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Schaff H, Dey P, Heiss C, Keiser G, Moro TR, Azadi P, Patel P, Free SJ. Characterization of the need for galactofuranose during the Neurospora crassa life cycle. Fungal Genet Biol 2023; 168:103826. [PMID: 37541569 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Galactofuranose is a constituent of the cell walls of filamentous fungi. The galactofuranose can be found as a component of N-linked oligosaccharides, in O-linked oligosaccharides, in GPI-anchored galactomannan, and in free galactomannan. The Neurospora genome contains a single UDP-galactose mutase gene (ugm-1/NCU01824) and two UDP-galactofuranose translocases used to import UDP-galactofuranose into the lumen of the Golgi apparatus (ugt-1/NCU01826 and ugt-2/NCU01456). Our results demonstrate that loss of galactofuranose synthesis or its translocation into the lumen of the secretory pathway affects the morphology and growth rate of the vegetative hyphae, the production of conidia (asexual spores), and dramatically affects the sexual stages of the life cycle. In mutants that are unable to make galactofuranose or transport it into the lumen of the Golgi apparatus, ascospore development is aborted soon after fertilization and perithecium maturation is aborted prior to the formation of the neck and ostiole. The Neurospora genome contains three genes encoding possible galactofuranosyltransferases from the GT31 family of glycosyltransferases (gfs-1/NCU05878, gfs-2/NCU07762, and gfs-3/NCU02213) which might be involved in generating galactofuranose-containing oligosaccharide structures. Analysis of triple KO mutants in GT31 glycosyltransferases shows that these mutants have normal morphology, suggesting that these genes do not encode vital galactofuranosyltransferases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayden Schaff
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, United States
| | - Protyusha Dey
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, United States
| | - Christian Heiss
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Griffin Keiser
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Tatiana Rojo Moro
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Parastoo Azadi
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Pavan Patel
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, United States
| | - Stephen J Free
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, United States.
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UDP-Galactopyranose Mutase Mediates Cell Wall Integrity, Polarity Growth, and Virulence in Fusarium graminearum. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0123522. [PMID: 36656025 PMCID: PMC9972967 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01235-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
CHY1 is a zinc finger protein unique to microorganisms that was found to regulate polarized tip growth in Fusarium graminearum, an important pathogen of wheat and barley. To further characterize its functions, in this study we identified CHY1-interacting proteins by affinity purification and selected UDP-galactofuranose (Galf) mutase (UGMA) for detailed characterization, because UGMA and UDP-Galf are unique to fungi and bacteria and absent in plants and animals. The interaction between CHY1 and UGMA was confirmed by yeast two-hybrid assays. Deletion of UGMA in F. graminearum resulted in significant defects in vegetative growth, reproduction, cell wall integrity, and pathogenicity. Infection with the ΔugmA mutant was restricted to the inoculated floret, and no vomitoxin was detected in kernels inoculated with the ΔugmA strain. Compared to the wild type, the ΔugmA mutant produced wide, highly branched hyphae with thick walls, as visualized by transmission electron microscopy. UGMA tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) mainly localized to the cytoplasm, consistent with the synthesis of Galf in the cytoplasm. The Δchy1 mutant was more sensitive, while the ΔugmA mutant was more tolerant, to cell wall-degrading enzymes. The growth of the ΔugmA mutant nearly ceased upon caspofungin treatment. More interestingly, nocodazole treatment of the ΔugmA strain attenuated its highly branched morphology, while caspofungin inhibited the degree of the twisted Δchy1 mycelia, indicating that CHY1 and UGMA probably have opposite effects on cell wall architecture. In conclusion, UGMA is an important pathogenic factor that is specific to fungi and bacteria and required for cell wall architecture, radial growth, and caspofungin tolerance, and it appears to be a promising target for antifungal agent development. IMPORTANCE The long-term use of chemical pesticides has had increasingly negative impacts on the ecological environment and human health. Low-toxicity, high-efficiency and environmentally friendly alternative pesticides are of great significance for maintaining the sustainable development of agriculture and human and environmental health. Using fungus- or microbe-specific genes as candidate targets provides a good foundation for the development of low-toxicity, environmentally friendly pesticides. In this study, we characterized a fungus- and bacterium-specific UDP-galactopyranose mutase gene, ugmA, that contributes to the synthesis of the cell wall component Galf and is required for vegetative growth, cell wall integrity, deoxynivalenol (DON) production, and pathogenicity in F. graminearum. The ugmA deletion mutant exhibited increased sensitivity to caspofungin. These results demonstrate the functional importance of UGMA in F. graminearum, and its absence from mammals and higher plants constitutes a considerable advantage as a low-toxicity target for the development of new anti-Fusarium agents.
