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Böttcher B, Kienast SD, Leufken J, Eggers C, Sharma P, Leufken CM, Morgner B, Drexler HCA, Schulz D, Allert S, Jacobsen ID, Vylkova S, Leidel SA, Brunke S. A highly conserved tRNA modification contributes to C. albicans filamentation and virulence. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0425522. [PMID: 38587411 PMCID: PMC11064501 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04255-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
tRNA modifications play important roles in maintaining translation accuracy in all domains of life. Disruptions in the tRNA modification machinery, especially of the anticodon stem loop, can be lethal for many bacteria and lead to a broad range of phenotypes in baker's yeast. Very little is known about the function of tRNA modifications in host-pathogen interactions, where rapidly changing environments and stresses require fast adaptations. We found that two closely related fungal pathogens of humans, the highly pathogenic Candida albicans and its much less pathogenic sister species, Candida dubliniensis, differ in the function of a tRNA-modifying enzyme. This enzyme, Hma1, exhibits species-specific effects on the ability of the two fungi to grow in the hypha morphology, which is central to their virulence potential. We show that Hma1 has tRNA-threonylcarbamoyladenosine dehydratase activity, and its deletion alters ribosome occupancy, especially at 37°C-the body temperature of the human host. A C. albicans HMA1 deletion mutant also shows defects in adhesion to and invasion into human epithelial cells and shows reduced virulence in a fungal infection model. This links tRNA modifications to host-induced filamentation and virulence of one of the most important fungal pathogens of humans.IMPORTANCEFungal infections are on the rise worldwide, and their global burden on human life and health is frequently underestimated. Among them, the human commensal and opportunistic pathogen, Candida albicans, is one of the major causative agents of severe infections. Its virulence is closely linked to its ability to change morphologies from yeasts to hyphae. Here, this ability is linked-to our knowledge for the first time-to modifications of tRNA and translational efficiency. One tRNA-modifying enzyme, Hma1, plays a specific role in C. albicans and its ability to invade the host. This adds a so-far unknown layer of regulation to the fungal virulence program and offers new potential therapeutic targets to fight fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Böttcher
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sandra D. Kienast
- Max Planck Research Group for RNA Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
- Research Group for Cellular RNA Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Leufken
- Max Planck Research Group for RNA Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
- Research Group for Cellular RNA Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Cristian Eggers
- Max Planck Research Group for RNA Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
- Research Group for Cellular RNA Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Puneet Sharma
- Max Planck Research Group for RNA Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
- Research Group for Cellular RNA Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christine M. Leufken
- Max Planck Research Group for RNA Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Bianka Morgner
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Hannes C. A. Drexler
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Unit, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Daniela Schulz
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefanie Allert
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Ilse D. Jacobsen
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Slavena Vylkova
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sebastian A. Leidel
- Max Planck Research Group for RNA Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
- Research Group for Cellular RNA Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
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Kane DL, Burke B, Diaz M, Wolf C, Fonzi WA. Lethal metabolism of Candida albicans respiratory mutants. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300630. [PMID: 38578754 PMCID: PMC10997084 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The destructive impact of fungi in agriculture and animal and human health, coincident with increases in antifungal resistance, underscores the need for new and alternative drug targets to counteract these trends. Cellular metabolism relies on many intermediates with intrinsic toxicity and promiscuous enzymatic activity generates others. Fuller knowledge of these toxic entities and their generation may offer opportunities of antifungal development. From this perspective our observation of media-conditional lethal metabolism in respiratory mutants of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans was of interest. C. albicans mutants defective in NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex I of the electron transport chain) exhibit normal growth in synthetic complete medium. In YPD medium, however, the mutants grow normally until early stationary phase whereupon a dramatic loss of viability occurs. Upwards of 90% of cells die over the subsequent four to six hours with a loss of membrane integrity. The extent of cell death was proportional to the amount of BactoPeptone, and to a lesser extent, the amount of yeast extract. YPD medium conditioned by growth of the mutant was toxic to wild-type cells indicating mutant metabolism established a toxic milieu in the media. Conditioned media contained a volatile component that contributed to toxicity, but only in the presence of a component of BactoPeptone. Fractionation experiments revealed purine nucleosides or bases as the synergistic component. GC-mass spectrometry analysis revealed acetal (1,1-diethoxyethane) as the active volatile. This previously unreported and lethal synergistic interaction of acetal and purines suggests a hitherto unrecognized toxic metabolism potentially exploitable in the search for antifungal targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Lucas Kane
- Department of Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry Shared Resource, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Brendan Burke
- Department of Microbiology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Monica Diaz
- Department of Microbiology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Christian Wolf
- Department of Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry Shared Resource, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - William A. Fonzi
- Department of Microbiology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States of America
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3
