1
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Yuzon JD, Schultzhaus Z, Wang Z. Transcriptomic and genomic effects of gamma-radiation exposure on strains of the black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis evolved to display increased ionizing radiation resistance. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0221923. [PMID: 37676019 PMCID: PMC10581076 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02219-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Ionizing radiation poses a significant threat to living organisms and human health, given its destructive nature and widespread use in fields such as medicine and the potential for nuclear disasters. Melanized fungi exhibit remarkable survival capabilities, enduring doses up to 1,000-fold higher than mammals. Through adaptive laboratory evolution, we validated the protective role of constitutive upregulation of DNA repair genes in the black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis, enhancing survival after radiation exposure. Surprisingly, we found that evolved strains lacking melanin still achieved high levels of radioresistance. Our study unveiled the significance of robust activation and enhancement of redox homeostasis, as evidenced by the profound transcriptional changes and increased accumulation of mutations, in substantially improving ionizing radiation resistance in the absence of melanin. These findings underscore the delicate balance between DNA repair and redox homeostasis for an organism's ability to endure and recover from radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D. Yuzon
- National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate, US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, USA
| | - Zachary Schultzhaus
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, USA
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2
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Toxicocladosporium crousianum and T. eucalyptorum, two new foliar fungi associated with Eucalyptus trees. Mycol Prog 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11557-022-01826-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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3
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Case NT, Song M, Fulford AH, Graham HV, Orphan VJ, Stajich JE, Casadevall A, Mustard J, Heitman J, Lollar BS, Cowen LE. Exploring Space via Astromycology: A Report on the CIFAR Programs Earth 4D and Fungal Kingdom Inaugural Joint Meeting. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:637-640. [PMID: 35196462 PMCID: PMC9233531 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0186] [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: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
"Fungi on Mars!": a popular news heading that piques public interest and makes scientists' blood boil. While such a statement is laden with misinformation and light on evidence, the search for past and present extraterrestrial life is an ongoing scientific effort. Moreover, it is one that is increasingly gaining momentum with the recent collection of martian rock cores from Jezero Crater by NASA's Perseverance rover. Despite the increasingly sophisticated approaches guiding the search for microbial life on other planets, fungi remain relatively underexplored compared to their bacterial counterparts, highlighting a gap between the astrobiological and fungal research communities. Through a meeting in April 2021, the CIFAR Earth 4D and Fungal Kingdom research programs worked to bridge this divide by uniting experts in each field. CIFAR is a Canadian-based global research organization that convenes researchers across disciplines to address important questions facing science and humanity. The CIFAR Earth 4D: Subsurface Science & Exploration and Fungal Kingdom: Threats & Opportunities research programs were launched by CIFAR in July 2019, each made up of approximately two dozen international researchers who are experts in their fields. The Earth 4D program, led by co-directors John Mustard (Brown University, USA) and Barbara Sherwood Lollar (University of Toronto, Canada), aims to understand the complex chemical, physical, and biological interactions that occur within and between Earth's surface and subsurface to explore questions on the evolution of planets and life. The Fungal Kingdom program, led by co-directors Leah Cowen (University of Toronto, Canada) and Joseph Heitman (Duke University, USA), seeks to tackle the most pressing threats fungi pose to human health, agriculture, and biodiversity and to harness their extraordinary potential. The programs met to explore areas for synergy within four major themes: (1) the origins of life; (2) the evolution and diversification of life; (3) life in diverse and extreme environments; and (4) extinction: lessons learned and threats. This report covers the research discussed during the meeting across these four themes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola T. Case
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Min Song
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Heather V. Graham
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Department of Physics, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Victoria J. Orphan
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Jason E. Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - John Mustard
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Medicine, and Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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4
