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Maroc L, Shaker H, Shapiro RS. Functional genetic characterization of stress tolerance and biofilm formation in Nakaseomyces ( Candida) glabrata via a novel CRISPR activation system. mSphere 2024; 9:e0076123. [PMID: 38265239 PMCID: PMC10900893 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00761-23] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The overexpression of genes frequently arises in Nakaseomyces (formerly Candida) glabrata via gain-of-function mutations, gene duplication, or aneuploidies, with important consequences on pathogenesis traits and antifungal drug resistance. This highlights the need to develop specific genetic tools to mimic and study genetic amplification in this important fungal pathogen. Here, we report the development, validation, and applications of the first clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) activation (CRISPRa) system in N. glabrata for targeted genetic overexpression. Using this system, we demonstrate the ability of CRISPRa to drive high levels of gene expression in N. glabrata, and further assess optimal guide RNA targeting for robust overexpression. We demonstrate the applications of CRISPRa to overexpress genes involved in fungal pathogenesis and drug resistance and detect corresponding phenotypic alterations in these key traits, including the characterization of novel phenotypes. Finally, we capture strain variation using our CRISPRa system in two commonly used N. glabrata genetic backgrounds. Together, this tool will expand our capacity for functional genetic overexpression in this pathogen, with numerous possibilities for future applications.IMPORTANCENakaseomyces (formerly Candida) glabrata is an important fungal pathogen that is now the second leading cause of candidiasis infections. A common strategy that this pathogen employs to resist antifungal treatment is through the upregulation of gene expression, but we have limited tools available to study this phenomenon. Here, we develop, optimize, and apply the use of CRISPRa as a means to overexpress genes in N. glabrata. We demonstrate the utility of this system to overexpress key genes involved in antifungal susceptibility, stress tolerance, and biofilm growth. This tool will be an important contribution to our ability to study the biology of this important fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Maroc
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - Hajer Shaker
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
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Zhang J, Li K, Sun Y, Yao C, Liu W, Liu H, Zhong Y. An efficient CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system based on a multiple sgRNA processing platform in Trichoderma reesei for strain improvement and enzyme production. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2024; 17:22. [PMID: 38342915 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02468-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The CRISPR/Cas9 technology is being employed as a convenient tool for genetic engineering of the industrially important filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei. However, multiplex gene editing is still constrained by the sgRNA processing capability, hindering strain improvement of T. reesei for the production of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes and recombinant proteins. RESULTS Here, a CRISPR/Cas9 system based on a multiple sgRNA processing platform was established for genome editing in T. reesei. The platform contains the arrayed tRNA-sgRNA architecture directed by a 5S rRNA promoter to generate multiple sgRNAs from a single transcript by the endogenous tRNA processing system. With this system, two sgRNAs targeting cre1 (encoding the carbon catabolite repressor 1) were designed and the precise deletion of cre1 was obtained, demonstrating the efficiency of sgRNAs processing in the tRNA-sgRNA architecture. Moreover, overexpression of xyr1-A824V (encoding a key activator for cellulase/xylanase expression) at the ace1 (encoding a repressor for cellulase/xylanase expression) locus was achieved by designing two sgRNAs targeting ace1 in the system, resulting in the significantly enhanced production of cellulase (up to 1- and 18-fold on the Avicel and glucose, respectively) and xylanase (up to 11- and 41-fold on the Avicel and glucose, respectively). Furthermore, heterologous expression of the glucose oxidase gene from Aspergillus niger ATCC 9029 at the cbh1 locus with the simultaneous deletion of cbh1 and cbh2 (two cellobiohydrolase coding genes) by designing four sgRNAs targeting cbh1 and cbh2 in the system was acquired, and the glucose oxidase produced by T. reesei reached 43.77 U/mL. Besides, it was found the ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD) level was decreased in the glucose oxidase-producing strain, which was likely due to the reduction of secretion pressure by deletion of the major endogenous cellulase-encoding genes. CONCLUSIONS The tRNA-gRNA array-based CRISPR-Cas9 editing system was successfully developed in T. reesei. This system would accelerate engineering of T. reesei for high-level production of enzymes including lignocellulose-degrading enzymes and other recombinant enzymes. Furthermore, it would expand the CRISPR toolbox for fungal genome editing and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Kehang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Weifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yaohua Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China.
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Lim SJ, Muhd Noor ND, Sabri S, Mohamad Ali MS, Salleh AB, Oslan SN. Bibliometric analysis and thematic review of Candida pathogenesis: Fundamental omics to applications as potential antifungal drugs and vaccines. Med Mycol 2024; 62:myad126. [PMID: 38061839 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad126] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive candidiasis caused by the pathogenic Candida yeast species has resulted in elevating global mortality. The pathogenicity of Candida spp. is not only originated from its primary invasive yeast-to-hyphal transition; virulence factors (transcription factors, adhesins, invasins, and enzymes), biofilm, antifungal drug resistance, stress tolerance, and metabolic adaptation have also contributed to a greater clinical burden. However, the current research theme in fungal pathogenicity could hardly be delineated with the increasing research output. Therefore, our study analysed the research trends in Candida pathogenesis over the past 37 years via a bibliometric approach against the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Based on the 3993 unique documents retrieved, significant international collaborations among researchers were observed, especially between Germany (Bernhard Hube) and the UK (Julian Naglik), whose focuses are on Candida proteinases, adhesins, and candidalysin. The prominent researchers (Neils Gow, Alistair Brown, and Frank Odds) at the University of Exeter and the University of Aberdeen (second top performing affiliation) UK contribute significantly to the mechanisms of Candida adaptation, tolerance, and stress response. However, the science mapping of co-citation analysis performed herein could not identify a hub representative of subsequent work since the clusters were semi-redundant. The co-word analysis that was otherwise adopted, revealed three research clusters; the cluster-based thematic analyses indicated the severeness of Candida biofilm and antifungal resistance as well as the elevating trend on molecular mechanism elucidation for drug screening and repurposing. Importantly, the in vivo pathogen adaptation and interactions with hosts are crucial for potential vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Jie Lim
- Enzyme Technology and X-ray Crystallography Laboratory, VacBio 5, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Noor Dina Muhd Noor
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Suriana Sabri
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Shukuri Mohamad Ali
- Enzyme Technology and X-ray Crystallography Laboratory, VacBio 5, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Abu Bakar Salleh
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siti Nurbaya Oslan
- Enzyme Technology and X-ray Crystallography Laboratory, VacBio 5, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Enzyme and Microbial Technology (EMTech) Research Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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Yonehara K, Kumakura N, Motoyama T, Ishihama N, Dallery J, O'Connell R, Shirasu K. Efficient multiple gene knockout in Colletotrichum higginsianum via CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein and URA3-based marker recycling. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:1451-1464. [PMID: 37522511 PMCID: PMC10576178 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Colletotrichum higginsianum is a hemibiotrophic pathogen that causes anthracnose disease on crucifer hosts, including Arabidopsis thaliana. Despite the availability of genomic and transcriptomic information and the ability to transform both organisms, identifying C. higginsianum genes involved in virulence has been challenging due to recalcitrance to gene targeting and redundancy of virulence factors. To overcome these obstacles, we developed an efficient method for multiple gene disruption in C. higginsianum by combining CRISPR/Cas9 and a URA3-based marker recycling system. Our method significantly increased the efficiency of gene knockout via homologous recombination by introducing genomic DNA double-strand breaks. We demonstrated the applicability of the URA3-based marker recycling system for multiple gene targeting in the same strain. Using our technology, we successfully targeted two melanin biosynthesis genes, SCD1 and PKS1, which resulted in deficiency in melanization and loss of pathogenicity in the mutants. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of our methods in analysing virulence factors in C. higginsianum, thus accelerating research on plant-fungus interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuma Yonehara
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource ScienceYokohamaJapan
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ken Shirasu
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource ScienceYokohamaJapan
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
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5
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Xia Y, Li Y, Shen W, Yang H, Chen X. CRISPR-Cas Technology for Bioengineering Conventional and Non-Conventional Yeasts: Progress and New Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15310. [PMID: 37894990 PMCID: PMC10607330 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015310] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR-Cas) system has undergone substantial and transformative progress. Simultaneously, a spectrum of derivative technologies has emerged, spanning both conventional and non-conventional yeast strains. Non-conventional yeasts, distinguished by their robust metabolic pathways, formidable resilience against diverse stressors, and distinctive regulatory mechanisms, have emerged as a highly promising alternative for diverse industrial applications. This comprehensive review serves to encapsulate the prevailing gene editing methodologies and their associated applications within the traditional industrial microorganism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Additionally, it delineates the current panorama of non-conventional yeast strains, accentuating their latent potential in the realm of industrial and biotechnological utilization. Within this discourse, we also contemplate the potential value these tools offer alongside the attendant challenges they pose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Xia
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; (Y.X.); (Y.L.); (W.S.); (H.Y.)
