1
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Stempinski PR, Greengo SD, Casadevall A. Growth on Douglas fir media facilitates Cryptococcus virulence factor production and enhances fungal survival against environmental and immune stressors. Med Mycol 2024; 62:myae068. [PMID: 38982313 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The yeasts Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are fungal pathogens that can be isolated from the environment, including the surfaces of many plants. Cryptococcus gattii caused an outbreak on Vancouver Island, British Columbia beginning in 1999 that has since spread to the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Coastal Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is an important lumber species and a major component of the ecosystems in this area. Previous research has explored Cryptococcus survival and mating on Douglas fir plants and plant-derived material, but no studies have been done on the production of cryptococcal virulence factors by cells grown on those media. Here, we investigated the effects of growth on Douglas fir-derived media on the production of the polysaccharide capsule and melanin, two of the most important cryptococcal virulence factors. We found that while the capsule was mostly unchanged by growth in Douglas fir media compared to cells grown in defined minimal media, Cryptococcus spp. can use substrates present in Douglas fir to synthesize functional and protective melanin. These results suggest mechanisms by which Cryptococcus species may survive in the environment and emphasize the need to explore how association with Douglas fir trees could affect its epidemiology for human cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr R Stempinski
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Seth D Greengo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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2
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Xie W, Dhinojwala A, Gianneschi NC, Shawkey MD. Interactions of Melanin with Electromagnetic Radiation: From Fundamentals to Applications. Chem Rev 2024; 124:7165-7213. [PMID: 38758918 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Melanin, especially integumentary melanin, interacts in numerous ways with electromagnetic radiation, leading to a set of critical functions, including radiation protection, UV-protection, pigmentary and structural color productions, and thermoregulation. By harnessing these functions, melanin and melanin-like materials can be widely applied to diverse applications with extraordinary performance. Here we provide a unified overview of the melanin family (all melanin and melanin-like materials) and their interactions with the complete electromagnetic radiation spectrum (X-ray, Gamma-ray, UV, visible, near-infrared), which until now has been absent from the literature and is needed to establish a solid fundamental base to facilitate their future investigation and development. We begin by discussing the chemistries and morphologies of both natural and artificial melanin, then the fundamentals of melanin-radiation interactions, and finally the exciting new developments in high-performance melanin-based functional materials that exploit these interactions. This Review provides both a comprehensive overview and a discussion of future perspectives for each subfield of melanin that will help direct the future development of melanin from both fundamental and applied perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanjie Xie
- Department of Biology, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructure Group, University of Ghent, Gent 9000, Belgium
| | - Ali Dhinojwala
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Nathan C Gianneschi
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, and International Institute of Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Matthew D Shawkey
- Department of Biology, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructure Group, University of Ghent, Gent 9000, Belgium
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3
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Stempinski PR, Goughenour KD, du Plooy LM, Alspaugh JA, Olszewski MA, Kozubowski L. The Cryptococcus neoformans Flc1 Homologue Controls Calcium Homeostasis and Confers Fungal Pathogenicity in the Infected Hosts. mBio 2022; 13:e0225322. [PMID: 36169198 PMCID: PMC9600462 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02253-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic yeast pathogen, relies on a complex network of stress response pathways that allow for proliferation in the host. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, stress responses are regulated by integral membrane proteins containing a transient receptor potential (TRP) domain, including the flavin carrier protein 1 (Flc1), which regulates calcium homeostasis and flavin transport. Here, we report that deletion of C. neoformans FLC1 results in cytosolic calcium elevation and increased nuclear content of calcineurin-dependent transcription factor Crz1, which is associated with an aberrant cell wall chitin overaccumulation observed in the flc1Δ mutant. Absence of Flc1 or inhibition of calcineurin with cyclosporine A prevents vacuolar fusion under conditions of combined osmotic and temperature stress, which is reversed in the flc1Δ mutant by the inhibition of TORC1 kinase with rapamycin. Flc1-deficient yeasts exhibit compromised vacuolar fusion under starvation conditions, including conditions that stimulate formation of carbohydrate capsule. Consequently, the flc1Δ mutant fails to proliferate under low nutrient conditions and displays a defect in capsule formation. Consistent with the previously uncharacterized role of Flc1 in vacuolar biogenesis, we find that Flc1 localizes to the vacuole. The flc1Δ mutant presents a survival defect in J774A.1 macrophage cell-line and profound virulence attenuation in both the Galleria mellonella and mouse pulmonary infection models, demonstrating that Flc1 is essential for pathogenicity. Thus, cryptococcal Flc1 functions in calcium homeostasis and links calcineurin and TOR signaling with vacuolar biogenesis to promote survival under conditions associated with vacuolar fusion required for this pathogen's fitness and virulence. IMPORTANCE Cryptococcosis is a highly lethal infection with limited drug choices, most of which are highly toxic or complicated by emerging antifungal resistance. There is a great need for new drug targets that are unique to the fungus. Here, we identify such a potential target, the Flc1 protein, which we show is crucial for C. neoformans stress response and virulence. Importantly, homologues of Flc1 exist in other fungal pathogens, such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus, and are poorly conserved in humans, which could translate into wider spectrum therapy associated with minimal toxicity. Thus, Flc1 could be an "Achille's heel" of C. neoformans to be leveraged therapeutically in cryptococcosis and possibly other fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr R. Stempinski
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC), Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kristie D. Goughenour
- LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Lukas M. du Plooy
- Departments of Medicine and Molecular Genetics/Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - J. Andrew Alspaugh
- Departments of Medicine and Molecular Genetics/Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michal A. Olszewski
- LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Lukasz Kozubowski
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC), Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
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Levorato-Vinche AD, Melhem MDSC, Bonfietti LX, de-la-Cruz-Chacón I, Boaro CSF, Fabro AT, Ferreira G, da Silva JDF, Dos Santos DC, Pereira BAS, Marçon C, Maza L, de Carvalho LR, Mendes RP. Antifungal activity of liriodenine on clinical strains of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2022; 28:e20220006. [PMID: 36118844 PMCID: PMC9469771 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2022-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cryptoccocal meningitis continues to present high incidence among AIDS patients. The treatment of choice is the synergistic combination of flucytosine (5-FC) with amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmBd) or its lipid formulations. However, 5-FC is unavailable in many countries and AmB demands hospitalization. The combination of AmB with the fungistatic fluconazole (FLC) or the use of high FLC daily doses alone became the choice. Nonetheless, sterilization of cerebrospinal fluid is delayed with FLC monotherapy, mainly with high fungal burden. These findings suggest the search for new antifungal compounds, such as liriodenine. Methods: Liriodenine antifungal activity was evaluated by three procedures: determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) on 30 strains of the Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) complex and 30 of the Cryptococcus gattii (C. gattii) complex, using EUCAST methodology and amphotericin B deoxycholate as control; performing the time-kill methodology in two strains of the C. neoformans complex and one of the C. gattii complex; and injury to cryptococcal cells, evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Liriodenine absorption and safety at 0.75 and 1.50 mg.kg-1 doses were evaluated in BALB/c mice. Results: Liriodenine MICs ranged from 3.9 to 62.5 μg.mL-1 for both species complexes, with no differences between them. Time-kill methodology confirmed its concentration-dependent fungicidal effect, killing all the strains below the limit of detection (33 CFU.mL-1) at the highest liriodenine concentration (32-fold MIC), with predominant activity during the first 48 hours. Liriodenine induced severe Cryptococcus alterations - cytoplasm with intense rarefaction and/or degradation, injury of organelles, and presence of vacuoles. Liriodenine was better absorbed at lower doses, with no histopathological alterations on the digestive tract. Conclusion: The fungicidal activity confirmed by time-kill methodology, the intense Cryptococcus injury observed by TEM, the absorption after gavage administration, and the safety at the tested doses indicate that the liriodenine molecule is a promising drug lead for development of anticryptococcal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriele Dandara Levorato-Vinche
- Department of Infectology, Dermatology, Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, Botucatu Medical School (FMB), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcia de Souza Carvalho Melhem
- Mycology Unit, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Public Health Reference Laboratory, Secretariat of Health of the State of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Medical School, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Lucas Xavier Bonfietti
- Mycology Unit, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Public Health Reference Laboratory, Secretariat of Health of the State of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Iván de-la-Cruz-Chacón
- Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Carmen Sílvia Fernandes Boaro
- Department of Biostatistics, Plant Biology, Parasitology and Zoology, Botucatu Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Todorovic Fabro
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Gisela Ferreira
- Department of Biostatistics, Plant Biology, Parasitology and Zoology, Botucatu Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Julhiany de Fátima da Silva
- Department of Infectology, Dermatology, Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, Botucatu Medical School (FMB), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniela Carvalho Dos Santos
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Botucatu Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Aparecida Soares Pereira
- Department of Infectology, Dermatology, Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, Botucatu Medical School (FMB), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Marçon
- Department of Infectology, Dermatology, Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, Botucatu Medical School (FMB), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Lariza Maza
- Department of Infectology, Dermatology, Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, Botucatu Medical School (FMB), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Lídia Raquel de Carvalho
- Department of Biostatistics, Plant Biology, Parasitology and Zoology, Botucatu Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Rinaldo Poncio Mendes
- Department of Infectology, Dermatology, Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, Botucatu Medical School (FMB), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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5
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Cordero RJB, Dragotakes Q, Friello PJ, Casadevall A. Melanin protects Cryptococcus neoformans from spaceflight effects. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2022; 14:679-685. [PMID: 35852045 PMCID: PMC9326845 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
As human activity in space continues to increase, understanding how biological assets respond to spaceflight conditions is becoming more important. Spaceflight conditions include exposure to ionizing radiation, microgravity, spacecraft vibrations and hypervelocity; all of which can affect the viability of biological organisms. Previous studies have shown that melanin-producing fungi are capable of surviving the vacuum of space and Mars-simulated conditions in Low Earth Orbit. This survival has been associated in part with the protective effects of melanin, but a comparison of fungal viability in the presence or absence of melanin following spaceflight has never been tested. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of melanin by comparing the viability of melanized and non-melanized clones of Cryptococcus neoformans yeasts following a roundtrip to the International Space Station. Yeast colonies were placed inside two MixStix silicone tubes; one stayed on Earth and the other was transported inside for 29 days before returning to Earth. Post-flight analysis based on colony-forming unit numbers shows that melanized yeast viability was 50% higher than non-melanized yeasts, while no difference was observed between the Earth-bound control samples. The results suggest that fungal melanin could increase the lifespan of biological assets in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radames J. B. Cordero
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology DepartmentJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Quigly Dragotakes
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology DepartmentJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | | | - Arturo Casadevall
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology DepartmentJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMD21205USA
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6
