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Strader MB, Saha AL, Fernandes C, Sharma K, Hadiwinarta C, Calheiros D, Conde-de-Oliveira G, Gonçalves T, Slater JE. Distinct proteomes and allergen profiles appear across the life-cycle stages of Alternaria alternata. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 154:424-434. [PMID: 38663817 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.03.026] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alternaria alternata is associated with allergic respiratory diseases, which can be managed with allergen extract-based diagnostics and immunotherapy. It is not known how spores and hyphae contribute to allergen content. Commercial allergen extracts are manufactured by extracting proteins without separating the different forms of the fungus. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine differences between spore and hyphae proteomes and how allergens are distributed in Aalternata. METHODS Data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry was used to quantitatively compare the proteomes of asexual spores (nongerminating and germinating) with vegetative hyphae. RESULTS We identified 4515 proteins in nongerminating spores, germinating spores, and hyphae; most known allergens are more abundant in nongerminating spores. On comparing significant protein fold-change differences between nongerminating spores and hyphae, we found that 174 proteins were upregulated in nongerminating spores and 80 proteins in hyphae. Among the spore proteins are ones functionally involved in cell wall synthesis, responding to cellular stress, and maintaining redox balance and homeostasis. On comparing nongerminating and germinating spores, 25 proteins were found to be upregulated in nongerminating spores and 54 in germinating spores. Among the proteins specific to germinating spores were proteases known to be virulence factors. One of the most abundant proteins in the spore proteome is sialidase, which has not been identified as an allergen but may be important in the pathogenicity of this fungus. Major allergen Alt a 1 is present at low levels in spores and hyphae and appears to be largely secreted into growth media. CONCLUSIONS Spores and hyphae express overlapping but distinct proteomes. Most known allergens are found more abundantly in nongerminating spores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Brad Strader
- Laboratory of Immunobiochemistry, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic and Allergenic Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Md.
| | - Aishwarya L Saha
- Laboratory of Immunobiochemistry, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic and Allergenic Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Md
| | - Chantal Fernandes
- University of Coimbra, CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, FMUC - Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kavita Sharma
- Laboratory of Immunobiochemistry, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic and Allergenic Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Md
| | - Christian Hadiwinarta
- Laboratory of Immunobiochemistry, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic and Allergenic Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Md
| | - Daniela Calheiros
- University of Coimbra, CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, FMUC - Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Conde-de-Oliveira
- University of Coimbra, CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, FMUC - Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- University of Coimbra, CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, FMUC - Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jay E Slater
- Laboratory of Immunobiochemistry, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic and Allergenic Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Md
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da Fonseca DM, Rodrigues L, Sousa-Baptista J, Marcos-Tejedor F, Mota M, Cunha RA, Fernandes C, Gonçalves T. Caffeine Protects Keratinocytes from Trichophyton mentagrophytes Infection and Behaves as an Antidermatophytic Agent. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8303. [PMID: 39125871 PMCID: PMC11311904 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158303] [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: 06/22/2024] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Caffeine affords several beneficial effects on human health, acting as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent, and analgesic. Caffeine is widely used in cosmetics, but its antimicrobial activity has been scarcely explored, namely against skin infection agents. Dermatophytes are the most common fungal agents of human infection, mainly of skin infections. This work describes the in vitro effect of caffeine during keratinocyte infection by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, one of the most common dermatophytes. The results show that caffeine was endowed with antidermatophytic activity with a MIC, determined following the EUCAST standards, of 8 mM. Caffeine triggered a modification of the levels of two major components of the fungal cell wall, β-(1,3)-glucan and chitin. Caffeine also disturbed the ultrastructure of the fungal cells, particularly the cell wall surface and mitochondria, and autophagic-like structures were observed. During dermatophyte-human keratinocyte interactions, caffeine prevented the loss of viability of keratinocytes and delayed spore germination. Overall, this indicates that caffeine can act as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent for dermatophytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo M. da Fonseca
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (D.M.d.F.); (J.S.-B.); (M.M.); (R.A.C.)
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (L.R.); (C.F.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Lisa Rodrigues
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (L.R.); (C.F.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Sousa-Baptista
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (D.M.d.F.); (J.S.-B.); (M.M.); (R.A.C.)
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (L.R.); (C.F.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Félix Marcos-Tejedor
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain;
| | - Marta Mota
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (D.M.d.F.); (J.S.-B.); (M.M.); (R.A.C.)
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (L.R.); (C.F.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo A. Cunha
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (D.M.d.F.); (J.S.-B.); (M.M.); (R.A.C.)
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (L.R.); (C.F.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Chantal Fernandes
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (L.R.); (C.F.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (D.M.d.F.); (J.S.-B.); (M.M.); (R.A.C.)
