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Unuofin JO, Odeniyi OA, Majengbasan OS, Igwaran A, Moloantoa KM, Khetsha ZP, Iwarere SA, Daramola MO. Chitinases: expanding the boundaries of knowledge beyond routinized chitin degradation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:38045-38060. [PMID: 38789707 PMCID: PMC11195638 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33728-6] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Chitinases, enzymes that degrade chitin, have long been studied for their role in various biological processes. They play crucial roles in the moulting process of invertebrates, the digestion of chitinous food, and defense against chitin-bearing pathogens. Additionally, chitinases are involved in physiological functions in crustaceans, such as chitinous food digestion, moulting, and stress response. Moreover, chitinases are universally distributed in organisms from viruses to mammals and have diverse functions including tissue degradation and remodeling, nutrition uptake, pathogen invasion, and immune response regulation. The discovery of these diverse functions expands our understanding of the biological significance and potential applications of chitinases. However, recent research has shown that chitinases possess several other functions beyond just chitin degradation. Their potential as biopesticides, therapeutic agents, and tools for bioremediation underscores their significance in addressing global challenges. More importantly, we noted that they may be applied as bioweapons if ethical regulations regarding production, engineering and application are overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Onolame Unuofin
- Sustainable Energy and Environment Research Group (SEERG), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria, Private bag X20 Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa.
| | | | | | - Aboi Igwaran
- The Life Science Center Biology, School of Sciences and Technology, Örebro University, 701 82, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Karabelo MacMillan Moloantoa
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of Kwazulu Natal, Private Bag X540001, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Zenzile Peter Khetsha
- Department of Agriculture, Central University of Technology, Free State, Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Samuel Ayodele Iwarere
- Sustainable Energy and Environment Research Group (SEERG), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria, Private bag X20 Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Michael Olawale Daramola
- Sustainable Energy and Environment Research Group (SEERG), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria, Private bag X20 Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
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Valdez AF, de Souza TN, Bonilla JJA, Zamith-Miranda D, Piffer AC, Araujo GRS, Guimarães AJ, Frases S, Pereira AK, Fill TP, Estevao IL, Torres A, Almeida IC, Nosanchuk JD, Nimrichter L. Traversing the Cell Wall: The Chitinolytic Activity of Histoplasma capsulatum Extracellular Vesicles Facilitates Their Release. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1052. [PMID: 37998859 PMCID: PMC10672645 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111052] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Histoplasma capsulatum is the causative agent of histoplasmosis. Treating this fungal infection conventionally has significant limitations, prompting the search for alternative therapies. In this context, fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) hold relevant potential as both therapeutic agents and targets for the treatment of fungal infections. To explore this further, we conducted a study using pharmacological inhibitors of chitinase (methylxanthines) to investigate their potential to reduce EV release and its subsequent impact on fungal virulence in an in vivo invertebrate model. Our findings revealed that a subinhibitory concentration of the methylxanthine, caffeine, effectively reduces EV release, leading to a modulation of H. capsulatum virulence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported instance of a pharmacological inhibitor that reduces fungal EV release without any observed fungicidal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro F. Valdez
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (A.F.V.); (T.N.d.S.); (J.J.A.B.); (A.C.P.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA;
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Taiane Nascimento de Souza
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (A.F.V.); (T.N.d.S.); (J.J.A.B.); (A.C.P.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jhon Jhamilton Artunduaga Bonilla
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (A.F.V.); (T.N.d.S.); (J.J.A.B.); (A.C.P.)
| | - Daniel Zamith-Miranda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA;
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Alicia Corbellini Piffer
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (A.F.V.); (T.N.d.S.); (J.J.A.B.); (A.C.P.)
- Unité Biologie des ARN des Pathogènes Fongiques, Départament de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Glauber R. S. Araujo
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (G.R.S.A.); (S.F.)
| | - Allan J. Guimarães
- Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia—MIP, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 24210-130, RJ, Brazil;
- Rede Micologia, RJ, FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | - Susana Frases
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (G.R.S.A.); (S.F.)
- Rede Micologia, RJ, FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | - Alana Kelyene Pereira
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, SP, Brazil; (A.K.P.); (T.P.F.)
| | - Taicia Pacheco Fill
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, SP, Brazil; (A.K.P.); (T.P.F.)
| | - Igor L. Estevao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79902, USA; (I.L.E.); (A.T.); (I.C.A.)
| | - Angel Torres
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79902, USA; (I.L.E.); (A.T.); (I.C.A.)
| | - Igor C. Almeida
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79902, USA; (I.L.E.); (A.T.); (I.C.A.)
| | - Joshua D. Nosanchuk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA;
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (A.F.V.); (T.N.d.S.); (J.J.A.B.); (A.C.P.)