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Lewis AG, Carmichael L, Wang RY, Gibney PA. Characterizing a panel of amino acid auxotrophs under auxotrophic starvation conditions. Yeast 2024; 41:5-18. [PMID: 37997284 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3910] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Auxotrophic strains starving for their cognate nutrient, termed auxotrophic starvation, are characterized by a shorter lifespan, higher glucose wasting phenotype, and inability to accomplish cell cycle arrest when compared to a "natural starvation," where a cell is starving for natural environmental growth-limiting nutrients such as phosphate. Since evidence of this physiological response is limited to only a subset of auxotrophs, we evaluated a panel of auxotrophic mutants to determine whether these responses are characteristic of a broader range of amino acid auxotrophs. Based on the starvation survival kinetics, the panel of strains was grouped into three categories-short-lived strains, strains with survival similar to a prototrophic wild type strain, and long-lived strains. Among the short-lived strains, we observed that the tyrosine, asparagine, threonine, and aspartic acid auxotrophs rapidly decline in viability, with all strains unable to arrest cell cycle progression. The three basic amino acid auxotrophs had a survival similar to a prototrophic strain starving in minimal media. The leucine, tryptophan, methionine, and cysteine auxotrophs displayed the longest lifespan. We also demonstrate how the phenomenon of glucose wasting is limited to only a subset of the tested auxotrophs, namely the asparagine, leucine, and lysine auxotrophs. Furthermore, we observed pleiotropic phenotypes associated with a subgroup of auxotrophs, highlighting the importance of considering unintended phenotypic effects when using auxotrophic strains especially in chronological aging experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisha G Lewis
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Laurin Carmichael
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Rebecca Y Wang
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Patrick A Gibney
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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Cai M, Liu Z, Zhao Z, Wu H, Xu M, Rao Z. Microbial production of L-methionine and its precursors using systems metabolic engineering. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 69:108260. [PMID: 37739275 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
L-methionine is an essential amino acid with versatile applications in food, feed, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. At present, the production of L-methionine mainly relies on chemical synthesis, which conflicts with the concern over serious environmental problems and sustainable development goals. In recent years, microbial production of natural products has been amply rewarded with the emergence and rapid development of system metabolic engineering. However, efficient L-methionine production by microbial fermentation remains a great challenge due to its complicated biosynthetic pathway and strict regulatory mechanism. Additionally, the engineered production of L-methionine precursors, L-homoserine, O-succinyl-L-homoserine (OSH) and O-acetyl-L-homoserine (OAH), has also received widespread attention because they can be catalyzed to L-methionine via a high-efficiently enzymatic reaction in vitro, which is also a promising alternative to chemical route. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the recent advances in the microbial production of L-methionine and its precursors, highlighting the challenges and potential solutions for developing L-methionine microbial cell factories from the perspective of systems metabolic engineering, aiming to offer guidance for future engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Cai
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Yixing Institute of Food and Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Yixing 214200, China
| | - Zhifei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Yixing Institute of Food and Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Yixing 214200, China
| | - Zhenqiang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Yixing Institute of Food and Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Yixing 214200, China
| | - Hongxuan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Yixing Institute of Food and Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Yixing 214200, China
| | - Meijuan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Yixing Institute of Food and Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Yixing 214200, China
| | - Zhiming Rao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Yixing Institute of Food and Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Yixing 214200, China.
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5
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Nakanishi A, Mori M, Yamamoto N, Nemoto S, Kanamaru N, Yomogita M, Omino N, Matsumoto R. Evaluation of Cell Responses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae under Cultivation Using Wheat Bran as a Nutrient Resource by Analyses of Growth Activities and Comprehensive Gene Transcription Levels. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2674. [PMID: 38004686 PMCID: PMC10673363 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112674] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Wheat bran has high nutritional values and is also cheaper than yeast nitrogen base as an important component of a medium. Although its use in microbial cultivations is expected, research and development has hardly progressed so far. In this study, with experimental Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4741, the cell responses to wheat bran as a nutrient were evaluated by analyses of cell growth, ethanol production, and comprehensive gene transcription levels. Comparing wheat bran and yeast nitrogen base, BY4741 showed specific growth rates of 0.277 ± 0.002 and 0.407 ± 0.035 as a significant difference. Additionally, wheat bran could be used as a restricted media component like yeast nitrogen base. However, in 24 h of cultivation with wheat bran and yeast nitrogen base, although conversion ratios of ethanol productions showed no significant difference at 63.0 ± 7.2% and 62.5 ± 8.2%, the ratio of cell production displayed a significant difference at 7.31 ± 0.04% and 4.90 ± 0.16%, indicating a different cell response. In fact, the comprehensive evaluation of transcription levels strongly suggested major changes in glucose metabolism. This study indicated that BY4741 could switch transcription levels efficiently to use wheat bran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihito Nakanishi
- School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Technology, Tokyo 192-0982, Japan; (M.M.); (N.K.); (N.O.)
- Graduate School of Bionics, Tokyo University of Technology, Tokyo 192-0982, Japan; (N.Y.); (S.N.); (M.Y.)
| | - Minori Mori
- School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Technology, Tokyo 192-0982, Japan; (M.M.); (N.K.); (N.O.)
| | - Naotaka Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Bionics, Tokyo University of Technology, Tokyo 192-0982, Japan; (N.Y.); (S.N.); (M.Y.)
| | - Shintaro Nemoto
- Graduate School of Bionics, Tokyo University of Technology, Tokyo 192-0982, Japan; (N.Y.); (S.N.); (M.Y.)
| | - Nono Kanamaru
- School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Technology, Tokyo 192-0982, Japan; (M.M.); (N.K.); (N.O.)
| | - Misaki Yomogita
- Graduate School of Bionics, Tokyo University of Technology, Tokyo 192-0982, Japan; (N.Y.); (S.N.); (M.Y.)
| | - Natsumi Omino
- School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Technology, Tokyo 192-0982, Japan; (M.M.); (N.K.); (N.O.)
| | - Riri Matsumoto
- School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Technology, Tokyo 192-0982, Japan; (M.M.); (N.K.); (N.O.)