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (L.R.); (C.F.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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3
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Fernandes C, Sousa-Baptista J, Lenha-Silva AF, Calheiros D, Correia E, Figueirinha A, Salgueiro L, Gonçalves T. Azorean Black Tea ( Camellia sinensis) Antidermatophytic and Fungicidal Properties. Molecules 2023; 28:7775. [PMID: 38067505 PMCID: PMC10707949 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of dermatophytoses, the most common human fungal infections, requires new alternatives. The aim of this study was to determine the antidermatophytic activity of the aqueous Azorean Black Tea extract (ABT), together with an approach to the mechanisms of action. The phytochemical analysis of ABT extract was performed by HPLC. The dermatophytes susceptibility was assessed using a broth microdilution assay; potential synergies with terbinafine and griseofulvin were evaluated by the checkerboard assay. The mechanism of action was appraised by the quantification of the fungal cell wall chitin and β-1,3-glucan, and by membrane ergosterol. The presence of ultrastructural modifications was studied by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The ABT extract contained organic and phenolic acids, flavonoids, theaflavins and alkaloids. It showed an antidermatophytic effect, with MIC values of 250 µg/mL for Trichophyton mentagrophytes, 125 µg/mL for Trichophyton rubrum and 500 µg/mL for Microsporum canis; at these concentrations, the extract was fungicidal. An additive effect of ABT in association to terbinafine on these three dermatophytes was observed. The ABT extract caused a significant reduction in β-1,3-glucan content, indicating the synthesis of this cell wall component as a possible target. The present study identifies the antidermatophytic activity of the ABT and highlights its potential to improve the effectiveness of conventional topical treatment currently used for the management of skin or mucosal fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Fernandes
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.F.); (J.S.-B.); (A.F.L.-S.); (D.C.); (E.C.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Sousa-Baptista
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.F.); (J.S.-B.); (A.F.L.-S.); (D.C.); (E.C.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Filipa Lenha-Silva
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.F.); (J.S.-B.); (A.F.L.-S.); (D.C.); (E.C.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniela Calheiros
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.F.); (J.S.-B.); (A.F.L.-S.); (D.C.); (E.C.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Edmilson Correia
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.F.); (J.S.-B.); (A.F.L.-S.); (D.C.); (E.C.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Artur Figueirinha
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Campus, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.F.); (L.S.)
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV) of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE), University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Lígia Salgueiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Campus, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.F.); (L.S.)
- Chemical Process Engineering and Forest Products Research Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.F.); (J.S.-B.); (A.F.L.-S.); (D.C.); (E.C.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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Barros J, Kumar S, Seena S. Does functionalised nanoplastics modulate the cellular and physiological responses of aquatic fungi to metals? ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 337:122549. [PMID: 37730145 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Co-contamination of freshwaters by nanoplastics (NPs; ≤ 1 μm) and metals is an emerging concern. Aquatic hyphomycetes play a crucial role as primary decomposers in these ecosystems. However, concurrent impacts of NPs and metals on the cellular and physiological activities of these fungi remain poorly understood. Here, the effects of environmentally realistic concentrations of two types of polystyrene (PS) NPs (bare and -COOH; up to 25 μg L-1) and copper (Cu; up to 50 μg L-1) individually and all possible combinations (NPs types and Cu) on Articulospora tetracladia, a prevalent aquatic hyphomycete, were investigated. Endpoints measured were intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, plasma membrane disruption and fungal growth. The results suggest that functionalised (-COOH) NPs enhance Cu adsorption, as revealed by spectroscopic analyses. Notably, NPs, Cu and their co-exposure to A. tetracladia can lead to ROS accumulation and plasma membrane disruption. In most cases, exposure to treatments containing -COOH NPs with Cu showed greater cellular response and suppressed fungal growth. By contrast, exposure to Cu individually showed stimulatory effects on fungal growth. Overall, this study provides novel insight that functionalisation of NPs facilitates metal adsorption, thus modulating the impacts of metals on aquatic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Barros
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE)/Rede de Investigação Aquática (ARNET), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Division of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, South Korea; Department of Chemistry, School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur 208002 Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sahadevan Seena
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE)/Rede de Investigação Aquática (ARNET), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
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5
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Fernandes C, Casadevall A, Gonçalves T. Mechanisms of Alternaria pathogenesis in animals and plants. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuad061. [PMID: 37884396 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuad061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternaria species are cosmopolitan fungi darkly pigmented by melanin that infect numerous plant species causing economically important agricultural spoilage of various food crops. Alternaria spp. also infect animals, being described as entomopathogenic fungi but also infecting warm-blooded animals, including humans. Their clinical importance in human health, as infection agents, lay in the growing number of immunocompromised patients. Moreover, Alternaria spp. are considered some of the most abundant and potent sources of airborne sensitizer allergens causing allergic respiratory diseases, as severe asthma. Among the numerous strategies deployed by Alternaria spp. to attack their hosts, the production of toxins, carrying critical concerns to public health as food contaminant, and the production of hydrolytic enzymes such as proteases, can be highlighted. Alternaria proteases also trigger allergic symptoms in individuals with fungal sensitization, acting as allergens and facilitating antigen access to the host subepithelium. Here, we review the current knowledge about the mechanisms of Alternaria pathogenesis in plants and animals, the strategies used by Alternaria to cope with the host defenses, and the involvement Alternaria allergens and mechanisms of sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Fernandes
