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Liu S, Bu Z, Zhang X, Chen Y, Sun Q, Wu F, Guo S, Zhu Y, Tan X. The new CFEM protein CgCsa required for Fe 3+ homeostasis regulates the growth, development, and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 274:133216. [PMID: 38901513 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133216] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Secreted common fungal extracellular membrane (CFEM) domain proteins have been implicated in multiple biological functions in fungi. However, it is still largely unknown whether the ferric iron (Fe3+), as an important trace element, was involved with the biological function of CFEM proteins. In this study, a new CFEM protein CgCsa, with high expression levels at the early inoculation stage on peppers by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was investigated. Deletion of the targeted gene CgCsa revealed multiple biological roles in hyphal growth restriction, highly reduced conidial yield, delayed conidial germination, abnormal appressorium with elongated bud tubes, and significantly reduced virulence of C. gloeosporioides. Moreover, in CgCsa mutants, the expression levels of four cell wall synthesis-related genes were downregulated, and cell membrane permeability and electrical conductivity were increased. Compared to the wild-type, the CgCsa mutants downregulated expressions of iron transport-related genes, in addition, its three-dimensional structure was capable binding with iron. Increase in the Fe3+ concentration in the culture medium partially recovered the functions of ΔCgCsa mutant. This is probably the first report to show the association between CgCsa and iron homeostasis in C. gloeosporioides. The results suggest an alternative pathway for controlling plant fungal diseases by deplete their trace elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sizhen Liu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; Yuelushan Laboratory, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Zhigang Bu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; Yuelushan Laboratory, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yue Chen
- Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; Yuelushan Laboratory, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Qianlong Sun
- Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; Yuelushan Laboratory, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Fei Wu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; Yuelushan Laboratory, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Sheng Guo
- Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; Yuelushan Laboratory, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yonghua Zhu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Developmental Regulation, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China.
| | - Xinqiu Tan
- Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; Yuelushan Laboratory, Changsha 410128, China; LongPing Branch, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China.
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Qiu C, Halterman D, Zhang H, Liu Z. Multifunctionality of AsCFEM6 and AsCFEM12 effectors from the potato early blight pathogen Alternaria solani. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 257:128575. [PMID: 38048930 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Plant pathogens secrete fungal-specific common in several fungal extracellular membrane (CFEM) effectors to manipulate host immunity and contribute to their virulence. Little is known about effectors and their functions in Alternaria solani, the necrotrophic fungal pathogen causing potato early blight. To identify candidate CFEM effector genes, we mined A. solani genome databases. This led to the identification of 12 genes encoding CFEM proteins (termed AsCFEM1-AsCFEM12) and 6 of them were confirmed to be putative secreted effectors. In planta expression revealed that AsCFEM6 and AsCFEM12 have elicitor function that triggers plant defense response including cell death in different botanical families. Targeted gene disruption of AsCFEM6 and AsCFEM12 resulted in a change in spore development, significant reduction of virulence on potato and eggplant susceptible cultivars, increased resistance to fungicide stress, variation in iron acquisition and utilization, and the involvement in 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) melanin biosynthesis pathway. Using maximum likelihood method, we found that positive selection likely caused the polymorphism within AsCFEM6 and AsCFEM12 homologs in different Alternaria spp. Site-directed mutagenesis analysis indicated that positive selection sites within their CFEM domains are required for cell death induction in Nicotiana benthamiana and are critical for response to abiotic stress in yeast. These results demonstrate that AsCFEM effectors possess additional functions beyond their roles in host plant immune response and pathogen virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaodong Qiu
- Department of Plant Pathology, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Dennis Halterman
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Vegetable Crops Research Unit, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Huajian Zhang
- Department of Plant Pathology, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, Hefei 230036, China.
| | - Zhenyu Liu
- Department of Plant Pathology, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, Hefei 230036, China.
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Huang Z, Zhou Y, Li H, Bao Y, Duan Z, Wang C, Powell CA, Wang K, Hu Q, Chen B, Zhang J, Zhang M, Yao W. Identification of common fungal extracellular membrane (CFEM) proteins in Fusarium sacchari that inhibit plant immunity and contribute to virulence. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0145223. [PMID: 37962343 PMCID: PMC10715082 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01452-23] [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: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Common fungal extracellular membrane (CFEM) domain-containing protein has long been considered an essential effector, playing a crucial role in the interaction of pathogens and plant. Strategies aimed at understanding the pathogenicity mechanism of F. sacchari are eagerly anticipated to ultimately end the spread of pokkah boeng disease. Twenty FsCFEM proteins in the genome of F. sacchari have been identified, and four FsCFEM effector proteins have been found to suppress BCL2-associated X protein-triggered programmed cell death in N. benthamiana. These four effector proteins have the ability to enter plant cells and inhibit plant immunity. Furthermore, the expression of these four FsCFEM effector proteins significantly increases during the infection stage, with the three of them playing an essential role in achieving full virulence. These study findings provide a direction toward further exploration of the immune response in sugarcane. By applying these discoveries, we can potentially control the spread of disease through techniques such as host-induced gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Huang
- State Key Lab for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri-Biological Resources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Yuming Zhou
- State Key Lab for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri-Biological Resources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Huixue Li
- State Key Lab for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri-Biological Resources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Yixue Bao
- State Key Lab for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri-Biological Resources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhenzhen Duan
- State Key Lab for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri-Biological Resources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Caixia Wang
- State Key Lab for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri-Biological Resources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | | | - Kai Wang
- State Key Lab for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri-Biological Resources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Qin Hu
- State Key Lab for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri-Biological Resources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Baoshan Chen
- State Key Lab for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri-Biological Resources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Jisen Zhang
- State Key Lab for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri-Biological Resources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- IRREC-IFAS, University of Florida, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
| | - Muqing Zhang
- State Key Lab for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri-Biological Resources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- IRREC-IFAS, University of Florida, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
| | - Wei Yao
- State Key Lab for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri-Biological Resources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- IRREC-IFAS, University of Florida, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
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Clavijo-Giraldo DM, Pérez-García LA, Hernández-Chávez MJ, Martínez-Duncker I, Mora-Montes HM. Contribution of N-Linked Mannosylation Pathway to Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis Biofilm Formation. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:6843-6857. [PMID: 37908782 PMCID: PMC10614665 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s431745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mycoses are a growing threat to human health, and systemic candidiasis caused by Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis is frequent in immunocompromised patients. Biofilm formation is a virulence factor found in these organisms, as sessile cells adhere to surfaces, the stratification and production of extracellular matrix provides protection and resistance to antifungal drugs. Previous evidence indicated that the N-linked mannosylation pathway is relevant to C. albicans biofilms, but its contribution to other species remains unknown. Methods C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis och1∆ mutants, which have a disrupted N-linked mannosylation pathway, were used to form biofilms. In addition, wild-type and mutant cells were also treated to remove N-linked mannans or block this pathway. Biofilms were analyzed by quantifying the included fungal biomass, and extracellular matrix components. Moreover, gene expression and secreted hydrolytic enzymes were also quantified in these biofilms. Results The och1∆ mutants showed a reduced ability to form biofilms in both fungal species when compared to the wild-type and control strains. This observation was confirmed by trimming N-linked mannans from walls or blocking the pathway with tunicamycin B. According to this observation, mutant, and treated cells showed an altered composition of the extracellular matrix and increased susceptibility to antifungal drugs when compared to control or untreated cells. The gene expression of secreted virulence factors, such as aspartyl proteinases and phospholipases, was normal in all the tested cells but the secreted activity was reduced, suggesting a defect in the secretory pathway, which was later confirmed by treating cells with brefeldin A. Conclusion Proper N-linked mannosylation is required for biofilm formation in both C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis. Disruption of this posttranslational modification affected the secretory pathway, offering a link between glycosylation and biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luis A Pérez-García
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Gto., México
- Facultad de Estudios Profesionales Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí, México
| | | | - Iván Martínez-Duncker
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular; Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
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Sabnam N, Hussain A, Saha P. The secret password: Cell death-inducing proteins in filamentous phytopathogens - As versatile tools to develop disease-resistant crops. Microb Pathog 2023; 183:106276. [PMID: 37541554 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Cell death-inducing proteins (CDIPs) are some of the secreted effector proteins manifested by filamentous oomycetes and fungal pathogens to invade the plant tissue and facilitate infection. Along with their involvement in different developmental processes and virulence, CDIPs play a crucial role in plant-pathogen interactions. As the name implies, CDIPs cause necrosis and trigger localised cell death in the infected host tissues by the accumulation of higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), oxidative burst, accumulation of nitric oxide (NO), and electrolyte leakage. They also stimulate the biosynthesis of defense-related phytohormones such as salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), abscisic acid (ABA), and ethylene (ET), as well as the expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes that are important in disease resistance. Altogether, the interactions result in the hypersensitive response (HR) in the host plant, which might confer systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in some cases against a vast array of related and unrelated pathogens. The CDIPs, due to their capability of inducing host resistance, are thus unique among the array of proteins secreted by filamentous plant pathogens. More interestingly, a few transgenic plant lines have also been developed expressing the CDIPs with added resistance. Thus, CDIPs have opened an interesting hot area of research. The present study critically reviews the current knowledge of major types of CDIPs identified across filamentous phytopathogens and their modes of action in the last couple of years. This review also highlights the recent breakthrough technologies in studying plant-pathogen interactions as well as crop improvement by enhancing disease resistance through CDIPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazmiara Sabnam
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, India.
