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Izadi A, Paknia F, Roostaee M, Mousavi SAA, Barani M. Advancements in nanoparticle-based therapies for multidrug-resistant candidiasis infections: a comprehensive review. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 35:332001. [PMID: 38749415 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ad4bed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Candida auris, a rapidly emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, poses a global health threat, with cases reported in over 47 countries. Conventional detection methods struggle, and the increasing resistance ofC. auristo antifungal agents has limited treatment options. Nanoparticle-based therapies, utilizing materials like silver, carbon, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, polymer, and gold, show promise in effectively treating cutaneous candidiasis. This review explores recent advancements in nanoparticle-based therapies, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize antifungal therapy, particularly in combatingC. aurisinfections. The discussion delves into mechanisms of action, combinations of nanomaterials, and their application against multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens, offering exciting prospects for improved clinical outcomes and reduced mortality rates. The aim is to inspire further research, ushering in a new era in the fight against multidrug-resistant fungal infections, paving the way for more effective and targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Izadi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Medical Mycology and Bacteriology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Paknia
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-154, Iran
| | - Maryam Roostaee
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Seyed Amin Ayatollahi Mousavi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Medical Mycology and Bacteriology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahmood Barani
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Nano and Bio Science and Technology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr 75168, Iran
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2
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Ahmady L, Gothwal M, Mukkoli MM, Bari VK. Antifungal drug resistance in Candida: a special emphasis on amphotericin B. APMIS 2024; 132:291-316. [PMID: 38465406 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections in humans caused by several Candida species, increased considerably in immunocompromised or critically ill patients, resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality. Candida albicans is the most prevalent species, although the frequency of these organisms varies greatly according to geographic region. Infections with C. albicans and non-albicans Candida species have become more common, especially in the past 20 years, as a result of aging, immunosuppressive medication use, endocrine disorders, malnourishment, extended use of medical equipment, and an increase in immunogenic diseases. Despite C. albicans being the species most frequently associated with human infections, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei also have been identified. Several antifungal drugs with different modes of action are approved for use in clinical settings to treat fungal infections. However, due to the common eukaryotic structure of humans and fungi, only a limited number of antifungal drugs are available for therapeutic use. Furthermore, drug resistance in Candida species has emerged as a result of the growing use of currently available antifungal drugs against fungal infections. Amphotericin B (AmB), a polyene class of antifungal drugs, is mainly used for the treatment of serious systemic fungal infections. AmB interacts with fungal plasma membrane ergosterol, triggering cellular ion leakage via pore formation, or extracting the ergosterol from the plasma membrane inducing cellular death. AmB resistance is primarily caused by changes in the content or structure of ergosterol. This review summarizes the antifungal drug resistance exhibited by Candida species, with a special focus on AmB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lailema Ahmady
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | - Manisha Gothwal
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | | | - Vinay Kumar Bari
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
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3
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Nishimura A, Tanahashi R, Nakagami K, Morioka Y, Takagi H. Identification of an arginine transporter in Candida glabrata. J GEN APPL MICROBIOL 2024; 69:229-233. [PMID: 37005249 DOI: 10.2323/jgam.2023.03.003] [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] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Arginine is a proteinogenic amino acid that organisms additionally exploit both for nitrogen storage and as a stress protectant. The location of arginine, whether intra- or extracellular, is important in maintaining physiological homeostasis. Here, we identified an arginine transporter ortholog of the emerging fungal pathogenic Candida glabrata. Blast searches revealed that the C. glabrata genome contains two potential orthologs of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae arginine transporter gene CAN1 (CAGL0J08162g and CAGL0J08184g). We then found that CAGL0J08162g is stably located on the plasma membrane and performs cellular uptake of arginine. Moreover, CAGL0J08162-disrupted cells of C. glabrata showed a partial resistance to canavanine, a toxic analog of arginine. Our data suggest that CAGL0J08162g is a key arginine transporter in the pathogenic C. glabrata (CgCan1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Nishimura
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
| | - Ryoya Tanahashi
- Division for Research Strategy, Institute for Research Initiatives, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California Davis
| | - Kazuki Nakagami
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
| | - Yuto Morioka
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
| | - Hiroshi Takagi
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
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4
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Dunaiski CM, Kock MM, Chan WY, Ismail A, Peters RPH. Molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of vaginal Candida glabrata isolates in Namibia. Med Mycol 2024; 62:myae009. [PMID: 38308518 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida glabrata is the most common non-albicans Candida species that causes vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Given the intrinsically low susceptibility of C. glabrata to azole drugs, investigations into C. glabrata prevalence, fungal susceptibility profile, and molecular epidemiology are necessary to optimise the treatment of VVC. This molecular epidemiological study was conducted to determine antifungal drug profile, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with phenotypic antifungal resistance and epidemic diversity of C. glabrata isolates from women with VVC in Namibia. Candida glabrata isolates were identified using phenotypic and molecular methods. Antifungal susceptibility of strains was determined for fluconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B, and anidulafungin. Whole genome sequencing was used to determine SNPs in antifungal resistance genes and sequence type (ST) allocation. Among C. glabrata isolates, all (20/20; 100%) exhibited phenotypic resistance to the azole class antifungal drug, (fluconazole), and phenotypic susceptibility to the polyene class (amphotericin B), and the echinocandins (anidulafungin). Non-synonymous SNPs were identified in antifungal resistance genes of all fluconazole-resistant C. glabrata isolates including ERG6 (15%), ERG7 (15%), CgCDR1 (25%), CgPDR1 (60%), SNQ2 (10%), FKS1 (5.0%), FKS2 (5.0%), CgFPS1 (5.0%), and MSH2 (15%). ST15 (n = 8/20, 40%) was predominant. This study provides important insight into phenotypic and genotypic antifungal resistance across C. glabrata isolates from women with VVC in Namibia. In this study, azole resistance is determined by an extensive range of SNPs, while the observed polyene and echinocandin resistance-associated SNPs despite phenotypic susceptibility require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara M Dunaiski
- Namibia University of Sciences and Technology, Department of Health and Applied Sciences, Windhoek 10005, Namibia
- University of Pretoria, Department of Medical Microbiology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Marleen M Kock
- University of Pretoria, Department of Medical Microbiology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Tshwane, Academic Division, Pretoria 3191, South Africa
| | - Wai Yin Chan
- Sequencing Core Facility, National Institute for Communicable Diseases a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0081, South Africa
- Right to care, Centurion 0157, South Africa
| | - Arshad Ismail
- Sequencing Core Facility, National Institute for Communicable Diseases a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Remco P H Peters
- University of Pretoria, Department of Medical Microbiology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- University of Cape Town, Division of Medical Microbiology, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Foundation for Professional Development, Research Unit, East London 5217, South Africa
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Agarwal N, Fatima A, Bhattacharya P, Muthu S, Arora H, Siddiqui N, Javed S. Evaluation of experimental, computational, molecular docking and dynamic simulation of flucytosine. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:10430-10449. [PMID: 36562198 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2159530] [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: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Flucytosine (5-fluorocytosine), a fluorine derivative of pyrimidine, has been studied both experimentally and quantum chemically. To obtain the optimized structure, vibrational frequencies and other various parameters, the B3LYP method with a 6-311++G(d,p) basis set was used. Atom-in-molecule theory was used to calculate the binding energies, ellipticity and isosurface projection by electron localization of the molecule (AIM). In addition, the computational results from IR and Raman were compared with the experimental spectra. NBO analysis was used to analyze the donor and acceptor interactions. To know the reactive region of the molecule, the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and Fukui functions were determined. The UV-Vis spectrum calculated by the TD-DFT/PCM method was also compared with the experimentally determined spectrum. The HOMO-LUMO energy outcomes proved that there was a good charge exchange occurring within the molecule. With DMSO and MeOH as the solvents, maps of the hole and electron density distribution (EDD and HDD) were produced in an excited state. An electrophilicity index parameter was looked at to theoretically test the bioactivity of the compound. To find the best ligand-protein interactions, molecular docking was also carried out with various receptor proteins. In order to verify the inhibitory potency for the receptor protein complex predicted by docking and molecular dynamic simulation studies, the binding free energy of the receptor protein complex was calculated. Using the MM/GBSA technique, we determined the docked complex's binding free energy. To confirm the molecule's drug similarity, a biological drug similarity investigation was also executed.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Agarwal
- Department of chemistry, Institute of H. Science, Dr. Bhimrao-Ambedkar University, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Aysha Fatima
- S.O.S in chemistry, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | | | - S Muthu
- Department of Physics, Aringnar Anna Government Arts College, Cheyyar, India
| | - Himanshu Arora
- Department of Chemistry, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Nazia Siddiqui
- Department of Chemistry, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Saleem Javed