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Erives VH, Munzen ME, Zamith-Miranda D, Hernandez H, Manepalli S, Nguyen LN, Hamed MF, Nosanchuk JD, Martinez LR. Methamphetamine Enhances Cryptococcus neoformans Melanization, Antifungal Resistance, and Pathogenesis in a Murine Model of Drug Administration and Systemic Infection. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0009122. [PMID: 35357221 PMCID: PMC9022586 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00091-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a major public health and safety problem in the United States. Chronic METH abuse is associated with a 2-fold-higher risk of HIV infection and, possibly, additional infections, particularly those that enter through the respiratory tract or skin. Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated opportunistic yeast-like fungus that is a relatively frequent cause of meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients, especially in individuals with AIDS. C. neoformans melanizes during mammalian infection in a process that presumably uses host-supplied compounds such as catecholamines. l-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-Dopa) is a natural catecholamine that is frequently used to induce melanization in C. neoformans. l-Dopa-melanized cryptococci manifest resistance to radiation, phagocytosis, detergents, and heavy metals. Using a systemic mouse model of infection and in vitro assays to critically assess the impact of METH on C. neoformans melanization and pathogenesis, we demonstrated that METH-treated mice infected with melanized yeast cells showed increased fungal burdens in the blood and brain, exacerbating mortality. Interestingly, analyses of cultures of METH-exposed cryptococci supplemented with l-Dopa revealed that METH accelerates fungal melanization, an event of adaptation to external stimuli that can be advantageous to the fungus during pathogenesis. Our findings provide novel evidence of the impact of METH abuse on host homeostasis and increased permissiveness to opportunistic microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor H. Erives
- Department of Biological Sciences, The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Melissa E. Munzen
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel Zamith-Miranda
- Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Hazael Hernandez
- Department of Biological Sciences, The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Swetha Manepalli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Long Island University-Post, Brookville, New York, USA
| | - Long N. Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mohamed F. Hamed
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Joshua D. Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Luis R. Martinez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Long Island University-Post, Brookville, New York, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Immunology and Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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7
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Hauser N, Conlon KC, Desai A, Kobziar LN. Climate Change and Infections on the Move in North America. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 14:5711-5723. [PMID: 35002262 PMCID: PMC8722568 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s305077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change is increasingly recognized for its impacts on human health, including how biotic and abiotic factors are driving shifts in infectious disease. Changes in ecological conditions and processes due to temperature and precipitation fluctuations and intensified disturbance regimes are affecting infectious pathogen transmission, habitat, hosts, and the characteristics of pathogens themselves. Understanding the relationships between climate change and infectious diseases can help clinicians broaden the scope of differential diagnoses when interviewing, diagnosing, and treating patients presenting with infections lacking obvious agents or transmission pathways. Here, we highlight key examples of how the mechanisms of climate change affect infectious diseases associated with water, fire, land, insects, and human transmission pathways in the hope of expanding the analytical framework for infectious disease diagnoses. Increased awareness of these relationships can help prepare both clinical physicians and epidemiologists for continued impacts of climate change on infectious disease in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Hauser
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA.,Climate Adaptation Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kathryn C Conlon
- Climate Adaptation Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Veterinary Medicine & Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Angel Desai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Leda N Kobziar
- Department of Natural Resources and Society, University of Idaho, Coeur d'Alene, ID, USA
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8
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Raman Characterization of Fungal DHN and DOPA Melanin Biosynthesis Pathways. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7100841. [PMID: 34682262 PMCID: PMC8540899 DOI: 10.3390/jof7100841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal melanins represent a resource for important breakthroughs in industry and medicine, but the characterization of their composition, synthesis, and structure is not well understood. Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the elucidation of molecular composition and structure. In this work, we characterize the Raman spectra of wild-type Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans and their melanin biosynthetic mutants and provide a rough “map” of the DHN (A. fumigatus) and DOPA (C. neoformans) melanin biosynthetic pathways. We compare this map to the Raman spectral data of Aspergillus nidulans wild-type and melanin biosynthetic mutants obtained from a previous study. We find that the fully polymerized A. nidulans melanin cannot be classified according to the DOPA pathway; nor can it be solely classified according to the DHN pathway, consistent with mutational analysis and chemical inhibition studies. Our approach points the way forward for an increased understanding of, and methodology for, investigating fungal melanins.
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9
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Cell Wall Integrity Pathway Involved in Morphogenesis, Virulence and Antifungal Susceptibility in Cryptococcus neoformans. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7100831. [PMID: 34682253 PMCID: PMC8540506 DOI: 10.3390/jof7100831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to its location, the fungal cell wall is the compartment that allows the interaction with the environment and/or the host, playing an important role during infection as well as in different biological functions such as cell morphology, cell permeability and protection against stress. All these processes involve the activation of signaling pathways within the cell. The cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway is the main route responsible for maintaining the functionality and proper structure of the cell wall. This pathway is highly conserved in the fungal kingdom and has been extensively characterized in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, there are still many unknown aspects of this pathway in the pathogenic fungi, such as Cryptococcus neoformans. This yeast is of particular interest because it is found in the environment, but can also behave as pathogen in multiple organisms, including vertebrates and invertebrates, so it has to adapt to multiple factors to survive in multiple niches. In this review, we summarize the components of the CWI pathway in C. neoformans as well as its involvement in different aspects such as virulence factors, morphological changes, and its role as target for antifungal therapies among others.
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10
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Fungal Melanins and Applications in Healthcare, Bioremediation and Industry. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7060488. [PMID: 34207260 PMCID: PMC8235761 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanin is a complex multifunctional pigment found in all kingdoms of life, including fungi. The complex chemical structure of fungal melanins, yet to be fully elucidated, lends them multiple unique functions ranging from radioprotection and antioxidant activity to heavy metal chelation and organic compound absorption. Given their many biological functions, fungal melanins present many possibilities as natural compounds that could be exploited for human use. This review summarizes the current discourse and attempts to apply fungal melanin to enhance human health, remove pollutants from ecosystems, and streamline industrial processes. While the potential applications of fungal melanins are often discussed in the scientific community, they are successfully executed less often. Some of the challenges in the applications of fungal melanin to technology include the knowledge gap about their detailed structure, difficulties in isolating melanotic fungi, challenges in extracting melanin from isolated species, and the pathogenicity concerns that accompany working with live melanotic fungi. With proper acknowledgment of these challenges, fungal melanin holds great potential for societal benefit in the coming years.
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11
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van Rhijn N, Bromley M. The Consequences of Our Changing Environment on Life Threatening and Debilitating Fungal Diseases in Humans. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:367. [PMID: 34067211 PMCID: PMC8151111 DOI: 10.3390/jof7050367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human activities have significantly impacted the environment and are changing our climate in ways that will have major consequences for ourselves, and endanger animal, plant and microbial life on Earth. Rising global temperatures and pollution have been highlighted as potential drivers for increases in infectious diseases. Although infrequently highlighted, fungi are amongst the leading causes of infectious disease mortality, resulting in more than 1.5 million deaths every year. In this review we evaluate the evidence linking anthropomorphic impacts with changing epidemiology of fungal disease. We highlight how the geographic footprint of endemic mycosis has expanded, how populations susceptible to fungal infection and fungal allergy may increase and how climate change may select for pathogenic traits and indirectly contribute to the emergence of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Bromley
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
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12
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Fu MS, Liporagi-Lopes LC, Dos Santos SR, Tenor JL, Perfect JR, Cuomo CA, Casadevall A. Amoeba Predation of Cryptococcus neoformans Results in Pleiotropic Changes to Traits Associated with Virulence. mBio 2021; 12:e00567-21. [PMID: 33906924 PMCID: PMC8092252 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00567-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amoeboid predators, such as amoebae, are proposed to select for survival traits in soil microbes such as Cryptococcus neoformans; these traits can also function in animal virulence by defeating phagocytic immune cells, such as macrophages. Consistent with this notion, incubation of various fungal species with amoebae enhanced their virulence, but the mechanisms involved are unknown. In this study, we exposed three strains of C. neoformans (1 clinical and 2 environmental) to predation by Acanthamoeba castellanii for prolonged times and then analyzed surviving colonies phenotypically and genetically. Surviving colonies comprised cells that expressed either pseudohyphal or yeast phenotypes, which demonstrated variable expression of traits associated with virulence, such as capsule size, urease production, and melanization. Phenotypic changes were associated with aneuploidy and DNA sequence mutations in some amoeba-passaged isolates, but not in others. Mutations in the gene encoding the oligopeptide transporter (CNAG_03013; OPT1) were observed among amoeba-passaged isolates from each of the three strains. Isolates derived from environmental strains gained the capacity for enhanced macrophage toxicity after amoeba selection and carried mutations on the CNAG_00570 gene encoding Pkr1 (AMP-dependent protein kinase regulator) but manifested reduced virulence in mice because they elicited more effective fungal-clearing immune responses. Our results indicate that C. neoformans survival under constant amoeba predation involves the generation of strains expressing pleiotropic phenotypic and genetic changes. Given the myriad potential predators in soils, the diversity observed among amoeba-selected strains suggests a bet-hedging strategy whereby variant diversity increases the likelihood that some will survive predation.IMPORTANCECryptococcus neoformans is a ubiquitous environmental fungus that is also a leading cause of fatal fungal infection in humans, especially among immunocompromised patients. A major question in the field is how an environmental yeast such as C. neoformans becomes a human pathogen when it has no need for an animal host in its life cycle. Previous studies showed that C. neoformans increases its pathogenicity after interacting with its environmental predator amoebae. Amoebae, like macrophages, are phagocytic cells that are considered an environmental training ground for pathogens to resist macrophages, but the mechanism by which C. neoformans changes its virulence through interactions with protozoa is unknown. Our study indicates that fungal survival in the face of amoeba predation is associated with the emergence of pleiotropic phenotypic and genomic changes that increase the chance of fungal survival, with this diversity suggesting a bet-hedging strategy to ensure that some forms survive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Shun Fu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Livia C Liporagi-Lopes
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Samuel R Dos Santos
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jennifer L Tenor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - John R Perfect
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christina A Cuomo
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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13
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You M, Xu J. What Are the Best Parents for Hybrid Progeny? An Investigation into the Human Pathogenic Fungus Cryptococcus. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7040299. [PMID: 33920829 PMCID: PMC8071107 DOI: 10.3390/jof7040299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybridization between more divergent organisms is likely to generate progeny with more novel genetic interactions and genetic variations. However, the relationship between parental genetic divergence and progeny phenotypic variation remains largely unknown. Here, using strains of the human pathogenic Cryptococcus, we investigated the patterns of such a relationship. Twenty-two strains with up to 15% sequence divergence were mated. Progeny were genotyped at 16 loci. Parental strains and their progeny were phenotyped for growth ability at two temperatures, melanin production at seven conditions, and susceptibility to the antifungal drug fluconazole. We observed three patterns of relationships between parents and progeny for each phenotypic trait, including (i) similar to one of the parents, (ii) intermediate between the parents, and (iii) outside the parental phenotypic range. We found that as genetic distance increases between parental strains, progeny showed increased fluconazole resistance and growth at 37 °C but decreased melanin production under various oxidative and nitrosative stresses. Our findings demonstrate that, depending on the traits, both evolutionarily more similar strains and more divergent strains may be better parents to generate progeny with hybrid vigor. Together, the results indicate the enormous potential of Cryptococcus hybrids in their evolution and adaptation to diverse conditions.