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Yujie Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; (Y.X.); (Y.L.); (W.S.); (H.Y.)
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; (Y.X.); (Y.L.); (W.S.); (H.Y.)
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Haiquan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; (Y.X.); (Y.L.); (W.S.); (H.Y.)
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Xianzhong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; (Y.X.); (Y.L.); (W.S.); (H.Y.)
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
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6
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Chen Q, An B, Peng X, Wu Y, Peng M, Zhang C, He Y, Sang H, Kong Q. Simplified and effective RNA interference and CRISPR-Cas9 systems for Cryptococcus neoformans. J Basic Microbiol 2023; 63:1095-1105. [PMID: 37309240 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) melanin is one of the important virulence factors for Cryptococcus neoformans, which may trigger immune responses in the host. While the production of DOPA melanin is catalyzed by laccase that is predominantly encoded by LAC1 gene. Therefore, regulating the genetic expression of C. neoformans is conducive to exploring the impact of interested molecules on the host. In this work, we established two systems that were constructed quickly and easily for the knock-down/knock-out of LAC1 gene: RNA interference (RNAi) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats CRISPR-Cas9. The RNAi system was constructed by pSilencer 4.1-CMV neo plasmid and short hairpin RNA to achieve effective transcriptional suppression. The CRISPR-Cas9 system was used the PNK003 vectors to obtain a stable albino mutant strain. The results of phenotype, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, transmission electron microscope, and spectrophotometry were used to assess the ability of melanin production. As a result, the RNAi system displayed attenuation of transcriptional suppression when the transformants continuously passed on new plates. However, the transcriptional suppression of long loop in short hairpin RNA was more powerful and lasted longer. An albino strain produced by CRISPR-Cas9 was completely unable to synthesize melanin. In conclusion, strains with different capacities of melanin production were obtained by RNAi and CRISPR-Cas9 systems, which might be useful for exploring the linear relation between melanin and immunoreaction of the host. In addition, the two systems in this article might be convenient to quickly screen the possible trait-regulating genes of other serotypes of C. neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiying Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Binyi An
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinyuan Peng
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Peng
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yifan He
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Sang
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Qingtao Kong
- Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, China
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7
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Gregor JB, Gutierrez-Schultz VA, Hoda S, Baker KM, Saha D, Burghaze MG, Briggs SD. Expanding the toolkit for genetic manipulation and discovery in Candida species using a CRISPR ribonucleoprotein-based approach. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.16.545382. [PMID: 37398038 PMCID: PMC10312801 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.16.545382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization recently published the first list of priority fungal pathogens highlighting multiple Candida species including C. glabrata, C. albicans, and C. auris. The use of CRISPR-Cas9 and auxotrophic C. glabrata and C. albicans strains have been instrumental in the study of these fungal pathogens. Dominant drug resistance cassettes are also critical for genetic manipulation and eliminate the concern of altered virulence when using auxotrophic strains. However, genetic manipulation has been mainly limited to the use of two drug resistance cassettes, NatMX and HphMX. Using an in vitro assembled CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-based system and 130-150 bp homology regions for directed repair, we expand the drug resistance cassettes for Candida to include KanMX and BleMX, commonly used in S. cerevisiae. As a proof of principle, we demonstrated efficient deletion of ERG genes using KanMX and BleMX. We also showed the utility of the CRISPR-Cas9 RNP system for generating double deletions of genes in the ergosterol pathway and endogenous epitope tagging of ERG genes using an existing KanMX cassette. This indicates that CRISPR-Cas9 RNP can be used to repurpose the S. cerevisiae toolkit. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this method is effective at deleting ERG3 in C. auris using a codon optimized BleMX cassette and effective at deleting the epigenetic factor, SET1, in C. albicans using a recyclable SAT1. Using this expanded toolkit, we discovered new insights into fungal biology and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Scott D. Briggs
- Department of Biochemistry
- Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research
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8
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Deng H, Song J, Huang Y, Yang C, Zang X, Zhou Y, Li H, Dai B, Xue X. Combating increased antifungal drug resistance in Cryptococcus, what should we do in the future? Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:540-547. [PMID: 36815374 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Few therapeutic drugs and increased drug resistance have aggravated the current treatment difficulties of Cryptococcus in recent years. To better understand the antifungal drug resistance mechanism and treatment strategy of cryptococcosis. In this review, by combining the fundamental features of Cryptococcus reproduction leading to changes in its genome, we review recent research into the mechanism of four current anti-cryptococcal agents, coupled with new therapeutic strategies and the application of advanced technologies WGS and CRISPR-Cas9 in this field, hoping to provide a broad idea for the future clinical therapy of cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengyu Deng
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Jialin Song
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Yemei Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University; Peking University Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100089, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Xuelei Zang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University; Peking University Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100089, China
| | - Yangyu Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University; Peking University Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100089, China
| | - Hongli Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Bin Dai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University; Peking University Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100089, China
| | - Xinying Xue
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China.,Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University; Peking University Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100089, China
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9
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Gervais NC, La Bella AA, Wensing LF, Sharma J, Acquaviva V, Best M, Cadena López RO, Fogal M, Uthayakumar D, Chavez A, Santiago-Tirado F, Flores-Mireles AL, Shapiro RS. Development and applications of a CRISPR activation system for facile genetic overexpression in Candida albicans. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkac301. [PMID: 36450451 PMCID: PMC9911074 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
For the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, genetic overexpression readily occurs via a diversity of genomic alterations, such as aneuploidy and gain-of-function mutations, with important consequences for host adaptation, virulence, and evolution of antifungal drug resistance. Given the important role of overexpression on C. albicans biology, it is critical to develop and harness tools that enable the analysis of genes expressed at high levels in the fungal cell. Here, we describe the development, optimization, and application of a novel, single-plasmid-based CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) platform for targeted genetic overexpression in C. albicans, which employs a guide RNA to target an activator complex to the promoter region of a gene of interest, thus driving transcriptional expression of that gene. Using this system, we demonstrate the ability of CRISPRa to drive high levels of gene expression in C. albicans, and we assess optimal guide RNA targeting for robust and constitutive overexpression. We further demonstrate the specificity of the system via RNA sequencing. We highlight the application of CRISPR activation to overexpress genes involved in pathogenesis and drug susceptibility, and contribute toward the identification of novel phenotypes. Consequently, this tool will facilitate a broad range of applications for the study of C. albicans genetic overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Gervais
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Alyssa A La Bella
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Lauren F Wensing
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Jehoshua Sharma
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Victoria Acquaviva
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Madison Best
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H 5N4, Canada
| | | | - Meea Fogal
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Deeva Uthayakumar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H 5N4, Canada
- Present address: Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alejandro Chavez
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Ana L Flores-Mireles
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H 5N4, Canada