- Department of Chemistry, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Durand R, Jalbert-Ross J, Fijarczyk A, Dubé AK, Landry CR. Cross-feeding affects the target of resistance evolution to an antifungal drug. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1011002. [PMID: 37856537 PMCID: PMC10617708 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi are a cause of growing concern. Developing an efficient and safe antifungal is challenging because of the similar biological properties of fungal and host cells. Consequently, there is an urgent need to better understand the mechanisms underlying antifungal resistance to prolong the efficacy of current molecules. A major step in this direction would be to be able to predict or even prevent the acquisition of resistance. We leverage the power of experimental evolution to quantify the diversity of paths to resistance to the antifungal 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), commercially known as flucytosine. We generated hundreds of independent 5-FC resistant mutants derived from two genetic backgrounds from wild isolates of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Through automated pin-spotting, whole-genome and amplicon sequencing, we identified the most likely causes of resistance for most strains. Approximately a third of all resistant mutants evolved resistance through a pleiotropic drug response, a potentially novel mechanism in response to 5-FC, marked by cross-resistance to fluconazole. These cross-resistant mutants are characterized by a loss of respiration and a strong tradeoff in drug-free media. For the majority of the remaining two thirds, resistance was acquired through loss-of-function mutations in FUR1, which encodes an important enzyme in the metabolism of 5-FC. We describe conditions in which mutations affecting this particular step of the metabolic pathway are favored over known resistance mutations affecting a step upstream, such as the well-known target cytosine deaminase encoded by FCY1. This observation suggests that ecological interactions may dictate the identity of resistance hotspots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Durand
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Canada
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Canada
- PROTEO, Le regroupement québécois de recherche sur la fonction, l’ingénierie et les applications des protéines, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche sur les Données Massives (CRDM), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Jordan Jalbert-Ross
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Canada
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Canada
- PROTEO, Le regroupement québécois de recherche sur la fonction, l’ingénierie et les applications des protéines, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche sur les Données Massives (CRDM), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Anna Fijarczyk
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Canada
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Canada
- PROTEO, Le regroupement québécois de recherche sur la fonction, l’ingénierie et les applications des protéines, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche sur les Données Massives (CRDM), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexandre K. Dubé
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Canada
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Canada
- PROTEO, Le regroupement québécois de recherche sur la fonction, l’ingénierie et les applications des protéines, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche sur les Données Massives (CRDM), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Christian R. Landry
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Canada
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Canada
- PROTEO, Le regroupement québécois de recherche sur la fonction, l’ingénierie et les applications des protéines, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche sur les Données Massives (CRDM), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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Caza M, Santos DA, Burden E, Brisland A, Hu G, Kronstad JW. Proteasome inhibition as a therapeutic target for the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0190423. [PMID: 37750732 PMCID: PMC10580939 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01904-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The current therapeutic challenges for treating fungal diseases demand new approaches and new drugs. A promising strategy involves combination therapy with agents of distinct mechanisms of action to increase fungicidal activity and limit the impact of mutations leading to resistance. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal potential of bortezomib by examining the inhibition of proteasome activity, cell proliferation, and capsule production by Cryptococcus neoformans, the causative agent of fungal meningoencephalitis. Chemical genetic screens with collections of deletion mutants identified potential druggable targets for combination therapy with bortezomib. In vitro assays of combinations of bortezomib with flucytosine, chlorpromazine, bafilomycin A1, copper sulfate, or hydroxyurea revealed antifungal effects against C. neoformans. Furthermore, combination treatment with bortezomib and flucytosine in a murine inhalation model of cryptococcosis resulted in the improvement of neurological functions and reduced fungal replication and dissemination, leading to a delay in disease progression. This study therefore highlights the utility of chemical genetic screens to identify new therapeutic approaches as well as the antifungal potential of proteasome inhibition. IMPORTANCE Fungal diseases of humans are difficult to treat, and there is a clear need for additional antifungal drugs, better diagnostics, effective vaccines, and new approaches to deal with emerging drug resistance. Fungi are challenging to control because they share many common biochemical functions with their mammalian hosts and it is therefore difficult to identify fungal-specific targets for drug development. One approach is to employ existing antifungal drugs in combination with agents that target common cellular processes at levels that are (ideally) not toxic for the host. We pursued this approach in this study by examining the potential of the clinically approved proteasome inhibitor bortezomib to influence the proliferation and virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans. We found that the combination of bortezomib with the anti-cryptococcal drug flucytosine improved the survival of infected mice, thus demonstrating the potential of this strategy for antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélissa Caza
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Daniel Assis Santos
- Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Burden
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anna Brisland
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Guanggan Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - James W. Kronstad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Maftei NM, Arbune M, Georgescu CV, Elisei AM, Iancu AV, Tatu AL. Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Pregnancy-Between Sensitivity and Resistance to Antimycotics. J Xenobiot 2023; 13:312-322. [PMID: 37489336 PMCID: PMC10366840 DOI: 10.3390/jox13030023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Vulvovaginitis with Candida spp. is the most common infection in women and the rate is increased during pregnancy. Antifungal prescription in pregnant women continues to present challenges and the decision must balance the risk of fetal toxicity with the benefits to the fetus and mother. Starting from the idea that clotrimazole is the most recommended antifungal in candidal vaginitis in pregnancy, we tested the sensitivity of different species of Candida spp. to other azoles, polyenes, and antimetabolites. This retrospective study (January to June 2019) assessed 663 pregnant women hospitalized for various pregnancy-related symptoms in which samples of phage secretion were taken. The laboratory results confirmed 21% of cases, indicating 140 positive mycologic samples. In this study, vaginal candidiasis was mostly related to the first trimester of pregnancy (53.57%,) and less related in the last trimester (17.14%). Candida albicans was the most frequent isolated strain in this study, accounting for 118 cases, followed by 16 strains of Candida glabrata and 6 cases of Candida krusei. The highest sensitivity for C. albicans was found in azoles, mostly in miconazole (93.2%), while C. krusei was completely resistant to polyene with low sensitivity in antimetabolites and even in some azoles, such as fluconazole. In our study, higher resistance rates to flucytosine were found, with C. glabrata and C. krusei exhibiting greater resistance than C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoleta-Maricica Maftei
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Centre in the Medical-Pharmaceutical Field, University "Dunărea de Jos", 800010 Galati, Romania
- Medical Laboratory Department, "Sfântul Ioan" Children's Emergency Hospital, 800487 Galați, Romania
| | - Manuela Arbune
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University "Dunărea de Jos", 800010 Galati, Romania
- Infectious Diseases Department, Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases "Sf. Cuvioasa Parascheva", 800179 Galati, Romania
| | - Costinela Valerica Georgescu
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Centre in the Medical-Pharmaceutical Field, University "Dunărea de Jos", 800010 Galati, Romania
- Department of Public Health, Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology "Buna Vestire", 800151 Galati, Romania
| | - Alina Mihaela Elisei
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Centre in the Medical-Pharmaceutical Field, University "Dunărea de Jos", 800010 Galati, Romania
| | - Alina Viorica Iancu
- Medical Laboratory Department, Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases "Sf. Cuvioasa Parascheva", 800179 Galati, Romania
- Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University "Dunărea de Jos", 800010 Galati, Romania
| | - Alin Laurentiu Tatu
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University "Dunărea de Jos", 800010 Galati, Romania
- Research Center in the Field of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, ReFORM-UDJ, 800010 Galati, Romania
- Dermatology Department, Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases "Sf. Cuvioasa Parascheva", 800179 Galati, Romania
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Kamrad S, Correia-Melo C, Szyrwiel L, Aulakh SK, Bähler J, Demichev V, Mülleder M, Ralser M. Metabolic heterogeneity and cross-feeding within isogenic yeast populations captured by DILAC. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:441-454. [PMID: 36797484 PMCID: PMC9981460 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01304-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Genetically identical cells are known to differ in many physiological parameters such as growth rate and drug tolerance. Metabolic specialization is believed to be a cause of such phenotypic heterogeneity, but detection of metabolically divergent subpopulations remains technically challenging. We developed a proteomics-based technology, termed differential isotope labelling by amino acids (DILAC), that can detect producer and consumer subpopulations of a particular amino acid within an isogenic cell population by monitoring peptides with multiple occurrences of the amino acid. We reveal that young, morphologically undifferentiated yeast colonies contain subpopulations of lysine producers and consumers that emerge due to nutrient gradients. Deconvoluting their proteomes using DILAC, we find evidence for in situ cross-feeding where rapidly growing cells ferment and provide the more slowly growing, respiring cells with ethanol. Finally, by combining DILAC with fluorescence-activated cell sorting, we show that the metabolic subpopulations diverge phenotypically, as exemplified by a different tolerance to the antifungal drug amphotericin B. Overall, DILAC captures previously unnoticed metabolic heterogeneity and provides experimental evidence for the role of metabolic specialization and cross-feeding interactions as a source of phenotypic heterogeneity in isogenic cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Kamrad
- Department of Biochemistry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Molecular Biology of Metabolism Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Clara Correia-Melo
- Department of Biochemistry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Molecular Biology of Metabolism Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Lukasz Szyrwiel
- Department of Biochemistry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simran Kaur Aulakh
- Molecular Biology of Metabolism Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Jürg Bähler
- Institute of Healthy Ageing and Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Vadim Demichev
- Department of Biochemistry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Molecular Biology of Metabolism Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Michael Mülleder
- Core Facility-High-Throughput Mass Spectrometry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Ralser
- Department of Biochemistry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Molecular Biology of Metabolism Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
- The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany.
