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Conte M, Eletto D, Pannetta M, Esposito R, Monti MC, Morretta E, Tessarz P, Morello S, Tosco A, Porta A. H3K56 acetylation affects Candida albicans morphology and secreted soluble factors interacting with the host. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2024; 1867:195048. [PMID: 38885737 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, epigenetics has been revealed as a mechanism able to modulate the expression of virulence traits in diverse pathogens, including Candida albicans. Indeed, epigenetic regulation can sense environmental changes, leading to the rapid and reversible modulation of gene expression with consequent adaptation to novel environments. How epigenetic changes can impact expression and signalling output, including events associated with mechanisms of morphological transition and virulence, is still poorly studied. Here, using nicotinamide as a sirtuin inhibitor, we explored how the accumulation of the H3K56 acetylation, the most prominent histone acetylation in C. albicans, might affect its interaction with the host. Our experiments demonstrate that H3K56 acetylation profoundly affects the production and/or secretion of soluble factors compromising actin remodelling and cytokine production. ChIP- and RNA-seq analyses highlighted a direct impact of H3K56 acetylation on genes related to phenotypic switching, biofilm formation and cell aggregation. Direct and indirect regulation also involves genes related to cell wall protein biosynthesis, β-glucan and mannan exposure, and hydrolytic secreted enzymes, supporting the hypothesis that the fluctuations of H3K56 acetylation in C. albicans might impair the macrophage response to the yeast and thus promote the host-immune escaping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Conte
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy; Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Daniela Eletto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Martina Pannetta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy; Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Roberta Esposito
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy; Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy
| | - Elva Morretta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Peter Tessarz
- Max Planck Research Group "Chromatin and Ageing", Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, University of Cologne, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Stress Responses in ageing-associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Germany; Dept. Of Human Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Silvana Morello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Alessandra Tosco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy.
| | - Amalia Porta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy.
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2
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Dong Y, Du J, Deng Y, Cheng M, Shi Z, Zhu H, Sun H, Yu Q, Li M. Reduction of histone proteins dosages increases CFW sensitivity and attenuates virulence of Candida albicans. Microbiol Res 2024; 279:127552. [PMID: 38000336 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Histone proteins are important components of nucleosomes, which play an important role in regulating the accessibility of DNA and the function of genomes. However, the effect of histone proteins dosages on physiological processes is not clear in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. In this study, we found that the deletion of the histone protein H3 coding gene HHT21 and the histone protein H4 coding gene HHF1 resulted in a significant decrease in the expression dosage of the histone proteins H3 and H4, which had a significant impact on the localization of the histone protein H2A and plasmid maintenance. Stress sensitivity experiments showed that the mutants hht21Δ/Δ, hhf1Δ/Δ and hht21Δ/Δhhf1Δ/Δ were more sensitive to cell wall stress induced by Calcofluor White (CFW) than the wild-type strain. Further studies showed that the decrease in the dosage of the histone proteins H3 and H4 led to the change of cell wall components, increased chitin contents, and down-regulated expression of the SAP9, KAR2, and CRH11 genes involved in the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway. Overexpression of SAP9 could rescue the sensitivity of the mutants to CFW. Moreover, the decrease in the histone protein s dosages affected the FAD-catalyzed oxidation of Ero1 protein, resulting in the obstruction of protein folding in the ER, and thus reduced resistance to CFW. It was also found that CFW induced a large amount of ROS accumulation in the mutants, and the addition of ROS scavengers could restore the growth of the mutants under CFW treatment. In addition, the reduction of the histone proteins dosages greatly weakened systemic infection and kidney fungal burden in mice, and hyphal development was significantly impaired in the mutants under macrophage treatment, indicating that the histone proteins dosages is very important for the virulence of C. albicans. This study revealed that histone proteins dosages play a key role in the cell wall stress response and pathogenicity in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan Dong
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jiawen Du
