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Ljaljević Grbić M, Dimkić I, Janakiev T, Kosel J, Tavzes Č, Popović S, Knežević A, Legan L, Retko K, Ropret P, Unković N. Uncovering the Role of Autochthonous Deteriogenic Biofilm Community: Rožanec Mithraeum Monument (Slovenia). MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2024; 87:87. [PMID: 38940862 PMCID: PMC11213730 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-024-02404-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The primary purpose of the study, as part of the planned conservation work, was to uncover all aspects of autochthonous biofilm pertaining to the formation of numerous deterioration symptoms occurring on the limestone Rožanec Mithraeum monument in Slovenia. Using state-of-the-art sequencing technologies combining mycobiome data with observations made via numerous light and spectroscopic (FTIR and Raman) microscopy analyses pointed out to epilithic lichen Gyalecta jenensis and its photobiont, carotenoid-rich Trentepohlia aurea, as the origin of salmon-hued pigmented alterations of limestone surface. Furthermore, the development of the main deterioration symptom on the monument, i.e., biopitting, was instigated by the formation of typical endolithic thalli and ascomata of representative Verrucariaceae family (Verrucaria sp.) in conjunction with the oxalic acid-mediated dissolution of limestone. The domination of lichenized fungi, as the main deterioration agents, both on the relief and surrounding limestone, was additionally supported by the high relative abundance of lichenized and symbiotroph groups in FUNGuild analysis. Obtained results not only upgraded knowledge of this frequently occurring but often overlooked group of extremophilic stone heritage deteriogens but also provided a necessary groundwork for the development of efficient biocontrol formulation applicable in situ for the preservation of similarly affected limestone monuments.
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Grants
- 451-03-47/2023-01/200178 Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
- 451-03-47/2023-01/200178 Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
- 451-03-47/2023-01/200178 Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
- 451-03-47/2023-01/200178 Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
- 451-03-47/2023-01/200178 Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
- 451-03-47/2023-01/200178 Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
- 451-03-47/2023-01/200178 Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
- 451-03-47/2023-01/200178 Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
- 451-03-47/2023-01/200178 Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
- 451-03-47/2023-01/200178 Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
- 451-03-47/2023-01/200178 Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
- BI-RS/20-21-013 and J7-3147 Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS)
- BI-RS/20-21-013 and J7-3147 Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS)
- BI-RS/20-21-013 and J7-3147 Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS)
- BI-RS/20-21-013 and J7-3147 Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS)
- BI-RS/20-21-013 and J7-3147 Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS)
- BI-RS/20-21-013 and J7-3147 Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS)
- BI-RS/20-21-013 and J7-3147 Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS)
- BI-RS/20-21-013 and J7-3147 Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS)
- BI-RS/20-21-013 and J7-3147 Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS)
- BI-RS/20-21-013 and J7-3147 Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS)
- BI-RS/20-21-013 and J7-3147 Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS)
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ljaljević Grbić
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11 000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivica Dimkić
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11 000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tamara Janakiev
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11 000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Janez Kosel
- The Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, Poljanska Cesta 40, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Črtomir Tavzes
- The Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, Poljanska Cesta 40, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Slađana Popović
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11 000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandar Knežević
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11 000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lea Legan
- The Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, Poljanska Cesta 40, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Klara Retko
- The Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, Poljanska Cesta 40, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Polonca Ropret
- The Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, Poljanska Cesta 40, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nikola Unković
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11 000, Belgrade, Serbia.
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2
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Kukil K, Lindberg P. Metabolic engineering of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 for the improved production of phenylpropanoids. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:57. [PMID: 38369470 PMCID: PMC10875765 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02330-3] [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: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phenylpropanoids are a large group of plant secondary metabolites with various biological functions, derived from aromatic amino acids. Cyanobacteria are promising host organisms for sustainable production of plant phenylpropanoids. We have previously engineered Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to produce trans-cinnamic acid (tCA) and p-coumaric acid (pCou), the first intermediates of phenylpropanoid pathway, by overexpression of phenylalanine- and tyrosine ammonia lyases. In this study, we aimed to enhance the production of the target compounds tCA and pCou in Synechocystis. RESULTS We eliminated the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) activity, which is a competing pathway consuming tyrosine and, possibly, phenylalanine for tocopherol synthesis. Moreover, several genes of the terminal steps of the shikimate pathway were overexpressed alone or in operons, such as aromatic transaminases, feedback insensitive cyclohexadienyl dehydrogenase (TyrC) from Zymomonas mobilis and the chorismate mutase (CM) domain of the fused chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase enzyme from Escherichia coli. The obtained engineered strains demonstrated nearly 1.5 times enhanced tCA and pCou production when HPPD was knocked out compared to the parental production strains, accumulating 138 ± 3.5 mg L-1 of tCA and 72.3 ± 10.3 mg L-1 of pCou after seven days of photoautotrophic growth. However, there was no further improvement when any of the pathway genes were overexpressed. Finally, we used previously obtained AtPRM8 and TsPRM8 Synechocystis strains with deregulated shikimate pathway as a background for the overexpression of synthetic constructs with ppd knockout. CONCLUSIONS HPPD elimination enhances the tCA and pCou productivity to a similar extent. The use of PRM8 based strains as a background for overexpression of synthetic constructs, however, did not promote tCA and pCou titers, which indicates a tight regulation of the terminal steps of phenylalanine and tyrosine synthesis. This work contributes to establishing cyanobacteria as hosts for phenylpropanoid production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Kukil
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry - Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, SE 751 20, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Pia Lindberg
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry - Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, SE 751 20, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Guruceaga X, Perez-Cuesta U, Martin-Vicente A, Pelegri-Martinez E, Thorn HI, Cendon-Sanchez S, Xie J, Nywening AV, Ramirez-Garcia A, Fortwendel JR, Rementeria A. The Aspergillus fumigatus maiA gene contributes to cell wall homeostasis and fungal virulence. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1327299. [PMID: 38343890 PMCID: PMC10853476 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1327299] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, two distinct in vitro infection models of Aspergillus fumigatus, using murine macrophages (RAW264.7) and human lung epithelial cells (A549), were employed to identify the genes important for fungal adaptation during infection. Transcriptomic analyses of co-incubated A. fumigatus uncovered 140 fungal genes up-regulated in common between both models that, when compared with a previously published in vivo transcriptomic study, allowed the identification of 13 genes consistently up-regulated in all three infection conditions. Among them, the maiA gene, responsible for a critical step in the L-phenylalanine degradation pathway, was identified. Disruption of maiA resulted in a mutant strain unable to complete the Phe degradation pathway, leading to an excessive production of pyomelanin when this amino acid served as the sole carbon source. Moreover, the disruption mutant exhibited noticeable cell wall abnormalities, with reduced levels of β-glucans within the cell wall but did not show lack of chitin or mannans. The maiA-1 mutant strain induced reduced inflammation in primary macrophages and displayed significantly lower virulence in a neutropenic mouse model of infection. This is the first study linking the A. fumigatus maiA gene to fungal cell wall homeostasis and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Guruceaga
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Uxue Perez-Cuesta
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology, and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Adela Martin-Vicente
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Eduardo Pelegri-Martinez
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology, and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Harrison I. Thorn
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Science, College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Healths Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Saioa Cendon-Sanchez
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology, and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Jinhong Xie
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Science, College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Healths Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Ashley V. Nywening
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Andoni Ramirez-Garcia
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology, and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Jarrod R. Fortwendel
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Aitor Rementeria
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology, and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
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4
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El-Zawawy NA, Kenawy ER, Ahmed S, El-Sapagh S. Bioproduction and optimization of newly characterized melanin pigment from Streptomyces djakartensis NSS-3 with its anticancer, antimicrobial, and radioprotective properties. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:23. [PMID: 38229042 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02276-y] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanin is a natural pigment that is considered a promising biomaterial for numerous biotechnological applications across several industries. Melanin has biomedical applications as antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Additionally, in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, it is used in drug delivery and as a radioprotective agent. Also, melanin has environmental uses in the fields of bioremediation and the food industry. The biosynthesis of melanin pigment is an area of interest for researchers due to its multifunctionality, high compatibility, and biodegradability. Therefore, our present work is the first attempt to characterize and optimize the productivity of melanin pigment from Streptomyces djakartensis NSS-3 concerning its radioprotection and biological properties. RESULTS Forty isolates of soil actinobacteria were isolated from the Wadi Allaqui Biosphere Reserve, Egypt. Only one isolate, ACT3, produced a dark brown melanin pigment extracellularly. This isolate was identified according to phenotypic properties and molecular phylogenetic analysis as Streptomyces djakartensis NSS-3 with accession number OP912881. Plackett-Burman experimental design (PBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) using a Box-Behnken design (BBD) were performed for optimum medium and culturing conditions for maximum pigment production, resulting in a 4.19-fold improvement in melanin production (118.73 mg/10 mL). The extracted melanin pigment was purified and characterized as belonging to nitrogen-free pyomelanin based on ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-VIS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and NMR studies. Purified melanin demonstrated potent scavenging activity with IC50 values of 18.03 µg/mL and revealed high potency as sunscreens (in vitro SPF = 18.5). Moreover, it showed a nontoxic effect on a normal cell line (WI38), while it had a concentration-dependent anticancer effect on HCT116, HEPG, and MCF7 cell lines with IC50 = 108.9, 43.83, and 81.99 µg/mL, respectively. Also, purified melanin had a detrimental effect on the tested MDR bacterial strains, of which PA-09 and SA-04 were clearly more susceptible to melanin compared with other strains with MICs of 6.25 and 25 µg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that the newly characterized pyomelanin from Streptomyces djakartensis NSS-3 has valuable biological properties due to its potential photoprotective, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and lack of cytotoxic activities, which open up new prospects for using this natural melanin pigment in various biotechnological applications and avoiding chemical-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nessma A El-Zawawy
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
| | - El-Refaie Kenawy
- Chemistry Department, Polymer Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Sara Ahmed
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Shimaa El-Sapagh
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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5
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Fu R, Sun W, Liu B, Sun J, Wu Q, Liu X, Xiang M. Genome and transcriptome reveal lithophilic adaptation of Cladophialophora brunneola, a new rock-inhabiting fungus. Mycology 2024; 14:326-343. [PMID: 38187882 PMCID: PMC10769131 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2023.2256764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Rock-inhabiting fungi (RIF) are slow-growing microorganisms that inhabit rocks and exhibit exceptional stress tolerance owing to their thick melanised cell walls. This study reports the identification of a novel rock-inhabiting fungus, Cladophialophora brunneola sp. nov. which was isolated from a karst landform in Guizhou, China, using a combination of morphological and phylogenetic analyses. The genome of C. brunneola was sequenced and assembled, with a total size of approximately 33.8 Mb, encoding 14,168 proteins and yielding an N50 length of 1.88 Mb. C. brunneola possessed a larger proportion of species-specific genes, and phylogenomic analysis positioned it in an early diverged lineage within Chaetothyriales. In comparison to non-RIF, C. brunneola displayed reduction in carbohydrate-active enzyme families (CAZymes) and secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Transcriptome analysis conducted under PEG-induced drought stress revealed elevated expression levels of genes associated with melanin synthesis pathways, cell wall biosynthesis, and lipid metabolism. This study contributes to our understanding of the genomic evolution and polyextremotolerance exhibited by rock-inhabiting fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bingjie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jingzu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xingzhong Liu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Meichun Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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6