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14
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Seekles SJ, Teunisse PPP, Punt M, van den Brule T, Dijksterhuis J, Houbraken J, Wösten HAB, Ram AFJ. Preservation stress resistance of melanin deficient conidia from Paecilomyces variotii and Penicillium roqueforti mutants generated via CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2021; 8:4. [PMID: 33795004 PMCID: PMC8017634 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-021-00111-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The filamentous fungi Paecilomyces variotii and Penicillium roqueforti are prevalent food spoilers and are of interest as potential future cell factories. A functional CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system would be beneficial for biotechnological advances as well as future (genetic) research in P. variotii and P. roqueforti. Results Here we describe the successful implementation of an efficient AMA1-based CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system developed for Aspergillus niger in P. variotii and P. roqueforti in order to create melanin deficient strains. Additionally, kusA− mutant strains with a disrupted non-homologous end-joining repair mechanism were created to further optimize and facilitate efficient genome editing in these species. The effect of melanin on the resistance of conidia against the food preservation stressors heat and UV-C radiation was assessed by comparing wild-type and melanin deficient mutant conidia. Conclusions Our findings show the successful use of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and its high efficiency in P. variotii and P. roqueforti in both wild-type strains as well as kusA− mutant background strains. Additionally, we observed that melanin deficient conidia of three food spoiling fungi were not altered in their heat resistance. However, melanin deficient conidia had increased sensitivity towards UV-C radiation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40694-021-00111-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjoerd J Seekles
- TIFN, Agro Business Park 82, 6708 PW, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Department Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pepijn P P Teunisse
- TIFN, Agro Business Park 82, 6708 PW, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Department Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Punt
- TIFN, Agro Business Park 82, 6708 PW, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tom van den Brule
- TIFN, Agro Business Park 82, 6708 PW, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Applied & Industrial Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Dijksterhuis
- TIFN, Agro Business Park 82, 6708 PW, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Applied & Industrial Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jos Houbraken
- TIFN, Agro Business Park 82, 6708 PW, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Applied & Industrial Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Han A B Wösten
- TIFN, Agro Business Park 82, 6708 PW, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur F J Ram
- TIFN, Agro Business Park 82, 6708 PW, Wageningen, The Netherlands. .,Department Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333BE, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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15
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Liu S, Youngchim S, Zamith-Miranda D, Nosanchuk JD. Fungal Melanin and the Mammalian Immune System. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7040264. [PMID: 33807336 PMCID: PMC8066723 DOI: 10.3390/jof7040264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanins are ubiquitous complex polymers that are commonly known in humans to cause pigmentation of our skin. Melanins are also present in bacteria, fungi, and helminths. In this review, we will describe the diverse interactions of fungal melanin with the mammalian immune system. We will particularly focus on Cryptococcus neoformans and also discuss other major melanotic pathogenic fungi. Melanin interacts with the immune system through diverse pathways, reducing the effectiveness of phagocytic cells, binding effector molecules and antifungals, and modifying complement and antibody responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sichen Liu
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (S.L.); (D.Z.-M.)
| | - Sirida Youngchim
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
| | - Daniel Zamith-Miranda
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (S.L.); (D.Z.-M.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Joshua D. Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (S.L.); (D.Z.-M.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Correspondence:
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16
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Roth C, Murray D, Scott A, Fu C, Averette AF, Sun S, Heitman J, Magwene PM. Pleiotropy and epistasis within and between signaling pathways defines the genetic architecture of fungal virulence. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009313. [PMID: 33493169 PMCID: PMC7861560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcal disease is estimated to affect nearly a quarter of a million people annually. Environmental isolates of Cryptococcus deneoformans, which make up 15 to 30% of clinical infections in temperate climates such as Europe, vary in their pathogenicity, ranging from benign to hyper-virulent. Key traits that contribute to virulence, such as the production of the pigment melanin, an extracellular polysaccharide capsule, and the ability to grow at human body temperature have been identified, yet little is known about the genetic basis of variation in such traits. Here we investigate the genetic basis of melanization, capsule size, thermal tolerance, oxidative stress resistance, and antifungal drug sensitivity using quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping in progeny derived from a cross between two divergent C. deneoformans strains. Using a "function-valued" QTL analysis framework that exploits both time-series information and growth differences across multiple environments, we identified QTL for each of these virulence traits and drug susceptibility. For three QTL we identified the underlying genes and nucleotide differences that govern variation in virulence traits. One of these genes, RIC8, which encodes a regulator of cAMP-PKA signaling, contributes to variation in four virulence traits: melanization, capsule size, thermal tolerance, and resistance to oxidative stress. Two major effect QTL for amphotericin B resistance map to the genes SSK1 and SSK2, which encode key components of the HOG pathway, a fungal-specific signal transduction network that orchestrates cellular responses to osmotic and other stresses. We also discovered complex epistatic interactions within and between genes in the HOG and cAMP-PKA pathways that regulate antifungal drug resistance and resistance to oxidative stress. Our findings advance the understanding of virulence traits among diverse lineages of Cryptococcus, and highlight the role of genetic variation in key stress-responsive signaling pathways as a major contributor to phenotypic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cullen Roth
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Debra Murray
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Alexandria Scott
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ci Fu
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Anna F. Averette
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sheng Sun
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Paul M. Magwene
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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17
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Abstract
Among fungal pathogens, Cryptococcus neoformans has gained great importance among the scientific community of several reasons. This fungus is the causative agent of cryptococcosis, a disease mainly associated to HIV immunosuppression and characterized by the appearance of meningoencephalitis. Cryptococcal meningitis is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths every year. Research of the pathogenesis and virulence mechanisms of this pathogen has focused on three main different areas: Adaptation to the host environment (nutrients, pH, and free radicals), mechanism of immune evasion (which include phenotypic variations and the ability to behave as a facultative intracellular pathogen), and production of virulence factors. Cryptococcus neoformans has two phenotypic characteristics, the capsule and synthesis of melanin that have a profound effect in the virulence of the yeast because they both have protective effects and induce host damage as virulence factors. Finally, the mechanisms that result in dissemination and brain invasion are also of key importance to understand cryptococcal disease. In this review, I will provide a brief overview of the main mechanisms that makes C. neoformans a pathogen in susceptible patients. Abbreviations: RNS: reactive nitrogen species; BBB: brain blood barrier; GXM: glucuronoxylomannan; GXMGal: glucuronoxylomannogalactan
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Zaragoza
- a Mycology Reference Laboratory National Centre for Microbiology , Instituto de Salud Carlos III Carretera Majadahonda-Pozuelo , Madrid , Spain
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18
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Abstract
Melanins are dark green, brown, or black pigments that serve as antioxidant, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers that protect fungal pathogens from radiation and host immune responses. Cryptococcus neoformans, the major etiological agent of fungal meningoencephalitis, also utilizes melanin as a key virulence factor. In this basidiomycete pathogen, melanin production is regulated by the cAMP and high-osmolarity glycerol response (HOG) pathways, and yet its complex signaling networks remain poorly described. In this study, we uncovered novel melanin synthesis regulatory networks consisting of core transcription factors (TFs), including Bzp4, Usv101, Hob1, and Mbs1, and core kinases Gsk3 and Kic1. These networks were identified through coupling systematic analyses of the expression and epistatic relationships of TF and kinase mutant libraries in the presence of diverse melanin substrates with transcriptome profiling of the core TF mutants. Thus, this report provides comprehensive insight into the melanin-regulating pathways in C. neoformans and other fungal pathogens. Melanin is an antioxidant polyphenol pigment required for the pathogenicity of many fungal pathogens, but comprehensive regulatory mechanisms remain unidentified. In this study, we systematically analyzed melanin-regulating signaling pathways in Cryptococcus neoformans and identified four melanin-regulating core transcription factors (TFs), Bzp4, Usv101, Mbs1, and Hob1, required for induction of the laccase gene (LAC1). Bzp4, Usv101, and Mbs1 independently regulate LAC1 induction, whereas Hob1 controls Bzp4 and Usv101 expression. Both Bzp4 and Usv101 are localized in the cytoplasm under nutrient-rich conditions (i.e., in the presence of yeast extract-peptone-dextrose [YPD] medium) but translocate into the nucleus upon nutrient starvation (i.e., in the presence of yeast nitrogen base [YNB] medium without glucose), and Mbs1 is constitutively localized in the nucleus. Notably, the cAMP pathway is not involved in regulation of the four TFs, but the high-osmolarity glycerol response (HOG) pathway negatively regulates induction of BZP4 and LAC1. Next, we searched for potential kinases upstream of the core TFs and identified nine core kinases; their deletion led to defective melanin production and LAC1 induction. Deletion of GSK3 or KIC1 abolished induction of LAC1 and BZP4 and perturbed nuclear translocation of Bzp4. Notably, Gsk3 also regulated expression of HOB1, USV101, and MBS1, indicating that it is a critical melanin-regulating kinase. Finally, an RNA sequencing-based transcriptome analysis of the wild-type strain and of bzp4Δ, usv101Δ, hob1Δ, and mbs1Δ strains under nutrient-rich and nutrient-starved conditions revealed that the melanin-regulating core TFs govern redundant and distinct classes of genes involved in a variety of biological processes.