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Wolfe Street, Room E5132, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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Correia EEM, Figueirinha A, Rodrigues L, Pinela J, Calhelha RC, Barros L, Fernandes C, Salgueiro L, Gonçalves T. The Chemical Profile, and Antidermatophytic, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant and Antitumor Activities of Withania chevalieri A.E. Gonç. Ethanolic Extract. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2502. [PMID: 37447064 DOI: 10.3390/plants12132502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Withania chevalieri, endogenous from Cape Verde, is a medicinal plant used in ethnomedicine with a large spectrum of applications, such as treating skin fungal infections caused by dermatophytes. The aim of this work was to chemically characterize the W. chevalieri crude ethanolic extract (WcCEE), and evaluate its bioactivities as antidermatophytic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer, as well as its cytotoxicity. WcCEE was chemically characterized via HPLC-MS. The minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal fungicidal concentration, time-kill and checkerboard assays were used to study the antidermatophytic activity of WcCEE. As an approach to the mechanism of action, the cell wall components, β-1,3-glucan and chitin, and cell membrane ergosterol were quantified. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) allowed for the study of the fungal ultrastructure. WcCEE contained phenolic acids, flavonoids and terpenes. It had a concentration-dependent fungicidal activity, not inducing relevant resistance, and was endowed with synergistic effects, especially terbinafine. TEM showed severely damaged fungi; the cell membrane and cell wall components levels had slight modifications. The extract had antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities, with low toxicity to non-tumoral cell lines. The results demonstrated the potential of WcCEE as an antidermatophytic agent, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity, to be safely used in pharmaceutical and dermocosmetic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Artur Figueirinha
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Campus, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV) of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE), University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Lisa Rodrigues
- CNC-UC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Pinela
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Ricardo C Calhelha
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Lillian Barros
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Chantal Fernandes
- CNC-UC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Lígia Salgueiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Campus, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Chemical Process Engineering and Forest Products Research Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- CNC-UC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC-Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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Antifungal Activity of Spent Coffee Ground Extracts. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020242. [PMID: 36838208 PMCID: PMC9963196 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Coffee is one of the most popular and consumed products in the world, generating tons of solid waste known as spent coffee grounds (SCG), containing several bioactive compounds. Here, the antifungal activity of ethanolic SCG extract from caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee capsules was evaluated against yeasts and filamentous fungi. These extracts had antifungal activity against Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton rubrum, all skin fungal agents. Moreover, SCG had fungicidal activity against T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum. To understand the underlying mechanisms of the antifungal activity, fungal cell membrane and cell wall components were quantified. SCG caused a significant reduction of the ergosterol, chitin, and β-(1,3)-glucan content of C. parapsilosis, revealing the synthesis of this membrane component and cell wall components as possible targets of these extracts. These extracts were cytotoxic for the tumoral cell lines tested but not for the non-tumoral PLP2 cell line. The analysis of the phenolic compounds of these extracts revealed the presence of caffeoylquinic acid, feruloylquinic acid, and caffeoylshikimic acid derivatives. Overall, this confirmed the antifungal activity of spent coffee grounds, presenting a potential increase in the sustainability of the life cycle of coffee grounds, as a source for the development of novel antifungal formulations, especially for skin or mucosal fungal infections.
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da Silva Dantas A, Nogueira F, Lee KK, Walker LA, Edmondson M, Brand AC, Lenardon MD, Gow NAR. Crosstalk between the calcineurin and cell wall integrity pathways prevents chitin overexpression in Candida albicans. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs258889. [PMID: 34792152 PMCID: PMC8729787 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Echinocandins such as caspofungin are frontline antifungal drugs that compromise β-1,3 glucan synthesis in the cell wall. Recent reports have shown that fungal cells can resist killing by caspofungin by upregulation of chitin synthesis, thereby sustaining cell wall integrity (CWI). When echinocandins are removed, the chitin content of cells quickly returns to basal levels, suggesting that there is a fitness cost associated with having elevated levels of chitin in the cell wall. We show here that simultaneous activation of the calcineurin and CWI pathways generates a subpopulation of Candida albicans yeast cells that have supra-normal chitin levels interspersed throughout the inner and outer cell wall, and that these cells are non-viable, perhaps due to loss of wall elasticity required for cell expansion and growth. Mutations in the Ca2+-calcineurin pathway prevented the formation of these non-viable supra-high chitin cells by negatively regulating chitin synthesis driven by the CWI pathway. The Ca2+-calcineurin pathway may therefore act as an attenuator that prevents the overproduction of chitin by coordinating both chitin upregulation and negative regulation of the CWI signaling pathway. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra da Silva Dantas
- School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Filomena Nogueira
- School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, Labdia and Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Keunsook K. Lee
- School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- NGeneBio Company, 288 Digital-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul 08390, South Korea
| | - Louise A. Walker
- School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Matt Edmondson
- School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Alexandra C. Brand
- School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Megan D. Lenardon
- School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Neil A. R. Gow
- School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
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Potential Use of Carrageenans against the Limestone Proliferation of the Cyanobacterium Parakomarekiella sesnandensis. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app112210589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Stone biodeterioration by cyanobacteria is a common issue in the field of cultural heritage. As they are considered the first stone colonizers, the need to control their growth has increased. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of kappa/iota carrageenans from the red seaweed Chondracanthus teedei var. lusitanicus against the limestone proliferation of the cyanobacterium Parakomarekiella sesnandensis, under laboratory conditions. For this purpose, 200 μL of kappa/iota carrageenans (0.01 g mL−1) were applied into the surface of the limestone replicas prior to their inoculation with P. sesnandensis. Results were evaluated after 4 months of incubation through visual inspection, stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and colorimetric analyses. The gathered data demonstrated that these types of carrageenans have the potential to reduce the colonization of P. sesnandensis. With one sole application, the aesthetical alterations caused by the proliferation of P. sesnandensis were drastically reduced. This study highlights the need to explore marine-based products, particularly those derived from seaweeds with antimicrobial properties, as alternative methods for biocleaning cultural heritage assets.