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Miguel GA, Carlsen S, Arneborg N, Saerens SM, Laulund S, Knudsen GM. Non-Saccharomyces yeasts for beer production: Insights into safety aspects and considerations. Int J Food Microbiol 2022; 383:109951. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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11
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Fungal calcineurin complex as an antifungal target: From past to present to future. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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12
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Mapook A, Hyde KD, Hassan K, Kemkuignou BM, Čmoková A, Surup F, Kuhnert E, Paomephan P, Cheng T, de Hoog S, Song Y, Jayawardena RS, Al-Hatmi AMS, Mahmoudi T, Ponts N, Studt-Reinhold L, Richard-Forget F, Chethana KWT, Harishchandra DL, Mortimer PE, Li H, Lumyong S, Aiduang W, Kumla J, Suwannarach N, Bhunjun CS, Yu FM, Zhao Q, Schaefer D, Stadler M. Ten decadal advances in fungal biology leading towards human well-being. FUNGAL DIVERS 2022; 116:547-614. [PMID: 36123995 PMCID: PMC9476466 DOI: 10.1007/s13225-022-00510-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are an understudied resource possessing huge potential for developing products that can greatly improve human well-being. In the current paper, we highlight some important discoveries and developments in applied mycology and interdisciplinary Life Science research. These examples concern recently introduced drugs for the treatment of infections and neurological diseases; application of -OMICS techniques and genetic tools in medical mycology and the regulation of mycotoxin production; as well as some highlights of mushroom cultivaton in Asia. Examples for new diagnostic tools in medical mycology and the exploitation of new candidates for therapeutic drugs, are also given. In addition, two entries illustrating the latest developments in the use of fungi for biodegradation and fungal biomaterial production are provided. Some other areas where there have been and/or will be significant developments are also included. It is our hope that this paper will help realise the importance of fungi as a potential industrial resource and see the next two decades bring forward many new fungal and fungus-derived products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ausana Mapook
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
| | - Kevin D. Hyde
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
- Innovative Institute of Plant Health, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510225 China
| | - Khadija Hassan
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
| | - Blondelle Matio Kemkuignou
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
| | - Adéla Čmoková
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Frank Surup
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstraße 7, 38106 Brunswick, Germany
| | - Eric Kuhnert
- Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research (BMWZ), Institute for Organic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Pathompong Paomephan
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
| | - Tian Cheng
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center / Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Graduate Program, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Yinggai Song
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruvishika S. Jayawardena
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
| | - Abdullah M. S. Al-Hatmi
- Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center / Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Tokameh Mahmoudi
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nadia Ponts
- INRAE, UR1264 Mycology and Food Safety (MycSA), 33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Lena Studt-Reinhold
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Microbial Genetics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | | | - K. W. Thilini Chethana
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
| | - Dulanjalee L. Harishchandra
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097 China
| | - Peter E. Mortimer
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
- Centre for Mountain Futures (CMF), Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Huili Li
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
- Centre for Mountain Futures (CMF), Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Saisamorm Lumyong
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
- Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Bangkok, 10300 Thailand
| | - Worawoot Aiduang
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | - Jaturong Kumla
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | - Nakarin Suwannarach
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | - Chitrabhanu S. Bhunjun
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
| | - Feng-Ming Yu
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100 Thailand
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Doug Schaefer
- Centre for Mountain Futures (CMF), Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Marc Stadler
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstraße 7, 38106 Brunswick, Germany
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13
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Daneshnia F, de Almeida Júnior JN, Arastehfar A, Lombardi L, Shor E, Moreno L, Mendes AV, Barberino MG, Yamamoto DT, Butler G, Perlin DS, Colombo AL. Determinants of fluconazole resistance and echinocandin tolerance in C. parapsilosis isolates causing a large clonal candidemia outbreak among COVID-19 patients in a Brazilian ICU. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:2264-2274. [PMID: 36066554 PMCID: PMC9542950 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2117093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Patients presenting with severe COVID-19 are predisposed to acquire secondary fungal infections such as COVID-19-associated candidemia (CAC), which are associated with poor clinical outcomes despite antifungal treatment. The extreme burden imposed on clinical facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic has provided a permissive environment for the emergence of clonal outbreaks of multiple Candida species, including C. auris and C. parapsilosis. Here we report the largest clonal CAC outbreak to date caused by fluconazole resistant (FLZR) and echinocandin tolerant (ECT) C. parapsilosis. Sixty C. parapsilosis strains were obtained from 57 patients at a tertiary care hospital in Brazil, 90% of them were FLZR and ECT. Although only 35.8% of FLZR isolates contained an ERG11 mutation, all of them contained the TAC1L518F mutation and significantly overexpressed CDR1. Introduction of TAC1L518F into a susceptible background increased the MIC of fluconazole and voriconazole 8-fold and resulted in significant basal overexpression of CDR1. Additionally, FLZR isolates exclusively harbored E1939G outside of Fks1 hotspot-2, which did not confer echinocandin resistance, but significantly increased ECT. Multilocus microsatellite typing showed that 51/60 (85%) of the FLZR isolates belonged to the same cluster, while the susceptible isolates each represented a distinct lineage. Finally, biofilm production in FLZR isolates was significantly lower than in susceptible counterparts Suggesting that it may not be an outbreak determinant. In summary, we show that TAC1L518F and FKS1E1393G confer FLZR and ECT, respectively, in CAC-associated C. parapsilosis. Our study underscores the importance of antifungal stewardship and effective infection control strategies to mitigate clonal C. parapsilosis outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Daneshnia
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA
| | - João N de Almeida Júnior
- Special Mycology Laboratory, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.,Clinical Laboratory, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amir Arastehfar
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA
| | - Lisa Lombardi
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Erika Shor
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA.,Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley NJ 07710, USA
| | - Lis Moreno
- Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil.,Instituto D'OR de Pesquisa e Ensino (IDOR)
| | - Ana Verena Mendes
- Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil.,Instituto D'OR de Pesquisa e Ensino (IDOR)
| | | | | | - Geraldine Butler
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David S Perlin
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA.,Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley NJ 07710, USA.,Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington DC 20057, USA
| | - Arnaldo Lopes Colombo
- Special Mycology Laboratory, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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14
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Cochrane RR, Shrestha A, Severo de Almeida MM, Agyare-Tabbi M, Brumwell SL, Hamadache S, Meaney JS, Nucifora DP, Say HH, Sharma J, Soltysiak MPM, Tong C, Van Belois K, Walker EJL, Lachance MA, Gloor GB, Edgell DR, Shapiro RS, Karas BJ. Superior Conjugative Plasmids Delivered by Bacteria to Diverse Fungi. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2022; 2022:9802168. [PMID: 37850145 PMCID: PMC10521675 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9802168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi are nature's recyclers, allowing for ecological nutrient cycling and, in turn, the continuation of life on Earth. Some fungi inhabit the human microbiome where they can provide health benefits, while others are opportunistic pathogens that can cause disease. Yeasts, members of the fungal kingdom, have been domesticated by humans for the production of beer, bread, and, recently, medicine and chemicals. Still, the great untapped potential exists within the diverse fungal kingdom. However, many yeasts are intractable, preventing their use in biotechnology or in the development of novel treatments for pathogenic fungi. Therefore, as a first step for the domestication of new fungi, an efficient DNA delivery method needs to be developed. Here, we report the creation of superior conjugative plasmids and demonstrate their transfer via conjugation from bacteria to 7 diverse yeast species including the emerging pathogen Candida auris. To create our superior plasmids, derivatives of the 57 kb conjugative plasmid pTA-Mob 2.0 were built using designed gene deletions and insertions, as well as some unintentional mutations. Specifically, a cluster mutation in the promoter of the conjugative gene traJ had the most significant effect on improving conjugation to yeasts. In addition, we created Golden Gate assembly-compatible plasmid derivatives that allow for the generation of custom plasmids to enable the rapid insertion of designer genetic cassettes. Finally, we demonstrated that designer conjugative plasmids harboring engineered restriction endonucleases can be used as a novel antifungal agent, with important applications for the development of next-generation antifungal therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan R. Cochrane
