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Miltner N, Kalló G, Csősz É, Miczi M, Nagy T, Mahdi M, Mótyán JA, Tőzsér J. Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro) Cleavage Sites Using Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis and In Silico Cleavage Site Prediction. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043236. [PMID: 36834648 PMCID: PMC9965337 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The main protease (Mpro) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) plays a crucial role in its life cycle. The Mpro-mediated limited proteolysis of the viral polyproteins is necessary for the replication of the virus, and cleavage of the host proteins of the infected cells may also contribute to viral pathogenesis, such as evading the immune responses or triggering cell toxicity. Therefore, the identification of host substrates of the viral protease is of special interest. To identify cleavage sites in cellular substrates of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, we determined changes in the HEK293T cellular proteome upon expression of the Mpro using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The candidate cellular substrates of Mpro were identified by mass spectrometry, and then potential cleavage sites were predicted in silico using NetCorona 1.0 and 3CLP web servers. The existence of the predicted cleavage sites was investigated by in vitro cleavage reactions using recombinant protein substrates containing the candidate target sequences, followed by the determination of cleavage positions using mass spectrometry. Unknown and previously described SARS-CoV-2 Mpro cleavage sites and cellular substrates were also identified. Identification of target sequences is important to understand the specificity of the enzyme, as well as aiding the improvement and development of computational methods for cleavage site prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémi Miltner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gergő Kalló
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Proteomics Core Facility, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Éva Csősz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Proteomics Core Facility, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Márió Miczi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tibor Nagy
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mohamed Mahdi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - János András Mótyán
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Correspondence: (J.A.M.); (J.T.); Tel.: +36-52-512-900 (J.A.M. & J.T.)
| | - József Tőzsér
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Correspondence: (J.A.M.); (J.T.); Tel.: +36-52-512-900 (J.A.M. & J.T.)
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Fahim A, Himratul-Aznita WH, Abdul-Rahman PS, Alam MK. Efficacy of bakuchiol-garlic combination against virulent genes of C andida albicans. PeerJ 2022; 9:e12251. [PMID: 35036111 PMCID: PMC8734458 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Polymicrobial biofilms are notorious for causing intraoral tissue destruction. Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus mitis, commensals of oral cavities, have been found co-existing with C. albicans in resistant oral infections. There is an urgent need to find alternative treatment options. This study aims to assess the efficacy of garlic (G) and bakuchiol (Bk) combination against candida virulent genes and their subsequently secreted proteins. Methods In vitro single species biofilms of C. albicans, and mixed species biofilms formed in combination with streptococci were exposed to bakuchiol and garlic extract (Bk+G). Gene expression of agglutinin-like sequence (ALS1), (ALS3), adhesin-like wall proteins (HWP1) and aspartyl proteinases (SAP5) were determined using qPCR and their subsequent proteins were assessed through Western blotting. Results Virulent genes were significantly downregulated in single species biofilms when they were treated with Bk+G combination. However, Bk+G did not have significant effect on ALS1 and HWP1 gene in polymicrobial biofilms. ALS3 and SAP5 were significantly downregulated in Bk+G treated polymicrobial biofilm. Similar results were portrayed in Western blotting. Conclusion Bk+G combination exhibited antimicrobial effects against single and mixed species biofilms. The findings might provide insights for treating resistant candida infections. This combination could potentially serve as an herbal alternative to traditional antifungals following further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Fahim
- Department of Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Department of Oral Biology, University College of Dentistry, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Wan Harun Himratul-Aznita
- Department of Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Puteri Shafinaz Abdul-Rahman
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,University of Malaya Centre for Proteomics Research, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad K Alam
- Orthodontic Division, Preventive Dentistry Department, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Jouf, Saudi Arabia
