1
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Engle K, Kumar G. Tackling multi-drug resistant fungi by efflux pump inhibitors. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 226:116400. [PMID: 38945275 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116400] [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: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant fungi is of grave concern, and its infections are responsible for significant deaths among immunocompromised patients. The treatment of fungal infections primarily relies on a clinical class of antibiotics, including azoles, polyenes, echinocandins, polyketides, and a nucleotide analogue. However, the incidence of fungal infections is increasing as the treatment for human and plant fungal infections overlaps with antifungal drugs. The need for new antifungal agents acting on different targets than known targets is undeniable. Also, the pace at which loss of fungal susceptibility to antibiotics cannot be undermined. There are several modes by which fungi can develop resistance to antibiotics, including reduced drug uptake, drug target alteration, and a reduction in the cellular concentration of the drug due to active extrusions and biofilm formation. The efflux pump's overexpression in the fungi primarily reduced the antibiotic's concentration to a sub-lethal concentration, thus responsible for developing resistant fungus strains. Several strategies are used to check antibiotic resistance in multi-drug resistant fungi, including synthesizing antibiotic analogs and giving antibiotics in combination therapies. Among them, the efflux pump protein inhibitors are considered potential adjuvants to antibiotics and can block the efflux of antibiotics by inhibiting efflux pump protein transporters. Moreover, it can sensitize the antifungal drugs to multi-drug resistant fungi with overexpressed efflux pump proteins. This review discusses the natural lead molecules, repurposable drugs, and formulation strategies to overcome the efflux pump activity in the fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Engle
- Department of Natural Products, Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Balanagar 500037, India
| | - Gautam Kumar
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan 333031, India.
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2
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Sepúlveda VE, Goldman WE, Matute DR. Genotypic diversity, virulence, and molecular genetic tools in Histoplasma. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0007623. [PMID: 38819148 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00076-23] [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] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYHistoplasmosis is arguably the most common fungal respiratory infection worldwide, with hundreds of thousands of new infections occurring annually in the United States alone. The infection can progress in the lung or disseminate to visceral organs and can be difficult to treat with antifungal drugs. Histoplasma, the causative agent of the disease, is a pathogenic fungus that causes life-threatening lung infections and is globally distributed. The fungus has the ability to germinate from conidia into either hyphal (mold) or yeast form, depending on the environmental temperature. This transition also regulates virulence. Histoplasma and histoplasmosis have been classified as being of emergent importance, and in 2022, the World Health Organization included Histoplasma as 1 of the 19 most concerning human fungal pathogens. In this review, we synthesize the current understanding of the ecological niche, evolutionary history, and virulence strategies of Histoplasma. We also describe general patterns of the symptomatology and epidemiology of histoplasmosis. We underscore areas where research is sorely needed and highlight research avenues that have been productive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria E Sepúlveda
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - William E Goldman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Daniel R Matute
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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3
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Stindt KR, McClean MN. Tuning interdomain conjugation to enable in situ population modification in yeasts. mSystems 2024; 9:e0005024. [PMID: 38747597 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00050-24] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to modify and control natural and engineered microbiomes is essential for biotechnology and biomedicine. Fungi are critical members of most microbiomes, yet technology for modifying the fungal members of a microbiome has lagged far behind that for bacteria. Interdomain conjugation (IDC) is a promising approach, as DNA transfer from bacterial cells to yeast enables in situ modification. While such genetic transfers have been known to naturally occur in a wide range of eukaryotes and are thought to contribute to their evolution, IDC has been understudied as a technique to control fungal or fungal-bacterial consortia. One major obstacle to the widespread use of IDC is its limited efficiency. In this work, we manipulated metabolic and physical interactions between genetically tractable Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to control the incidence of IDC. We test the landscape of population interactions between the bacterial donors and yeast recipients to find that bacterial commensalism leads to maximized IDC, both in culture and in mixed colonies. We demonstrate the capacity of cell-to-cell binding via mannoproteins to assist both IDC incidence and bacterial commensalism in culture and model how these tunable controls can predictably yield a range of IDC outcomes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these controls can be utilized to irreversibly alter a recipient yeast population, by both "rescuing" a poor-growing recipient population and collapsing a stable population via a novel IDC-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 system.IMPORTANCEFungi are important but often unaddressed members of most natural and synthetic microbial communities. This work highlights opportunities for modifying yeast microbiome populations through bacterial conjugation. While conjugation has been recognized for its capacity to deliver engineerable DNA to a range of cells, its dependence on cell contact has limited its efficiency. Here, we find "knobs" to control DNA transfer, by engineering the metabolic dependence between bacterial donors and yeast recipients and by changing their ability to physically adhere to each other. Importantly, we functionally validate these "knobs" by irreversibly altering yeast populations. We use these controls to "rescue" a failing yeast population, demonstrate the capacity of conjugated CRISPR/Cas9 to depress or collapse populations, and show that conjugation can be easily interrupted by disrupting cell-to-cell binding. These results offer building blocks toward in situ mycobiome editing, with significant implications for clinical treatments of fungal pathogens and other fungal system engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Stindt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Doctoral Program in Biophysics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Megan N McClean
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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4
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Bowen JI, Zhong X, Gao K, Reed B, Crump MP, Wang L, Willis CL. Combining total synthesis and genetic engineering to probe dihydropyran formation in ambruticin biosynthesis. Chem Sci 2024; 15:5319-5326. [PMID: 38577359 PMCID: PMC10988584 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00720d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The ambruticins are a family of potent antifungal polyketide derived natural products isolated from the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum. Their unusual structures include a trisubstituted cyclopropyl group and two oxygen heterocycles, a tetrahydropyran (THP) and dihydropyran (DHP). Herein we report a flexible modular approach for the total synthesis of ambruticins which is used to prepare ambruticins F and S as well as in the first total synthesis of 20,21-dihydroambruticin F. The flexible strategy unites 3 fragments via Julia-Kocienski olefinations and provides important standards for investigation of dihydropyran formation in ambruticin biosynthesis. Cultures of wild-type S. cellulosum So ce10 produce mainly ambruticin S and the VS series of metabolites. An efficient electroporation method enabled gene knockout experiments which revealed that the ΔambP-S mutant of S. cellulosum accumulated the bisTHP polyketide 20,21-dihydroambruticin F. In contrast, the ΔambN-S mutant gave ambruticin F with the 20,21-alkene as the major metabolite confirming that AmbP and AmbO (a Rieske enzyme and flavin-dependent monooxygenase respectively) are implicated in 20,21-alkene formation. The results of feeding studies to a Sorangium strain containing only ambP and ambO are in accord with formation of the 20,21-alkene occurring prior to generation of the C3 to C7 dihydroxylated tetrahydropyran in ambruticin biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- James I Bowen
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Xiaotong Zhong
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences No. 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District Beijing 100101 China
| | - Kaining Gao
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences No. 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District Beijing 100101 China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University Kunming 650500 China
| | - Benjamin Reed
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Matthew P Crump
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Luoyi Wang
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences No. 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District Beijing 100101 China
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5
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Schutz K, Melie T, Smith SD, Quandt CA. Patterns recovered in phylogenomic analysis of Candida auris and close relatives implicate broad environmental flexibility in Candida/Clavispora clade yeasts. Microb Genom 2024; 10. [PMID: 38630608 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungal pathogens commonly originate from benign or non-pathogenic strains living in the natural environment. The recently emerged human pathogen, Candida auris, is one example of a fungus believed to have originated in the environment and recently transitioned into a clinical setting. To date, however, there is limited evidence about the origins of this species in the natural environment and when it began associating with humans. One approach to overcome this gap is to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships between (1) strains isolated from clinical and non-clinical environments and (2) between species known to cause disease in humans and benign environmental saprobes. C. auris belongs to the Candida/Clavispora clade, a diverse group of 45 yeast species including human pathogens and environmental saprobes. We present a phylogenomic analysis of the Candida/Clavispora clade aimed at understanding the ecological breadth and evolutionary relationships between an expanded sample of environmentally and clinically isolated yeasts. To build a robust framework for investigating these relationships, we developed a whole-genome sequence dataset of 108 isolates representing 18 species, including four newly sequenced species and 18 environmentally isolated strains. Our phylogeny, based on 619 orthologous genes, shows environmentally isolated species and strains interspersed with clinically isolated counterparts, suggesting that there have been many transitions between humans and the natural environment in this clade. Our findings highlight the breadth of environments these yeasts inhabit and imply that many clinically isolated yeasts in this clade could just as easily live outside the human body in diverse natural environments and vice versa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Schutz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
| | - Tina Melie
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
| | - Stacey D Smith
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
| | - C Alisha Quandt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
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6
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El-Sayed SE, Abdelaziz NA, Ali AA, Alshahrani MY, Aboshanab KM, El-Housseiny GS. Identification, Characterization, and Production Optimization of 6-Methoxy-1H-Indole-2-Carboxylic Acid Antifungal Metabolite Produced by Bacillus toyonensis Isolate OQ071612. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2835. [PMID: 38137979 PMCID: PMC10745709 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections currently pose a real threat to human lives. In the current study, soil bacterial isolates were screened for the production of antifungal compounds to combat human fungal pathogens. Notably, the bacterial F1 isolate exhibited antimycotic action towards the Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Aspergillus niger clinical isolates. By employing phenotypic and molecular techniques, we identified the F1 isolate as the Bacillus toyonensis isolate OQ071612. The purified extract showed stability within a pH range of 6-7 and at temperatures of up to 50 °C. It demonstrated potential antifungal activity in the presence of various surfactants, detergents, and enzymes. The purified extract was identified as 6-methoxy-1H-Indole-2-carboxylic acid using advanced spectroscopic techniques. To optimize the antifungal metabolite production, we utilized response surface methodology (RSM) with a face-centered central composite design, considering nutritional and environmental variables. The optimal conditions were as follows: starch (5 g/L), peptone (5 g/L), agitation rate of 150 rpm, pH 6, and 40 °C temperature. A confirmatory experiment validated the accuracy of the optimization process, resulting in an approximately 3.49-fold increase in production. This is the first documented report on the production and characterization of 6-methoxy-1H-Indole-2-carboxylic acid (MICA) antifungal metabolite from Bacillus toyonensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayed E. El-Sayed
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, Giza 12566, Egypt; (S.E.E.-S.); (N.A.A.)