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Blachowicz A, Mhatre S, Singh NK, Wood JM, Parker CW, Ly C, Butler D, Mason CE, Venkateswaran K. The Isolation and Characterization of Rare Mycobiome Associated With Spacecraft Assembly Cleanrooms. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:777133. [PMID: 35558115 PMCID: PMC9087587 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.777133] [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: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ensuring biological cleanliness while assembling and launching spacecraft is critical for robotic exploration of the solar system. To date, when preventing forward contamination of other celestial bodies, NASA Planetary Protection policies have focused on endospore-forming bacteria while fungi were neglected. In this study, for the first time the mycobiome of two spacecraft assembly facilities at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Kennedy Space Center (KSC) was assessed using both cultivation and sequencing techniques. To facilitate enumeration of viable fungal populations and downstream molecular analyses, collected samples were first treated with chloramphenicol for 24 h and then with propidium monoazide (PMA). Among cultivable fungi, 28 distinct species were observed, 16 at JPL and 16 at KSC facilities, while 13 isolates were potentially novel species. Only four isolated species Aureobasidium melanogenum, Penicillium fuscoglaucum, Penicillium decumbens, and Zalaria obscura were present in both cleanroom facilities, which suggests that mycobiomes differ significantly between distant locations. To better visualize the biogeography of all isolated strains the network analysis was undertaken and confirmed higher abundance of Malassezia globosa and Cyberlindnera jadinii. When amplicon sequencing was performed, JPL-SAF and KSC-PHSF showed differing mycobiomes. Metagenomic fungal reads were dominated by Ascomycota (91%) and Basidiomycota (7.15%). Similar to amplicon sequencing, the number of fungal reads changed following antibiotic treatment in both cleanrooms; however, the opposite trends were observed. Alas, treatment with the antibiotic did not allow for definitive ascribing changes observed in fungal populations between treated and untreated samples in both cleanrooms. Rather, these substantial differences in fungal abundance might be attributed to several factors, including the geographical location, climate and the in-house cleaning procedures used to maintain the cleanrooms. This study is a first step in characterizing cultivable and viable fungal populations in cleanrooms to assess fungal potential as biocontaminants during interplanetary explorations. The outcomes of this and future studies could be implemented in other cleanrooms that require to reduce microbial burden, like intensive care units, operating rooms, or cleanrooms in the semiconducting and pharmaceutical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Blachowicz
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Snehit Mhatre
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Nitin Kumar Singh
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Jason M Wood
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Ceth W Parker
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Cynthia Ly
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Daniel Butler
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,The WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
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5
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Draft Genome Sequences of Fungi Isolated from the International Space Station during the Microbial Tracking-2 Experiment. Microbiol Resour Announc 2021; 10:e0075121. [PMID: 34528817 PMCID: PMC8444978 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00751-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As part of the Microbial Tracking-2 study, 94 fungal strains were isolated from surfaces on the International Space Station, and whole-genome sequences were assembled. Characterization of these draft genomes will allow evaluation of microgravity adaption, risks to human health and spacecraft functioning, and biotechnological applications of fungi.
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6
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Satoh K, Alshahni MM, Umeda Y, Komori A, Tamura T, Nishiyama Y, Yamazaki T, Makimura K. Seven years of progress in determining fungal diversity and characterization of fungi isolated from the Japanese Experiment Module KIBO, International Space Station. Microbiol Immunol 2021; 65:463-471. [PMID: 34251696 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The International Space Station (ISS) is a closed facility that orbits the earth carrying not only its crew but also microorganisms. We have participated in microbiota analysis projects for the Japanese Experiment Module KIBO (ISS; operations nomenclature: Microbe-I, II, III, and IV) and were in charge of fungal screening. The interior of KIBO was sampled using swabs and microbe detection sheets (MDSs) for fungal detection. The dominant genera obtained by culture were Aspergillus and Penicillium. DNA analyses of the fungal biota using a clone library showed that KIBO was dominated by Malassezia, a fungal inhabitant of human skin. Three fungal species, Aspergillus sydowii, Penicillium palitans, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, which grew under microgravity in KIBO were observed under a field emission-scanning electron microscope on the ground. No novel phenotypic characteristics were noted. The results of antifungal susceptibility testing of all isolates did not differ significantly from previous reports of corresponding fungi. In Microbe-I (August 2009), MDSs were culture negative, while in the next stages the CFU of MDSs were 10 for Microbe-II (February 2011), 24 for Microbe-III (October 2012), and 151 for Microbe-IV (February 2015). These results indicated that fungi inside KIBO are increasing and expanding over time, and therefore continuous surveillance is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Satoh
- Medical Mycology, Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,General Medical Education and Research Center, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mohamed Mahdi Alshahni