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Hajdu T, Szabó K, Jakab Á, Pócsi I, Dombrádi V, Nagy P. Biophysical experiments reveal a protective role of protein phosphatase Z1 against oxidative damage of the cell membrane in Candida albicans. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 176:222-227. [PMID: 34582996 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Protein phosphatase Z1 (Ppz1) has been shown to take part in important physiological functions in fungi including a contribution to virulence of Candida albicans. Although its involvement in the oxidative stress response has also been documented, the exact mechanism of action of its protective effect against oxidative damage remains unknown. By developing a pipeline to analyze the biophysical properties of the cell membrane in fungi, we demonstrate that the plasma membrane of Ppz1-KO Candida albicans displays increased sensitivity to tert-butyl-hydroperoxide-induced oxidative damage. In particular, the response to the oxidizing agent, characterized by increased lipid peroxidation, reduced lipid order, and inhibited lateral mobility of plasma membrane components, is significantly more pronounced in the Ppz1-KO C. albicans strain than in the wild-type counterpart. Remarkably, membrane constituents became almost completely immobile in the phosphatase deletion mutant exposed to oxidative stress. Furthermore, moderately elevated membrane lipid peroxidation accompanied by the aforementioned changes in the biophysical characteristics of the plasma membrane are already detectable in untreated Ppz1-KO cells indicating latent membrane damage even in the absence of oxidative stress. In conclusion, the hypersensitivity of cells lacking Ppz1 to oxidative damage establishes that potential Ppz1 inhibitors may synergize with oxidizing agents in prospective anti-fungal combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tímea Hajdu
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Szabó
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Jakab
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Viktor Dombrádi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Peter Nagy
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
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Szabó K, Miskei M, Farkas I, Dombrádi V. The phosphatome of opportunistic pathogen Candida species. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Calafí C, López-Malo M, Velázquez D, Zhang C, Fernández-Fernández J, Rodríguez-Galán O, de la Cruz J, Ariño J, Casamayor A. Overexpression of budding yeast protein phosphatase Ppz1 impairs translation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1867:118727. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Szabó K, Jakab Á, Póliska S, Petrényi K, Kovács K, Issa LHB, Emri T, Pócsi I, Dombrádi V. Deletion of the fungus specific protein phosphatase Z1 exaggerates the oxidative stress response in Candida albicans. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:873. [PMID: 31744473 PMCID: PMC6862791 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6252-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen which is responsible for widespread nosocomial infections. It encompasses a fungus specific serine/threonine protein phosphatase gene, CaPPZ1 that is involved in cation transport, cell wall integrity, oxidative stress response, morphological transition, and virulence according to the phenotypes of the cappz1 deletion mutant. RESULTS We demonstrated that a short-term treatment with a sublethal concentration of tert-butyl hydroperoxide suppressed the growth of the fungal cells without affecting their viability, both in the cappz1 mutant and in the genetically matching QMY23 control strains. To reveal the gene expression changes behind the above observations we carried out a global transcriptome analysis. We used a pilot DNA microarray hybridization together with extensive RNA sequencing, and confirmed our results by quantitative RT-PCR. Novel functions of the CaPpz1 enzyme and oxidative stress mechanisms have been unraveled. The numbers of genes affected as well as the amplitudes of the transcript level changes indicated that the deletion of the phosphatase sensitized the response of C. albicans to oxidative stress conditions in important physiological functions like membrane transport, cell surface interactions, oxidation-reduction processes, translation and RNA metabolism. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that in the wild type C. albicans CaPPZ1 has a protective role against oxidative damage. We suggest that the specific inhibition of this phosphatase combined with mild oxidative treatment could be a feasible approach to topical antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krisztina Szabó
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.,Doctoral School of Molecular Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Jakab
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Szilárd Póliska
- Genomic Medicine and Bioinformatics Core Facility, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Katalin Petrényi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Katalin Kovács
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Lama Hasan Bou Issa
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tamás Emri
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Viktor Dombrádi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. .,Doctoral School of Molecular Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