| | - Neveen A. Abdelaziz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, Giza 12566, Egypt; (S.E.E.-S.); (N.A.A.)
| | - Amer Al Ali
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, 255, Al Nakhil, Bisha 67714, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohammad Y. Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Khaled M. Aboshanab
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt;
| | - Ghadir S. El-Housseiny
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt;
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7
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Padaraju A, Dwivedi F, Kumar G. Microemulsions, nanoemulsions and emulgels as carriers for antifungal antibiotics. Ther Deliv 2023; 14:721-740. [PMID: 38014430 DOI: 10.4155/tde-2023-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
According to estimates, up to 25% of the world's population has fungal skin diseases, making them the most prevalent infectious disease. Several chemical classes of antifungal drugs are available to treat fungal infections. However, the major challenges of conventional formulations of antifungal drugs include poor pharmacokinetic profiles like solubility, low permeability, side effects and decreased efficacy. Novel drug delivery is a promising approach for overcoming pharmacokinetic limitations and increasing the effectiveness of antibiotics. In this review, we have shed light on microemulsions, nanoemulsions, and emulgels as novel drug delivery approaches for the topical delivery of antifungal antibiotics. We believe these formulations have potential translational value and could be developed for treating fungal infections in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annapurna Padaraju
- Department of Natural Products, Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research-Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Balanagar, 500037, India
| | - Falguni Dwivedi
- Department of Natural Products, Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research-Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Balanagar, 500037, India
| | - Gautam Kumar
- Department of Natural Products, Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research-Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Balanagar, 500037, India
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8
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Stindt KR, McClean MN. Tuning Interdomain Conjugation Toward in situ Population Modification in Yeast. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.12.557379. [PMID: 37745509 PMCID: PMC10515866 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.12.557379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The ability to modify and control natural and engineered microbiomes is essential for biotechnology and biomedicine. Fungi are critical members of most microbiomes, yet technology for modifying the fungal members of a microbiome has lagged far behind that for bacteria. Interdomain conjugation (IDC) is a promising approach, as DNA transfer from bacterial cells to yeast enables in situ modification. While such genetic transfers have been known to naturally occur in a wide range of eukaryotes, and are thought to contribute to their evolution, IDC has been understudied as a technique to control fungal or fungal-bacterial consortia. One major obstacle to widespread use of IDC is its limited efficiency. In this work, we utilize interactions between genetically tractable Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to control the incidence of IDC. We test the landscape of population interactions between the bacterial donors and yeast recipients to find that bacterial commensalism leads to maximized IDC, both in culture and in mixed colonies. We demonstrate the capacity of cell-to-cell binding via mannoproteins to assist both IDC incidence and bacterial commensalism in culture, and model how these tunable controls can predictably yield a range of IDC outcomes. Further, we demonstrate that these lessons can be utilized to lastingly alter a recipient yeast population, by both "rescuing" a poor-growing recipient population and collapsing a stable population via a novel IDC-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 system.
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9
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Gómez BL, Escandón P. Fungal infections: A growing threat. BIOMEDICA : REVISTA DEL INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE SALUD 2023; 43:11-16. [PMID: 37721896 PMCID: PMC10581601 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.7214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz L Gómez
- Grupo de Estudios en Microbiología Translacional y Enfermedades Emergentes (MICROS), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia.
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia.
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10
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Hetta HF, Ramadan YN, Al-Kadmy IMS, Ellah NHA, Shbibe L, Battah B. Nanotechnology-Based Strategies to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris Infections. Pathogens 2023; 12:1033. [PMID: 37623993 PMCID: PMC10458664 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081033] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
An emerging multidrug-resistant pathogenic yeast called Candida auris has a high potential to spread quickly among hospitalized patients and immunodeficient patients causing nosocomial outbreaks. It has the potential to cause pandemic outbreaks in about 45 nations with high mortality rates. Additionally, the fungus has become resistant to decontamination techniques and can survive for weeks in a hospital environment. Nanoparticles might be a good substitute to treat illnesses brought on by this newly discovered pathogen. Nanoparticles have become a trend and hot topic in recent years to combat this fatal fungus. This review gives a general insight into the epidemiology of C. auris and infection. It discusses the current conventional therapy and mechanism of resistance development. Furthermore, it focuses on nanoparticles, their different types, and up-to-date trials to evaluate the promising efficacy of nanoparticles with respect to C. auris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helal F. Hetta
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt;
| | - Yasmin N. Ramadan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt;
| | - Israa M. S. Al-Kadmy
- Branch of Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad P.O. Box 10244, Iraq;
| | - Noura H. Abd Ellah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt;
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Assiut, Naser City, Assiut 2014101, Egypt
| | - Lama Shbibe
- Faculty of Science, Damascus University, Damascus 97009, Syria;
| | - Basem Battah
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Syrian Private University (SPU), Daraa International Highway, Damascus 36822, Syria
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11
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An insight into biofabrication of selenium nanostructures and their biomedical application. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:79. [PMID: 36778767 PMCID: PMC9908812 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03476-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence shows that nanoparticles exert lower toxicity, improved targeting, and enhanced bioactivity, and provide versatile means to control the release profile of the encapsulated moiety. Among different NPs, inorganic nanoparticles (Ag, Au, Ce, Fe, Se, Te, Zn, etc.) possess a considerable place owing to their unique bioactivities in nanoforms. Selenium, an essential trace element, played a vital role in the growth and development of living organisms. It has attracted great interest as a therapeutic factor without significant adverse effects in medicine at recommended dose. Selenium nanoparticles can be fabricated by physical, biological, and chemical approaches. The biosynthesis of nanoparticles is shown an advance compared to other procedures, because it is environmentally friendly, relatively reproducible, easily accessible, biodegradable, and often results in more stable materials. The effect of size, shape, and synthesis methods on their applications in biological systems investigated by several studies. This review focused on the procedures for the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles, in particular the biogenesis of selenium nanoparticles and their biomedical characteristics, such as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. Eventually, a comprehensive future perspective of selenium nanoparticles was also presented.
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12
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The origin of human pathogenicity and biological interactions in Chaetothyriales. FUNGAL DIVERS 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s13225-023-00518-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
AbstractFungi in the order Chaetothyriales are renowned for their ability to cause human infections. Nevertheless, they are not regarded as primary pathogens, but rather as opportunists with a natural habitat in the environment. Extremotolerance is a major trend in the order, but quite different from black yeasts in Capnodiales which focus on endurance, an important additional parameter is advancing toxin management. In the ancestral ecology of rock colonization, the association with metabolite-producing lichens is significant. Ant-association, dealing with pheromones and repellents, is another mainstay in the order. The phylogenetically derived family, Herpotrichiellaceae, shows dual ecology in monoaromatic hydrocarbon assimilation and the ability to cause disease in humans and cold-blooded vertebrates. In this study, data on ecology, phylogeny, and genomics were collected and analyzed in order to support this hypothesis on the evolutionary route of the species of Chaetothyriales. Comparing the ribosomal tree with that of enzymes involved in toluene degradation, a significant expansion of cytochromes is observed and the toluene catabolism is found to be complete in some of the Herpotrichiellaceae. This might enhance human systemic infection. However, since most species have to be traumatically inoculated in order to cause disease, their invasive potential is categorized as opportunism. Only in chromoblastomycosis, true pathogenicity might be surmised. The criterion would be the possible escape of agents of vertebrate disease from the host, enabling dispersal of adapted genotypes to subsequent generations.
