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Desmarini D, Liu G, Jessen H, Bowring B, Connolly A, Crossett B, Djordjevic JT. Arg1 from Cryptococcus neoformans lacks PI3 kinase activity and conveys virulence roles via its IP 3-4 kinase activity. mBio 2024; 15:e0060824. [PMID: 38742909 PMCID: PMC11237472 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00608-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Inositol tris/tetrakis phosphate kinases (IP3-4K) in the human fungal priority pathogens, Cryptococcus neoformans (CnArg1) and Candida albicans (CaIpk2), convey numerous virulence functions, yet it is not known whether the IP3-4K catalytic activity or a scaffolding role is responsible. We therefore generated a C. neoformans strain with a non-functional kinase, referred to as the dead-kinase (dk) CnArg1 strain (dkArg1). We verified that, although dkARG1 cDNA cloned from this strain produced a protein with the expected molecular weight, dkArg1 was catalytically inactive with no IP3-4K activity. Using recombinant CnArg1 and CaIpk2, we confirmed that, unlike the IP3-4K homologs in humans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, CnArg1 and CaIpk2 do not phosphorylate the lipid-based substrate, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, and therefore do not function as class I PI3Ks. Inositol polyphosphate profiling using capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry revealed that IP3 conversion is blocked in the dkArg1 and ARG1 deletion (Cnarg1Δ) strains and that 1-IP7 and a recently discovered isomer (4/6-IP7) are made by wild-type C. neoformans. Importantly, the dkArg1 and Cnarg1Δ strains had similar virulence defects, including suppressed growth at 37°C, melanization, capsule production, and phosphate starvation response, and were avirulent in an insect model, confirming that virulence is dependent on IP3-4K catalytic activity. Our data also implicate the dkArg1 scaffold in transcriptional regulation of arginine metabolism but via a different mechanism to S. cerevisiae since CnArg1 is dispensable for growth on different nitrogen sources. IP3-4K catalytic activity therefore plays a dominant role in fungal virulence, and IPK pathway function has diverged in fungal pathogens.IMPORTANCEThe World Health Organization has emphasized the urgent need for global action in tackling the high morbidity and mortality rates stemming from invasive fungal infections, which are exacerbated by the limited variety and compromised effectiveness of available drug classes. Fungal IP3-4K is a promising target for new therapy, as it is critical for promoting virulence of the human fungal priority pathogens, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans, and impacts numerous functions, including cell wall integrity. This contrasts to current therapies, which only target a single function. IP3-4K enzymes exert their effect through their inositol polyphosphate products or via the protein scaffold. Here, we confirm that the IP3-4K catalytic activity of CnArg1 promotes all virulence traits in C. neoformans that are attenuated by ARG1 deletion, reinforcing our ongoing efforts to find inositol polyphosphate effector proteins and to create inhibitors targeting the IP3-4K catalytic site, as a new antifungal drug class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desmarini Desmarini
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Guizhen Liu
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Centre for Integrative Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Henning Jessen
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Centre for Integrative Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Bethany Bowring
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Angela Connolly
- Sydney Mass Spectrometry, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ben Crossett
- Sydney Mass Spectrometry, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Julianne Teresa Djordjevic
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Westmead Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
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2
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King WR, Acosta-Zaldívar M, Qi W, Cherico N, Cooke L, Köhler JR, Patton-Vogt J. Glycerophosphocholine provision rescues Candida albicans growth and signaling phenotypes associated with phosphate limitation. mSphere 2023; 8:e0023123. [PMID: 37843297 PMCID: PMC10732039 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00231-23] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Candida albicans is the most commonly isolated species from patients suffering from invasive fungal disease. C. albicans is most commonly a commensal organism colonizing a variety of niches in the human host. The fungus must compete for resources with the host flora to acquire essential nutrients such as phosphate. Phosphate acquisition and homeostasis have been shown to play a key role in C. albicans virulence, with several genes involved in these processes being required for normal virulence and several being upregulated during infection. In addition to inorganic phosphate (Pi), C. albicans can utilize the lipid-derived metabolite glycerophosphocholine (GPC) as a phosphate source. As GPC is available within the human host, we examined the role of GPC in phosphate homeostasis in C. albicans. We find that GPC can substitute for Pi by many though not all criteria and is likely a relevant physiological phosphate source for C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R. King
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Maikel Acosta-Zaldívar
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wanjun Qi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicholas Cherico
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lauren Cooke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Julia R. Köhler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jana Patton-Vogt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Liang J, Tang H, Snyder LF, Youngstrom CE, He BZ. Divergence of TORC1-mediated Stress Response Leads to Novel Acquired Stress Resistance in a Pathogenic Yeast. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.20.545716. [PMID: 37781605 PMCID: PMC10541095 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.20.545716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Acquired stress resistance (ASR) enables organisms to prepare for environmental changes that occur after an initial stressor. However, the genetic basis for ASR and how the underlying network evolved remain poorly understood. In this study, we discovered that a short phosphate starvation induces oxidative stress response (OSR) genes in the pathogenic yeast C. glabrata and protects it against a severe H2O2 stress; the same treatment, however, provides little benefit in the low pathogenic-potential relative, S. cerevisiae. This ASR involves the same transcription factors (TFs) as the OSR, but with different combinatorial logics. We show that Target-of-Rapamycin Complex 1 (TORC1) is differentially inhibited by phosphate starvation in the two species and contributes to the ASR via its proximal effector, Sch9. Therefore, evolution of the phosphate starvation-induced ASR involves the rewiring of TORC1's response to phosphate limitation and the repurposing of TF-target gene networks for the OSR using new regulatory logics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinye Liang