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Arina Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Mariana M. Severo de Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Michelle Agyare-Tabbi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Stephanie L. Brumwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Samir Hamadache
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Jordyn S. Meaney
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Daniel P. Nucifora
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Henry Heng Say
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Jehoshua Sharma
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | | | - Cheryl Tong
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Katherine Van Belois
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B7
| | - Emma J. L. Walker
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Marc-André Lachance
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B7
| | - Gregory B. Gloor
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - David R. Edgell
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Rebecca S. Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Bogumil J. Karas
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
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15
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Yang H, Wei Y, Zhang Q, Yang Y, Bi X, Yang L, Xiao N, Zang A, Ren L, Li X. CRISPR/Cas9‑induced saturated mutagenesis identifies Rad51 haplotype as a marker of PARP inhibitor sensitivity in breast cancer. Mol Med Rep 2022; 26:258. [PMID: 35713220 PMCID: PMC9309539 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer treatment with poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) inhibitors is currently limited to cells defective in the homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway. The chemical inhibition of many HRR deficiency genes may sensitize cancer cells to PARP inhibitors. In the present study, Rad51, a central player in the HRR pathway, was selected to explore additional low variation and highly representative markers for PARP inhibitor activity. A CRISPR/Cas9-based saturated mutation approach for the Rad51 WALKER domain was used to evaluate the sensitivity of the PARP inhibitor olaparib. Five amino acid mutation sites were identified in olaparib-resistant cells. Two Rad51 haplotypes were assembled from the mutations, and may represent useful pharmacogenomic markers of PARP inhibitor sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Baoding, Hebei 071000, P.R. China
| | - Yaning Wei
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Baoding, Hebei 071000, P.R. China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Baoding, Hebei 071000, P.R. China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Baoding, Hebei 071000, P.R. China
| | - Xuebing Bi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Baoding, Hebei 071000, P.R. China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Baoding, Hebei 071000, P.R. China
| | - Na Xiao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Baoding, Hebei 071000, P.R. China
| | - Aimin Zang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Baoding, Hebei 071000, P.R. China
| | - Lili Ren
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Baoding, Hebei 071000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoli Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Baoding, Hebei 071000, P.R. China
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16
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Exploring a novel genomic safe-haven site in the human pathogenic mould Aspergillus fumigatus. Fungal Genet Biol 2022; 161:103702. [PMID: 35569804 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2022.103702] [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: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the most important airborne fungal pathogen and allergen of humans causing high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The factors that govern pathogenicity of this organism are multi-factorial and are poorly understood. Molecular tools to dissect the mechanisms of pathogenicity in A. fumigatus have improved significantly over the last 20 years however many procedures have not been standardised for A. fumigatus. Here, we present a new genomic safe-haven locus at the site of an inactivated transposon, named SH-aft4, which can be used to insert DNA sequences in the genome of this fungus without impacting its phenotype. We show that we are able to effectively express a transgene construct from the SH-aft4 and that natural regulation of promoter function is conserved at this site. Furthermore, the SH-aft4 locus is highly conserved in the genome of a wide range of clinical and environmental isolates including the isolates commonly used by many laboratories CEA10, Af293 and ATCC46645, allowing a wide range of isolates to be manipulated. Our results show that the aft4 locus can serve as a site for integration of a wide range of genetic constructs to aid functional genomics studies of this important human fungal pathogen.
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17
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Cai P, Han M, Zhang R, Ding S, Zhang D, Liu D, Liu S, Hu QN. SynBioStrainFinder: A microbial strain database of manually curated CRISPR/Cas genetic manipulation system information for biomanufacturing. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:87. [PMID: 35568950 PMCID: PMC9107733 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01813-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbial strain information databases provide valuable data for microbial basic research and applications. However, they rarely contain information on the genetic operating system of microbial strains. RESULTS We established a comprehensive microbial strain database, SynBioStrainFinder, by integrating CRISPR/Cas gene-editing system information with cultivation methods, genome sequence data, and compound-related information. It is presented through three modules, Strain2Gms/PredStrain2Gms, Strain2BasicInfo, and Strain2Compd, which combine to form a rapid strain information query system conveniently curated, integrated, and accessible on a single platform. To date, 1426 CRISPR/Cas gene-editing records of 157 microbial strains have been manually extracted from the literature in the Strain2Gms module. For strains without established CRISPR/Cas systems, the PredStrain2Gms module recommends the system of the most closely related strain as a reference to facilitate the construction of a new CRISPR/Cas gene-editing system. The database contains 139,499 records of strain cultivation and genome sequences, and 773,298 records of strain-related compounds. To facilitate simple and intuitive data application, all microbial strains are also labeled with stars based on the order and availability of strain information. SynBioStrainFinder provides a user-friendly interface for querying, browsing, and visualizing detailed information on microbial strains, and it is publicly available at http://design.rxnfinder.org/biosynstrain/ . CONCLUSION SynBioStrainFinder is the first microbial strain database with manually curated information on the strain CRISPR/Cas system as well as other microbial strain information. It also provides reference information for the construction of new CRISPR/Cas systems. SynBioStrainFinder will serve as a useful resource to extend microbial strain research and application for biomanufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengli Cai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Mengying Han
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | | | - Dachuan Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Dongliang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Sheng Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Qian-Nan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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18
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CRISPR-Cas9 approach confirms Calcineurin-responsive zinc finger 1 (Crz1) transcription factor as a promising therapeutic target in echinocandin-resistant Candida glabrata. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265777. [PMID: 35303047 PMCID: PMC8932611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections, which kill more than 1.6 million patients each year worldwide, are difficult to treat due to the limited number of antifungal drugs (azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes) and the emergence of antifungal resistance. The transcription factor Crz1, a key regulator of cellular stress responses and virulence, is an attractive therapeutic target because this protein is absent in human cells. Here, we used a CRISPR-Cas9 approach to generate isogenic crz1Δ strains in two clinical isolates of caspofungin-resistant C. glabrata to analyze the role of this transcription factor in susceptibility to echinocandins, stress tolerance, biofilm formation, and pathogenicity in both non-vertebrate (Galleria mellonella) and vertebrate (mice) models of candidiasis. In these clinical isolates, CRZ1 disruption restores the susceptibility to echinocandins in both in vitro and in vivo models, and affects their oxidative stress response, biofilm formation, cell size, and pathogenicity. These results strongly suggest that Crz1 inhibitors may play an important role in the development of novel therapeutic agents against fungal infections considering the emergence of antifungal resistance and the low number of available antifungal drugs.
