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Librais GMN, Jiang Y, Razzaq I, Brandl CJ, Shapiro RS, Lajoie P. Evolutionary diversity of the control of the azole response by Tra1 across yeast species. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2024; 14:jkad250. [PMID: 37889998 PMCID: PMC10849324 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Tra1 is an essential coactivator protein of the yeast SAGA and NuA4 acetyltransferase complexes that regulate gene expression through multiple mechanisms including the acetylation of histone proteins. Tra1 is a pseudokinase of the PIKK family characterized by a C-terminal PI3K domain with no known kinase activity. However, mutations of specific arginine residues to glutamine in the PI3K domains (an allele termed tra1Q3) result in reduced growth and increased sensitivity to multiple stresses. In the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans, the tra1Q3 allele reduces pathogenicity and increases sensitivity to the echinocandin antifungal drug caspofungin, which disrupts the fungal cell wall. Here, we found that compromised Tra1 function, in contrast to what is seen with caspofungin, increases tolerance to the azole class of antifungal drugs, which inhibits ergosterol synthesis. In C. albicans, tra1Q3 increases the expression of genes linked to azole resistance, such as ERG11 and CDR1. CDR1 encodes a multidrug ABC transporter associated with efflux of multiple xenobiotics, including azoles. Consequently, cells carrying tra1Q3 show reduced intracellular accumulation of fluconazole. In contrast, a tra1Q3 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain displayed opposite phenotypes: decreased tolerance to azole, decreased expression of the efflux pump PDR5, and increased intracellular accumulation of fluconazole. Therefore, our data provide evidence that Tra1 differentially regulates the antifungal response across yeast species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuwei Jiang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Iqra Razzaq
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Christopher J Brandl
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Patrick Lajoie
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
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2
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Tsybruk TV, Kaluzhskiy LA, Mezentsev YV, Makarieva TN, Tabakmaher KM, Ivanchina NV, Dmitrenok PS, Baranovsky AV, Gilep AA, Ivanov AS. Molecular Cloning, Heterologous Expression, Purification, and Evaluation of Protein-Ligand Interactions of CYP51 of Candida krusei Azole-Resistant Fungal Strain. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2873. [PMID: 38001874 PMCID: PMC10668980 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11112873] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the increasing prevalence of fungal diseases caused by fungi of the genus Candida and the development of pathogen resistance to available drugs, the need to find new effective antifungal agents has increased. Azole antifungals, which are inhibitors of sterol-14α-demethylase or CYP51, have been widely used in the treatment of fungal infections over the past two decades. Of special interest is the study of C. krusei CYP51, since this fungus exhibit resistance not only to azoles, but also to other antifungal drugs and there is no available information about the ligand-binding properties of CYP51 of this pathogen. We expressed recombinant C. krusei CYP51 in E. coli cells and obtained a highly purified protein. Application of the method of spectrophotometric titration allowed us to study the interaction of C. krusei CYP51 with various ligands. In the present work, the interaction of C. krusei CYP51 with azole inhibitors, and natural and synthesized steroid derivatives was evaluated. The obtained data indicate that the resistance of C. krusei to azoles is not due to the structural features of CYP51 of this microorganism, but rather to another mechanism. Promising ligands that demonstrated sufficiently strong binding in the micromolar range to C. krusei CYP51 were identified, including compounds 99 (Kd = 1.02 ± 0.14 µM) and Ch-4 (Kd = 6.95 ± 0.80 µM). The revealed structural features of the interaction of ligands with the active site of C. krusei CYP51 can be taken into account in the further development of new selective modulators of the activity of this enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsiana V. Tsybruk
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry NASB, 5 Building 2, V.F. Kuprevich Street, 220084 Minsk, Belarus; (A.V.B.); (A.A.G.)
| | - Leonid A. Kaluzhskiy
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Str. 10 Building 8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (L.A.K.); (Y.V.M.)
| | - Yuri V. Mezentsev
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Str. 10 Building 8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (L.A.K.); (Y.V.M.)
| | - Tatyana N. Makarieva
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pr. 100-let Vladivostoku 159, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia; (T.N.M.); (K.M.T.); (N.V.I.); (P.S.D.)