- Biology Department, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Hanxi Tang
- Biology Department, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Lindsey F. Snyder
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | | | - Bin Z. He
- Biology Department, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
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Martín JF. Interaction of calcium responsive proteins and transcriptional factors with the PHO regulon in yeasts and fungi. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1225774. [PMID: 37601111 PMCID: PMC10437122 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1225774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphate and calcium ions are nutrients that play key roles in growth, differentiation and the production of bioactive secondary metabolites in filamentous fungi. Phosphate concentration regulates the biosynthesis of hundreds of fungal metabolites. The central mechanisms of phosphate transport and regulation, mediated by the master Pho4 transcriptional factor are known, but many aspects of the control of gene expression need further research. High ATP concentration in the cells leads to inositol pyrophosphate molecules formation, such as IP3 and IP7, that act as phosphorylation status reporters. Calcium ions are intracellular messengers in eukaryotic organisms and calcium homeostasis follows elaborated patterns in response to different nutritional and environmental factors, including cross-talking with phosphate concentrations. A large part of the intracellular calcium is stored in vacuoles and other organelles forming complexes with polyphosphate. The free cytosolic calcium concentration is maintained by transport from the external medium or by release from the store organelles through calcium permeable transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels. Calcium ions, particularly the free cytosolic calcium levels, control the biosynthesis of fungal metabolites by two mechanisms, 1) direct interaction of calcium-bound calmodulin with antibiotic synthesizing enzymes, and 2) by the calmodulin-calcineurin signaling cascade. Control of very different secondary metabolites, including pathogenicity determinants, are mediated by calcium through the Crz1 factor. Several interactions between calcium homeostasis and phosphate have been demonstrated in the last decade: 1) The inositol pyrophosphate IP3 triggers the release of calcium ions from internal stores into the cytosol, 2) Expression of the high affinity phosphate transporter Pho89, a Na+/phosphate symporter, is controlled by Crz1. Also, mutants defective in the calcium permeable TRPCa7-like of Saccharomyces cerevisiae shown impaired expression of Pho89. This information suggests that CrzA and Pho89 play key roles in the interaction of phosphate and calcium regulatory pathways, 3) Finally, acidocalcisomes organelles have been found in mycorrhiza and in some melanin producing fungi that show similar characteristics as protozoa calcisomes. In these organelles there is a close interaction between orthophosphate, pyrophosphate and polyphosphate and calcium ions that are absorbed in the polyanionic polyphosphate matrix. These advances open new perspectives for the control of fungal metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F. Martín
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Área de Microbiología, Universidad de León, León, Spain
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5
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Qi Q, Kamruzzaman M, Iredell JR. A Streamlined Approach for Fluorescence Labelling of Low-Copy-Number Plasmids for Determination of Conjugation Frequency by Flow Cytometry. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040878. [PMID: 37110299 PMCID: PMC10144549 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial conjugation plays a major role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and virulence traits through horizontal transfer of plasmids. Robust measurement of conjugation frequency of plasmids between bacterial strains and species is therefore important for understanding the transfer dynamics and epidemiology of conjugative plasmids. In this study, we present a streamlined experimental approach for fluorescence labelling of low-copy-number conjugative plasmids that allows plasmid transfer frequency during filter mating to be measured by flow cytometry. A blue fluorescent protein gene is inserted into a conjugative plasmid of interest using a simple homologous recombineering procedure. A small non-conjugative plasmid, which carries a red fluorescent protein gene with a toxin–antitoxin system that functions as a plasmid stability module, is used to label the recipient bacterial strain. This offers the dual advantage of circumventing chromosomal modifications of recipient strains and ensuring that the red fluorescent protein gene-bearing plasmid can be stably maintained in recipient cells in an antibiotic-free environment during conjugation. A strong constitutive promoter allows the two fluorescent protein genes to be strongly and constitutively expressed from the plasmids, thus allowing flow cytometers to clearly distinguish between donor, recipient, and transconjugant populations in a conjugation mix for monitoring conjugation frequencies more precisely over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Qi
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Muhammad Kamruzzaman
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (J.R.I.)
| | - Jonathan R. Iredell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (J.R.I.)
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TNP Analogues Inhibit the Virulence Promoting IP3-4 Kinase Arg1 in the Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101526. [PMID: 36291735 PMCID: PMC9599641 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
New antifungals with unique modes of action are urgently needed to treat the increasing global burden of invasive fungal infections. The fungal inositol polyphosphate kinase (IPK) pathway, comprised of IPKs that convert IP3 to IP8, provides a promising new target due to its impact on multiple, critical cellular functions and, unlike in mammalian cells, its lack of redundancy. Nearly all IPKs in the fungal pathway are essential for virulence, with IP3-4 kinase (IP3-4K) the most critical. The dibenzylaminopurine compound, N2-(m-trifluorobenzylamino)-N6-(p-nitrobenzylamino)purine (TNP), is a commercially available inhibitor of mammalian IPKs. The ability of TNP to be adapted as an inhibitor of fungal IP3-4K has not been investigated. We purified IP3-4K from the human pathogens, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans, and optimised enzyme and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays to determine the half inhibitory concentration (IC50) and binding affinity (KD), respectively, of TNP and 38 analogues. A novel chemical route was developed to efficiently prepare TNP analogues. TNP and its analogues demonstrated inhibition of recombinant IP3-4K from C. neoformans (CnArg1) at low µM IC50s, but not IP3-4K from C. albicans (CaIpk2) and many analogues exhibited selectivity for CnArg1 over the human equivalent, HsIPMK. Our results provide a foundation for improving potency and selectivity of the TNP series for fungal IP3-4K.