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6
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Alkim C, Farias D, Fredonnet J, Serrano-Bataille H, Herviou P, Picot M, Slama N, Dejean S, Morin N, Enjalbert B, François JM. Toxic effect and inability of L-homoserine to be a nitrogen source for growth of Escherichia coli resolved by a combination of in vivo evolution engineering and omics analyses. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1051425. [PMID: 36583047 PMCID: PMC9792984 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1051425] [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: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
L-homoserine is a pivotal intermediate in the carbon and nitrogen metabolism of E. coli. However, this non-canonical amino acid cannot be used as a nitrogen source for growth. Furthermore, growth of this bacterium in a synthetic media is potently inhibited by L-homoserine. To understand this dual effect, an adapted laboratory evolution (ALE) was applied, which allowed the isolation of a strain able to grow with L-homoserine as the nitrogen source and was, at the same time, desensitized to growth inhibition by this amino acid. Sequencing of this evolved strain identified only four genomic modifications, including a 49 bp truncation starting from the stop codon of thrL. This mutation resulted in a modified thrL locus carrying a thrL* allele encoding a polypeptide 9 amino acids longer than the thrL encoded leader peptide. Remarkably, the replacement of thrL with thrL* in the original strain MG1655 alleviated L-homoserine inhibition to the same extent as strain 4E, but did not allow growth with this amino acid as a nitrogen source. The loss of L-homoserine toxic effect could be explained by the rapid conversion of L-homoserine into threonine via the thrL*-dependent transcriptional activation of the threonine operon thrABC. On the other hand, the growth of E. coli on a mineral medium with L-homoserine required an activation of the threonine degradation pathway II and glycine cleavage system, resulting in the release of ammonium ions that were likely recaptured by NAD(P)-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase. To infer about the direct molecular targets of L-homoserine toxicity, a transcriptomic analysis of wild-type MG1655 in the presence of 10 mM L-homoserine was performed, which notably identified a potent repression of locomotion-motility-chemotaxis process and of branched-chain amino acids synthesis. Since the magnitude of these effects was lower in a ΔthrL mutant, concomitant with a twofold lower sensitivity of this mutant to L-homoserine, it could be argued that growth inhibition by L-homoserine is due to the repression of these biological processes. In addition, L-homoserine induced a strong upregulation of genes in the sulfate reductive assimilation pathway, including those encoding its transport. How this non-canonical amino acid triggers these transcriptomic changes is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceren Alkim
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (TBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRA, INSA, Toulouse, France,Toulouse White Biotechnology Center (TWB), UMS-INSA-INRA-CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Daniele Farias
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (TBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRA, INSA, Toulouse, France
| | - Julie Fredonnet
- Toulouse White Biotechnology Center (TWB), UMS-INSA-INRA-CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Pauline Herviou
- Toulouse White Biotechnology Center (TWB), UMS-INSA-INRA-CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Marc Picot
- Toulouse White Biotechnology Center (TWB), UMS-INSA-INRA-CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Nawel Slama
- Toulouse White Biotechnology Center (TWB), UMS-INSA-INRA-CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Nicolas Morin
- Toulouse White Biotechnology Center (TWB), UMS-INSA-INRA-CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Brice Enjalbert
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (TBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRA, INSA, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean M. François
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (TBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRA, INSA, Toulouse, France,Toulouse White Biotechnology Center (TWB), UMS-INSA-INRA-CNRS, Toulouse, France,*Correspondence: Jean M. François,
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7
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Wang X, Zhang L, Chen H, Wang P, Yin Y, Jin J, Xu J, Wen J. Rational Proteomic Analysis of a New Domesticated Klebsiella pneumoniae x546 Producing 1,3-Propanediol. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:770109. [PMID: 34899654 PMCID: PMC8662357 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.770109] [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: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to improve the capability of Klebsiella pneumoniae to produce an important chemical raw material, 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO), a new type of K. pneumoniae x546 was obtained by glycerol acclimation and subsequently was used to produce 1,3-PDO. Under the control of pH value using Na+ pH neutralizer, the 1,3-PDO yield of K. pneumoniae x546 in a 7.5-L fermenter was 69.35 g/L, which was 1.5-fold higher than the original strain (45.91 g/L). After the addition of betaine, the yield of 1,3-PDO reached up to 74.44 g/L at 24 h, which was 40% shorter than the original fermentation time of 40 h. To study the potential mechanism of the production improvement of 1,3-PDO, the Tandem Mass Tags (TMT) technology was applied to investigate the production of 1,3-PDO in K. pneumoniae. Compared with the control group, 170 up-regulated proteins and 291 down-regulated proteins were identified. Through Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, it was found that some proteins [such as homoserine kinase (ThrB), phosphoribosylglycinamide formyltransferase (PurT), phosphoribosylaminoimidazolesuccinocarboxamide synthase (PurC), etc.] were involved in the fermentation process, whereas some other proteins (such as ProX, ProW, ProV, etc.) played a significant role after the addition of betaine. Moreover, combined with the metabolic network of K. pneumoniae during 1,3-PDO, the proteins in the biosynthesis of 1,3-PDO [such as DhaD, DhaK, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), BudC, etc.] were analyzed. The process of 1,3-PDO production in K. pneumoniae was explained from the perspective of proteome for the first time, which provided a theoretical basis for genetic engineering modification to improve the yield of 1,3-PDO. Because of the use of Na+ pH neutralizer in the fermentation, the subsequent environmental pollution treatment cost was greatly reduced, showing high potential for industry application in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lin Zhang
- Dalian Petrochemical Research Institute of Sinopec, Dalian, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Yin
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiaqi Jin
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianwei Xu
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jianping Wen
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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8
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Cao C, Xue C. More Than Just Cleaning: Ubiquitin-Mediated Proteolysis in Fungal Pathogenesis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:774613. [PMID: 34858882 PMCID: PMC8631298 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.774613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin-proteasome mediated protein turnover is an important regulatory mechanism of cellular function in eukaryotes. Extensive studies have linked the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) to human diseases, and an array of proteasome inhibitors have been successfully developed for cancer therapy. Although still an emerging field, research on UPS regulation of fungal development and virulence has been rapidly advancing and has generated considerable excitement in its potential as a target for novel drugs. In this review, we summarize UPS composition and regulatory function in pathogenic fungi, especially in stress responses, host adaption, and fungal pathogenesis. Emphasis will be given to UPS regulation of pathogenic factors that are important for fungal pathogenesis. We also discuss future potential therapeutic strategies for fungal infections based on targeting UPS pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengjun Cao