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Kadooka C, Tanaka Y, Hira D, Maruyama JI, Goto M, Oka T. Identification of galactofuranose antigens such as galactomannoproteins and fungal-type galactomannan from the yellow koji fungus ( Aspergillus oryzae). Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1110996. [PMID: 36814571 PMCID: PMC9939772 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1110996] [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: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Filamentous fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus are known to possess galactomannan in their cell walls. Galactomannan is highly antigenic to humans and has been reported to be involved in the pathogenicity of pathogenic filamentous fungi, such as A. fumigatus, and in immune responses. In this study, we aimed to confirm the presence of D-galactofuranose-containing glycans and to clarify the biosynthesis of D-galactofuranose-containing glycans in Aspergillus oryzae, a yellow koji fungus. We found that the galactofuranose antigen is also present in A. oryzae. Deletion of ugmA, which encodes UDP-galactopyranose mutase in A. oryzae, suppressed mycelial elongation, suggesting that D-galactofuranose-containing glycans play an important role in cell wall integrity in A. oryzae. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry revealed that the galactofuranose-containing sugar chain was deficient and that core mannan backbone structures were present in ΔugmA A. oryzae, indicating the presence of fungal-type galactomannan in the cell wall fraction of A. oryzae. The findings of this study provide new insights into the cell wall structure of A. oryzae, which is essential for the production of fermented foods in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Kadooka
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Sojo University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yutaka Tanaka
- Division of Infection and Host Defense, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Daisuke Hira
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Sojo University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Jun-ichi Maruyama
- Department of Biotechnology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan,Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Goto
- Department of Applied Biochemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Takuji Oka
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Sojo University, Kumamoto, Japan,*Correspondence: Takuji Oka,
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Gao Y, Xiong X, Wang H, Wang J, Bi Y, Yan Y, Cao Z, Li D, Song F. Ero1-Pdi1 module-catalysed dimerization of a nucleotide sugar transporter, FonNst2, regulates virulence of Fusarium oxysporum on watermelon. Environ Microbiol 2021; 24:1200-1220. [PMID: 34587346 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon) is a soil-borne fungus causing vascular Fusarium wilt on watermelon; however, the molecular network regulating Fon virulence remains to be elucidated. Here, we report the function and mechanism of nucleotide sugar transporters (Nsts) in Fon. Fon genome harbours nine FonNst genes with distinct functions in vegetative growth, asexual production, cell wall stress response and virulence. FonNst2 and FonNst3 are required for full virulence of Fon on watermelon and FonNst2 is mainly involved in fungal colonization of the plant tissues. FonNst2 and FonNst3 form homo- or hetero-dimers but function independently in Fon virulence. FonNst2, which has UDP-galactose transporter activity in yeast, interacts with FonEro1 and FonPdi1, both of which are required for full virulence of Fon. FonNst2, FonPdi1 and FonEro1 target to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and are essential for ER homeostasis and function. FonEro1-FonPdi1 module catalyses the dimerization of FonNst2, which is critical for Fon virulence. Undimerized FonNst2 is unstable and degraded via ER-associated protein degradation in vivo. These data demonstrate that FonEro1-FonPdi1 module-catalysed dimerization of FonNst2 is critical for Fon virulence on watermelon and provide new insights into the regulation of virulence in plant fungal pathogens via disulfide bond formation of key pathogenicity factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xiaohui Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jiajing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yan Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yuqing Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhongye Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Dayong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Fengming Song
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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Galactomannan Produced by Aspergillus fumigatus: An Update on the Structure, Biosynthesis and Biological Functions of an Emblematic Fungal Biomarker. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6040283. [PMID: 33198419 PMCID: PMC7712326 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The galactomannan (GM) that is produced by the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is an emblematic biomarker in medical mycology. The GM is composed of two monosaccharides: mannose and galactofuranose. The furanic configuration of galactose residues, absent in mammals, is responsible for the antigenicity of the GM and has favoured the development of ELISA tests to diagnose aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. The GM that is produced by A. fumigatus is a unique fungal polysaccharide containing a tetramannoside repeat unit and having three different forms: (i) membrane bound through a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor, (ii) covalently linked to β-1,3-glucans in the cell wall, or (iii) released in the culture medium as a free polymer. Recent studies have revealed the crucial role of the GM during vegetative and polarized fungal growth. This review highlights these recent data on its biosynthetic pathway and its biological functions during the saprophytic and pathogenic life of this opportunistic human fungal pathogen.