| | - Kseniya M. Tabakmaher
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pr. 100-let Vladivostoku 159, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia; (T.N.M.); (K.M.T.); (N.V.I.); (P.S.D.)
| | - Natalia V. Ivanchina
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pr. 100-let Vladivostoku 159, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia; (T.N.M.); (K.M.T.); (N.V.I.); (P.S.D.)
| | - Pavel S. Dmitrenok
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pr. 100-let Vladivostoku 159, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia; (T.N.M.); (K.M.T.); (N.V.I.); (P.S.D.)
| | - Alexander V. Baranovsky
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry NASB, 5 Building 2, V.F. Kuprevich Street, 220084 Minsk, Belarus; (A.V.B.); (A.A.G.)
| | - Andrei A. Gilep
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry NASB, 5 Building 2, V.F. Kuprevich Street, 220084 Minsk, Belarus; (A.V.B.); (A.A.G.)
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Str. 10 Building 8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (L.A.K.); (Y.V.M.)
| | - Alexis S. Ivanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Str. 10 Building 8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (L.A.K.); (Y.V.M.)
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3
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Gong J, Chen XF, Fan X, Xu J, Zhang H, Li RY, Chen SCA, Kong F, Zhang S, Sun ZY, Kang M, Liao K, Guo DW, Wan Z, Hu ZD, Chu YZ, Zhao HM, Zou GL, Shen C, Geng YY, Wu WW, Wang H, Zhao F, Lu X, He LH, Liu GM, Xu YC, Zhang JZ, Xiao M. Emergence of Antifungal Resistant Subclades in the Global Predominant Phylogenetic Population of Candida albicans. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0380722. [PMID: 36700687 PMCID: PMC9927326 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03807-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans remains the most common species causing invasive candidiasis. In this study, we present the population structure of 551 global C. albicans strains. Of these, the antifungal susceptibilities of 370 strains were tested. Specifically, 66.6% of the azole-nonsusceptible (NS)/non-wild-type (NWT) strains that were tested belonged to Clade 1. A phylogenetic analysis, a principal components analysis, the population structure, and a loss of heterozygosity events revealed two nested subclades in Clade 1, namely, Clade 1-R and Clade 1-R-α, that exhibited higher azole-NS/NWT rates (75.0% and 100%, respectively). In contrast, 6.4% (21/326) of the non-Clade 1-R isolates were NS/NWT to at least 1 of 4 azoles. Notably, all of the Clade 1-R-α isolates were pan-azole-NS/NWT that carried unique A114S and Y257H double substitutions in Erg11p and had the overexpression of ABC-type efflux pumps introduced by the substitution A736V in transcript factor Tac1p. It is worth noting that the Clade 1-R and Clade 1-R-α isolates were from different cities that are distributed over a large geographic span. Our study demonstrated the presence of specific phylogenetic subclades that are associated with antifungal resistance among C. albicans Clade 1, which calls for public attention on the monitoring of the future spread of these clones. IMPORTANCE Invasive candidiasis is the most common human fungal disease among hospitalized patients, and Candida albicans is the predominant pathogen. Considering the large number of infected cases and the limited alternative therapies, the azole-resistance of C. albicans brings a huge clinical threat. Here, our study suggested that antifungal resistance in C. albicans could also be associated with phylogenetic lineages. Specifically, it was revealed that more than half of the azole-resistant C. albicans strains belonged to the same clade. Furthermore, two nested subclades of the clade exhibited extremely high azole-resistance. It is worth noting that the isolates of two subclades were from different cities that are distributed over a large geographic span in China. This indicates that the azole-resistant C. albicans subclades may develop into serious public health concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Fei Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sate Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine and Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sate Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Ruo-Yu Li
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, China
- Research Center for Medical Mycology, Beijing University, Beijing, China
| | - Sharon C-A Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fanrong Kong
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Yong Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mei Kang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Kang Liao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Da-Wen Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Zhe Wan
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Dong Hu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yun-Zhuo Chu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Hong-Mei Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Gui-Ling Zou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Chong Shen