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Denham ST, Brammer B, Chung KY, Wambaugh MA, Bednarek JM, Guo L, Moreau CT, Brown JCS. A dissemination-prone morphotype enhances extrapulmonary organ entry by Cryptococcus neoformans. Cell Host Microbe 2022; 30:1382-1400.e8. [PMID: 36099922 PMCID: PMC9588642 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pathogens move from ecological niches to mammalian hosts, requiring adaptation to dramatically different environments. Microbes that disseminate farther, including the fungal meningitis pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, require additional adaptation to diverse tissues. We demonstrate that the formation of a small C. neoformans morphotype-called "seed" cells due to their colonizing ability-is critical for extrapulmonary organ entry. Seed cells exhibit changes in fungal cell size and surface expression that result in an enhanced macrophage update. Seed cell formation is triggered by environmental factors, including C. neoformans' environmental niche, and pigeon guano with phosphate plays a central role. Seed cells show the enhanced expression of phosphate acquisition genes, and mutants unable to acquire phosphate fail to adopt the seed cell morphotype. Additionally, phosphate can be released by tissue damage, potentially establishing a feed-forward loop of seed cell formation and dissemination. Thus, C. neoformans' size variation represent inducible morphotypes that change host interactions to facilitate microbe spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven T Denham
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Brianna Brammer
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Krystal Y Chung
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Morgan A Wambaugh
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Joseph M Bednarek
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Li Guo
- Molecular Medicine Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Christian T Moreau
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jessica C S Brown
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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8
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Blocking Polyphosphate Mobilization Inhibits Pho4 Activation and Virulence in the Pathogen Candida albicans. mBio 2022; 13:e0034222. [PMID: 35575514 PMCID: PMC9239153 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00342-22] [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] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of pathogenic fungi to obtain essential nutrients from the host is vital for virulence. In Candida albicans, acquisition of the macronutrient phosphate is regulated by the Pho4 transcription factor and is important for both virulence and resistance to host-encountered stresses. All cells store phosphate in the form of polyphosphate (polyP), a ubiquitous polymer comprising tens to hundreds of phosphate residues. Release of phosphate from polyP is one of the first responses evoked in response to phosphate starvation, and here, we sought to explore the importance of polyP mobilization in the pathobiology of C. albicans. We found that two polyphosphatases, Ppn1 and Ppx1, function redundantly to release phosphate from polyP in C. albicans. Strikingly, we reveal that blocking polyP mobilization prevents the activation of the Pho4 transcription factor: following Pi starvation, Pho4 fails to accumulate in the nucleus and induce Pi acquisition genes in ppn1Δ ppx1Δ cells. Consequently, ppn1Δ ppx1Δ cells display impaired resistance to the same range of stresses that require Pho4 for survival. In addition, cells lacking both polyphosphatases are exquisitely sensitive to DNA replication stress, indicating that polyP mobilization is needed to support the phosphate-demanding process of DNA replication. Blocking polyP mobilization also results in significant morphological defects, as ppn1Δ ppx1Δ cells form large pseudohypha-like cells that are resistant to serum-induced hypha formation. Thus, polyP mobilization impacts key processes important for the pathobiology of C. albicans, and consistent with this, we found that blocking this process attenuates the virulence of this important human fungal pathogen.
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9
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Phosphate Starvation by Energy Metabolism Disturbance in Candida albicansvip1Δ/Δ Induces Lipid Droplet Accumulation and Cell Membrane Damage. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27030686. [PMID: 35163951 PMCID: PMC8839741 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Phosphorus in the form of phosphate (Pi) is an essential element for metabolic processes, including lipid metabolism. In yeast, the inositol polyphosphate kinase vip1 mediated synthesis of inositol heptakisphosphate (IP7) regulates the phosphate-responsive (PHO) signaling pathway, which plays an important role in response to Pi stress. The role of vip1 in Pi stress and lipid metabolism of Candida albicans has not yet been studied. We found that when vip1Δ/Δ was grown in glucose medium, if Pi was supplemented in the medium or mitochondrial Pi transporter was overexpressed in the strain, the lipid droplet (LD) content was reduced and membrane damage was alleviated. However, further studies showed that neither the addition of Pi nor the overexpression of the Pi transporter affected the energy balance of vip1Δ/Δ. In addition, the LD content of vip1Δ/Δ grown in Pi limitation medium PNMC was lower than that grown in SC, and the metabolic activity of vip1Δ/Δ grown in PNMC was also lower than that grown in SC medium. This suggests that the increase in Pi demand by a high energy metabolic rate is the cause of LD accumulation in vip1Δ/Δ. In addition, in the vip1Δ/Δ strains, the core transcription factor PHO4 in the PHO pathway was transported to the vacuole and degraded, which reduced the pathway activity. However, this does not mean that knocking out vip1 completely blocks the activation of the PHO pathway, because the LD content of vip1Δ/Δ grown in the medium with β-glycerol phosphate as the Pi source was significantly reduced. In summary, the increased Pi demand and the decreased PHO pathway activity in vip1Δ/Δ ultimately lead to LD accumulation and cell membrane damage.