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10
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Factors Influencing the Nitrogen-Source Dependent Flucytosine Resistance in Cryptococcus Species. mBio 2023; 14:e0345122. [PMID: 36656038 PMCID: PMC9973006 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03451-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Flucytosine (5-FC) is an antifungal agent commonly used for treatment of cryptococcosis and several other systemic mycoses. In fungi, cytosine permease and cytosine deaminase are known major players in flucytosine resistance by regulating uptake and deamination of 5-FC, respectively. Cryptococcus species have three paralogs each of cytosine permease (FCY2, FCY3, and FCY4) and cytosine deaminase (FCY1, FCY5 and FCY6). As in other fungi, we found FCY1 and FCY2 to be the primary cytosine deaminase and permease gene, respectively, in C. neoformans H99 (VNI), C. gattii R265 (VGIIa) and WM276 (VGI). However, when various amino acids were used as the sole nitrogen source, C. neoformans and C. gattii diverged in the function of FCY3 and FCY6. Though there was some lineage-dependent variability, the two genes functioned as the secondary permease and deaminase, respectively, only in C. gattii when the nitrogen source was arginine, asparagine, or proline. Additionally, the expression of FCY genes, excluding FCY1, was under nitrogen catabolic repression in the presence of NH4. Functional analysis of GAT1 and CIR1 gene deletion constructs demonstrated that these two genes regulate the expression of each permease and deaminase genes individually. Furthermore, the expression levels of FCY3 and FCY6 under different amino acids corroborated the 5-FC susceptibility in fcy2Δ or fcy1Δ background. Thus, the mechanism of 5-FC resistance in C. gattii under diverse nitrogen conditions is orchestrated by two transcription factors of GATA family, cytosine permease and deaminase genes. IMPORTANCE 5-FC is a commonly used antifungal drug for treatment of cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complexes. When various amino acids were used as the sole nitrogen source for growth, we found lineage dependent differences in 5-FC susceptibility. Deletion of the classical cytosine permease (FCY2) and deaminase (FCY1) genes caused increased 5-FC resistance in all tested nitrogen sources in C. neoformans but not in C. gattii. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the two GATA family transcription factor genes GAT1 and CIR1 are involved in the nitrogen-source dependent 5-FC resistance by regulating the expression of the paralogs of cytosine permease and deaminase genes. Our study not only identifies the new function of paralogs of the cytosine permease and deaminase and the role of their regulatory transcription factors but also denotes the differences in the mechanism of 5-FC resistance among the two etiologic agents of cryptococcosis under different nitrogen sources.
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Sastré-Velásquez LE, Dallemulle A, Kühbacher A, Baldin C, Alcazar-Fuoli L, Niedrig A, Müller C, Gsaller F. The fungal expel of 5-fluorocytosine derived fluoropyrimidines mitigates its antifungal activity and generates a cytotoxic environment. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1011066. [PMID: 36574449 PMCID: PMC9829169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis remains one of the most devastating fungal diseases and is predominantly linked to infections caused by the opportunistic human mold pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Major treatment regimens for the disease comprise the administration of antifungals belonging to the azole, polyene and echinocandin drug class. The prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5FC), which is the only representative of a fourth class, the nucleobase analogs, shows unsatisfactory in vitro activities and is barely used for the treatment of aspergillosis. The main route of 5FC activation in A. fumigatus comprises its deamination into 5-fluorouracil (5FU) by FcyA, which is followed by Uprt-mediated 5FU phosphoribosylation into 5-fluorouridine monophosphate (5FUMP). In this study, we characterized and examined the role of a metabolic bypass that generates this nucleotide via 5-fluorouridine (5FUR) through uridine phosphorylase and uridine kinase activities. Resistance profiling of mutants lacking distinct pyrimidine salvage activities suggested a minor contribution of the alternative route in 5FUMP formation. We further analyzed the contribution of drug efflux in 5FC tolerance and found that A. fumigatus cells exposed to 5FC reduce intracellular fluoropyrimidine levels through their export into the environment. This release, which was particularly high in mutants lacking Uprt, generates a toxic environment for cytosine deaminase lacking mutants as well as mammalian cells. Employing the broad-spectrum fungal efflux pump inhibitor clorgyline, we demonstrate synergistic properties of this compound in combination with 5FC, 5FU as well as 5FUR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alex Dallemulle
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexander Kühbacher
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clara Baldin
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Laura Alcazar-Fuoli
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in Network in Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC-CB21/13/00105), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Niedrig
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Müller
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Fabio Gsaller
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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12
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Dhandapani K, Sivarajan K, Ravindhiran R, Sekar JN. Fungal Infections as an Uprising Threat to Human Health: Chemosensitization of Fungal Pathogens With AFP From Aspergillus giganteus. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:887971. [PMID: 35694549 PMCID: PMC9174459 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.887971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Occurrence and intensity of systemic invasive fungal infections have significantly risen in recent decades with large amount of mortality and morbidity rates at global level. Treatment therapy lies on the current antifungal interventions and are often limited due to the emergence of resistance to antifungal agents. Chemosensitization of fungal strains to the conventional antimycotic drugs are of growing concern. Current antifungal drugs often have been reported with poor activity and side effects to the host and have a few number of targets to manifest their efficacy on the pathogens. Indiscriminately, the aforementioned issues have been easily resolved by the development of new intervention strategies. One such approach is to employ combinational therapy that has exhibited a great level of inhibitions than that of a single compound. Chemosensitization of pathogenic mycoses to commercial antifungal drugs could be drastically enhanced by co-application of chemosensitizers along with the conventional drugs. Chemosensitizers could address the resistance mechanisms evolved in the pathogenic fungi and targeting the system to make the organism susceptible to commercially and clinically proven antifungal drugs. However, this strategy has not been overreached to the greater level, but it needs much attention to fight against not only with the pathogen but combat the resistance mechanisms of pathogens to drugs. Natural compounds including plant compounds and microbial proteins act as potential chemosensitizers to break the resistance in mycoses. Aspergillus giganteus, a filamentous fungus, is known to produce a cysteine rich extracellular protein called as antifungal protein (AFP). AFP has shown enhanced efficacy against several filamentous and non-filamentous fungal pathogens. On the basis of the reported studies on its targeted potential against pathogenic mycoses, AFP would be fabricated as a good chemosensitizer to augment the fungicidal efficacy of commercial antimycotic drugs. This paper reviews on breakthrough in the discovery of antifungal drugs along with the resistance patterns of mycoses to commercial drugs followed by the current intervention strategies applied to augment the fungicidal potential of drugs.