- Center for Statistical Science, and Department of Industrial Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Wei Wu
- Department of Dermatology, the Fifth People's Hospital of Hainan Province, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - He Wang
- Dynamiker Sub-center of Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Disease, Tianjin, China
| | - Fei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Hua He
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Gui-Ming Liu
- Beijing Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Chun Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sate Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Zhong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Xiao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sate Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
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Sitterlé E, Coste AT, Obadia T, Maufrais C, Chauvel M, Sertour N, Sanglard D, Puel A, D'Enfert C, Bougnoux ME. Large-scale genome mining allows identification of neutral polymorphisms and novel resistance mutations in genes involved in Candida albicans resistance to azoles and echinocandins. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:835-848. [PMID: 31923309 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkz537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genome of Candida albicans displays significant polymorphism. Point mutations in genes involved in resistance to antifungals may either confer phenotypic resistance or be devoid of phenotypic consequences. OBJECTIVES To catalogue polymorphisms in azole and echinocandin resistance genes occurring in susceptible strains in order to rapidly pinpoint relevant mutations in resistant strains. METHODS Genome sequences from 151 unrelated C. albicans strains susceptible to fluconazole and caspofungin were used to create a catalogue of non-synonymous polymorphisms in genes involved in resistance to azoles (ERG11, TAC1, MRR1 and UPC2) or echinocandins (FKS1). The potential of this catalogue to reveal putative resistance mutations was tested in 10 azole-resistant isolates, including 1 intermediate to caspofungin. Selected mutations were analysed by mutagenesis experiments or mutational prediction effect. RESULTS In the susceptible strains, we identified 126 amino acid substitutions constituting the catalogue of phenotypically neutral polymorphisms. By excluding these neutral substitutions, we identified 22 additional substitutions in the 10 resistant strains. Among these substitutions, 10 had already been associated with resistance. The remaining 12 were in Tac1p (n = 6), Upc2p (n = 2) and Erg11p (n = 4). Four out of the six homozygous substitutions in Tac1p (H263Y, A790V, H839Y and P971S) conferred increases in azole MICs, while no effects were observed for those in Upc2p. Additionally, two homozygous substitutions (Y64H and P236S) had a predicted conformation effect on Erg11p. CONCLUSIONS By establishing a catalogue of neutral polymorphisms occurring in genes involved in resistance to antifungal drugs, we provide a useful resource for rapid identification of mutations possibly responsible for phenotypic resistance in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Sitterlé
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC2019 INRA, Paris, France.,Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Unité de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Service de Microbiologie clinique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants-Malades, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Paris, France
| | - Alix T Coste
- Institut de Microbiologie, Université de Lausanne et Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Obadia
- Hub de Bioinformatique et Biostatistique, Département Biologie Computationnelle, Institut Pasteur, USR 3756 CNRS, Paris, France.,Unité Malaria: parasites et hôtes, Département Parasites et Insectes Vecteurs, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Corinne Maufrais
- Hub de Bioinformatique et Biostatistique, Département Biologie Computationnelle, Institut Pasteur, USR 3756 CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Murielle Chauvel
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC2019 INRA, Paris, France
| | - Natacha Sertour
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC2019 INRA, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Sanglard
- Institut de Microbiologie, Université de Lausanne et Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anne Puel
- Laboratoire de génétique humaine des maladies infectieuses, Necker, INSERM U1163, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | - Christophe D'Enfert
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC2019 INRA, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Elisabeth Bougnoux
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC2019 INRA, Paris, France.,Unité de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Service de Microbiologie clinique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants-Malades, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Paris, France.,Université de Paris, Paris, France
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5