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19
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Reduced phagocytosis and killing of Cryptococcus neoformans biofilm-derived cells by J774.16 macrophages is associated with fungal capsular production and surface modification. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 132:103258. [PMID: 31356873 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.103258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic encapsulated pathogen that causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis in individuals with immunosuppression. We compared the interactions of C. neoformans planktonic and biofilm-derived cells with J774.16 macrophage-like cells. Planktonic cells are more phagocytized and killed by J774.16 cells than biofilm-derived fungal cells. Biofilm-derived cryptococci possess larger capsule size and release significantly more capsular polysaccharide than planktonic cells in culture. Biofilm-derived fungi exhibited upregulation of genes involved in capsular production. Capsular-specific monoclonal antibody 18B7 demonstrated differential binding to the surface of planktonic and biofilm-derived cryptococci providing a plausible strategy for fungal evasion of macrophages and persistence. Future studies are necessary to elucidate how C. neoformans biofilm-derived cells regulate their virulence factors when interacting with cells of the immune system.
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20
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The Spectrum of Interactions between Cryptococcus neoformans and Bacteria. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5020031. [PMID: 31013706 PMCID: PMC6617360 DOI: 10.3390/jof5020031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a major fungal pathogen that infects immunocompromised people and causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis. C. neoformans does not occur in isolation either in the environment or in the human host, but is surrounded by other microorganisms. Bacteria are ubiquitously distributed in nature, including soil, and make up the dominant part of the human microbiota. Pioneering studies in the 1950s demonstrated antifungal activity of environmental bacteria against C. neoformans. However, the mechanisms and implications of these interactions remain largely unknown. Recently, interest in polymicrobial interaction studies has been reignited by the development of improved sequencing methodologies, and by the realization that such interactions may have a huge impact on ecology and human health. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the interaction of bacteria with C. neoformans.
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21
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Schultzhaus Z, Chen A, Kim S, Shuryak I, Chang M, Wang Z. Transcriptomic analysis reveals the relationship of melanization to growth and resistance to gamma radiation in Cryptococcus neoformans. Environ Microbiol 2019; 21:2613-2628. [PMID: 30724440 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans produces melanin within its cell wall for infection and resistance against external stresses such as exposure to UV, temperature fluctuations and reactive oxygen species. It has been reported that melanin may also protect cells from ionizing radiation damage, against which C. neoformans is extremely resistant. This has tagged melanin as a potential radioprotective biomaterial. Here, we report the effect of melanin on the transcriptomic response of C. neoformans to gamma radiation. We did not observe a substantial protective effect of melanin against gamma radiation, and the general gene expression patterns in irradiated cells were independent of the presence of melanin. However, melanization itself dramatically altered the C. neoformans transcriptome, primarily by repressing genes involved in respiration and cell growth. We suggest that, in addition to providing a physical and chemical barrier against external stresses, melanin production alters the transcriptional landscape of C. neoformans with the result of increased resistance to uncertain environmental conditions. This observation demonstrates the importance of the melanization process in understanding the stress response of C. neoformans and for understanding fungal physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Schultzhaus
- National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Amy Chen
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Seongwon Kim
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Igor Shuryak
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Melody Chang
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
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22
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Broberg M, Dubey M, Sun MH, Ihrmark K, Schroers HJ, Li SD, Jensen DF, Brandström Durling M, Karlsson M. Out in the Cold: Identification of Genomic Regions Associated With Cold Tolerance in the Biocontrol Fungus Clonostachys rosea Through Genome-Wide Association Mapping. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2844. [PMID: 30524411 PMCID: PMC6262169 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing importance for using biocontrol agents in combating plant diseases sustainably and in the long term. As large scale genomic sequencing becomes economically viable, the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on biocontrol-associated phenotypes can be easily studied across entire genomes of fungal populations. Here, we improved a previously reported genome assembly of the biocontrol fungus Clonostachys rosea strain IK726 using the PacBio sequencing platform, which resulted in a total genome size of 70.7 Mbp and 21,246 predicted genes. We further performed whole-genome re-sequencing of 52 additional C. rosea strains isolated globally using Illumina sequencing technology, in order to perform genome-wide association studies in conditions relevant for biocontrol activity. One such condition is the ability to grow at lower temperatures commonly encountered in cryic or frigid soils in temperate regions, as these will be prevalent for protecting growing crops in temperate climates. Growth rates at 10°C on potato dextrose agar of the 53 sequenced strains of C. rosea were measured and ranged between 0.066 and 0.413 mm/day. Performing a genome wide association study, a total of 1,478 SNP markers were significantly associated with the trait and located in 227 scaffolds, within or close to (< 1000 bp distance) 265 different genes. The predicted gene products included several chaperone proteins, membrane transporters, lipases, and proteins involved in chitin metabolism with possible roles in cold tolerance. The data reported in this study provides a foundation for future investigations into the genetic basis for cold tolerance in fungi, with important implications for biocontrol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Broberg
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mukesh Dubey
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Man-Hong Sun
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Katarina Ihrmark
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Shi-Dong Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Funck Jensen
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mikael Brandström Durling
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magnus Karlsson
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Ecological Determinants of Sporotrichosis Etiological Agents. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 4:jof4030095. [PMID: 30103554 PMCID: PMC6162718 DOI: 10.3390/jof4030095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecological determinants of sporotrichosis etiological agents remain poorly understood. For this reason, we performed explorations using local climate estimates to determine the temperature and humidity ranges of the environment where clinically relevant Sporothrix species occur and to identify what plant species are associated with them, using data collected from the published literature. We performed a literature search to identify all publications on environmental isolations of medically relevant species of Sporothrix in the PubMed, SCOPUS, and EMBASE databases. All those studies were included in the analysis where medically relevant species of Sporothrix have been isolated from soil samples, and described a specific geographical location that could be precisely georeferenced. We approximated temperature and humidity from local climate estimates, integrating geospatial data, temperature, and water vapor pressure from regions or provinces where medically relevant species of Sporothrix have been isolated from soil. Sporothrix spp. were more commonly isolated from soil of different regions or provinces of 16 countries. Most environmental isolates were identified as S. schenckii, whereas S. pallida, S. brasiliensis, S. globosa, and S. mexicana were rare. We estimate that medically relevant Sporothrix spp. grow in the soil at temperatures of 6.6 °C to 28.84 °C and 37.5% to 99.06% relative humidity. These findings indicate that sporotrichosis etiological agents grow in soil in ecological niches from soil with wide ranges of temperature and humidity, but they are also associated with a variety of plants, flowers, woody debris, reed leaves, corn stalks, leaves, and wood crumbs, potentially facilitating its establishment and proliferation in the environment.
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Perez-Dulzaides R, Camacho E, Cordero RJB, Casadevall A. Cell-wall dyes interfere with Cryptococcus neoformans melanin deposition. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2018; 164:1012-1022. [PMID: 29939127 PMCID: PMC6152417 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Melanization is an intrinsic characteristic of many fungal species, but details of this process are poorly understood because melanins are notoriously difficult pigments to study. While studying the binding of cell-wall dyes, Eosin Y or Uvitex, to melanized and non-melanized Cryptococcus neoformans cells we noted that melanization leads to reduced fluorescence intensity, suggesting that melanin interfered with dye binding to the cell wall. The growth of C. neoformans in melanizing conditions with either of the cell-wall dyes resulted in an increase in supernatant-associated melanin, consistent with blockage of melanin attachment to the cell wall. This effect provided the opportunity to characterize melanin released into culture supernatants. Released melanin particles appeared mostly as networked structures having dimensions consistent with previously described extracellular vesicles. Hence, dye binding to the cell wall created conditions that resembled the 'leaky melanin' phenotype described for certain cell-wall mutants. In agreement with earlier studies on fungal melanins biosynthesis, our observations are supportive of a model whereby C. neoformans melanization proceeds by the attachment of melanin nanoparticles to the cell wall through chitin, chitosan, and various glucans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Perez-Dulzaides
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emma Camacho
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Radames J. B. Cordero
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA,*Correspondence: Arturo Casadevall,
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Genetic Factors and Genotype-Environment Interactions Contribute to Variation in Melanin Production in the Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9824. [PMID: 29959391 PMCID: PMC6026209 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27813-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a common opportunistic fungal infection that often disseminates into the central nervous system, leading to meningitis. Production of melanin pigments during infections is one of the most important virulence factors of its causal agent, the human pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans species complex. However, almost nothing is known about the patterns of variation in melanin production among clinical and environmental strains and the potential effects of such variations on virulence. In this study, we assembled a global collection of C. neoformans var. neoformans strains and investigated their patterns of melanin variation and potential contributors to such variations. Our analyses revealed that genetic differences and genotype-environment interactions explained up to 59% and 43% of the population’s melanin variance respectively, depending on the tested environments. In comparison, environmental factors alone contributed relatively little to melanin variance. We also identified specific changes within the LAC1 gene, whose protein product catalyzes melanin synthesis, to be associated with variable melanin levels. This study provides fresh insights into the origin and evolution of virulence traits in fungal pathogens while highlighting the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors that lead to phenotypic variance.