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13
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Impact of diet and host genetics on the murine intestinal mycobiome. Nat Commun 2023; 14:834. [PMID: 36788222 PMCID: PMC9929102 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36479-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian gut is home to a diverse microbial ecosystem, whose composition affects various physiological traits of the host. Next-generation sequencing-based metagenomic approaches demonstrated how the interplay of host genetics, bacteria, and environmental factors shape complex traits and clinical outcomes. However, the role of fungi in these complex interactions remains understudied. Here, using 228 males and 363 females from an advanced-intercross mouse line, we provide evidence that fungi are regulated by host genetics. In addition, we map quantitative trait loci associated with various fungal species to single genes in mice using whole genome sequencing and genotyping. Moreover, we show that diet and its' interaction with host genetics alter the composition of fungi in outbred mice, and identify fungal indicator species associated with different dietary regimes. Collectively, in this work, we uncover an association of the intestinal fungal community with host genetics and a regulatory role of diet in this ecological niche.
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14
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Antifungal Activity of Spent Coffee Ground Extracts. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020242. [PMID: 36838208 PMCID: PMC9963196 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Coffee is one of the most popular and consumed products in the world, generating tons of solid waste known as spent coffee grounds (SCG), containing several bioactive compounds. Here, the antifungal activity of ethanolic SCG extract from caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee capsules was evaluated against yeasts and filamentous fungi. These extracts had antifungal activity against Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton rubrum, all skin fungal agents. Moreover, SCG had fungicidal activity against T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum. To understand the underlying mechanisms of the antifungal activity, fungal cell membrane and cell wall components were quantified. SCG caused a significant reduction of the ergosterol, chitin, and β-(1,3)-glucan content of C. parapsilosis, revealing the synthesis of this membrane component and cell wall components as possible targets of these extracts. These extracts were cytotoxic for the tumoral cell lines tested but not for the non-tumoral PLP2 cell line. The analysis of the phenolic compounds of these extracts revealed the presence of caffeoylquinic acid, feruloylquinic acid, and caffeoylshikimic acid derivatives. Overall, this confirmed the antifungal activity of spent coffee grounds, presenting a potential increase in the sustainability of the life cycle of coffee grounds, as a source for the development of novel antifungal formulations, especially for skin or mucosal fungal infections.
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Donlin MJ, Meyers MJ. Repurposing and optimization of drugs for discovery of novel antifungals. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:2008-2014. [PMID: 35489676 PMCID: PMC11182377 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Although fungal diseases are a major and growing public health concern, there are only four major classes of drug to treat primary fungal pathogens. The pipeline of new antifungals in clinical development is relatively thin compared with other disease classes. One approach to rapidly identify and provide novel treatment options is to repurpose existing drugs as antifungals. However, such proposed drug-repurposing candidates often suffer suboptimal efficacy and pharmacokinetics (PK) for fungal diseases. Herein, we briefly review the current antifungal drug pipeline and recent approaches to optimize existing drugs into novel molecules with unique modes of action relative to existing antifungal drug classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen J Donlin
- Edward. A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA; Saint Louis University Institute for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation, USA.
| | - Marvin J Meyers
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, St Louis, MO, USA; Saint Louis University Institute for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation, USA
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Haro-Reyes T, Díaz-Peralta L, Galván-Hernández A, Rodríguez-López A, Rodríguez-Fragoso L, Ortega-Blake I. Polyene Antibiotics Physical Chemistry and Their Effect on Lipid Membranes; Impacting Biological Processes and Medical Applications. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12070681. [PMID: 35877884 PMCID: PMC9316096 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12070681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
This review examined a collection of studies regarding the molecular properties of some polyene antibiotic molecules as well as their properties in solution and in particular environmental conditions. We also looked into the proposed mechanism of action of polyenes, where membrane properties play a crucial role. Given the interest in polyene antibiotics as therapeutic agents, we looked into alternative ways of reducing their collateral toxicity, including semi-synthesis of derivatives and new formulations. We follow with studies on the role of membrane structure and, finally, recent developments regarding the most important clinical applications of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tammy Haro-Reyes
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad s/n, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (T.H.-R.); (L.D.-P.); (A.G.-H.)
| | - Lucero Díaz-Peralta
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad s/n, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (T.H.-R.); (L.D.-P.); (A.G.-H.)
| | - Arturo Galván-Hernández
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad s/n, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (T.H.-R.); (L.D.-P.); (A.G.-H.)
| | - Anahi Rodríguez-López
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (A.R.-L.); (L.R.-F.)
| | - Lourdes Rodríguez-Fragoso
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (A.R.-L.); (L.R.-F.)
| | - Iván Ortega-Blake
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad s/n, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (T.H.-R.); (L.D.-P.); (A.G.-H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-77-7329-1762
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17
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Williams SL, Chiller T. Update on the Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Coccidioidomycosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070666. [PMID: 35887423 PMCID: PMC9316141 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. The dimorphic fungi live in the soils of arid and semi-arid regions of the western United States, as well as parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America. Incidence of disease has risen consistently in recent years, and the geographic distribution of Coccidioides spp. appears to be expanding beyond previously known areas of endemicity. Climate factors are predicted to further extend the range of environments suitable for the growth and dispersal of Coccidioides species. Most infections are asymptomatic, though a small proportion result in severe or life-threatening forms of disease. Primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis is commonly mistaken for community-acquired pneumonia, often leading to inappropriate antibacterial treatment and unnecessary healthcare costs. Diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis is challenging and often relies on clinician suspicion to pursue laboratory testing. Advancements in diagnostic tools and antifungal therapy developments seek to improve the early detection and effective management of infection. This review will highlight recent updates and summarize the current understanding of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of coccidioidomycosis.
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Using genomics to understand the mechanisms of virulence and drug resistance in fungal pathogens. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1259-1268. [PMID: 35713390 PMCID: PMC9246328 DOI: 10.1042/bst20211123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens pose an increasingly worrying threat to human health, food security and ecosystem diversity. To tackle fungal infections and improve current diagnostic and therapeutic tools it is necessary to understand virulence and antifungal drug resistance mechanisms in diverse species. Recent advances in genomics approaches have provided a suitable framework to understand these phenotypes, which ultimately depend on genetically encoded determinants. In this work, we review how the study of genome sequences has been key to ascertain the bases of virulence and drug resistance traits. We focus on the contribution of comparative genomics, population genomics and directed evolution studies. In addition, we discuss how different types of genomic mutations (small or structural variants) contribute to intraspecific differences in virulence or drug resistance. Finally, we review current challenges in the field and anticipate future directions to solve them. In summary, this work provides a short overview of how genomics can be used to understand virulence and drug resistance in fungal pathogens.
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Pushpakumar K, Varalakshmi M, Sankar AUR, Naidu RM, Umamahesh K, Reddy DV, Raju CN. Synthesis, Spectral Characterization, and Antimicrobial Evaluation of N,N′-(1,4-Phenylene)diurea Derivatives. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1070428022040212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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20
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Aguda O, Lateef A. Valorization of Parkia biglobosa wastewater for novel biofabrication of Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles with potent action against MDR strains and nanotextile application. INORG CHEM COMMUN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2022.109427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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21
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Azeem HHAE, Osman GY, El-Seedi HR, Fallatah AM, Khalifa SAM, Gharib MM. Antifungal Activity of Soft Tissue Extract from the Garden Snail Helix aspersa (Gastropoda, Mollusca). Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27103170. [PMID: 35630647 PMCID: PMC9144933 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27103170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastropods comprise approximately 80% of molluscans, of which land snails are used variably as food and traditional medicines due to their high protein content. Moreover, different components from land snails exhibit antimicrobial activities. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal activity of soft tissue extracts from Helix aspersa against Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus brasiliensis by identifying extract components using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). Two concentrations of three extracts (methanol, acetone, and acetic acid) showed antifungal activity. Both acetone (1 g/3 mL) and acetic acid extracts (1 g/mL) significantly inhibited C.albicans growth (p = 0.0001, 5.2 ± 0.2 mm and p = 0.02, 69.7 ± 0.6 mm, respectively). A. flavus and A. brasiliensis growth were inhibited by all extracts at 1 g/mL, while inhibition was observed for acetic acid extracts against A. brasiliensis (p = 0.02, 50.3 ± 3.5 mm). The highest growth inhibition was observed for A. flavus using acetic acid and acetone extracts (inhibition zones = 38 ± 1.7 mm and 3.1 ± 0.7 mm, respectively). LC-MS-MS studies on methanol and acetone extracts identified 11-α-acetoxyprogesterone with a parent mass of 372.50800 m/z and 287.43500 m/z for luteolin. Methanol extracts contained hesperidin with a parent mass of 611.25400 m/z, whereas linoleic acid and genistein (parent mass = 280.4 and 271.48900 m/z, respectively) were the main metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda H. Abd-El Azeem
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom 32512, Egypt;
- Correspondence: (H.H.A.-E.A.); (H.R.E.-S.)