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10
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Fernandes C, Mota M, Barros L, Dias MI, Ferreira ICFR, Piedade AP, Casadevall A, Gonçalves T. Pyomelanin Synthesis in Alternaria alternata Inhibits DHN-Melanin Synthesis and Decreases Cell Wall Chitin Content and Thickness. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:691433. [PMID: 34512569 PMCID: PMC8430343 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.691433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Alternaria includes several of fungi that are darkly pigmented by DHN-melanin. These are pathogenic to plants but are also associated with human respiratory allergic diseases and with serious infections in immunocompromised individuals. The present work focuses on the alterations of the composition and structure of the hyphal cell wall of Alternaria alternata occuring under the catabolism of L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine when cultured in minimal salt medium (MM). Under these growing conditions, we observed the released of a brown pigment into the culture medium. FTIR analysis demonstrates that the produced pigment is chemically identical to the pigment released when the fungus is grown in MM with homogentisate acid (HGA), the intermediate of pyomelanin, confirming that this pigment is pyomelanin. In contrast to other fungi that also synthesize pyomelanin under tyrosine metabolism, A. alternata inhibits DHN-melanin cell wall accumulation when pyomelanin is produced, and this is associated with reduced chitin cell wall content. When A. alternata is grown in MM containing L-phenylalanine, a L-tyrosine percursor, pyomelanin is synthesized but only at trace concentrations and A. alternata mycelia display an albino-like phenotype since DHN-melanin accumulation is inhibited. CmrA, the transcription regulator for the genes coding for the DHN-melanin pathway, is involved in the down-regulation of DHN-melanin synthesis when pyomelanin is being synthetized, since the CMRA gene and genes of the enzymes involved in DHN-melanin synthesis pathway showed a decreased expression. Other amino acids do not trigger pyomelanin synthesis and DHN-melanin accumulation in the cell wall is not affected. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy show that the cell wall structure and surface decorations are altered in L-tyrosine- and L-phenylalanine-grown fungi, depending on the pigment produced. In summary, growth in presence of L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine leads to pigmentation and cell wall changes, which could be relevant to infection conditions where these amino acids are expected to be available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Fernandes
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marta Mota
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Lillian Barros
- Mountain Research Center (CIMO), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
| | - Maria Inês Dias
- Mountain Research Center (CIMO), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
| | - Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira
- Mountain Research Center (CIMO), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
| | - Ana P. Piedade
- Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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11
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García R, Itto-Nakama K, Rodríguez-Peña JM, Chen X, Sanz AB, de Lorenzo A, Pavón-Vergés M, Kubo K, Ohnuki S, Nombela C, Popolo L, Ohya Y, Arroyo J. Poacic acid, a β-1,3-glucan-binding antifungal agent, inhibits cell-wall remodeling and activates transcriptional responses regulated by the cell-wall integrity and high-osmolarity glycerol pathways in yeast. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21778. [PMID: 34383971 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100278r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
As a result of the relatively few available antifungals and the increasing frequency of resistance to them, the development of novel antifungals is increasingly important. The plant natural product poacic acid (PA) inhibits β-1,3-glucan synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and has antifungal activity against a wide range of plant pathogens. However, the mode of action of PA is unclear. Here, we reveal that PA specifically binds to β-1,3-glucan, its affinity for which is ~30-fold that for chitin. Besides its effect on β-1,3-glucan synthase activity, PA inhibited the yeast glucan-elongating activity of Gas1 and Gas2 and the chitin-glucan transglycosylase activity of Crh1. Regarding the cellular response to PA, transcriptional co-regulation was mediated by parallel activation of the cell-wall integrity (CWI) and high-osmolarity glycerol signaling pathways. Despite targeting β-1,3-glucan remodeling, the transcriptional profiles and regulatory circuits activated by caspofungin, zymolyase, and PA differed, indicating that their effects on CWI have different mechanisms. The effects of PA on the growth of yeast strains indicated that it has a mode of action distinct from that of echinocandins, suggesting it is a unique antifungal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl García
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kaori Itto-Nakama
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - José Manuel Rodríguez-Peña
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xiaolin Chen
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Ana Belén Sanz
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba de Lorenzo
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Pavón-Vergés
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Karen Kubo
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Ohnuki
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - César Nombela
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Popolo
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Yoshikazu Ohya
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan.,Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology (CRIIM), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Javier Arroyo
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
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12
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Li T, Li L, Du F, Sun L, Shi J, Long M, Chen Z. Activity and Mechanism of Action of Antifungal Peptides from Microorganisms: A Review. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26113438. [PMID: 34198909 PMCID: PMC8201221 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Harmful fungi in nature not only cause diseases in plants, but also fungal infection and poisoning when people and animals eat food derived from crops contaminated with them. Unfortunately, such fungi are becoming increasingly more resistant to traditional synthetic antifungal drugs, which can make prevention and control work increasingly more difficult to achieve. This means they are potentially very harmful to human health and lifestyle. Antifungal peptides are natural substances produced by organisms to defend themselves against harmful fungi. As a result, they have become an important research object to help deal with harmful fungi and overcome their drug resistance. Moreover, they are expected to be developed into new therapeutic drugs against drug-resistant fungi in clinical application. This review focuses on antifungal peptides that have been isolated from bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms to date. Their antifungal activity and factors affecting it are outlined in terms of their antibacterial spectra and effects. The toxic effects of the antifungal peptides and their common solutions are mentioned. The mechanisms of action of the antifungal peptides are described according to their action pathways. The work provides a useful reference for further clinical research and the development of safe antifungal drugs that have high efficiencies and broad application spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxi Li
- College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China; (T.L.); (L.L.); (F.D.)
| | - Lulu Li
- College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China; (T.L.); (L.L.); (F.D.)
| | - Fangyuan Du
- College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China; (T.L.); (L.L.); (F.D.)
| | - Lei Sun
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China;
| | - Jichao Shi
- Liaoning Agricultural Development Service Center, Shenyang 110032, China;
| | - Miao Long
- College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China; (T.L.); (L.L.); (F.D.)
- Correspondence: (M.L.); (Z.C.)
| | - Zeliang Chen
- College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China; (T.L.); (L.L.); (F.D.)
- Correspondence: (M.L.); (Z.C.)