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Abstract
Melanins are ancient biological pigments found in all kingdoms of life. In fungi, their role in microbial pathogenesis is well established; however, these complex biomolecules also confer upon fungal microorganisms the faculty to tolerate extreme environments such as the Earth's poles, the International Space Station and places contaminated by toxic metals and ionizing radiation. A remarkable property of melanin is its capacity to interact with a wide range of electromagnetic radiation frequencies, functioning as a protecting and energy harvesting pigment. Other roles of fungal melanin include scavenging of free radical, thermo-tolerance, metal ion sequestration, cell development, and mechanical-chemical cellular strength. In this review, we explore the various functions ascribed to this biological pigment in fungi and its remarkable physicochemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radames JB Cordero
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205
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Teixeira M, Moreno L, Stielow B, Muszewska A, Hainaut M, Gonzaga L, Abouelleil A, Patané J, Priest M, Souza R, Young S, Ferreira K, Zeng Q, da Cunha M, Gladki A, Barker B, Vicente V, de Souza E, Almeida S, Henrissat B, Vasconcelos A, Deng S, Voglmayr H, Moussa T, Gorbushina A, Felipe M, Cuomo C, de Hoog GS. Exploring the genomic diversity of black yeasts and relatives ( Chaetothyriales, Ascomycota). Stud Mycol 2017; 86:1-28. [PMID: 28348446 PMCID: PMC5358931 DOI: 10.1016/j.simyco.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The order Chaetothyriales (Pezizomycotina, Ascomycetes) harbours obligatorily melanised fungi and includes numerous etiologic agents of chromoblastomycosis, phaeohyphomycosis and other diseases of vertebrate hosts. Diseases range from mild cutaneous to fatal cerebral or disseminated infections and affect humans and cold-blooded animals globally. In addition, Chaetothyriales comprise species with aquatic, rock-inhabiting, ant-associated, and mycoparasitic life-styles, as well as species that tolerate toxic compounds, suggesting a high degree of versatile extremotolerance. To understand their biology and divergent niche occupation, we sequenced and annotated a set of 23 genomes of main the human opportunists within the Chaetothyriales as well as related environmental species. Our analyses included fungi with diverse life-styles, namely opportunistic pathogens and closely related saprobes, to identify genomic adaptations related to pathogenesis. Furthermore, ecological preferences of Chaetothyriales were analysed, in conjuncture with the order-level phylogeny based on conserved ribosomal genes. General characteristics, phylogenomic relationships, transposable elements, sex-related genes, protein family evolution, genes related to protein degradation (MEROPS), carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), melanin synthesis and secondary metabolism were investigated and compared between species. Genome assemblies varied from 25.81 Mb (Capronia coronata) to 43.03 Mb (Cladophialophora immunda). The bantiana-clade contained the highest number of predicted genes (12 817 on average) as well as larger genomes. We found a low content of mobile elements, with DNA transposons from Tc1/Mariner superfamily being the most abundant across analysed species. Additionally, we identified a reduction of carbohydrate degrading enzymes, specifically many of the Glycosyl Hydrolase (GH) class, while most of the Pectin Lyase (PL) genes were lost in etiological agents of chromoblastomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis. An expansion was found in protein degrading peptidase enzyme families S12 (serine-type D-Ala-D-Ala carboxypeptidases) and M38 (isoaspartyl dipeptidases). Based on genomic information, a wide range of abilities of melanin biosynthesis was revealed; genes related to metabolically distinct DHN, DOPA and pyomelanin pathways were identified. The MAT (MAting Type) locus and other sex-related genes were recognized in all 23 black fungi. Members of the asexual genera Fonsecaea and Cladophialophora appear to be heterothallic with a single copy of either MAT-1-1 or MAT-1-2 in each individual. All Capronia species are homothallic as both MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 genes were found in each single genome. The genomic synteny of the MAT-locus flanking genes (SLA2-APN2-COX13) is not conserved in black fungi as is commonly observed in Eurotiomycetes, indicating a unique genomic context for MAT in those species. The heterokaryon (het) genes expansion associated with the low selective pressure at the MAT-locus suggests that a parasexual cycle may play an important role in generating diversity among those fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.M. Teixeira
- Division of Pathogen Genomics, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Flagstaff, AZ, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - L.F. Moreno
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba, PR, Brazi1
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B.J. Stielow
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A. Muszewska
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - M. Hainaut
- Université Aix-Marseille (CNRS), Marseille, France
| | - L. Gonzaga
- The National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC), Petropolis, Brazil
| | | | - J.S.L. Patané
- Department of Biochemistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M. Priest
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - R. Souza
- The National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC), Petropolis, Brazil
| | - S. Young
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - K.S. Ferreira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Q. Zeng
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - M.M.L. da Cunha
- Núcleo Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa em Biologia UFRJ-Xerém-NUMPEX-BIO, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - A. Gladki
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - B. Barker
- Division of Pathogen Genomics, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - V.A. Vicente
- Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba, PR, Brazi1
| | - E.M. de Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - S. Almeida
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - B. Henrissat
- Université Aix-Marseille (CNRS), Marseille, France
| | - A.T.R. Vasconcelos
- The National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC), Petropolis, Brazil
| | - S. Deng
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - H. Voglmayr
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - T.A.A. Moussa
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - A. Gorbushina
- Federal Institute for Material Research and Testing (BAM), Berlin, Germany
| | - M.S.S. Felipe
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - C.A. Cuomo
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - G. Sybren de Hoog
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba, PR, Brazi1
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Gerstein AC, Nielsen K. It's not all about us: evolution and maintenance of Cryptococcus virulence requires selection outside the human host. Yeast 2017; 34:143-154. [PMID: 27862271 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus is predominantly an AIDS-related pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Research studies have historically focused on understanding how the organism causes human disease through the use of in vivo and in vitro model systems to identify virulence factors. Cryptococcus is not an obligate pathogen, however, as human-human transmission is either absent or rare. Selection in the environment must thus be invoked to shape the evolution of this taxa, and directly influences genotypic and trait diversity. Importantly, the evolution and maintenance of pathogenicity must also stem directly from environmental selection. To that end, here we examine abiotic and biotic stresses in the environment, and discuss how they could shape the factors that are commonly identified as important virulence traits. We identify a number of important unanswered questions about Cryptococcus diversity and evolution that are critical for understanding this deadly pathogen, and discuss how implementation of modern sampling and genomic tools could be utilized to answer these questions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleeza C Gerstein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kirsten Nielsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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29
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Ahmad S, Lee SY, Kong HG, Jo EJ, Choi HK, Khan R, Lee SW. Genetic Determinants for Pyomelanin Production and Its Protective Effect against Oxidative Stress in Ralstonia solanacearum. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160845. [PMID: 27513990 PMCID: PMC4981395 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ralstonia solanacearum is a soil-borne plant pathogen that infects more than 200 plant species. Its broad host range and long-term survival under different environmental stress conditions suggest that it uses a variety of mechanisms to protect itself against various types of biotic and abiotic stress. R. solanacearum produces a melanin-like brown pigment in the stationary phase when grown in minimal medium containing tyrosine. To gain deeper insight into the genetic determinants involved in melanin production, transposon-inserted mutants of R. solanacearum strain SL341 were screened for strains with defective melanin-producing capability. In addition to one mutant already known to be involved in pyomelanin production (viz., strain SL341D, with disruption of the hydroxphenylpyruvate dioxygenase gene), we identified three other mutants with disruption in the regulatory genes rpoS, hrpG, and oxyR, respectively. Wild-type SL341 produced pyomelanin in minimal medium containing tyrosine whereas the mutant strains did not. Likewise, homogentisate, a major precursor of pyomelanin, was detected in the culture filtrate of the wild-type strain but not in those of the mutant strains. A gene encoding hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase exhibited a significant high expression in wild type SL341 compared to other mutant strains, suggesting that pyomelanin production is regulated by three different regulatory proteins. However, analysis of the gene encoding homogentisate dioxygenase revealed no significant difference in its relative expression over time in the wild-type SL341 and mutant strains, except for SL341D, at 72 h incubation. The pigmented SL341 strain also exhibited a high tolerance to hydrogen peroxide stress compared with the non-pigmented SL341D strain. Our study suggests that pyomelanin production is controlled by several regulatory factors in R. solanacearum to confer protection under oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabir Ahmad
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Yeup Lee
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Gi Kong
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jeong Jo
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Kyung Choi
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Raees Khan
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Woo Lee
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
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Uejio CK, Mak S, Manangan A, Luber G, Bartlett KH. Climatic Influences on Cryptococcus gattii [corrected] Populations, Vancouver Island, Canada, 2002-2004. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 21:1989-96. [PMID: 26484590 PMCID: PMC4622228 DOI: 10.3201/eid2111.141161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Vancouver Island, Canada, reports the world's highest incidence of Cryptococcus gattii infection among humans and animals. To identify key biophysical factors modulating environmental concentrations, we evaluated monthly concentrations of C. gatti in air, soil, and trees over a 3-year period. The 2 study datasets were repeatedly measured plots and newly sampled plots. We used hierarchical generalized linear and mixed effect models to determine associations. Climate systematically influenced C. gattii concentrations in all environmental media tested; in soil and on trees, concentrations decreased when temperatures were warmer. Wind may be a key process that transferred C. gattii from soil into air and onto trees. C. gattii results for tree and air samples were more likely to be positive during periods of higher solar radiation. These results improve the understanding of the places and periods with the greatest C. gattii colonization. Refined risk projections may help susceptible persons avoid activities that disturb the topsoil during relatively cool summer days.