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10
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Bhalla K, Qu X, Kretschmer M, Kronstad JW. The phosphate language of fungi. Trends Microbiol 2021; 30:338-349. [PMID: 34479774 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Phosphate is an essential macronutrient for fungal proliferation as well as a key mediator of antagonistic, beneficial, and pathogenic interactions between fungi and other organisms. In this review, we summarize recent insights into the integration of phosphate metabolism with mechanisms of fungal adaptation that support growth and survival. In particular, we highlight aspects of phosphate sensing important for responses to stress and regulation of cell-surface changes with an impact on fungal pathogenesis, host immune responses, and disease outcomes. Additionally, new studies provide insights into the influence of phosphate availability on cooperative or antagonistic interactions between fungi and other microbes, the associations of mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi with plants, and connections with plant immunity. Overall, phosphate homeostasis is emerging as an integral part of fungal metabolism and communication to support diverse lifestyles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabir Bhalla
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Xianya Qu
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Matthias Kretschmer
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - James W Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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11
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Lev S, Bowring B, Desmarini D, Djordjevic JT. Inositol polyphosphate-protein interactions: Implications for microbial pathogenicity. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13325. [PMID: 33721399 PMCID: PMC9286782 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Inositol polyphosphates (IPs) and inositol pyrophosphates (PP-IPs) regulate diverse cellular processes in eukaryotic cells. IPs and PP-IPs are highly negatively charged and exert their biological effects by interacting with specific protein targets. Studies performed predominantly in mammalian cells and model yeasts have shown that IPs and PP-IPs modulate target function through allosteric regulation, by promoting intra- and intermolecular stabilization and, in the case of PP-IPs, by donating a phosphate from their pyrophosphate (PP) group to the target protein. Technological advances in genetics have extended studies of IP function to microbial pathogens and demonstrated that disrupting PP-IP biosynthesis and PP-IP-protein interaction has a profound impact on pathogenicity. This review summarises the complexity of IP-mediated regulation in eukaryotes, including microbial pathogens. It also highlights examples of poor conservation of IP-protein interaction outcome despite the presence of conserved IP-binding domains in eukaryotic proteomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lev
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bethany Bowring
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Desmarini Desmarini
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julianne Teresa Djordjevic
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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12
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The Transcription Factor Pdr802 Regulates Titan Cell Formation and Pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans. mBio 2021; 12:mBio.03457-20. [PMID: 33688010 PMCID: PMC8092302 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03457-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans presents a worldwide threat to human health, especially in the context of immunocompromise, and current antifungal therapy is hindered by cost, limited availability, and inadequate efficacy. After the infectious particle is inhaled, C. neoformans initiates a complex transcriptional program that integrates cellular responses and enables adaptation to the host lung environment. Cryptococcus neoformans is a ubiquitous, opportunistic fungal pathogen that kills almost 200,000 people worldwide each year. It is acquired when mammalian hosts inhale the infectious propagules; these are deposited in the lung and, in the context of immunocompromise, may disseminate to the brain and cause lethal meningoencephalitis. Once inside the host, C. neoformans undergoes a variety of adaptive processes, including secretion of virulence factors, expansion of a polysaccharide capsule that impedes phagocytosis, and the production of giant (Titan) cells. The transcription factor Pdr802 is one regulator of these responses to the host environment. Expression of the corresponding gene is highly induced under host-like conditions in vitro and is critical for C. neoformans dissemination and virulence in a mouse model of infection. Direct targets of Pdr802 include the quorum sensing proteins Pqp1, Opt1, and Liv3; the transcription factors Stb4, Zfc3, and Bzp4, which regulate cryptococcal brain infectivity and capsule thickness; the calcineurin targets Had1 and Crz1, important for cell wall remodeling and C. neoformans virulence; and additional genes related to resistance to host temperature and oxidative stress, and to urease activity. Notably, cryptococci engineered to lack Pdr802 showed a dramatic increase in Titan cells, which are not phagocytosed and have diminished ability to directly cross biological barriers. This explains the limited dissemination of pdr802 mutant cells to the central nervous system and the consequently reduced virulence of this strain. The role of Pdr802 as a negative regulator of Titan cell formation is thus critical for cryptococcal pathogenicity.
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Ghosh AK, Schramm VL. Protein Mass-Modulated Effects in Alkaline Phosphatase. Biochemistry 2021; 60:118-124. [PMID: 33410323 PMCID: PMC8340299 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recent experimental studies engaging isotopically substituted protein (heavy protein) have revealed that many, but not all, enzymatic systems exhibit altered chemical steps in response to an altered mass. The results have been interpreted as femtosecond protein dynamics at the active site being linked (or not) to transition-state barrier crossing. An altered enzyme mass can influence several kinetic parameters (kcat, Km, and kchem) in amounts of ≤30% relative to light enzymes. An early report on deuterium-labeled Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase (AP) showed an unusually large enzyme kinetic isotope effect on kcat. We examined steady-state and chemical step properties of native AP, [2H]AP, and [2H,13C,15N]AP to characterize the role of heavy enzyme protein dynamics in reactions catalyzed by AP. Both [2H]- and [2H,13C,15N]APs showed unaltered steady-state and single-turnover rate constants. These findings characterize AP as one of the enzymes in which mass-dependent catalytic site dynamics is dominated by reactant-linked atomic motions. Two catalytic site zinc ions activate the oxygen nucleophiles in the catalytic site of AP. The mass of the zinc ions is unchanged in light and heavy APs. They are essentially linked to catalysis and provide a possible explanation for the loss of linkage between catalysis and protein mass in these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananda K Ghosh
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York 10461, United States
| | - Vern L Schramm
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York 10461, United States
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14
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Abstract
In the human-pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, the inositol polyphosphate signaling pathway is critical for virulence. We recently demonstrated the key role of the inositol pyrophosphate IP7 (isomer 5-PP-IP5) in driving fungal virulence; however, the mechanism of action remains elusive. Using genetic and biochemical approaches, and mouse infection models, we show that IP7 synthesized by Kcs1 regulates fungal virulence by binding to a conserved lysine surface cluster in the SPX domain of Pho81. Pho81 is the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor of the phosphate signaling (PHO) pathway. We also provide novel mechanistic insight into the role of IP7 in PHO pathway regulation by demonstrating that IP7 functions as an intermolecular "glue" to stabilize Pho81 association with Pho85/Pho80 and, hence, promote PHO pathway activation and phosphate acquisition. Blocking IP7-Pho81 interaction using site-directed mutagenesis led to a dramatic loss of fungal virulence in a mouse infection model, and the effect was similar to that observed following PHO81 gene deletion, highlighting the key importance of Pho81 in fungal virulence. Furthermore, our findings provide additional evidence of evolutionary divergence in PHO pathway regulation in fungi by demonstrating that IP7 isomers have evolved different roles in PHO pathway control in C. neoformans and nonpathogenic yeast.IMPORTANCE Invasive fungal diseases pose a serious threat to human health globally with >1.5 million deaths occurring annually, 180,000 of which are attributable to the AIDS-related pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans Here, we demonstrate that interaction of the inositol pyrophosphate, IP7, with the CDK inhibitor protein, Pho81, is instrumental in promoting fungal virulence. IP7-Pho81 interaction stabilizes Pho81 association with other CDK complex components to promote PHO pathway activation and phosphate acquisition. Our data demonstrating that blocking IP7-Pho81 interaction or preventing Pho81 production leads to a dramatic loss in fungal virulence, coupled with Pho81 having no homologue in humans, highlights Pho81 function as a potential target for the development of urgently needed antifungal drugs.