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Lee DJ, O'Donnell H, Routier FH, Tiralongo J, Haselhorst T. Glycobiology of Human Fungal Pathogens: New Avenues for Drug Development. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111348. [PMID: 31671548 PMCID: PMC6912366 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are an increasing threat to the developing world, with fungal spores being ubiquitous and inhaled every day. Some fungal species are commensal organisms that are part of the normal human microbiota, and, as such, do not pose a threat to the immune system. However, when the natural balance of this association is disturbed or the host's immune system is compromised, these fungal pathogens overtake the organism, and cause IFI. To understand the invasiveness of these pathogens and to address the growing problem of IFI, it is essential to identify the cellular processes of the invading organism and their virulence. In this review, we will discuss the prevalence and current options available to treat IFI, including recent reports of drug resistance. Nevertheless, the main focus of this review is to describe the glycobiology of human fungal pathogens and how various components of the fungal cell wall, particularly cell wall polysaccharides and glycoconjugates, are involved in fungal pathogenicity, their biosynthesis and how they can be potentially exploited to develop novel antifungal treatment options. We will specifically describe the nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs) that are important in fungal survival and suggest that the inhibition of fungal NSTs may potentially be useful to prevent the establishment of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J Lee
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia; Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Nikolai-Fuchs Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Holly O'Donnell
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia; Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Nikolai-Fuchs Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Françoise H Routier
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry OE4340, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Nikolai-Fuchs Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Joe Tiralongo
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia; Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Nikolai-Fuchs Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Thomas Haselhorst
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia; Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Nikolai-Fuchs Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
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7
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Arentshorst M, de Lange D, Park J, Lagendijk EL, Alazi E, van den Hondel CAMJJ, Ram AFJ. Functional analysis of three putative galactofuranosyltransferases with redundant functions in galactofuranosylation in Aspergillus niger. Arch Microbiol 2019; 202:197-203. [PMID: 31372664 PMCID: PMC6949202 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-019-01709-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Galactofuranose (Galf)-containing glycostructures are important to secure the integrity of the fungal cell wall. Golgi-localized Galf-transferases (Gfs) have been identified in Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus fumigatus. BLASTp searches identified three putative Galf-transferases in Aspergillus niger. Phylogenetic analysis showed that they group in three distinct groups. Characterization of the three Galf-transferases in A. niger by constructing single, double, and triple mutants revealed that gfsA is most important for Galf biosynthesis. The growth phenotypes of the ΔgfsA mutant are less severe than that of the ΔgfsAC mutant, indicating that GfsA and GfsC have redundant functions. Deletion of gfsB did not result in any growth defect and combining ΔgfsB with other deletion mutants did not exacerbate the growth phenotype. RT-qPCR experiments showed that induction of the agsA gene was higher in the ΔgfsAC and ΔgfsABC compared to the single mutants, indicating a severe cell wall stress response after multiple gfs gene deletions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Arentshorst
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Davina de Lange
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Joohae Park
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen L Lagendijk
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Koppert Biological Systems, Veilingweg 14, 2651 BE, Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands
| | - Ebru Alazi
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Dutch DNA Biotech, Hugo R Kruytgebouw 4-Noord, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cees A M J J van den Hondel
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur F J Ram
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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8
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Ati J, Colas C, Lafite P, Sweeney RP, Zheng RB, Lowary TL, Daniellou R. The LPG1x family from Leishmania major is constituted of rare eukaryotic galactofuranosyltransferases with unprecedented catalytic properties. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17566. [PMID: 30514885 PMCID: PMC6279836 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35847-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Galactofuranosyltransferases are poorly described enzymes despite their crucial role in the virulence and the pathogenicity of numerous microorganisms. These enzymes are considered as potential targets for therapeutic action. In addition to the only well-characterised prokaryotic GlfT2 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, four putative genes in Leishmania major were previously described as potential galactofuranosyltransferases. In this study, we have cloned, over-expressed, purified and fully determined the kinetic parameters of these four eukaryotic enzymes, thus demonstrating their unique potency in catalysing the transfer of the galactofuranosyl moiety into acceptors. Their individual promiscuity revealed to be different, as some of them could efficiently use NDP-pyranoses as donor substrates in addition to the natural UDP-galactofuranose. Such results pave the way for the development of chemoenzymatic synthesis of furanosyl-containing glycoconjugates as well as the design of improved drugs against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihen Ati
- Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique, UMR CNRS 7311, Université d'Orléans, Rue de Chartres, BP6759, Orléans, Cedex 02, France
| | - Cyril Colas
- Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique, UMR CNRS 7311, Université d'Orléans, Rue de Chartres, BP6759, Orléans, Cedex 02, France
| | - Pierre Lafite
- Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique, UMR CNRS 7311, Université d'Orléans, Rue de Chartres, BP6759, Orléans, Cedex 02, France
| | - Ryan P Sweeney
- Alberta Glycomics Centre and Department of Chemistry, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Ruixiang Blake Zheng
- Alberta Glycomics Centre and Department of Chemistry, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Todd L Lowary
- Alberta Glycomics Centre and Department of Chemistry, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Richard Daniellou
- Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique, UMR CNRS 7311, Université d'Orléans, Rue de Chartres, BP6759, Orléans, Cedex 02, France.