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Ying Deng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Mengjuan Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhishang Shi
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hangqi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Qilin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Mingchun Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
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3
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Lu H, Hong T, Jiang Y, Whiteway M, Zhang S. Candidiasis: From cutaneous to systemic, new perspectives of potential targets and therapeutic strategies. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 199:114960. [PMID: 37307922 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Candidiasis is an infection caused by fungi from a Candida species, most commonly Candida albicans. C. albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen typically residing on human skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, intestines or vagina. It can cause a wide variety of mucocutaneous barrier and systemic infections; and becomes a severe health problem in HIV/AIDS patients and in individuals who are immunocompromised following chemotherapy, treatment with immunosuppressive agents or after antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. However, the immune mechanism of host resistance to C. albicans infection is not fully understood, there are a limited number of therapeutic antifungal drugs for candidiasis, and these have disadvantages that limit their clinical application. Therefore, it is urgent to uncover the immune mechanisms of the host protecting against candidiasis and to develop new antifungal strategies. This review synthesizes current knowledge of host immune defense mechanisms from cutaneous candidiasis to invasive C. albicans infection and documents promising insights for treating candidiasis through inhibitors of potential antifungal target proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Hong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanying Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Malcolm Whiteway
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Shiqun Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Li Z, Huang Y, Tu J, Yang W, Liu N, Wang W, Sheng C. Discovery of BRD4-HDAC Dual Inhibitors with Improved Fungal Selectivity and Potent Synergistic Antifungal Activity against Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans. J Med Chem 2023; 66:5950-5964. [PMID: 37037787 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Over the past several decades, invasive fungal infections, especially candidiasis, have caused dramatic morbidity and mortality due to ineffective antifungal drugs and severe drug resistance. Herein, new BRD4-histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors were designed to restore the susceptibility of Candida albicans (C. albicans) to fluconazole (FLC). Interestingly, several compounds showed excellent selectivity against fungal HDACs. In particular, compound B2 showed excellent synergistic effect with FLC against resistant C. albicans (FICI = 0.063) with high selectivity against fungal HDACs (SI = 1653) and low cytotoxicity. Compound B2 effectively synergized with FLC and prevented biofilm formation and morphological transition in resistant C. albicans, potentiating the antifungal activity of FLC in vivo and significantly reducing kidney fungal loads. Thus, this drug combination is promising in the treatment of resistant C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Reactor, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yahui Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Tu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanzhen Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Reactor, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel Street, P.O. Box 210207, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0207, United States
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
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5
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Liu N, Tu J, Huang Y, Yang W, Wang Q, Li Z, Sheng C. Target- and prodrug-based design for fungal diseases and cancer-associated fungal infections. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 197:114819. [PMID: 37024014 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are emerging as a serious threat to public health and are associated with high incidence and mortality. IFIs also represent a frequent complication in patients with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy. However, effective and safe antifungal agents remain limited, and the development of severe drug resistance further undermines the efficacy of antifungal therapy. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel antifungal agents to treat life-threatening fungal diseases, especially those with new mode of action, favorable pharmacokinetic profiles, and anti-resistance activity. In this review, we summarize new antifungal targets and target-based inhibitor design, with a focus on their antifungal activity, selectivity, and mechanism. We also illustrate the prodrug design strategy used to improve the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic profiles of antifungal agents. Dual-targeting antifungal agents offer a new strategy for the treatment of resistant infections and cancer-associated fungal infections.