- Medical Mycology, Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,General Medical Education and Research Center, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Umeda
- Medical Mycology, Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aya Komori
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Tamura
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yayoi Nishiyama
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamazaki
- Medical Mycology, Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,General Medical Education and Research Center, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan.,JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Koichi Makimura
- Medical Mycology, Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,General Medical Education and Research Center, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
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7
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Banerjee S, Denning DW, Chakrabarti A. One Health aspects & priority roadmap for fungal diseases : A mini-review. Indian J Med Res 2021; 153:311-319. [PMID: 33906993 PMCID: PMC8204821 DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_768_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal diseases have not been taken seriously in public health agendas as well as research priorities, despite of globally causing an estimated two million deaths every year, and the emergence of many troublesome fungal pathogens like Candida auris, azole resistant Aspergillus fumigatus, terbinafine and azole resistant dermatophytes, and zoonotic sporotrichosis in humans. Fungi are also responsible for huge losses of agricultural products and stored crops as well as recent massive and unexpected mortality in animals caused by white-nose syndrome in the bats and Chytridiomycosis in amphibians. This review aims to underscore the need for collaborative, multisectoral, and trans-disciplinary approach to include the One Health approach as an essential component of surveillance, prevention, and control of globally emerging fungal diseases. Rigorous evidence based surveillance of the environment as well as strengthening rapid and quality diagnosis of fungal diseases can save millions of lives and reduce significant morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayantan Banerjee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Beleghata Infectious Diseases & BG Hospitals, Beleghata, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - David W. Denning
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom
- Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Arunaloke Chakrabarti
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
- Center of Advanced Research in Medical Mycology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
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8
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Satoh K, Yamazaki T, Furukawa S, Mukai C, Makimura K. Identification of fungi isolated from astronaut nasal and pharyngeal smears and saliva. Microbiol Immunol 2021; 65:89-94. [PMID: 33393685 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
As part of a series of studies regarding the microbiota in manned space environments, we isolated the fungal strains from nasal and pharyngeal smears and saliva of 21 astronauts preflight, in-flight, and postflight. On the ground, 120 strains from 43 genera of environmental fungi were isolated from the astronauts. The dominant fungal genera were Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. Only 18 strains from four genera were isolated from the astronauts inside the International Space Station. These fungi are currently thought to be harmless, but regular screening and cleaning are necessary to prevent fungus-related health disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Satoh
- Medical Mycology, Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine/Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Japan.,General Medical Education and Research Center, Teikyo University, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamazaki
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Japan
| | - Satoshi Furukawa
- Space Biomedical Research Group, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Japan
| | - Chiaki Mukai
- Space Biomedical Research Group, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Japan
| | - Koichi Makimura
- Medical Mycology, Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine/Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Japan.,General Medical Education and Research Center, Teikyo University, Japan
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9
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Hashimoto K, Oda H, Saito Y, Akimoto M, Nojiri T, Kawakami Y. Isolation of Simplicillium sympodiophorum and Toxicocladosporium irritans from the Blowout Air of Household Air Conditioners. Biocontrol Sci 2021; 26:105-111. [PMID: 34092713 DOI: 10.4265/bio.26.105] [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: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Household air conditioners are known to be contaminated with dematiaceous fungi such as genus Toxicocladosporium and genus Cladosporium. We frequently encounter cases in which a large amount of fungi, which are presumed to belong to the family Cordycipitaceae, are isolated from the blowout air of the household air conditioners. Therefore, the Cordycipitaceae isolated in the survey of four cases of the air conditioners were identified by genetic analyses. As a result, all of them were found to be Simplicillium sympodiophorum. The concentration of airborne fungi, S. sympodiophorum in the blowout air was high (> 104 cfu/m3) as exceeding the upper limit of quantification in three of four cases, and 5,000 cfu/m3 in one case. This study revealed that S. sympodiophorum contaminated multiple air conditioners. Genus Toxicocladosporium was also isolated from the two air conditioners, and it was found to be Toxicocladosporium irritans by the genetic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yuki Saito
- Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, Inc
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10
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Rcheulishvili N, Zhang Y, Papukashvili D, Deng YL. Survey and Evaluation of Spacecraft-Associated Aluminum-Degrading Microbes and Their Rapid Identification Methods. ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:925-934. [PMID: 32783563 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2019.2078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Aluminum corrosion has become a major obstacle in spacecraft construction given that aluminum is used extensively throughout the construction process. Despite its many attributes in strength and durability, aluminum is susceptible to corrosion, in particular, corrosion due to microbial contamination. Scientists have encountered a number of problems with microbial aluminum corrosion within spacecraft components. Here, we summarize recent findings with regard to the phenomenon of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) on space stations in the context of microbial strains isolated from the Mir space station (Mir) and the International Space Station (ISS). Given that strains found on spacecraft are of terrestrial origin, an understanding of the contribution of Al-corrosive microbes to corrosion and related risks to space travel and astronaut health is essential for implementation of prevention strategies. Accordingly, an efficient rapid identification method of microbes with the capability to degrade aluminum is proposed. In particular, onboard implementation of a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS) is addressed. The use of a MALDI-TOF MS on board spacecraft will be crucial to future successes in space travel given that traditional methods of identifying corrosive species are far more time-consuming. Identification of microbes by way of a MALDI-TOF MS may also aid in the study of microbial corrosion and be a valuable asset for MIC prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nino Rcheulishvili
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Dimitri Papukashvili
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Lin Deng
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
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11
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Mora M, Wink L, Kögler I, Mahnert A, Rettberg P, Schwendner P, Demets R, Cockell C, Alekhova T, Klingl A, Krause R, Zolotariof A, Alexandrova A, Moissl-Eichinger C. Space Station conditions are selective but do not alter microbial characteristics relevant to human health. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3990. [PMID: 31488812 PMCID: PMC6728350 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11682-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The International Space Station (ISS) is a unique habitat for humans and microorganisms. Here, we report the results of the ISS experiment EXTREMOPHILES, including the analysis of microbial communities from several areas aboard at three time points. We assess microbial diversity, distribution, functional capacity and resistance profile using a combination of cultivation-independent analyses (amplicon and shot-gun sequencing) and cultivation-dependent analyses (physiological and genetic characterization of microbial isolates, antibiotic resistance tests, co-incubation experiments). We show that the ISS microbial communities are highly similar to those present in ground-based confined indoor environments and are subject to fluctuations, although a core microbiome persists over time and locations. The genomic and physiological features selected by ISS conditions do not appear to be directly relevant to human health, although adaptations towards biofilm formation and surface interactions were observed. Our results do not raise direct reason for concern with respect to crew health, but indicate a potential threat towards material integrity in moist areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Mora
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Lisa Wink
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Ines Kögler
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Alexander Mahnert
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Petra Rettberg
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Research Group Astrobiology, Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - Petra Schwendner
- University of Edinburgh, School of Physics and Astronomy, James Clerk Maxwell Building, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, UK
| | - René Demets
- European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Charles Cockell
- University of Edinburgh, School of Physics and Astronomy, James Clerk Maxwell Building, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, UK
| | - Tatiana Alekhova
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Biological Faculty, ul. Leninskiye Gory, 1, стр. 12, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andreas Klingl
- Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Plant Development and Electron Microscopy, Department of Biology I, Biocenter, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Robert Krause
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Mozartgasse 12/II, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Anna Zolotariof
- University of Edinburgh, School of Physics and Astronomy, James Clerk Maxwell Building, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, UK
| | - Alina Alexandrova
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Biological Faculty, ul. Leninskiye Gory, 1, стр. 12, Moscow, Russia
| | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria.