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19
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Garre V. Recent Advances and Future Directions in the Understanding of Mucormycosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:850581. [PMID: 35281441 PMCID: PMC8907824 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.850581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucormycosis is an emerging infection caused by fungi of the order Mucorales that has recently gained public relevance due to the high incidence among COVID-19 patients in some countries. The reduced knowledge about Mucorales pathogenesis is due, in large part, to the historically low interest for these fungi fostered by their reluctance to be genetically manipulated. The recent introduction of more tractable genetic models together with an increasing number of available whole genome sequences and genomic analyses have improved our understanding of Mucorales biology and mucormycosis in the last ten years. This review summarizes the most significant advances in diagnosis, understanding of the innate and acquired resistance to antifungals, identification of new virulence factors and molecular mechanisms involved in the infection. The increased awareness about the disease and the recent successful genetic manipulation of previous intractable fungal models using CRISPR-Cas9 technology are expected to fuel the characterization of Mucorales pathogenesis, facilitating the development of effective treatments to fight this deadly infection.
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20
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Bock C, Datlinger P, Chardon F, Coelho MA, Dong MB, Lawson KA, Lu T, Maroc L, Norman TM, Song B, Stanley G, Chen S, Garnett M, Li W, Moffat J, Qi LS, Shapiro RS, Shendure J, Weissman JS, Zhuang X. High-content CRISPR screening. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:9. [PMID: 37214176 PMCID: PMC10200264 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00098-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR screens are a powerful source of biological discovery, enabling the unbiased interrogation of gene function in a wide range of applications and species. In pooled CRISPR screens, various genetically encoded perturbations are introduced into pools of cells. The targeted cells proliferate under a biological challenge such as cell competition, drug treatment or viral infection. Subsequently, the perturbation-induced effects are evaluated by sequencing-based counting of the guide RNAs that specify each perturbation. The typical results of such screens are ranked lists of genes that confer sensitivity or resistance to the biological challenge of interest. Contributing to the broad utility of CRISPR screens, adaptations of the core CRISPR technology make it possible to activate, silence or otherwise manipulate the target genes. Moreover, high-content read-outs such as single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial imaging help characterize screened cells with unprecedented detail. Dedicated software tools facilitate bioinformatic analysis and enhance reproducibility. CRISPR screening has unravelled various molecular mechanisms in basic biology, medical genetics, cancer research, immunology, infectious diseases, microbiology and other fields. This Primer describes the basic and advanced concepts of CRISPR screening and its application as a flexible and reliable method for biological discovery, biomedical research and drug development - with a special emphasis on high-content methods that make it possible to obtain detailed biological insights directly as part of the screen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Bock
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics, and Intelligent Systems, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul Datlinger
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florence Chardon
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Matthew B. Dong
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Keith A. Lawson
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tian Lu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laetitia Maroc
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas M. Norman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Program for Computational and Systems Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bicna Song
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Geoff Stanley
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sidi Chen
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mathew Garnett
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Wei Li
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jason Moffat
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lei S. Qi
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca S. Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jay Shendure
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jonathan S. Weissman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xiaowei Zhuang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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21
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Dubey AK, Kumar Gupta V, Kujawska M, Orive G, Kim NY, Li CZ, Kumar Mishra Y, Kaushik A. Exploring nano-enabled CRISPR-Cas-powered strategies for efficient diagnostics and treatment of infectious diseases. JOURNAL OF NANOSTRUCTURE IN CHEMISTRY 2022; 12:833-864. [PMID: 35194511 PMCID: PMC8853211 DOI: 10.1007/s40097-022-00472-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Biomedical researchers have subsequently been inspired the development of new approaches for precisely changing an organism's genomic DNA in order to investigate customized diagnostics and therapeutics utilizing genetic engineering techniques. Clustered Regulatory Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) is one such technique that has emerged as a safe, targeted, and effective pharmaceutical treatment against a wide range of disease-causing organisms, including bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses, as well as genetic abnormalities. The recent discovery of very flexible engineered nucleic acid binding proteins has changed the scientific area of genome editing in a revolutionary way. Since current genetic engineering technique relies on viral vectors, issues about immunogenicity, insertional oncogenesis, retention, and targeted delivery remain unanswered. The use of nanotechnology has the potential to improve the safety and efficacy of CRISPR/Cas9 component distribution by employing tailored polymeric nanoparticles. The combination of two (CRISPR/Cas9 and nanotechnology) offers the potential to open new therapeutic paths. Considering the benefits, demand, and constraints, the goal of this research is to acquire more about the biology of CRISPR technology, as well as aspects of selective and effective diagnostics and therapies for infectious illnesses and other metabolic disorders. This review advocated combining nanomedicine (nanomedicine) with a CRISPR/Cas enabled sensing system to perform early-stage diagnostics and selective therapy of specific infectious disorders. Such a Nano-CRISPR-powered nanomedicine and sensing system would allow for successful infectious illness control, even on a personal level. This comprehensive study also discusses the current obstacles and potential of the predicted technology. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40097-022-00472-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Kumar Dubey
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, 600036, Chennai, Tamil Nadu India
| | - Vijai Kumar Gupta
- Biorefining and Advanced Materials Research Center, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG UK
| | - Małgorzata Kujawska
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Dojazd 30, 60-631 Poznań, Poland
| | - Gorka Orive
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- CIBER Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBERBBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Nanobiocel Research Group, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- University Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Oral Implantology, UIRMI (UPV/EHU-Fundación Eduardo Anitua), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nam-Young Kim
- Department of Electronics Engineering, RFIC Bio Centre, NDAC Centre, RFIC Bio Centre, NDAC Centre, Kwangwoon University, 20 Kwangwoon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 01897 South Korea
| | - Chen-zhong Li
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Diagnostics, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA 70112 USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA 70112 USA
| | - Yogendra Kumar Mishra
- Mads Clausen Institute, NanoSYD, University of Southern Denmark, Alison 2, 6400 Sønderborg, Denmark
| | - Ajeet Kaushik
- NanoBioTech Laboratory, Health System Engineering, Department of Natural Sciences, Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, FL-33805 USA
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22
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Evans BA, Bernstein DA. CRISPR-Mediated Genome Editing in the Human Fungal Pathogen C. albicans. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2542:3-12. [PMID: 36008653 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2549-1_1] [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] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Cas9-mediated genome editing is one tool investigators can use to study fungal pathogens. Such methodologies allow the investigator to examine how fungal cells differ from human cells and thus potentially identify novel therapeutic targets. In this chapter, we describe how CRISPR-mediated genome editing can be used to edit the genome of the most prevalent human fungal pathogen C. albicans. A cassette encoding a fungal optimized Cas9 nuclease and guide RNA is integrated into the C. albicans genome. The guide RNA targets Cas9 to the complementary genome sequence, and Cas9 cleaves the DNA. A repair template encoding whatever changes the investigator wished to make to the genome is co-transformed with the cassette and repairs the break via homologous recombination, thus introducing the change to the genome. The method we describe enables the researcher to edit the C. albicans genome and then efficiently remove the editing machinery and antibiotic resistance markers. This allows one to sequentially edit the C. albicans genome when multiple changes are desired. In addition, we provide notes that provide guidance on how the described protocols can be altered to meet the demands of the researcher. In these notes, we also describe the recent development of a more flexible CRISPR system that has a relaxed PAM site specificity. These and other advancements make CRISPR-mediated genome editing a practical approach when one needs to genetically alter C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben A Evans
- Department of Biology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA
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23
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Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 technology radically changed the approach to genetic manipulation of both medically and industrially relevant Candida species, as attested by the ever-increasing number of applications to the study of pathogenesis, drug resistance, gene expression, and host pathogen interaction and drug discovery. Here, we describe the use of plasmid-based systems for high efficiency CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing into any strain of four non-albicans Candida species, namely, Candida parapsilosis, Candida orthopsilosis, Candida metapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis. The plasmids pCP-tRNA and pCT-tRNA contain all the elements necessary for expressing the CRISPR-Cas9 machinery, and they can be used in combination with a repair template for disrupting gene function by insertion of a premature stop codon or by gene deletion. The plasmids are easily lost in the absence of selection, allowing scarless gene editing and minimizing detrimental effects of prolonged Cas9 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Lombardi