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13
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Tortorano AM, Prigitano A, Morroni G, Brescini L, Barchiesi F. Candidemia: Evolution of Drug Resistance and Novel Therapeutic Approaches. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 14:5543-5553. [PMID: 34984009 PMCID: PMC8702982 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s274872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Candidemia and invasive candidiasis are the most common healthcare-associated invasive fungal infections, with a crude mortality rate of 25–50%. Candida albicans remains the most frequent etiology, followed by C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis. With the exception of a limited number of species (ie: C. krusei, C. glabrata and rare Candida species), resistance to fluconazole and other triazoles are quite uncommon. However, recently fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis, echinocandin-resistant C. glabrata and the multidrug resistant C. auris have emerged. Resistance to amphotericin B is even more rare due to the reduced fitness of resistant isolates. The mechanisms of antifungal resistance in Candida (altered drug-target interactions, reduced cellular drug concentrations, and physical barriers associated with biofilms) are analyzed. The choice of the antifungal therapy for candidemia must take into account several factors such as type of patient, presence of devices, severity of illness, recent exposure to antifungals, local epidemiology, organs involvement, and Candida species. The first-line therapy in non-neutropenic critical patient is an echinocandin switching to fluconazole in clinically stable patients with negative blood cultures and azole susceptible isolate. Similarly, an echinocandin is the drug of choice also in neutropenic patients. The treatment duration is 14 days after the first negative blood culture or longer in cases of organ involvement. An early removal of vascular catheter improves the outcome. The promising results of new antifungal molecules, such as the terpenoid derivative ibrexafungerp, the novel echinocandin with an enhanced half-life rezafungin, oteseconazole and fosmanogepix, representative of new classes of antifungals, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Tortorano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Prigitano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Gianluca Morroni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Lucia Brescini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.,Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I-Lancisi-Salesi, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Barchiesi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.,Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali Riuniti Marche Nord, Pesaro, Italy
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14
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Rogers TR, Verweij PE, Castanheira M, Dannaoui E, White PL, Arendrup MC. OUP accepted manuscript. J Antimicrob Chemother 2022; 77:2053-2073. [PMID: 35703391 PMCID: PMC9333407 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing incidence and changing epidemiology of invasive fungal infections continue to present many challenges to their effective management. The repertoire of antifungal drugs available for treatment is still limited although there are new antifungals on the horizon. Successful treatment of invasive mycoses is dependent on a mix of pathogen-, host- and antifungal drug-related factors. Laboratories need to be adept at detection of fungal pathogens in clinical samples in order to effectively guide treatment by identifying isolates with acquired drug resistance. While there are international guidelines on how to conduct in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing, these are not performed as widely as for bacterial pathogens. Furthermore, fungi generally are recovered in cultures more slowly than bacteria, and often cannot be cultured in the laboratory. Therefore, non-culture-based methods, including molecular tests, to detect fungi in clinical specimens are increasingly important in patient management and are becoming more reliable as technology improves. Molecular methods can also be used for detection of target gene mutations or other mechanisms that predict antifungal drug resistance. This review addresses acquired antifungal drug resistance in the principal human fungal pathogens and describes known resistance mechanisms and what in-house and commercial tools are available for their detection. It is emphasized that this approach should be complementary to culture-based susceptibility testing, given the range of mutations, resistance mechanisms and target genes that may be present in clinical isolates, but may not be included in current molecular assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maiken Cavling Arendrup
- Unit of Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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15
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Lee SW, Rugbjerg P, Sommer MOA. Exploring Selective Pressure Trade-Offs for Synthetic Addiction to Extend Metabolite Productive Lifetimes in Yeast. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:2842-2849. [PMID: 34699715 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Engineered microbes often suffer from reduced fitness resulting from metabolic burden and various stresses. The productive lifetime of a bioreactor with engineered microbes is therefore susceptible to the rise of nonproductive mutants with better fitness. Synthetic addiction is emerging as a concept to artificially couple the growth rate of the microbe to production to tackle this problem. However, only a few successful cases of synthetic addiction systems have been reported to date. To understand the limitations and design constraints in long-term cultivations, we designed and studied conditional synthetic addiction circuits in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This allowed us to probe a range of selective pressure strengths and identify the optimal balance between circuit stability and production-to-growth coupling. In the optimal balance, the productive lifetime was greatly extended compared with suboptimal circuit tuning. With a too-high or -low pressure, we found that production declines mainly through homologous recombination. These principles of trade-off in the design of synthetic addition systems should lead to the better control of bioprocess performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Woo Lee
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Peter Rugbjerg
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Enduro Genetics ApS, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Otto Alexander Sommer
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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16
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Pezzotti G, Kobara M, Asai T, Nakaya T, Miyamoto N, Adachi T, Yamamoto T, Kanamura N, Ohgitani E, Marin E, Zhu W, Nishimura I, Mazda O, Nakata T, Makimura K. Raman Imaging of Pathogenic Candida auris: Visualization of Structural Characteristics and Machine-Learning Identification. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:769597. [PMID: 34867902 PMCID: PMC8633489 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.769597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections caused by yeasts of the genus Candida carry high morbidity and cause systemic infections with high mortality rate in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. Resistance rates against antifungal drugs vary among Candida species, the most concerning specie being Candida auris, which exhibits resistance to all major classes of available antifungal drugs. The presently available identification methods for Candida species face a severe trade-off between testing speed and accuracy. Here, we propose and validate a machine-learning approach adapted to Raman spectroscopy as a rapid, precise, and labor-efficient method of clinical microbiology for C. auris identification and drug efficacy assessments. This paper demonstrates that the combination of Raman spectroscopy and machine learning analyses can provide an insightful and flexible mycology diagnostic tool, easily applicable on-site in the clinical environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Pezzotti
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- The Center for Advanced Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Miyuki Kobara
- Division of Pathological Science, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tenma Asai
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tamaki Nakaya
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nao Miyamoto
- Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Adachi
- Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiro Yamamoto
- Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Narisato Kanamura
- Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Eriko Ohgitani
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Elia Marin
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Wenliang Zhu
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ichiro Nishimura
- Division of Advanced Prosthodontics, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Osam Mazda
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Nakata
- Division of Pathological Science, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Koichi Makimura
- Medical Mycology, Graduate School of Medicine, Teikyo University, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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17
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Moderate levels of 5-fluorocytosine cause the emergence of high frequency resistance in cryptococci. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3418. [PMID: 34103502 PMCID: PMC8187385 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23745-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The antifungal agent 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) is used for the treatment of several mycoses, but is unsuitable for monotherapy due to the rapid development of resistance. Here, we show that cryptococci develop resistance to 5-FC at a high frequency when exposed to concentrations several fold above the minimal inhibitory concentration. The genomes of resistant clones contain alterations in genes relevant as well as irrelevant for 5-FC resistance, suggesting that 5-FC may be mutagenic at moderate concentrations. Mutations in FCY2 (encoding a known permease for 5-FC uptake), FCY1, FUR1, UXS1 (encoding an enzyme that converts UDP-glucuronic acid to UDP-xylose) and URA6 contribute to 5-FC resistance. The uxs1 mutants accumulate UDP-glucuronic acid, which appears to down-regulate expression of permease FCY2 and reduce cellular uptake of the drug. Additional mutations in genes known to be required for UDP-glucuronic acid synthesis (UGD1) or a transcriptional factor NRG1 suppress UDP-glucuronic acid accumulation and 5-FC resistance in the uxs1 mutants. Pathogenic fungi rapidly develop resistance to the antifungal agent 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). Here, Chang et al. explore the mechanisms by which Cryptococcus develops 5-FC resistance at a high frequency, including mutations in several genes and altered levels of key metabolites.