| | - Gamalat Y. Osman
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom 32512, Egypt;
| | - Hesham R. El-Seedi
- Pharmacognosy Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 591, SE 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
- International Research Center for Food Nutrition and Safety, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory of Intelligent Agriculture and Agri-Products Processing, Jiangsu Education Department, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom 32512, Egypt
- Correspondence: (H.H.A.-E.A.); (H.R.E.-S.)
| | - Ahmed M. Fallatah
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Shaden A. M. Khalifa
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Mohamed M. Gharib
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom 32512, Egypt;
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22
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Reyes-Montes MDR, Duarte-Escalante E, Frías-De-León MG, Pérez-Rodríguez A, Meraz-Ríos B. Impact of Climate Change on Dermatophytosis. Fungal Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-89664-5_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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23
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Chakraborty A, Fernando LD, Fang W, Dickwella Widanage MC, Wei P, Jin C, Fontaine T, Latgé JP, Wang T. A molecular vision of fungal cell wall organization by functional genomics and solid-state NMR. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6346. [PMID: 34732740 PMCID: PMC8566572 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26749-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vast efforts have been devoted to the development of antifungal drugs targeting the cell wall, but the supramolecular architecture of this carbohydrate-rich composite remains insufficiently understood. Here we compare the cell wall structure of a fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus and four mutants depleted of major structural polysaccharides. High-resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopy of intact cells reveals a rigid core formed by chitin, β-1,3-glucan, and α-1,3-glucan, with galactosaminogalactan and galactomannan present in the mobile phase. Gene deletion reshuffles the composition and spatial organization of polysaccharides, with significant changes in their dynamics and water accessibility. The distribution of α-1,3-glucan in chemically isolated and dynamically distinct domains supports its functional diversity. Identification of valines in the alkali-insoluble carbohydrate core suggests a putative function in stabilizing macromolecular complexes. We propose a revised model of cell wall architecture which will improve our understanding of the structural response of fungal pathogens to stresses. The fungal cell wall is a complex structure composed mainly of glucans, chitin and glycoproteins. Here, the authors use solid-state NMR spectroscopy to assess the cell wall architecture of Aspergillus fumigatus, comparing wild-type cells and mutants lacking major structural polysaccharides, with insights into the distinct functions of these components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnab Chakraborty
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | | | - Wenxia Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Non-food Biomass and Enzyme Technology, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, China
| | | | - Pingzhen Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Non-food Biomass and Enzyme Technology, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Cheng Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Non-food Biomass and Enzyme Technology, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, China.,State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Thierry Fontaine
- Unité de Biologie et pathogénicité fongiques, INRAE, USC2019, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Paul Latgé
- Institute of Molecular biology and Biotechnology (IMBBFORTH), University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
| | - Tuo Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
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24
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Evaluating β-1,3-glucan synthesis inhibition using emulsion formation as an indicator. J Microbiol Methods 2021; 190:106327. [PMID: 34517039 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2021.106327] [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: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The cell wall β-1,3-glucan of fungal pathogen Candida albicans is an attractive antifungal target. β-1,3-Glucan is the skeletal structure in the cell wall and the major scaffold for cell wall proteins. In previous studies using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strong emulsification was detected by mixing cell wall proteins with oil. To date, there have been no reports of applying an emulsification phenomenon to assessing β-1,3-glucan synthesis inhibition. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to clarify that emulsification is useful as an indicator for evaluating β-1,3-glucan synthesis inhibition in C. albicans. METHODS At first, whether cell wall proteins released from cells by β-1,3-glucanase treatment worked as an effective emulsifier in C. albicans was examined. Next, whether emulsification occurred even in the culture supernatant brought about by treating with bioactive compounds, including β-1,3-glucan synthesis inhibitors, under osmotic protection was investigated. In addition, the release of cell wall proteins into the culture medium by treating with those compounds was examined. Finally, a simpler evaluation method using emulsion formation was examined for application to screening of inhibitors. RESULTS Emulsification occurred by cell wall proteins obtained by treating with β-1,3-glucanase in C. albicans. In addition, cell wall proteins were released into the culture medium by treating with β-1,3-glucan synthesis inhibitors, resulting in emulsification. However, such phenomena were not observed in the case of other bioactive compounds. Furthermore, emulsification could be detected in the culture broth obtained by static culture on a small scale. CONCLUSIONS The obtained results strongly implied that emulsification results from decreased β-1,3-glucan levels in the cell wall. As emulsification can be simply evaluated by mixing the culture broth with oil, in the future application to the initial assessment and screening of β-1,3-glucan synthesis inhibitors is expected.
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25
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Xin TK, Azman NM, Firdaus RBR, Ismail NA, Rosli H. Airborne fungi in Universiti Sains Malaysia: knowledge, density and diversity. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:504. [PMID: 34296330 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09238-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Airborne fungi are among common contaminants in indoor and outdoor environments, leading to poor indoor air quality (IAQ), and to some extent, implicate health risks to humans worldwide. In Malaysia, fungal contamination in institutional buildings is rarely documented although these places are frequently visited by many. This study was conducted to assess the density and diversity of airborne fungi in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) main campus, Penang. A total of 11 sampling sites were assessed. Fungi were collected by using Andersen Single Stage Impact Air Sampler N-6 and MEA plates. Two separate trials, namely Trial 1 and Trial 2, were conducted in 2008 and 2019, respectively. The recovered fungi were identified up to the genus level-based morphological features. A survey involving 400 respondents among USM staff and students in relation to fungal contamination in indoor air environment was also conducted to evaluate the knowledge on indoor fungi among USM community. The densities of indoor air fungi in Trial 1 were higher; ranging from 81 to 1743 CFU/m3, exceeding the recommended level set by the Malaysia Industry Code of Practice (MCPIAQ) in some sampling sites, compared to that of in Trial 2 where the densities ranged from 229 to 699 CFU/m3. A total of 154 isolates and 230 isolates of airborne fungi were recovered in Trial 1 and Trial 2, respectively. In total, 11 fungal genera were identified in both trials, and three genera were predominant: Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium. The survey also revealed that knowledge of IAQ among staff and students was limited and that they were unaware of fungal contamination and IAQ. A continuous and wide-spread awareness should be implemented at USM main campus for safer and healthier indoor air environments, particularly university students where productivity and efficiency are of the utmost importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tham Khai Xin
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Nur Munira Azman
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - R B Radin Firdaus
- School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Nor Azliza Ismail
- Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang, Jengka Campus, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Hafizi Rosli
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia.
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Abstract
Complex processes mediate immunity to fungal infections. Responses vary depending on the organism, morphogenic state, and infection site. Innate immune effectors such as epithelia, phagocytes, and soluble molecules detect pathogens, kill fungi, release cytokines, and prime the adaptive response. Adaptive responses to mucocutaneous or invasive disease are markedly different but intersect at certain pathways (molecules required for IL-23 and IL-12 signaling). Many of these pathways have been elucidated from the study of inborn errors of immunity. This review explores the general aspects of antifungal immunity and delves into the mechanisms that mediate protection from frequently encountered fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar A Fernández-García
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, 14080 Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jennifer M Cuellar-Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 10 Center Drive, Building 10CRC 3-3264, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Abstract
The breadth of fungi causing human disease and the spectrum of clinical presentations associated with these infections has widened. Epidemiologic trends display dramatic shifts with expanding geographic ranges, identification of new at-risk groups, increasing prevalence of resistant infections, and emergence of novel multidrug-resistant pathogenic fungi. Certain fungi have been transmitted between patients in clinical settings. Major health events not typically associated with mycoses resulted in larger proportions of the population susceptible to secondary fungal infections. Many health care-related, environmental, and socioeconomic factors have influenced these epidemiologic shifts. This review summarizes updates to clinically significant fungal pathogens in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E Seagle
- ASRT, Inc, 4158 Onslow Pl, Smyrna, GA 30080, USA; Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329-4018, USA
| | - Samantha L Williams
- ASRT, Inc, 4158 Onslow Pl, Smyrna, GA 30080, USA; Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329-4018, USA
| | - Tom M Chiller
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329-4018, USA.