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6
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Synthetic Cinnamides and Cinnamates: Antimicrobial Activity, Mechanism of Action, and In Silico Study. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041918. [PMID: 36838906 PMCID: PMC9967511 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041918] [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: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The severity of infectious diseases associated with the resistance of microorganisms to drugs highlights the importance of investigating bioactive compounds with antimicrobial potential. Therefore, nineteen synthetic cinnamides and cinnamates having a cinnamoyl nucleus were prepared and submitted for the evaluation of antimicrobial activity against pathogenic fungi and bacteria in this study. To determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the compounds, possible mechanisms of antifungal action, and synergistic effects, microdilution testing in broth was used. The structures of the synthesized products were characterized with FTIR spectroscopy, 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, and HRMS. Derivative 6 presented the best antifungal profile, suggesting that the presence of the butyl substituent potentiates its biological response (MIC = 626.62 μM), followed by compound 4 (672.83 μM) and compound 3 (726.36 μM). All three compounds were fungicidal, with MFC/MIC ≤ 4. For mechanism of action, compounds 4 and 6 directly interacted with the ergosterol present in the fungal plasmatic membrane and with the cell wall. Compound 18 presented the best antibacterial profile (MIC = 458.15 μM), followed by compound 9 (550.96 μM) and compound 6 (626.62 μM), which suggested that the presence of an isopropyl group is important for antibacterial activity. The compounds were bactericidal, with MBC/MIC ≤ 4. Association tests were performed using the Checkerboard method to evaluate potential synergistic effects with nystatin (fungi) and amoxicillin (bacteria). Derivatives 6 and 18 presented additive effects. Molecular docking simulations suggested that the most likely targets of compound 6 in C. albicans were caHOS2 and caRPD3, while the most likely target of compound 18 in S. aureus was saFABH. Our results suggest that these compounds could be used as prototypes to obtain new antimicrobial drugs.
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Zhang L, Xiao J, Du M, Lei W, Yang W, Xue X. Post-translational modifications confer amphotericin B resistance in Candida krusei isolated from a neutropenic patient. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1148681. [PMID: 36936926 PMCID: PMC10015421 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1148681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutropenia is a common complication in the treatment of hematological diseases and the most common predisposing factor for invasion by fungi, such as Candida krusei. Recent studies have shown that C. krusei, a life-threatening pathogen, has developed resistance to amphotericin B (AMB). However, the mechanisms that led to the rapid emergence of this AMB-resistant phenotype are unclear. In this study, we found the sensitivity for AMB could be promoted by inhibiting histone acyltransferase activity and western blot analysis revealed differences in the succinylation levels of C. krusei isolated from immunocompromised patients and of the corresponding AMB-resistant mutant. By comparative succinyl-proteome analysis, we identified a total of 383 differentially expressed succinylated sites in with 344 sites in 134 proteins being upregulated in the AMB-resistant mutant, compared to 39 sites in 23 proteins in the wild-type strain. These differentially succinylated proteins were concentrated in the ribosome and cell wall. The critical pathways associated with these proteins included those involved in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the ribosome, and fructose and mannose metabolism. In particular, AMB resistance was found to be associated with enhanced ergosterol synthesis and aberrant amino acid and glucose metabolism. Analysis of whole-cell proteomes, confirmed by parallel reaction monitoring, showed that the key enzyme facilitating lysine acylation was significantly upregulated in the AMB-resistant strain. Our results suggest that lysine succinylation may play an indispensable role in the development of AMB resistance in C. krusei. Our study provides mechanistic insights into the development of drug resistance in fungi and can aid in efforts to stifle the emergence of AMB-resistant pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Institute of Dermatology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinzhou Xiao
- Institute of Dermatology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingwei Du
- Department of Cardiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenzhi Lei
- Institute of Dermatology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wenzhi Lei, ; Weiwei Yang, ; Xiaochun Xue,
| | - Weiwei Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Lung Transplantation, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wenzhi Lei, ; Weiwei Yang, ; Xiaochun Xue,
| | - Xiaochun Xue
- Department of Pharmacy, 905th Hospital of PLA Navy, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wenzhi Lei, ; Weiwei Yang, ; Xiaochun Xue,
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8