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18
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Lotfali E, Fattahi A, Sayyahfar S, Ghasemi R, Rabiei MM, Fathi M, Vakili K, Deravi N, Soheili A, Toreyhi H, Shirvani F. A Review on Molecular Mechanisms of Antifungal Resistance in Candida glabrata: Update and Recent Advances. Microb Drug Resist 2021; 27:1371-1388. [PMID: 33956513 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2020.0235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida glabrata is the second frequent etiologic agent of mucosal and invasive candidiasis. Based on the recent developments in molecular methods, C. glabrata has been introduced as a complex composed of C. glabrata, Candida nivariensis, and Candida bracarensis. The four main classes of antifungal drugs effective against C. glabrata are pyrimidine analogs (flucytosine), azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes. Although the use of antifungal drugs is related to the predictable development of drug resistance, it is not clear why C. glabrata is able to rapidly resist against multiple antifungals in clinics. The enhanced incidence and antifungal resistance of C. glabrata and the high mortality and morbidity need more investigation regarding the resistance mechanisms and virulence associated with C. glabrata; additional progress concerning the drug resistance of C. glabrata has to be further prevented. The present review highlights the mechanism of resistance to antifungal drugs in C. glabrata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ensieh Lotfali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Fattahi
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shirin Sayyahfar
- Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Ghasemi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mahdi Rabiei
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mobina Fathi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kimia Vakili
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloofar Deravi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirali Soheili
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Toreyhi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fariba Shirvani
- Pediatric Infections Research Center, Research Institute for Children Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Galocha M, Costa IV, Teixeira MC. Carrier-Mediated Drug Uptake in Fungal Pathogens. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11111324. [PMID: 33182427 PMCID: PMC7697741 DOI: 10.3390/genes11111324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus species are the most frequent cause of severe human fungal infections. Clinically relevant antifungal drugs are scarce, and their effectiveness are hampered by the ability of fungal cells to develop drug resistance mechanisms. Drug effectiveness and drug resistance in human pathogens is very often affected by their “transportome”. Many studies have covered a panoply of drug resistance mechanisms that depend on drug efflux pumps belonging to the ATP-Binding Cassette and Major Facilitator Superfamily. However, the study of drug uptake mechanisms has been, to some extent, overlooked in pathogenic fungi. This review focuses on discussing current knowledge on drug uptake systems in fungal pathogens, highlighting the need for further studies on this topic of great importance. The following subjects are covered: (i) drugs imported by known transporter(s) in pathogenic fungi; and (ii) drugs imported by known transporter(s) in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae or in human parasites, aimed at the identification of their homologs in pathogenic fungi. Besides its contribution to increase the understanding of drug-pathogen interactions, the practical implications of identifying drug importers in human pathogens are discussed, particularly focusing on drug development strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Galocha
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.G.); (I.V.C.)
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Inês Vieira Costa
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.G.); (I.V.C.)
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Cacho Teixeira
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.G.); (I.V.C.)
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-21-841-7772; Fax: +351-21-841-9199
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Antifungal Resistance in Candida auris: Molecular Determinants. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9090568. [PMID: 32887362 PMCID: PMC7558570 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9090568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since Candida auris integrates strains resistant to multiple antifungals, research has been conducted focused on knowing which molecular mechanisms are involved. This review aims to summarize the results obtained in some of these studies. A search was carried out by consulting websites and online databases. The analysis indicates that most C. auris strains show higher resistance to fluconazole, followed by amphotericin B, and less resistance to 5-fluorocytosine and caspofungin. In C. auris, antifungal resistance to amphotericin B has been linked to an overexpression of several mutated ERG genes that lead to reduced ergosterol levels; fluconazole resistance is mostly explained by mutations identified in the ERG11 gene, as well as a higher number of copies of this gene and the overexpression of efflux pumps. For 5-fluorocytosine, it is hypothesized that the resistance is due to mutations in the FCY2, FCY1, and FUR1 genes. Resistance to caspofungin has been associated with a mutation in the FKS1 gene. Finally, resistance to each antifungal is closely related to the type of clade to which the strain belongs.
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21
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Houšť J, Spížek J, Havlíček V. Antifungal Drugs. Metabolites 2020; 10:metabo10030106. [PMID: 32178468 PMCID: PMC7143493 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10030106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We reviewed the licensed antifungal drugs and summarized their mechanisms of action, pharmacological profiles, and susceptibility to specific fungi. Approved antimycotics inhibit 1,3-β-d-glucan synthase, lanosterol 14-α-demethylase, protein, and deoxyribonucleic acid biosynthesis, or sequestrate ergosterol. Their most severe side effects are hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and myelotoxicity. Whereas triazoles exhibit the most significant drug–drug interactions, echinocandins exhibit almost none. The antifungal resistance may be developed across most pathogens and includes drug target overexpression, efflux pump activation, and amino acid substitution. The experimental antifungal drugs in clinical trials are also reviewed. Siderophores in the Trojan horse approach or the application of siderophore biosynthesis enzyme inhibitors represent the most promising emerging antifungal therapies.
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Salazar SB, Simões RS, Pedro NA, Pinheiro MJ, Carvalho MFNN, Mira NP. An Overview on Conventional and Non-Conventional Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Candidiasis and Underlying Resistance Mechanisms in Clinical Strains. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6010023. [PMID: 32050673 PMCID: PMC7151124 DOI: 10.3390/jof6010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections and, in particular, those caused by species of the Candida genus, are growing at an alarming rate and have high associated rates of mortality and morbidity. These infections, generally referred as candidiasis, range from common superficial rushes caused by an overgrowth of the yeasts in mucosal surfaces to life-threatening disseminated mycoses. The success of currently used antifungal drugs to treat candidiasis is being endangered by the continuous emergence of resistant strains, specially among non-albicans Candida species. In this review article, the mechanisms of action of currently used antifungals, with emphasis on the mechanisms of resistance reported in clinical isolates, are reviewed. Novel approaches being taken to successfully inhibit growth of pathogenic Candida species, in particular those based on the exploration of natural or synthetic chemicals or on the activity of live probiotics, are also reviewed. It is expected that these novel approaches, either used alone or in combination with traditional antifungals, may contribute to foster the identification of novel anti-Candida therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara B. Salazar
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (S.B.S.); (R.S.S.); (N.A.P.); (M.J.P.)
| | - Rita S. Simões
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (S.B.S.); (R.S.S.); (N.A.P.); (M.J.P.)
| | - Nuno A. Pedro
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (S.B.S.); (R.S.S.); (N.A.P.); (M.J.P.)
| | - Maria Joana Pinheiro
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (S.B.S.); (R.S.S.); (N.A.P.); (M.J.P.)
| | - Maria Fernanda N. N. Carvalho
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Complexo I, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Nuno P. Mira
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (S.B.S.); (R.S.S.); (N.A.P.); (M.J.P.)
- Correspondence:
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Improved cellulase production in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae by disrupting the cell wall protein-encoding gene CWP2. J Biosci Bioeng 2019; 129:165-171. [PMID: 31537451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2019.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been widely used for heterologous protein production. However, low protein production titer and secretion levels continue to challenge its practical applications. The yeast cell wall plays important roles in yeast cell growth and environmental responses. Nevertheless, the effects of yeast cell wall proteins on heterologous protein production and secretion remain unclear. CWP2 encodes a mannoprotein that is the major component of the yeast cell wall. So far, studies on its function have been very limited. Here we show that CWP2 disruption improved extracellular cellobiohydrolase activity by 85.9%. A calcofluor white hypersensitivity assay revealed increased sensitivity of the mutant compared to the parental strain, indicating impaired cell wall integrity. However, no changes were observed in normal cell growth or growth stressed by tunicamycin and dithiothreitol, suggesting that the unfolded protein response pathway was not affected by the gene disruption. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed changes in multiple genes involved in cell wall structure, biosynthesis, and cell wall integrity induced by CWP2 disruption, suggesting a pivotal role of Cwp2p in yeast cell wall organization. Notably, CWP2 disruption also led to elevated transcription of a large number of genes involved in ribosome biogenesis, which indicated that CWP2 is not only in yeast cell wall biosynthesis, but also in protein translation. This work reveals novel insights into the functions of CWP2 and also presents a new strategy to increase heterologous protein production in yeast strains by manipulating cell wall-related proteins.