- Rede Micologia, RJ, FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
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Tomilova OG, Kryukov VY, Kryukova NA, Tolokonnikova KP, Tokarev YS, Rumiantseva AS, Alekseev AA, Glupov VV. Effects of passages through an insect or a plant on virulence and physiological properties of the fungus Metarhizium robertsii. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15726. [PMID: 37583910 PMCID: PMC10424674 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Species of the genus Metarhizium are characterized by a multitrophic lifestyle of being arthropod parasites, rhizosphere colonizers, endophytes, and saprophytes. The process of adaptation to various organisms and substrates may lead to specific physiological alterations that can be elucidated by passaging through different hosts. Changes in virulence and cultivation properties of entomopathogenic fungi subcultured on different media or passaged through a live insect host are well known. Nevertheless, comparative in-depth physiological studies on fungi after passaging through insect or plant organisms are scarce. Here, virulence, plant colonization, hydrolytic enzymatic activities, toxin production, and antimicrobial action were compared between stable (nondegenerative) parent strain Metarhizium robertsii MB-1 and its reisolates obtained after eight passages through Galleria mellonella larvae or Solanum lycopersicum or after subculturing on the Sabouraud medium. The passaging through the insect caused similar physiological alterations relative to the plant-based passaging: elevation of destruxin A, B, and E production, a decrease in protease and lipase activities, and lowering of virulence toward G. mellonella and Leptinotarsa decemlineata as compared to the parent strain. The reisolates passaged through the insect or plant showed a slight trend toward increased tomato colonization and enhanced antagonistic action on tomato-associated bacterium Bacillus pumilus as compared to the parental strain. Meanwhile, the subculturing of MB-1 on the Sabouraud medium showed stability of the studied parameters, with minimal alterations relative to the parental strain. We propose that the fungal virulence factors are reprioritized during adaptation of M. robertsii to insects, plants, and media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksana G. Tomilova
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
- All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vadim Y. Kryukov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | | | | | - Yuri S. Tokarev
- All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Alexander A. Alekseev
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Voevodsky Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Viktor V. Glupov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Maillard F, Kohler A, Morin E, Hossann C, Miyauchi S, Ziegler-Devin I, Gérant D, Angeli N, Lipzen A, Keymanesh K, Johnson J, Barry K, Grigoriev IV, Martin FM, Buée M. Functional genomics gives new insights into the ectomycorrhizal degradation of chitin. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 238:845-858. [PMID: 36702619 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi play a crucial role in the mineral nitrogen (N) nutrition of their host trees. While it has been proposed that several EcM species also mobilize organic N, studies reporting the EcM ability to degrade N-containing polymers, such as chitin, remain scarce. Here, we assessed the capacity of a representative collection of 16 EcM species to acquire 15 N from 15 N-chitin. In addition, we combined genomics and transcriptomics to identify pathways involved in exogenous chitin degradation between these fungal strains. Boletus edulis, Imleria badia, Suillus luteus, and Hebeloma cylindrosporum efficiently mobilized N from exogenous chitin. EcM genomes primarily contained genes encoding for the direct hydrolysis of chitin. Further, we found a significant relationship between the capacity of EcM fungi to assimilate organic N from chitin and their genomic and transcriptomic potentials for chitin degradation. These findings demonstrate that certain EcM fungal species depolymerize chitin using hydrolytic mechanisms and that endochitinases, but not exochitinases, represent the enzymatic bottleneck of chitin degradation. Finally, this study shows that the degradation of exogenous chitin by EcM fungi might be a key functional trait of nutrient cycling in forests dominated by EcM fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Maillard
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, UMR 1136 Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes, 54280, Champenoux, France
| | - Annegret Kohler
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, UMR 1136 Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes, 54280, Champenoux, France
| | - Emmanuelle Morin
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, UMR 1136 Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes, 54280, Champenoux, France
| | - Christian Hossann
- Université de Lorraine, AgroParisTech, INRAE, SILVA, Silvatech, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Shingo Miyauchi
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, UMR 1136 Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes, 54280, Champenoux, France
| | | | - Dominique Gérant
- Université de Lorraine, AgroParisTech, INRAE, UMR Silva, 54000, Nancy, France
| | - Nicolas Angeli
- Université de Lorraine, AgroParisTech, INRAE, SILVA, Silvatech, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Anna Lipzen
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Keykhosrow Keymanesh
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Jenifer Johnson
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Kerrie Barry
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Igor V Grigoriev
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Francis M Martin