| | - Afzal Hussain
- Department of Bioinformatics, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, India
| | - Pallabi Saha
- Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108, United States; Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, India
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Iyer KR, Li SC, Revie NM, Lou JW, Duncan D, Fallah S, Sanchez H, Skulska I, Ušaj MM, Safizadeh H, Larsen B, Wong C, Aman A, Kiyota T, Yoshimura M, Kimura H, Hirano H, Yoshida M, Osada H, Gingras AC, Andes DR, Shapiro RS, Robbins N, Mazhab-Jafari MT, Whitesell L, Yashiroda Y, Boone C, Cowen LE. Identification of triazenyl indoles as inhibitors of fungal fatty acid biosynthesis with broad-spectrum activity. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:795-810.e8. [PMID: 37369212 PMCID: PMC11016341 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Rising drug resistance among pathogenic fungi, paired with a limited antifungal arsenal, poses an increasing threat to human health. To identify antifungal compounds, we screened the RIKEN natural product depository against representative isolates of four major human fungal pathogens. This screen identified NPD6433, a triazenyl indole with broad-spectrum activity against all screening strains, as well as the filamentous mold Aspergillus fumigatus. Mechanistic studies indicated that NPD6433 targets the enoyl reductase domain of fatty acid synthase 1 (Fas1), covalently inhibiting its flavin mononucleotide-dependent NADPH-oxidation activity and arresting essential fatty acid biosynthesis. Robust Fas1 inhibition kills Candida albicans, while sublethal inhibition impairs diverse virulence traits. At well-tolerated exposures, NPD6433 extended the lifespan of nematodes infected with azole-resistant C. albicans. Overall, identification of NPD6433 provides a tool with which to explore lipid homeostasis as a therapeutic target in pathogenic fungi and reveals a mechanism by which Fas1 function can be inhibited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kali R Iyer
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sheena C Li
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Nicole M Revie
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer W Lou
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dustin Duncan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sara Fallah
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hiram Sanchez
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Iwona Skulska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Mojca Mattiazzi Ušaj
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hamid Safizadeh
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Brett Larsen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cassandra Wong
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ahmed Aman
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada; Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Taira Kiyota
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mami Yoshimura
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kimura
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | | | - Minoru Yoshida
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Osada
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David R Andes
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mohammad T Mazhab-Jafari
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Luke Whitesell
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yoko Yashiroda
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan.
| | - Charles Boone
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan.
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Branco J, Miranda IM, Rodrigues AG. Candida parapsilosis Virulence and Antifungal Resistance Mechanisms: A Comprehensive Review of Key Determinants. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9010080. [PMID: 36675901 PMCID: PMC9862255 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida parapsilosis is the second most common Candida species isolated in Asia, Southern Europe, and Latin America and is often involved in invasive infections that seriously impact human health. This pathogen is part of the psilosis complex, which also includes Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis. C. parapsilosis infections are particularly prevalent among neonates with low birth weights, individuals who are immunocompromised, and patients who require prolonged use of a central venous catheter or other indwelling devices, whose surfaces C. parapsilosis exhibits an enhanced capacity to adhere to and form biofilms. Despite this well-acknowledged prevalence, the biology of C. parapsilosis has not been as extensively explored as that of Candida albicans. In this paper, we describe the molecular mechanistic pathways of virulence in C. parapsilosis and show how they differ from those of C. albicans. We also describe the mode of action of antifungal drugs used for the treatment of Candida infections, namely, polyenes, echinocandins, and azoles, as well as the resistance mechanisms developed by C. parapsilosis to overcome them. Finally, we stress the importance of the ongoing search for species-specific features that may aid the development of effective control strategies and thus reduce the burden on patients and healthcare costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Branco
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research—CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +351-225513662
| | - Isabel M. Miranda
- Cardiovascular Research & Development Centre—UnIC@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Acácio G. Rodrigues
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research—CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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Abstract
Candida species are commensal organisms commonly interacting in the same host niche. In the pathogenic state, they frequently grow as a biofilm, often in mixed infections. The present studies observe a reliance upon common extracellular vesicle cargo for biofilm structure and function supporting interactions among species. The results reveal a vesicle cargo-driven coordination among Candida species during biofilm formation. Extracellular vesicles mediate community interactions among cells ranging from unicellular microbes to complex vertebrates. Extracellular vesicles of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans are vital for biofilm communities to produce matrix, which confers environmental protection and modulates community dispersion. Infections are increasingly due to diverse Candida species, such as the emerging pathogen Candida auris, as well as mixed Candida communities. Here, we define the composition and function of biofilm-associated vesicles among five species across the Candida genus. We find similarities in vesicle size and release over the biofilm lifespan. Whereas overall cargo proteomes differ dramatically among species, a group of 36 common proteins is enriched for orthologs of C. albicans biofilm mediators. To understand the function of this set of proteins, we asked whether mutants in select components were important for key biofilm processes, including drug tolerance and dispersion. We found that the majority of these cargo components impact one or both biofilm processes across all five species. Exogenous delivery of wild-type vesicle cargo returned mutant phenotypes toward wild type. To assess the impact of vesicle cargo on interspecies interactions, we performed cross-species vesicle addition and observed functional complementation for both biofilm phenotypes. We explored the biologic relevance of this cross-species biofilm interaction in mixed species and mutant studies examining the drug-resistance phenotype. We found a majority of biofilm interactions among species restored the community’s wild-type behavior. Our studies indicate that vesicles influence the development of protective monomicrobial and mixed microbial biofilm communities.
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Michels K, Solomon AL, Scindia Y, Sordo Vieira L, Goddard Y, Whitten S, Vaulont S, Burdick MD, Atkinson C, Laubenbacher R, Mehrad B. Aspergillus Utilizes Extracellular Heme as an Iron Source During Invasive Pneumonia, Driving Infection Severity. J Infect Dis 2022; 225:1811-1821. [PMID: 35267014 PMCID: PMC9113461 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depriving microbes of iron is critical to host defense. Hemeproteins, the largest source of iron within vertebrates, are abundant in infected tissues in aspergillosis due to hemorrhage, but Aspergillus species have been thought to lack heme import mechanisms. We hypothesized that heme provides iron to Aspergillus during invasive pneumonia, thereby worsening the outcomes of the infection. METHODS We assessed the effect of heme on fungal phenotype in various in vitro conditions and in a neutropenic mouse model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. RESULTS In mice with neutropenic invasive aspergillosis, we found a progressive and compartmentalized increase in lung heme iron. Fungal cells cultured under low iron conditions took up heme, resulting in increased fungal iron content, resolution of iron starvation, increased conidiation, and enhanced resistance to oxidative stress. Intrapulmonary administration of heme to mice with neutropenic invasive aspergillosis resulted in markedly increased lung fungal burden, lung injury, and mortality, whereas administration of heme analogs or heme with killed Aspergillus did not. Finally, infection caused by fungal germlings cultured in the presence of heme resulted in a more severe infection. CONCLUSIONS Invasive aspergillosis induces local hemolysis in infected tissues, thereby supplying heme iron to the fungus, leading to lethal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Michels
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Angelica L Solomon
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Yogesh Scindia
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Luis Sordo Vieira
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Yana Goddard
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Spencer Whitten
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Sophie Vaulont
- Université de Paris, INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Marie D Burdick
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Carl Atkinson
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Reinhard Laubenbacher
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Borna Mehrad
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Peng YJ, Hou J, Zhang H, Lei JH, Lin HY, Ding JL, Feng MG, Ying SH. Systematic contributions of CFEM domain-containing proteins to iron acquisition are essential for interspecies interaction of the filamentous pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:3693-3704. [PMID: 35523457 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Common in fungal extracellular membrane (CFEM) domain is unique in fungal proteins and some of which contribute to iron acquisition in yeast. However, their roles in iron acquisition remain largely unknown in filamentous fungi. In this study, 12 CFEM-containing proteins were bioinformatically identified in the filamentous entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, and the roles of 11 genes were genetically characterized. Transmembrane helices were critical for their association with intracellular membranes, and their number varied among proteins. Eleven CFEM genes significantly contribute to vegetative growth under iron starvation and virulence. Notably, the virulence of most disruptants could be significantly weakened by a decrease in iron availability, in which the virulence of ΔBbcfem7 and 8 strains was partially recovered by exogenous hemin. ΔBbcfem7 and 8 mutants displayed defective competitiveness against the sister entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria brongniartii. All 11 disruptants displayed impaired growth in the antagonistic assay with the saprotrophic fungus Aspergillus niger, which could be repressed by exogenous ferric ions. These findings not only reveal the systematic contributions of CFEM proteins to acquire two forms of iron (i.e. heme and ferric ion) in the entire lifecycle of entomopathogenic fungi but also help to better understand the mechanisms of fungus-host and inter-fungus interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Jin Peng
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jia Hou
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jia-Hui Lei
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hai-Yan Lin
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jin-Li Ding
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ming-Guang Feng
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Sheng-Hua Ying
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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Verticillium dahliae CFEM proteins manipulate host immunity and differentially contribute to virulence. BMC Biol 2022; 20:55. [PMID: 35197059 PMCID: PMC8867779 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01254-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Verticillium dahliae is a fungal pathogen that causes a vascular wilt on many economically important crops. Common fungal extracellular membrane (CFEM) domain proteins including secreted types have been implicated in virulence, but their roles in this pathogen are still unknown. Results Nine secreted small cysteine-rich proteins (VdSCPs) with CFEM domains were identified by bioinformatic analyses and their differential suppression of host immune responses were evaluated. Two of these proteins, VdSCP76 and VdSCP77, localized to the plant plasma membrane owing to their signal peptides and mediated broad-spectrum suppression of all immune responses induced by typical effectors. Deletion of either VdSCP76 or VdSCP77 significantly reduced the virulence of V. dahliae on cotton. Furthermore, VdSCP76 and VdSCP77 suppressed host immunity through the potential iron binding site conserved in CFEM family members, characterized by an aspartic acid residue in seven VdSCPs (Asp-type) in contrast with an asparagine residue (Asn-type) in VdSCP76 and VdSCP77. V. dahliae isolates carrying the Asn-type CFEM members were more virulent on cotton than those carrying the Asp-type. Conclusions In the iron-insufficient xylem, V. dahliae is likely to employ the Asp-type CFEM members to chelate iron, and Asn-type CFEM members to suppress immunity, for successful colonization and propagation in host plants. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01254-x.