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13
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Wang T, Cao X, Wang X, Chi M, Li L, Yao N. Selection of suitable reference genes for quantitative real time PCR in different Tulasnella isolates and orchid-fungus symbiotic germination system. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:527-538. [PMID: 33389542 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-06085-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Under natural conditions, mycorrhizal symbiosis accompanies nearly the entire life cycle of orchids from seed germination through to flowering and fruiting. Tulasnella-like orchid mycorrhizal fungi are the most common mycorrhizal fungi found in association with orchid species. Presently suitable reference genes have not been systematically selected for the quantification of gene expression via Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). We evaluated 12 candidate Tulasnella genes in nine different Tulasnella isolates and in the Dendrobium-fungal symbiotic germination associations followed by statistical analysis using the programs Bestkeeper, geNorm, and Normfinder to analyze the expression stability of the individual genes. The results showed that the EF2, UBC, and PP2A genes had the highest rankings with relatively stable expression levels across the different genotypes and during the symbiotic seed germination process by the three programs, and may be suitable for RT-qPCR normalization. Furthermore, the gene encoding C-5 Sterol desaturase (C5SD) was selected to verify the reliability of EF2, UBC, and PP2A expression during the Tulasnella-Dendrobium symbiotic seed germination process. This study is the first systematic exploration of optimal reference genes for gene expression studies during the colonization of orchid seeds by the mycorrhizal fungus Tulasnella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, China.,Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Beijing Floriculture Engineering Technology Research Centre, Beijing Botanical Garden, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Xiaolu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Miao Chi
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, China.,Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Beijing Floriculture Engineering Technology Research Centre, Beijing Botanical Garden, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Lubin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Na Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, China.
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14
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Abstract
Invasive fungal infections in humans are generally associated with high mortality, making the choice of antifungal drug crucial for the outcome of the patient. The limited spectrum of antifungals available and the development of drug resistance represent the main concerns for the current antifungal treatments, requiring alternative strategies. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), expressed in several organisms and used as first-line defenses against microbial infections, have emerged as potential candidates for developing new antifungal therapies, characterized by negligible host toxicity and low resistance rates. Most of the current literature focuses on peptides with antibacterial activity, but there are fewer studies of their antifungal properties. This review focuses on AMPs with antifungal effects, including their in vitro and in vivo activities, with the biological repercussions on the fungal cells, when known. The classification of the peptides is based on their mode of action: although the majority of AMPs exert their activity through the interaction with membranes, other mechanisms have been identified, including cell wall inhibition and nucleic acid binding. In addition, antifungal compounds with unknown modes of action are also described. The elucidation of such mechanisms can be useful to identify novel drug targets and, possibly, to serve as the templates for the synthesis of new antimicrobial compounds with increased activity and reduced host toxicity.
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15
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Song XG, Han MH, He F, Wang SY, Li CH, Wu GC, Huang ZG, Liu D, Liu FQ, Laborda P, Shi XC. Antifungal Mechanism of Dipicolinic Acid and Its Efficacy for the Biocontrol of Pear Valsa Canker. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:958. [PMID: 32508781 PMCID: PMC7251846 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Valsa pyri is a fatal canker pathogen that causes significant reduction of crop yield in pear orchards. V. pyri invades the trunk phloem, and is difficult to control by chemical treatment. In this work, it was found for the first time that Bacillus subtilis-produced dipicolinic acid (DPA) exhibits antifungal activity against different canker pathogens, including Alteraria alternata, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Rhizoctonia solani, and V. pyri. Growth inhibition of V. pyri was observed at less than 5 mM concentration (pH = 5.6). DPA showed the highest antifungal activity at acidic pH values and in the presence of bivalent metals, such as zinc(II), cobalt(II), and copper(II). Measurement of mRNA expression levels and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations revealed that DPA causes V. pyri apoptosis via inhibition of chitin biosynthesis and subsequent cell lysis. Interestingly, DPA showed high stability in the pear bark and was able to cross the pear tree bark into the phloem, protecting the internal phases of the pear trunk. In preventive applications, DPA reduced the canker symptoms of V. pyri on Cuigan pear trees by 90%. Taken together, an efficient strategy for the management of V. pyri-caused canker disease was developed using a novel antifungal agent, DPA, with strong antifungal activity and particular diffusion properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ge Song
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ming-Hui Han
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Feng He
- College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Su-Yan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Chao-Hui Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Gui-Chun Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Zi-Gang Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Dong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Feng-Quan Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Pedro Laborda
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xin-Chi Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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16
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Costa-de-Oliveira S, Rodrigues AG. Candida albicans Antifungal Resistance and Tolerance in Bloodstream Infections: The Triad Yeast-Host-Antifungal. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E154. [PMID: 31979032 PMCID: PMC7074842 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8020154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans represents the most frequent isolated yeast from bloodstream infections. Despite the remarkable progress in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, these infections continue to be a critical challenge in intensive care units worldwide. The economic cost of bloodstream fungal infections and its associated mortality, especially in debilitated patients, remains unacceptably high. Candida albicans is a highly adaptable microorganism, being able to develop resistance following prolonged exposure to antifungals. Formation of biofilms, which diminish the accessibility of the antifungal, selection of spontaneous mutations that increase expression or decreased susceptibility of the target, altered chromosome abnormalities, overexpression of multidrug efflux pumps and the ability to escape host immune defenses are some of the factors that can contribute to antifungal tolerance and resistance. The knowledge of the antifungal resistance mechanisms can allow the design of alternative therapeutically options in order to modulate or revert the resistance. We have focused this review on the main factors that are involved in antifungal resistance and tolerance in patients with C. albicans bloodstream infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Costa-de-Oliveira
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
- Center for Research in Health Technologies and Information Systems (CINTESIS), R. Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Acácio G. Rodrigues
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
- Center for Research in Health Technologies and Information Systems (CINTESIS), R. Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Burn Unit, São João Hospital Center, Al. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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17
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C16-Fengycin A affect the growth of Candida albicans by destroying its cell wall and accumulating reactive oxygen species. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:8963-8975. [PMID: 31630240 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10117-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most common clinical pathogenic fungus, which is highly susceptible to immunodeficiency. Development of novel antifungal agents has become a growing trend in the treatment of Candida infections. C16-Fengycin A, a lipopeptide isolated from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens fmb60 showed significant fungicidal activity against C. albicans. In the study, we explored the possible antifungal mode of C16-Fengycin A. It was predicted that C16-Fengycin A had the ability to disrupt the cell wall due to its alterations of cell ultrastructure, and reduction of cell wall hydrophobicity. This was further confirmed by the changes in the exposure of the cell wall components and down-regulation of the genes related in the cell wall synthesis. Meanwhile, with the treatment of C16-Fengycin A, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction in the cells. We hypothesized that the antifungal mechanism of C16-Fengycin A might be via the destruction of the cell wall and the accumulation of ROS, which could activate the High-Osmolarity Glycerol Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (HOG-MAPK) pathway. Our findings indicated that C16-Fengycin A could be a potential antifungal agent that could be used to treat candida infections.
