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) is on the rise globally, particularly among immunocompromised patients, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Current clinical antifungal agents, such as polyenes, azoles, and echinocandins, face increasing resistance from pathogenic fungi. Therefore, there is a pressing need for the development of novel antifungal drugs. Marine-derived secondary metabolites represent valuable resources that are characterized by varied chemical structures and pharmacological activities. While numerous compounds exhibiting promising antifungal activity have been identified, a comprehensive review elucidating their specific underlying mechanisms remains lacking. In this review, we have compiled a summary of antifungal compounds derived from marine organisms, highlighting their diverse mechanisms of action targeting various fungal cellular components, including the cell wall, cell membrane, mitochondria, chromosomes, drug efflux pumps, and several biological processes, including vesicular trafficking and the growth of hyphae and biofilms. This review is helpful for the subsequent development of antifungal drugs due to its summary of the antifungal mechanisms of secondary metabolites from marine organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hui Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200092 Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanying Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200092 Shanghai, China
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Dai M, Du W, Lu L, Zhang S. Transcription factors SltA and CrzA reversely regulate calcium homeostasis under calcium-limited conditions. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0117023. [PMID: 37874299 PMCID: PMC10686095 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01170-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Calcium ions are ubiquitous intracellular signaling molecules for many signaling pathways regulating the fungal response to stress and antifungal drugs. The concentration of intracellular calcium is tightly regulated in its storage, release, and distribution. CrzA is the best-studied transcription factor that regulates this process under sufficient calcium or other external signals. However, CrzA was excluded from nuclei and then lost transcriptional activation under calcium-limited conditions. The regulators in the Ca2+ signaling pathway under calcium-limited conditions remain unclear. Here, we identified SltA as a key regulator in the Ca2+ signaling pathway under calcium-limited conditions, and the underlying mechanisms were further explored in Aspergillus fumigatus. These findings reveal a transcriptional control pathway that precisely regulates calcium homeostasis under calcium-limited conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyao Dai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenlong Du
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ling Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shizhu Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Zhu G, Chen S, Zhang Y, Lu L. Mitochondrial Membrane-Associated Protein Mba1 Confers Antifungal Resistance by Affecting the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species in Aspergillus fumigatus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0022523. [PMID: 37428039 PMCID: PMC10433838 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00225-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Azole resistance in the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is becoming a major threat to global health. To date, mutations in the azole target-encoding cyp51A gene have been implicated in conferring azole resistance, but a steady increase in the number of A. fumigatus isolates with azole resistance resulting from non-cyp51A mutations has been recognized. Previous studies have revealed that some isolates with non-cyp51A mutation-induced azole resistance are related to mitochondrial dysfunction. However, knowledge of the molecular mechanism underlying the involvement of non-cyp51A mutations is limited. In this study, using next-generation sequencing, we found that nine independent azole-resistant isolates without cyp51A mutations had normal mitochondrial membrane potential. Among these isolates, a mutation in a mitochondrial ribosome-binding protein, Mba1, conferred multidrug resistance to azoles, terbinafine, and amphotericin B but not caspofungin. Molecular characterization verified that the TIM44 domain of Mba1 was crucial for drug resistance and that the N terminus of Mba1 played a major role in growth. Deletion of mba1 had no effect on Cyp51A expression but decreased the fungal cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, which contributed to mba1-mediated drug resistance. The findings in this study suggest that some non-cyp51A proteins drive drug resistance mechanisms that result from reduced ROS production induced by antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxing Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shu Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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Ancuceanu R, Hovaneț MV, Cojocaru-Toma M, Anghel AI, Dinu M. Potential Antifungal Targets for Aspergillus sp. from the Calcineurin and Heat Shock Protein Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012543. [PMID: 36293395 PMCID: PMC9603945 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus species, especially A. fumigatus, and to a lesser extent others (A. flavus, A. niger, A. terreus), although rarely pathogenic to healthy humans, can be very aggressive to immunocompromised patients (they are opportunistic pathogens). Although survival rates for such infections have improved in recent decades following the introduction of azole derivatives, they remain a clinical challenge. The fact that current antifungals act as fungistatic rather than fungicide, that they have limited safety, and that resistance is becoming increasingly common make the need for new, more effective, and safer therapies to become more acute. Over the last decades, knowledge about the molecular biology of A. fumigatus and other Aspergillus species, and particularly of calcineurin, Hsp90, and their signaling pathway proteins, has progressed remarkably. Although calcineurin has attracted much interest, its adverse effects, particularly its immunosuppressive effects, make it less attractive than it might at first appear. The situation is not very different for Hsp90. Other proteins from their signaling pathways, such as protein kinases phosphorylating the four SPRR serine residues, CrzA, rcnA, pmcA-pmcC (particularly pmcC), rfeF, BAR adapter protein(s), the phkB histidine kinase, sskB MAP kinase kinase, zfpA, htfA, ctfA, SwoH (nucleoside diphosphate kinase), CchA, MidA, FKBP12, the K27 lysine position from Hsp90, PkcA, MpkA, RlmA, brlA, abaA, wetA, other heat shock proteins (Hsp70, Hsp40, Hsp12) currently appear promising and deserve further investigation as potential targets for antifungal drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Ancuceanu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (R.A.); (M.V.H.)