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Peng J, Wu L, Zhang W, Zhang Q, Xing Q, Wang X, Li X, Yan J. Systemic Identification and Functional Characterization of Common in Fungal Extracellular Membrane Proteins in Lasiodiplodia theobromae. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:804696. [PMID: 34987541 PMCID: PMC8721227 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.804696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plant pathogenic fungi deploy secreted proteins into apoplastic space or intracellular lumen to promote successful infections during plant-pathogen interactions. In the present study, fourteen CFEM domain-containing proteins were systemically identified in Lasiodiplodia theobromae and eight of them were functionally characterized. All eight proteins were confirmed to be secreted into extracellular space by a yeast signal peptide trapping system. The transcriptional levels of most CFEM genes, except for LtCFEM2 and LtCFEM6, were significantly elevated during infection. In addition, almost all LtCFEM genes, apart from LtCFEM2, LtCFEM3, and LtCFEM6, were transcriptionally up-regulated at 35°C in contrast to that at 25°C and 30°C. As two elicitors, LtCFEM1 induced local yellowish phenotype and LtCFEM4 triggered cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Furthermore, these proteins displayed distinct subcellular localizations when expressed transiently in N. benthamiana. Moreover, two genes, LtCFEM7 and LtCFEM8, were found to be spliced alternatively by RT-PCR and sequencing. Therefore, our data suggest that LtCFEM proteins play important roles in multiple aspects, including pathogenicity and plant immune response, which will enhance our understanding of the sophisticated pathogenic mechanisms of plant opportunistic pathogen L. theobromae.
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13
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Chen L, Wang H, Yang J, Yang X, Zhang M, Zhao Z, Fan Y, Wang C, Wang J. Bioinformatics and Transcriptome Analysis of CFEM Proteins in Fusarium graminearum. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7100871. [PMID: 34682292 PMCID: PMC8540330 DOI: 10.3390/jof7100871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Fusarium blight of wheat is usually caused by Fusarium graminearum, and the pathogenic fungi will secrete effectors into the host plant tissue to affect its normal physiological process, so as to make it pathogenic. The CFEM (Common in Fungal Extracellular Membrane) protein domain is unique to fungi, but it is not found in all fungi. The CFEM protein contained in F. graminearum may be closely related to pathogenicity. In this study, 23 FgCFEM proteins were identified from the F. graminearum genome. Then, features of these proteins, such as signal peptide, subcellular localization, and transmembrane domains, etc., were analyzed and candidate effectors were screened out. Sequence alignment results revealed that each FgCFEM protein contains one CFEM domain. The amino acids of the CFEM domain are highly conserved and contain eight spaced cysteines, with the exception that FgCFEM8, 9, and 15 lack two cysteines and three cysteines were missed in FgCFEM18 and FgCFEM22. A recently identified CFEM_DR motif was detected in 11 FgCFEMs, and importantly we identified two new conserved motifs containing about 29 and 18 amino acids (CFEM_WR and CFEM_KF), respectively, in some of FgCFEM proteins. Transcriptome analysis of the genes encoding CFEM proteins indicated that all the CFEM-containing genes were expressed during wheat infection, with seven and six genes significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively, compared with in planta and in vitro. Based on the above analysis, FgCFEM11 and FgCFEM23 were predicted to be F. graminearum effectors. This study provides the basis for future functional analyses of CFEM proteins in F. graminearum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingqiao Chen
- College of Food Science & Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (L.C.); (H.W.); (M.Z.)
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Shanghai), Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 1000 Jinqi Road, Shanghai 201403, China; (J.Y.); (X.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Haoyu Wang
- College of Food Science & Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (L.C.); (H.W.); (M.Z.)
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Shanghai), Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 1000 Jinqi Road, Shanghai 201403, China; (J.Y.); (X.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Junhua Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Shanghai), Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 1000 Jinqi Road, Shanghai 201403, China; (J.Y.); (X.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Xianli Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Shanghai), Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 1000 Jinqi Road, Shanghai 201403, China; (J.Y.); (X.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Mengyuan Zhang
- College of Food Science & Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (L.C.); (H.W.); (M.Z.)
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Shanghai), Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 1000 Jinqi Road, Shanghai 201403, China; (J.Y.); (X.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zhihui Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Shanghai), Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 1000 Jinqi Road, Shanghai 201403, China; (J.Y.); (X.Y.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Yingying Fan
- Institute of Quanlity Standards & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.F.); (C.W.)
| | - Cheng Wang
- Institute of Quanlity Standards & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.F.); (C.W.)
| | - Jianhua Wang
- College of Food Science & Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (L.C.); (H.W.); (M.Z.)
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Shanghai), Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 1000 Jinqi Road, Shanghai 201403, China; (J.Y.); (X.Y.); (Z.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-2167131637
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ElGindi M, Al-Baghdadi R, Jackman AB, Antonyan AS, McMahon DL, Taj-Aldeen SJ, Finkel JS. Where the infection is isolated rather than the specific species correlates with adherence strength, whereas biofilm density remains static in clinically isolated Candida and arthroconidial yeasts. Can J Microbiol 2021; 67:497-505. [PMID: 34232751 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2020-0215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
To colonize and infect the host, arthroconidial yeasts must avoid being killed by the host's defenses. The formation of biofilms on implanted devices allows fungi to avoid host responses and to disseminate into the host. To better study the mechanisms of infection by arthroconidial yeasts, adherence and biofilm formation were assayed using patient samples collected over 10 years. In clinical samples, adherence varies within species, but the relative adherence is constant for those samples isolated from the same infection site. Herein we document, for the first time, in-vitro biofilm formation by Trichosporon dohaense, T. ovoides, T. japonicum, T. coremiiforme, Cutaneotrichosporon mucoides, Cutaneotrichosporon cutaneum, Galactomyces candidus, and Magnusiomyces capitatus on clinically relevant catheter material. Analysis of biofilm biomass assays indicated that biofilm mass changes less than 2-fold, regardless of the species. Our results support the hypothesis that most pathogenic fungi can form biofilms, and that biofilm formation is a source of systemic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei ElGindi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Education City, PO Box 24866, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rula Al-Baghdadi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Education City, PO Box 24866, Doha, Qatar
| | - Alex B Jackman
- Department of Biology, College of Engineering and Science, University of Detroit Mercy, 4001 W McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48221-3038, USA
| | - Angelina S Antonyan
- Department of Biology, College of Engineering and Science, University of Detroit Mercy, 4001 W McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48221-3038, USA
| | - Diana L McMahon
- Department of Biology, College of Engineering and Science, University of Detroit Mercy, 4001 W McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48221-3038, USA
| | - Saad J Taj-Aldeen
- University of Babylon, Hilla, Iraq.,Microbiology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mycology Unit, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jonathan S Finkel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Education City, PO Box 24866, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biology, College of Engineering and Science, University of Detroit Mercy, 4001 W McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48221-3038, USA
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15
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Zhang Z, Cao Y, Li Y, Chen X, Ding C, Liu Y. Risk factors and biofilm formation analyses of hospital-acquired infection of Candida pelliculosa in a neonatal intensive care unit. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:620. [PMID: 34187390 PMCID: PMC8244135 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06295-1] [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: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Candida pelliculosa is an ecological fungal species that can cause infections in immunocompromised individuals. Numerous studies globally have shown that C. pelliculosa infects neonates. An outbreak recently occurred in our neonatal intensive care unit; therefore, we aimed to evaluate the risk factors in this hospital-acquired fungal infection. Methods We performed a case-control study, analysing the potential risk factors for neonatal infections of C. pelliculosa so that infection prevention and control could be implemented in our units. Isolated strains were tested for drug resistance and biofilm formation, important factors for fungal transmission that give rise to hospital-acquired infections. Results The use of three or more broad-spectrum antimicrobials or long hospital stays were associated with higher likelihoods of infection with C. pelliculosa. The fungus was not identified on the hands of healthcare workers or in the environment. All fungal isolates were susceptible to anti-fungal medications, and after anti-fungal treatment, all infected patients recovered. Strict infection prevention and control procedures efficiently suppressed infection transmission. Intact adhesin-encoding genes, shown by genome analysis, indicated possible routes for fungal transmission. Conclusions The use of three or more broad-spectrum antimicrobials or a lengthy hospital stay is theoretically associated with the risk of infection with C. pelliculosa. Strains that we isolated are susceptible to anti-fungal medications, and these were eliminated by treating all patients with an antifungal. Transmission is likely via adhesion to the cell surface and biofilm formation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-06295-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanjian Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 195, Chuangxin Road, Hunnan District, Shenyang, China
| | - Xufang Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, China
| | - Chen Ding
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 195, Chuangxin Road, Hunnan District, Shenyang, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, China.
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Abstract
Candida parapsilosis has emerged as a frequent cause of invasive candidiasis with increasing evidence of unique biological features relative to C. albicans As it adapts to conditions within a mammalian host, rapid changes in gene expression are necessary to facilitate colonization and persistence in this environment. Adhesion of the organism to biological surfaces is a key first step in this process and is the focus of this study. Building on previous observations showing the importance of a member of the ALS gene family in C. parapsilosis adhesion, three clinical isolates were cultured under two conditions that mimic the mammalian host and promote adhesion, incubation at 37°C in tissue culture medium 199 or in human plasma. Transcriptional profiles using RNA-seq were obtained in these adhesion-inducing conditions and compared to profiles following growth in yeast media that suppress adhesion to identify gene expression profiles associated with adhesion. Overall gene expression profiles among the three strains were similar in both adhesion-inducing conditions and distinct from adhesion-suppressing conditions. Pairwise analysis among the three growth conditions identified 133 genes that were differentially expressed at a cutoff of ±4-fold, with the most upregulated genes significantly enriched in iron acquisition and transmembrane transport, while the most downregulated genes were enriched in oxidation-reduction processes. Gene family enrichment analysis identified gene families with diverse functions that may have an important role in this important step for colonization and disease.IMPORTANCE Invasive Candida infections are frequent complications of the immunocompromised and are associated with substantive morbidity and mortality. Although C. albicans is the best-studied species, emerging infections by non-albicans Candida species have led to increased efforts to understand aspects of their pathogenesis that are unique from C. albicans C. parapsilosis is a frequent cause of invasive infections, particularly among premature infants. Recent efforts have identified important virulence mechanisms that have features distinct from C. albicans C. parapsilosis can exist outside a host environment and therefore requires rapid modifications when it encounters a mammalian host to prevent its clearance. An important first step in the process is adhesion to host surfaces. This work takes a global, nonbiased approach to investigate broad changes in gene expression that accompany efficient adhesion. As such, biological pathways and individual protein targets are identified that may be amenable to manipulation to reduce colonization and disease from this organism.