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15
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Jung KW, Lee KT, Bahn YS. A Signature-Tagged Mutagenesis (STM)-based murine-infectivity assay for Cryptococcus neoformans. J Microbiol 2020; 58:823-831. [PMID: 32989639 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-020-0341-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) is a high-throughput genetic technique that can be used to investigate the function of genes by constructing a large number of mutant strains with unique DNA identification tags, pooling them, and screening them for a particular phenotypic trait. STM was first designed for the identification of genes that contribute to the virulence or infectivity of a pathogen in its host. Recently, this method has also been applied for the identification of mutants with specific phenotypes, such as antifungal drug resistance and proliferation. In the present study, we describe an STM method for the identification of genes contributing to the infectivity of Cryptococcus neoformans using a mutant library, in which each strain was tagged with a unique DNA sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang-Woo Jung
- Radiation Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup o56212, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Tae Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Sun Bahn
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Lev S, Li C, Desmarini D, Liuwantara D, Sorrell TC, Hawthorne WJ, Djordjevic JT. Monitoring Glycolysis and Respiration Highlights Metabolic Inflexibility of Cryptococcus neoformans. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9090684. [PMID: 32839374 PMCID: PMC7559270 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9090684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a human fungal pathogen that adapts its metabolism to cope with limited oxygen availability, nutrient deprivation and host phagocytes. To gain insight into cryptococcal metabolism, we optimized a protocol for the Seahorse Analyzer, which measures extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) as indications of glycolytic and respiratory activities. In doing so we achieved effective immobilization of encapsulated cryptococci, established Rotenone/Antimycin A and 2-deoxyglucose as effective inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis, respectively, and optimized a microscopy-based method of data normalization. We applied the protocol to monitor metabolic changes in the pathogen alone and in co-culture with human blood-derived monocytes. We also compared metabolic flux in wild-type C. neoformans, its isogenic 5-PP-IP5/IP7-deficient metabolic mutant kcs1∆, the sister species of C. neoformans, Cryptococcus deuterogattii/VGII, and two other yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans. Our findings show that in contrast to monocytes and C. albicans, glycolysis and respiration are tightly coupled in C. neoformans and C. deuterogattii, as no compensatory increase in glycolysis occurred following inhibition of respiration. We also demonstrate that kcs1∆ has reduced metabolic activity that correlates with reduced mitochondrial function. Metabolic inflexibility in C. neoformans is therefore consistent with its obligate aerobe status and coincides with phagocyte tolerance of ingested cryptococcal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lev
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (S.L.); (C.L.); (D.D.); (T.C.S.)
- Sydney Medical School—Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia;
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Cecilia Li
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (S.L.); (C.L.); (D.D.); (T.C.S.)
- Sydney Medical School—Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia;
| | - Desmarini Desmarini
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (S.L.); (C.L.); (D.D.); (T.C.S.)
- Sydney Medical School—Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia;
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - David Liuwantara
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia;
| | - Tania C. Sorrell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (S.L.); (C.L.); (D.D.); (T.C.S.)
- Sydney Medical School—Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia;
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Wayne J. Hawthorne
- Sydney Medical School—Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia;
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia;
| | - Julianne T. Djordjevic
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (S.L.); (C.L.); (D.D.); (T.C.S.)
- Sydney Medical School—Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia;
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- Correspondence:
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17
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Johnston NR, Nallur S, Gordon PB, Smith KD, Strobel SA. Genome-Wide Identification of Genes Involved in General Acid Stress and Fluoride Toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1410. [PMID: 32670247 PMCID: PMC7329995 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrofluoric acid elicits cell cycle arrest through a mechanism that has long been presumed to be linked with the high affinity of fluoride to metals. However, we have recently found that the acid stress from fluoride exposure is sufficient to elicit many of the hallmark phenotypes of fluoride toxicity. Here we report the systematic screening of genes involved in fluoride resistance and general acid resistance using a genome deletion library in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We compare these to a variety of acids - 2,4-dinitrophenol, FCCP, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid - none of which has a high metal affinity. Pathways involved in endocytosis, vesicle trafficking, pH maintenance, and vacuolar function are of particular importance to fluoride tolerance. The majority of genes conferring resistance to fluoride stress also enhanced resistance to general acid toxicity. Genes whose expression regulate Golgi-mediated vesicle transport were specific to fluoride resistance, and may be linked with fluoride-metal interactions. These results support the notion that acidity is an important and underappreciated principle underlying the mechanisms of fluoride toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichole R Johnston
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Sunitha Nallur
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Patricia B Gordon
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Kathryn D Smith
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Scott A Strobel
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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18
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Fungal kinases and transcription factors regulating brain infection in Cryptococcus neoformans. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1521. [PMID: 32251295 PMCID: PMC7090016 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15329-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans causes fatal fungal meningoencephalitis. Here, we study the roles played by fungal kinases and transcription factors (TFs) in blood-brain barrier (BBB) crossing and brain infection in mice. We use a brain infectivity assay to screen signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM)-based libraries of mutants defective in kinases and TFs, generated in the C. neoformans H99 strain. We also monitor in vivo transcription profiles of kinases and TFs during host infection using NanoString technology. These analyses identify signalling components involved in BBB adhesion and crossing, or survival in the brain parenchyma. The TFs Pdr802, Hob1, and Sre1 are required for infection under all the conditions tested here. Hob1 controls the expression of several factors involved in brain infection, including inositol transporters, a metalloprotease, PDR802, and SRE1. However, Hob1 is dispensable for most cellular functions in Cryptococcus deuterogattii R265, a strain that does not target the brain during infection. Our results indicate that Hob1 is a master regulator of brain infectivity in C. neoformans. Cryptococcus neoformans causes fatal fungal meningoencephalitis. Here, the authors identify fungal kinases and transcription factors involved in blood-brain barrier crossing and brain infection in mice.