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Conte M, Eletto D, Pannetta M, Petrone AM, Monti MC, Cassiano C, Giurato G, Rizzo F, Tessarz P, Petrella A, Tosco A, Porta A. Effects of Hst3p inhibition in Candida albicans: a genome-wide H3K56 acetylation analysis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1031814. [PMID: 36389164 PMCID: PMC9647175 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1031814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida spp. represent the third most frequent worldwide cause of infection in Intensive Care Units with a mortality rate of almost 40%. The classes of antifungals currently available include azoles, polyenes, echinocandins, pyrimidine derivatives, and allylamines. However, the therapeutical options for the treatment of candidiasis are drastically reduced by the increasing antifungal resistance. The growing need for a more targeted antifungal therapy is limited by the concern of finding molecules that specifically recognize the microbial cell without damaging the host. Epigenetic writers and erasers have emerged as promising targets in different contexts, including the treatment of fungal infections. In C. albicans, Hst3p, a sirtuin that deacetylates H3K56ac, represents an attractive antifungal target as it is essential for the fungus viability and virulence. Although the relevance of such epigenetic regulator is documented for the development of new antifungal therapies, the molecular mechanism behind Hst3p-mediated epigenetic regulation remains unrevealed. Here, we provide the first genome-wide profiling of H3K56ac in C. albicans resulting in H3K56ac enriched regions associated with Candida sp. pathogenicity. Upon Hst3p inhibition, 447 regions gain H3K56ac. Importantly, these genomic areas contain genes encoding for adhesin proteins, degradative enzymes, and white-opaque switching. Moreover, our RNA-seq analysis revealed 1330 upregulated and 1081 downregulated transcripts upon Hst3p inhibition, and among them, we identified 87 genes whose transcriptional increase well correlates with the enrichment of H3K56 acetylation on their promoters, including some well-known regulators of phenotypic switching and virulence. Based on our evidence, Hst3p is an appealing target for the development of new potential antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Conte
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Daniela Eletto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Martina Pannetta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Anna M. Petrone
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria C. Monti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Chiara Cassiano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Peter Tessarz
- Max Planck Research Group “Chromatin and Ageing”, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Stress Responses in Ageing-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Alessandra Tosco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
- *Correspondence: Amalia Porta, ; Alessandra Tosco,
| | - Amalia Porta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
- *Correspondence: Amalia Porta, ; Alessandra Tosco,
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9
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Li Y, Song Z, Wang E, Dong L, Bai J, Wang D, Zhu J, Zhang C. Potential antifungal targets based on histones post-translational modifications against invasive aspergillosis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:980615. [PMID: 36016791 PMCID: PMC9395700 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.980615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As a primary cause of death in patients with hematological malignancies and transplant recipients, invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a condition that warrants attention. IA infections have been increasing, which remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. During the past decade, antifungal drug resistance has emerged, which is especially concerning for management given the limited options for treating azole-resistant infections and the possibility of failure of prophylaxis in those high-risk patients. Histone posttranslational modifications (HPTMs), mainly including acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination and phosphorylation, are crucial epigenetic mechanisms regulating various biological events, which could modify the conformation of histone and influence chromatin-associated nuclear processes to regulate development, cellular responsiveness, and biological phenotype without affecting the underlying genetic sequence. In recent years, fungi have become important model organisms for studying epigenetic regulation. HPTMs involves in growth and development, secondary metabolite biosynthesis and virulence in Aspergillus. This review mainly aims at summarizing the acetylation, deacetylation, methylation, demethylation, and sumoylation of histones in IA and connect this knowledge to possible HPTMs-based antifungal drugs. We hope this research could provide a reference for exploring new drug targets and developing low-toxic and high-efficiency antifungal strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiman Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihui Song
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ente Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Liming Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Bai
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyan Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Chao Zhang,
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10