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Stanford FA, Voigt K. Iron Assimilation during Emerging Infections Caused by Opportunistic Fungi with emphasis on Mucorales and the Development of Antifungal Resistance. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11111296. [PMID: 33143139 PMCID: PMC7693903 DOI: 10.3390/genes11111296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron is a key transition metal required by most microorganisms and is prominently utilised in the transfer of electrons during metabolic reactions. The acquisition of iron is essential and becomes a crucial pathogenic event for opportunistic fungi. Iron is not readily available in the natural environment as it exists in its insoluble ferric form, i.e., in oxides and hydroxides. During infection, the host iron is bound to proteins such as transferrin, ferritin, and haemoglobin. As such, access to iron is one of the major hurdles that fungal pathogens must overcome in an immunocompromised host. Thus, these opportunistic fungi utilise three major iron acquisition systems to overcome this limiting factor for growth and proliferation. To date, numerous iron acquisition pathways have been fully characterised, with key components of these systems having major roles in virulence. Most recently, proteins involved in these pathways have been linked to the development of antifungal resistance. Here, we provide a detailed review of our current knowledge of iron acquisition in opportunistic fungi, and the role iron may have on the development of resistance to antifungals with emphasis on species of the fungal basal lineage order Mucorales, the causative agents of mucormycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Adelina Stanford
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology–Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 23, 07745 Jena, Germany;
- Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Kerstin Voigt
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology–Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 23, 07745 Jena, Germany;
- Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology–Hans Knöll Institute, Jena Microbial Resource Collection Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 23, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-3641-532-1395; Fax: +49-3641-532-2395
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de Souza AF, de Paula MS, Lima RM, Silva MG, de Curcio JS, Pereira M, de Almeida Soares CM. The "Little Iron Waltz": The Ternary Response of Paracoccidioides spp. to Iron Deprivation. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E221. [PMID: 33053811 PMCID: PMC7712450 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioides is a genus of thermodimorphic fungi that causes paracoccidioidomycosis. When in the host, the fungus undergoes several challenges, including iron deprivation imposed by nutritional immunity. In response to the iron deprivation triggered by the host, the fungus responds in a ternary manner using mechanisms of high affinity and specificity for the uptake of Fe, namely non-classical reductive iron uptake pathway, uptake of host iron proteins, and biosynthesis and uptake of siderophores. This triple response resembles the rhythmic structure of a waltz, which features three beats per compass. Using this connotation, we have constructed this review summarizing relevant findings in this area of study and pointing out new discoveries and perspectives that may contribute to the expansion of this "little iron waltz".
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICB II, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74000-000, Brazil; (A.F.d.S.); (M.S.d.P.); (R.M.L.); (M.G.S.); (J.S.d.C.); (M.P.)
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Kornitzer D, Roy U. Pathways of heme utilization in fungi. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1867:118817. [PMID: 32777371 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Iron acquisition is challenging in most environments. As an alternative to elemental iron, organisms can take up iron-protoporphyrin IX, or heme. Heme can be found in decaying organic matter and is particularly prevalent in animal hosts. Fungi have evolved at least three distinct endocytosis-mediated heme uptake systems, which have been studied in detail in the organisms Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Here we summarize the known molecular details of these three uptake systems that enable parasitic and saprophytic fungi to take advantage of external heme as either cellular iron or heme sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kornitzer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
| | - Udita Roy
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
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20
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Arya GC, Srivastava DA, Pandaranayaka EPJ, Manasherova E, Prusky DB, Elad Y, Frenkel O, Dvir H, Harel A. Characterization of the Role of a Non-GPCR Membrane-Bound CFEM Protein in the Pathogenicity and Germination of Botrytis cinerea. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8071043. [PMID: 32674341 PMCID: PMC7409268 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8071043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea, is considered a major cause of postharvest losses in a wide range of crops. The common fungal extracellular membrane protein (CFEM), containing a conserved eight-cysteine pattern, was found exclusively in fungi. Previous studies in phytopathogenic fungi have demonstrated the role of membrane-bound and secreted CFEM-containing proteins in different aspects of fungal virulence. However, non-G protein-coupled receptor (non-GPCR) membrane CFEM proteins have not been studied yet in phytopathogenic fungi. In the present study, we have identified a non-GPCR membrane-bound CFEM-containing protein, Bcin07g03260, in the B. cinerea genome, and generated deletion mutants, ΔCFEM-Bcin07g03260, to study its potential role in physiology and virulence. Three independent ΔCFEM-Bcin07g03260 mutants showed significantly reduced progression of a necrotic lesion on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) leaves. Further analysis of the mutants revealed significant reduction (approximately 20–30%) in conidial germination and consequent germ tube elongation compared with the WT. Our data complements a previous study of secreted ΔCFEM1 mutants of B. cinerea that showed reduced progression of necrotic lesions on leaves, without effect on germination. Considering various functions identified for CFEM proteins in fungal virulence, our work illustrates a potential new role for a non-GPCR membrane CFEM in pathogenic fungi to control virulence in the fungus B. cinerea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulab Chand Arya
- Department of Vegetable and Field Crops, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel; (G.C.A.); (D.A.S.); (E.P.J.P.); (E.M.)
| | - Dhruv Aditya Srivastava
- Department of Vegetable and Field Crops, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel; (G.C.A.); (D.A.S.); (E.P.J.P.); (E.M.)
| | - Eswari P. J. Pandaranayaka
- Department of Vegetable and Field Crops, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel; (G.C.A.); (D.A.S.); (E.P.J.P.); (E.M.)
| | - Ekaterina Manasherova
- Department of Vegetable and Field Crops, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel; (G.C.A.); (D.A.S.); (E.P.J.P.); (E.M.)
| | - Dov Bernard Prusky
- Department of Postharvest Science, Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion7505101, Israel;
| | - Yigal Elad
- Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel; (Y.E.); (O.F.)
| | - Omer Frenkel
- Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel; (Y.E.); (O.F.)
| | - Hay Dvir
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel;
| | - Arye Harel
- Department of Vegetable and Field Crops, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel; (G.C.A.); (D.A.S.); (E.P.J.P.); (E.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-3-968-3644
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Abstract
Heme constitutes a major iron source for microorganisms and particularly for pathogenic microbes; to overcome the iron scarcity in the animal host, many pathogenic bacteria and fungi have developed systems to extract and take up heme from host proteins such as hemoglobin. Microbial heme uptake mechanisms are usually studied using growth media containing free heme or hemoglobin as a sole iron source. However, the animal host contains heme-scavenging proteins that could prevent this uptake. In the human host in particular, the most abundant serum heme-binding protein is albumin. Surprisingly, however, we found that in the case of fungi of the Candida species family, albumin promoted rather than prevented heme utilization. Albumin thus constitutes a human-specific factor that can affect heme-iron utilization and could serve as target for preventing heme-iron utilization by fungal pathogens. As a proof of principle, we identify two drugs that can inhibit albumin-stimulated heme utilization. A large portion of biological iron is found in the form of an iron-protoporphyrin IX complex, or heme. In the human host environment, which is exceptionally poor in free iron, heme iron, particularly from hemoglobin, constitutes a major source of iron for invading microbial pathogens. Several fungi were shown to utilize free heme, and Candida albicans, a major opportunistic pathogen, is able both to capture free heme and to extract heme from hemoglobin using a network of extracellular hemophores. Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant host heme-scavenging protein. Tight binding of heme by HSA restricts its toxic chemical reactivity and could diminish its availability as an iron source for pathogenic microbes. We found, however, that rather than inhibiting heme utilization, HSA greatly increases availability of heme as an iron source for C. albicans and other fungi. In contrast, hemopexin, a low-abundance but high-affinity heme-scavenging serum protein, does inhibit heme utilization by C. albicans. However, inhibition by hemopexin is mitigated in the presence of HSA. Utilization of albumin-bound heme requires the same hemophore cascade as that which mediates hemoglobin-iron utilization. Accordingly, we found that the C. albicans hemophores are able to extract heme bound to HSA in vitro. Since many common drugs are known to bind to HSA, we tested whether they could interfere with heme-iron utilization. We show that utilization of albumin-bound heme by C. albicans can be inhibited by the anti-inflammatory drugs naproxen and salicylic acid.