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A Novel Role of Fungal Type I Myosin in Regulating Membrane Properties and Its Association with d-Amino Acid Utilization in Cryptococcus gattii. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.01867-19. [PMID: 31455652 PMCID: PMC6712397 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01867-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii, one of the etiological agents of cryptococcosis, can be distinguished from its sister species Cryptococcus neoformans by growth on d-amino acids. C. gattiiMYO5 affected the growth of C. gattii on d-amino acids. The myo5Δ cells accumulated high levels of various substrates from outside the cells, and excessively accumulated d-amino acids appeared to have caused toxicity in the myo5Δ cells. We provide evidence on the alteration of membrane properties in the myo5Δ mutants. Additionally, alteration in the myo5Δ membrane permeability causing higher substrate accumulation is associated with the changes in the sterol distribution. Furthermore, myosin-I in three other yeasts also manifested a similar role in substrate accumulation. Thus, while fungal myosin-I may function as a classical myosin-I, it has hitherto unknown additional roles in regulating membrane permeability. Since deletion of fungal myosin-I causes significantly elevated susceptibility to multiple antifungal drugs, it could serve as an effective target for augmentation of fungal therapy. We found a novel role of Myo5, a type I myosin (myosin-I), and its fortuitous association with d-amino acid utilization in Cryptococcus gattii. Myo5 colocalized with actin cortical patches and was required for endocytosis. Interestingly, the myo5Δ mutant accumulated high levels of d-proline and d-alanine which caused toxicity in C. gattii cells. The myo5Δ mutant also accumulated a large set of substrates, such as membrane-permeant as well as non-membrane-permeant dyes, l-proline, l-alanine, and flucytosine intracellularly. Furthermore, the efflux rate of fluorescein was significantly increased in the myo5Δ mutant. Importantly, the endocytic defect of the myo5Δ mutant did not affect the localization of the proline permease and flucytosine transporter. These data indicate that the substrate accumulation phenotype is not solely due to a defect in endocytosis, but the membrane properties may have been altered in the myo5Δ mutant. Consistent with this, the sterol staining pattern of the myo5Δ mutant was different from that of the wild type, and the mutant was hypersensitive to amphotericin B. It appears that the changes in sterol distribution may have caused altered membrane permeability in the myo5Δ mutant, allowing increased accumulation of substrate. Moreover, myosin-I mutants generated in several other yeast species displayed a similar substrate accumulation phenotype. Thus, fungal type I myosin appears to play an important role in regulating membrane permeability. Although the substrate accumulation phenotype was detected in strains with mutations in the genes involved in actin nucleation, the phenotype was not shared in all endocytic mutants, indicating a complicated relationship between substrate accumulation and endocytosis.
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Pais P, Galocha M, Viana R, Cavalheiro M, Pereira D, Teixeira MC. Microevolution of the pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans and Candida glabrata during antifungal therapy and host infection. MICROBIAL CELL 2019; 6:142-159. [PMID: 30854392 PMCID: PMC6402363 DOI: 10.15698/mic2019.03.670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Infections by the pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans and Candida glabrata are among the most common fungal diseases. The success of these species as human pathogens is contingent on their ability to resist antifungal therapy and thrive within the human host. C. glabrata is especially resilient to azole antifungal treatment, while C. albicans is best known for its wide array of virulence features. The core mechanisms that underlie antifungal resistance and virulence in these pathogens has been continuously addressed, but the investigation on how such mechanisms evolve according to each environment is scarcer. This review aims to explore current knowledge on micro-evolution experiments to several treatment and host-associated conditions in C. albicans and C. glabrata. The analysis of adaptation strategies that evolve over time will allow to better understand the mechanisms by which Candida species are able to achieve stable phenotypes in real-life scenarios, which are the ones that should constitute the most interesting drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Pais
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Biological Sciences Research Group, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mónica Galocha
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Biological Sciences Research Group, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Romeu Viana
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Biological Sciences Research Group, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mafalda Cavalheiro
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Biological Sciences Research Group, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diana Pereira
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Biological Sciences Research Group, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Cacho Teixeira
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Biological Sciences Research Group, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal
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Rad53- and Chk1-Dependent DNA Damage Response Pathways Cooperatively Promote Fungal Pathogenesis and Modulate Antifungal Drug Susceptibility. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.01726-18. [PMID: 30602579 PMCID: PMC6315099 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01726-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome instability is detrimental for living things because it induces genetic disorder diseases and transfers incorrect genome information to descendants. Therefore, living organisms have evolutionarily conserved signaling networks to sense and repair DNA damage. However, how the DNA damage response pathway is regulated for maintaining the genome integrity of fungal pathogens and how this contributes to their pathogenicity remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the DNA damage response pathway in the basidiomycete pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, which causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised individuals, with an average of 223,100 infections leading to 181,100 deaths reported annually. Here, we found that perturbation of Rad53- and Chk1-dependent DNA damage response pathways attenuated the virulence of C. neoformans and increased its susceptibility to certain antifungal drugs, such as amphotericin B and flucytosine. Therefore, our work paves the way to understanding the important role of human fungal DNA damage networks in pathogenesis and antifungal drug susceptibility. Living organisms are constantly exposed to DNA damage stress caused by endogenous and exogenous events. Eukaryotic cells have evolutionarily conserved DNA damage checkpoint surveillance systems. We previously reported that a unique transcription factor, Bdr1, whose expression is strongly induced by the protein kinase Rad53 governs DNA damage responses by controlling the expression of DNA repair genes in the basidiomycetous fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. However, the regulatory mechanism of the Rad53-dependent DNA damage signal cascade and its function in pathogenicity remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Rad53 is required for DNA damage response and is phosphorylated by two phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-like kinases, Tel1 and Mec1, in response to DNA damage stress. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Rad53 regulates the expression of several DNA repair genes in response to gamma radiation. We found that expression of CHK1, another effector kinase involved in the DNA damage response, is regulated by Rad53 and that CHK1 deletion rendered cells highly susceptible to DNA damage stress. Nevertheless, BDR1 expression is regulated by Rad53, but not Chk1, indicating that DNA damage signal cascades mediated by Rad53 and Chk1 exhibit redundant and distinct functions. We found that perturbation of both RAD53 and CHK1 attenuated the virulence of C. neoformans, perhaps by promoting phagosome maturation within macrophage, reducing melanin production, and increasing susceptibility to oxidative stresses. Furthermore, deletion of both RAD53 and CHK1 increased susceptibility to certain antifungal drugs such as amphotericin B. This report provides insight into the regulatory mechanism of fungal DNA damage repair systems and their functional relationship with fungal virulence and antifungal drug susceptibility.
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Vu K, Thompson GR, Roe CC, Sykes JE, Dreibe EM, Lockhart SR, Meyer W, Engelthaler DM, Gelli A. Flucytosine resistance in Cryptococcus gattii is indirectly mediated by the FCY2-FCY1-FUR1 pathway. Med Mycol 2018; 56:857-867. [PMID: 29554336 PMCID: PMC10905989 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by members of the two sibling species complexes: Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. Flucytosine (5FC) is one of the most widely used antifungals against Cryptococcus spp., yet very few studies have looked at the molecular mechanisms responsible for 5FC resistance in this pathogen. In this study, we examined 11 C. gattii clinical isolates of the major molecular type VGIII based on differential 5FC susceptibility and asked whether there were genomic changes in the key genes involved in flucytosine metabolism. Susceptibility assays and sequencing analysis revealed an association between a point mutation in the cytosine deaminase gene (FCY1) and 5FC resistance in two of the studied 5FC resistant C. gattii VGIII clinical isolates, B9322 and JS5. This mutation results in the replacement of arginine for histidine at position 29 and occurs within a variable stretch of amino acids. Heterologous expression of FCY1 and spot sensitivity assays, however, demonstrated that this point mutation did not have any effect on FCY1 activities and was not responsible for 5FC resistance. Comparative sequence analysis further showed that no changes in the amino acid sequence and no genomic alterations were observed within 1 kb of the upstream and downstream sequences of either cytosine permeases (FCY2-4) or uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (FUR1) genes in 5FC resistant and 5FC susceptible C. gattii VGIII isolates. The herein obtained results suggest that the observed 5FC resistance in the isolates B9322 and JS5 is due to changes in unknown protein(s) or pathway(s) that regulate flucytosine metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiem Vu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - George R Thompson
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California Davis Medical Center, Davis, California, USA
| | - Chandler C Roe
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Jane E Sykes
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | | | - Shawn R Lockhart
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia USA
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Center for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Marie Bashir Institute for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Angie Gelli