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Duke SO, Pan Z, Bajsa-Hirschel J, Tamang P, Hammerschmidt R, Lorsbach BA, Sparks TC. Molecular Targets of Herbicides and Fungicides─Are There Useful Overlaps for Fungicide Discovery? JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:20532-20548. [PMID: 38100716 PMCID: PMC10755756 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c07166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
New fungicide modes of action are needed for fungicide resistance management strategies. Several commercial herbicide targets found in fungi that are not utilized by commercial fungicides are discussed as possible fungicide molecular targets. These are acetyl CoA carboxylase, acetolactate synthase, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase, glutamine synthase, phytoene desaturase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, long-chain fatty acid synthase, dihydropteroate synthase, hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase, and Ser/Thr protein phosphatase. Some of the inhibitors of these herbicide targets appear to be either good fungicides or good leads for new fungicides. For example, some acetolactate synthase and dihydropteroate inhibitors are excellent fungicides. There is evidence that some herbicides have indirect benefits to certain crops due to their effects on fungal crop pathogens. Using a pesticide with both herbicide and fungicide activities based on the same molecular target could reduce the total amount of pesticide used. The limitations of such a product are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen O. Duke
- National
Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University 38667, United States
| | - Zhiqiang Pan
- Natural
Products Utilization Research Unit, United
States Department of Agriculture, University 38667, United States
| | - Joanna Bajsa-Hirschel
- Natural
Products Utilization Research Unit, United
States Department of Agriculture, University 38667, United States
| | - Prabin Tamang
- Natural
Products Utilization Research Unit, United
States Department of Agriculture, University 38667, United States
| | - Raymond Hammerschmidt
- Department
of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan
State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Beth A. Lorsbach
- Nufarm, 4020 Aerial Center Parkway, Morrisville, North Carolina 27560, United States
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7
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Liu S, Lu X, Dai M, Zhang S. Transcription factor CreA is involved in the inverse regulation of biofilm formation and asexual development through distinct pathways in Aspergillus fumigatus. Mol Microbiol 2023; 120:830-844. [PMID: 37800624 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The exopolysaccharide galactosaminogalactan (GAG) contributes to biofilm formation and virulence in the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Increasing evidence indicates that GAG production is inversely linked with asexual development. However, the mechanisms underlying this regulatory relationship are unclear. In this study, we found that the dysfunction of CreA, a conserved transcription factor involved in carbon catabolite repression in many fungal species, causes abnormal asexual development (conidiation) under liquid-submerged culture conditions specifically in the presence of glucose. The loss of creA decreased GAG production independent of carbon sources. Furthermore, CreA contributed to asexual development and GAG production via distinct pathways. CreA promoted A. fumigatus GAG production by positively regulating GAG biosynthetic genes (uge3 and agd3). CreA suppressed asexual development in glucose liquid-submerged culture conditions via central conidiation genes (brlA, abaA, and wetA) and their upstream activators (flbC and flbD). Restoration of brlA expression to the wild-type level by flbC or flbD deletion abolished the abnormal submerged conidiation in the creA null mutant but did not restore GAG production. The C-terminal region of CreA was crucial for the suppression of asexual development, and the repressive domain contributed to GAG production. Overall, CreA is involved in GAG production and asexual development in an inverse manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengyao Dai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shizhu Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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8
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Kerkaert JD, Huberman LB. Regulation of nutrient utilization in filamentous fungi. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:5873-5898. [PMID: 37540250 PMCID: PMC10983054 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12680-4] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Organisms must accurately sense and respond to nutrients to survive. In filamentous fungi, accurate nutrient sensing is important in the establishment of fungal colonies and in continued, rapid growth for the exploitation of environmental resources. To ensure efficient nutrient utilization, fungi have evolved a combination of activating and repressing genetic networks to tightly regulate metabolic pathways and distinguish between preferred nutrients, which require minimal energy and resources to utilize, and nonpreferred nutrients, which have more energy-intensive catabolic requirements. Genes necessary for the utilization of nonpreferred carbon sources are activated by transcription factors that respond to the presence of the specific nutrient and repressed by transcription factors that respond to the presence of preferred carbohydrates. Utilization of nonpreferred nitrogen sources generally requires two transcription factors. Pathway-specific transcription factors respond to the presence of a specific nonpreferred nitrogen source, while another transcription factor activates genes in the absence of preferred nitrogen sources. In this review, we discuss the roles of transcription factors and upstream regulatory genes that respond to preferred and nonpreferred carbon and nitrogen sources and their roles in regulating carbon and nitrogen catabolism. KEY POINTS: • Interplay of activating and repressing transcriptional networks regulates catabolism. • Nutrient-specific activating transcriptional pathways provide metabolic specificity. • Repressing regulatory systems differentiate nutrients in mixed nutrient environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Kerkaert
- Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Lori B Huberman
- Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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9
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Song W, Yang H, Liu S, Yu H, Li D, Li P, Xing R. Melanin: insights into structure, analysis, and biological activities for future development. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:7528-7543. [PMID: 37432655 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01132a] [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: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Melanin, a widely distributed pigment found in various organisms, possesses distinct structures that can be classified into five main types: eumelanin (found in animals and plants), pheomelanin (found in animals and plants), allomelanin (found in plants), neuromelanin (found in animals), and pyomelanin (found in fungi and bacteria). In this review, we present an overview of the structure and composition of melanin, as well as the various spectroscopic identification methods that can be used, such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). We also provide a summary of the extraction methods of melanin and its diverse biological activities, including antibacterial properties, anti-radiation effects, and photothermal effects. The current state of research on natural melanin and its potential for further development is discussed. In particular, the review provides a comprehensive summary of the analysis methods used to determine melanin species, offering valuable insights and references for future research. Overall, this review aims to provide a thorough understanding of the concept and classification of melanin, its structure, physicochemical properties, and structural identification methods, as well as its various applications in the field of biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Song
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100000, China
- Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 117546, Singapore.
| | - Haoyue Yang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Song Liu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Huahua Yu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 117546, Singapore.
| | - Pengcheng Li
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Ronge Xing
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266000, China
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10
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Suthar M, Dufossé L, Singh SK. The Enigmatic World of Fungal Melanin: A Comprehensive Review. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:891. [PMID: 37754999 PMCID: PMC10532784 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic dyes are generally not safe for human health or the environment, leading to the continuous search and growing demand for natural pigments that are considered safer, biodegrade more easily, and are environmentally beneficial. Among micro-organisms, fungi represent an emerging source of pigments due to their many benefits; therefore, they are readily viable on an industrial scale. Among all the bioactive pigments produced by fungi, melanin is an enigmatic, multifunctional pigment that has been studied for more than 150 years. This dark pigment, which is produced via the oxidative polymerization of phenolic compounds, has been investigated for its potential to protect life from all kingdoms, including fungi, from biotic and abiotic stresses. Over time, the research on fungal melanin has attracted a significant amount of scientific interest due to melanin's distinct biological activities and multifarious functionality, which is well-documented in the literature and could possibly be utilized. This review surveys the literature and summarizes the current discourse, presenting an up-to-date account of the research performed on fungal melanin that encompasses its types, the factors influencing its bioactivity, the optimization of fermentation conditions to enhance its sustainable production, its biosynthetic pathways, and its extraction, as well as biochemical characterization techniques and the potential uses of melanin in a wide range of applications in various industries. A massive scope of work remains to circumvent the obstacles to obtaining melanin from fungi and exploring its future prospects in a diverse range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malika Suthar
- National Fungal Culture Collection of India, Biodiversity and Palaeobiology Group, MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411004, India;
- Faculty of Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411007, India
| | - Laurent Dufossé
- Laboratoire de Chimie et Biotechnologie des Produits Naturels (ChemBioPro), ESIROI Agroalimentaire, Université de La Réunion, F-97400 Saint-Denis, France
| | - Sanjay K. Singh
- National Fungal Culture Collection of India, Biodiversity and Palaeobiology Group, MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411004, India;
- Faculty of Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411007, India
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11
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Kim JS, Bahn YS. Protein Kinase A Controls the Melanization of Candida auris through the Alteration of Cell Wall Components. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1702. [PMID: 37760005 PMCID: PMC10525270 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12091702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, significantly threatens global public health. Recent studies have identified melanin production, a key virulence factor in many pathogenic fungi that protects against external threats like reactive oxygen species, in C. auris. However, the melanin regulation mechanism remains elusive. This study explores the role of the Ras/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in C. auris melanization. It reveals that the catalytic subunits Tpk1 and Tpk2 of protein kinase A (PKA) are essential, whereas Ras1, Gpr1, Gpa2, and Cyr1 are not. Under melanin-promoting conditions, the tpk1Δ tpk2Δ strain formed melanin granules in the supernatant akin to the wild-type strain but failed to adhere them properly to the cell wall. This discrepancy is likely due to a decreased expression of chitin-synthesis-related genes. Our findings also show that Tpk1 primarily drives melanization, with Tpk2 having a lesser impact. To corroborate this, we found that C. auris must deploy Tpk1-dependent melanin deposition as a defensive mechanism against antioxidant exposure. Moreover, we confirmed that deletion mutants of multicopper oxidase and ferroxidase genes, previously assumed to influence C. auris melanization, do not directly contribute to the process. Overall, this study sheds light on the role of PKA in C. auris melanization and enhances our understanding of the pathogenicity mechanisms of this emerging fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yong-Sun Bahn
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea;
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12
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Yuzbashev TV, Yuzbasheva EY, Melkina OE, Patel D, Bubnov D, Dietz H, Ledesma-Amaro R. A DNA assembly toolkit to unlock the CRISPR/Cas9 potential for metabolic engineering. Commun Biol 2023; 6:858. [PMID: 37596335 PMCID: PMC10439232 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05202-5] [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: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9-based technologies are revolutionising the way we engineer microbial cells. One of the key advantages of CRISPR in strain design is that it enables chromosomal integration of marker-free DNA, eliminating laborious and often inefficient marker recovery procedures. Despite the benefits, assembling CRISPR/Cas9 editing systems is still not a straightforward process, which may prevent its use and applications. In this work, we have identified some of the main limitations of current Cas9 toolkits and designed improvements with the goal of making CRISPR technologies easier to access and implement. These include 1) A system to quickly switch between marker-free and marker-based integration constructs using both a Cre-expressing and standard Escherichia coli strains, 2) the ability to redirect multigene integration cassettes into alternative genomic loci via Golden Gate-based exchange of homology arms, 3) a rapid, simple in-vivo method to assembly guide RNA sequences via recombineering between Cas9-helper plasmids and single oligonucleotides. We combine these methodologies with well-established technologies into a comprehensive toolkit for efficient metabolic engineering using CRISPR/Cas9. As a proof of concept, we developed the YaliCraft toolkit for Yarrowia lipolytica, which is composed of a basic set of 147 plasmids and 7 modules with different purposes. We used the toolkit to generate and characterize a library of 137 promoters and to build a de novo strain synthetizing 373.8 mg/L homogentisic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tigran V Yuzbashev
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
- Plant Sciences and the Bioeconomy, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK.