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Modiri M, Hashemi SJ, GhazvinI RD, Khodavaisy S, Ahmadi A, Ghaffari M, Rezaie S. Antifungal susceptibility pattern and biofilm-related genes expression in planktonic and biofilm cells of Candida parapsilosis species complex. Curr Med Mycol 2020; 5:35-42. [PMID: 32104742 PMCID: PMC7034785 DOI: 10.18502/cmm.5.4.1950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Candida parapsilosis complex isolates are mainly responsible for nosocomial catheter-related infection in immunocompromised patients. Biofilm formation is regarded as one of the most pertinent key virulence factors in the development of these emerging infections. The present study aimed to compare in vitro antifungal susceptibility patterns and biofilm-related genes expression ratio in planktonic and biofilm’s cells of clinically C. parapsilosis complex isolates. Materials and Methods: The current study was conducted on a number of 17 clinical C. parapsilosis complex (10 C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, 5 C. orthopsilosis, and 2 C. metapsilosis). The antifungal susceptibility patterns of amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and caspofungin in planktonic and biofilm forms were closely examined using CLSI M27-A3 broth microdilution method. The expression levels of biofilm-related genes (BCR1, EFG1, and FKS1) were evaluated in planktonic and biofilm’s cells using Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Results: The obtained results indicated that all C. parapsilosis complex isolates were able to produce high and moderate amounts of biofilm forms. In addition, the sessile minimum inhibitory concentrations were reported to be high for fluconazole (≥ 64 µg/ml), itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole (≥ 16 µg/ml), as compared to planktonic minimum inhibitory concentrations. Moreover, a significant difference was observed between antifungal susceptibility patterns for all azole antifungal agents (P<0.05). Furthermore, the BCR1 overexpression was considered significant in biofilms with regard to planktonic cells in C. parapsilosis species complex (P=0.002). Conclusion: C. parapsilosis complex isolates were found susceptible to most of the tested antifungal drugs, while biofilms demonstrated a noticeable resistant to azoles. The marked discrepancy noted in antifungal susceptibility patterns among these species should be highlighted to achieve effective therapeutic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Modiri
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Jamal Hashemi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roshanak Daie GhazvinI
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadegh Khodavaisy
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mansoureh Ghaffari
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Varamin-Pishva, Iran
| | - Sassan Rezaie
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Heme-iron acquisition in fungi. Curr Opin Microbiol 2019; 52:77-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Shafeeq S, Pannanusorn S, Elsharabasy Y, Ramírez-Zavala B, Morschhäuser J, Römling U. Impact of manganese on biofilm formation and cell morphology of Candida parapsilosis clinical isolates with different biofilm forming abilities. FEMS Yeast Res 2019; 19:5548773. [PMID: 31403663 PMCID: PMC6761954 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foz057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The commensal species Candida parapsilosis is an emerging human pathogen that has the ability to form biofilms. In this study, we explored the impact of the divalent cations cobalt (Co2+), copper (Cu2+), iron (Fe3+), manganese (Mn2+), nickel (Ni2+) and zinc (Zn2+) on biofilm formation of clinical isolates of C. parapsilosis with no, low and high biofilm forming abilities at 30 and 37°C. All strains besides one isolate showed a concentration-dependent enhancement of biofilm formation at 30°C in the presence of Mn2+ with a maximum at 2 mM. The biofilm forming ability of no and low biofilm forming isolates was >2-fold enhanced in the presence of 2 mM Mn2+, while the effect in high biofilm forming isolate was significantly less pronounced. Of note, cells in the biofilms of no and low biofilm forming strains differentiated into yeast and pseudohyphal cells similar in morphology to high biofilm formers. The biofilm transcriptional activator BCR1 has a dual developmental role in the absence and presence of 2 mM Mn2+ as it promoted biofilm formation of no biofilm forming strains, and, surprisingly, suppressed cells of no biofilm forming strains to develop into pseudohyphae and/or hyphae. Thus, environmental conditions can significantly affect the amount of biofilm formation and cell morphology of C. parapsilosis with Mn2+ to overcome developmental blocks to trigger biofilm formation and to partially relieve BCR1 suppressed cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulman Shafeeq
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Srisuda Pannanusorn
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, 12120, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Youssef Elsharabasy
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bernardo Ramírez-Zavala
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Morschhäuser
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ute Römling
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
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Krocová E, Neradová S, Kupcik R, Janovská S, Bílková Z, Heidingsfeld O. PHO15 genes of Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis encode HAD-type phosphatases dephosphorylating 2-phosphoglycolate. FEMS Yeast Res 2019; 19:5126360. [PMID: 30304493 PMCID: PMC6211248 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foy112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Most of the phosphatases of human fungal pathogens Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis have never been experimentally characterised, although dephosphorylation reactions are central to many biological processes. PHO15 genes of these yeasts have been annotated as the sequences encoding 4-nitrophenyl phosphatase, on the basis of homology to PHO13 gene from the bakers' yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To examine the real function of these potential phosphatases from Candida spp., CaPho15p and CpPho15p were prepared using expression in Escherichia coli and characterised. They share the hallmark motifs of the haloacid dehalogenase superfamily, readily hydrolyse 4-nitrophenyl phosphate at pH 8-8.3 and require divalent cations (Mg2+, Mn2+ or Co2+) as cofactors. CaPho15p and CpPho15p did not dephosphorylate phosphopeptides, but rather hydrolysed molecules related to carbohydrate metabolism. The preferred substrate for the both phosphatases was 2-phosphoglycolate. Among the other molecules tested, CaPho15 showed preference for glyceraldehyde phosphate and ß-glycerol phosphate, while CpPho15 dephosphorylated mainly 1,3-dihydroxyacetone phosphate. This type of substrate specificity indicates that CaPho15 and CpPho15 may be a part of metabolic repair system of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliška Krocová
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Sylva Neradová
- Gymnasium, Pardubice, Mozartova, 530 09 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Rudolf Kupcik
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Sylva Janovská
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Bílková
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Heidingsfeld
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic.,Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
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Abstract
Patients with suppressed immunity are at the highest risk for hospital-acquired infections. Among these, invasive candidiasis is the most prevalent systemic fungal nosocomial infection. Over recent decades, the combined prevalence of non-albicans Candida species outranked Candida albicans infections in several geographical regions worldwide, highlighting the need to understand their pathobiology in order to develop effective treatment and to prevent future outbreaks. Candida parapsilosis is the second or third most frequently isolated Candida species from patients. Besides being highly prevalent, its biology differs markedly from that of C. albicans, which may be associated with C. parapsilosis' increased incidence. Differences in virulence, regulatory and antifungal drug resistance mechanisms, and the patient groups at risk indicate that conclusions drawn from C. albicans pathobiology cannot be simply extrapolated to C. parapsilosis Such species-specific characteristics may also influence their recognition and elimination by the host and the efficacy of antifungal drugs. Due to the availability of high-throughput, state-of-the-art experimental tools and molecular genetic methods adapted to C. parapsilosis, genome and transcriptome studies are now available that greatly contribute to our understanding of what makes this species a threat. In this review, we summarize 10 years of findings on C. parapsilosis pathogenesis, including the species' genetic properties, transcriptome studies, host responses, and molecular mechanisms of virulence. Antifungal susceptibility studies and clinician perspectives are discussed. We also present regional incidence reports in order to provide an updated worldwide epidemiology summary.
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Inhibition of Classical and Alternative Modes of Respiration in Candida albicans Leads to Cell Wall Remodeling and Increased Macrophage Recognition. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.02535-18. [PMID: 30696734 PMCID: PMC6355986 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02535-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans requires respiratory function for normal growth, morphogenesis, and virulence. Mitochondria therefore represent an enticing target for the development of new antifungal strategies. This possibility is bolstered by the presence of characteristics specific to fungi. However, respiration in C. albicans, as in many fungal organisms, is facilitated by redundant electron transport mechanisms, making direct inhibition a challenge. In addition, many chemicals known to target the electron transport chain are highly toxic. Here we made use of chemicals with low toxicity to efficiently inhibit respiration in C. albicans We found that use of the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and of the alternative oxidase inhibitor salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) prevents respiration and leads to a loss of viability and to cell wall rearrangements that increase the rate of uptake by macrophages in vitro and in vivo We propose that treatment with SNP plus SHAM (SNP+SHAM) leads to transcriptional changes that drive cell wall rearrangement but which also prime cells to activate the transition to hyphal growth. In line with this, we found that pretreatment of C. albicans with SNP+SHAM led to an increase in virulence. Our data reveal strong links between respiration, cell wall remodeling, and activation of virulence factors. Our findings demonstrate that respiration in C. albicans can be efficiently inhibited with chemicals that are not damaging to the mammalian host but that we need to develop a deeper understanding of the roles of mitochondria in cellular signaling if they are to be developed successfully as a target for new antifungals.IMPORTANCE Current approaches to tackling fungal infections are limited, and new targets must be identified to protect against the emergence of resistant strains. We investigated the potential of targeting mitochondria, which are organelles required for energy production, growth, and virulence, in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans Our findings suggest that mitochondria can be targeted using drugs that can be tolerated by humans and that this treatment enhances their recognition by immune cells. However, release of C. albicans cells from respiratory inhibition appears to activate a stress response that increases the levels of traits associated with virulence. Our results make it clear that mitochondria represent a valid target for the development of antifungal strategies but that we must determine the mechanisms by which they regulate stress signaling and virulence ahead of successful therapeutic advance.