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Schoeters F, Van Dijck P. Protein-Protein Interactions in Candida albicans. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1792. [PMID: 31440220 PMCID: PMC6693483 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being one of the most important human fungal pathogens, Candida albicans has not been studied extensively at the level of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and data on PPIs are not readily available in online databases. In January 2018, the database called "Biological General Repository for Interaction Datasets (BioGRID)" that contains the most PPIs for C. albicans, only documented 188 physical or direct PPIs (release 3.4.156) while several more can be found in the literature. Other databases such as the String database, the Molecular INTeraction Database (MINT), and the Database for Interacting Proteins (DIP) database contain even fewer interactions or do not even include C. albicans as a searchable term. Because of the non-canonical codon usage of C. albicans where CUG is translated as serine rather than leucine, it is often problematic to use the yeast two-hybrid system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to study C. albicans PPIs. However, studying PPIs is crucial to gain a thorough understanding of the function of proteins, biological processes and pathways. PPIs can also be potential drug targets. To aid in creating PPI networks and updating the BioGRID, we performed an exhaustive literature search in order to provide, in an accessible format, a more extensive list of known PPIs in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floris Schoeters
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Ariño J, Velázquez D, Casamayor A. Ser/Thr protein phosphatases in fungi: structure, regulation and function. MICROBIAL CELL 2019; 6:217-256. [PMID: 31114794 PMCID: PMC6506691 DOI: 10.15698/mic2019.05.677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Reversible phospho-dephosphorylation of proteins is a major mechanism for the control of cellular functions. By large, Ser and Thr are the most frequently residues phosphorylated in eukar-yotes. Removal of phosphate from these amino acids is catalyzed by a large family of well-conserved enzymes, collectively called Ser/Thr protein phosphatases. The activity of these enzymes has an enormous impact on cellular functioning. In this work we pre-sent the members of this family in S. cerevisiae and other fungal species, and review the most recent findings concerning their regu-lation and the roles they play in the most diverse aspects of cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Ariño
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diego Velázquez
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Casamayor
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
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Gacemi S, Benarous K, Imperial S, Yousfi M. Lepidine B & E as New Target Inhibitors from Lepidium Sativum Seeds Against Four Enzymes of the Pathogen Candida albicans: In Vitro and In Silico Studies. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2019; 20:127-138. [PMID: 30987578 DOI: 10.2174/1871530319666190415141520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The present paper aims to study the inhibition of Candida albicans growth as candidiasis treatment, using seeds of Lepidium sativum as source. METHODS In vitro assays were carried out on the antifungal activity of three kinds of extracts from L. sativum seeds against four strains of C. albicans, then testing the same phytochemicals on the inhibition of Lipase (LCR). A new in silico study was achieved using molecular docking, with Autodock vina program, to find binding affinity of two important and major lepidine alkaloids (lepidine E and B) towards the four enzymes secreted by C. albicans as target drugs, responsible of vitality and virulence of this yeast cells: Lipase, Serine/threonine phosphatase, Phosphomannose isomerase and Sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51). RESULTS The results of the microdillution assay show that the hexanic and alkaloidal extracts have an antifungal activity with MICs: 2.25 mg/ml and 4.5mg/ml, respectively. However, Candida rugosa lipase assay gives a remarkable IC50 values for the hexanic extract (1.42± 0.04 mg/ml) followed by 1.7± 0.1 and 2.29 ± 0.09 mg/ml of ethyl acetate and alkaloidal extracts respectively. The molecular docking confirms a significant correlation between C. albicans growth and inhibition of crucial enzymes involved in the invasion mechanism and cellular metabolisms, for the first time there were an interesting and new positive results on binding modes of lepidine E and B on the four studied enzymes. CONCLUSION Through this work, we propose Lepidine B & E as potent antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safia Gacemi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Laghouat BP37G 03000, Laghouat, Algeria
| | - Khedidja Benarous
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Laghouat BP37G 03000, Laghouat, Algeria
| | - Santiago Imperial
- Department of biochemistry, Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology. University of Barcelona, Avenue de Diagonal, 643 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mohamed Yousfi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Laghouat BP37G 03000, Laghouat, Algeria
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