- BioTechMed Graz, Mozartgasse 12/II, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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12
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De Middeleer G, Leys N, Sas B, De Saeger S. Fungi and Mycotoxins in Space-A Review. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:915-926. [PMID: 30973270 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Fungi are not only present on Earth but colonize spacecraft and space stations as well. This review provides an extensive overview of the large and diverse group of fungal species that have been found in space, as well as those corresponding detection methods used and the existing and potential future prevention and control strategies. Many of the identified fungal species in space, such as Aspergillus flavus and Alternaria sp., are mycotoxigenic; thus, they are potential mycotoxin producers. This indicates that, although the fungal load in space stations tends to be non-alarming, the effects should not be underestimated, since the effect of the space environment on mycotoxin production should be sufficiently studied as well. However, research focused on mycotoxin production under conditions found on space stations is essentially nonexistent, since these kinds of spaceflight experiments are rare. Consequently, it is recommended that detection and monitoring systems for fungi and mycotoxins in space are at some point prioritized such that investigations into the impact of the space environment on mycotoxin production is addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilke De Middeleer
- 1Laboratory of Food Analysis, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- 2Microbiology Unit, Interdisciplinary BioSciences Expert Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | - Benedikt Sas
- 3Department of Food Safety and Food Quality, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah De Saeger
- 1Laboratory of Food Analysis, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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13
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Fotedar R, Sandoval-Denis M, Kolecka A, Zeyara A, Al Malki A, Al Shammari H, Al Marri M, Kaul R, Boekhout T. Toxicocladosporium aquimarinum sp. nov. and Toxicocladosporium qatarense sp. nov., isolated from marine waters of the Arabian Gulf surrounding Qatar. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2019; 69:2992-3000. [PMID: 31166162 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.003482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Arabian Gulf surrounding Qatar is distinct from other marine ecosystems due to its high salinity (35-75 PSU) and extreme water temperature fluctuations (11-40 °C). Furthermore, in the last decade, Qatar has been witnessing an industrial boom as well as extensive infrastructure construction activities. Marine micro-organisms, including fungi, remain largely unexplored in the Arabian Gulf. During a 3 year study, we investigated the diversity of marine fungi in coastal waters around Qatar. As a result, two new Toxicocladosporium species were isolated from the Qatari marine environment. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses of rRNA gene sequences of five loci, namely the internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 regions and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA, actin, RNA polymerase second largest subunit and beta-tubulin genes, were used to confirm the identity of the novel species for which we propose the names Toxicocladosporium aquimarinum sp. nov. and Toxicocladosporium qatarense sp. nov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Fotedar
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Biotechnology Centre, Ministry of Environment, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Anna Kolecka
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aisha Zeyara
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Biotechnology Centre, Ministry of Environment, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Ameena Al Malki
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Biotechnology Centre, Ministry of Environment, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Hamad Al Shammari
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Biotechnology Centre, Ministry of Environment, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Masoud Al Marri
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Biotechnology Centre, Ministry of Environment, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - R Kaul
- Weill Cornell Medical School, Doha, Qatar
| | - Teun Boekhout
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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14
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Blachowicz A, Chiang AJ, Romsdahl J, Kalkum M, Wang CCC, Venkateswaran K. Proteomic characterization of Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from air and surfaces of the International Space Station. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 124:39-46. [PMID: 30611835 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The on-going Microbial Observatory Experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) revealed the presence of various microorganisms that may be affected by the distinct environment of the ISS. The low-nutrient environment combined with enhanced irradiation and microgravity may trigger changes in the molecular suite of microorganisms leading to increased virulence and resistance of microbes. Proteomic characterization of two Aspergillus fumigatus strains, ISSFT-021 and IF1SW-F4, isolated from HEPA filter debris and cupola surface of the ISS, respectively, is presented, along with a comparison to well-studied clinical isolates Af293 and CEA10. In-depth analysis highlights variations in the proteome of both ISS-isolated strains when compared to the clinical strains. Proteins that showed increased abundance in ISS isolates were overall involved in stress responses, and carbohydrate and secondary metabolism. Among the most abundant proteins were Pst2 and ArtA involved in oxidative stress response, PdcA and AcuE responsible for ethanol fermentation and glyoxylate cycle, respectively, TpcA, TpcF, and TpcK that are part of trypacidin biosynthetic pathway, and a toxin Asp-hemolysin. This report provides insight into possible molecular adaptation of filamentous fungi to the unique ISS environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Blachowicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Abby J Chiang