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19
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Lev S, Li C, Desmarini D, Sorrell TC, Saiardi A, Djordjevic JT. Fungal Kinases With a Sweet Tooth: Pleiotropic Roles of Their Phosphorylated Inositol Sugar Products in the Pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans Present Novel Drug Targeting Opportunities. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:248. [PMID: 31380293 PMCID: PMC6660261 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal pathogens cause more than 300 million serious human infections and 1.6 million deaths per year. A clearer understanding of the mechanisms by which these fungi cause disease is needed to identify novel targets for urgently needed therapies. Kinases are key components of the signaling and metabolic circuitry of eukaryotic cells, which include fungi, and kinase inhibition is currently being exploited for the treatment of human diseases. Inhibiting evolutionarily divergent kinases in fungal pathogens is a promising avenue for antifungal drug development. One such group of kinases is the phospholipase C1-dependent inositol polyphosphate kinases (IPKs), which act sequentially to transfer a phosphoryl group to a pre-phosphorylated inositol sugar (IP). This review focuses on the roles of fungal IPKs and their IP products in fungal pathogenicity, as determined predominantly from studies performed in the model fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, and compares them to what is known in non-pathogenic model fungi and mammalian cells to highlight potential drug targeting opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lev
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School-Westmead, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cecilia Li
- Sydney Medical School-Westmead, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Desmarini Desmarini
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School-Westmead, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tania C Sorrell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School-Westmead, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adolfo Saiardi
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julianne T Djordjevic
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School-Westmead, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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20
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Lev S, Rupasinghe T, Desmarini D, Kaufman-Francis K, Sorrell TC, Roessner U, Djordjevic JT. The PHO signaling pathway directs lipid remodeling in Cryptococcus neoformans via DGTS synthase to recycle phosphate during phosphate deficiency. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212651. [PMID: 30789965 PMCID: PMC6383925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The phosphate sensing and acquisition (PHO) pathway of Cryptococcus neoformans is essential for growth in phosphate-limiting conditions and for dissemination of infection in a mouse model. Its key transcription factor, Pho4, regulates expression of genes controlling the acquisition of phosphate from both external and cellular sources. One such gene, BTA1, is highly up-regulated during phosphate starvation. Given that a significant proportion of cellular phosphate is incorporated into phospholipids, and that the Pho4-dependent BTA1 gene encodes an enzyme predicted to catalyse production of a phosphorus-free betaine lipid, we investigated whether phospholipids provide an accessible reservoir of phosphate during phosphate deficiency. By comparing lipid profiles of phosphate-starved WT C. neoformans, PHO4 (pho4Δ) and BTA1 (bta1Δ) deletion mutants using thin layer chromatography and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, we showed that phosphatidylcholine (PC) is substituted by the phosphorus-free betaine lipids diacylglyceryl-N,N,N-trimethylhomoserine (DGTS) and diacylgyceryl hydroxymethyl-N,N,N-trimethyl-beta-alanine (DGTA) in a Pho4- and Bta1-dependent manner, and that BTA1 encodes a functional DGTS synthase. Synthesis of DGTA tightly correlated with that of DGTS, consistent with DGTS being the precursor of DGTA. Similar to pho4Δ, bta1Δ grew more slowly than WT in cell culture medium (RPMI) and was hypovirulent in a murine model of cryptococcosis. In contrast to pho4Δ, bta1Δ tolerated alkaline pH and disseminated to the brain. Our results demonstrate that Bta1-dependent substitution of PC by betaine lipids is tightly regulated in C. neoformans by the PHO pathway, to conserve phosphate and preserve membrane integrity and function. This phospholipid remodeling strategy may also contribute to cryptococcal virulence during host infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lev
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Fungal Pathogenesis Group, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Thusitha Rupasinghe
- Metabolomics Australia, School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Desmarini Desmarini
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Fungal Pathogenesis Group, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Keren Kaufman-Francis
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Fungal Pathogenesis Group, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tania Christine Sorrell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Fungal Pathogenesis Group, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ute Roessner
- Metabolomics Australia, School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julianne Teresa Djordjevic
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Fungal Pathogenesis Group, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
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21
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Intersection of phosphate transport, oxidative stress and TOR signalling in Candida albicans virulence. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007076. [PMID: 30059535 PMCID: PMC6085062 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphate is an essential macronutrient required for cell growth and division. Pho84 is the major high-affinity cell-surface phosphate importer of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a crucial element in the phosphate homeostatic system of this model yeast. We found that loss of Candida albicans Pho84 attenuated virulence in Drosophila and murine oropharyngeal and disseminated models of invasive infection, and conferred hypersensitivity to neutrophil killing. Susceptibility of cells lacking Pho84 to neutrophil attack depended on reactive oxygen species (ROS): pho84-/- cells were no more susceptible than wild type C. albicans to neutrophils from a patient with chronic granulomatous disease, or to those whose oxidative burst was pharmacologically inhibited or neutralized. pho84-/- mutants hyperactivated oxidative stress signalling. They accumulated intracellular ROS in the absence of extrinsic oxidative stress, in high as well as low ambient phosphate conditions. ROS accumulation correlated with diminished levels of the unique superoxide dismutase Sod3 in pho84-/- cells, while SOD3 overexpression from a conditional promoter substantially restored these cells’ oxidative stress resistance in vitro. Repression of SOD3 expression sharply increased their oxidative stress hypersensitivity. Neither of these oxidative stress management effects of manipulating SOD3 transcription was observed in PHO84 wild type cells. Sod3 levels were not the only factor driving oxidative stress effects on pho84-/- cells, though, because overexpressing SOD3 did not ameliorate these cells’ hypersensitivity to neutrophil killing ex vivo, indicating Pho84 has further roles in oxidative stress resistance and virulence. Measurement of cellular metal concentrations demonstrated that diminished Sod3 expression was not due to decreased import of its metal cofactor manganese, as predicted from the function of S. cerevisiae Pho84 as a low-affinity manganese transporter. Instead of a role of Pho84 in metal transport, we found its role in TORC1 activation to impact oxidative stress management: overexpression of the TORC1-activating GTPase Gtr1 relieved the Sod3 deficit and ROS excess in pho84-/- null mutant cells, though it did not suppress their hypersensitivity to neutrophil killing or hyphal growth defect. Pharmacologic inhibition of Pho84 by small molecules including the FDA-approved drug foscarnet also induced ROS accumulation. Inhibiting Pho84 could hence support host defenses by sensitizing C. albicans to oxidative stress. Candida albicans is the species most often isolated from patients with invasive fungal disease, and is also a common colonizer of healthy people. It is well equipped to compete for nutrients with bacteria co-inhabiting human gastrointestinal mucous membranes, since it possesses multiple transporters to internalize important nutrients like sugars, nitrogen sources, and phosphate. During infection, the fungus needs to withstand human defense cells that attack it with noxious chemicals, among which reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical. We found that a high-affinity phosphate transporter, Pho84, is required for C. albicans’ ability to successfully invade animal hosts and to eliminate ROS. Levels of a fungal enzyme that breaks down ROS, Sod3, were decreased in cells lacking Pho84. A connection between this phosphate transporter and the ROS-detoxifying enzyme was identified in the Target of Rapamycin (TOR) pathway, to which Pho84 is known to provide activating signals when phosphate is abundant. Small molecules that block Pho84 activity impair the ability of C. albicans to detoxify ROS. Since humans manage phosphate differently than fungi and have no Pho84 homolog, a drug that inhibits Pho84 could disable the defense of the fungus against the host.