| | - Marilena Viorica Hovaneț
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (R.A.); (M.V.H.)
| | - Maria Cojocaru-Toma
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2025 Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Adriana-Iuliana Anghel
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihaela Dinu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
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Jampilek J. Novel avenues for identification of new antifungal drugs and current challenges. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:949-968. [PMID: 35787715 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2097659] [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: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Some of otherwise useful fungi are pathogenic to humans, and unfortunately, the number of these pathogens is increasing. In addition to common skin infections, these opportunistic pathogens are able to cause severe, often incurable, systemic mycoses. AREAS COVERED : The number of antifungal drugs is limited, especially drugs that can be used for systemic administration, and resistance to these drugs is very common. This review summarizes various approaches to the discovery and development of new antifungal drugs, provides an overview of the most important molecules in terms of basic (laboratory) research and compounds currently in clinical trials, and focuses on drug repurposing strategy, while providing an overview of drugs of other indications that have been tested in vitro for their antifungal activity for possible expansion of antifungal drugs and/or support of existing antimycotics. EXPERT OPINION : Despite the limitations of the research of new antifungal drugs by pharmaceutical manufacturers, in addition to innovated molecules based on clinically used drugs, several completely new small entities with unique mechanisms of actions have been identified. The identification of new molecular targets that offer alternatives for the development of new unique selective antifungal highly effective agents has been an important outcome of repurposing of non-antifungal drugs to antifungal drug. Also, given the advances in monoclonal antibodies and their application to immunosuppressed patients, it may seem possible to predict a more optimistic future for antifungal therapy than has been the case in recent decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Jampilek
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Ye J, Wang Y, Li X, Wan Q, Zhang Y, Lu L. Synergistic Antifungal Effect of a Combination of Iron Deficiency and Calcium Supplementation. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0112122. [PMID: 35674440 PMCID: PMC9241635 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01121-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal diseases have become a major public health issue worldwide. Increasing drug resistance and the limited number of available antifungals result in high morbidity and mortality. Metal-based drugs have been reported to be therapeutic agents against major protozoan diseases, but knowledge of their ability to function as antifungals is limited. In this study, we found that calcium supplementation combined with iron deficiency causes dramatic growth inhibition of the human fungal pathogens Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Calcium induces the downregulation of iron uptake-related genes and, in particular, causes a decrease in the expression of the transcription factor HapX, which tends to transcriptionally activate siderophore-mediated iron acquisition under iron-deficient conditions. Iron deficiency causes calcium overload and the overproduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and perturbed ion homeostasis suppresses fungal growth. These phenomena are consistently identified in azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates. The findings here imply that low iron availability lets cells mistakenly absorb calcium as a substitute, causing calcium abnormalities. Thus, there is a mutual effect between iron and calcium in fungal pathogens, and the combination of calcium with an iron chelator could serve to improve antifungal therapy. IMPORTANCE Millions of immunocompromised people are at a higher risk of developing different types of severe fungal diseases. The limited number of antifungals and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance highlight an urgent need for new strategies against invasive fungal infections. Here, we report that calcium can interfere with iron absorption of fungal pathogens, especially in iron-limited environments. Thus, a combination of calcium supplementation with an iron chelator inhibits the growth of human fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Moreover, we demonstrate that iron deficiency induces a nonspecific calcium uptake response, which results in toxic levels of metal. Findings in this study suggest that a microenvironment with excess calcium and limited iron is an efficient strategy to curb the growth of fungal pathogens, especially for drug-resistant isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ye
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yamei Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qinyi Wan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre 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 Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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