| | | | - Olga E Melkina
- NRC 'Kurchatov Institute'-GosNIIgenetika, Kurchatov Genomic Centre, 1-st Dorozhny Pr., 1, Moscow, 117545, Russia
| | - Davina Patel
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Dmitrii Bubnov
- NRC 'Kurchatov Institute'-GosNIIgenetika, Kurchatov Genomic Centre, 1-st Dorozhny Pr., 1, Moscow, 117545, Russia
| | - Heiko Dietz
- Kaesler Research Institute, Kaesler Nutrition GmbH, Fischkai 1, 27572, Bremerhaven, Germany
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13
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Michael HSR, Subiramanian SR, Thyagarajan D, Mohammed NB, Saravanakumar VK, Govindaraj M, Maheswari KM, Karthikeyan N, Ramesh Kumar C. Melanin biopolymers from microbial world with future perspectives-a review. Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:306. [PMID: 37580645 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03642-5] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Melanin is an amorphous polymer made of heterogeneous functional groups synthesized by diverse organisms including fungi, bacteria, animals, and plants. It was widely acknowledged for its biological processes and its key role in the protection of organisms from environmental stress. Recently, melanin clutches attention in the field of nanobiotechnology, drug delivery, organic semiconductors and bioelectronics, environmental bioremediation, photoprotection, etc., Furthermore, melanin from natural sources like microbial community shows antimicrobial, fighting cancer, radical scavenging, cosmeceuticals, and many therapeutic areas as well. Though the multipotentiality nature of melanin has been put forth, real-world applications still flag fall behind, which might be anticipated to the inadequate and high price essence of natural melanin. However, current bioprocess technologies have paved for the large-scale or industrial production of microbial melanin, which could help in the replacement of synthetic melanin. Thus, this review emphasizes the various sources for melanin, i.e., types-based on its pathways and its chemical structures, functional efficiency, physical properties, and conventional and modern methods of both extraction and characterization. Moreover, an outlook on how it works in the field of medicine, bioremediation, and other related areas provides perspectives on the complete exploitation of melanin in practical applications of medicine and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shri Ranjani Subiramanian
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science, Nava India, Coimbatore, India
| | - Divyavaahini Thyagarajan
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science, Nava India, Coimbatore, India
| | - Nazneen Bobby Mohammed
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan's Foundation for Science Technology and Research, Vadlamudi, Guntur Dist, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | | | - Mageswari Govindaraj
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science, Nava India, Coimbatore, India
| | | | - Naresh Karthikeyan
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science, Nava India, Coimbatore, India
| | - Charu Ramesh Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science, Nava India, Coimbatore, India
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14
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Koch SM, Freidank-Pohl C, Siontas O, Cortesao M, Mota A, Runzheimer K, Jung S, Rebrosova K, Siler M, Moeller R, Meyer V. Aspergillus niger as a cell factory for the production of pyomelanin, a molecule with UV-C radiation shielding activity. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1233740. [PMID: 37547691 PMCID: PMC10399693 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1233740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanins are complex pigments with various biological functions and potential applications in space exploration and biomedicine due to their radioprotective properties. Aspergillus niger, a fungus known for its high radiation resistance, is widely used in biotechnology and a candidate for melanin production. In this study, we investigated the production of fungal pyomelanin (PyoFun) in A. niger by inducing overproduction of the pigment using L-tyrosine in a recombinant ΔhmgA mutant strain (OS4.3). The PyoFun pigment was characterized using three spectroscopic methods, and its antioxidant properties were assessed using a DPPH-assay. Additionally, we evaluated the protective effect of PyoFun against non-ionizing radiation (monochromatic UV-C) and compared its efficacy to a synthetically produced control pyomelanin (PyoSyn). The results confirmed successful production of PyoFun in A. niger through inducible overproduction. Characterization using spectroscopic methods confirmed the presence of PyoFun, and the DPPH-assay demonstrated its strong antioxidant properties. Moreover, PyoFun exhibited a highly protective effect against radiation-induced stress, surpassing the protection provided by PyoSyn. The findings of this study suggest that PyoFun has significant potential as a biological shield against harmful radiation. Notably, PyoFun is synthesized extracellularly, differing it from other fungal melanins (such as L-DOPA- or DHN-melanin) that require cell lysis for pigment purification. This characteristic makes PyoFun a valuable resource for biotechnology, biomedicine, and the space industry. However, further research is needed to evaluate its protective effect in a dried form and against ionizing radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Marie Koch
- Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Carsten Freidank-Pohl
- Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Siontas
- Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marta Cortesao
- Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Afonso Mota
- Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Katharina Runzheimer
- Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sascha Jung
- Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katarina Rebrosova
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University (MUNI) and St. Anne's Faculty Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Martin Siler
- Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czechia
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Vera Meyer
- Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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15
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Lin L, Zhang T, Xu J. Genetic and Environmental Factors Influencing the Production of Select Fungal Colorants: Challenges and Opportunities in Industrial Applications. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9050585. [PMID: 37233296 DOI: 10.3390/jof9050585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural colorants, mostly of plant and fungal origins, offer advantages over chemically synthetic colorants in terms of alleviating environmental pollution and promoting human health. The market value of natural colorants has been increasing significantly across the globe. Due to the ease of artificially culturing most fungi in the laboratory and in industrial settings, fungi have emerged as the organisms of choice for producing many natural colorants. Indeed, there is a wide variety of colorful fungi and a diversity in the structure and bioactivity of fungal colorants. Such broad diversities have spurred significant research efforts in fungi to search for natural alternatives to synthetic colorants. Here, we review recent research on the genetic and environmental factors influencing the production of three major types of natural fungal colorants: carotenoids, melanins, and polyketide-derived colorants. We highlight how molecular genetic studies and environmental condition manipulations are helping to overcome some of the challenges associated with value-added and large-scale productions of these colorants. We finish by discussing potential future trends, including synthetic biology approaches, in the commercial production of fungal colorants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Lin
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases (MOE), School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jianping Xu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
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16
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Urbaniak MM, Gazińska M, Rudnicka K, Płociński P, Nowak M, Chmiela M. In Vitro and In Vivo Biocompatibility of Natural and Synthetic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pyomelanin for Potential Biomedical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097846. [PMID: 37175552 PMCID: PMC10178424 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria are the source of many bioactive compounds, including polymers with various physiological functions and the potential for medical applications. Pyomelanin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a nonfermenting Gram-negative bacterium, is a black-brown negatively charged extracellular polymer of homogentisic acid produced during L-tyrosine catabolism. Due to its chemical properties and the presence of active functional groups, pyomelanin is a candidate for the development of new antioxidant, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory formulations. This work aimed to obtain bacterial water-soluble (Pyosol), water-insoluble (Pyoinsol) and synthetic (sPyo) pyomelanin variants and characterize their chemical structure, thermosensitivity and biosafety in vitro and in vivo (Galleria mallonella). FTIR analysis showed that aromatic ring connections in the polymer chains were dominant in Pyosol and sPyo, whereas Pyoinsol had fewer Car-Car links between rings. The differences in chemical structure influence the solubility of various forms of pyomelanins, their thermal stability and biological activity. Pyosol and Pyoinsol showed higher biological safety than sPyo. The obtained results qualify Pyosol and Pyoinsol for evaluation of their antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and proregenerative activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz M Urbaniak
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
- The Bio-Med-Chem Doctoral School, University of Lodz and Lodz Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Gazińska
- Department of Engineering and Technology of Polymers, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology (WUST), 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Karolina Rudnicka
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
| | - Przemysław Płociński
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
| | - Monika Nowak
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
| | - Magdalena Chmiela
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
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17
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Yuzbashev T, Yuzbasheva E, Melkina O, Patel D, Bubnov D, Dietz H, Ledesma-Amaro R. A DNA assembly toolkit to unlock the CRISPR/Cas9 potential for metabolic engineering. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2738543. [PMID: 37066237 PMCID: PMC10104256 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2738543/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9-based technologies are revolutionising the way we engineer microbial cells. One of the key advantages of CRISPR in strain design is that it enables chromosomal integration of marker-free DNA, eliminating laborious and often inefficient marker recovery procedures. Despite the benefits, assembling CRISPR/Cas9 editing systems is still not a straightforward process, which may prevent its use and applications. In this work, we have identified some of the main limitations of current Cas9 toolkits and designed improvements with the goal of making CRISPR technologies easier to access and implement. These include 1) A system to quickly switch between marker-free and marker-based integration constructs using both a Cre-expressing and standard Escherichia coli strains, 2) the ability to redirect multigene integration cassettes into alternative genomic loci via Golden Gate-based exchange of homology arms, 3) a rapid, simple in-vivo method to assembly guide RNA sequences via recombineering between Cas9-helper plasmids and single oligonucleotides. We combine these methodologies with well-established technologies into a comprehensive toolkit for efficient metabolic engineering using CRISPR/Cas9. As a proof of concept, we generated and characterized a library of 137 promoters and built a de novo Yarrowia lipolytica strain synthetizing 373.8 mg/L homogentisic acid.