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Shi H, Zhang Y, Zhang M, Chang W, Lou H. Molecular Mechanisms of Azole Resistance in Four Clinical Candida albicans Isolates. Microb Drug Resist 2021; 27:1641-1651. [PMID: 34037478 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2020.0413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Azole resistance constitutes a serious clinical problem in the management of infections caused by Candida albicans. This study aimed to explore azole-resistant mechanisms in clinical C. albicans isolates collected in Jinan, Shandong, China. In total, 22 samples were collected and analyzed. Among these, four isolates (28A, 28D, 28I, and 28J) exhibited high level of pan-azole-resistance that was Hsp90 dependent. Gene sequencing revealed that the four Hsp90-dependent strains contained different ERG3 mutations that led to four novel amino acid substitutions (S265Y, N322D, N324S, and E355D) in Erg3. The role of these substitutions in azole resistance development was determined by constructing one copy of the mutated ERG3 from the 28A, 28D, and 28I strains into C. albicans CAI4, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration value of fluconazole (FLC) against C. albicans CAI4-ERG328I increased fourfold compared with the wild-type C. albicans strain, suggesting that the novel combination of substitutions S265Y, N322D, and N324S played an important role in mediating azole resistance in 28I. Besides, we identified several different mechanisms in other three isolates. Strains 28A and 28D displayed increased efflux ability and overexpression of MDR1. Strain 28J showed high level of ERG11 expression, but no mutation in its regulator Upc2 was observed. Our study revealed that multiple factors confer azole resistance in clinical C. albicans isolates and combination therapy should be conducted clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhuo Shi
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenqiang Chang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongxiang Lou
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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6
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Feng W, Yang J, Ma Y, Xi Z, Zhao X, Zhao X, Zhao M. The effects of secreted aspartyl proteinase inhibitor ritonavir on azoles-resistant strains of Candida albicans as well as regulatory role of SAP2 and ERG11. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2021; 9:667-680. [PMID: 33951330 PMCID: PMC8342201 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida albicans, the main human fungal pathogen, can cause fungal infection and seriously affect people's health and life. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ritonavir (RIT) on C. albicans and the correlation between SAP2 as well as ERG11 and drug resistance. RESULTS Secreted aspartyl proteinases (Saps) activities and pathogenicity of C. albicans with different drug resistance were measured. M27-A4 broth microdilution method was used to analyze the drug sensitivity of RIT combined with fluconazole (FCA) on C. albicans. After that, SAP2 and ERG11 mutations were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing, and quantitative real-time PCR was utilized to determine the expression of the two genes. By analyzing pz values, the Saps activity of cross-resistant strains was the highest, followed by voriconazole (VRC)-resistant strains, FCA-resistant strains, itraconazole (ITR)-resistant strains, and sensitive strains. The pathogenicity of C. albicans in descending order was as follows: cross-resistant strains, VRC-resistant strains, ITR-resistant strains, FCA-resistant strains, and sensitive strains. With the increase of RIT concentrations, the Saps activity was gradually inhibited. Drug sensitivity results showed that there was no synergistic effect between RIT and FCA. Additionally, no gene mutation sites were found in SAP2 sequencing, and 17 synonymous mutations and 6 missense mutations occurred in ERG11 sequencing. Finally, the expression of SAP2 and ERG11 was significantly higher in the resistant strains compared with the sensitive strains, and there was a positive liner correlation between SAP2 and ERG11 messenger RNA expression (r = .6655, p < .001). CONCLUSION These findings may help to improve our understanding of azole-resistant mechanisms of C. albicans and provide a novel direction for clinical therapeutics of C. albicans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Feng
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Jing Yang
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Yan Ma
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhiqin Xi
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaoqin Zhao
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zhao
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Min Zhao
- The Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