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18
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Almeida MC, Antunes D, Silva BMA, Rodrigues L, Mota M, Borges O, Fernandes C, Gonçalves T. Early Interaction of Alternaria infectoria Conidia with Macrophages. Mycopathologia 2019; 184:383-392. [PMID: 31183740 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-019-00339-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Fungi of the genus Alternaria are ubiquitous indoor and outdoor airborne agents, and individuals are daily exposed to their spores. Although its importance in human infections and, particularly in respiratory allergies, there are no studies of how Alternaria spp. spores interact with host cells. Our aim was to study the early interaction of Alternaria infectoria spores with macrophages, the first line of immune defense. RAW 264.7 macrophages were infected with A. infectoria conidia, and the internalization and viability of conidia once inside the macrophages were quantified during the first 6 h of interaction. Live cell imaging was used to study the dynamics of this interaction. TNF-α production was quantified by relative gene expression, and the concentration of other cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, GM-CSF and INF-γ) and a chemokine, MIP-1α, was quantified by ELISA. Conidia were rapidly internalized by macrophages, with approximately half internalized after 30 min of interaction. During the first 6 h of interaction, macrophages retained the ability to mitotically divide while containing internalized conidia. The classical macrophage-activated morphology was absent in macrophages infected with conidia, and TNF-α and other cytokines and chemokines failed to be produced. Thus, macrophages are able to efficiently phagocyte A. infectoria conidia, but, during the first 6 h, no effective antifungal response is triggered, therefore promoting the residence of these fungal conidia inside the macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Almeida
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - D Antunes
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - B M A Silva
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - L Rodrigues
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,FMUC - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M Mota
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,FMUC - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - O Borges
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,FFUC - Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - C Fernandes
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - T Gonçalves
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,FMUC - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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19
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Henry García Y, Troncoso-Rojas R, Tiznado-Hernández ME, Báez-Flores ME, Carvajal-Millan E, Rascón-Chu A, Lizardi-Mendoza J, Martínez-Robinson KG. Enzymatic treatments as alternative to produce chitin fragments of low molecular weight from Alternaria alternata. J Appl Polym Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/app.47339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yaima Henry García
- Coordinación de Tecnología en Alimentos de Origen Vegetal; Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C.; Carretera a La Victoria km 0.6, Col. Ejido La Victoria, C.P. 83304 Hermosillo Sonora México
| | - Rosalba Troncoso-Rojas
- Coordinación de Tecnología en Alimentos de Origen Vegetal; Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C.; Carretera a La Victoria km 0.6, Col. Ejido La Victoria, C.P. 83304 Hermosillo Sonora México
| | - Martín Ernesto Tiznado-Hernández
- Coordinación de Tecnología en Alimentos de Origen Vegetal; Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C.; Carretera a La Victoria km 0.6, Col. Ejido La Victoria, C.P. 83304 Hermosillo Sonora México
| | - María Elena Báez-Flores
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas; Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa; Calle de las Américas y Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, C.P. 80010 Culiacán Sinaloa México
| | - Elizabeth Carvajal-Millan
- Coordinación de Tecnologíaen Alimentos de Origen Animal; Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C.; Carretera a La Victoria km 0.6, Col. Ejido La Victoria, C.P. 83304 Hermosillo Sonora México
| | - Agustín Rascón-Chu
- Coordinación de Tecnología en Alimentos de Origen Vegetal; Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C.; Carretera a La Victoria km 0.6, Col. Ejido La Victoria, C.P. 83304 Hermosillo Sonora México
| | - Jaime Lizardi-Mendoza
- Coordinación de Tecnologíaen Alimentos de Origen Animal; Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C.; Carretera a La Victoria km 0.6, Col. Ejido La Victoria, C.P. 83304 Hermosillo Sonora México
| | - Karla Guadalupe Martínez-Robinson
- Coordinación de Tecnologíaen Alimentos de Origen Animal; Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C.; Carretera a La Victoria km 0.6, Col. Ejido La Victoria, C.P. 83304 Hermosillo Sonora México
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Silva P, Fernandes C, Barros L, Ferreira ICFR, Pereira L, Gonçalves T. The antifungal activity of extracts of Osmundea pinnatifida, an edible seaweed, indicates its usage as a safe environmental fungicide or as a food additive preventing post-harvest fungal food contamination. Food Funct 2019; 9:6187-6195. [PMID: 30457140 DOI: 10.1039/c8fo01797b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In the present work, we explored the antifungal activity of the wild edible seaweed Osmundea pinnatifida (Rhodophyta) collected from the Portuguese coast, which is used as a food seasoning in Scotland, Ireland and Portugal. We performed a sequential extraction of the seaweed components with methanol, dichloromethane and n-hexane. These extracts showed an antifungal activity against Alternaria infectoria and Aspergillus fumigatus. The n-hexane fraction of the seaweed inhibited the sporulation of Alternaria infectoria at 30 μg mL-1 and induced a statistically significant (P < 0.001) decrease in β-glucan content. Furthermore, liquid cultures of Aspergillus fumigatus supplemented with 10 μg mL-1 of the n-hexane fraction showed abnormal conidiophores, completely devoid of phialides and conidia associated with a decrease of 18.3% in the chitin content (P < 0.01). The n-hexane fraction analysis by GC-MS revealed that it includes palmitic acid (29.6%), phytol isomer 1 (12.8%), oleic acid (9.6%), stearic acid (6.2%) and d-(-)-tagatofuranose (4.1%), among other compounds present at lower concentrations. The present study reveals Osmundea pinnatifida as a promising source of biologically active compounds inhibiting fungal growth and conidiation, the main dispersal mechanism of filamentous fungi as Aspergillus fumigatus and Alternaria alternata, revealing its utility both as an environmental fungicide against fungal diseases and as a food preservative against fungal post-harvest food contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Silva