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Al-Laaeiby A, Kershaw MJ, Penn TJ, Thornton CR. Targeted Disruption of Melanin Biosynthesis Genes in the Human Pathogenic Fungus Lomentospora prolificans and Its Consequences for Pathogen Survival. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:444. [PMID: 27023523 PMCID: PMC4848900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17040444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The dematiaceous (melanised) fungus Lomentospora (Scedosporium) prolificans is a life-threatening opportunistic pathogen of immunocompromised humans, resistant to anti-fungal drugs. Melanin has been shown to protect human pathogenic fungi against antifungal drugs, oxidative killing and environmental stresses. To determine the protective role of melanin in L. prolificans to oxidative killing (H2O2), UV radiation and the polyene anti-fungal drug amphotericin B, targeted gene disruption was used to generate mutants of the pathogen lacking the dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin biosynthetic enzymes polyketide synthase (PKS1), tetrahydroxynapthalene reductase (4HNR) and scytalone dehydratase (SCD1). Infectious propagules (spores) of the wild-type strain 3.1 were black/brown, whereas spores of the PKS-deficient mutant ΔLppks1::hph were white. Complementation of the albino mutant ΔLppks1::hph restored the black-brown spore pigmentation, while the 4HNR-deficient mutant ΔLp4hnr::hph and SCD-deficient mutant ΔLpscd1::hph both produced orange-yellow spores. The mutants ΔLppks1::hph and ΔLp4hnr::hph showed significant reductions in spore survival following H2O2 treatment, while spores of ΔLpscd1::hph and the ΔLppks1::hph complemented strain ΔLppks1::hph:PKS showed spore survivals similar to strain 3.1. Spores of the mutants ΔLp4hnr::hph and ΔLpscd1::hph and complemented strain ΔLppks1::hph:PKS showed spore survivals similar to 3.1 following exposure to UV radiation, but survival of ΔLppks1::hph spores was significantly reduced compared to the wild-type strain. Strain 3.1 and mutants ΔLp4hnr::hph and ΔLppks1::hph:PKS were resistant to amphotericin B while, paradoxically, the PKS1- and SCD1-deficient mutants showed significant increases in growth in the presence of the antifungal drug. Taken together, these results show that while melanin plays a protective role in the survival of the pathogen to oxidative killing and UV radiation, melanin does not contribute to its resistance to amphotericin B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayat Al-Laaeiby
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
- Cell and Biotechnology Research Unit, College of Science, University of Basrah, Basrah 61004, Iraq.
| | - Michael J Kershaw
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
| | - Tina J Penn
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
| | - Christopher R Thornton
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
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Abstract
Cryptococcosis is caused by the fungal genus Cryptococcus. Cryptococcosis, predominantly meningoencephalitis, emerged with the HIV pandemic, primarily afflicting HIV-infected patients with profound T-cell deficiency. Where in use, combination antiretroviral therapy has markedly reduced the incidence of and risk for disease, but cryptococcosis continues to afflict those without access to therapy, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. However, cryptococcosis also occurs in solid organ transplant recipients and patients with other immunodeficiencies as well as those with no known immunodeficiency. This article reviews innate and adaptive immune responses to C. neoformans, with an emphasis on recent studies on the role of B cells, natural IgM and Fc gamma receptor polymorphisms in resistance to cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soma Rohatgi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Abstract
Enzymes play key roles in fungal pathogenesis. Manipulation of enzyme expression or activity can significantly alter the infection process, and enzyme expression profiles can be a hallmark of disease. Hence, enzymes are worthy targets for better understanding pathogenesis and identifying new options for combatting fungal infections. Advances in genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and mass spectrometry have enabled the identification and characterization of new fungal enzymes. This review focuses on recent developments in the virulence-associated enzymes from Cryptococcus neoformans. The enzymatic suite of C. neoformans has evolved for environmental survival, but several of these enzymes play a dual role in colonizing the mammalian host. We also discuss new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies that could be based on the underlying enzymology.
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García-Rodas R, Trevijano-Contador N, Román E, Janbon G, Moyrand F, Pla J, Casadevall A, Zaragoza O. Role of Cln1 during melanization of Cryptococcus neoformans. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:798. [PMID: 26322026 PMCID: PMC4532930 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that has several well-described virulence determinants. A polysaccharide capsule and the ability to produce melanin are among the most important. Melanization occurs both in vitro, in the presence of catecholamine and indole compounds, and in vivo during the infection. Despite the importance of melanin production for cryptococcal virulence, the component and mechanisms involved in its synthesis have not been fully elucidated. In this work, we describe the role of a G1/S cyclin (Cln1) in the melanization process. Cln1 has evolved specifically with proteins present only in other basidiomycetes. We found that Cln1 is required for the cell wall stability and production of melanin in C. neoformans. Absence of melanization correlated with a defect in the expression of the LAC1 gene. The relation between cell cycle elements and melanization was confirmed by the effect of drugs that cause cell cycle arrest at a specific phase, such as rapamycin. The cln1 mutant was consistently more susceptible to oxidative damage in a medium that induces melanization. Our results strongly suggest a novel and hitherto unrecognized role for C. neoformans Cln1 in the expression of virulence traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío García-Rodas
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Nuria Trevijano-Contador
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Elvira Román
- Department of Microbiology, Pharmacy Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid Madrid, Spain
| | - Guilhem Janbon
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur Paris, France
| | - Frédérique Moyrand
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur Paris, France
| | - Jesús Pla
- Department of Microbiology, Pharmacy Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid Madrid, Spain
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Oscar Zaragoza
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III Majadahonda, Spain
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Drewnowska JM, Zambrzycka M, Kalska-Szostko B, Fiedoruk K, Swiecicka I. Melanin-Like Pigment Synthesis by Soil Bacillus weihenstephanensis Isolates from Northeastern Poland. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125428. [PMID: 25909751 PMCID: PMC4409349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although melanin is known for protecting living organisms from harmful physical and chemical factors, its synthesis is rarely observed among endospore-forming Bacillus cereus sensu lato. Here, for the first time, we reported that psychrotolerant Bacillus weihenstephanensis from Northeastern Poland can produce melanin-like pigment. We assessed physicochemical properties of the pigment and the mechanism of its synthesis in relation to B. weihenstephanensis genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy displayed a stable free radical signal of the pigment from environmental isolates which are consistent with the commercial melanin. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and physicochemical tests indicated the phenolic character of the pigment. Several biochemical tests showed that melanin-like pigment synthesis by B. weihenstephanensis was associated with laccase activity. The presence of the gene encoding laccase was confirmed by the next generation whole genome sequencing of one B. weihenstephanensis strain. Biochemical (API 20E and 50CHB tests) and genetic (Multi-locus Sequence Typing, 16S rRNA sequencing, and Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis) characterization of the isolates revealed their close relation to the psychrotrophic B. weihenstephanensis DSMZ 11821 reference strain. The ability to synthesize melanin-like pigment by soil B. weihenstephanensis isolates and their psychrotrophic character seemed to be a local adaptation to a specific niche. Detailed genetic and biochemical analyses of melanin-positive environmental B. weihenstephanensis strains shed some light on the evolution and ecological adaptation of these bacteria. Moreover, our study raised new biotechnological possibilities for the use of water-soluble melanin-like pigment naturally produced by B. weihenstephanensis as an alternative to commercial non-soluble pigment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna M. Drewnowska
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Monika Zambrzycka
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Beata Kalska-Szostko
- Department of Physicochemical Analysis, Institute of Chemistry, University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Fiedoruk
- Department of Microbiology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Izabela Swiecicka
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
- * E-mail:
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Phenotypic characteristics associated with virulence of clinical isolates from the Sporothrix complex. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:212308. [PMID: 25961005 PMCID: PMC4417584 DOI: 10.1155/2015/212308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The Sporothrix complex members cause sporotrichosis, a subcutaneous mycosis with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Several specific phenotypic characteristics are associated with virulence in many fungi, but studies in this field involving the Sporothrix complex species are scarce. Melanization, thermotolerance, and production of proteases, catalase, and urease were investigated in 61 S. brasiliensis, one S. globosa, and 10 S. schenckii strains. The S. brasiliensis strains showed a higher expression of melanin and urease compared with S. schenckii. These two species, however, presented similar thermotolerances. Our S. globosa strain had low expression of all studied virulence factors. The relationship between these phenotypes and clinical aspects of sporotrichosis was also evaluated. Strains isolated from patients with spontaneous regression of infection were heavily melanized and produced high urease levels. Melanin was also related to dissemination of internal organs and protease production was associated with HIV-coinfection. A murine sporotrichosis model showed that a S. brasiliensis strain with high expression of virulence factors was able to disseminate and yield a high fungal burden in comparison with a control S. schenckii strain. Our results show that virulence-related phenotypes are variably expressed within the Sporothrix complex species and might be involved in clinical aspects of sporotrichosis.