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Johns LE, Goldman GH, Ries LN, Brown NA. Nutrient sensing and acquisition in fungi: mechanisms promoting pathogenesis in plant and human hosts. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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29
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Wang D, Zhang W, Ju JX, Wang LJ, Huang RY, Xu YF, Zhang HL, Qi JL. Gender differences in acute toxicity, toxicokinetic and tissue distribution of amphotericin B liposomes in rats. Toxicol Lett 2021; 338:78-84. [PMID: 33309996 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Amphotericin B (AmB), an effective polyene drug with broad spectrum antifungal activity, is used for serious fungal infections. Liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) is a lipid dosage form, which has a significantly improved toxicity profile compared with conventional amphotericin B deoxycholate (DAmB). This study focused on verifying the gender differences in the acute toxicity of LAmB and further exploring its causes. Acute toxicity study of LAmB and DAmB were performed in rats, and toxicity responses and mortality of different sexes were observed and recorded. Concentrations of AmB in rat plasma and tissues were determined by a fully validated UPLC-MS/MS assay. The results demonstrated that LAmB showed significant gender differences in acute toxicity, with more severe toxic symptoms and higher mortality for female rats at different doses, but the same differences were not observed for DAmB under the same condition. To explore the cause of differences, toxicokinetic and tissue distribution studies were performed and the results showed that female animals had higher drug exposure, longer half-life and lower plasma clearance compared to male rats, and the drug was mostly distributed in the liver and kidneys, in which female rats displayed a significant higher concentration than that of male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 050017, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 050000, China
| | - Jie-Xi Ju
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 050000, China
| | - Lu-Jia Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 050000, China
| | - Ru-Yu Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 050000, China
| | - Yan-Fang Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 050000, China
| | - Hai-Lin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 050000, China
| | - Jin-Long Qi
- Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 050000, China.
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30
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Rashid F, Pervaiz I, Malik H, Kanwal Z, Rafique M, Gillani SSA. Investigations on synergistic and antioxidant actions of medicinal plant based biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles against E.coli and K. pneumonia bacteria. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2021; 25:1200-1206. [PMID: 33653240 DOI: 10.2174/1386207324666210302102111] [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: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bacterial resistance to multiple drugs is increasing at an alarming rate in current era and nanotechnology is one of the effective and novel approaches to overcome drug resistance. METHODS Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has stronger antibacterial activity and is regarded as bio-safe nanomaterial. The aim of present study is to synthesize the ZnO NPs using Aloe vera leaves extract and to investigate the synergistic effects and antioxidant actions of bio-synthesized ZnO NPs against gram negative bacteria E.coli and K. pneumoniae. The synergistic effect of β-lactam antibiotics (meropenem and ciprofloxacin) was tested along with ZnO NPs by using Kirby's disc diffusion assay. The antioxidant activity was investigated by α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. RESULTS Results revealed that the antibacterial activity of the selected antibiotics was much enhanced by ZnO NPs than the antibiotics alone. The resistant antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) became sensitive when combined with ZnO NPs. The antioxidant activity reveals that biosynthesized ZnO NPs possess significantly higher (p<0.05) antioxidant activity (77%). CONCLUSION The findings reveal that biosynthesized ZnO NPs have much more eco-friendly approach. It can act as a strong potentiator of β-lactam antibiotics and put forward the possibility to use them effectively in targeted drug delivery, pharmaceuticals and biomedical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzana Rashid
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore. Pakistan
| | - Iqra Pervaiz
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore. Pakistan
| | - Husna Malik
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore. Pakistan
| | - Zakia Kanwal
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore. Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Rafique
- Department of Physics, University of Sahiwal, Sahiwal, 57000. Pakistan
| | - S S A Gillani
- Department of Physics, Government College University, Lahore. Pakistan
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Almaliki HS, Angela A, Goraya NJ, Yin G, Bennett JW. Volatile Organic Compounds Produced by Human Pathogenic Fungi Are Toxic to Drosophila melanogaster. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2021; 1:629510. [PMID: 37743879 PMCID: PMC10512272 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2020.629510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are low molecular mass organic compounds that easily evaporate at room temperature. Fungi produce diverse mixtures of VOCs, some of which may contribute to "sick building syndrome," and which have been shown to be toxigenic in a variety of laboratory bioassays. We hypothesized that VOCs from medically important fungi might be similarly toxigenic and tested strains of Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a Drosophila melanogaster eclosion bioassay. Fungi were grown in a shared microhabitat with third instar larvae of D. melanogaster such that there was no physical contact between flies and fungi. As the flies went through metamorphosis, the numbers of larvae, pupae, and adults were counted daily for 15 days. After 8 days, ~80% of controls had eclosed into adults and after 15 days the controls yielded 96-97% eclosion. In contrast, eclosion rates at 8 days were below 70% for flies exposed to VOCs from six different A. fumigatus strains; the eclosion rate at 15 days was only 58% for flies exposed to VOCs from A. fumigatus strain SRRC 1607. When flies were grown in a shared atmosphere with VOCs from S. cerevisiae, after 15 days, 82% of flies had eclosed into adults. Exposure to the VOCs from the medically important yeasts Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Cryptococcus gattii caused significant delays in metamorphosis with eclosion rates of 58% for Candida albicans, 44% for Cryptococcus neoformans, and 56% for Cryptococcus gattii. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the VOCs from the most toxic and least toxic strains of A. fumigatus were assayed. The two most common VOCs produced by both strains were 1-octen-3-ol and isopentyl alcohol; however, these compounds were produced in 10-fold higher concentrations by the more toxic strain. Our research demonstrates that gas phase compounds emitted by fungal pathogens may have been overlooked as contributing to the pathogenicity of medically important fungi and therefore deserve more scrutiny by the medical mycology research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadeel S. Almaliki
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
- Technical Institute of Samawa, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Samawa, Iraq
| | - Astrid Angela
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Nayab J. Goraya
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Guohua Yin
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Joan W. Bennett
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
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Choopara I, Teethaisong Y, Arunrut N, Thunyaharn S, Kiatpathomchai W, Somboonna N. Specific and sensitive, ready-to-use universal fungi detection by visual color using ITS1 loop-mediated isothermal amplification combined hydroxynaphthol blue. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11082. [PMID: 33777539 PMCID: PMC7982077 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Being ubiquitous, fungi are common opportunistic pathogens to humans that can lead to invasive and life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals. Eukaryote-resembling cell membrane and filamentous branches make the fungal diagnosis difficult. This study therefore developed a ready-to-use ITS1 loop-mediated isothermal amplification combined with hydroxynaphthol blue (LAMP-HNB) for rapid, sensitive and specific colorimetric detection of universal fungi in all phyla. The ITS1 LAMP-HNB could identify every evolutionary phylum of fungi according to sequence analyses. We tested a total of 30 clinically relevant fungal isolates (representing three major human pathogenic phyla of fungi, namely Zygomycota, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) and 21 non-fungal isolates, and the ITS1 LAMP-HNB properly identified all isolates, with a detection limit of as low as 4.6 ag (9.6 copies), which was identical to ITS1 and 18S rDNA PCR. The assays were also validated on the feasibility of point-of-care diagnostic with real food (dry peanuts, chili and garlics) and blood samples. Furthermore, the shelf life of our ready-to-use ITS1 LAMP activity (≥50%) was more than 40 days at 30 °C with 3-5% polyvinyl alcohol or glycerol additive. The results supported the ready-to-use ITS1 LAMP-HNB for simple detection of fungi contamination with high sensitivity in local and resource-constrained areas to prevent opportunistic fungal species infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilada Choopara
- Program in Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yothin Teethaisong
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Narong Arunrut
- Bioengineering and Sensing Technology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Sudaluck Thunyaharn
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Nakhonratchasima College, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Wansika Kiatpathomchai
- Bioengineering and Sensing Technology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Naraporn Somboonna
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Microbiome Research Unit for Probiotics in Food and Cosmetics, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Alfouzan W, Al-Wathiqi F, Altawalah H, Asadzadeh M, Khan Z, Denning DW. Human Fungal Infections in Kuwait-Burden and Diagnostic Gaps. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6040306. [PMID: 33233367 PMCID: PMC7711545 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are an increasingly important public health issue, yet accurate statistics on fungal burden worldwide and in Kuwait are scarce. Here we estimate the incidence and prevalence of fungal infections in Kuwait. Population statistics from 2018 collected by the Public Authority for Civil Information were used, as well as data from the Ministry of Health. A literature search for Kuwait data on mycotic diseases and population at risk (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, HIV infection/AIDS, cancer, and transplant patients) was conducted. The population in 2018 was estimated at 4,226,920 million people: 1,303,246 million Kuwaitis and 2,923,674 million expatriates. We determined the annual burden of serious fungal infections number (per 100,000) from high to low based on earlier reported fungal rates for populations at risk: recurrent Candida vaginitis 54,842 (2595); severe asthma with fungal sensitisation 10,411 (246); allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, 7887 (187); chronic pulmonary aspergillosis 995 (21.3); invasive aspergillosis 704 (16.7); fungal keratitis 654 (15.5); candidaemia 288 (6.8); Candida peritonitis 63 (3.5) and oesophageal candidiasis in HIV 33 (0.8). Besides identifying rising new risk groups and expanding reports on antifungal resistance, surveillance programs and further epidemiological studies are needed to achieve more precise assessments of fungal disease epidemiology and correlated morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wadha Alfouzan
- Microbiology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Farwaniya Hospital, P. O. Box 13373, Farwaniya 81004, Kuwait;
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P. O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait; (H.A.); (M.A.); (Z.K.)
| | - Faten Al-Wathiqi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, P. O. Box. 31470, Sulaibikhat 90805, Kuwait
- Correspondence:
| | - Haya Altawalah
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P. O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait; (H.A.); (M.A.); (Z.K.)