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, UMR 1136 Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes, 54280, Champenoux, France
| | - Marc Buée
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, UMR 1136 Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes, 54280, Champenoux, France
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Egbert S, Hoffman JR, McMullin RT, Lendemer JC, Sorensen JL. Unraveling usnic acid: a comparison of biosynthetic gene clusters between two reindeer lichen (Cladonia rangiferina and C. uncialis). Fungal Biol 2022; 126:697-706. [PMID: 36517138 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2022.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Lichenized fungi are known for their production of a diversity of secondary metabolites, many of which have broad biological and pharmacological applications. By far the most well-studied of these metabolites is usnic acid. While this metabolite has been well-known and researched for decades, the gene cluster responsible for its production was only recently identified from the species Cladonia uncialis. Usnic acid production varies considerably in the genus Cladonia, even among closely related taxa, and many species, such as C. rangiferina, have been inferred to be incapable of producing the metabolite based on analysis by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). We sequenced and examined the usnic acid biosynthetic gene clusters, or lack thereof, from four closely related Cladonia species (C. oricola, C. rangiferina, C. stygia, and C. subtenuis), and compare them against those of C. uncialis. We complement this comparison with tiered chemical profile analyses to confirm the presence or absence of usnic acid in select samples, using both HPLC and LC-MS. Despite long-standing reporting that C. rangiferina lacks the ability to produce usnic acid, we observed functional gene clusters from the species and detected usnic acid when extracts were examined by LC-MS. By contrast, C. stygia and C. oricola, have been previously described as lacking the ability to produce usnic acid, lacked the gene cluster entirely, and no usnic acid could be detected in C. oricola extracts via HPLC or LC-MS. This work suggests that chemical profiles attained through inexpensive and low-sensitivity methods like TLC may fail to detect low abundance metabolites that can be taxonomically informative. This study also bolsters understanding of the usnic acid gene cluster in lichens, revealing differences among domains of the polyketide synthase which may explain observed differences in expression. These results reinforce the need for comprehensive characterization of lichen secondary metabolite profiles with sensitive LC-MS methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Egbert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Jordan R Hoffman
- Department of Biology, Graduate Center, City University of New York, The New York, USA; Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY, 10458-5126, USA
| | - R Troy McMullin
- Research and Collections, Canadian Museum of Nature, PO Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 6P4, Canada
| | - James C Lendemer
- Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY, 10458-5126, USA.
| | - John L Sorensen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada.
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Trichoderma asperelloides PSU-P1 Induced Expression of Pathogenesis-Related Protein Genes against Gummy Stem Blight of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) in Field Evaluation. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8020156. [PMID: 35205910 PMCID: PMC8878962 DOI: 10.3390/jof8020156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Gummy stem blight caused by Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum is the most destructive disease of muskmelon cultivation. This study aimed to induce disease resistance against gummy stem blight in muskmelon by Trichoderma asperelloides PSU-P1. This study was arranged into two crops. Spore suspension at a concentration of 1 × 106 spores/mL of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 was applied to muskmelon to investigate gene expression. The expression of PR genes including chitinase (chi) and β-1,3-glucanase (glu) were determined by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and enzyme activity was assayed by the DNS method. The effects of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 on growth, yield, and postharvest quality of muskmelon fruit were measured. A spore suspension at a concentration of 1 × 106 spore/mL of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 and S. cucurbitacearum was applied to muskmelons to determine the reduction in disease severity. The results showed that the expression of chi and glu genes in T. asperelloides PSU-P1-treated muskmelon plants was 7–10-fold higher than that of the control. The enzyme activities of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase were 0.15–0.284 and 0.343–0.681 U/mL, respectively, which were higher than those of the control (pathogen alone). Scanning electron microscopy revealed crude metabolites extracted from T. asperelloides PSU-P1-treated muskmelon plants caused wilting and lysis of S. cucurbitacearum hyphae, confirming the activity of cell-wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs). Application of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 increased fruit weight and fruit width; sweetness and fruit texture were not significantly different among treated muskmelons. Application of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 reduced the disease severity scale of gummy stem blight to 1.10 in both crops, which was significantly lower than that of the control (2.90 and 3.40, respectively). These results revealed that application of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 reduced disease severity against gummy stem blight by overexpressed PR genes and elevated enzyme activity in muskmelon plants.