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18
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Wu H, Tong Y, Wang C, Yu Y, Chen M, Wang Y, Li X, Huang B. Metarhizium robertsii MrAbaA affects conidial pigmentation via regulating MrPks1 and MrMlac1 expression. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 197:107892. [PMID: 36720345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Pigments of conidia play a crucial role in fungal defense against environmental stressors such as UV radiation. The molecular basis of conidial pigmentation has been studied in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii, while limited information been reported on function mechanisms transcription factors governing conidial pigmentation. Here, we identified transcription factor MrAbaA binding to the promoter regions of both MrPks1 and MrMlac1 in M. robertsii using yeast one-hybrid technology. Chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR assays further confirmed the interaction. Furthermore, overexpression of MrAbaA in M. robertsii resulted in increased conidial pigment accumulation and enhanced tolerances to UV stress by upregulated the MrPks1 and MrMlac1 expression. Taken together, MrAbaA affects conidial pigmentation by interacting with the promoter regions of both MrPks1 and MrMlac1 in M. robertsii. This work advances the understanding of the regulation mechanism for conidial pigmentation in entomopathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Youmin Tong
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Cuiming Wang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yashuai Yu
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Mingyue Chen
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yulong Wang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Prevention and Control of Pine Wood Nematode Disease, Anhui Academy of Forestry, Hefei 230088, China
| | - Bo Huang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
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19
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Pyomelanin production via heterologous expression of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) and construction of HPPD inhibitor screening model. J Biosci Bioeng 2023; 135:93-101. [PMID: 36470730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2022.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Melanin has an increasing market demand in cosmetics, food, medicine as well as aerospace due to its unique properties. Heterologous expression of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) from the melanin-producing strain Streptomyces fungicidicus NW-EN1 in Escherichia coli shortened the fermentation cycle of melanin. HPPD catalyzed 4-hydrophenylpyruvate (HPP) to form homologous acid (HGA) and finally form melanin. The purified melanin had the highest absorption peak at 460 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope scanning showed that the pigment had universal characteristic peaks. The presence of HGA, a predictor of pyomelanin, was identified by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The recombinant E. coli produced 804.4 ± 5.9 mg/L pyomelanin within 48 h. Metal ions had a great influence on the production of pyomelanin. Pyomelanin was stable in response to light intensity and had a protective effect against bacteria under UV irradiation. Meanwhile, we utilized the chromogenic effect after whole-cell catalysis to reflect the inhibition of the HPPD inhibitors (mesotrione and isoxaflutole) on HPPD by observing the color change. As a rapid method to test the action of inhibitors, this method is expected to be useful for the development of HPPD-inhibiting herbicides.
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20
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Thiour-Mauprivez C, Dayan FE, Terol H, Devers M, Calvayrac C, Martin-Laurent F, Barthelmebs L. Assessing the effects of β-triketone herbicides on HPPD from environmental bacteria using a combination of in silico and microbiological approaches. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:9932-9944. [PMID: 36068455 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22801-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) is the molecular target of β-triketone herbicides in plants. This enzyme, involved in the tyrosine pathway, is also present in a wide range of living organisms, including microorganisms. Previous studies, focusing on a few strains and using high herbicide concentrations, showed that β-triketones are able to inhibit microbial HPPD. Here, we measured the effect of agronomical doses of β-triketone herbicides on soil bacterial strains. The HPPD activity of six bacterial strains was tested with 1× or 10× the recommended field dose of the herbicide sulcotrione. The selected strains were tested with 0.01× to 15× the recommended field dose of sulcotrione, mesotrione, and tembotrione. Molecular docking was also used to measure and model the binding mode of the three herbicides with the different bacterial HPPD. Our results show that responses to herbicides are strain-dependent with Pseudomonas fluorescens F113 HPPD activity not inhibited by any of the herbicide tested, when all three β-triketone herbicides inhibited HPPD in Bacillus cereus ATCC14579 and Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. These responses are also molecule-dependent with tembotrione harboring the strongest inhibitory effect. Molecular docking also reveals different binding potentials. This is the first time that the inhibitory effect of β-triketone herbicides is tested on environmental strains at agronomical doses, showing a potential effect of these molecules on the HPPD enzymatic activity of non-target microorganisms. The whole-cell assay developed in this study, coupled with molecular docking analysis, appears as an interesting way to have a first idea of the effect of herbicides on microbial communities, prior to setting up microcosm or even field experiments. This methodology could then largely be applied to other family of pesticides also targeting an enzyme present in microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Thiour-Mauprivez
- University Perpignan Via Domitia, Biocapteurs-Analyses-Environnement, 66860 Perpignan, France; Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, USR 3579 Sorbonne Universités (UPMC) Paris 6 et CNRS Observatoire Océanologique, 66650, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
- Agroécologie, INRAE, Institut Agro, Unv. Bourgogne, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000, Dijon, France
| | - Franck Emmanuel Dayan
- Agricultural Biology Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Hugo Terol
- University Perpignan Via Domitia, Biocapteurs-Analyses-Environnement, 66860 Perpignan, France; Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, USR 3579 Sorbonne Universités (UPMC) Paris 6 et CNRS Observatoire Océanologique, 66650, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | - Marion Devers
- Agroécologie, INRAE, Institut Agro, Unv. Bourgogne, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000, Dijon, France
| | - Christophe Calvayrac
- University Perpignan Via Domitia, Biocapteurs-Analyses-Environnement, 66860 Perpignan, France; Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, USR 3579 Sorbonne Universités (UPMC) Paris 6 et CNRS Observatoire Océanologique, 66650, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | - Fabrice Martin-Laurent
- Agroécologie, INRAE, Institut Agro, Unv. Bourgogne, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000, Dijon, France
| | - Lise Barthelmebs
- University Perpignan Via Domitia, Biocapteurs-Analyses-Environnement, 66860 Perpignan, France; Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, USR 3579 Sorbonne Universités (UPMC) Paris 6 et CNRS Observatoire Océanologique, 66650, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France.
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21
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Styczynski M, Rogowska A, Nyabayo C, Decewicz P, Romaniuk F, Pączkowski C, Szakiel A, Suessmuth R, Dziewit L. Heterologous production and characterization of a pyomelanin of Antarctic Pseudomonas sp. ANT_H4: a metabolite protecting against UV and free radicals, interacting with iron from minerals and exhibiting priming properties toward plant hairy roots. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:261. [PMID: 36527127 PMCID: PMC9756463 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01990-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antarctica has one of the most extreme environments in the world. This region is inhabited by specifically adapted microorganisms that produce various unique secondary metabolites (e.g. pigments) enabling their survival under the harsh environmental conditions. It was already shown that these natural, biologically active molecules may find application in various fields of biotechnology. RESULTS In this study, a cold-active brown-pigment-producing Pseudomonas sp. ANT_H4 strain was characterized. In-depth genomic analysis combined with the application of a fosmid expression system revealed two different pathways of melanin-like compounds biosynthesis by the ANT_H4 strain. The chromatographic behavior and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analyses allowed for the identification of the extracted melanin-like compound as a pyomelanin. Furthermore, optimization of the production and thorough functional analyses of the pyomelanin were performed to test its usability in biotechnology. It was confirmed that ANT_H4-derived pyomelanin increases the sun protection factor, enables scavenging of free radicals, and interacts with the iron from minerals. Moreover, it was shown for the first time that pyomelanin exhibits priming properties toward Calendula officinalis hairy roots in in vitro cultures. CONCLUSIONS Results of the study indicate the significant biotechnological potential of ANT_H4-derived pyomelanin and open opportunities for future applications. Taking into account protective features of analyzed pyomelanin it may be potentially used in medical biotechnology and cosmetology. Especially interesting was showing that pyomelanin exhibits priming properties toward hairy roots, which creates a perspective for its usage for the development of novel and sustainable agrotechnical solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Styczynski
- grid.12847.380000 0004 1937 1290Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Rogowska
- grid.12847.380000 0004 1937 1290Department of Plant Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Christine Nyabayo
- grid.6734.60000 0001 2292 8254Institute of Chemistry, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Przemyslaw Decewicz
- grid.12847.380000 0004 1937 1290Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Filip Romaniuk
- grid.12847.380000 0004 1937 1290Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Cezary Pączkowski
- grid.12847.380000 0004 1937 1290Department of Plant Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Szakiel
- grid.12847.380000 0004 1937 1290Department of Plant Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Roderich Suessmuth
- grid.6734.60000 0001 2292 8254Institute of Chemistry, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lukasz Dziewit
- grid.12847.380000 0004 1937 1290Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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22
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Khouqeer G, Alghrably M, Madkhali N, Dhahri M, Jaremko M, Emwas A. Preparation and characterization of natural melanin and its nanocomposite formed by copper doping. NANO SELECT 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/nano.202200095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ghada Khouqeer
- Department of Physics College of Science Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) Riyadh Saudi Arabia
| | - Mawadda Alghrably
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia
| | - Nawal Madkhali
- Department of Physics College of Science Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) Riyadh Saudi Arabia
| | - Manel Dhahri
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science Yanbu Taibah University Yanbu El Bahr Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Smart‐Health Initiative (SHI) and Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal 23955‐6900 Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul‐Hamid Emwas
- Core Labs King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia
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23
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Are Plants Capable of Pheomelanin Synthesis? Gas Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry Characterization of Thermally Degraded Melanin Isolated from Echinacea purpurea. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10112465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Echinacea is a widely used plant medicine, valued especially for its well-documented ability to stimulate the immune system. It has been suggested that melanin could be one of the bioactive factors responsible for the immunostimulatory properties of the plant. The biological functions of melanin pigments are closely related to their chemical composition and structural features. The aim of this study was to characterize the melanin from Echinacea purpurea based on the analysis of thermal degradation products of the well-purified pigment extracted from the dried herb. The melanin was pyrolyzed, and the resulting products were separated by gas chromatography and identified using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in full scan and multiple reaction monitoring modes. Three groups of marker products were detected in the melanin pyrolysate: polyphenol derivatives, nitrogen-containing heterocycles devoid of sulfur, and benzothiazines/benzothiazoles. This suggests that E. purpurea produces three structurally different melanin pigments: allomelanin, eumelanin, and pheomelanin, which in turn may affect the biological activity of the herb. Our results provide the first-ever evidence that plants are capable of synthesizing pheomelanin, which until now, has only been described for representatives of the animal and fungal kingdoms.