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Lu JJ, Lo HJ, Wu YM, Chang JY, Chen YZ, Wang SH. DST659 genotype of Candida albicans showing positive association between biofilm formation and dominance in Taiwan. Med Mycol 2019; 56:972-978. [PMID: 29325080 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on multiple locus sequence typing, we previously found that DST659 and DST693 were dominant genotypes of Candida albicans among the bloodstream isolates at Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou. Biofilm-forming activity, which is critical for C. albicans virulence, probably contributed to the dominance of antifungal sensitive isolates in hospital. Both in vitro membrane weighting and in vivo zebrafish egg infection assays were used to evaluate the biofilm-forming activity of DST659 and DST693 genotypes. Medical records of the patients infected by these two genotypes were retrospectively reviewed. High biofilm-forming activity of DST659 isolates was demonstrated in vitro and further proved with the zebrafish egg infection model, which showed a positive correlation between the biofilm-forming extent on chorion and the in vitro biofilm activity. Moreover, significantly less embryos survived when infected with DST659 isolates than those with DST693 (1.25% vs. 11.43%), and the high-biofilm subset of DST659 showed a greater reduction in survival of embryos at 48 h post-infection than the low-biofilm subset (0 vs. 1.92%). Patients infected with DST659 seemed to survive slightly worse than those infected with DST693, although the difference was insignificant. It is noteworthy that DST659-infected patients were associated with a higher incidence in renal insufficiency as compared to those with DST693, the low biofilm genotype. We suggest that a strong biofilm activity of DST659 contributed to a high mortality rate in zebrafish hosts and poor renal function in patients, as well as gaining the dominance in the northern Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jang-Jih Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Jung Lo
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan.,School of Dentistry, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Mu Wu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Yuan Chang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biopharmaceuticals, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, Taiwan
| | - Yin-Zhi Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Hung Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biopharmaceuticals, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, Taiwan
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Transcriptomic analysis reveals candidate genes regulating development and host interactions of Colletotrichum fructicola. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:557. [PMID: 30055574 PMCID: PMC6064131 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4934-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Colletotrichum is a fungal genus in Ascomycota that contain many plant pathogens. Among all Colletotrichum genomes that have been sequenced, C. fructicola contains the largest number of candidate virulence factors, such as plant cell wall degrading enzymes, secondary metabolite (SM) biosynthetic enzymes, secreted proteinases, and small secreted proteins. Systematic analysis of the expressional patterns of these factors would be an important step toward identifying key virulence determinants. Results In this study, we obtained and compared the global transcriptome profiles of four types of infection-related structures: conidia, appressoria, infected apple leaves, and cellophane infectious hyphae (bulbous hyphae spreading inside cellophane) of C. fructicola. We also compared the expression changes of candidate virulence factors among these structures in a systematic manner. A total of 3189 genes were differentially expressed in at least one pairwise comparison. Genes showing in planta-specific expressional upregulations were enriched with small secreted proteins (SSPs), cytochrome P450s, carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZYs) and secondary metabolite (SM) synthetases, and included homologs of several known candidate effectors and one SM gene cluster specific to the Colletotrichum genus. In conidia, tens of genes functioning in triacylglycerol biosynthesis showed coordinately expressional upregulation, supporting the viewpoint that C. fructicola builds up lipid droplets as energy reserves. Several phosphate starvation responsive genes were coordinately up-regulated during early plant colonization, indicating a phosphate-limited in planta environment immediately faced by biotrophic infectious hyphae. Conclusion This study systematically analyzes the expression patterns of candidate virulence genes, and reveals biological activities related to the development of several infection-related structures of C. fructicola. Our findings lay a foundation for further dissecting infection mechanisms in Colletotrichum and identifying disease control targets. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-4934-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Dominguez E, Zarnowski R, Sanchez H, Covelli AS, Westler WM, Azadi P, Nett J, Mitchell AP, Andes DR. Conservation and Divergence in the Candida Species Biofilm Matrix Mannan-Glucan Complex Structure, Function, and Genetic Control. mBio 2018; 9:e00451-18. [PMID: 29615504 PMCID: PMC5885036 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00451-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida biofilms resist the effects of available antifungal therapies. Prior studies with Candida albicans biofilms show that an extracellular matrix mannan-glucan complex (MGCx) contributes to antifungal sequestration, leading to drug resistance. Here we implement biochemical, pharmacological, and genetic approaches to explore a similar mechanism of resistance for the three most common clinically encountered non-albicansCandida species (NAC). Our findings reveal that each Candida species biofilm synthesizes a mannan-glucan complex and that the antifungal-protective function of this complex is conserved. Structural similarities extended primarily to the polysaccharide backbone (α-1,6-mannan and β-1,6-glucan). Surprisingly, biochemical analysis uncovered stark differences in the branching side chains of the MGCx among the species. Consistent with the structural analysis, similarities in the genetic control of MGCx production for each Candida species also appeared limited to the synthesis of the polysaccharide backbone. Each species appears to employ a unique subset of modification enzymes for MGCx synthesis, likely accounting for the observed side chain diversity. Our results argue for the conservation of matrix function among Candida spp. While biogenesis is preserved at the level of the mannan-glucan complex backbone, divergence emerges for construction of branching side chains. Thus, the MGCx backbone represents an ideal drug target for effective pan-Candida species biofilm therapy.IMPORTANCECandida species, the most common fungal pathogens, frequently grow as a biofilm. These adherent communities tolerate extremely high concentrations of antifungal agents, due in large part, to a protective extracellular matrix. The present studies define the structural, functional, and genetic similarities and differences in the biofilm matrix from the four most common Candida species. Each species synthesizes an extracellular mannan-glucan complex (MGCx) which contributes to sequestration of antifungal drug, shielding the fungus from this external assault. Synthesis of a common polysaccharide backbone appears conserved. However, subtle structural differences in the branching side chains likely rely upon unique modification enzymes, which are species specific. Our findings identify MGCx backbone synthesis as a potential pan-Candida biofilm therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eddie Dominguez
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Robert Zarnowski
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Hiram Sanchez
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Antonio S Covelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - William M Westler
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Parastoo Azadi
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Jeniel Nett
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Aaron P Mitchell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David R Andes
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Cavalheiro M, Teixeira MC. Candida Biofilms: Threats, Challenges, and Promising Strategies. Front Med (Lausanne) 2018; 5:28. [PMID: 29487851 PMCID: PMC5816785 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2018.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 353] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida species are fungal pathogens known for their ability to cause superficial and systemic infections in the human host. These pathogens are able to persist inside the host due to the development of pathogenicity and multidrug resistance traits, often leading to the failure of therapeutic strategies. One specific feature of Candida species pathogenicity is their ability to form biofilms, which protects them from external factors such as host immune system defenses and antifungal drugs. This review focuses on the current threats and challenges when dealing with biofilms formed by Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis, highlighting the differences between the four species. Biofilm characteristics depend on the ability of each species to produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and display dimorphic growth, but also on the biofilm substratum, carbon source availability and other factors. Additionally, the transcriptional control over processes like adhesion, biofilm formation, filamentation, and EPS production displays great complexity and diversity within pathogenic yeasts of the Candida genus. These differences not only have implications in the persistence of colonization and infections but also on antifungal resistance typically found in Candida biofilm cells, potentiated by EPS, that functions as a barrier to drug diffusion, and by the overexpression of drug resistance transporters. The ability to interact with different species in in vivo Candida biofilms is also a key factor to consider when dealing with this problem. Despite many challenges, the most promising strategies that are currently available or under development to limit biofilm formation or to eradicate mature biofilms are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Cavalheiro
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Biological Sciences Research Group, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel Cacho Teixeira
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Biological Sciences Research Group, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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32
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Candida-Epithelial Interactions. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 4:jof4010022. [PMID: 29419738 PMCID: PMC5872325 DOI: 10.3390/jof4010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A plethora of intricate and dynamic molecular interactions occur between microbes and the epithelial cells that form the mucosal surfaces of the human body. Fungi, particularly species of Candida, are commensal members of our microbiota, continuously interacting with epithelial cells. Transient and localised perturbations to the mucosal environment can facilitate the overgrowth of fungi, causing infection. This minireview will examine the direct and indirect mechanisms by which Candida species and epithelial cells interact with each other, and explore the factors involved in the central processes of adhesion, invasion, and destruction of host mucosal surfaces.
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Srivastava A, Sircaik S, Husain F, Thomas E, Ror S, Rastogi S, Alim D, Bapat P, Andes DR, Nobile CJ, Panwar SL. Distinct roles of the 7-transmembrane receptor protein Rta3 in regulating the asymmetric distribution of phosphatidylcholine across the plasma membrane and biofilm formation in Candida albicans. Cell Microbiol 2017; 19. [PMID: 28745020 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans exhibit several survival mechanisms to evade attack by antifungals and colonise host tissues. Rta3, a member of the Rta1-like family of lipid-translocating exporters has a 7-transmembrane domain topology, similar to the G-protein-coupled receptors and is unique to the fungal kingdom. Our findings point towards a role for the plasma membrane localised Rta3 in providing tolerance to miltefosine, an analogue of alkylphosphocholine, by maintaining mitochondrial energetics. Concurrent with miltefosine susceptibility, the rta3Δ/Δ strain displays increased inward translocation (flip) of fluorophore-labelled phosphatidylcholine (PC) across the plasma membrane attributed to enhanced PC-specific flippase activity. We also assign a novel role to Rta3 in the Bcr1-regulated pathway for in vivo biofilm development. Transcriptome analysis reveals that Rta3 regulates expression of Bcr1 target genes involved in cell surface properties, adhesion, and hyphal growth. We show that rta3Δ/Δ mutant is biofilm-defective in a rat venous catheter model of infection and that BCR1 overexpression rescues this defect, indicating that Bcr1 functions downstream of Rta3 to mediate biofilm formation in C. albicans. The identification of this novel Rta3-dependent regulatory network that governs biofilm formation and PC asymmetry across the plasma membrane will provide important insights into C. albicans pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archita Srivastava
- Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Shabnam Sircaik
- Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Farha Husain
- Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Edwina Thomas
- Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Shivani Ror
- Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Sumit Rastogi
- Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Darakshan Alim
- Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Priyanka Bapat
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, California, USA.,Quantitative and System Biology Graduate Program, University of California, Merced, California, USA
| | - David R Andes
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Clarissa J Nobile
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, California, USA
| | - Sneh L Panwar
- Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
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Zhu W, Wei W, Wu Y, Zhou Y, Peng F, Zhang S, Chen P, Xu X. BcCFEM1, a CFEM Domain-Containing Protein with Putative GPI-Anchored Site, Is Involved in Pathogenicity, Conidial Production, and Stress Tolerance in Botrytis cinerea. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1807. [PMID: 28979251 PMCID: PMC5611420 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We experimentally isolated and characterized a CFEM protein with putative GPI-anchored site BcCFEM1 in Botrytis cinerea. BcCFEM1 contains a CFEM (common in several fungal extracellular membrane proteins) domain with the characteristic eight cysteine residues at N terminus, and a predicted GPI modification site at C terminus. BcCFEM1 was significantly up-regulated during early stage of infection on bean leaves and induced chlorosis in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves using Agrobacterium infiltration method. Targeted deletion of BcCFEM1 in B. cinerea affected virulence, conidial production and stress tolerance, but not growth rate, conidial germination, colony morphology, and sclerotial formation. However, over expression of BcCFEM1 did not make any observable phenotype change. Therefore, our data suggested that BcCFEM1 contributes to virulence, conidial production, and stress tolerance. These findings further enhance our understanding on the sophisticated pathogenicity of B. cinerea beyond necrotrophic stage, highlighting the importance of CFEM protein to B. cinerea and other broad-host-range necrotrophic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Zhu
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Jianghan UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Yayun Wu
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Fang Peng
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Shaopeng Zhang
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Ping Chen
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Xiaowen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
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35
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Lombardi L, Turner SA, Zhao F, Butler G. Gene editing in clinical isolates of Candida parapsilosis using CRISPR/Cas9. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8051. [PMID: 28808289 PMCID: PMC5556056 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08500-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida parapsilosis is one of the most common causes of candidiasis, particularly in the very young and the very old. Studies of gene function are limited by the lack of a sexual cycle, the diploid genome, and a paucity of molecular tools. We describe here the development of a plasmid-based CRISPR-Cas9 system for gene editing in C. parapsilosis. A major advantage of the system is that it can be used in any genetic background, which we showed by editing genes in 20 different isolates. Gene editing is carried out in a single transformation step. The CAS9 gene is expressed only when the plasmid is present, and it can be removed easily from transformed strains. There is theoretically no limit to the number of genes that can be edited in any strain. Gene editing is increased by homology-directed repair in the presence of a repair template. Editing by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) also occurs in some genetic backgrounds. Finally, we used the system to introduce unique tags at edited sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Lombardi
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Siobhán A Turner
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Fang Zhao
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Geraldine Butler
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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36
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Abstract
We focus this article on turning a biofilm inside out. The "inside" of the biofilm comprises the individual biofilm-related phenotypes, their environmental drivers and genetic determinants, and the coordination of gene functions through transcriptional regulators. Investigators have viewed the inside of the biofilm through diverse approaches, and this article will attempt to capture the essence of many. The ultimate goal is to connect the inside to the "outside," which we view as biofilm structure, development, pharmacological attributes, and medical impact.