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Lee Y, Puumala E, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Antifungal Drug Resistance: Molecular Mechanisms in Candida albicans and Beyond. Chem Rev 2021; 121:3390-3411. [PMID: 32441527 PMCID: PMC8519031 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 335] [Impact Index Per Article: 111.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections are a major contributor to infectious disease-related deaths across the globe. Candida species are among the most common causes of invasive mycotic disease, with Candida albicans reigning as the leading cause of invasive candidiasis. Given that fungi are eukaryotes like their human host, the number of unique molecular targets that can be exploited for antifungal development remains limited. Currently, there are only three major classes of drugs approved for the treatment of invasive mycoses, and the efficacy of these agents is compromised by the development of drug resistance in pathogen populations. Notably, the emergence of additional drug-resistant species, such as Candida auris and Candida glabrata, further threatens the limited armamentarium of antifungals available to treat these serious infections. Here, we describe our current arsenal of antifungals and elaborate on the resistance mechanisms Candida species possess that render them recalcitrant to therapeutic intervention. Finally, we highlight some of the most promising therapeutic strategies that may help combat antifungal resistance, including combination therapy, targeting fungal-virulence traits, and modulating host immunity. Overall, a thorough understanding of the mechanistic principles governing antifungal drug resistance is fundamental for the development of novel therapeutics to combat current and emerging fungal threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjin Lee
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Emily Puumala
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
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8
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Capric acid secreted by Saccharomyces boulardii influences the susceptibility of Candida albicans to fluconazole and amphotericin B. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6519. [PMID: 33753842 PMCID: PMC7985486 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86012-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of capric acid, secreted by the probiotic yeasts Saccharomyces boulardii, was evaluated on the activities of fluconazole (FLC) and amphotericin B (AMB) against pathogenic Candida albicans fungus. The findings indicated that capric acid may be a promising additive for use in combination with FLC. A FLC-capric acid combination led to reduced efflux activity of multidrug resistance (MDR) transporter Cdr1p by causing it to relocalize from the plasma membrane (PM) to the interior of the cell. The above effect occurred due to inhibitory effect of FLC-capric acid combination of ergosterol biosynthesis. However, capric acid alone stimulated ergosterol production in C. albicans, which in turn generated cross resistance towards AMB and inhibited its action (PM permeabilization and cytoplasm leakage) against C. albicans cells. This concluded that AMB should not be administered among dietary supplements containing capric acid or S. boulardii cells.
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Suchodolski J, Derkacz D, Muraszko J, Panek JJ, Jezierska A, Łukaszewicz M, Krasowska A. Fluconazole and Lipopeptide Surfactin Interplay During Candida albicans Plasma Membrane and Cell Wall Remodeling Increases Fungal Immune System Exposure. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12040314. [PMID: 32244775 PMCID: PMC7238018 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12040314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recognizing the β-glucan component of the Candida albicans cell wall is a necessary step involved in host immune system recognition. Compounds that result in exposed β-glucan recognizable to the immune system could be valuable antifungal drugs. Antifungal development is especially important because fungi are becoming increasingly drug resistant. This study demonstrates that lipopeptide, surfactin, unmasks β-glucan when the C. albicans cells lack ergosterol. This observation also holds when ergosterol is depleted by fluconazole. Surfactin does not enhance the effects of local chitin accumulation in the presence of fluconazole. Expression of the CHS3 gene, encoding a gene product resulting in 80% of cellular chitin, is downregulated. C. albicans exposure to fluconazole changes the composition and structure of the fungal plasma membrane. At the same time, the fungal cell wall is altered and remodeled in a way that makes the fungi susceptible to surfactin. In silico studies show that surfactin can form a complex with β-glucan. Surfactin forms a less stable complex with chitin, which in combination with lowering chitin synthesis, could be a second anti-fungal mechanism of action of this lipopeptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Suchodolski
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.S.); (D.D.); (J.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Daria Derkacz
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.S.); (D.D.); (J.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Jakub Muraszko
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.S.); (D.D.); (J.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Jarosław J. Panek
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.J.P.); (A.J.)
| | - Aneta Jezierska
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.J.P.); (A.J.)