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24
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Kapoor U, Jayaraman A. Impact of Polydopamine Nanoparticle Surface Pattern and Roughness on Interactions with Poly(ethylene glycol) in Aqueous Solution: A Multiscale Modeling and Simulation Study. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:6301-6313. [PMID: 35969690 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c03151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A significant research effort in the past few years has been devoted to engineering synthetic mimics of naturally occurring eumelanin. One such effort has involved the assembly of oligomers of 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI), a synthetic precursor of polydopamine (PDA), into melanin-mimicking nanoparticles for use in a variety of applications with desired optical, photonic, thermal, and electrical properties. In many of these applications, the PDA nanoparticles are mixed with other polymers or oligomers, thus motivating this specific study to understand how the surface characteristics of the assembled PDA-nanoparticles affect their interaction with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains in aqueous solution. We use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the interaction of linear 20-mer PEG chains with different PDA-nanoparticles assembled using four types of oligomers of 5,6-DHI: two isomers of 5,6-DHI 2-mers with the monomers bonding either at the 2-2' position (A-type isomer) or 7-7' position (B-type isomer), denoted as A:2-mer and B:2-mer, respectively, and a 4-mer and an 8-mer of B-type chemistry denoted as B:4-mer and B:8-mer, respectively. Using explicit-solvent atomistic MD simulations, we find that PDA-nanoparticle surfaces assembled from B:8-mer exhibit smaller density fluctuations of water molecules and, as a result, are relatively more hydrophilic than the PDA-nanoparticle surfaces assembled from A:2-mer, B:2-mer, and B:4-mer. The surface composition of PDA-nanoparticles assembled from A:2-mer contains relatively fewer hydroxyl (-OH) groups compared to PDA-nanoparticles assembled from a B:2-mer, B:4-mer, or B:8-mer, yet the sample of PEG chains show more collapsed and adsorbed conformations on A:2-mer nanoparticles' surface. To explain the atomistically observed behavior of PEG chains on the nanoparticles' surfaces, we use coarse-grained (CG) MD simulations and explain the roles of the pattern formed by the attractive sites (e.g.,-OH groups) exposed on the surface and the roughness of the surface on interactions with a genric PEG-like copolymer chain. By comparing atomistic and CG MD simulation results, we confirm that the -OH groups' pattern on the surface of the PDA-nanoparticle assembled from A:2-mer is patchier than the random or string-like patterns on the PDA-nanoparticle assembled from B:2-mer, B:4-mer, or B:8-mer, and it is this -OH groups' surface pattern that dictates the PEG chain conformations and adsorption on the PDA-nanoparticle surface. Overall, these results guide the design of chemically and physically heterogeneous nanoparticle surfaces for the desired polymer interaction and conformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Utkarsh Kapoor
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Colburn Laboratory, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Arthi Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Colburn Laboratory, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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25
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Response and regulatory mechanisms of heat resistance in pathogenic fungi. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:5415-5431. [PMID: 35941254 PMCID: PMC9360699 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12119-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Both the increasing environmental temperature in nature and the defensive body temperature response to pathogenic fungi during mammalian infection cause heat stress during the fungal existence, reproduction, and pathogenic infection. To adapt and respond to the changing environment, fungi initiate a series of actions through a perfect thermal response system, conservative signaling pathways, corresponding transcriptional regulatory system, corresponding physiological and biochemical processes, and phenotypic changes. However, until now, accurate response and regulatory mechanisms have remained a challenge. Additionally, at present, the latest research progress on the heat resistance mechanism of pathogenic fungi has not been summarized. In this review, recent research investigating temperature sensing, transcriptional regulation, and physiological, biochemical, and morphological responses of fungi in response to heat stress is discussed. Moreover, the specificity thermal adaptation mechanism of pathogenic fungi in vivo is highlighted. These data will provide valuable knowledge to further understand the fungal heat adaptation and response mechanism, especially in pathogenic heat-resistant fungi. Key points • Mechanisms of fungal perception of heat pressure are reviewed. • The regulatory mechanism of fungal resistance to heat stress is discussed. • The thermal adaptation mechanism of pathogenic fungi in the human body is highlighted.
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26
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Mathew D, G Bhat S. Pseudomonas Stutzeri as Biofactories for Melanin Nanoparticle Synthesis and Its Anti-Oxidative and Antibiofilm Potential Evaluation. BIONANOSCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12668-022-01005-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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27
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Zhang Q, Liu F, Zeng M, Zhang J, Liu Y, Xin C, Mao Y, Song Z. Antifungal Activity of Sodium New Houttuyfonate Against Aspergillus fumigatus in vitro and in vivo. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:856272. [PMID: 35558127 PMCID: PMC9087332 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.856272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an important pathogen causing invasive aspergillosis, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised people. However, the treatment of A. fumigatus infection is a growing challenge, owing to the limited availability antifungal agents and the continual emergence of drug-resistant strains. Drug repurposing is a potential strategy to solve this current problem. Sodium new houttuyfonate (SNH), derived from houttuynin, extracted from Houttuynia cordata, has anti-bacterial and anti-Candida albicans effects. However, whether it has anti-A. fumigatus activity had not been reported. In this study, the antifungal properties of SNH against A. fumigatus, including the standard strain AF293, itraconazole resistant clinical strains, and voriconazole resistant clinical strains, were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the potential mechanism of SNH was characterized. SNH exhibited significant fungicidal activity toward various A. fumigatus strains. SNH also inhibited fungal growth, sporulation, conidial germination and pigment formation, and biofilm formation. Further investigations revealed that SNH interfered with the A. fumigatus cell steroid synthesis pathway, as indicated by transcriptomic and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses, and inhibited ergosterol synthesis, as indicated by cell membrane stress assays and ergosterol quantification. Moreover, daily gastric gavage of SNH significantly decreased the fungal burden in mice with disseminated infection (kidney, liver, and lung) and local tissue damage. In addition, the application of SNH downregulated the production of IL-6 and IL-17A. Together, these findings provided the first confirmation that SNH may be a promising antifungal agent for the treatment of A. fumigatus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Fangyan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Meng Zeng
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jinping Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yanfei Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Caiyan Xin
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yingyu Mao
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhangyong Song
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Molecular Biotechnology Platform, Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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28
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Kalaj BN, Ni QZ, La Clair JJ, Deheyn DD, Burkart MD. Chemoenzymatic Isolation and Characterization of High Purity Mammalian Melanin. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200021. [PMID: 35318787 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Although melanin is one of the most ubiquitous polymers in living systems, our understanding of its molecular structure, biosynthesis and biophysical properties has been limited to only a small number of organisms other than humans. This is in part due to the difficulty associated with isolating pure melanin. While purification methods exist, they typically involve harsh treatments with strong acid/base conditions combined with elevated temperatures that can lead to the polymer backbone degradation. To be successful, a viable isolation method must deliver a selective, yet complete degradation of non-melanin biopolymers as well as remove small molecule metabolites that are not integrative to the melanin backbone. Here, we demonstrate the use of chemoenzymatic processing guided by fluorescent probes for the purification and isolation of native mammalian melanin without significant induction of chemical degradation. This multi-step purification-tracking methodology enables quantitative isolation of pure melanin from mammalian tissue for spectroscopic characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna N Kalaj
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0358, USA
| | - Qing Zhe Ni
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0358, USA
| | - James J La Clair
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0358, USA
| | - Dimitri D Deheyn
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla, California, 92093-0202, USA
| | - Michael D Burkart
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0358, USA
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29
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Sinha N, Patra SK, Ghosh S. Secretome Analysis of Macrophomina phaseolina Identifies an Array of Putative Virulence Factors Responsible for Charcoal Rot Disease in Plants. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:847832. [PMID: 35479629 PMCID: PMC9037145 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.847832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophomina phaseolina is a global devastating necrotrophic fungal pathogen. It causes charcoal rot disease in more than 500 host plants including major food crops, pulse crops, fiber crops, and oil crops. Despite having the whole-genome sequence of M. phaseolina, understanding the M. phaseolina genome-based plant–pathogen interactions is limited in the absence of direct experimental proof of secretion. Thus, it is essential to understand the host–microbe interaction and the disease pathogenesis, which can ensure global agricultural crop production and security. An in silico–predicted secretome of M. phaseolina is unable to represent the actual secretome. We could identify 117 proteins present in the secretome of M. phaseolina using liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD032749. An array of putative virulence factors of M. phaseolina were identified in the present study using solid-state culture. Similar virulence factors have been reported in other plant pathogenic fungi also. Among the secretory fungal proteins with positive economic impacts, lignocellulolytic enzymes are of prime importance. Further, we validated our results by detecting the cell wall–degrading enzymes xylanase, endoglucanase, and amylase in the secretome of M. phaseolina. The present study may provide a better understanding about the necrotrophic fungi M. phaseolina, which modulate the host plant defense barriers using secretory proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilanjan Sinha
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Sanjay Ghosh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
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30
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Lorquin F, Piccerelle P, Orneto C, Robin M, Lorquin J. New insights and advances on pyomelanin production: from microbial synthesis to applications. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 49:6575554. [PMID: 35482661 PMCID: PMC9338888 DOI: 10.1093/jimb/kuac013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Pyomelanin is a brown-black phenolic polymer and results from the oxidation of homogentisic acid (HGA) in the L-tyrosine pathway. As part of the research for natural and active ingredients issued from realistic bioprocesses, this work re-evaluates the HGA pigment and makes an updated inventory of its syntheses, microbial pathways, and properties, with tracks and recent advances for its large-scale production. The mechanism of the HGA polymerization is also well documented. In alkaptonuria, pyomelanin formation leads to connective tissue damages and arthritis, most probably due to the ROS issued from HGA oxidation. While UV radiation on human melanin may generate degradation products, pyomelanin is not photodegradable, is hyperthermostable, and has other properties better than the L-Dopa melanin. This review aims to raise awareness about the potential of this pigment for various applications, not only for skin coloring and protection but also for other cells, materials, and as a promising (semi)conductor for bioelectronics and energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faustine Lorquin
- Aix-Marseille Université, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanology (MIO), 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 9, France.,Aix-Marseille Université, Mediterranean Institute of Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE), 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Philippe Piccerelle