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Chaoyang Xue
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
- Rutgers Center for Lipid Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
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9
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Molecular targets for antifungals in amino acid and protein biosynthetic pathways. Amino Acids 2021; 53:961-991. [PMID: 34081205 PMCID: PMC8241756 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-03007-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Fungi cause death of over 1.5 million people every year, while cutaneous mycoses are among the most common infections in the world. Mycoses vary greatly in severity, there are long-term skin (ringworm), nail or hair infections (tinea capitis), recurrent like vaginal candidiasis or severe, life-threatening systemic, multiorgan infections. In the last few years, increasing importance is attached to the health and economic problems caused by fungal pathogens. There is a growing need for improvement of the availability of antifungal drugs, decreasing their prices and reducing side effects. Searching for novel approaches in this respect, amino acid and protein biosynthesis pathways appear to be competitive. The route that leads from amino acid biosynthesis to protein folding and its activation is rich in enzymes that are descriptive of fungi. Blocking the action of those enzymes often leads to avirulence or growth inhibition. In this review, we want to trace the principal processes of fungi vitality. We present the data of genes encoding enzymes involved in amino acid and protein biosynthesis, potential molecular targets in antifungal chemotherapy, and describe the impact of inhibitors on fungal organisms.
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Deed RC, Pilkington LI, Herbst-Johnstone M, Miskelly GM, Barker D, Fedrizzi B. A new analytical method to measure S-methyl-l-methionine in grape juice reveals the influence of yeast on dimethyl sulfide production during fermentation. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2019; 99:6944-6953. [PMID: 31414495 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.9983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is a small sulfur-containing impact odorant, imparting distinctive positive and / or negative characters to food and beverages. In white wine, the presence of DMS at perception threshold is considered to be a fault, contributing strong odors reminiscent of asparagus, cooked cabbage, and creamed corn. The source of DMS in wine has long been associated with S-methyl-l-methionine (SMM), a derivative of the amino acid methionine, which is thought to break down into DMS through chemical degradation, particularly during wine ageing. RESULTS We developed and validated a new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method with a stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA) to measure SMM in grape juice and wine. The application of this new method for quantitating SMM, followed by the quantitation of DMS using headspace-solid phase micro-extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS), confirmed that DMS can be produced in wine via the chemical breakdown of SMM to DMS, with greater degradation observed at 28 °C than at 14 °C. Further investigation into the role of grape juice and yeast strain on DMS formation revealed that the DMS produced from three different Sauvignon blanc grape juices, either from the SMM naturally present or SMM spiked at 50 mmol L-1 , was modulated depending on each of the four strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine yeast used for fermentation. CONCLUSION This study confirms the existence of a chemical pathway to the formation of DMS and reveals a yeast-mediated mechanism towards the formation of DMS from SMM during alcoholic fermentation. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Deed
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lisa I Pilkington
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Gordon M Miskelly
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David Barker
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bruno Fedrizzi
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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11
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Threonine synthase CoTHR4 is involved in infection-related morphogenesis during the pre-penetration stage in Colletotrichum orbiculare. Microb Pathog 2019; 137:103746. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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12
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Gao S, Gold SE, Wisecaver JH, Zhang Y, Guo L, Ma LJ, Rokas A, Glenn AE. Genome-wide analysis of Fusarium verticillioides reveals inter-kingdom contribution of horizontal gene transfer to the expansion of metabolism. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 128:60-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Lee YT, Fang YY, Sun YW, Hsu HC, Weng SM, Tseng TL, Lin TH, Shieh JC. THR1 mediates GCN4 and CDC4 to link morphogenesis with nutrient sensing and the stress response in Candida albicans. Int J Mol Med 2018; 42:3193-3208. [PMID: 30320368 PMCID: PMC6202100 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans) CDC4 (CaCDC4), encoding the F-box protein for the substrate specificity of the Skp1-cullin-F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, suppresses the yeast-to-filament transition in C. albicans. In our previous study, Thr1 was identified as a CaCdc4-associated protein using affinity purification. THR1 encodes a homoserine kinase, which is involved in the threonine biosynthesis pathway. The present study generated a strain with repressible CaCDC4 expression and continuous THR1 expression. Colony and cell morphology analyses, as well as immunoblotting, revealed that the Thr1 protein was detectable under conditions in which the expression of CaCDC4 was repressed and that the filaments resulting from the repressed expression of CaCDC4 were suppressed by the constitutive expression of THR1 in C. albicans. Additionally, by using the CaSAT1-flipper method, the present study produced null mutants of THR1, GCN4, and CaCDC4. The phenotypic consequences were evaluated by growth curves, spotting assays, microscopic analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and XTT-based biofilm formation ability. The results revealed that fewer cells lacking THR1 entered the stationary phase but had no apparent morphological alteration. It was observed that the expression of THR1 was upregulated concurrently with GCN4 during nutrient depletion and that cells lacking GCN4 rescued the lethality of cells in the absence of THR1 in conditions accumulating homoserine in the threonine biosynthesis pathway. Of note, it was found that cells with either CaCDC4 or THR1 loss were sensitive to oxidative stress and osmotic stress, with those with THR1 loss being more sensitive. In addition, it was observed that cells with loss of either CaCDC4 or THR1 exhibited the ability to increase biofilm formation, with those lacking CaCDC4 exhibiting a greater extent of enhancement. It was concluded that CaCDC4 is important in the coordination of morphogenesis, nutrient sensing, and the stress response through THR1 in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Ti Lee
- Institute of Medicine and School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yi-Ya Fang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yu Wen Sun
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hsiao-Chi Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Shan-Mei Weng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Tzu-Ling Tseng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ting-Hui Lin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Jia-Ching Shieh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C