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Geraldine Butler
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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24
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Gervais NC, Halder V, Shapiro RS. A data library of Candida albicans functional genomic screens. FEMS Yeast Res 2021; 21:6433625. [PMID: 34864983 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foab060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional genomic screening of genetic mutant libraries enables the characterization of gene function in diverse organisms. For the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, several genetic mutant libraries have been generated and screened for diverse phenotypes, including tolerance to environmental stressors and antifungal drugs, and pathogenic traits such as cellular morphogenesis, biofilm formation and host-pathogen interactions. Here, we compile and organize C. albicans functional genomic screening data from ∼400 screens, to generate a data library of genetic mutant strains analyzed under diverse conditions. For quantitative screening data, we normalized these results to enable quantitative and comparative analysis of different genes across different phenotypes. Together, this provides a unique C. albicans genetic database, summarizing abundant phenotypic data from functional genomic screens in this critical fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Gervais
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Viola Halder
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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25
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Targeted Gene Insertion and Replacement in the Basidiomycete Ganoderma lucidum by Inactivation of Nonhomologous End Joining Using CRISPR/Cas9. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:e0151021. [PMID: 34524900 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01510-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted gene insertion or replacement is a promising genome-editing tool for molecular breeding and gene engineering. Although CRISPR/Cas9 works well for gene disruption and deletion in Ganoderma lucidum, targeted gene insertion and replacement remain a serious challenge due to the low efficiency of homologous recombination (HR) in this species. In this work, we demonstrate that the DNA double-strand breaks induced by Cas9 were mainly repaired via the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway, at a frequency of 96.7%. To establish an efficient target gene insertion and replacement tool in Ganoderma, we first inactivated the NHEJ pathway via disruption of the Ku70 gene (ku70) using a dual single guide RNA (sgRNA)-directed gene deletion method. Disruption of the ku70 gene significantly decreased NHEJ activity in G. lucidum. Moreover, ku70 disruption strains exhibited 96.3% and 93.1% frequencies of targeted gene insertion and replacement, respectively, when target DNA with the orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase (ura3) gene and 1.5-kb homologous 5'- and 3'-flanking sequences was used as a donor template, compared to 3.3% and 0%, respectively, at these targeted sites for a control strain (Cas9 strain). Our results indicated that ku70 disruption strains were efficient recipients for targeted gene insertion and replacement. This tool will advance our understanding of functional genomics in G. lucidum. IMPORTANCE Functional genomic studies in Ganoderma have been hindered by the absence of adequate genome-engineering tools. Although CRISPR/Cas9 works well for gene disruption and deletion in G. lucidum, targeted gene insertion and replacement have remained a serious challenge due to the low efficiency of HR in these species, although such precise genome modifications, including site mutations, site-specific integrations, and allele or promoter replacements, would be incredibly valuable. In this work, we inactivated the NHEJ repair mechanism in G. lucidum by disrupting the ku70 gene using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Moreover, we established a target gene insertion and replacement method in ku70-disrupted G. lucidum that possessed high-efficiency gene targeting. This technology will advance our understanding of the functional genomics of G. lucidum.
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26
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Uthayakumar D, Sharma J, Wensing L, Shapiro RS. CRISPR-Based Genetic Manipulation of Candida Species: Historical Perspectives and Current Approaches. Front Genome Ed 2021; 2:606281. [PMID: 34713231 PMCID: PMC8525362 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2020.606281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Candida genus encompasses a diverse group of ascomycete fungi that have captured the attention of the scientific community, due to both their role in pathogenesis and emerging applications in biotechnology; the development of gene editing tools such as CRISPR, to analyze fungal genetics and perform functional genomic studies in these organisms, is essential to fully understand and exploit this genus, to further advance antifungal drug discovery and industrial value. However, genetic manipulation of Candida species has been met with several distinctive barriers to progress, such as unconventional codon usage in some species, as well as the absence of a complete sexual cycle in its diploid members. Despite these challenges, the last few decades have witnessed an expansion of the Candida genetic toolbox, allowing for diverse genome editing applications that range from introducing a single point mutation to generating large-scale mutant libraries for functional genomic studies. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 technology is among the most recent of these advancements, bringing unparalleled versatility and precision to genetic manipulation of Candida species. Since its initial applications in Candida albicans, CRISPR-Cas9 platforms are rapidly evolving to permit efficient gene editing in other members of the genus. The technology has proven useful in elucidating the pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions of medically relevant Candida species, and has led to novel insights on antifungal drug susceptibility and resistance, as well as innovative treatment strategies. CRISPR-Cas9 tools have also been exploited to uncover potential applications of Candida species in industrial contexts. This review is intended to provide a historical overview of genetic approaches used to study the Candida genus and to discuss the state of the art of CRISPR-based genetic manipulation of Candida species, highlighting its contributions to deciphering the biology of this genus, as well as providing perspectives for the future of Candida genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deeva Uthayakumar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Jehoshua Sharma
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Lauren Wensing
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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27
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Stan D, Enciu AM, Mateescu AL, Ion AC, Brezeanu AC, Stan D, Tanase C. Natural Compounds With Antimicrobial and Antiviral Effect and Nanocarriers Used for Their Transportation. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:723233. [PMID: 34552489 PMCID: PMC8450524 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.723233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the increasing prevalence of life-threatening bacterial, fungal and viral infections and the ability of these human pathogens to develop resistance to current treatment strategies, there is a great need to find and develop new compunds to combat them. These molecules must have low toxicity, specific activity and high bioavailability. The most suitable compounds for this task are usually derived from natural sources (animal, plant or even microbial). In this review article, the latest and most promising natural compounds used to combat bacteria, filamentous fungi and viruses are presented and evaluated. These include plant extracts, essential oils, small antimicrobial peptides of animal origin, bacteriocins and various groups of plant compounds (triterpenoids; alkaloids; phenols; flavonoids) with antimicrobial and antiviral activity. Data are presented on the inhibitory activity of each natural antimicrobial substance and on the putative mechanism of action against bacterial and fungal strains. The results show that among the bioactive compounds studied, triterpenoids have significant inhibitory activity against coronaviruses, but flavonoids have also been shown to inhibit SARS-COV-2. The last chapter is devoted to nanocarriers used to improve stability, bioavailability, cellular uptake/internalization, pharmacokinetic profile and reduce toxicity of natural compunds. There are a number of nanocarriers such as liposomes, drug delivery microemulsion systems, nanocapsules, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, etc. However, some of the recent studies have focused on the incorporation of natural substances with antimicrobial/antiviral activity into polymeric nanoparticles, niosomes and silver nanoparticles (which have been shown to have intrinsic antimicrobial activity). The natural antimicrobials isolated from animals and microorganisms have been shown to have good inhibitory effect on a range of pathogens, however the plants remain the most prolific source. Even if the majority of the studies for the biological activity evaluation are in silico or in vitro, their internalization in the optimum nanocarriers represents the future of “green therapeutics” as shown by some of the recent work in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Stan
- DDS Diagnostic, Bucharest, Romania.,Titu Maiorescu University, PhD Medical School, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana-Maria Enciu
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Biochemistry-Proteomics Department, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | | | - Ariana Cristina Brezeanu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy-Department of Plastic Surgery, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Cristiana Tanase
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Biochemistry-Proteomics Department, Bucharest, Romania.,Titu Maiorescu University, Faculty of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
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28
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Development of an efficient gene-targeting system for elucidating infection mechanisms of the fungal pathogen Trichosporon asahii. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18270. [PMID: 34521867 PMCID: PMC8440527 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97287-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichosporon asahii is a pathogenic fungus that causes severe, deep-seated fungal infections in neutropenic patients. Elucidating the infection mechanisms of T. asahii based on genetic studies requires a specific gene-targeting system. Here, we established an efficient gene-targeting system in a highly pathogenic T. asahii strain identified using the silkworm infection model. By comparing the pathogenicity of T. asahii clinical isolates in a silkworm infection model, T. asahii MPU129 was identified as a highly pathogenic strain. Using an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer system, we obtained a T. asahii MPU129 mutant lacking the ku70 gene, which encodes the Ku70 protein involved in the non-homologous end-joining repair of DNA double-strand breaks. The ku70 gene-deficient mutant showed higher gene-targeting efficiency than the wild-type strain for constructing a mutant lacking the cnb1 gene, which encodes the beta-subunit of calcineurin. The cnb1 gene-deficient mutant showed reduced pathogenicity against silkworms compared with the parental strain. These results suggest that an efficient gene-targeting system in a highly pathogenic T. asahii strain is a useful tool for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of T. asahii infection.