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37
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Abstract
We focus this article on turning a biofilm inside out. The "inside" of the biofilm comprises the individual biofilm-related phenotypes, their environmental drivers and genetic determinants, and the coordination of gene functions through transcriptional regulators. Investigators have viewed the inside of the biofilm through diverse approaches, and this article will attempt to capture the essence of many. The ultimate goal is to connect the inside to the "outside," which we view as biofilm structure, development, pharmacological attributes, and medical impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Lagree
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Aaron P Mitchell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
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38
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Seifbarghi S, Borhan MH, Wei Y, Coutu C, Robinson SJ, Hegedus DD. Changes in the Sclerotinia sclerotiorum transcriptome during infection of Brassica napus. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:266. [PMID: 28356071 PMCID: PMC5372324 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3642-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causes stem rot in Brassica napus, which leads to lodging and severe yield losses. Although recent studies have explored significant progress in the characterization of individual S. sclerotiorum pathogenicity factors, a gap exists in profiling gene expression throughout the course of S. sclerotiorum infection on a host plant. In this study, RNA-Seq analysis was performed with focus on the events occurring through the early (1 h) to the middle (48 h) stages of infection. Results Transcript analysis revealed the temporal pattern and amplitude of the deployment of genes associated with aspects of pathogenicity or virulence during the course of S. sclerotiorum infection on Brassica napus. These genes were categorized into eight functional groups: hydrolytic enzymes, secondary metabolites, detoxification, signaling, development, secreted effectors, oxalic acid and reactive oxygen species production. The induction patterns of nearly all of these genes agreed with their predicted functions. Principal component analysis delineated gene expression patterns that signified transitions between pathogenic phases, namely host penetration, ramification and necrotic stages, and provided evidence for the occurrence of a brief biotrophic phase soon after host penetration. Conclusions The current observations support the notion that S. sclerotiorum deploys an array of factors and complex strategies to facilitate host colonization and mitigate host defenses. This investigation provides a broad overview of the sequential expression of virulence/pathogenicity-associated genes during infection of B. napus by S. sclerotiorum and provides information for further characterization of genes involved in the S. sclerotiorum-host plant interactions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-017-3642-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Seifbarghi
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X2, Canada.,Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - M Hossein Borhan
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X2, Canada
| | - Yangdou Wei
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Cathy Coutu
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X2, Canada
| | - Stephen J Robinson
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X2, Canada
| | - Dwayne D Hegedus
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X2, Canada. .,Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
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39
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Mourer T, Normant V, Labbé S. Heme Assimilation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe Requires Cell-surface-anchored Protein Shu1 and Vacuolar Transporter Abc3. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:4898-4912. [PMID: 28193844 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.776807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Schizosaccharomyces pombe shu1+ gene encodes a cell-surface protein required for assimilation of exogenous heme. In this study, shaving experiments showed that Shu1 is released from membrane preparations when spheroplast lysates are incubated with phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). Shu1 cleavability by PI-PLC and its predicted hydropathy profile strongly suggested that Shu1 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein. When heme biosynthesis is selectively blocked in hem1Δ mutant cells, the heme analog zinc mesoporphyrin IX (ZnMP) first accumulates into vacuoles and then subsequently, within the cytoplasm in a rapid and Shu1-dependent manner. An HA4-tagged shu1+ allele that retained wild-type function localizes to the cell surface in response to low hemin concentrations, but under high hemin concentrations, Shu1-HA4 re-localizes to the vacuolar membrane. Inactivation of abc3+, encoding a vacuolar membrane transporter, results in hem1Δ abc3Δ mutant cells being unable to grow in the presence of hemin as the sole iron source. In hem1Δ abc3Δ cells, ZnMP accumulates primarily in vacuoles and does not sequentially accumulate in the cytosol. Consistent with a role for Abc3 as vacuolar hemin exporter, results with hemin-agarose pulldown assays showed that Abc3 binds to hemin. In contrast, an Abc3 mutant in which an inverted Cys-Pro motif had been replaced with Ala residues fails to bind hemin with high affinity. Taken together, these results show that Shu1 undergoes rapid hemin-induced internalization from the cell surface to the vacuolar membrane and that the transporter Abc3 participates in the mobilization of stored heme from the vacuole to the cytosol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Mourer
- From the Département de Biochimie, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Vincent Normant
- From the Département de Biochimie, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Simon Labbé
- From the Département de Biochimie, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1E 4K8, Canada
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40
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Silva S, Rodrigues CF, Araújo D, Rodrigues ME, Henriques M. Candida Species Biofilms' Antifungal Resistance. J Fungi (Basel) 2017; 3:jof3010008. [PMID: 29371527 PMCID: PMC5715972 DOI: 10.3390/jof3010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida infections (candidiasis) are the most prevalent opportunistic fungal infection on humans and, as such, a major public health problem. In recent decades, candidiasis has been associated to Candida species other than Candida albicans. Moreover, biofilms have been considered the most prevalent growth form of Candida cells and a strong causative agent of the intensification of antifungal resistance. As yet, no specific resistance factor has been identified as the sole responsible for the increased recalcitrance to antifungal agents exhibited by biofilms. Instead, biofilm antifungal resistance is a complex multifactorial phenomenon, which still remains to be fully elucidated and understood. The different mechanisms, which may be responsible for the intrinsic resistance of Candida species biofilms, include the high density of cells within the biofilm, the growth and nutrient limitation, the effects of the biofilm matrix, the presence of persister cells, the antifungal resistance gene expression and the increase of sterols on the membrane of biofilm cells. Thus, this review intends to provide information on the recent advances about Candida species biofilm antifungal resistance and its implication on intensification of the candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Silva
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Célia F Rodrigues
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Daniela Araújo
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Maria Elisa Rodrigues
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Mariana Henriques
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
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41
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Pais P, Costa C, Cavalheiro M, Romão D, Teixeira MC. Transcriptional Control of Drug Resistance, Virulence and Immune System Evasion in Pathogenic Fungi: A Cross-Species Comparison. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:131. [PMID: 27812511 PMCID: PMC5072224 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors are key players in the control of the activation or repression of gene expression programs in response to environmental stimuli. The study of regulatory networks taking place in fungal pathogens is a promising research topic that can help in the fight against these pathogens by targeting specific fungal pathways as a whole, instead of targeting more specific effectors of virulence or drug resistance. This review is focused on the analysis of regulatory networks playing a central role in the referred mechanisms in the human fungal pathogens Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis. Current knowledge on the activity of the transcription factors characterized in each of these pathogenic fungal species will be addressed. Particular focus is given to their mechanisms of activation, regulatory targets and phenotypic outcome. The review further provides an evaluation on the conservation of transcriptional circuits among different fungal pathogens, highlighting the pathways that translate common or divergent traits among these species in what concerns their drug resistance, virulence and host immune evasion features. It becomes evident that the regulation of transcriptional networks is complex and presents significant variations among different fungal pathogens. Only the oxidative stress regulators Yap1 and Skn7 are conserved among all studied species; while some transcription factors, involved in nutrient homeostasis, pH adaptation, drug resistance and morphological switching are present in several, though not all species. Interestingly, in some cases not very homologous transcription factors display orthologous functions, whereas some homologous proteins have diverged in terms of their function in different species. A few cases of species specific transcription factors are also observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Pais
- Biological Sciences Research Group, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal; Biological Sciences Research Group, Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior TécnicoLisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina Costa
- Biological Sciences Research Group, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal; Biological Sciences Research Group, Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior TécnicoLisboa, Portugal
| | - Mafalda Cavalheiro
- Biological Sciences Research Group, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal; Biological Sciences Research Group, Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior TécnicoLisboa, Portugal
| | - Daniela Romão
- Biological Sciences Research Group, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal; Biological Sciences Research Group, Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior TécnicoLisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel C Teixeira
- Biological Sciences Research Group, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal; Biological Sciences Research Group, Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior TécnicoLisboa, Portugal
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42
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Araújo D, Henriques M, Silva S. Portrait of Candida Species Biofilm Regulatory Network Genes. Trends Microbiol 2016; 25:62-75. [PMID: 27717660 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2016.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Most cases of candidiasis have been attributed to Candida albicans, but Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis, designated as non-C. albicans Candida (NCAC), have been identified as frequent human pathogens. Moreover, Candida biofilms are an escalating clinical problem associated with significant rates of mortality. Biofilms have distinct developmental phases, including adhesion/colonisation, maturation and dispersal, controlled by complex regulatory networks. This review discusses recent advances regarding Candida species biofilm regulatory network genes, which are key components for candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Araújo
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Mariana Henriques
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sónia Silva
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
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43
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Structural basis of haem-iron acquisition by fungal pathogens. Nat Microbiol 2016; 1:16156. [PMID: 27617569 DOI: 10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic microorganisms must cope with extremely low free-iron concentrations in the host's tissues. Some fungal pathogens rely on secreted haemophores that belong to the Common in Fungal Extracellular Membrane (CFEM) protein family, to extract haem from haemoglobin and to transfer it to the cell's interior, where it can serve as a source of iron. Here we report the first three-dimensional structure of a CFEM protein, the haemophore Csa2 secreted by Candida albicans. The CFEM domain adopts a novel helical-basket fold that consists of six α-helices, and is uniquely stabilized by four disulfide bonds formed by its eight signature cysteines. The planar haem molecule is bound between a flat hydrophobic platform located on top of the helical basket and a peripheral N-terminal 'handle' extension. Exceptionally, an aspartic residue serves as the CFEM axial ligand, and so confers coordination of Fe3+ haem, but not of Fe2+ haem. Histidine substitution mutants of this conserved Asp acquired Fe2+ haem binding and retained the capacity to extract haem from haemoglobin. However, His-substituted CFEM proteins were not functional in vivo and showed disturbed haem exchange in vitro, which suggests a role for the oxidation-state-specific Asp coordination in haem acquisition by CFEM proteins.