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/IMAR - Institute of Marine Research, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
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Lu Y, Ye C, Che J, Xu X, Shao D, Jiang C, Liu Y, Shi J. Genomic sequencing, genome-scale metabolic network reconstruction, and in silico flux analysis of the grape endophytic fungus Alternaria sp. MG1. Microb Cell Fact 2019; 18:13. [PMID: 30678677 PMCID: PMC6345013 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-019-1063-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alternaria sp. MG1, an endophytic fungus isolated from grape, is a native producer of resveratrol, which has important application potential. However, the metabolic characteristics and physiological behavior of MG1 still remains mostly unraveled. In addition, the resveratrol production of the strain is low. Thus, the whole-genome sequencing is highly required for elucidating the resveratrol biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, the metabolic network model of MG1 was constructed to provide a computational guided approach for improving the yield of resveratrol. RESULTS Firstly, a draft genomic sequence of MG1 was generated with a size of 34.7 Mbp and a GC content of 50.96%. Genome annotation indicated that MG1 possessed complete biosynthesis pathways for stilbenoids, flavonoids, and lignins. Eight secondary metabolites involved in these pathways were detected by GC-MS analysis, confirming the metabolic diversity of MG1. Furthermore, the first genome-scale metabolic network of Alternaria sp. MG1 (named iYL1539) was reconstructed, accounting for 1539 genes, 2231 metabolites, and 2255 reactions. The model was validated qualitatively and quantitatively by comparing the in silico simulation with experimental data, and the results showed a high consistency. In iYL1539, 56 genes were identified as growth essential in rich medium. According to constraint-based analysis, the importance of cofactors for the resveratrol biosynthesis was successfully demonstrated. Ethanol addition was predicted in silico to be an effective method to improve resveratrol production by strengthening acetyl-CoA synthesis and pentose phosphate pathway, and was verified experimentally with a 26.31% increase of resveratrol. Finally, 6 genes were identified as potential targets for resveratrol over-production by the recently developed methodology. The target-genes were validated using salicylic acid as elicitor, leading to an increase of resveratrol yield by 33.32% and the expression of gene 4CL and CHS by 1.8- and 1.6-fold, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study details the diverse capability and key genes of Alternaria sp. MG1 to produce multiple secondary metabolites. The first model of the species Alternaria was constructed, providing an overall understanding of the physiological behavior and metabolic characteristics of MG1. The model is a highly useful tool for enhancing productivity by rational design of the metabolic pathway for resveratrol and other secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Lu
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chao Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinxin Che
- Department of Biological and Food Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoguang Xu
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dongyan Shao
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chunmei Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanlin Liu
- College of Enology, Northwest A&F University, 22 Xinong Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Junling Shi
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China.
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Reyna-Beltrán E, Iranzo M, Calderón-González KG, Mondragón-Flores R, Labra-Barrios ML, Mormeneo S, Luna-Arias JP. The Candida albicans ENO1 gene encodes a transglutaminase involved in growth, cell division, morphogenesis, and osmotic protection. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:4304-4323. [PMID: 29386353 PMCID: PMC5868267 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.810440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus that is part of the normal microflora commonly found in the human digestive tract and the normal mucosa or skin of healthy individuals. However, in immunocompromised individuals, it becomes a serious health concern and a threat to their lives and is ranked as the leading fungal infection in humans worldwide. As existing treatments for this infection are non-specific or under threat of developing resistance, there is a dire necessity to find new targets for designing specific drugs to defeat this fungus. Some authors reported the presence of the transglutaminase activity in Candida and Saccharomyces, but its identity remains unknown. We report here the phenotypic effects produced by the inhibition of transglutaminase enzymatic activity with cystamine, including growth inhibition of yeast cells, induction of autophagy in response to damage caused by cystamine, alteration of the normal yeast division pattern, changes in cell wall, and inhibition of the yeast-to-mycelium transition. The latter phenomenon was also observed in the C. albicans ATCC 26555 strain. Growth inhibition by cystamine was also determined in other Candida strains, demonstrating the importance of transglutaminase in these species. Finally, we identified enolase 1 as the cell wall protein responsible for TGase activity. After studying the inhibition of enzymatic activities with anti-CaEno1 antibodies and through bioinformatics studies, we suggest that the enolase and transglutaminase catalytic sites are localized in different domains of the protein. The aforementioned data indicate that TGase/Eno1 is a putative target for designing new drugs to control C. albicans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Iranzo
- the Department de Microbiologia i Ecologia, Facultad de Farmacia, Unidad de Microbiología, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, España
| | | | - Ricardo Mondragón-Flores
- Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), C.P. 07360, Ciudad de México, México and
| | | | - Salvador Mormeneo
- the Department de Microbiologia i Ecologia, Facultad de Farmacia, Unidad de Microbiología, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, España