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Lev S, Djordjevic JT. Why is a functional PHO pathway required by fungal pathogens to disseminate within a phosphate-rich host: A paradox explained by alkaline pH-simulated nutrient deprivation and expanded PHO pathway function. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007021. [PMID: 29928051 PMCID: PMC6013017 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lev
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, Australia
- Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Julianne Teresa Djordjevic
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, Australia
- Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Evolutionary conservation of a core fungal phosphate homeostasis pathway coupled to development in Blastocladiella emersonii. Fungal Genet Biol 2018; 115:20-32. [PMID: 29627365 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2018.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae elicits a transcriptional response to phosphate (Pi) depletion. To determine the origins of the phosphate response (PHO) system, we bioinformatically identified putative PHO components in the predicted proteomes of diverse fungi. Our results suggest that the PHO system is ancient; however, components have been expanded or lost in different fungal lineages. To show that a similar physiological response is present in deeply-diverging fungi we examined the transcriptional and physiological response of PHO genes to Pi depletion in the blastocladiomycete Blastocladiella emersonii. Our physiological experiments indicate that B. emersonii relies solely on high-affinity Na+-independent Pho84-like transporters. In response to Pi depletion, BePho84 paralogues were 4-8-fold transcriptionally upregulated, whereas several other PHO homologues like phosphatases and vacuolar transporter chaperone (VTC) complex components show 2-3-fold transcriptional upregulation. Since Pi has been shown to be important during the development of B. emersonii, we sought to determine if PHO genes are differentially regulated at different lifecycle stages. We demonstrate that a similar set of PHO transporters and phosphatases are upregulated at key points during B. emersonii development. Surprisingly, some genes upregulated during Pi depletion, including VTC components, are repressed at these key stages of development indicating that PHO genes are regulated by different pathways in different developmental and environmental situations. Overall, our findings indicate that a complex PHO network existed in the ancient branches of the fungi, persists in diverse extant fungi, and that this ancient network is likely to be involved in development and cell cycle regulation.
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Mechanisms of Pulmonary Escape and Dissemination by Cryptococcus neoformans. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 4:jof4010025. [PMID: 29463005 PMCID: PMC5872328 DOI: 10.3390/jof4010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a common environmental saprophyte and human fungal pathogen that primarily causes disease in immunocompromised individuals. Similar to many environmentally acquired human fungal pathogens, C. neoformans initiates infection in the lungs. However, the main driver of mortality is invasive cryptococcosis leading to fungal meningitis. After C. neoformans gains a foothold in the lungs, a critical early step in invasion is transversal of the respiratory epithelium. In this review, we summarize current knowledge relating to pulmonary escape. We focus on fungal factors that allow C. neoformans to disseminate from the lungs via intracellular and extracellular routes.
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Li C, Lev S, Desmarini D, Kaufman-Francis K, Saiardi A, Silva APG, Mackay JP, Thompson PE, Sorrell TC, Djordjevic JT. IP 3-4 kinase Arg1 regulates cell wall homeostasis and surface architecture to promote clearance of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in a mouse model. Virulence 2017; 8:1833-1848. [PMID: 28976803 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2017.1385692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously identified a series of inositol polyphosphate kinases (IPKs), Arg1, Ipk1, Kcs1 and Asp1, in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Using gene deletion analysis, we characterized Arg1, Ipk1 and Kcs1 and showed that they act sequentially to convert IP3 to PP-IP5 (IP7), a key metabolite promoting stress tolerance, metabolic adaptation and fungal dissemination to the brain. We have now directly characterized the enzymatic activity of Arg1, demonstrating that it is a dual specificity (IP3/IP4) kinase producing IP5. We showed previously that IP5 is further phosphorylated by Ipk1 to produce IP6, which is a substrate for the synthesis of PP-IP5 by Kcs1. Phenotypic comparison of the arg1Δ and kcs1Δ deletion mutants (both PP-IP5-deficient) reveals that arg1Δ has the most deleterious phenotype: while PP-IP5 is essential for metabolic and stress adaptation in both mutant strains, PP-IP5 is dispensable for virulence-associated functions such as capsule production, cell wall organization, and normal N-linked mannosylation of the virulence factor, phospholipase B1, as these phenotypes were defective only in arg1Δ. The more deleterious arg1Δ phenotype correlated with a higher rate of arg1Δ phagocytosis by human peripheral blood monocytes and rapid arg1Δ clearance from lung in a mouse model. This observation is in contrast to kcs1Δ, which we previously reported establishes a chronic, confined lung infection. In summary, we show that Arg1 is the most crucial IPK for cryptococcal virulence, conveying PP-IP5-dependent and novel PP-IP5-independent functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Li
- a Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research , 176 Hawkesbury road, Westmead NSW 2145 , Australia.,b Sydney Medical School-Westmead, The University of Sydney , Westmead NSW 2145 , Australia.,c Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney , NSW Australia
| | - Sophie Lev
- a Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research , 176 Hawkesbury road, Westmead NSW 2145 , Australia.,b Sydney Medical School-Westmead, The University of Sydney , Westmead NSW 2145 , Australia.,c Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney , NSW Australia
| | - Desmarini Desmarini
- a Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research , 176 Hawkesbury road, Westmead NSW 2145 , Australia
| | - Keren Kaufman-Francis
- a Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research , 176 Hawkesbury road, Westmead NSW 2145 , Australia.,c Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney , NSW Australia
| | - Adolfo Saiardi