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Khankhet J, Vanderwolf KJ, McAlpine DF, McBurney S, Overy DP, Slavic D, Xu J. Clonal expansion of the Pseudogymnoascus destructans genotype in North America is accompanied by significant variation in phenotypic expression. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104684. [PMID: 25122221 PMCID: PMC4133243 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudogymnoascus destructans is the causative agent of an emerging infectious disease that threatens populations of several North American bat species. The fungal disease was first observed in 2006 and has since caused the death of nearly six million bats. The disease, commonly known as white-nose syndrome, is characterized by a cutaneous infection with P. destructans causing erosions and ulcers in the skin of nose, ears and/or wings of bats. Previous studies based on sequences from eight loci have found that isolates of P. destructans from bats in the US all belong to one multilocus genotype. Using the same multilocus sequence typing method, we found that isolates from eastern and central Canada also had the same genotype as those from the US, consistent with the clonal expansion of P. destructans into Canada. However, our PCR fingerprinting revealed that among the 112 North American isolates we analyzed, three, all from Canada, showed minor genetic variation. Furthermore, we found significant variations among isolates in mycelial growth rate; the production of mycelial exudates; and pigment production and diffusion into agar media. These phenotypic differences were influenced by culture medium and incubation temperature, indicating significant variation in environmental condition - dependent phenotypic expression among isolates of the clonal P. destructans genotype in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Khankhet
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen J. Vanderwolf
- New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
- Canadian Wildlife Federation, Kanata, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Scott McBurney
- Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, Atlantic Region, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - David P. Overy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
- Nautilus Biosciences Canada Inc., Duffy Research Center, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - Durda Slavic
- Laboratory Services, Animal Health Laboratory, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jianping Xu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Prates RA, Fuchs BB, Mizuno K, Naqvi Q, Kato IT, Ribeiro MS, Mylonakis E, Tegos GP, Hamblin MR. Effect of virulence factors on the photodynamic inactivation of Cryptococcus neoformans. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54387. [PMID: 23349872 PMCID: PMC3548784 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Opportunistic fungal pathogens may cause an array of superficial infections or serious invasive infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogen causing cryptococcosis in HIV/AIDS patients, but treatment is limited due to the relative lack of potent antifungal agents. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) uses the combination of non-toxic dyes called photosensitizers and harmless visible light, which produces singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species that produce cell inactivation and death. We report the use of five structurally unrelated photosensitizers (methylene blue, Rose Bengal, selenium derivative of a Nile blue dye, a cationic fullerene and a conjugate between poly-L-lysine and chlorin(e6)) combined with appropriate wavelengths of light to inactivate C. neoformans. Mutants lacking capsule and laccase, and culture conditions that favoured melanin production were used to probe the mechanisms of PDI and the effect of virulence factors. The presence of cell wall, laccase and melanin tended to protect against PDI, but the choice of the appropriate photosensitizers and dosimetry was able to overcome this resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato A. Prates
- Center for Lasers and Applications, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- School of Dentistry, Health Department, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Wellman Center of Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Beth Burgwyn Fuchs
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kazue Mizuno
- Wellman Center of Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Qurat Naqvi
- Wellman Center of Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ilka T. Kato
- Center for Lasers and Applications, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Martha S. Ribeiro
- Center for Lasers and Applications, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - George P. Tegos
- Wellman Center of Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, New Mexico, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GPT); (MH)
| | - Michael R. Hamblin
- Wellman Center of Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GPT); (MH)
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Cho Y, Srivastava A, Ohm RA, Lawrence CB, Wang KH, Grigoriev IV, Marahatta SP. Transcription factor Amr1 induces melanin biosynthesis and suppresses virulence in Alternaria brassicicola. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8:e1002974. [PMID: 23133370 PMCID: PMC3486909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternaria brassicicola is a successful saprophyte and necrotrophic plant pathogen. Several A. brassicicola genes have been characterized as affecting pathogenesis of Brassica species. To study regulatory mechanisms of pathogenesis, we mined 421 genes in silico encoding putative transcription factors in a machine-annotated, draft genome sequence of A. brassicicola. In this study, targeted gene disruption mutants for 117 of the transcription factor genes were produced and screened. Three of these genes were associated with pathogenesis. Disruption mutants of one gene (AbPacC) were nonpathogenic and another gene (AbVf8) caused lesions less than half the diameter of wild-type lesions. Unexpectedly, mutants of the third gene, Amr1, caused lesions with a two-fold larger diameter than the wild type and complementation mutants. Amr1 is a homolog of Cmr1, a transcription factor that regulates melanin biosynthesis in several fungi. We created gene deletion mutants of Δamr1 and characterized their phenotypes. The Δamr1 mutants used pectin as a carbon source more efficiently than the wild type, were melanin-deficient, and more sensitive to UV light and glucanase digestion. The AMR1 protein was localized in the nuclei of hyphae and in highly melanized conidia during the late stage of plant pathogenesis. RNA-seq analysis revealed that three genes in the melanin biosynthesis pathway, along with the deleted Amr1 gene, were expressed at low levels in the mutants. In contrast, many hydrolytic enzyme-coding genes were expressed at higher levels in the mutants than in the wild type during pathogenesis. The results of this study suggested that a gene important for survival in nature negatively affected virulence, probably by a less efficient use of plant cell-wall materials. We speculate that the functions of the Amr1 gene are important to the success of A. brassicicola as a competitive saprophyte and plant parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangrae Cho
- Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America.
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Urán ME, Nosanchuk JD, Restrepo A, Hamilton AJ, Gómez BL, Cano LE. Detection of antibodies against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis melanin in in vitro and in vivo studies during infection. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2011; 18:1680-8. [PMID: 21813659 PMCID: PMC3187017 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.05099-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2011] [Accepted: 07/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Several cell wall constituents, including melanins or melanin-like compounds, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide variety of microbial diseases caused by diverse species of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and helminthes. Among these microorganisms, the dimorphic fungal pathogen Paracoccidioides brasiliensis produces melanin in its conidial and yeast forms. In the present study, melanin particles from P. brasiliensis were injected into BALB/c mice in order to produce monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). We identified five immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) κ-chain and four IgM melanin-binding MAbs. The five IgG1 κ-chain isotypes are the first melanin-binding IgG MAbs ever reported. The nine MAbs labeled P. brasiliensis conidia and yeast cells both in vitro and in pulmonary tissues. The MAbs cross-reacted with melanin-like purified particles from other fungi and also with commercial melanins, such as synthetic and Sepia officinalis melanin. Melanization during paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) was also further supported by the detection of IgG antibodies reactive to melanin from P. brasiliensis conidia and yeast in sera and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from P. brasiliensis-infected mice, as well as in sera from human patients with PCM. Serum specimens from patients with other mycoses were also tested for melanin-binding antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and cross-reactivities were detected for melanin particles from different fungal sources. These results suggest that melanin from P. brasiliensis is an immunologically active fungal structure that activates a strong IgG humoral response in humans and mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha E Urán
- Medical and Experimental Mycology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Carrera 72A No. 78B-141, A.A. 73-78, Medellín, Colombia.
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Tseng MN, Chung PC, Tzean SS. Enhancing the stress tolerance and virulence of an entomopathogen by metabolic engineering of dihydroxynaphthalene melanin biosynthesis genes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2011; 77:4508-19. [PMID: 21571888 PMCID: PMC3127726 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02033-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2010] [Accepted: 05/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi have been used for biocontrol of insect pests for many decades. However, the efficacy of such fungi in field trials is often inconsistent, mainly due to environmental stresses, such as UV radiation, temperature extremes, and desiccation. To circumvent these hurdles, metabolic engineering of dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) melanin biosynthetic genes (polyketide synthase, scytalone dehydratase, and 1,3,8-trihydroxynaphthalene reductase genes) cloned from Alternaria alternata were transformed into the amelanotic entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Melanin expression in the transformant of M. anisopliae was verified by spectrophotometric methods, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), and confocal microscopy. The transformant, especially under stresses, showed notably enhanced antistress capacity and virulence, in terms of germination and survival rate, infectivity, and reduced median time to death (LT50) in killing diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) larvae compared with the wild type. The possible mechanisms in enhancing the stress tolerance and virulence, and the significance and potential for engineering melanin biosynthesis genes in other biocontrol agents and crops to improve antistress fitness are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min N. Tseng
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
- Division of Plant Protection, Kaohsiung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Pingtung 908, Taiwan
| | - Pei C. Chung
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
- Division of Plant Protection, Miaoli District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Miaoli 363, Taiwan
| | - Shean S. Tzean
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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Eisenman HC, Frases S, Nicola AM, Rodrigues ML, Casadevall A. Vesicle-associated melanization in Cryptococcus neoformans. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2009; 155:3860-3867. [PMID: 19729402 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.032854-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Recently, several pathogenic fungi were shown to produce extracellular vesicles that contain various components associated with virulence. In the human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, these components included laccase, an enzyme that catalyses melanin synthesis. Spherical melanin granules have been observed in the cell wall of C. neoformans. Given that melanin granules have dimensions that are comparable to those of extracellular vesicles, and that metazoan organisms produce melanin in vesicular structures known as melanosomes, we investigated the role of vesicles in cryptococcal melanization. Extracellular vesicles melanized when incubated with the melanin precursor L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA). The kinetics of substrate incorporation into cells and vesicles was analysed using radiolabelled L-DOPA. The results indicated that substrate incorporation was different for cells and isolated vesicles. Acid-generated melanin ghosts stained with lipophilic dyes, implying the presence of associated lipid. A model for C. neoformans melanization is proposed that accounts for these observations and provides a mechanism for the assembly of melanin into relatively uniform spherical particles stacked in an orderly arrangement in the cell wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene C Eisenman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - Susana Frases
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - André M Nicola
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - Marcio L Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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The fatal fungal outbreak on Vancouver Island is characterized by enhanced intracellular parasitism driven by mitochondrial regulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009; 106:12980-5. [PMID: 19651610 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0902963106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In 1999, the population of Vancouver Island, Canada, began to experience an outbreak of a fatal fungal disease caused by a highly virulent lineage of Cryptococcus gattii. This organism has recently spread to the Canadian mainland and Pacific Northwest, but the molecular cause of the outbreak remains unknown. Here we show that the Vancouver Island outbreak (VIO) isolates have dramatically increased their ability to replicate within macrophages of the mammalian immune system in comparison with other C. gattii strains. We further demonstrate that such enhanced intracellular parasitism is directly linked to virulence in a murine model of cryptococcosis, suggesting that this phenotype may be the cause of the outbreak. Finally, microarray studies on 24 C. gattii strains reveals that the hypervirulence of the VIO isolates is characterized by the up-regulation of a large group of genes, many of which are encoded by mitochondrial genome or associated with mitochondrial activities. This expression profile correlates with an unusual mitochondrial morphology exhibited by the VIO strains after phagocytosis. Our data thus demonstrate that the intracellular parasitism of macrophages is a key driver of a human disease outbreak, a finding that has significant implications for a wide range of other human pathogens.