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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Ksiezopolska E, Gabaldón T. Evolutionary Emergence of Drug Resistance in Candida Opportunistic Pathogens. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9090461. [PMID: 30235884 PMCID: PMC6162425 DOI: 10.3390/genes9090461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections, such as candidiasis caused by Candida, pose a problem of growing medical concern. In developed countries, the incidence of Candida infections is increasing due to the higher survival of susceptible populations, such as immunocompromised patients or the elderly. Existing treatment options are limited to few antifungal drug families with efficacies that vary depending on the infecting species. In this context, the emergence and spread of resistant Candida isolates are being increasingly reported. Understanding how resistance can evolve within naturally susceptible species is key to developing novel, more effective treatment strategies. However, in contrast to the situation of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, few studies have focused on the evolutionary mechanisms leading to drug resistance in fungal species. In this review, we will survey and discuss current knowledge on the genetic bases of resistance to antifungal drugs in Candida opportunistic pathogens. We will do so from an evolutionary genomics perspective, focusing on the possible evolutionary paths that may lead to the emergence and selection of the resistant phenotype. Finally, we will discuss the potential of future studies enabled by current developments in sequencing technologies, in vitro evolution approaches, and the analysis of serial clinical isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Ksiezopolska
- Bioinformatics and Genomics Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Bioinformatics and Genomics Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
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de Oliveira Santos GC, Vasconcelos CC, Lopes AJO, de Sousa Cartágenes MDS, Filho AKDB, do Nascimento FRF, Ramos RM, Pires ERRB, de Andrade MS, Rocha FMG, de Andrade Monteiro C. Candida Infections and Therapeutic Strategies: Mechanisms of Action for Traditional and Alternative Agents. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1351. [PMID: 30018595 PMCID: PMC6038711 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Candida genus comprises opportunistic fungi that can become pathogenic when the immune system of the host fails. Candida albicans is the most important and prevalent species. Polyenes, fluoropyrimidines, echinocandins, and azoles are used as commercial antifungal agents to treat candidiasis. However, the presence of intrinsic and developed resistance against azole antifungals has been extensively documented among several Candida species. The advent of original and re-emergence of classical fungal diseases have occurred as a consequence of the development of the antifungal resistance phenomenon. In this way, the development of new satisfactory therapy for fungal diseases persists as a major challenge of present-day medicine. The design of original drugs from traditional medicines provides new promises in the modern clinic. The urgent need includes the development of alternative drugs that are more efficient and tolerant than those traditional already in use. The identification of new substances with potential antifungal effect at low concentrations or in combination is also a possibility. The present review briefly examines the infections caused by Candida species and focuses on the mechanisms of action associated with the traditional agents used to treat those infections, as well as the current understanding of the molecular basis of resistance development in these fungal species. In addition, this review describes some of the promising alternative molecules and/or substances that could be used as anticandidal agents, their mechanisms of action, and their use in combination with traditional drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle C. de Oliveira Santos
- Programa de Doutorado em Biotecnologia da Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Cleydlenne C. Vasconcelos
- Programa de Doutorado em Biotecnologia da Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Alberto J. O. Lopes
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | | | - Allan K. D. B. Filho
- Departamento de Engenharia Elétrica, Programa de Doutorado em Biotecnologia da Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo M. Ramos
- Department of Information, Environment, Health and Food Production, Laboratory of Information Systems, Federal Institute of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo S. de Andrade
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Flaviane M. G. Rocha
- Laboratório de Micologia Médica, Programa de Mestrado em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Cristina de Andrade Monteiro
- Laboratório de Micologia Médica, Programa de Mestrado em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís, Brazil
- Departmento de Biologia, Instituto Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
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30
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Mechanistic Basis of pH-Dependent 5-Flucytosine Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.02593-17. [PMID: 29610197 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02593-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The antifungal drug 5-flucytosine (5FC), a derivative of the nucleobase cytosine, is licensed for the treatment of fungal diseases; however, it is rarely used as a monotherapeutic to treat Aspergillus infection. Despite being potent against other fungal pathogens, 5FC has limited activity against Aspergillus fumigatus when standard in vitro assays are used to determine susceptibility. However, in modified in vitro assays where the pH is set to pH 5, the activity of 5FC increases significantly. Here we provide evidence that fcyB, a gene that encodes a purine-cytosine permease orthologous to known 5FC importers, is downregulated at pH 7 and is the primary factor responsible for the low efficacy of 5FC at pH 7. We also uncover two transcriptional regulators that are responsible for the repression of fcyB and, consequently, mediators of 5FC resistance, the CCAAT binding complex (CBC) and the pH regulatory protein PacC. We propose that the activity of 5FC might be enhanced by the perturbation of factors that repress fcyB expression, such as PacC or other components of the pH-sensing machinery.
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31
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Biswas C, Chen SCA, Halliday C, Martinez E, Rockett RJ, Wang Q, Timms VJ, Dhakal R, Sadsad R, Kennedy KJ, Playford G, Marriott DJ, Slavin MA, Sorrell TC, Sintchenko V. Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 29364212 DOI: 10.3791/56714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida glabrata can rapidly acquire mutations that result in drug resistance, especially to azoles and echinocandins. Identification of genetic mutations is essential, as resistance detected in vitro can often be correlated with clinical failure. We examined the feasibility of using whole genome sequencing (WGS) for genome-wide analysis of antifungal drug resistance in C. glabrata. The aim was torecognize enablers and barriers in the implementation WGS and measure its effectiveness. This paper outlines the key quality control checkpoints and essential components of WGS methodology to investigate genetic markers associated with reduced susceptibility to antifungal agents. It also estimates the accuracy of data analysis and turn-around-time of testing. Phenotypic susceptibility of 12 clinical, and one ATCC strain of C. glabrata was determined through antifungal susceptibility testing. These included three isolate pairs, from three patients, that developed rise in drug minimum inhibitory concentrations. In two pairs, the second isolate of each pair developed resistance to echinocandins. The second isolate of the third pair developed resistance to 5-flucytosine. The remaining comprised of susceptible and azole resistant isolates. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes linked to echinocandin, azole and 5-flucytosine resistance were confirmed in resistant isolates through WGS using the next generation sequencing. Non-synonymous SNPs in antifungal resistance genes such as FKS1, FKS2, CgPDR1, CgCDR1 and FCY2 were identified. Overall, an average of 98% of the WGS reads of C. glabrata isolates mapped to the reference genome with about 75-fold read depth coverage. The turnaround time and cost were comparable to Sanger sequencing. In conclusion, WGS of C. glabrata was feasible in revealing clinically significant gene mutations involved in resistance to different antifungal drug classes without the need for multiple PCR/DNA sequencing reactions. This represents a positive step towards establishing WGS capability in the clinical laboratory for simultaneous detection of antifungal resistance conferring substitutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayanika Biswas
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital;
| | - Sharon C-A Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, ICPMR; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney
| | - Catriona Halliday
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, ICPMR
| | - Elena Martinez
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital
| | - Rebecca J Rockett
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital
| | - Qinning Wang
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital
| | - Verlaine J Timms
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital
| | - Rajat Dhakal
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital
| | - Rosemarie Sadsad
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital
| | - Karina J Kennedy
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canberra Hospital and Health Services, Australian National University Medical School
| | - Geoffrey Playford
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canberra Hospital and Health Services, Australian National University Medical School; Infection Management Services, Australian National University Medical School
| | - Deborah J Marriott
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, St. Vincent's Hospital
| | - Monica A Slavin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
| | - Tania C Sorrell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney
| | - Vitali Sintchenko
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, ICPMR; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney
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32
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Arendrup MC, Patterson TF. Multidrug-Resistant Candida: Epidemiology, Molecular Mechanisms, and Treatment. J Infect Dis 2017; 216:S445-S451. [PMID: 28911043 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 370] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive Candida infections remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in hospitalized and immunocompromised or critically ill patients. A limited number of antifungal agents from only a few drug classes are available to treat patients with these serious infections. Resistance can be either intrinsic or acquired. Resistance mechanisms are not exchanged between Candida; thus, acquired resistance either emerges in response to an antifungal selection pressure in the individual patient or, more rarely, occur due to horizontal transmission of resistant strains between patients. Although multidrug resistance is uncommon, increasing reports of multidrug resistance to the azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes have occurred in several Candida species, most notably Candida glabrata and more recently Candida auris. Drivers are overall antifungal use, subtherapeutic drug levels at sites of infection/colonization, drug sequestration in the biofilm matrix, and, in the setting of outbreaks, suboptimal infection control. Moreover, recent research suggests that DNA mismatch repair gene mutations may facilitate acquisition of resistance mutations in C. glabrata specifically. Diagnosis of antifungal-resistant Candida infections is critical to the successful management of patients with these infections. Reduction of unnecessary use of antifungals via antifungal stewardship is critical to limit multidrug resistance emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiken Cavling Arendrup