- Aix-Marseille Université, Mediterranean Institute of Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE), 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Caroline Orneto
- Aix-Marseille Université, Mediterranean Institute of Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE), 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Maxime Robin
- Aix-Marseille Université, Mediterranean Institute of Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE), 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Jean Lorquin
- Aix-Marseille Université, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanology (MIO), 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 9, France
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31
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Ernst S, Volkov AN, Stark M, Hölscher L, Steinert K, Fetzner S, Hennecke U, Drees SL. Azetidomonamide and Diazetidomonapyridone Metabolites Control Biofilm Formation and Pigment Synthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:7676-7685. [PMID: 35451837 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c13653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Synthesis of azetidine-derived natural products by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is controlled by quorum sensing, a process involving the production and sensing of diffusible signal molecules that is decisive for virulence regulation. In this study, we engineered P. aeruginosa for the titratable expression of the biosynthetic aze gene cluster, which allowed the purification and identification of two new products, azetidomonamide C and diazetidomonapyridone. Diazetidomonapyridone was shown to have a highly unusual structure with two azetidine rings and an open-chain diimide moiety. Expression of aze genes strongly increased biofilm formation and production of phenazine and alkyl quinolone virulence factors. Further physiological studies revealed that all effects were mainly mediated by azetidomonamide A and diazetidomonapyridone, whereas azetidomonamides B and C had little or no phenotypic impact. The P450 monooxygenase AzeF which catalyzes a challenging, stereoselective hydroxylation of the azetidine ring converting azetidomonamide C into azetidomonamide A is therefore crucial for biological activity. Based on our findings, we propose this group of metabolites to constitute a new class of diffusible regulatory molecules with community-related effects in P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Ernst
- Institute for Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 3, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Alexander N Volkov
- VIB Centre for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium.,Jean Jeener NMR Centre, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050 Belgium
| | - Melina Stark
- Institute for Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 3, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Lea Hölscher
- Institute for Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 3, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Katharina Steinert
- Institute for Food Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 45, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Susanne Fetzner
- Institute for Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 3, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Ulrich Hennecke
- Organic Chemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry and Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Steffen Lorenz Drees
- Institute for Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 3, Münster 48149, Germany
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32
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The bZip Transcription Factor VdMRTF1 is a Negative Regulator of Melanin Biosynthesis and Virulence in Verticillium dahliae. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0258121. [PMID: 35404080 PMCID: PMC9045294 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02581-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The ascomycete fungus Verticillium dahliae infects over 400 plant species and causes serious losses of economically important crops, such as cotton and tomato, and also of woody plants, such as smoke tree, maple, and olive. Melanized long-term survival structures known as microsclerotia play crucial roles in the disease cycle of V. dahliae, enabling this soilborne fungus to survive for years in the soil in the absence of a host. Previously, we identified VdMRTF1 (microsclerotia-related transcription factor) encoding a bZip transcription factor which is downregulated during microsclerotial development in V. dahliae. In the present study, we showed that VdMRTF1 negatively controls melanin production and virulence by genetic, biological, and transcriptomic analyses. The mutant strain lacking VdMRTF1 (ΔVdMRTF1) exhibited increased melanin biosynthesis and the defect also promoted microsclerotial development and sensitivity to Ca2+. In comparison with the wild-type strain, the ΔVdMRTF1 strain showed a significant enhancement in virulence and displayed an increased capacity to eliminate reactive oxygen species in planta. Furthermore, analyses of transcriptomic profiles between the ΔVdMRTF1 and wild-type strains indicated that VdMRTF1 regulates the differential expression of genes associated with melanin biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, hydrogen peroxide catabolic processes, and oxidoreductase activity in V. dahliae. Taken together, these data show that VdMRTF1 is a negative transcriptional regulator of melanin biosynthesis, microsclerotia formation, and virulence in V. dahliae. IMPORTANCE Verticillium wilt is difficult to manage because the pathogen colonizes the plant xylem tissue and produces melanized microsclerotia which survive for more than 10 years in soil without a host. The molecular mechanisms underlying microsclerotia formation are of great importance to control the disease. Here, we provide evidence that a bZip transcription factor, VdMRTF1, plays important roles in melanin biosynthesis, microsclerotial development, resistance to elevated Ca2+ levels, and fungal virulence of V. dahliae. The findings extend and deepen our understanding of the complexities of melanin biosynthesis, microsclerotia formation, and virulence that are regulated by bZip transcription factors in V. dahliae.
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33
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Natural Melanin: Current Trends, and Future Approaches, with Especial Reference to Microbial Source. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14071339. [PMID: 35406213 PMCID: PMC9002885 DOI: 10.3390/polym14071339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanin is a universal natural dark polymeric pigment, arising in microorganisms, animals, and plants. There is a couple of pieces of literature on melanin, each focusing on a different issue, the goal of the present review is to focus on microbial melanin. It has numerous benefits with very few drawbacks. The current situation and expected trends are discussed. Intriguing, numerous studies have provoked a serious necessity for a comprehensive assessment of microbial melanin pigments. So that, such review would help scholars from diverse backgrounds to realize the importance of melanin pigments isolated from microorganisms, with this aim in mind, information, and hypothesis from this review could be the paradigm for studies on melanin in the next era.
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Lim W, Konings M, Parel F, Eadie K, Strepis N, Fahal A, Verbon A, van de Sande WWJ. OUP accepted manuscript. Med Mycol 2022; 60:6513817. [PMID: 35064672 PMCID: PMC9295015 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myac003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Eumycetoma is a neglected tropical disease, and Madurella mycetomatis, the most common causative agent of this disease forms black grains in hosts. Melanin was discovered to be one of the constituents in grains. Melanins are hydrophobic, macromolecular pigments formed by oxidative polymerisation of phenolic or indolic compounds. M. mycetomatis was previously known to produce DHN-melanin and pyomelanin in vitro. These melanin was also discovered to decrease M. mycetomatis’s susceptibility to antifungals itraconazole and ketoconazole in vitro. These findings, however, have not been confirmed in vivo. To discover the melanin biosynthesis pathways used by M. mycetomatis in vivo and to determine if inhibiting melanin production would increase M. mycetomatis's susceptibility to itraconazole, inhibitors targeting DHN-, DOPA- and pyomelanin were used. Treatment with DHN-melanin inhibitors tricyclazole, carpropamid, fenoxanil and DOPA-melanin inhibitor glyphosate in M. mycetomatis infected Galleria mellonella larvae resulted in presence of non-melanized grains. Our finding suggested that M. mycetomatis is able to produce DOPA-melanin in vivo. Inhibiting DHN-melanin with carpropamid in combination with the antifungal itraconazole also significantly increased larvae survival. Our results suggested that combination treatment of antifungals and melanin inhibitors can be an alternative treatment strategy that can be further explored. Since the common black-grain eumycetoma causing agents uses similar melanin biosynthesis pathways, this strategy may be applied to them and other eumycetoma causative agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Lim
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mickey Konings
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Florianne Parel
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kimberly Eadie
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nikolaos Strepis
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ahmed Fahal
- Mycetoma Research Centre, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Annelies Verbon
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wendy W J van de Sande
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Wendy van de Sande, Assoc Prof. Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 10 703 35 10; E-mail:
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Singla S, Htut KZ, Zhu R, Davis A, Ma J, Ni QZ, Burkart MD, Maurer C, Miyoshi T, Dhinojwala A. Isolation and Characterization of Allomelanin from Pathogenic Black Knot Fungus-a Sustainable Source of Melanin. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:35514-35522. [PMID: 34984283 PMCID: PMC8717558 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Melanin, a widespread pigment found in many taxa, is widely recognized for its high refractive index, ultraviolet (UV) protection, radical quenching ability, metal binding, and many other unique properties. The aforementioned characteristic traits make melanin a potential candidate for biomedical, separation, structural coloration, and space applications. However, the commercially available natural (sepia) and synthetic melanin are very expensive, limiting their use in various applications. Additionally, eumelanin has been the primary focus in most of these studies. In the present study, we demonstrate that melanin can be extracted from the pathogenic black knot fungus Apiosporina morbosa with a yield of ∼10% using the acid-base extraction method. The extracted melanin shows irregular morphology. Chemical characterization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals that the melanin derived from black knots is the less explored nitrogen-free allomelanin. Additionally, the extracted melanin shows broadband UV absorption typical of other types of melanin. Because of the wide availability and low cost of black knots and the invasive nature of the fungus, black knots can serve as an alternative green source for obtaining allomelanin at a low cost, which could stimulate its use as an UV light absorber and antioxidant in cosmetics and packaging industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saranshu Singla
- School
of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - K. Zin Htut
- School
of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Runyao Zhu
- School
of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Amara Davis
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, The University
of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United
States
| | - Jiayang Ma
- School
of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Qing Zhe Ni
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, San Diego, California 92093, United States
| | - Michael D. Burkart
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, San Diego, California 92093, United States
| | | | - Toshikazu Miyoshi
- School
of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Ali Dhinojwala
- School
of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
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Nickles G, Ludwikoski I, Bok JW, Keller NP. Comprehensive Guide to Extracting and Expressing Fungal Secondary Metabolites with Aspergillus fumigatus as a Case Study. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e321. [PMID: 34958718 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Fungal secondary metabolites (SMs) have captured the interest of natural products researchers in academia and industry for decades. In recent years, the high rediscovery rate of previously characterized metabolites is making it increasingly difficult to uncover novel compounds. Additionally, the vast majority of fungal SMs reside in genetically intractable fungi or are silent under normal laboratory conditions in genetically tractable fungi. The fungal natural products community has broadly overcome these barriers by altering the physical growth conditions of the fungus and heterologous/homologous expression of biosynthetic gene cluster regulators or proteins. The protocols described here summarize vital methodologies needed when researching SM production in fungi. We also summarize the growth conditions, genetic backgrounds, and extraction protocols for every published SM in Aspergillus fumigatus, enabling readers to easily replicate the production of previously characterized SMs. Readers will also be equipped with the tools for developing their own strategy for expressing and extracting SMs from their given fungus or a suitable heterologous model system. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Making glycerol stocks from spore suspensions Alternate Protocol 1: Creating glycerol stocks from non-sporulating filamentous fungi Basic Protocol 2: Activating spore-suspension glycerol stocks Basic Protocol 3: Extracting secondary metabolites from Aspergillus spp grown on solid medium Alternate Protocol 2: Extracting secondary metabolites from Aspergillus spp using ethyl acetate Alternate Protocol 3: High-volume metabolite extraction using ethyl acetate Alternate Protocol 4: Extracting secondary metabolites from Aspergillus spp in liquid medium Support Protocol: Creating an overlay culture Basic Protocol 4: Extracting DNA from filamentous fungi Basic Protocol 5: Creating a DNA construct with double-joint PCR Alternate Protocol 5: Creating a DNA construct with yeast recombineering Basic Protocol 6: Transformation of Aspergillus spp Basic Protocol 7: Co-culturing fungi and bacteria for extraction of secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant Nickles