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9
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Amino Acid Metabolism and Transport Mechanisms as Potential Antifungal Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19030909. [PMID: 29562716 PMCID: PMC5877770 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19030909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Discovering new drugs for treatment of invasive fungal infections is an enduring challenge. There are only three major classes of antifungal agents, and no new class has been introduced into clinical practice in more than a decade. However, recent advances in our understanding of the fungal life cycle, functional genomics, proteomics, and gene mapping have enabled the identification of new drug targets to treat these potentially deadly infections. In this paper, we examine amino acid transport mechanisms and metabolism as potential drug targets to treat invasive fungal infections, including pathogenic yeasts, such as species of Candida and Cryptococcus, as well as molds, such as Aspergillus fumigatus. We also explore the mechanisms by which amino acids may be exploited to identify novel drug targets and review potential hurdles to bringing this approach into clinical practice.
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10
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Oka T. Biosynthesis of galactomannans found in filamentous fungi belonging to Pezizomycotina. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2018; 82:183-191. [PMID: 29334321 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2017.1422383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The galactomannans (GMs) that are produced by filamentous fungi belonging to Pezizomycotina, many of which are pathogenic for animals and plants, are polysaccharides consisting of α-(1→2)-/α-(1→6)-mannosyl and β-(1→5)-/β-(1→6)-galactofuranosyl residues. GMs are located at the outermost layer of the cell wall. When a pathogenic fungus infects a host, its cell surface must be in contact with the host. The GMs on the cell surface may be involved in the infection mechanism of a pathogenic fungus or the defense mechanism of a host. There are two types of GMs in filamentous fungi, fungal-type galactomannans and O-mannose type galactomannans. Recent biochemical and genetic advances have facilitated a better understanding of the biosynthesis of both types. This review summarizes our current information on their biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuji Oka
- a Department of Applied Microbial Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Science , Sojo University , Kumamoto , Japan
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11
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Katafuchi Y, Li Q, Tanaka Y, Shinozuka S, Kawamitsu Y, Izumi M, Ekino K, Mizuki K, Takegawa K, Shibata N, Goto M, Nomura Y, Ohta K, Oka T. GfsA is a β1,5-galactofuranosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of the galactofuran side chain of fungal-type galactomannan in Aspergillus fumigatus. Glycobiology 2017; 27:568-581. [DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwx028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yukako Katafuchi
- Department of Applied Microbial Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Science, Sojo University, Ikeda 4-22-1, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan
| | - Qiushi Li
- Department of Applied Microbial Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Science, Sojo University, Ikeda 4-22-1, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan
| | - Yutaka Tanaka
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Komatsushima 4-4-1, Sendai 981-8558, Japan
| | - Saki Shinozuka
- Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, Tsushimanaka 1-1-1, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Yohei Kawamitsu
- Department of Applied Microbial Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Science, Sojo University, Ikeda 4-22-1, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan
| | - Minoru Izumi
- Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, Tsushimanaka 1-1-1, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ekino
- Department of Applied Microbial Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Science, Sojo University, Ikeda 4-22-1, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan
| | - Keiji Mizuki
- Department of Nanoscience, Faculty of Engineering, Sojo University, Ikeda 4-22-1, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan
| | - Kaoru Takegawa
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Hakozaki 6-10-1, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Shibata
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Komatsushima 4-4-1, Sendai 981-8558, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Goto
- Department of Applied Biochemistry and Food Science, Saga University, Honjo-machi 1, Saga 840-8502, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Nomura
- Department of Applied Microbial Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Science, Sojo University, Ikeda 4-22-1, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Ohta
- Department of Applied Microbial Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Science, Sojo University, Ikeda 4-22-1, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan
| | - Takuji Oka
- Department of Applied Microbial Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Science, Sojo University, Ikeda 4-22-1, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan
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12