- Virology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Yacoub Behbehani Center, Sabah Medical Area, P.O. Box 4078, Shuwaikh 13001, Kuwait
| | - Mohammad Asadzadeh
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P. O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait; (H.A.); (M.A.); (Z.K.)
| | - Ziauddin Khan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P. O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait; (H.A.); (M.A.); (Z.K.)
| | - David W. Denning
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, The University of Manchester and the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
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Volkova TV, Perlovich GL. Comparative analysis of solubilization and complexation characteristics for new antifungal compound with cyclodextrins. Impact of cyclodextrins on distribution process. Eur J Pharm Sci 2020; 154:105531. [PMID: 32871213 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
From a pharmaceutical standpoint, cyclodextrin-based products have deservedly gained substantial market share due to their ability to improve undesirable physicochemical properties of drugs. In this study the solubility of a potenial antifungal compound (L-173) has been improved essentially by addition of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), and heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD) in aqueous solutions (pH 2.0 and pH 7.4) at 298.15-313.15 K. The phase solubility diagrams were constructed. The stoichiometric ratio of the complexes was determined as 1:1. The stability constants of L-173 with all three CDs in acidic medium belong to the range optimal for the improvement of the bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs. DM-β-CD was assigned as the best solubilizer for L-173. The driving forces of the solubilization and complexation process were revealed by evaluating the thermodynamic parameters. The distribution behavior of L-173 in the 1-octanol/buffer and 1-hexane buffer systems at pH 2.0 and pH 7.4 in the presence of different CDs concentrations was studied. The reduction of the distribution coefficients with the increasing of CD concentration was detected due to complex formation. Based on the analysis of the solubility-distribution relationship, the L-173 partitioning between the biological tissues and penetration through the biological membranes in case when cyclodextrins are used as solubilizers was evaluated, and the optimal CD concentrations were proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana V Volkova
- G.A. Krestov Institute of Solution Chemistry RAS, 153045 Ivanovo, Russia
| | - German L Perlovich
- G.A. Krestov Institute of Solution Chemistry RAS, 153045 Ivanovo, Russia..
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B. Thomas
- York Environmental Sustainability Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
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Mazza M, Davel GO, Refojo N, Taverna CG, Bueno NS, Canteros CE, Córdoba SB, Rivas MC, Joffre MC, Isla G, Abrantes RA, Hevia AI, Toranzo A, Viale M. Effectiveness of the National Quality Control Program in Mycology of Argentina and performance evaluation of participating laboratories. Rev Argent Microbiol 2020; 53:104-109. [PMID: 33010958 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2020.06.009] [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: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The National Quality Control Program in Mycology (PNCCM) of Argentina was established in 1996 to improve the quality of the mycological diagnosis, to help establish and to set up standardized procedures and continuous training of laboratory staff. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the PNCCM in the 1996-2018 period. Data from the National Mycology Laboratory Network (NMLN) and PNCCM database was used to estimate the increase in the number of controlled laboratories and jurisdictions, the percentage of participation, the improvement in the quality of results and the adherence to the program. Satisfaction surveys were performed to assess user satisfaction. The number of controlled laboratories increased from 29 to 146; participation increased from 49% to 93% and general adherence was 72% in the evaluated period (1996-2018). Improvement in the quality of the results was 15% for low complexity samples; 7% for intermediate complexity samples and 14% for the identification of high complexity strains. Up to 84% of the users consider the PNCCM to be "very good" and 16% "satisfactory". These results show the importance of the PNCCM, which is widely accepted by mycological diagnostic laboratories from Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Mazza
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina.
| | - Graciela Odelsia Davel
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
| | - Nicolás Refojo
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
| | - Constanza Giselle Taverna
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
| | - Nadia Soledad Bueno
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
| | - Cristina Elena Canteros
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
| | - Susana Beatriz Córdoba
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
| | - María Cristina Rivas
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
| | - María Cecilia Joffre
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
| | - Guillermina Isla
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
| | - Ruben Antonio Abrantes
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
| | - Alejandra Inés Hevia
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
| | - Adriana Toranzo
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
| | - Mariana Viale
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
| | -
- Mycology Department, INEI (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas) "Dr. C. G. Malbrán", ANLIS (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina
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Martinson VG. Rediscovering a Forgotten System of Symbiosis: Historical Perspective and Future Potential. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E1063. [PMID: 32916942 PMCID: PMC7563122 DOI: 10.3390/genes11091063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
While the majority of symbiosis research is focused on bacteria, microbial eukaryotes play important roles in the microbiota and as pathogens, especially the incredibly diverse Fungi kingdom. The recent emergence of widespread pathogens in wildlife (bats, amphibians, snakes) and multidrug-resistant opportunists in human populations (Candida auris) has highlighted the importance of better understanding animal-fungus interactions. Regardless of their prominence there are few animal-fungus symbiosis models, but modern technological advances are allowing researchers to utilize novel organisms and systems. Here, I review a forgotten system of animal-fungus interactions: the beetle-fungus symbioses of Drugstore and Cigarette beetles with their symbiont Symbiotaphrina. As pioneering systems for the study of mutualistic symbioses, they were heavily researched between 1920 and 1970, but have received only sporadic attention in the past 40 years. Several features make them unique research organisms, including (1) the symbiont is both extracellular and intracellular during the life cycle of the host, and (2) both beetle and fungus can be cultured in isolation. Specifically, fungal symbionts intracellularly infect cells in the larval and adult beetle gut, while accessory glands in adult females harbor extracellular fungi. In this way, research on the microbiota, pathogenesis/infection, and mutualism can be performed. Furthermore, these beetles are economically important stored-product pests found worldwide. In addition to providing a historical perspective of the research undertaken and an overview of beetle biology and their symbiosis with Symbiotaphrina, I performed two analyses on publicly available genomic data. First, in a preliminary comparative genomic analysis of the fungal symbionts, I found striking differences in the pathways for the biosynthesis of two B vitamins important for the host beetle, thiamine and biotin. Second, I estimated the most recent common ancestor for Drugstore and Cigarette beetles at 8.8-13.5 Mya using sequence divergence (CO1 gene). Together, these analyses demonstrate that modern methods and data (genomics, transcriptomes, etc.) have great potential to transform these beetle-fungus systems into model systems again.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent G Martinson
- Department of Biology, MSC03 2020, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA
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Sodré CS, Rodrigues PMG, Vieira MS, Marques Paes da Silva A, Gonçalves LS, Ribeiro MG, de Carvalho Ferreira D. Oral mycobiome identification in atopic dermatitis, leukemia, and HIV patients - a systematic review. J Oral Microbiol 2020; 12:1807179. [PMID: 32944157 PMCID: PMC7482892 DOI: 10.1080/20002297.2020.1807179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oral mycobiome profiling is important to understand host-pathogen interactions that occur in various diseases. Invasive fungal infections are particularly relevant for patients who have received chemotherapy and for those who have HIV infection. In addition, changes in fungal microbiota are associated with the worsening of chronic conditions like atopic dermatitis (AD). This work aims, through a systematic review, to analyze the methods used in previous studies to identify oral fungi and their most frequent species in patients with the following conditions: HIV infection, leukemia, and atopic dermatitis. METHODS A literature search was performed on several different databases. Inclusion criteria were: written in English or Portuguese; published between September 2009 and September 2019; analyzed oral fungi of HIV-infected, leukemia, or AD patients. RESULTS 21 studies were included and the most identified species was Candida. The predominant methods of identification were morphological (13/21) and sugar fermentation and assimilation tests (11/21). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was the most used molecular method (8/21) followed by sequencing techniques (3/21). CONCLUSIONS Although morphological and biochemical tests are still used, they are associated with high-throughput sequencing techniques, due to their accuracy and time saving for profiling the predominant species in oral mycobiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Stofella Sodré
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paulo Matheus Guerra Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Oral and Systemic Infections, Faculty of Dentistry, Estácio de Sá University- UNESA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Lucio Souza Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Oral and Systemic Infections, Faculty of Dentistry, Estácio de Sá University- UNESA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcia Gonçalves Ribeiro
- Medical Genetics Service, Martagão Gesteira Pediatric Institute (IPPMG- UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro-UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Dennis de Carvalho Ferreira
- Laboratory of Oral and Systemic Infections, Faculty of Dentistry, Estácio de Sá University- UNESA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Advances in Fungal Peptide Vaccines. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6030119. [PMID: 32722452 PMCID: PMC7558412 DOI: 10.3390/jof6030119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is one of the greatest public health achievements in the past century, protecting and improving the quality of life of the population worldwide. However, a safe and effective vaccine for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of fungal infections is not yet available. The lack of a vaccine for fungi is a problem of increasing importance as the incidence of diverse species, including Paracoccidioides, Aspergillus, Candida, Sporothrix, and Coccidioides, has increased in recent decades and new drug-resistant pathogenic fungi are emerging. In fact, our antifungal armamentarium too frequently fails to effectively control or cure mycoses, leading to high rates of mortality and morbidity. With this in mind, many groups are working towards identifying effective and safe vaccines for fungal pathogens, with a particular focus of generating vaccines that will work in individuals with compromised immunity who bear the major burden of infections from these microbes. In this review, we detail advances in the development of vaccines for pathogenic fungi, and highlight new methodologies using immunoproteomic techniques and bioinformatic tools that have led to new vaccine formulations, like peptide-based vaccines.