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Yu S, Paderu P, Lee A, Eirekat S, Healey K, Chen L, Perlin DS, Zhao Y. Histone Acetylation Regulator Gcn5 Mediates Drug Resistance and Virulence of Candida glabrata. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0096322. [PMID: 35658596 PMCID: PMC9241792 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00963-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida glabrata is poised to adapt to drug pressure rapidly and acquire antifungal resistance leading to therapeutic failure. Given the limited antifungal armamentarium, there is an unmet need to explore new targets or therapeutic strategies for antifungal treatment. The lysine acetyltransferase Gcn5 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of C. albicans. Yet how Gcn5 functions and impacts antifungal resistance in C. glabrata is unknown. Disrupting GCN5 rendered C. glabrata cells more sensitive to various stressors, partially reverted resistance in drug-resistant mutants, and attenuated the emergence of resistance compared to wild-type cells. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis revealed transcriptomic changes involving multiple biological processes and different transcriptional responses to antifungal drugs in gcn5Δ cells compared to wild-type cells. GCN5 deletion also resulted in reduced intracellular survival within THP-1 macrophages. In summary, Gcn5 plays a critical role in modulating the virulence of C. glabrata and regulating its response to antifungal pressure and host defense. IMPORTANCE As an important and successful human pathogen, Candida glabrata is known for its swift adaptation and rapid acquisition of resistance to the most commonly used antifungal agents, resulting in therapeutic failure in clinical settings. Here, we describe that the histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 is a key factor in adapting to antifungal pressure and developing resistance in C. glabrata. The results provide new insights into epigenetic control over the drug response in C. glabrata and may be useful for drug target discovery and the development of new therapeutic strategies to combat fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuying Yu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases (BZ0447), Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Padmaja Paderu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Annie Lee
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sami Eirekat
- Department of Biology, William Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kelley Healey
- Department of Biology, William Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey, USA
| | - Liang Chen
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Medical Sciences, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - David S. Perlin
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Medical Sciences, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Yanan Zhao
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Medical Sciences, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
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11
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Tuo Y, Li G, Liu Z, Yu N, Li Y, Yang L, Liu H, Wang Y. Discovery of novel antifungal resorcylate aminopyrazole Hsp90 inhibitors based on structural optimization by molecular simulations. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj04927e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Novel antifungal resorcylate aminopyrazole Hsp90 inhibitors were discovered by 3D-QSAR, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Tuo
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
| | - Guangping Li
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
| | - Zhou Liu
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
| | - Na Yu
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
| | - Yuepeng Li
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
| | - Li Yang
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
| | - Haibin Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd., Shandong Province, 252201, China
| | - Yuanqiang Wang
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, 400054, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Target Based Drug Screening and Activity Evaluation, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, 400054, China
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
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12
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Zhu T, Chen X, Li C, Tu J, Liu N, Xu D, Sheng C. Lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51)/histone deacetylase (HDAC) dual inhibitors for treatment of Candida tropicalis and Cryptococcus neoformans infections. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 221:113524. [PMID: 33992927 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections remain a challenge due to lack of effective antifungal agents and serious drug resistance. Discovery of antifungal agents with novel antifungal mechanism is important and urgent. Previously, we designed the first CYP51/HDAC dual inhibitors with potent activity against resistant Candida albicans infections. To better understand the antifungal spectrum and synergistic mechanism, herein new CYP51/HDAC dual inhibitors were designed which showed potent in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity against C. neoformans and C. tropicalis infections. Antifungal mechanism studies revealed that the CYP51/HDAC dual inhibitors acted by inhibiting various virulence factors of C. tropicalis and C. neoformans and down-regulating resistance-associated genes. This study highlights the potential of CYP51/HDAC dual inhibitors as a promising strategy for the discovery of novel broad-spectrum antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbao Zhu
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for High-efficiency Refining and High-quality Utilization of Biomass, School of Pharmacy, 1 Gehu Road, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China; School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, 1 Xuefu Avenue, Xi'an, 710127, China
| | - Chenglan Li
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jie Tu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Na Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Defeng Xu
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for High-efficiency Refining and High-quality Utilization of Biomass, School of Pharmacy, 1 Gehu Road, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China.
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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