- d Medical Research Council Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London , Gower street, London WC1E 6BT , UK
| | - Ana P G Silva
- e School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney , Camperdown , NSW 2006 , Australia
| | - Joel P Mackay
- e School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney , Camperdown , NSW 2006 , Australia
| | - Philip E Thompson
- f Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Monash University , 381 Royal Parade, Parkville , VIC 3052 , Australia
| | - Tania C Sorrell
- a Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research , 176 Hawkesbury road, Westmead NSW 2145 , Australia.,b Sydney Medical School-Westmead, The University of Sydney , Westmead NSW 2145 , Australia.,c Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney , NSW Australia.,g Westmead Hospital , Westmead , NSW 2145 , Australia
| | - Julianne T Djordjevic
- a Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research , 176 Hawkesbury road, Westmead NSW 2145 , Australia.,b Sydney Medical School-Westmead, The University of Sydney , Westmead NSW 2145 , Australia.,c Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney , NSW Australia.,g Westmead Hospital , Westmead , NSW 2145 , Australia
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Nutritional Requirements and Their Importance for Virulence of Pathogenic Cryptococcus Species. Microorganisms 2017; 5:microorganisms5040065. [PMID: 28974017 PMCID: PMC5748574 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms5040065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus sp. are basidiomycete yeasts which can be found widely, free-living in the environment. Interactions with natural predators, such as amoebae in the soil, are thought to have promoted the development of adaptations enabling the organism to survive inside human macrophages. Infection with Cryptococcus in humans occurs following inhalation of desiccated yeast cells or spore particles and may result in fatal meningoencephalitis. Human disease is caused almost exclusively by the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex, which predominantly infects immunocompromised patients, and the Cryptococcus gattii species complex, which is capable of infecting immunocompetent individuals. The nutritional requirements of Cryptococcus are critical for its virulence in animals. Cryptococcus has evolved a broad range of nutrient acquisition strategies, many if not most of which also appear to contribute to its virulence, enabling infection of animal hosts. In this review, we summarise the current understanding of nutritional requirements and acquisition in Cryptococcus and offer perspectives to its evolution as a significant pathogen of humans.
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Phosphate Acquisition and Virulence in Human Fungal Pathogens. Microorganisms 2017; 5:microorganisms5030048. [PMID: 28829379 PMCID: PMC5620639 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms5030048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of pathogenic fungi to acquire essential macro and micronutrients during infection is a well-established virulence trait. Recent studies in the major human fungal pathogens Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans have revealed that acquisition of the essential macronutrient, phosphate, is essential for virulence. The phosphate sensing and acquisition pathway in fungi, known as the PHO pathway, has been extensively characterized in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this review, we highlight recent advances in phosphate sensing and signaling mechanisms, and use the S. cerevisiae PHO pathway as a platform from which to compare the phosphate acquisition and storage strategies employed by several human pathogenic fungi. We also explore the multi-layered roles of phosphate acquisition in promoting fungal stress resistance to pH, cationic, and oxidative stresses, and describe emerging roles for the phosphate storage molecule polyphosphate (polyP). Finally, we summarize the recent studies supporting the necessity of phosphate acquisition in mediating the virulence of human fungal pathogens, highlighting the concept that this requirement is intimately linked to promoting resistance to host-imposed stresses.
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Defining the DNA Binding Site Recognized by the Fission Yeast Zn 2Cys 6 Transcription Factor Pho7 and Its Role in Phosphate Homeostasis. mBio 2017; 8:mBio.01218-17. [PMID: 28811350 PMCID: PMC5559640 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01218-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fission yeast phosphate homeostasis entails transcriptional induction of genes encoding phosphate-mobilizing proteins under conditions of phosphate starvation. Transcription factor Pho7, a member of the Zn2Cys6 family of fungal transcription regulators, is the central player in the starvation response. The DNA binding sites in the promoters of phosphate-responsive genes have not been defined, nor have any structure-function relationships been established for the Pho7 protein. Here we narrow this knowledge gap by (i) delineating an autonomous DNA-binding domain (DBD) within Pho7 that includes the Zn2Cys6 module, (ii) deploying recombinant Pho7 DBD in DNase I footprinting and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) to map the Pho7 recognition sites in the promoters of the phosphate-regulated pho1 and tgp1 genes to a 12-nucleotide sequence motif [5′-TCG(G/C)(A/T)xxTTxAA], (iii) independently identifying the same motif as a Pho7 recognition element via in silico analysis of available genome-wide ChIP-seq data, (iv) affirming that mutations in the two Pho7 recognition sites in the pho1 promoter efface pho1 expression in vivo, and (v) establishing that the zinc-binding cysteines and a pair of conserved arginines in the DBD are essential for Pho7 activity in vivo. Fungi respond to phosphate starvation by inducing the transcription of a set of phosphate acquisition genes that comprise a phosphate regulon. Pho7, a member of the Zn2Cys6 family of fungal transcription regulators, is the central player in the phosphate starvation response in fission yeast. The present study identifies a 12-nucleotide Pho7 DNA binding motif [5′-TCG(G/C)(A/T)xxTTxAA] in the promoters of phosphate-regulated genes, pinpoints DNA and protein features important for Pho7 binding to DNA, and correlates them with Pho7-dependent gene expression in vivo. The results highlight distinctive properties of Pho7 vis-a-vis other fungal zinc binuclear cluster transcription factors as well as the divergent cast of transcription factors deployed for phosphate homeostasis in fission yeast versus budding yeast.
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