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14
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Potential targets for the development of new antifungal drugs. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2018; 71:978-991. [DOI: 10.1038/s41429-018-0100-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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15
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Protein Moonlighting Revealed by Noncatalytic Phenotypes of Yeast Enzymes. Genetics 2017; 208:419-431. [PMID: 29127264 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.117.300377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A single gene can partake in several biological processes, and therefore gene deletions can lead to different-sometimes unexpected-phenotypes. However, it is not always clear whether such pleiotropy reflects the loss of a unique molecular activity involved in different processes or the loss of a multifunctional protein. Here, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolism as a model, we systematically test the null hypothesis that enzyme phenotypes depend on a single annotated molecular function, namely their catalysis. We screened a set of carefully selected genes by quantifying the contribution of catalysis to gene deletion phenotypes under different environmental conditions. While most phenotypes were explained by loss of catalysis, slow growth was readily rescued by a catalytically inactive protein in about one-third of the enzymes tested. Such noncatalytic phenotypes were frequent in the Alt1 and Bat2 transaminases and in the isoleucine/valine biosynthetic enzymes Ilv1 and Ilv2, suggesting novel "moonlighting" activities in these proteins. Furthermore, differential genetic interaction profiles of gene deletion and catalytic mutants indicated that ILV1 is functionally associated with regulatory processes, specifically to chromatin modification. Our systematic study shows that gene loss phenotypes and their genetic interactions are frequently not driven by the loss of an annotated catalytic function, underscoring the moonlighting nature of cellular metabolism.
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16
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Bae NS, Seberg AP, Carroll LP, Swanson MJ. Identification of Genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that Are Haploinsufficient for Overcoming Amino Acid Starvation. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2017; 7:1061-1084. [PMID: 28209762 PMCID: PMC5386856 DOI: 10.1534/g3.116.037416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae responds to amino acid deprivation by activating a pathway conserved in eukaryotes to overcome the starvation stress. We have screened the entire yeast heterozygous deletion collection to identify strains haploinsufficient for growth in the presence of sulfometuron methyl, which causes starvation for isoleucine and valine. We have discovered that cells devoid of MET15 are sensitive to sulfometuron methyl, and loss of heterozygosity at the MET15 locus can complicate screening the heterozygous deletion collection. We identified 138 cases of loss of heterozygosity in this screen. After eliminating the issues of the MET15 loss of heterozygosity, strains isolated from the collection were retested on sulfometuron methyl. To determine the general effect of the mutations for a starvation response, SMM-sensitive strains were tested for the ability to grow in the presence of canavanine, which induces arginine starvation, and strains that were MET15 were also tested for growth in the presence of ethionine, which causes methionine starvation. Many of the genes identified in our study were not previously identified as starvation-responsive genes, including a number of essential genes that are not easily screened in a systematic way. The genes identified span a broad range of biological functions, including many involved in some level of gene expression. Several unnamed proteins have also been identified, giving a clue as to possible functions of the encoded proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy S Bae
- Department of Biochemistry, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona 85308
| | - Andrew P Seberg
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4295
| | - Leslie P Carroll
- Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia 31207
| | - Mark J Swanson
- Department of Biochemistry, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona 85308
- Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia 31207
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17
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Ewald J, Bartl M, Dandekar T, Kaleta C. Optimality principles reveal a complex interplay of intermediate toxicity and kinetic efficiency in the regulation of prokaryotic metabolism. PLoS Comput Biol 2017; 13:e1005371. [PMID: 28212377 PMCID: PMC5315294 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A precise and rapid adjustment of fluxes through metabolic pathways is crucial for organisms to prevail in changing environmental conditions. Based on this reasoning, many guiding principles that govern the evolution of metabolic networks and their regulation have been uncovered. To this end, methods from dynamic optimization are ideally suited since they allow to uncover optimality principles behind the regulation of metabolic networks. We used dynamic optimization to investigate the influence of toxic intermediates in connection with the efficiency of enzymes on the regulation of a linear metabolic pathway. Our results predict that transcriptional regulation favors the control of highly efficient enzymes with less toxic upstream intermediates to reduce accumulation of toxic downstream intermediates. We show that the derived optimality principles hold by the analysis of the interplay between intermediate toxicity and pathway regulation in the metabolic pathways of over 5000 sequenced prokaryotes. Moreover, using the lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in Escherichia coli as an example, we show how knowledge about the relation of regulation, kinetic efficiency and intermediate toxicity can be used to identify drug targets, which control endogenous toxic metabolites and prevent microbial growth. Beyond prokaryotes, we discuss the potential of our findings for the development of antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ewald
- Research Group Theoretical Systems Biology, Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Bartl
- Research Group Theoretical Systems Biology, Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Dandekar
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Kaleta
- Research Group Medical Systems Biology, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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18
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19
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Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli W3110 for the production of L-methionine. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 44:75-88. [PMID: 27844169 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-016-1870-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we constructed an L-methionine-producing recombinant strain from wild-type Escherichia coli W3110 by metabolic engineering. To enhance the carbon flux to methionine and derepression met regulon, thrBC, lysA, and metJ were deleted in turn. Methionine biosynthesis obstacles were overcome by overexpression of metA Fbr (Fbr, Feedback resistance), metB, and malY under control of promoter pN25. Recombinant strain growth and methionine production were further improved by attenuation of metK gene expression through replacing native promoter by metK84p. Blocking the threonine pathway by deletion of thrBC or thrC was compared. Deletion of thrC showed faster growth rate and higher methionine production. Finally, metE, metF, and metH were overexpressed to enhance methylation efficiency. Compared with the original strain E. coli W3110, the finally obtained Me05 (pETMAFbr-B-Y/pKKmetH) improved methionine production from 0 to 0.65 and 5.62 g/L in a flask and a 15-L fermenter, respectively.