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29
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Arastehfar A, Carvalho A, Houbraken J, Lombardi L, Garcia-Rubio R, Jenks J, Rivero-Menendez O, Aljohani R, Jacobsen I, Berman J, Osherov N, Hedayati M, Ilkit M, Armstrong-James D, Gabaldón T, Meletiadis J, Kostrzewa M, Pan W, Lass-Flörl C, Perlin D, Hoenigl M. Aspergillus fumigatus and aspergillosis: From basics to clinics. Stud Mycol 2021; 100:100115. [PMID: 34035866 PMCID: PMC8131930 DOI: 10.1016/j.simyco.2021.100115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The airborne fungus Aspergillus fumigatus poses a serious health threat to humans by causing numerous invasive infections and a notable mortality in humans, especially in immunocompromised patients. Mould-active azoles are the frontline therapeutics employed to treat aspergillosis. The global emergence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates in clinic and environment, however, notoriously limits the therapeutic options of mould-active antifungals and potentially can be attributed to a mortality rate reaching up to 100 %. Although specific mutations in CYP 51A are the main cause of azole resistance, there is a new wave of azole-resistant isolates with wild-type CYP 51A genotype challenging the efficacy of the current diagnostic tools. Therefore, applications of whole-genome sequencing are increasingly gaining popularity to overcome such challenges. Prominent echinocandin tolerance, as well as liver and kidney toxicity posed by amphotericin B, necessitate a continuous quest for novel antifungal drugs to combat emerging azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates. Animal models and the tools used for genetic engineering require further refinement to facilitate a better understanding about the resistance mechanisms, virulence, and immune reactions orchestrated against A. fumigatus. This review paper comprehensively discusses the current clinical challenges caused by A. fumigatus and provides insights on how to address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Arastehfar
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
| | - A. Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - J. Houbraken
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - L. Lombardi
- UCD Conway Institute and School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - R. Garcia-Rubio
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
| | - J.D. Jenks
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
- Clinical and Translational Fungal-Working Group, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - O. Rivero-Menendez
- Medical Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28222, Spain
| | - R. Aljohani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - I.D. Jacobsen
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - J. Berman
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - N. Osherov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - M.T. Hedayati
- Invasive Fungi Research Center/Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - M. Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey
| | | | - T. Gabaldón
- Life Sciences Programme, Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS), Jordi Girona, Barcelona, 08034, Spain
- Mechanisms of Disease Programme, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J. Meletiadis
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Attikon University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - W. Pan
- Medical Mycology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - C. Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - D.S. Perlin
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
| | - M. Hoenigl
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036, Graz, Austria
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
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30
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Gorris ME, Caballero Van Dyke MC, Carey A, Hamm PS, Mead HL, Uehling JK. A Review of Coccidioides Research, Outstanding Questions in the Field, and Contributions by Women Scientists. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2021; 8:114-128. [PMID: 34367880 PMCID: PMC8327307 DOI: 10.1007/s40588-021-00173-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Coccidioidomycosis is an infectious disease that gained clinical significance in the early 20th century. Many of the foundational contributions to coccidioidomycosis research, including the discovery of the fungal disease agent, Coccidioides spp., were made by women. We review recent progress in Coccidioides research and big questions remaining in the field, while highlighting some of the contributions from women. Recent Findings New molecular-based techniques provide a promising method for detecting Coccidioides, which can help determine the dominate reservoir host and ideal environmental conditions for growth. Genetic and genomic analyses have allowed an understanding of population structure, species level diversity, and evolutionary histories. We present a current, comprehensive genome list, where women contributed many of these entries. Several efforts to develop a coccidioidomycosis vaccine are underway. Summary Women continue to pioneer research on Coccidioides, including the relationships between the fungi and the environment, genetics, and clinical observations. Significant questions remain in the field of Coccidioides, including the main host reservoir, the relationships between genotypic and phenotypic variation, and the underlying cause for chronic clinical coccidioidomycosis cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan E Gorris
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Information Systems and Modeling & Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | | | - Adrienne Carey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Paris S Hamm
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Heather L Mead
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ USA
| | - Jessie K Uehling
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR USA
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Lackner N, Posch W, Lass-Flörl C. Microbiological and Molecular Diagnosis of Mucormycosis: From Old to New. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071518. [PMID: 34361953 PMCID: PMC8304313 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the order Mucorales may cause severe invasive fungal infections (mucormycosis) in immune-compromised and otherwise ill patients. Diagnosis of Mucorales infections and discrimination from other filamentous fungi are crucial for correct management. Here, we present an overview of current state-of-the-art mucormycosis diagnoses, with a focus on recent developments in the molecular field. Classical diagnostic methods comprise histology/microscopy as well as culture and are still the gold standard. Newer molecular methods are evolving quickly and display great potential in early diagnosis, although standardization is still missing. Among them, quantitative PCR assays with or without melt curve analysis are most widely used to detect fungal DNA in clinical samples. Depending on the respective assay, sequencing of the resulting PCR product can be necessary for genus or even species identification. Further, DNA-based methods include microarrays and PCR-ESI-MS. However, general laboratory standards are still in development, meaning that molecular methods are currently limited to add-on analytics to culture and microscopy.