| | - Marcin Łukaszewicz
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.S.); (D.D.); (J.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Anna Krasowska
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.S.); (D.D.); (J.M.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence:
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Zhang T, Cao Q, Li N, Liu D, Yuan Y. Transcriptome analysis of fungicide-responsive gene expression profiles in two Penicillium italicum strains with different response to the sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide prochloraz. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:156. [PMID: 32050894 PMCID: PMC7017498 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6564-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Penicillium italicum (blue mold) is one of citrus pathogens causing undesirable citrus fruit decay even at strictly-controlled low temperatures (< 10 °C) during shipping and storage. P. italicum isolates with considerably high resistance to sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides have emerged; however, mechanism(s) underlying such DMI-resistance remains unclear. In contrast to available elucidation on anti-DMI mechanism for P. digitatum (green mold), how P. italicum DMI-resistance develops has not yet been clarified. Results The present study prepared RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) libraries for two P. italicum strains (highly resistant (Pi-R) versus highly sensitive (Pi-S) to DMI fungicides), with and without prochloraz treatment, to identify prochloraz-responsive genes facilitating DMI-resistance. After 6 h prochloraz-treatment, comparative transcriptome profiling showed more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Pi-R than Pi-S. Functional enrichments identified 15 DEGs in the prochloraz-induced Pi-R transcriptome, simultaneously up-regulated in P. italicum resistance. These included ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter-encoding genes, major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter-encoding genes, ergosterol (ERG) anabolism component genes ERG2, ERG6 and EGR11 (CYP51A), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling-inducer genes Mkk1 and Hog1, and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK) signaling-inducer genes CaMK1 and CaMK2. Fragments Per Kilobase per Million mapped reads (FPKM) analysis of Pi-R transcrtiptome showed that prochloraz induced mRNA increase of additional 4 unigenes, including the other two ERG11 isoforms CYP51B and CYP51C and the remaining kinase-encoding genes (i.e., Bck1 and Slt2) required for Slt2-MAPK signaling. The expression patterns of all the 19 prochloraz-responsive genes, obtained in our RNA-seq data sets, have been validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). These lines of evidence in together draw a general portrait of anti-DMI mechanisms for P. italicum species. Intriguingly, some strategies adopted by the present Pi-R were not observed in the previously documented prochloraz-resistant P. digitatum transcrtiptomes. These included simultaneous induction of all major EGR11 isoforms (CYP51A/B/C), over-expression of ERG2 and ERG6 to modulate ergosterol anabolism, and concurrent mobilization of Slt2-MAPK and CaMK signaling processes to overcome fungicide-induced stresses. Conclusions The present findings provided transcriptomic evidence on P. italicum DMI-resistance mechanisms and revealed some diversity in anti-DMI strategies between P. italicum and P. digitatum species, contributing to our knowledge on P. italicum DMI-resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingfu Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Qianwen Cao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Na Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China.,Yunnan Higher Education Institutions, College of Life Science and Technology, Honghe University, Mengzi, 661199, China
| | - Deli Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
| | - Yongze Yuan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
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Suchodolski J, Muraszko J, Korba A, Bernat P, Krasowska A. Lipid composition and cell surface hydrophobicity of Candida albicans influence the efficacy of fluconazole-gentamicin treatment. Yeast 2020; 37:117-129. [PMID: 31826306 PMCID: PMC7004182 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Adherence of the fungus, Candida albicans, to biotic (e.g. human tissues) and abiotic (e.g. catheters) surfaces can lead to emergence of opportunistic infections in humans. The process of adhesion and further biofilm development depends, in part, on cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH). In this study, we compared the resistance of C. albicans strains with different CSH to the most commonly prescribed antifungal drug, fluconazole, and the newly described synergistic combination, fluconazole and gentamicin. The hydrophobic strain was more resistant to fluconazole due to, among others, overexpression of the ERG11 gene encoding the fluconazole target protein (CYP51A1, Erg11p), which leads to overproduction of ergosterol in this strain. Additionally, the hydrophobic strain displayed high efflux activity of the multidrug resistance Cdr1 pump due to high expression of the CDR1 gene. On the other hand, the hydrophobic C. albicans strain was more susceptible to fluconazole-gentamicin combination because of its different effect on lipid content in the two strains. The combination resulted in ergosterol depletion with subsequent Cdr1p mislocalization and loss of activity in the hydrophobic strain. We propose that C. albicans strains with different CSH may possess altered lipid metabolism and consequently may differ in their response to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Suchodolski
- Department of Biotransformation, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Jakub Muraszko
- Department of Biotransformation, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Korba
- Department of Biotransformation, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Przemysław Bernat
- Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Anna Krasowska
- Department of Biotransformation, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
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Suchodolski J, Muraszko J, Bernat P, Krasowska A. A Crucial Role for Ergosterol in Plasma Membrane Composition, Localisation, and Activity of Cdr1p and H +-ATPase in Candida albicans. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7100378. [PMID: 31546699 PMCID: PMC6843828 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7100378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen of humans. Treatment of C. albicans infections relies on azoles, which target the lanosterol 14α-demethylase (Erg11p) encoded by the ERG11 gene. Our results show that targeted gene disruption of ERG11 can result in resistance to ergosterol-dependent drugs (azoles and amphotericin B), auxotrophy and aerobically viable erg11Δ/Δ cells. Abnormal sterol deposition and lack of ergosterol in the erg11Δ/Δ strain leads to reduced plasma membrane (PM) fluidity, as well as dysfunction of the vacuolar and mitochondrial membranes, resulting respectively in defects in vacuole fusion and a reduced intracellular ATP level. The altered PM structure of the erg11Δ/Δ strain contributes to delocalisation of H+-ATPase and the Cdr1 efflux pump from the PM to vacuoles and, resulting in a decrease in PM potential (Δψ) and increased sensitivity to ergosterol-independent xenobiotics. This new insight into intracellular processes under Erg11p inhibition may lead to a better understanding of the indirect effects of azoles on C. albicans cells and the development of new treatment strategies for resistant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Suchodolski
- Department of Biotransformation, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Jakub Muraszko
- Department of Biotransformation, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Przemysław Bernat
- Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, 90-237 Łódź, Banacha 12/16, Poland.