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20
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Improving the flux distributions simulated with genome-scale metabolic models of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Metab Eng Commun 2016; 3:153-163. [PMID: 29468121 PMCID: PMC5779720 DOI: 10.1016/j.meteno.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) can be used to evaluate genotype-phenotype relationships and their application to microbial strain engineering is increasing in popularity. Some of the algorithms used to simulate the phenotypes of mutant strains require the determination of a wild-type flux distribution. However, the accuracy of this reference, when calculated with flux balance analysis, has not been studied in detail before. Here, the wild-type simulations of selected GEMs for Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been analysed and most of the models tested predicted erroneous fluxes in central pathways, especially in the pentose phosphate pathway. Since the problematic fluxes were mostly related to areas of the metabolism consuming or producing NADPH/NADH, we have manually curated all reactions including these cofactors by forcing the use of NADPH/NADP+ in anabolic reactions and NADH/NAD+ for catabolic reactions. The curated models predicted more accurate flux distributions and performed better in the simulation of mutant phenotypes. The flux distributions of the genome-scale models of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were evaluated Most of the tested models showed fluxes inconsistent with experimental data A manual curation process was performed on all reactions including NADH or NADPH The curated models showed flux distributions more consistent with experimental data Phenotype simulations improved when the curated flux distributions were used
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21
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Thiaville PC, Legendre R, Rojas-Benítez D, Baudin-Baillieu A, Hatin I, Chalancon G, Glavic A, Namy O, de Crécy-Lagard V. Global translational impacts of the loss of the tRNA modification t 6A in yeast. MICROBIAL CELL 2016; 3:29-45. [PMID: 26798630 PMCID: PMC4717488 DOI: 10.15698/mic2016.01.473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The universal tRNA modification t6A is found at position 37 of nearly
all tRNAs decoding ANN codons. The absence of t6A37 leads
to severe growth defects in baker’s yeast, phenotypes similar to those caused by
defects in mcm5s2U34 synthesis. Mutants in
mcm5s2U34 can be suppressed by
overexpression of tRNALysUUU, but we show t6A
phenotypes could not be suppressed by expressing any individual ANN decoding
tRNA, and t6A and mcm5s2U are not determinants
for each other’s formation. Our results suggest that t6A deficiency,
like mcm5s2U deficiency, leads to protein folding defects,
and show that the absence of t6A led to stress sensitivities (heat,
ethanol, salt) and sensitivity to TOR pathway inhibitors. Additionally,
L-homoserine suppressed the slow growth phenotype seen in
t6A-deficient strains, and proteins aggregates and Advanced Glycation
End-products (AGEs) were increased in the mutants. The global consequences on
translation caused by t6A absence were examined by ribosome
profiling. Interestingly, the absence of t6A did not lead to global
translation defects, but did increase translation initiation at upstream non-AUG
codons and increased frame-shifting in specific genes. Analysis of codon
occupancy rates suggests that one of the major roles of t6A is to
homogenize the process of elongation by slowing the elongation rate at codons
decoded by high abundance tRNAs and I34:C3 pairs while
increasing the elongation rate of rare tRNAs and G34:U3
pairs. This work reveals that the consequences of t6A absence are
complex and multilayered and has set the stage to elucidate the molecular basis
of the observed phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick C Thiaville
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 400, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Rachel Legendre
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 400, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Diego Rojas-Benítez
- Centro de Regulación del Genoma. Facultad de Ciencias - Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Agnès Baudin-Baillieu
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 400, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Isabelle Hatin
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 400, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Guilhem Chalancon
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Alvaro Glavic
- Centro de Regulación del Genoma. Facultad de Ciencias - Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Olivier Namy
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 400, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Valérie de Crécy-Lagard
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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22
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Homologous trans-editing factors with broad tRNA specificity prevent mistranslation caused by serine/threonine misactivation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:6027-32. [PMID: 25918376 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1423664112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) establish the rules of the genetic code, whereby each amino acid is attached to a cognate tRNA. Errors in this process lead to mistranslation, which can be toxic to cells. The selective forces exerted by species-specific requirements and environmental conditions potentially shape quality-control mechanisms that serve to prevent mistranslation. A family of editing factors that are homologous to the editing domain of bacterial prolyl-tRNA synthetase includes the previously characterized trans-editing factors ProXp-ala and YbaK, which clear Ala-tRNA(Pro) and Cys-tRNA(Pro), respectively, and three additional homologs of unknown function, ProXp-x, ProXp-y, and ProXp-z. We performed an in vivo screen of 230 conditions in which an Escherichia coli proXp-y deletion strain was grown in the presence of elevated levels of amino acids and specific ARSs. This screen, together with the results of in vitro deacylation assays, revealed Ser- and Thr-tRNA deacylase function for this homolog. A similar activity was demonstrated for Bordetella parapertussis ProXp-z in vitro. These proteins, now renamed "ProXp-ST1" and "ProXp-ST2," respectively, recognize multiple tRNAs as substrates. Taken together, our data suggest that these free-standing editing domains have the ability to prevent mistranslation errors caused by a number of ARSs, including lysyl-tRNA synthetase, threonyl-tRNA synthetase, seryl-tRNA synthetase, and alanyl-tRNA synthetase. The expression of these multifunctional enzymes is likely to provide a selective growth advantage to organisms subjected to environmental stresses and other conditions that alter the amino acid pool.