- Unit of Mycology, Statens Serum Institut.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas F Patterson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, San Antonio Center for Medical Mycology, UT Health San Antonio, and the South Texas Veterans Health Care System
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Biswas C, Chen SCA, Halliday C, Kennedy K, Playford EG, Marriott DJ, Slavin MA, Sorrell TC, Sintchenko V. Identification of genetic markers of resistance to echinocandins, azoles and 5-fluorocytosine in Candida glabrata by next-generation sequencing: a feasibility study. Clin Microbiol Infect 2017; 23:676.e7-676.e10. [PMID: 28344162 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Multi-antifungal drug resistance in Candida glabrata is increasing. We examined the feasibility of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to investigate the presence of antifungal drug resistance markers in C. glabrata. METHODS The antifungal susceptibility of 12 clinical isolates and one ATCC strain of C. glabrata was determined using the Sensititre YeastOne® YO10 assay. These included three isolate pairs where the second isolate of each pair had developed a rise in drug MICs. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes known to be linked to echinocandin, azole and 5-fluorocytosine resistance were analysed in all isolates through NGS. RESULTS High-quality non-synonymous SNPs in antifungal resistance genes such as FKS1, FKS2, CgCDR1, CgPDR1 and FCY2 were identified. For two of three isolate pairs, there was a >60-fold rise in MICs to all echinocandins in the second isolate from each pair; one echinocandin-resistant isolate harboured a mutation in FKS1 (S629P) and the other in FKS2 (S663P). Of the third pair, both the 5-fluorocytosine-susceptible, and resistant isolates had a mutation in FCY2 (A237T). SNPs in CgPDR1 were found in pan-azole-resistant isolates. SNPs in other genes linked to azole resistance (CgCDR1, ERG9 and CgFLR1) were present in both azole-susceptible and azole-resistant isolates. SNPs were also identified in Candida adhesin genes EPA1, EPA6, PWP2 and PWP5 but their presence was not associated with higher drug MICs. CONCLUSIONS Genome-wide analysis of antifungal resistance markers was feasible and simultaneously revealed mutation patterns of genes implicated in resistance to different antifungal drug classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Biswas
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
| | - S C-A Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - C Halliday
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - K Kennedy
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Canberra Hospital, Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, Australia
| | - E G Playford
- Infection Management Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - D J Marriott
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - M A Slavin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - T C Sorrell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - V Sintchenko
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Cunha DV, Salazar SB, Lopes MM, Mira NP. Mechanistic Insights Underlying Tolerance to Acetic Acid Stress in Vaginal Candida glabrata Clinical Isolates. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:259. [PMID: 28293217 PMCID: PMC5329028 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During colonization of the vaginal tract Candida glabrata cells are challenged with the presence of acetic acid at a low pH, specially when dysbiosis occurs. To avoid exclusion from this niche C. glabrata cells are expected to evolve efficient adaptive responses to cope with this stress; however, these responses remain largely uncharacterized, especially in vaginal strains. In this work a cohort of 18 vaginal strains and 2 laboratory strains (CBS138 and KUE100) were phenotyped for their tolerance against inhibitory concentrations of acetic acid at pH 4. Despite some heterogeneity has been observed among the vaginal strains tested, in general these strains were considerably more tolerant to acetic acid than the laboratory strains. To tackle the mechanistic insights behind this differential level of tolerance observed, a set of vaginal strains differently tolerant to acetic acid (VG281∼VG49 < VG99 < VG216) and the highly susceptible laboratory strain KUE100 were selected for further studies. When suddenly challenged with acetic acid the more tolerant vaginal strains exhibited a higher activity of the plasma membrane proton pump CgPma1 and a reduced internal accumulation of the acid, these being two essential features to maximize tolerance. Based on the higher level of resistance exhibited by the vaginal strains against the action of a β-1,3-glucanase, it is hypothesized that the reduced internal accumulation of acetic acid inside these strains may originate from them having a different cell wall structure resulting in a reduced porosity to undissociated acetic acid molecules. Both the vaginal and the two laboratory strains were found to consume acetic acid in the presence of glucose indicating that metabolization of the acid is used by C. glabrata species as a detoxification mechanism. The results gathered in this study advance the current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying the increased competitiveness of C. glabrata in the vaginal tract, a knowledge that can be used to guide more suitable strategies to treat infections caused by this pathogenic yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana V Cunha
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara B Salazar
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria M Lopes
- Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nuno P Mira
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa, Portugal
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Pais P, Pires C, Costa C, Okamoto M, Chibana H, Teixeira MC. Membrane Proteomics Analysis of the Candida glabrata Response to 5-Flucytosine: Unveiling the Role and Regulation of the Drug Efflux Transporters CgFlr1 and CgFlr2. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:2045. [PMID: 28066366 PMCID: PMC5174090 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.02045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to 5-flucytosine (5-FC), used as an antifungal drug in combination therapy, compromises its therapeutic action. In this work, the response of the human pathogen Candida glabrata to 5-FC was evaluated at the membrane proteome level, using an iTRAQ-based approach. A total of 32 proteins were found to display significant expression changes in the membrane fraction of cells upon exposure to 5-FC, 50% of which under the control of CgPdr1, the major regulator of azole drug resistance. These proteins cluster into functional groups associated to cell wall assembly, lipid metabolism, amino acid/nucleotide metabolism, ribosome components and translation machinery, mitochondrial function, glucose metabolism, and multidrug resistance transport. Given the obtained indications, the function of the drug:H+ antiporters CgFlr1 (ORF CAGL0H06017g) and CgFlr2 (ORF CAGL0H06039g) was evaluated. The expression of both proteins, localized to the plasma membrane, was found to confer flucytosine resistance. CgFlr2 further confers azole drug resistance. The deletion of CgFLR1 or CgFLR2 was seen to increase the intracellular accumulation of 5-FC, or 5-FC and clotrimazole, suggesting that these transporters play direct roles in drug extrusion. The expression of CgFLR1 and CgFLR2 was found to be controlled by the transcription factors CgPdr1 and CgYap1, major regulator of oxidative stress resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Pais
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal; Biological Sciences Research Group, Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior TécnicoLisboa, Portugal
| | - Carla Pires
- 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
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal; Biological Sciences Research Group, Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior TécnicoLisboa, Portugal
| | - Michiyo Okamoto
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroji Chibana
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University Chiba, Japan
| | - Miguel C Teixeira
- 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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Kessi-Pérez EI, Araos S, García V, Salinas F, Abarca V, Larrondo LF, Martínez C, Cubillos FA. RIM15 antagonistic pleiotropy is responsible for differences in fermentation and stress response kinetics in budding yeast. FEMS Yeast Res 2016; 16:fow021. [PMID: 26945894 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/fow021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Different natural yeast populations have faced dissimilar selective pressures due to the heterogeneous fermentation substrates available around the world; this increases the genetic and phenotypic diversity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae In this context, we expect prominent differences between isolates when exposed to a particular condition, such as wine or sake musts. To better comprehend the mechanisms underlying niche adaptation between two S. cerevisiae isolates obtained from wine and sake fermentation processes, we evaluated fermentative and fungicide resistance phenotypes and identify the molecular origin of such adaptive variation. Multiple regions were associated with fermentation rate under different nitrogen conditions and fungicide resistance, with a single QTL co-localizing in all traits. Analysis around this region identified RIM15 as the causative locus driving fungicide sensitivity, together with efficient nitrogen utilization and glycerol production in the wine strain. A null RIM15 variant confers a greater fermentation rate through the utilization of available glucose instead of its storage. However, this variant has a detrimental effect on fungicide resistance since complex sugars are not synthesized and transported into the membrane. Together, our results reveal the antagonist pleiotropic nature of a RIM15 null variant, positively affecting a series of fermentation related phenotypes, but apparently detrimental in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo I Kessi-Pérez
- Centro de Estudios en Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos (CECTA), Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 9170201, Chile
| | - Sebastián Araos
- Centro de Estudios en Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos (CECTA), Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 9170201, Chile
| | - Verónica García
- Centro de Estudios en Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos (CECTA), Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 9170201, Chile Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 9170201, Chile
| | - Francisco Salinas
- Millennium Nucleus for Fungal Integrative and Synthetic Biology (MN-FISB), Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 114-D, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Valentina Abarca
- Centro de Estudios en Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos (CECTA), Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 9170201, Chile
| | - Luis F Larrondo
- Millennium Nucleus for Fungal Integrative and Synthetic Biology (MN-FISB), Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 114-D, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Claudio Martínez
- Centro de Estudios en Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos (CECTA), Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 9170201, Chile Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 9170201, Chile
| | - Francisco A Cubillos
- Centro de Estudios en Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos (CECTA), Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 9170201, Chile Millennium Nucleus for Fungal Integrative and Synthetic Biology (MN-FISB), Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 114-D, Santiago 8331150, Chile
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