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Park J, Hulsman M, Arentshorst M, Breeman M, Alazi E, Lagendijk EL, Rocha MC, Malavazi I, Nitsche BM, van den Hondel CAMJJ, Meyer V, Ram AFJ. Transcriptomic and molecular genetic analysis of the cell wall salvage response of Aspergillus niger to the absence of galactofuranose synthesis. Cell Microbiol 2016; 18:1268-84. [PMID: 27264789 PMCID: PMC5129474 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The biosynthesis of cell surface-located galactofuranose (Galf)-containing glycostructures such as galactomannan, N-glycans and O-glycans in filamentous fungi is important to secure the integrity of the cell wall. UgmA encodes an UDP-galactopyranose mutase, which is essential for the formation of Galf. Consequently, the ΔugmA mutant lacks Galf-containing molecules. Our previous work in Aspergillus niger work suggested that loss of function of ugmA results in activation of the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway which is characterized by increased expression of the agsA gene, encoding an α-glucan synthase. In this study, the transcriptional response of the ΔugmA mutant was further linked to the CWI pathway by showing the induced and constitutive phosphorylation of the CWI-MAP kinase in the ΔugmA mutant. To identify genes involved in cell wall remodelling in response to the absence of galactofuranose biosynthesis, a genome-wide expression analysis was performed using RNAseq. Over 400 genes were higher expressed in the ΔugmA mutant compared to the wild-type. These include genes that encode enzymes involved in chitin (gfaB, gnsA, chsA) and α-glucan synthesis (agsA), and in β-glucan remodelling (bgxA, gelF and dfgC), and also include several glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell wall protein-encoding genes. In silico analysis of the 1-kb promoter regions of the up-regulated genes in the ΔugmA mutant indicated overrepresentation of genes with RlmA, MsnA, PacC and SteA-binding sites. The importance of these transcription factors for survival of the ΔugmA mutant was analysed by constructing the respective double mutants. The ΔugmA/ΔrlmA and ΔugmA/ΔmsnA double mutants showed strong synthetic growth defects, indicating the importance of these transcription factors to maintain cell wall integrity in the absence of Galf biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joohae Park
- Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Hulsman
- Delft Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Intelligent Systems, Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 4, 2628 CD, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Arentshorst
- Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Breeman
- Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ebru Alazi
- Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen L Lagendijk
- Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marina C Rocha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Iran Malavazi
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Benjamin M Nitsche
- Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Berlin University of Technology, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cees A M J J van den Hondel
- Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vera Meyer
- Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Berlin University of Technology, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355, Berlin, Germany
| | - Arthur F J Ram
- Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
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13
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Orellana A, Moraga C, Araya M, Moreno A. Overview of Nucleotide Sugar Transporter Gene Family Functions Across Multiple Species. J Mol Biol 2016; 428:3150-3165. [PMID: 27261257 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2016.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Glycoproteins and glycolipids are crucial in a number of cellular processes, such as growth, development, and responses to external cues, among others. Polysaccharides, another class of sugar-containing molecules, also play important structural and signaling roles in the extracellular matrix. The additions of glycans to proteins and lipids, as well as polysaccharide synthesis, are processes that primarily occur in the Golgi apparatus, and the substrates used in this biosynthetic process are nucleotide sugars. These proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides are also modified by the addition of sulfate groups in the Golgi apparatus in a series of reactions where nucleotide sulfate is needed. The required nucleotide sugar substrates are mainly synthesized in the cytosol and transported into the Golgi apparatus by nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs), which can additionally transport nucleotide sulfate. Due to the critical role of NSTs in eukaryotic organisms, any malfunction of these could change glycan and polysaccharide structures, thus affecting function and altering organism physiology. For example, mutations or deletion on NST genes lead to pathological conditions in humans or alter cell walls in plants. In recent years, many NSTs have been identified and functionally characterized, but several remain unanalyzed. This study examined existing information on functionally characterized NSTs and conducted a phylogenetic analysis of 257 NSTs predicted from nine animal and plant model species, as well as from protists and fungi. From this analysis, relationships between substrate specificity and the primary NST structure can be inferred, thereby advancing understandings of nucleotide sugar gene family functions across multiple species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Orellana
- Centro de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 217, Santiago, RM 837-0146, Chile; FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, RM,Chile.
| | - Carol Moraga
- Centro de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 217, Santiago, RM 837-0146, Chile.
| | - Macarena Araya
- Centro de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 217, Santiago, RM 837-0146, Chile.
| | - Adrian Moreno
- Centro de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 217, Santiago, RM 837-0146, Chile; FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, RM,Chile.
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