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23
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Tseng TL, Lai WC, Lee TL, Hsu WH, Sun YW, Li WC, Cheng CW, Shieh JC. A role of Candida albicans CDC4 in the negative regulation of biofilm formation. Can J Microbiol 2014; 61:247-55. [PMID: 25719926 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2014-0526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The CDC4 gene is nonessential in Candida albicans and plays a role in suppressing filamentous growth, in contrast to its homologues, which are involved in the G1-S transition of the cell cycle. While characterizing the function of C. albicans CDC4 (CaCDC4), we found that the loss of CaCDC4 resulted in a reduction in cell flocculation, indicating a possible role for CaCDC4 in biofilm formation. To elucidate the role of CaCDC4 in biofilm formation, Cacdc4 null mutant strains were constructed by using the mini-Ura-blaster method. To create a CaCDC4 rescued strain, the plasmid p6HF-ACT1p-CaCDC4 capable of constitutively expressing CaCDC4 was introduced into the Cacdc4 homozygous null mutant. To determine the biofilm formation ability, an in vitro XTT (2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) reduction assay was used. Compared with the parental auxotrophic strain BWP17, the Cacdc4 homozygous null mutant was able to enhance biofilm formation significantly. This enhancement of biofilm formation in the Cacdc4 homozygous null mutant could be reversed by constitutively expressing CaCDC4. We conclude that CaCDC4 has a role in suppressing biofilm formation in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Ling Tseng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Road, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan
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Ong HB, Lee WS, Patterson S, Wyllie S, Fairlamb AH. Homoserine and quorum-sensing acyl homoserine lactones as alternative sources of threonine: a potential role for homoserine kinase in insect-stage Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Microbiol 2014; 95:143-56. [PMID: 25367138 PMCID: PMC4460637 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
De novo synthesis of threonine from aspartate occurs via the β-aspartyl phosphate pathway in plants, bacteria and fungi. However, the Trypanosoma brucei genome encodes only the last two steps in this pathway: homoserine kinase (HSK) and threonine synthase. Here, we investigated the possible roles for this incomplete pathway through biochemical, genetic and nutritional studies. Purified recombinant TbHSK specifically phosphorylates L-homoserine and displays kinetic properties similar to other HSKs. HSK null mutants generated in bloodstream forms displayed no growth phenotype in vitro or loss of virulence in vivo. However, following transformation into procyclic forms, homoserine, homoserine lactone and certain acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) were found to substitute for threonine in growth media for wild-type procyclics, but not HSK null mutants. The tsetse fly is considered to be an unlikely source of these nutrients as it feeds exclusively on mammalian blood. Bioinformatic studies predict that tsetse endosymbionts possess part (up to homoserine in Wigglesworthia glossinidia) or all of the β-aspartyl phosphate pathway (Sodalis glossinidius). In addition S. glossinidius is known to produce 3-oxohexanoylhomoserine lactone which also supports trypanosome growth. We propose that T. brucei has retained HSK and threonine synthase in order to salvage these nutrients when threonine availability is limiting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han B Ong
- Division of Biological Chemistry & Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
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25
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Inhibitors of amino acids biosynthesis as antifungal agents. Amino Acids 2014; 47:227-49. [PMID: 25408465 PMCID: PMC4302243 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-014-1873-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Fungal microorganisms, including the human pathogenic yeast and filamentous fungi, are able to synthesize all proteinogenic amino acids, including nine that are essential for humans. A number of enzymes catalyzing particular steps of human-essential amino acid biosynthesis are fungi specific. Numerous studies have shown that auxotrophic mutants of human pathogenic fungi impaired in biosynthesis of particular amino acids exhibit growth defect or at least reduced virulence under in vivo conditions. Several chemical compounds inhibiting activity of one of these enzymes exhibit good antifungal in vitro activity in minimal growth media, which is not always confirmed under in vivo conditions. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the present knowledge on pathways of amino acids biosynthesis in fungi, with a special emphasis put on enzymes catalyzing particular steps of these pathways as potential targets for antifungal chemotherapy.