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Rasheed M, Battu A, Kaur R. Host-pathogen interaction in Candida glabrata infection: current knowledge and implications for antifungal therapy. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2020; 18:1093-1103. [PMID: 32668993 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1792773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida glabrata poses a clinical challenge in the successful treatment of invasive Candida infections, owing to its low inherent susceptibility toward azole antifungals and the recent acquisition of coresistance toward azole and echinocandin drugs. Compared to other prevalent Candida bloodstream pathogens, C. glabrata neither exhibits secreted proteolytic activity nor invokes a strong immune response in a variety of host cells and is less virulent. It also does not form true hyphae, and the success of C. glabrata, therefore, as a prevalent human fungal pathogen, appears to be built upon a distinct set of virulence attributes. AREAS COVERED The focus of this review is to outline, in brief, the interaction of C. glabrata with the host, deduced from the knowledge gained from different in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo model systems. In addition, we briefly discuss the current antifungals, antifungal resistance mechanisms, and the development of new antifungal therapies, along with the available information on the host response. EXPERT OPINION A detailed understanding of stresses, selection pressures and differential immune responses in the presence and absence of antifungals that C. glabrata encounters in varied niches of the host, is required to design effective antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubashshir Rasheed
- Laboratory of Fungal Pathogenesis, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics , Hyderabad, India
| | - Anamika Battu
- Laboratory of Fungal Pathogenesis, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics , Hyderabad, India.,Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education , Manipal, India
| | - Rupinder Kaur
- Laboratory of Fungal Pathogenesis, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics , Hyderabad, India
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New antifungal compound: Solubility thermodynamics and partitioning processes in biologically relevant solvents. J Mol Liq 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.113148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Benhadj M, Metrouh R, Menasria T, Gacemi-Kirane D, Slim FZ, Ranque S. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of wetland-derived Streptomyces sp. ActiF450. EXCLI JOURNAL 2020; 19:360-371. [PMID: 32327957 PMCID: PMC7174574 DOI: 10.17179/excli2020-1124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The increased incidence of invasive infections and the emerging problem of drug resistance particularly for commonly used molecules have prompted investigations for new, safe and more effective microbial agents. Actinomycetes from unexplored habitats appear as a promising source for novel bioactive compounds with a broad range of biological activities. Thus, the present study aimed to isolate effective wetland-derived actinomycetes against major pathogenic fungi and bacteria. Water samples were collected from various locations of Fetzara Lake, Algeria. Thereafter, an actinomycete designated ActiF450 was isolated using starch-casein-agar medium. The antimicrobial potential of the newly isolated actinomycete was screened using the conventional agar cylinders method on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) against various fungal and bacterial pathogens. A wetland-derived Streptomyces sp. Actif450 was identified as Streptomycesmalaysiensis based on its physiological properties, morphological characteristics, and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. The antimicrobial activity of Streptomyces sp. ActiF450 showed a potent and broad spectrum activity against a range of human fungal pathogens including moulds and yeasts, such as Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger, Candida albicans, C. glabarta, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, Microsporum canis, Rhodotorula mucilaginous and Scodapulariopsis candida. In addition, high antibacterial activity was recorded against pathogenic staphylococci. The novel Streptomyces sp. ActiF450 may present a promising candidate for the production of new bioactive compounds with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabrouka Benhadj
- Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences, Larbi Tebessi University, 12002 Tebessa, Algeria.,Biomolecules and Application Laboratory, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences, Larbi Tebessi University, 12002 Tebessa, Algeria
| | - Roumaisa Metrouh
- Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences, Larbi Tebessi University, 12002 Tebessa, Algeria
| | - Taha Menasria
- Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences, Larbi Tebessi University, 12002 Tebessa, Algeria
| | - Djamila Gacemi-Kirane
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University Badji Mokhtar Annaba, Annaba, 23000, Algeria
| | - Fatma Zohra Slim
- Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences, Larbi Tebessi University, 12002 Tebessa, Algeria
| | - Stephane Ranque
- Aix Marseille University, IRD, APHM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
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Wassano NS, Leite AB, Reichert-Lima F, Schreiber AZ, Moretti NS, Damasio A. Lysine acetylation as drug target in fungi: an underexplored potential in Aspergillus spp. Braz J Microbiol 2020; 51:673-683. [PMID: 32170592 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-020-00253-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the intensification of the use of immunosuppressive therapies has increased the incidence of invasive infections caused by opportunistic fungi. Considering that, the spread of azole resistance and amphotericin B (AmB) inefficiency against some clinical and environmental isolates has been described. Thus, to avoid a global problem when controlling fungal infections and critical failures in medicine, and food security, new approaches for drug target identification and for the development of new treatments that are more effective against pathogenic fungi are desired. Recent studies indicate that protein acetylation is present in hundreds of proteins of different cellular compartments and is involved in several biological processes, i.e., metabolism, translation, gene expression regulation, and oxidative stress response, from prokaryotes and eukaryotes, including fungi, demonstrating that lysine acetylation plays an important role in essential mechanisms. Lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) and lysine deacetylases (KDACs), the two enzyme families responsible for regulating protein acetylation levels, have been explored as drug targets for the treatment of several human diseases and infections. Aspergilli have on average 8 KAT genes and 11 KDAC genes in their genomes. This review aims to summarize the available knowledge about Aspergillus spp. azole resistance mechanisms and the role of lysine acetylation in the control of biological processes in fungi. We also want to discuss the lysine acetylation as a potential target for fungal infection treatment and drug target discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Sayuri Wassano
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Ariely Barbosa Leite
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Franqueline Reichert-Lima
- Department of Clinical Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Angelica Zaninelli Schreiber
- Department of Clinical Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Nilmar S Moretti
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - André Damasio
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
- Experimental Medicine Research Cluster (EMRC), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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44
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Sahu MS, Patra S, Kumar K, Kaur R. SUMOylation in Human Pathogenic Fungi: Role in Physiology and Virulence. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E32. [PMID: 32143470 PMCID: PMC7096222 DOI: 10.3390/jof6010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) protein is an important component of the post-translational protein modification systems in eukaryotic cells. It is known to modify hundreds of proteins involved in diverse cellular processes, ranging from nuclear pore dynamics to signal transduction pathways. Owing to its reversible nature, the SUMO-conjugation of proteins (SUMOylation) holds a prominent place among mechanisms that regulate the functions of a wide array of cellular proteins. The dysfunctional SUMOylation system has been associated with many human diseases, including neurodegenerative and autoimmune disorders. Furthermore, the non-pathogenic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has served as an excellent model to advance our understanding of enzymes involved in SUMOylation and proteins modified by SUMOylation. Taking advantage of the tools and knowledge obtained from the S. cerevisiae SUMOylation system, research on fungal SUMOylation is beginning to gather pace, and new insights into the role of SUMOylation in the pathobiology of medically important fungi are emerging. Here, we summarize the known information on components of the SUMOylation machinery, and consequences of overexpression or deletion of these components in the human pathogenic fungi, with major focus on two prevalent Candida bloodstream pathogens, C. albicans and C. glabrata. Additionally, we have identified SUMOylation components, through in silico analysis, in four medically relevant fungi, and compared their sequence similarity with S. cerevisiae counterparts. SUMOylation modulates the virulence of C. albicans and C. glabrata, while it is required for conidia production in Aspergillus nidulans and A. flavus. In addition to highlighting these recent developments, we discuss how SUMOylation fine tunes the expression of virulence factors, and influences survival of fungal cells under diverse stresses in vitro and in the mammalian host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahima Sagar Sahu
- Laboratory of Fungal Pathogenesis, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad 500039, Telangana, India; (M.S.S.); (S.P.); (K.K.)