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Production of pyomelanin, a second type of melanin, via the tyrosine degradation pathway in Aspergillus fumigatus. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009; 75:493-503. [PMID: 19028908 PMCID: PMC2620705 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02077-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the most important airborne fungal pathogen of immunosuppressed humans. A. fumigatus is able to produce dihydroxynaphthalene melanin, which is predominantly present in the conidia. Its biosynthesis is an important virulence determinant. Here, we show that A. fumigatus is able to produce an alternative melanin, i.e., pyomelanin, by a different pathway, starting from L-tyrosine. Proteome analysis indicated that the l-tyrosine degradation enzymes are synthesized when the fungus is grown with L-tyrosine in the medium. To investigate the pathway in detail, we deleted the genes encoding essential enzymes for pigment production, homogentisate dioxygenase (hmgA) and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (hppD). Comparative Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of synthetic pyomelanin and pigment extracted from A. fumigatus cultures confirmed the identity of the observed pigment as pyomelanin. In the hmgA deletion strain, HmgA activity was abolished and the accumulation of homogentisic acid provoked an increased pigment formation. In contrast, homogentisic acid and pyomelanin were not observed with an hppD deletion mutant. Germlings of the hppD deletion mutant showed an increased sensitivity to reactive oxygen intermediates. The transcription of both studied genes was induced by L-tyrosine. These results confirmed the function of the deleted genes and the predicted pathway in A. fumigatus. Homogentisic acid is the major intermediate, and the L-tyrosine degradation pathway leading to pyomelanin is similar to that in humans leading to alkaptomelanin.
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Taborda CP, da Silva MB, Nosanchuk JD, Travassos LR. Melanin as a virulence factor of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and other dimorphic pathogenic fungi: a minireview. Mycopathologia 2008; 165:331-9. [PMID: 18777637 PMCID: PMC2586806 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-007-9061-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Melanin pigments are substances produced by a broad variety of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and helminths. Microbes predominantly produce melanin pigment via tyrosinases, laccases, catecholases, and the polyketide synthase pathway. In fungi, melanin is deposited in the cell wall and cytoplasm, and melanin particles ("ghosts") can be isolated from these fungi that have the same size and shape of the original cells. Melanin has been reported in several human pathogenic dimorphic fungi including Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Coccidioides posadasii. Melanization appears to contribute to virulence by reducing the susceptibility of melanized fungi to host defense mechanisms and antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos P Taborda
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Ave. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, 2 andar, São Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil.
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Lin X, Huang JC, Mitchell TG, Heitman J. Virulence attributes and hyphal growth of C. neoformans are quantitative traits and the MATalpha allele enhances filamentation. PLoS Genet 2006; 2:e187. [PMID: 17112316 PMCID: PMC1636697 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.0020187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2006] [Accepted: 09/21/2006] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal human pathogen with a bipolar mating system. It undergoes a dimorphic transition from a unicellular yeast to hyphal filamentous growth during mating and monokaryotic fruiting. The traditional sexual cycle that leads to the production of infectious basidiospores involves cells of both alpha and a mating type. Monokaryotic fruiting is a modified form of sexual reproduction that involves cells of the same mating type, most commonly alpha, which is the predominant mating type in both the environment and clinical isolates. However, some a isolates can also undergo monokaryotic fruiting. To determine whether mating type and other genetic loci contribute to the differences in fruiting observed between alpha and a cells, we applied quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping to an inbred population of F2 progeny. We discovered that variation in hyphal length produced during fruiting is a quantitative trait resulting from the combined effects of multiple genetic loci, including the mating type (MAT) locus. Importantly, the alpha allele of the MAT locus enhanced hyphal growth compared with the a allele. Other virulence traits, including melanization and growth at 39 degrees C, also are quantitative traits that share a common QTL with hyphal growth. The Mac1 transcription factor, encoded in this common QTL, regulates copper homeostasis. MAC1 allelic differences contribute to phenotypic variation, and mac1Delta mutants exhibit defects in filamentation, melanin production, and high temperature growth. Further characterization of these QTL regions will reveal additional quantitative trait genes controlling biological processes central to fungal development and pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorong Lin
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Johnny C Huang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Thomas G Mitchell
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Nosanchuk JD, Casadevall A. Impact of melanin on microbial virulence and clinical resistance to antimicrobial compounds. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2006; 50:3519-28. [PMID: 17065617 PMCID: PMC1635213 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00545-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 266] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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Paolo WF, Dadachova E, Mandal P, Casadevall A, Szaniszlo PJ, Nosanchuk JD. Effects of disrupting the polyketide synthase gene WdPKS1 in Wangiella [Exophiala] dermatitidis on melanin production and resistance to killing by antifungal compounds, enzymatic degradation, and extremes in temperature. BMC Microbiol 2006; 6:55. [PMID: 16784529 PMCID: PMC1569847 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-6-55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2006] [Accepted: 06/19/2006] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wangiella dermatitidis is a human pathogenic fungus that is an etiologic agent of phaeohyphomycosis. W. dermatitidis produces a black pigment that has been identified as a dihydroxynaphthalene melanin and the production of this pigment is associated with its virulence. Cell wall pigmentation in W. dermatitidis depends on the WdPKS1 gene, which encodes a polyketide synthase required for generating the key precursor for dihydroxynaphthalene melanin biosynthesis. RESULTS We analyzed the effects of disrupting WdPKS1 on dihydroxynaphthalene melanin production and resistance to antifungal compounds. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that wdpks1Delta-1 yeast had thinner cell walls that lacked an electron-opaque layer compared to wild-type cells. However, digestion of the wdpks1Delta-1 yeast revealed small black particles that were consistent with a melanin-like compound, because they were acid-resistant, reacted with melanin-binding antibody, and demonstrated a free radical signature by electron spin resonance analysis. Despite lacking the WdPKS1 gene, the mutant yeast were capable of catalyzing the formation of melanin from L-3,4-dihyroxyphenylalanine. The wdpks1Delta-1 cells were significantly more susceptible to killing by voriconazole, amphotericin B, NP-1 [a microbicidal peptide], heat and cold, and lysing enzymes than the heavily melanized parental or complemented strains. CONCLUSION In summary, W. dermatitidis makes WdPKS-dependent and -independent melanins, and the WdPKS1-dependent deposition of melanin in the cell wall confers protection against antifungal agents and environmental stresses. The biological role of the WdPKS-independent melanin remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Paolo
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, New York University Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Ekaterina Dadachova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Piyali Mandal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Division of Infectious Diseases, New Delhi, India
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Paul J Szaniszlo
- Section of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Joshua D Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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Morris-Jones R, Youngchim S, Hextall JM, Gomez BL, Morris-Jones SD, Hay RJ, Casadevall A, Nosanchuk JD, Hamilton AJ. Scytalidium dimidiatum causing recalcitrant subcutaneous lesions produces melanin. J Clin Microbiol 2004; 42:3789-94. [PMID: 15297531 PMCID: PMC497569 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.42.8.3789-3794.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Scytalidium dimidiatum is a pigmented dematiaceous coelomycete that typically causes chronic superficial skin diseases and onychomycosis, as well as deeper infections, such as subcutaneous abscesses, mycetoma, and even fungemia in immunocompromised patients. A second species, Scytalidium hyalinum, has hyaline hyphae and arthroconidia and is considered by some authors to be an albino mutant of S. dimidiatum. This study aimed to confirm the presence of melanin or melanin-like compounds (which have been previously implicated in the virulence of other fungal pathogens) in S. dimidiatum from a patient with multiple subcutaneous nodules. Treatment of the hyphae and arthroconidia with proteolytic enzymes, denaturant, and concentrated hot acid yielded dark particles, which were stable free radicals, consistent with their identification as melanins. Extracted melanin particles from S. dimidiatum cultures were labeled by melanin-binding monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) from Sporothrix schenckii, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Lesional skin from the patient infected with S. dimidiatum contained fungal cells that were labeled by melanin-binding MAbs, and digestion of the tissue yielded dark particles that were also reactive. S. hyalinum was also subjected to the melanin extraction protocol, but no dark particles were yielded.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Morris-Jones
- Dermatology Laboratory, St John's Institute of Dermatology, Guy's Hospital, Guy's, King's and St. Thomas' Medical Schools, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom.
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Kihara J, Moriwaki A, Ueno M, Tokunaga T, Arase S, Honda Y. Cloning, functional analysis and expression of a scytalone dehydratase gene ( SCD1) involved in melanin biosynthesis of the phytopathogenic fungus Bipolaris oryzae. Curr Genet 2004; 45:197-204. [PMID: 14716498 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-003-0477-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2003] [Revised: 11/04/2003] [Accepted: 11/14/2003] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Scytalone dehydratase is involved in the production of fungal dihydroxynaphthalene melanin. We isolated and characterized SCD1, a gene encoding scytalone dehydratase, from the phytopathogenic fungus Bipolaris oryzae. Sequence analysis showed that SCD1 encodes a putative protein that has 185 amino acids, a molecular weight of 21 kDa and 51-75% sequence identity to other fungal scytalone dehydratases. Targeted disruption of SCD1 showed that this gene is necessary for melanin biosynthesis in B. oryzae. Northern blot analysis showed that SCD1 transcripts are specifically enhanced by near-ultraviolet (300-400 nm) radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junichi Kihara
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University, Matsue, 690-8504, Shimane, Japan.
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