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Che JX, Shi JL, Lu Y, Liu YL. Validation of reference genes for normalization of gene expression by qRT-PCR in a resveratrol-producing entophytic fungus (Alternaria sp. MG1). AMB Express 2016; 6:106. [PMID: 27826948 PMCID: PMC5101243 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-016-0283-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternaria sp. MG1, an endophytic fungus isolated from Vitis vinifera, can independently produce resveratrol, indicating that this species contains the key genes for resveratrol biosynthesis. Identification of these key genes is essential to understand the resveratrol biosynthesis pathway in this strain, which is currently unknown in microorganisms. qRT-PCR is an efficient and widely used method to identify the key genes related to unknown pathways at the level of gene expression. Verification of stable reference genes in this strain is essential for qRT-PCR data normalization, although results have been reported for other Alternaria sp. strains. In this study, nine candidate reference genes including TUBA, EF1, EF2, UBC, UFD, RPS5, RPS24, ACTB and 18S were evaluated for expression stability in a diverse set of six samples representing different growth periods. We compared cell culture conditions and an optimized condition for resveratrol production. The comparison of the results was performed using four statistical softwares. A combination of TUBA and EF1 was found to be suitable for normalization of Alternaria sp. MG1 in different developmental stages, and 18S was found to be the least stable. The reference genes verified in this study will facilitate further research to explore gene expression and molecular mechanisms as well as the improvement of secondary metabolite yields in Alternaria sp. MG1. To our knowledge, this is the first validation of reference genes in Alternaria with the capability to produce resveratrol. Additionally, these results provide useful guidelines for the selection of reference genes in other Alternaria species.
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Fernandes C, Gow NA, Gonçalves T. The importance of subclasses of chitin synthase enzymes with myosin-like domains for the fitness of fungi. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Activation of Melanin Synthesis in Alternaria infectoria by Antifungal Drugs. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 60:1646-55. [PMID: 26711773 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02190-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of Alternaria species fungi to human health ranges from their role as etiological agents of serious infections with poor prognoses in immunosuppressed individuals to their association with respiratory allergic diseases. The present work focuses on Alternaria infectoria, which was used as a model organism of the genus, and was designed to unravel melanin production in response to antifungals. After we characterized the pigment produced by A. infectoria, we studied the dynamics of 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin production during growth, the degree of melanization in response to antifungals, and how melanization affected susceptibility to several classes of therapeutic drugs. We demonstrate that A. infectoria increased melanin deposition in cell walls in response to nikkomycin Z, caspofungin, and itraconazole but not in response to fluconazole or amphotericin B. These results indicate that A. infectoria activates DHN-melanin synthesis in response to certain antifungal drugs, possibly as a protective mechanism against these drugs. Inhibition of DHN-melanin synthesis by pyroquilon resulted in a lower minimum effective concentration (MEC) of caspofungin and enhanced morphological changes (increased hyphal balloon size), characterized by thinner and less organized A. infectoria cell walls. In summary, A. infectoria synthesizes melanin in response to certain antifungal drugs, and its susceptibility is influenced by melanization, suggesting the therapeutic potential of drug combinations that affect melanin synthesis.
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Kral K, Bieg T, Nawrot U, Włodarczyk K, Lalik A, Hahn P, Wandzik I. New monomeric and dimeric uridinyl derivatives as inhibitors of chitin synthase. Bioorg Chem 2015; 61:13-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2015.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Caspofungin Treatment of Aspergillus fumigatus Results in ChsG-Dependent Upregulation of Chitin Synthesis and the Formation of Chitin-Rich Microcolonies. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:5932-41. [PMID: 26169407 PMCID: PMC4576100 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00862-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of Aspergillus fumigatus with echinocandins such as caspofungin inhibits the synthesis of cell wall β-1,3-glucan, which triggers a compensatory stimulation of chitin synthesis. Activation of chitin synthesis can occur in response to sub-MICs of caspofungin and to CaCl2 and calcofluor white (CFW), agonists of the protein kinase C (PKC), and Ca2+-calcineurin signaling pathways. A. fumigatus mutants with the chs gene (encoding chitin synthase) deleted (ΔAfchs) were tested for their response to these agonists to determine the chitin synthase enzymes that were required for the compensatory upregulation of chitin synthesis. Only the ΔAfchsG mutant was hypersensitive to caspofungin, and all other ΔAfchs mutants tested remained capable of increasing their chitin content in response to treatment with CaCl2 and CFW and caspofungin. The resulting increase in cell wall chitin content correlated with reduced susceptibility to caspofungin in the wild type and all ΔAfchs mutants tested, with the exception of the ΔAfchsG mutant, which remained sensitive to caspofungin. In vitro exposure to the chitin synthase inhibitor, nikkomycin Z, along with caspofungin demonstrated synergistic efficacy that was again AfChsG dependent. Dynamic imaging using microfluidic perfusion chambers demonstrated that treatment with sub-MIC caspofungin resulted initially in hyphal tip lysis. However, thickened hyphae emerged that formed aberrant microcolonies in the continued presence of caspofungin. In addition, intrahyphal hyphae were formed in response to echinocandin treatment. These in vitro data demonstrate that A. fumigatus has the potential to survive echinocandin treatment in vivo by AfChsG-dependent upregulation of chitin synthesis. Chitin-rich cells may, therefore, persist in human tissues and act as the focus for breakthrough infections.
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28
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Immune responses to airborne fungi and non-invasive airway diseases. Semin Immunopathol 2014; 37:83-96. [DOI: 10.1007/s00281-014-0471-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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