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44
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Abstract
Candida albicans, the most pervasive fungal pathogen that colonizes humans, forms biofilms that are architecturally complex. They consist of a basal yeast cell polylayer and an upper region of hyphae encapsulated in extracellular matrix. However, biofilms formed in vitro vary as a result of the different conditions employed in models, the methods used to assess biofilm formation, strain differences, and, in a most dramatic fashion, the configuration of the mating type locus (MTL). Therefore, integrating data from different studies can lead to problems of interpretation if such variability is not taken into account. Here we review the conditions and factors that cause biofilm variation, with the goal of engendering awareness that more attention must be paid to the strains employed, the methods used to assess biofilm development, every aspect of the model employed, and the configuration of the MTL locus. We end by posing a set of questions that may be asked in comparing the results of different studies and developing protocols for new ones. This review should engender the notion that not all biofilms are created equal.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Soll
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Karla J Daniels
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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45
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Abstract
Fungal biofilms have become an increasingly important clinical problem. The widespread use of antibiotics, frequent use of indwelling medical devices, and a trend toward increased patient immunosuppression have resulted in a creation of opportunity for clinically important yeasts and molds to form biofilms. This review will discuss the diversity and importance of fungal biofilms in the context of clinical medicine, provide novel insights into the clinical management of fungal biofilm infection, present evidence why these structures are recalcitrant to antifungal therapy, and discuss how our knowledge and understanding may lead to novel therapeutic intervention.
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46
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Pérez-García LA, Csonka K, Flores-Carreón A, Estrada-Mata E, Mellado-Mojica E, Németh T, López-Ramírez LA, Toth R, López MG, Vizler C, Marton A, Tóth A, Nosanchuk JD, Gácser A, Mora-Montes HM. Role of Protein Glycosylation in Candida parapsilosis Cell Wall Integrity and Host Interaction. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:306. [PMID: 27014229 PMCID: PMC4781877 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida parapsilosis is an important, emerging opportunistic fungal pathogen. Highly mannosylated fungal cell wall proteins are initial contact points with host immune systems. In Candida albicans, Och1 is a Golgi α1,6-mannosyltransferase that plays a key role in the elaboration of the N-linked mannan outer chain. Here, we disrupted C. parapsilosis OCH1 to gain insights into the contribution of N-linked mannosylation to cell fitness and to interactions with immune cells. Loss of Och1 in C. parapsilosis resulted in cellular aggregation, failure of morphogenesis, enhanced susceptibility to cell wall perturbing agents and defects in wall composition. We removed the cell wall O-linked mannans by β-elimination, and assessed the relevance of mannans during interaction with human monocytes. Results indicated that O-linked mannans are important for IL-1β stimulation in a dectin-1 and TLR4-dependent pathway; whereas both, N- and O-linked mannans are equally important ligands for TNFα and IL-6 stimulation, but neither is involved in IL-10 production. Furthermore, mice infected with C. parapsilosis och1Δ null mutant cells had significantly lower fungal burdens compared to wild-type (WT)-challenged counterparts. Therefore, our data are the first to demonstrate that C. parapsilosis N- and O-linked mannans have different roles in host interactions than those reported for C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Pérez-García
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Katalin Csonka
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged Szeged, Hungary
| | - Arturo Flores-Carreón
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Eine Estrada-Mata
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Erika Mellado-Mojica
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional Irapuato, Mexico
| | - Tibor Németh
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged Szeged, Hungary
| | - Luz A López-Ramírez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Renata Toth
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mercedes G López
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional Irapuato, Mexico
| | - Csaba Vizler
- Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Szeged, Hungary
| | - Annamaria Marton
- Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Szeged, Hungary
| | - Adél Tóth
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged Szeged, Hungary
| | - Joshua D Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Attila Gácser
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged Szeged, Hungary
| | - Héctor M Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato Guanajuato, Mexico
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47
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Morphology-Independent Virulence of Candida Species during Polymicrobial Intra-abdominal Infections with Staphylococcus aureus. Infect Immun 2015; 84:90-8. [PMID: 26483410 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01059-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Intra-abdominal polymicrobial infections cause significant morbidity and mortality. An experimental mouse model of Candida albicans-Staphylococcus aureus intra-abdominal infection (IAI) results in 100% mortality by 48 to 72 h postinoculation, while monomicrobial infections are avirulent. Mortality is associated with robust local and systemic inflammation without a requirement for C. albicans morphogenesis. However, the contribution of virulence factors coregulated during the yeast-to-hypha transition is unknown. This also raised the question of whether other Candida species that are unable to form hyphae are as virulent as C. albicans during polymicrobial IAI. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of non-albicans Candida (NAC) species with various morphologies and C. albicans transcription factor mutants (efg1/efg1 and cph1/cph1) to induce synergistic mortality and the accompanying inflammation. Results showed that S. aureus coinoculated with C. krusei or C. tropicalis was highly lethal, similar to C. albicans, while S. aureus-C. dubliniensis, S. aureus-C. parapsilosis, and S. aureus-C. glabrata coinoculations resulted in little to no mortality. Local and systemic interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were significantly elevated during symptomatic and/or lethal coinfections, and hypothermia strongly correlated with mortality. Coinoculation with C. albicans strains deficient in the transcription factor Efg1 but not Cph1 reversed the lethal outcome. These results support previous findings and demonstrate that select Candida species, without reference to any morphological requirement, induce synergistic mortality, with IL-6 and PGE2 acting as key inflammatory factors. Mechanistically, signaling pathways controlled by Efg1 are critical for the ability of C. albicans to induce mortality from an intra-abdominal polymicrobial infection.
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Fedorovych D, Boretsky Y, Bobak Y, Prokopiv T, Sybirny A. Putative ferroxidases in the Flavinogenic yeast Pichia guilliermondii are regulated by iron acquisition. CYTOL GENET+ 2015. [DOI: 10.3103/s0095452715050035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Treviño-Rangel RDJ, Rodríguez-Sánchez IP, Rosas-Taraco AG, Hernández-Bello R, González JG, González GM. Biofilm formation and genetic variability of BCR1 gene in the Candida parapsilosis complex. Rev Iberoam Micol 2015; 32:180-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2014] [Revised: 09/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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Mourer T, Jacques JF, Brault A, Bisaillon M, Labbé S. Shu1 is a cell-surface protein involved in iron acquisition from heme in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:10176-90. [PMID: 25733668 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.642058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential metal cofactor that is required for many biological processes. Eukaryotic cells have consequently developed different strategies for its acquisition. Until now, Schizosaccharomyces pombe was known to use reductive iron uptake and siderophore-bound iron transport to scavenge iron from the environment. Here, we report the identification of a gene designated shu1(+) that encodes a protein that enables S. pombe to take up extracellular heme for cell growth. When iron levels are low, the transcription of shu1(+) is induced, although its expression is repressed when iron levels rise. The iron-dependent down-regulation of shu1(+) requires the GATA-type transcriptional repressor Fep1, which strongly associates with a proximal promoter region of shu1(+) in vivo in response to iron repletion. HA4-tagged Shu1 localizes to the plasma membrane in cells expressing a functional shu1(+)-HA4 allele. When heme biosynthesis is selectively blocked in mutated S. pombe cells, their ability to acquire exogenous hemin or the fluorescent heme analog zinc mesoporphyrin IX is dependent on the expression of Shu1. Further analysis by absorbance spectroscopy and hemin-agarose pulldown assays showed that Shu1 interacts with hemin, with a KD of ∼2.2 μm. Taken together, results reported here revealed that S. pombe possesses an unexpected pathway for heme assimilation, which may also serve as a source of iron for cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Mourer
- From the Département de Biochimie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Jean-François Jacques
- From the Département de Biochimie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Ariane Brault
- From the Département de Biochimie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Martin Bisaillon
- From the Département de Biochimie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Simon Labbé
- From the Département de Biochimie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1E 4K8, Canada
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