- Graduate studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Sandip Patra
- Laboratory of Fungal Pathogenesis, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad 500039, Telangana, India; (M.S.S.); (S.P.); (K.K.)
- Graduate studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Kundan Kumar
- Laboratory of Fungal Pathogenesis, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad 500039, Telangana, India; (M.S.S.); (S.P.); (K.K.)
- Graduate studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Rupinder Kaur
- Laboratory of Fungal Pathogenesis, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad 500039, Telangana, India; (M.S.S.); (S.P.); (K.K.)
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45
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Pfavayi LT, Sibanda EN, Mutapi F. The Pathogenesis of Fungal-Related Diseases and Allergies in the African Population: The State of the Evidence and Knowledge Gaps. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2020; 181:257-269. [PMID: 32069461 DOI: 10.1159/000506009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of allergic diseases in the African continent has received limited attention with the allergic diseases due to fungal allergens being among the least studied. This lead to the opinion being that the prevalence of allergic disease is low in Africa. Recent reports from different African countries indicate that this is not the case as allergic conditions are common and some; particularly those due to fungal allergens are increasing in prevalence. Thus, there is need to understand both the aetiology and pathogenies of these diseases, particularly the neglected fungal allergic diseases. This review addresses currently available knowledge of fungal-induced allergy, disease pathogenesis comparing findings from human versus experimental mouse studies of fungal allergy. The review discusses the potential role of the gut mycobiome and the extent to which this is relevant to fungal allergy, diagnosis and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine Tsitsi Pfavayi
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, United Kingdom, .,Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom,
| | - Elopy Nimele Sibanda
- Asthma Allergy and Immunology Clinic, Twin Palms Medical Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe.,Department of Pathology, National University of Science and Technology Medical School, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.,NIHR Global Health Research Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Francisca Mutapi
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,NIHR Global Health Research Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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46
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Bosch J, Czedik-Eysenberg A, Hastreiter M, Khan M, Güldener U, Djamei A. Two Is Better Than One: Studying Ustilago bromivora- Brachypodium Compatibility by Using a Hybrid Pathogen. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2019; 32:1623-1634. [PMID: 31657673 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-05-19-0148-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi can have devastating effects on agriculture and health. One potential challenge in dealing with pathogens is the possibility of a host jump (i.e., when a pathogen infects a new host species). This can lead to the emergence of new diseases or complicate the management of existing threats. We studied host specificity by using a hybrid fungus formed by mating two closely related fungi: Ustilago bromivora, which normally infects Brachypodium spp., and U. hordei, which normally infects barley. Although U. hordei was unable to infect Brachypodium spp., the hybrid could. These hybrids also displayed the same mating-type bias that had been observed in U. bromivora and provide evidence of a dominant spore-killer-like system on the sex chromosome of U. bromivora. By analyzing the genomic composition of 109 hybrid strains, backcrossed with U. hordei over four generations, we identified three regions associated with infection on Brachypodium spp. and 75 potential virulence candidates. The most strongly associated region was located on chromosome 8, where seven genes encoding predicted secreted proteins were identified. The fact that we identified several regions relevant for pathogenicity on Brachypodium spp. but that none were essential suggests that host specificity, in the case of U. bromivora, is a multifactorial trait which can be achieved through different subsets of virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Bosch
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Angelika Czedik-Eysenberg
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Maximilian Hastreiter
- TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Department of Bioinformatics, Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 3, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Mamoona Khan
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Stadt Seeland, Germany
| | - Ulrich Güldener
- TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Department of Bioinformatics, Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 3, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Armin Djamei
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466 Stadt Seeland, Germany
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47
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Patil M, Noonikara-Poyil A, Joshi SD, Patil SA, Patil SA, Bugarin A. New Urea Derivatives as Potential Antimicrobial Agents: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies. Antibiotics (Basel) 2019; 8:antibiotics8040178. [PMID: 31600950 PMCID: PMC6963781 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics8040178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of new urea derivatives, containing aryl moieties as potential antimicrobial agents, were designed, synthesized, and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT-IR, and LCMS spectral techniques. All newly synthesized compounds were screened in vitro against five bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus) and two fungal strains (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans). Variable levels of interaction were observed for these urea derivatives. However, and of major importance, many of these molecules exhibited promising growth inhibition against Acinetobacter baumannii. In particular, to our delight, the adamantyl urea adduct 3l demonstrated outstanding growth inhibition (94.5%) towards Acinetobacter baumannii. In light of this discovery, molecular docking studies were performed in order to elucidate the binding interaction mechanisms of the most active compounds, as reported herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahadev Patil
- Centre for Nano and Material Sciences, Jain University, Jain Global Campus, Bangalore 562112, Karnataka, India.
| | - Anurag Noonikara-Poyil
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA.
| | - Shrinivas D Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, S. E. T's College of Pharmacy, Sangolli Rayanna Nagar, Dharwad 580 002, Karnataka, India.
| | - Shivaputra A Patil
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, College of Pharmacy, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
| | - Siddappa A Patil
- Centre for Nano and Material Sciences, Jain University, Jain Global Campus, Bangalore 562112, Karnataka, India.
| | - Alejandro Bugarin
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA.
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48
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Almeida F, Rodrigues ML, Coelho C. The Still Underestimated Problem of Fungal Diseases Worldwide. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:214. [PMID: 30809213 PMCID: PMC6379264 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few years, fungal diseases caused estimated over 1.6 million deaths annually and over one billion people suffer from severe fungal diseases (Brown et al., 2012; Anonymous, 2017b). Public health surveillance of fungal diseases is generally not compulsory, suggesting that most estimates are conservative (Casadevall, 2017; Anonymous, 2017a). Fungal disease can also damage plants and crops, causing major losses in agricultural activities and food production (Savary et al., 2012). Animal pathogenic fungi are threatening bats, amphibians and reptiles with extinction (Casadevall, 2017). It is estimated that fungi are the highest threat for animal-host and plant-host species, representing the major cause (approximately 65%) of pathogen-driven host loss (Fisher et al., 2012). In this complex scenario, it is now clear that the global warming and accompanying climate changes have resulted in increased incidence of many fungal diseases (Garcia-Solache and Casadevall, 2010). On the basis of all these factors, concerns on the occurrence of a pandemic of fungal origin in a near future have been raised (Casadevall, 2017). In this context, to stop forgetting and underestimating fungal diseases is mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fausto Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil
- Instituto de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina Coelho
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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49
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Kulkarni M, Stolp ZD, Hardwick JM. Targeting intrinsic cell death pathways to control fungal pathogens. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 162:71-78. [PMID: 30660496 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens pose an increasing threat to public health. Limited clinical drug regimens and emerging drug-resistant isolates challenge infection control. The global burden of human fungal pathogens is estimated at 1 billion infections and 1.5 million deaths annually. In addition, plant fungal pathogens increasingly threaten global food resources. Novel strategies are needed to combat emerging fungal diseases and pan-resistant fungi. An untapped mechanistically novel approach is to pharmacologically activate the intrinsic cell death pathways encoded by pathogenic fungi. This strategy is analogous to new anti-cancer therapeutics now entering the clinic. Here we summarize the best understood examples of cell death mechanisms encoded by pathogenic fungi, contrast these to mammalian cell death pathways, and highlight the gaps in knowledge towards identifying potential death effectors as druggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhura Kulkarni
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA
| | - Zachary D Stolp
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA
| | - J Marie Hardwick
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA.
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50
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Górski A, Bollyky PL, Przybylski M, Borysowski J, Międzybrodzki R, Jończyk-Matysiak E, Weber-Dąbrowska B. Perspectives of Phage Therapy in Non-bacterial Infections. Front Microbiol 2019; 9:3306. [PMID: 30687285 PMCID: PMC6333649 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
While the true value of phage therapy (PT) in human bacterial infections still awaits formal confirmation by clinical trials, new data have been accumulating indicating that in the future PT may be applied in the treatment of non-bacterial infections. Thus, "phage guests" may interact with eukaryotic cells and such interactions with cells of the immune system may protect human health (Guglielmi, 2017) and cause clinically useful immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects when administered for therapeutic purposes (Górski et al., 2017; Van Belleghem et al., 2017). Recently, a vision of how these effects could translate into advances in novel means of therapy in a variety of human pathologies secondary to immune disturbances and allergy was presented (Górski et al., 2018a). In this article we present what is currently known about anti-microbial effects of phage which are not directly related to their antibacterial action and how these findings could be applied in the future in treatment of viral and fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Górski
- Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paul L Bollyky
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA, United States.,Immunology Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Maciej Przybylski
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Borysowski
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ryszard Międzybrodzki
- Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Jończyk-Matysiak
- Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Beata Weber-Dąbrowska
- Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
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