| | - Anna Krasowska
- Department of Biotransformation, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland.
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Wu Y, Wu M, Wang Y, Chen Y, Gao J, Ying C. ERG11 couples oxidative stress adaptation, hyphal elongation and virulence in Candida albicans. FEMS Yeast Res 2019; 18:5040230. [PMID: 29931064 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foy057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a major fungal opportunistic pathogen for humans. In the treatment of C. albicans, azole drugs target the sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) encoded by ERG11 gene. Most studies have focused on the fact that the ERG11 mutant results in drug resistance, but its mechanism of action as a drug target has not been described yet. Our results showed that deletion of ERG11 reduced filamentous and invasive growth, and impaired hyphal elongation in sensing serum. Lack of ERG11 increased susceptibility to H2O2 and was defective in clearing reactive oxygen species. ERG11 may affect oxidative stress adaptation by specifically downregulating CAT1 expression. In addition, C. albicans cells lacking ERG11 were more efficiently killed by macrophages and became avirulent in vivo. This study is the first to indicate that ERG11 plays an essential role in hyphal elongation, oxidative stress adaptation and virulence in C. albicans. We speculated that azole drugs not only inhibit the growth of C. albicans, but also assist the host immune system in clearing the fungal organism. The new understanding of mechanisms of action of antifungal drugs should facilitate the development of treatment strategies for resistant fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- YongQin Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - MengYing Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - YuanYuan Wang
- Unit of Pathogenic Fungal Infection and Host Immunity, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - YiSheng Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - ChunMei Ying
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai 200011, China
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Sharma J, Rosiana S, Razzaq I, Shapiro RS. Linking Cellular Morphogenesis with Antifungal Treatment and Susceptibility in Candida Pathogens. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:E17. [PMID: 30795580 PMCID: PMC6463059 DOI: 10.3390/jof5010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are a growing public health concern, and an increasingly important cause of human mortality, with Candida species being amongst the most frequently encountered of these opportunistic fungal pathogens. Several Candida species are polymorphic, and able to transition between distinct morphological states, including yeast, hyphal, and pseudohyphal forms. While not all Candida pathogens are polymorphic, the ability to undergo morphogenesis is linked with the virulence of many of these pathogens. There are also many connections between Candida morphogenesis and antifungal drug treatment and susceptibility. Here, we review how Candida morphogenesis-a key virulence trait-is linked with antifungal drugs and antifungal drug resistance. We highlight how antifungal therapeutics are able to modulate morphogenesis in both sensitive and drug-resistant Candida strains, the shared signaling pathways that mediate both morphogenesis and the cellular response to antifungal drugs and drug resistance, and the connection between Candida morphology, drug resistance, and biofilm growth. We further review the development of anti-virulence drugs, and targeting Candida morphogenesis as a novel therapeutic strategy to target fungal pathogens. Together, this review highlights important connections between fungal morphogenesis, virulence, and susceptibility to antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jehoshua Sharma
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Sierra Rosiana
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Iqra Razzaq
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
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