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Kim GH, Rosiana S, Kirienko NV, Shapiro RS. A Simple Nematode Infection Model for Studying Candida albicans Pathogenesis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 59:e114. [PMID: 32975912 DOI: 10.1002/cpmc.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen and a model organism to study fungal pathogenesis. It exists as a harmless commensal organism and member of the healthy human microbiome, but can cause life-threatening mucosal and systemic infections. A model host to study C. albicans infection and pathogenesis is the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans is frequently used as a model host to study microbial-host interactions because it can be infected by many human pathogens and there are also close morphological resemblances between the intestinal cells of C. elegans and mammals, where C. albicans infections can occur. This article outlines a detailed methodology for exploiting C. elegans as a host to study C. albicans infection, including a C. elegans egg preparation protocol and an agar-based C. elegans killing protocol to monitor fungal virulence. These protocols can additionally be used to study C. albicans genetic mutants in order to further our understanding of the genes involved in pathogenesis and virulence in C. albicans and the mechanisms of host-microbe interactions. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of Caenorhabditis elegans eggs Support Protocol 1: Freezing and recovering Caenorhabditis elegans Support Protocol 2: Making superfood agar and OP50 plates Basic Protocol 2: Caenorhabditis elegans/Candida albicans agar killing assay Support Protocol 3: Constructing a worm pick.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace H Kim
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sierra Rosiana
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Simplified All-In-One CRISPR-Cas9 Construction for Efficient Genome Editing in Cryptococcus Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7070505. [PMID: 34202664 PMCID: PMC8303259 DOI: 10.3390/jof7070505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus deneoformans are opportunistic fungal pathogens found worldwide that are utilized to reveal mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis. However, their low homologous recombination frequency has greatly encumbered genetic studies. In preliminary work, we described a ‘suicide’ CRISPR-Cas9 system for use in the efficient gene editing of C. deneoformans, but this has not yet been used in the C. neoformans strain. The procedures involved in constructing vectors are time-consuming, whether they involve restriction enzyme-based cloning of donor DNA or the introduction of a target sequence into the gRNA expression cassette via overlap PCR, as are sophisticated, thus impeding their widespread application. Here, we report the optimized and simplified construction method for all-in-one CRISPR-Cas9 vectors that can be used in C. neoformans and C. deneoformans strains respectively, named pNK003 (Genbank: MW938321) and pRH003 (Genbank: KX977486). Taking several gene manipulations as examples, we also demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the new simplified all-in-one CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing tools in both Serotype A and Serotype D strains, as well as their ability to eliminate Cas9 and gDNA cassettes after gene editing. We anticipate that the availability of new vectors that can simplify and streamline the technical steps for all-in-one CRISPR-Cas9 construction could accelerate genetic studies of the Cryptococcus species.
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Baldin C, Kühbacher A, Merschak P, Sastré-Velásquez LE, Abt B, Dietl AM, Haas H, Gsaller F. Inducible Selectable Marker Genes to Improve Aspergillus fumigatus Genetic Manipulation. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:506. [PMID: 34202756 PMCID: PMC8305790 DOI: 10.3390/jof7070506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene from Escherichia coli and the pyrithiamine resistance gene from Aspergillus oryzae are two dominant selectable marker genes widely used to genetically manipulate several fungal species. Despite the recent development of CRISPR/Cas9 and marker-free systems, in vitro molecular tools to study Aspergillus fumigatus, which is a saprophytic fungus causing life-threatening diseases in immunocompromised hosts, still rely extensively on the use of dominant selectable markers. The limited number of drug selectable markers is already a critical aspect, but the possibility that their introduction into a microorganism could induce enhanced virulence or undesired effects on metabolic behavior constitutes another problem. In this context, here, we demonstrate that the use of ptrA in A. fumigatus leads to the secretion of a compound that allows the recovery of thiamine auxotrophy. In this study, we developed a simple modification of the two commonly used dominant markers in which the development of resistance can be controlled by the xylose-inducible promoter PxylP from Penicillium chrysogenum. This strategy provides an easy solution to avoid undesired side effects, since the marker expression can be readily silenced when not required.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (C.B.); (A.K.); (P.M.); (L.E.S.-V.); (B.A.); (A.-M.D.)
| | - Fabio Gsaller
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (C.B.); (A.K.); (P.M.); (L.E.S.-V.); (B.A.); (A.-M.D.)
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Genetic Manipulation as a Tool to Unravel Candida parapsilosis Species Complex Virulence and Drug Resistance: State of the Art. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7060459. [PMID: 34200514 PMCID: PMC8228522 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060459] [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: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
An increase in the rate of isolation of Candida parapsilosis in the past decade, as well as increased identification of azole-resistant strains are concerning, and require better understanding of virulence-like factors and drug-resistant traits of these species. In this regard, the present review “draws a line” on the information acquired, thus far, on virulence determinants and molecular mechanisms of antifungal resistance in these opportunistic pathogens, mainly derived from genetic manipulation studies. This will provide better focus on where we stand in our understanding of the C. parapsilosis species complex–host interaction, and how far we are from defining potential novel targets or therapeutic strategies—key factors to pave the way for a more tailored management of fungal infections caused by these fungal pathogens.
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Arazoe T. CRISPR-based pathogenic fungal genome editing for control of infection and disease. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2021; 179:161-196. [PMID: 33785176 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Fungi play important roles in many aspects of human life, such as in various food, beverage, agricultural, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Meanwhile, some fungal species cause several severe diseases in plants, humans and animals. Fungal and fungal-like diseases pose a severe threat to human health, food security, and ecosystem health worldwide. This chapter introduces CRISPR-based genome editing technologies for pathogenic fungi and their application in controlling fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Arazoe
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Noda-shi, Chiba, Japan.
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37
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Wang P. Genetic Transformation in Cryptococcus Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7010056. [PMID: 33467426 PMCID: PMC7829943 DOI: 10.3390/jof7010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic transformation plays an imperative role in our understanding of the biology in unicellular yeasts and filamentous fungi, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus nidulans, Cryphonectria parasitica, and Magnaporthe oryzae. It also helps to understand the virulence and drug resistance mechanisms of the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus that causes cryptococcosis in health and immunocompromised individuals. Since the first attempt at DNA transformation in this fungus by Edman in 1992, various methods and techniques have been developed to introduce DNA into this organism and improve the efficiency of homology-mediated gene disruption. There have been many excellent summaries or reviews covering the subject. Here we highlight some of the significant achievements and additional refinements in the genetic transformation of Cryptococcus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Li Z, Kim KS. RELATe enables genome-scale engineering in fungal genomics. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eabb8783. [PMID: 32948588 PMCID: PMC7500931 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb8783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9-based screening with single-guide RNA (sgRNA) libraries has emerged as a revolutionary tool for comprehensive analysis of genetic elements. However, genome-scale sgRNA libraries are currently available only in a few model organisms. The traditional approach is to synthesize thousands to tens of thousands of sgRNAs, which is laborious and expensive. We have developed a simple method, RELATe (restriction/ligation coupled with Agrobacterium-mediated transformation), to generate sgRNA libraries from 10 μg of genomic DNA, targeting over 98% of the protein-coding genes in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans Functional screens identified 142 potential C. neoformans genes contributing to blood-brain barrier penetration. We selected two cryptococcal genes, SFP1 and WDR1, for a proof-of-concept demonstration that RELATe-identified genes are relevant to C. neoformans central nervous system infection. Our RELATe method can be used in many other fungal species and is powerful and cost-effective for genome-wide high-throughput screening for elucidating functional genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongming Li
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Kwang Sik Kim
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Xue A, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Advances in fungal chemical genomics for the discovery of new antifungal agents. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1496:5-22. [PMID: 32860238 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections have escalated from a rare curiosity to a major cause of human mortality around the globe. This is in part due to a scarcity in the number of antifungal drugs available to combat mycotic disease, making the discovery of novel bioactive compounds and determining their mode of action of utmost importance. The development and application of chemical genomic assays using the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has provided powerful methods to identify the mechanism of action of diverse molecules in a living cell. Furthermore, complementary assays are continually being developed in fungal pathogens, most notably Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, to elucidate compound mechanism of action directly in the pathogen of interest. Collectively, the suite of chemical genetic assays that have been developed in multiple fungal species enables the identification of candidate drug target genes, as well as genes involved in buffering drug target pathways, and genes involved in general cellular responses to small molecules. In this review, we examine current yeast chemical genomic assays and highlight how such resources provide powerful tools that can be utilized to bolster the antifungal pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Xue
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia E. Glazier
- Department of Biology, Niagara University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Damian J. Krysan
- Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology/Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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