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Isabelle Ludwikoski
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jin Woo Bok
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.,Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
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Romsdahl J, Schultzhaus Z, Cuomo CA, Dong H, Abeyratne-Perera H, Hervey WJ, Wang Z. Phenotypic Characterization and Comparative Genomics of the Melanin-Producing Yeast Exophiala lecanii-corni Reveals a Distinct Stress Tolerance Profile and Reduced Ribosomal Genetic Content. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:1078. [PMID: 34947060 PMCID: PMC8709033 DOI: 10.3390/jof7121078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The black yeast Exophiala lecanii-corni of the order Chaetothyriales is notable for its ability to produce abundant quantities of DHN-melanin. While many other Exophiala species are frequent causal agents of human infection, E. lecanii-corni CBS 102400 lacks the thermotolerance requirements that enable pathogenicity, making it appealing for use in targeted functional studies and biotechnological applications. Here, we report the stress tolerance characteristics of E. lecanii-corni, with an emphasis on the influence of melanin on its resistance to various forms of stress. We find that E. lecanii-corni has a distinct stress tolerance profile that includes variation in resistance to temperature, osmotic, and oxidative stress relative to the extremophilic and pathogenic black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis. Notably, the presence of melanin substantially impacts stress resistance in E. lecanii-corni, while this was not found to be the case in E. dermatitidis. The cellular context, therefore, influences the role of melanin in stress protection. In addition, we present a detailed analysis of the E. lecanii-corni genome, revealing key differences in functional genetic content relative to other ascomycetous species, including a significant decrease in abundance of genes encoding ribosomal proteins. In all, this study provides insight into how genetics and physiology may underlie stress tolerance and enhances understanding of the genetic diversity of black yeasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Romsdahl
- National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA;
| | - Zachary Schultzhaus
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA; (Z.S.); (W.J.H.IV)
| | - Christina A. Cuomo
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA;
| | - Hong Dong
- Biotechnology Branch, CCDC Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, MD 20783, USA;
| | - Hashanthi Abeyratne-Perera
- American Society for Engineering Education Postdoctoral Research Associate, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA;
| | - W. Judson Hervey
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA; (Z.S.); (W.J.H.IV)
| | - Zheng Wang
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA; (Z.S.); (W.J.H.IV)
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A molecular spectroscopy approach for the investigation of early phase ochronotic pigment development in Alkaptonuria. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22562. [PMID: 34799606 PMCID: PMC8605014 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01670-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alkaptonuria (AKU), a rare genetic disorder, is characterized by the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) in organs due to a deficiency in functional levels of the enzyme homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase (HGD), required for the breakdown of HGA, because of mutations in the HGD gene. Over time, HGA accumulation causes the formation of the ochronotic pigment, a dark deposit that leads to tissue degeneration and organ malfunction. Such behaviour can be observed also in vitro for HGA solutions or HGA-containing biofluids (e.g. urine from AKU patients) upon alkalinisation, although a comparison at the molecular level between the laboratory and the physiological conditions is lacking. Indeed, independently from the conditions, such process is usually explained with the formation of 1,4-benzoquinone acetic acid (BQA) as the product of HGA chemical oxidation, mostly based on structural similarity between HGA and hydroquinone that is known to be oxidized to the corresponding para-benzoquinone. To test such correlation, a comprehensive, comparative investigation on HGA and BQA chemical behaviours was carried out by a combined approach of spectroscopic techniques (UV spectrometry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance, Dynamic Light Scattering) under acid/base titration both in solution and in biofluids. New insights on the process leading from HGA to ochronotic pigment have been obtained, spotting out the central role of radical species as intermediates not reported so far. Such evidence opens the way for molecular investigation of HGA fate in cells and tissue aiming to find new targets for Alkaptonuria therapy.
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The Heterotrimeric Transcription Factor CCAAT-Binding Complex and Ca 2+-CrzA Signaling Reversely Regulate the Transition between Fungal Hyphal Growth and Asexual Reproduction. mBio 2021; 12:e0300721. [PMID: 34781745 PMCID: PMC8593669 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03007-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The life cycle of filamentous fungi generally comprises hyphal growth and asexual reproduction. Both growth and propagation processes are critical for invasion growth, spore dissemination, and virulence in fungal pathogens and for the production of secondary metabolites or for biomass accumulation in industrial filamentous fungi. The CCAAT-binding complex (CBC) is a heterotrimeric transcription factor comprising three subunits, HapB, HapC, and HapE, and is highly conserved in fungi. Previous studies revealed that CBC regulates sterol metabolism by repressing several genes in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway in the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. In the present study, we found dysfunction of CBC caused the abnormal asexual reproduction (conidiation) in submerged liquid culture. CBC suppresses the activation of the brlA gene in the central regulatory pathway for conidiation combined with its upstream regulators fluG, flbD, and flbC by binding to the 5'-CCAAT-3' motif within conidiation gene promoters, and lack of CBC member HapB results in the upregulation of these genes. Furthermore, when the expression of brlA or flbC is repressed, the submerged conidiation does not happen in the hapB mutant. Interestingly, deletion of HapB leads to enhanced transient cytosolic Ca2+ levels and activates conidiation-positive inducer Ca2+-CrzA modules to enhance submerged conidiation, demonstrating that CrzA works with CBC as a reverse regulator of fungal conidiation. To the best of our knowledge, the finding of this study is the first report for the molecular switch mechanism between vegetative hyphal growth and asexual development regulated by CBC, in concert with Ca2+-CrzA signaling in A. fumigatus. IMPORTANCE A precisely timed switch between vegetative hyphal growth and asexual development is a crucial process for the filamentous fungal long-term survival, dissemination, biomass production, and virulence. However, under the submerged culture condition, filamentous fungi would undergo constant vegetative growth whereas asexual conidiation rarely occurs. Knowledge about possible regulators is scarce, and how they could inhibit conidiation in liquid culture is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated that the transcription factor heterotrimeric CBC dominantly maintains vegetative growth in liquid-submerged cultures by directly suppressing the conidiation-inductive signal. In contrast, calcium and the transcription factor CrzA, are positive inducers of conidiation. Our new insights into the CBC and Ca2+-CrzA regulatory system for transition control in the submerged conidiation of A. fumigatus may have broad repercussions for all filamentous fungi. Moreover, our elucidation of the molecular mechanism for submerged conidiation may support new strategies to precisely control vegetative growth and asexual conidiation in aspergilli used in industry.
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Jiang L, Jeon D, Kim J, Lee CW, Peng Y, Seo J, Lee JH, Paik JH, Kim CY, Lee J. Pyomelanin-Producing Brevundimonas vitisensis sp. nov., Isolated From Grape ( Vitis vinifera L.). Front Microbiol 2021; 12:733612. [PMID: 34721332 PMCID: PMC8551962 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.733612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel endophytic bacterial strain, designated GR-TSA-9T, was isolated from surface-sterilized grape (Vitis vinifera L.). 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that the isolate was grouped within the genus Brevundimonas, displaying the highest similarity with Brevundimonas lenta DS-18T (97.9%) and Brevundimonas kwangchunensis KSL-102T (97.8%) and less than 97.5% similarity with other members of Brevundimonas. The strain GR-TSA-9T was a gram negative, rod shaped, facultatively anaerobic, catalase and oxidase positive, and motile bacterium. Its growth occurred at 10–37°C (optimally 25–30°C), at pH 7.0–8.0, and in NaCl 0–1% (optimally 0%). It contained ubiquinone-10 as a respiratory quinone, and the major cellular fatty acids (>10% of the total) were C16:0 (14.2%) and summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c, 65.6%). The polar lipids present in the strain were phosphoglycolipids, phosphatidylglycerol, 1,2-di-O-acyl-3-O-[d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-d-glucopyranuronosyl]glycerol, and unidentified lipids (L1, L2, and L4). The strain had one 2,976,716bp circular chromosome with a G+C content of 66.4%. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain GR-TSA-9T and B. lenta DS-18T was 20.9%, while the average nucleotide identity value was 76.7%. In addition, the dDDH and ANI values to other members in this genus, whose genome sequences are available, are less than 21.1 and 77.6%. Genome annotation predicted the presence of some gene clusters related to tyrosine degradation and pyomelanin formation. Strain GR-TSA-9T produced a brown melanin-like pigment in the presence of L-tyrosine-containing media. The highest pigment production (0.19g/L) was observed in tryptic soy broth with 1.0mg/ml L-tyrosine at 25°C for 6days of culture. Biophysical characterization by ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry confirmed that the pigment was pyomelanin. Additionally, melanized GR-TSA-9T cells could protect the cells against UVC exposure. The phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic features indicated that strain GR-TSA-9T represents a novel melanin-producing species of Brevundimonas. The type strain was GR-TSA-9T (KCTC 82386T=CGMCC 1.18820T).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingmin Jiang
- Korean Collection for Type Cultures, Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, South Korea
| | - Doeun Jeon
- Korean Collection for Type Cultures, Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, South Korea
| | - Jueun Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Chul Won Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Yuxin Peng
- Korean Collection for Type Cultures, Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, South Korea
| | - Jiyoon Seo
- Korean Collection for Type Cultures, Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, South Korea
| | - Ju Huck Lee
- Korean Collection for Type Cultures, Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, South Korea
| | - Jin Hyub Paik
- International Biological Material Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Cha Young Kim
- Korean Collection for Type Cultures, Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, South Korea
| | - Jiyoung Lee
- Korean Collection for Type Cultures, Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, South Korea
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Antagonistic Roles of Gallates and Ascorbic Acid in Pyomelanin Biosynthesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms. Curr Microbiol 2021; 78:3843-3852. [PMID: 34554299 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-021-02655-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Primarily synthesized for chelating metal ions from the surrounding media, the pyomelanin plays an important role in bacterial virulence where it is needed for infection and biofilm formation as well as protection from host immune response. In this study, two out of three phenolic acids, gallic acid, and propyl gallate induced pyomelanin in two clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and inhibited biofilm formation. Ascorbic acid treatment reversed the gallic acid and propyl gallate mediated pyomelanin synthesis without reversing the inhibition of the biofilm formation. mRNA expression study revealed the upregulation of homogentisic acid oxidase enzyme by ascorbic acid treatment, possibly contributing towards the inhibition of pyomelanin synthesis. Tannic acid did not show any antibacterial or pyomelanin-induction activities. The synergistic effect of gallates and ascorbic acid in the inhibition of biofilm formation and associated pyomelanin synthesis was evidenced which needs further studies to establish their antibacterial efficacies, especially against the clinical isolates of Pseudomonas sp.