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26
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Rawal Y, Qiu H, Hinnebusch AG. Accumulation of a threonine biosynthetic intermediate attenuates general amino acid control by accelerating degradation of Gcn4 via Pho85 and Cdk8. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004534. [PMID: 25079372 PMCID: PMC4117449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gcn4 is a master transcriptional regulator of amino acid and vitamin biosynthetic enzymes subject to the general amino acid control (GAAC), whose expression is upregulated in response to amino acid starvation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found that accumulation of the threonine pathway intermediate β-aspartate semialdehyde (ASA), substrate of homoserine dehydrogenase (Hom6), attenuates the GAAC transcriptional response by accelerating degradation of Gcn4, already an exceedingly unstable protein, in cells starved for isoleucine and valine. The reduction in Gcn4 abundance on ASA accumulation requires Cdk8/Srb10 and Pho85, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) known to mediate rapid turnover of Gcn4 by the proteasome via phosphorylation of the Gcn4 activation domain under nonstarvation conditions. Interestingly, rescue of Gcn4 abundance in hom6 cells by elimination of SRB10 is not accompanied by recovery of transcriptional activation, while equivalent rescue of UAS-bound Gcn4 in hom6 pho85 cells restores greater than wild-type activation of Gcn4 target genes. These and other findings suggest that the two CDKs target different populations of Gcn4 on ASA accumulation, with Srb10 clearing mostly inactive Gcn4 molecules at the promoter that are enriched for sumoylation of the activation domain, and Pho85 clearing molecules unbound to the UAS that include both fully functional and inactive Gcn4 species. Transcriptional activator Gcn4 maintains amino acid homeostasis in budding yeast by inducing multiple amino acid biosynthetic pathways in response to starvation for any amino acid—the general amino acid control. Gcn4 abundance is tightly regulated by the interplay between an intricate translational control mechanism, which induces Gcn4 synthesis in starved cells, and a pathway of phosphorylation and ubiquitylation that mediates its rapid degradation by the proteasome. Here, we discovered that accumulation of a threonine biosynthetic pathway intermediate, β-aspartate semialdehyde (ASA), in hom6Δ mutant cells impairs general amino acid control in cells starved for isoleucine and valine by accelerating the already rapid degradation of Gcn4, in a manner requiring its phosphorylation by cyclin-dependent kinases Cdk8/Srb10 and Pho85. Interestingly, our results unveil a division of labor between these two kinases wherein Srb10 primarily targets inactive Gcn4 molecules—presumably damaged under conditions of ASA excess—while Pho85 clears a greater proportion of functional Gcn4 species from the cell. The ability of ASA to inhibit transcriptional induction of threonine pathway enzymes by Gcn4, dampening ASA accumulation and its toxic effects on cell physiology, should be adaptive in the wild when yeast encounters natural antibiotics that target Hom6 enzymatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashpal Rawal
- Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Hongfang Qiu
- Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Alan G. Hinnebusch
- Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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The role of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway in Cryptococcus neoformans high temperature growth and virulence. Fungal Genet Biol 2014; 70:12-23. [PMID: 25011011 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2014.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Revised: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections are often difficult to treat due to the inherent similarities between fungal and animal cells and the resulting host toxicity from many antifungal compounds. Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen of humans that causes life-threatening disease, primarily in immunocompromised patients. Since antifungal therapy for this microorganism is limited, many investigators have explored novel drug targets aim at virulence factors, such as the ability to grow at mammalian physiological temperature (37°C). To address this issue, we used the Agrobacterium tumefaciens gene delivery system to create a random insertion mutagenesis library that was screened for altered growth at elevated temperatures. Among several mutants unable to grow at 37°C, we explored one bearing an interruption in the URA4 gene. This gene encodes dihydroorotase (DHOase) that is involved in the de novo synthesis of pyrimidine ribonucleotides. Loss of the C. neoformans Ura4 protein, by targeted gene interruption, resulted in an expected uracil/uridine auxotrophy and an unexpected high temperature growth defect. In addition, the ura4 mutant displayed phenotypic defects in other prominent virulence factors (melanin, capsule and phospholipase) and reduced stress response compared to wild type and reconstituted strains. Accordingly, this mutant had a decreased survival rate in macrophages and attenuated virulence in a murine model of cryptococcal infection. Quantitative PCR analysis suggests that this biosynthetic pathway is induced during the transition from 30°C to 37°C, and that transcriptional regulation of de novo and salvage pyrimidine pathway are under the control of the Ura4 protein.
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De Pascale G, Griffiths EJ, Shakya T, Nazi I, Wright GD. Identification and Characterization of New Inhibitors of Fungal Homoserine Kinase. Chembiochem 2011; 12:1179-82. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201100121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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29
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De Pascale G, Nazi I, Harrison PHM, Wright GD. β-Lactone natural products and derivatives inactivate homoserine transacetylase, a target for antimicrobial agents. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2011; 64:483-7. [DOI: 10.1038/ja.2011.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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30
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Current awareness on yeast. Yeast 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/yea.1721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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31
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Fungal homoserine kinase (thr1Delta) mutants are attenuated in virulence and die rapidly upon threonine starvation and serum incubation. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2010; 9:729-37. [PMID: 20305003 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00045-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The fungally conserved subset of amino acid biosynthetic enzymes not present in humans offer exciting potential as an unexploited class of antifungal drug targets. Since threonine biosynthesis is essential in Cryptococcus neoformans, we further explored the potential of threonine biosynthetic enzymes as antifungal drug targets by determining the survival in mice of Saccharomyces cerevisiae homoserine kinase (thr1Delta) and threonine synthase (thr4Delta) mutants. In striking contrast to aspartate kinase (hom3Delta) mutants, S. cerevisiae thr1Delta and thr4Delta mutants were severely depleted after only 4 h in vivo. Similarly, Candida albicans thr1Delta mutants, but not hom3Delta mutants, were significantly attenuated in virulence. Consistent with the in vivo phenotypes, S. cerevisiae thr1Delta and thr4Delta mutants as well as C. albicans thr1Delta mutants were extremely serum sensitive. In both species, serum sensitivity was suppressed by the addition of threonine, a feedback inhibitor of Hom3p. Because mutation of the HOM3 and HOM6 genes, required for the production of the toxic pathway intermediate homoserine, also suppressed serum sensitivity, we hypothesize that serum sensitivity is a consequence of homoserine accumulation. Serum survival is critical for dissemination, an important virulence determinant: thus, together with the essential nature of C. neoformans threonine synthesis, the cross-species serum sensitivity of thr1Delta mutants makes the fungus-specific Thr1p, and likely Thr4p, ideal antifungal drug targets.
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