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Pitangui NDS, Fernandes FF, Gonçales RA, Roque-Barreira MC. Virulence Vs. Immunomodulation: Roles of the Paracoccin Chitinase and Carbohydrate-Binding Sites in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Infection. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:700797. [PMID: 34532342 PMCID: PMC8438136 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.700797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccin (PCN) is a bifunctional protein primarily present in the cell wall of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, a human pathogenic dimorphic fungus. PCN has one chitinase region and four potential lectin sites and acts as both a fungal virulence factor and an immunomodulator of the host response. The PCN activity on fungal virulence, mediated by the chitinase site, was discovered by infecting mice with yeast overexpressing PCN (PCN-ov). PCN-ov are characterized by increased chitin hydrolysis, a narrow cell wall, and augmented resistance to phagocytes' fungicidal activity. Compared to wild-type (wt) yeast, infection with PCN-ov yeast causes a more severe disease, which is attributed to the increased PCN chitinase activity. In turn, immunomodulation of the host response was demonstrated by injecting, subcutaneously, recombinant PCN in mice infected with wt-P. brasiliensis. Through its carbohydrate binding site, the injected recombinant PCN interacts with Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) N-glycans on macrophages, triggers M1 polarization, and stimulates protective Th1 immunity against the fungus. The PCN-treatment of wt yeast-infected mice results in mild paracoccidioidomycosis. Therefore, PCN paradoxically influences the course of murine paracoccidioidomycosis. The disease is severe when caused by yeast that overexpress endogenous PCN, which exerts a robust local chitinase activity, followed by architectural changes of the cell wall and release of low size chito-oligomers. However, the disease is mild when exogenous PCN is injected, which recognizes N-glycans on systemic macrophages resulting in immunomodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayla de Souza Pitangui
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Freitas Fernandes
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Relber Aguiar Gonçales
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Roque-Barreira
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Wang C, Zeng ZQ, Zhuang WY. Comparative molecular evolution of chitinases in ascomycota with emphasis on mycoparasitism lifestyle. Microb Genom 2021; 7. [PMID: 34516366 PMCID: PMC8715425 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000646] [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] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chitinases are involved in multiple aspects of fungal life cycle, such as cell wall remodelling, chitin degradation and mycoparasitism lifestyle. To improve our knowledge of the chitinase molecular evolution of Ascomycota, the gene family of 72 representatives of this phylum was identified and subjected to phylogenetic, evolution trajectory and selective pressure analyses. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the chitinase gene family size and enzyme types varied significantly, along with species evolution, especially for groups B and C. In addition, two new subgroups, C3 and C4, are recognized in group C chitinases. Random birth and death testing indicated that gene expansion and contraction occurred in most of the taxa, particularly for species in the order Hypocreales (class Sordariomycetes). From an enzyme function point of view, we speculate that group A chitinases are mainly involved in species growth and development, while the expansion of genes in group B chitinases is related to fungal mycoparasitic and entomopathogenic abilities, and, to a certain extent, the expansion of genes in group C chitinases seems to be correlated with the host range broadening of some plant-pathogenic fungi in Sordariomycetes. Further selection pressure testing revealed that chitinases and the related amino acid sites were under positive selection in the evolutionary history, especially at the nodes sharing common ancestors and the terminal branches of Hypocreales. These results give a reasonable explanation for the size and function differences of chitinase genes among ascomycetes, and provide a scientific basis for understanding the evolutionary trajectories of chitinases, particularly that towards a mycoparasitic lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.,Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Zhao-Qing Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Wen-Ying Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
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The Role of Glycoside Hydrolases in Phytopathogenic Fungi and Oomycetes Virulence. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179359. [PMID: 34502268 PMCID: PMC8431085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytopathogenic fungi need to secrete different hydrolytic enzymes to break down complex polysaccharides in the plant cell wall in order to enter the host and develop the disease. Fungi produce various types of cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs) during infection. Most of the characterized CWDEs belong to glycoside hydrolases (GHs). These enzymes hydrolyze glycosidic bonds and have been identified in many fungal species sequenced to date. Many studies have shown that CWDEs belong to several GH families and play significant roles in the invasion and pathogenicity of fungi and oomycetes during infection on the plant host, but their mode of function in virulence is not yet fully understood. Moreover, some of the CWDEs that belong to different GH families act as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which trigger plant immune responses. In this review, we summarize the most important GHs that have been described in eukaryotic phytopathogens and are involved in the establishment of a successful infection.
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