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Liu X, Tian Y, Wu Y, Chen F, Mu Y, Minus ML, Zheng Y. Fully Biomass-Based Hybrid Hydrogel for Efficient Solar Desalination with Salt Self-Cleaning Property. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:42832-42842. [PMID: 34469114 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c11636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Solar-driven interfacial steam generation provides an opportunity for solar harvesting and freshwater yield as a promising and eco-friendly technology. Here, we demonstrate a sustainable, nontoxic, and highly efficient fully biomass-based GG/CI hydrogel evaporator consisting of gellan gum (GG) hydrogel as the matrix and cuttlefish ink (CI) as the photothermal material. Induced by the ice-template method and freeze-drying method, vertically aligned microchannels are generated along the ice crystal growth direction. Efficient photothermal conversion is enabled by the natural black cuttlefish ink powder and enhanced by the light trapping effect within vertical microchannels. The hydrophilic property of the gellan gum hydrogel and water capillary force in those microchannels boost water pumping to the top interfacial evaporation region. Effective rapid salt self-cleaning behavior is achieved due to the rapid ion diffusion within vertical microchannels. An evaporation rate of 3.1 kg m-2 h-1 under one sun irradiance is demonstrated by this fully biomass-based GG/CI hydrogel evaporator. This work offers a promising alternative for eco-friendly and sustainable freshwater generation with abundant natural biomasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Liu
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Yanpei Tian
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Yanzi Wu
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Fangqi Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Ying Mu
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Marilyn L Minus
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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Chaves ALS, Trilles L, Alves GM, Figueiredo-Carvalho MHG, Brito-Santos F, Coelho RA, Martins IS, Almeida-Paes R. A case-series of bloodstream infections caused by the Meyerozyma guilliermondii species complex at a reference center of oncology in Brazil. Med Mycol 2021; 59:235-243. [PMID: 32497174 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaa044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by Candida species are the fourth cause of healthcare associated infections worldwide. Non-albicans Candida species emerged in the last decades as agents of serious diseases. In this study, clinical and microbiological aspects of six patients with BSI due to the Meyerozyma (Candida) guilliermondii species complex from an oncology reference center in Brazil, were evaluated. To describe demographic and clinical characteristics, medical records of the patients were reviewed. Molecular identification of the isolates was performed by ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility was evaluated by the EUCAST method and the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) assessed according to the epidemiological cutoff values. Virulence associated phenotypes of the isolates were also studied. Ten isolates from the six patients were evaluated. Five of them were identified as Meyerozyma guilliermondii and the others as Meyerozyma caribbica. One patient was infected with two M. caribbica isolates with different genetic backgrounds. High MICs were observed for fluconazole and echinocandins. Non-wild type isolates to voriconazole appeared in one patient previously treated with this azole. Additionally, two patients survived, despite infected with non-wild type strains for fluconazole and treated with this drug. All isolates produced hemolysin, which was not associated with a poor prognosis, and none produced phospholipases. Aspartic proteases, phytase, and esterase were detected in a few isolates. This study shows the reduced antifungal susceptibility and a variable production of virulence-related enzymes by Meyerozyma spp. In addition, it highlights the poor prognosis of neutropenic patients with BSI caused by this emerging species complex. LAY ABSTRACT Our manuscript describes demographic, clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with bloodstream infection by the Meyerozyma guilliermondii species complex at a reference center in oncology in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Leal Silva Chaves
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, HCI, National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Mycology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana Trilles
- Mycology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Machado Alves
- Mycology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Fábio Brito-Santos
- Mycology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rowena Alves Coelho
- Mycology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ianick S Martins
- Nosocomial Infection Surveillance and Control Program, National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Medical School of Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
- Mycology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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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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45
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Pyomelanin produced by Streptomyces sp. ZL-24 and its protective effects against SH-SY5Y cells injury induced by hydrogen peroxide. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16649. [PMID: 34404820 PMCID: PMC8371117 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94598-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A soluble melanin pigment produced by Streptomyces sp. ZL-24 was purified and named StrSM. The elemental analysis of StrSM showed it consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The spectrum analysis, including ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum, Fourier-transform infrared spectrum, and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, indicated that StrSM might be pyomelanin. High performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectra analysis of intermediate metabolite showed the presence of homogentisic acid (HGA). Moreover, the enzyme 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase, involved in HGA biosynthesis, showed high activity during melanin production. Subsequently, a tyrosinase gene (melC2) and hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase gene double mutant demonstrated StrSM is pyomelanin. In vitro bioactivity assay showed that StrSM had excellent protective capability against SH-SY5Y cell oxidative injury. To our knowledge, the results firstly provide comprehensive data on Streptomyces pyomelanin identification and a promising candidate compound to treat oxidative injury of neurocytes.
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46
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Wang W, Yu Y, Keller NP, Wang P. Presence, Mode of Action, and Application of Pathway Specific Transcription Factors in Aspergillus Biosynthetic Gene Clusters. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168709. [PMID: 34445420 PMCID: PMC8395729 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal secondary metabolites are renowned toxins as well as valuable sources of antibiotics, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and immunosuppressants; hence, great efforts were levied to understand how these compounds are genetically regulated. The genes encoding for the enzymes required for synthesizing secondary metabolites are arranged in biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Often, BGCs contain a pathway specific transcription factor (PSTF), a valuable tool in shutting down or turning up production of the BGC product. In this review, we present an in-depth view of PSTFs by examining over 40 characterized BGCs in the well-studied fungal species Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus fumigatus. Herein, we find BGC size is a predictor for presence of PSTFs, consider the number and the relative location of PSTF in regard to the cluster(s) regulated, discuss the function and the evolution of PSTFs, and present application strategies for pathway specific activation of cryptic BGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Wang
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China; (W.W.); (Y.Y.)
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Yuchao Yu
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China; (W.W.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Nancy P. Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Correspondence: (N.P.K.); (P.W.)
| | - Pinmei Wang
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China; (W.W.); (Y.Y.)
- Correspondence: (N.P.K.); (P.W.)
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47
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Boysen JM, Saeed N, Hillmann F. Natural products in the predatory defence of the filamentous fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Beilstein J Org Chem 2021; 17:1814-1827. [PMID: 34394757 PMCID: PMC8336654 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.17.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The kingdom of fungi comprises a large and highly diverse group of organisms that thrive in diverse natural environments. One factor to successfully confront challenges in their natural habitats is the capability to synthesize defensive secondary metabolites. The genetic potential for the production of secondary metabolites in fungi is high and numerous potential secondary metabolite gene clusters have been identified in sequenced fungal genomes. Their production may well be regulated by specific ecological conditions, such as the presence of microbial competitors, symbionts or predators. Here we exemplarily summarize our current knowledge on identified secondary metabolites of the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus and their defensive function against (microbial) predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana M Boysen
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Nauman Saeed
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Falk Hillmann
- Junior Research Group Evolution of Microbial Interactions, Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
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48
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Lorquin F, Ziarelli F, Amouric A, Di Giorgio C, Robin M, Piccerelle P, Lorquin J. Production and properties of non-cytotoxic pyomelanin by laccase and comparison to bacterial and synthetic pigments. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8538. [PMID: 33879803 PMCID: PMC8058095 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87328-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyomelanin is a polymer of homogentisic acid synthesized by microorganisms. This work aimed to develop a production process and evaluate the quality of the pigment. Three procedures have been elaborated and optimized, (1) an HGA-Mn2+ chemical autoxidation (PyoCHEM yield 0.317 g/g substrate), (2) an induced bacterial culture of Halomonas titanicae through the 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid-1-hydroxylase route (PyoBACT, 0.55 g/L), and (3) a process using a recombinant laccase extract with the highest level produced (PyoENZ, 1.25 g/g substrate) and all the criteria for a large-scale prototype. The chemical structures had been investigated by 13C solid-state NMR (CP-MAS) and FTIR. Car-Car bindings predominated in the three polymers, Car-O-Car (ether) linkages being absent, proposing mainly C3-C6 (α-bindings) and C4-C6 (β-bindings) configurations. This work highlighted a biological decarboxylation by the laccase or bacterial oxidase(s), leading to the partly formation of gentisyl alcohol and gentisaldehyde that are integral parts of the polymer. By comparison, PyoENZ exhibited an Mw of 5,400 Da, was hyperthermostable, non-cytotoxic even after irradiation, scavenged ROS induced by keratinocytes, and had a highly DPPH-antioxidant and Fe3+-reducing activity. As a representative pigment of living cells and an available standard, PyoENZ might also be useful for applications in extreme conditions and skin protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faustine Lorquin
- Mediterranean Institute of Oceanology (MIO), Aix-Marseille Université, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille Cedex 9, France.,Mediterranean Institute of Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Fabio Ziarelli
- Fédération Sciences Chimiques de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université, 52 Avenue Escadrille Normandie Niemen, 13397, Marseille, France
| | - Agnès Amouric
- Mediterranean Institute of Oceanology (MIO), Aix-Marseille Université, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille Cedex 9, France
| | - Carole Di Giorgio
- Mediterranean Institute of Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Maxime Robin
- Mediterranean Institute of Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Philippe Piccerelle
- Mediterranean Institute of Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Jean Lorquin
- Mediterranean Institute of Oceanology (MIO), Aix-Marseille Université, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille Cedex 9, France.
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49
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A Yarrowia lipolytica Strain Engineered for Pyomelanin Production. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9040838. [PMID: 33920006 PMCID: PMC8071058 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica naturally produces pyomelanin. This pigment accumulates in the extracellular environment following the autoxidation and polymerization of homogentisic acid, a metabolite derived from aromatic amino acids. In this study, we used a chassis strain optimized to produce aromatic amino acids for the de novo overproduction of pyomelanin. The gene 4HPPD, which encodes an enzyme involved in homogentisic acid synthesis (4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid dioxygenase), was characterized and overexpressed in the chassis strain with up to three copies, leading to pyomelanin yields of 4.5 g/L. Homogentisic acid is derived from tyrosine. When engineered strains were grown in a phenylalanine-supplemented medium, pyomelanin production increased, revealing that the yeast could convert phenylalanine to tyrosine, or that the homogentisic acid pathway is strongly induced by phenylalanine.
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50
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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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