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jillian Romsdahl
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Clay C C Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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15
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Hagiwara S, Tamura T, Satoh K, Kamewada H, Nakano M, Shinden S, Yamaguchi H, Makimura K. The Molecular Identification and Antifungal Susceptibilities of Aspergillus Species Causing Otomycosis in Tochigi, Japan. Mycopathologia 2018; 184:13-21. [PMID: 30291485 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-018-0299-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus species are the most common pathogenic fungi involved in otomycosis, an infection of the outer ear canal. In this study, we examined the incidence of Aspergillus infections and the antifungal susceptibilities of 30 Aspergillus species isolates from patients with otomycosis who visited Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital between August 2013 and July 2016. Based on the morphological test results, the strains were identified as Aspergillus niger sensu lato (20 strains), A. terreus sensu lato (7 strains), and A. fumigatus sensu lato (3 strains). In contrast, the molecular identifications based on analyzing the isolates' partial β-tubulin gene sequences revealed them to be A. niger sensu stricto (12 strains), A. tubingensis (8 strains), A. terreus sensu stricto (7 strains), and A. fumigatus sensu stricto (3 strains). The antifungal susceptibility test results indicated that strains of A. tubingensis and A. niger sensu stricto displayed lower susceptibilities to ravuconazole, compared with the other isolates. The Aspergillus strains from this study showed low minimum inhibitory concentrations toward the azole-based drugs efinaconazole, lanoconazole, and luliconazole. Therefore, these topical therapeutic agents may be effective for the treatment of otomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigehiro Hagiwara
- Graduate School of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, 911-1 Takebayashi-machi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 391-0974, Japan
| | - Takashi Tamura
- General Medical Education and Research Center, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Satoh
- General Medical Education and Research Center, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kamewada
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, 911-1 Takebayashi-machi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 391-0974, Japan
| | - Masayasu Nakano
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, 911-1 Takebayashi-machi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 391-0974, Japan
| | - Seiichi Shinden
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, 911-1 Takebayashi-machi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 391-0974, Japan
| | | | - Koichi Makimura
- Graduate School of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan. .,Medical Mycology Research Unit, Graduate School of Medicine, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan. .,General Medical Education and Research Center, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan. .,Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan.
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16
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Nakayama T, Yamazaki T, Yo A, Tone K, Mahdi Alshahni M, Fujisaki R, Makimura K. Detection of Fungi from an Indoor Environment using Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Method. Biocontrol Sci 2018; 22:97-104. [PMID: 28659561 DOI: 10.4265/bio.22.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a useful DNA detection method with high specificity and sensitivity. The LAMP reaction is carried out within a short time at a constant temperature without the need for thermal cycling. We developed a LAMP primer set for detecting a wide range of fungi by aligning the sequences of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene of Candida albicans (Ascomycota), Cryptococcus neoformans (Basidiomycota), and Mucor racemosus (Mucorales). The threshold of C. albicans rDNA as template with our LAMP primer set was in the range of 10-100 copies per a reaction. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between colony forming units (CFU) and LAMP detection rate using the LAMP method for environmental fungi. The LAMP method should be a useful means of detecting fungi in indoor environments, disaster areas, or even in confined manned spacecraft to prevent allergies or infections caused by fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Nakayama
- Division of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Care and Technology
| | - Takashi Yamazaki
- Laboratory of Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine.,General Medical Education Research Center
| | - Ayaka Yo
- Laboratory of Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Kazuya Tone
- Laboratory of Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine
| | | | - Ryuichi Fujisaki
- Emergency Room (ER), Department of Emergency -Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Teikyo University
| | - Koichi Makimura
- Division of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Care and Technology.,Laboratory of Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine.,General Medical Education Research Center
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17
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18
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19
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Bezerra JDP, Sandoval-Denis M, Paiva LM, Silva GA, Groenewald JZ, Souza-Motta CM, Crous PW. New endophytic Toxicocladosporium species from cacti in Brazil, and description of Neocladosporium gen. nov. IMA Fungus 2017; 8:77-97. [PMID: 28824841 PMCID: PMC5493539 DOI: 10.5598/imafungus.2017.08.01.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Brazil harbours a unique ecosystem, the Caatinga, which belongs to the tropical dry forest biome. This region has an important diversity of organisms, and recently several new fungal species have been described from different hosts and substrates within it. During a survey of fungal endophyte diversity from cacti in this forest, we isolated cladosporium-like fungi that were subjected to morphological and multigene phylogenetic analyses including actA, ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tub2 gene sequences. Based on these analyses we identified two new species belonging to the genus Toxicocladosporium, described here as T. cacti and T. immaculatum spp. nov., isolated from Pilosocereus gounellei subsp. gounellei and Melocactus zehntneri, respectively. To improve the species recognition and assess species diversity in Toxicocladosporium we studied all ex-type strains of the genus, for which actA, rpb2 and tub2 barcodes were also generated. After phylogenetic reconstruction using five loci, we differentiated 13 species in the genus. Toxicocladosporium velox and T. chlamydosporum are synonymized based on their phylogenetic position and limited number of unique nucleotide differences. Six strains previously assigned to T. leucadendri, including the ex-type strain (CBS 131317) of that species, were found to belong to an undescribed genus here named as Neocladosporium gen. nov., with N. leucadendri comb. nov. as type species. Furthermore, this study proposes the actA, ITS, rpb2 and tub2 as main phylogenetic loci to recognise Toxicocladosporium species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadson D P Bezerra
- Departamento de Micologia Prof. Chaves Batista, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Centro de Biociências, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 50670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Fungos (PPG-BF), Departamento de Micologia Prof. Chaves Batista, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Centro de Biociências, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 50670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Marcelo Sandoval-Denis
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Sciences, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Laura M Paiva
- Departamento de Micologia Prof. Chaves Batista, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Centro de Biociências, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 50670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Gladstone A Silva
- Departamento de Micologia Prof. Chaves Batista, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Centro de Biociências, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 50670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Fungos (PPG-BF), Departamento de Micologia Prof. Chaves Batista, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Centro de Biociências, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 50670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Johannes Z Groenewald
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina M Souza-Motta
- Departamento de Micologia Prof. Chaves Batista, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Centro de Biociências, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 50670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Fungos (PPG-BF), Departamento de Micologia Prof. Chaves Batista, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Centro de Biociências, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 50670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Pedro W Crous
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Sciences, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.,Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
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20
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Characterization of Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates from Air and Surfaces of the International Space Station. mSphere 2016; 1:mSphere00227-16. [PMID: 27830189 PMCID: PMC5082629 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00227-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
One mission of the Microbial Observatory Experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) is to examine the traits and diversity of fungal isolates to gain a better understanding of how fungi may adapt to microgravity environments and how this may affect interactions with humans in a closed habitat. Here, we report an initial characterization of two isolates, ISSFT-021 and IF1SW-F4, of Aspergillus fumigatus collected from the ISS and a comparison to the experimentally established clinical isolates Af293 and CEA10. Whole-genome sequencing of ISSFT-021 and IF1SW-F4 showed 54,960 and 52,129 single nucleotide polymorphisms, respectively, compared to Af293, which is consistent with observed genetic heterogeneity among sequenced A. fumigatus isolates from diverse clinical and environmental sources. Assessment of in vitro growth characteristics, secondary metabolite production, and susceptibility to chemical stresses revealed no outstanding differences between ISS and clinical strains that would suggest special adaptation to life aboard the ISS. Virulence assessment in a neutrophil-deficient larval zebrafish model of invasive aspergillosis revealed that both ISSFT-021 and IF1SW-F4 were significantly more lethal than Af293 and CEA10. Taken together, these genomic, in vitro, and in vivo analyses of two A. fumigatus strains isolated from the ISS provide a benchmark for future investigations of these strains and for continuing research on specific microbial isolates from manned space environments. IMPORTANCE As durations of manned space missions increase, it is imperative to understand the long-term consequence of microbial exposure on human health in a closed human habitat. To date, studies aimed at bacterial and fungal contamination of space vessels have highlighted species compositions biased toward hardy, persistent organisms capable of withstanding harsh conditions. In the current study, we assessed traits of two independent Aspergillus fumigatus strains isolated from the International Space Station. Ubiquitously found in terrestrial soil and atmospheric environments, A. fumigatus is a significant opportunistic fungal threat to human health, particularly among the immunocompromised. Using two well-known clinical isolates of A. fumigatus as comparators, we found that both ISS isolates exhibited normal in vitro growth and chemical stress tolerance yet caused higher lethality in a vertebrate model of invasive disease. These findings substantiate the need for additional studies of physical traits and biological activities of microbes adapted to microgravity and other extreme extraterrestrial conditions.
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