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Carvalho-Kelly LF, Freitas-Mesquita AL, Ferreira Pralon C, de Souza-Maciel E, Meyer-Fernandes JR. Identification and characterization of an ectophosphatase activity involved in Acanthamoeba castellanii adhesion to host cells. Eur J Protistol 2023; 91:126026. [PMID: 37871554 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2023.126026] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba castellanii is a free-living amoeba and an opportunistic pathogen for humans that can cause encephalitis and, more commonly, Acanthamoeba keratitis. During its life cycle, A. castellanii may present as proliferative and infective trophozoites or resistant cysts. The adhesion of trophozoites to host cells is a key first step in the pathogenesis of infection. A major virulence protein of Acanthamoeba is a mannose-binding protein (MBP) that mediates the adhesion of amoebae to cell surfaces. Ectophosphatases are ecto-enzymes that can dephosphorylate extracellular substrates and have already been described in several microorganisms. Regarding their physiological roles, there is consistent evidence that ectophosphatase activities play an important role in parasite-host interactions. In the present work, we identified and biochemically characterized the ectophosphatase activity of A. castellanii. The ectophosphatase activity is acidic, stimulated by magnesium, cobalt and nickel, and presents the following apparent kinetic parameters: Km = 2.12 ± 0.54 mM p-NPP and Vmax = 26.12 ± 2.53 nmol p-NP × h-1 × 10-6 cells. We observed that sodium orthovanadate, ammonium molybdate, sodium fluoride, and inorganic phosphate are able to inhibit ectophosphatase activity. Comparing the two stages of the A. castellanii lifecycle, ectophosphatase activity is significantly higher in trophozoites than in cysts. The ectophosphatase activity is stimulated by mannose residues and is significantly increased when trophozoites interact with LLC-MK2 cells. The inhibition of ectophosphatase by pretreatment with sodium orthovanadate also inhibits the adhesion of trophozoites to epithelial cells. These results allow us to conclude that the ectophosphatase activity of A. castellanii is somehow important for the adhesion of trophozoites to their host cells. According to our data, we believe that the activation of MBP by mannose residues triggers the stimulation of ectophosphatase activity to facilitate the adhesion process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Clara Ferreira Pralon
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis (IBqM), UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Freitas-Mesquita AL, Carvalho-Kelly LF, Majerowicz TSS, Meyer-Fernandes JR. Euglena gracilis: Biochemical properties of a membrane bound ecto-phosphatase activity modulated by fluoroaluminate complexes and different trophic conditions. Eur J Protistol 2023; 90:126010. [PMID: 37540916 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2023.126010] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
The ecto-phosphatases belong to a group of enzymes closely associated with the cell surface that has its catalytic site facing the extracellular environment, where different phosphorylated substrates can be hydrolyzed. In the present work, we biochemically characterized the ecto-phosphatase activity of the freshwater microalgae Euglena gracilis, a model microorganism, ubiquitously distributed and resistant to several environmental stressors. The ecto-phosphatase activity is acidic, stimulated by copper and presents the following apparent kinetic parameters: Km = 2.52 ± 0.12 mM p-NPP and Vmax = 3.62 ± 0.06 nmol p-NP × h-1 × 106 cells. We observed that zinc, orthovanadate, molybdate, fluoride, and inorganic phosphate inhibit the ecto-phosphatase activity with different magnitudes. Fluoroaluminate complexes are also inhibitors of this ecto-phosphatase activity. They can be formed in the enzyme reaction conditions and are likely to occur in a natural environment where E. gracilis can be found. The ecto-phosphatase activity is constant through the culture growth phases and is negatively modulated after continuous subculturing in the dark when a shift from phototrophic to the heterotrophic metabolism is likely. The analysis of those biochemical parameters may contribute to understanding the role of E. gracilis ecto-phosphatase activity in natural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Leocadio Freitas-Mesquita
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Fernando Carvalho-Kelly
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thaís Souza Silveira Majerowicz
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Senador Furtado, 121. Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20270-021, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Sousa IS, Mello TP, Pereira EP, Granato MQ, Alviano CS, Santos ALS, Kneipp LF. Biofilm Formation by Chromoblastomycosis Fungi Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Phialophora verrucosa: Involvement with Antifungal Resistance. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8090963. [PMID: 36135688 PMCID: PMC9504689 DOI: 10.3390/jof8090963] [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: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with chromoblastomycosis (CBM) suffer chronic tissue lesions that are hard to treat. Considering that biofilm is the main growth lifestyle of several pathogens and it is involved with both virulence and resistance to antimicrobial drugs, we have investigated the ability of CBM fungi to produce this complex, organized and multicellular structure. Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Phialophora verrucosa conidial cells were able to adhere on a polystyrene abiotic substrate, differentiate into hyphae and produce a robust viable biomass containing extracellular matrix. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the tridimensional architecture of the mature biofilms, revealing a dense network of interconnected hyphae, inner channels and amorphous extracellular polymeric material. Interestingly, the co-culture of each fungus with THP-1 macrophage cells, used as a biotic substrate, induced the formation of a mycelial trap covering and damaging the macrophages. In addition, the biofilm-forming cells of F. pedrosoi and P. verrucosa were more resistant to the conventional antifungal drugs than the planktonic-growing conidial cells. The efflux pump activities of P. verrucosa and F. pedrosoi biofilms were significantly higher than those measured in conidia. Taken together, the data pointed out the biofilm formation by CBM fungi and brought up a discussion of the relevance of studies about their antifungal resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid S. Sousa
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos (LTBBF), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Thaís P. Mello
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Elaine P. Pereira
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos (LTBBF), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Marcela Q. Granato
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos (LTBBF), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Celuta S. Alviano
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - André L. S. Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
- Rede Micologia RJ—Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Rio de Janeiro 20020-000, Brazil
| | - Lucimar F. Kneipp
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos (LTBBF), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
- Rede Micologia RJ—Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Rio de Janeiro 20020-000, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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Reviewing the Etiologic Agents, Microbe-Host Relationship, Immune Response, Diagnosis, and Treatment in Chromoblastomycosis. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:9742832. [PMID: 34761009 PMCID: PMC8575639 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9742832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a neglected human disease, caused by different species of pigmented dematiaceous fungi that cause subcutaneous infections. This disease has been considered an occupational disease, occurring among people working in the field of agriculture, particularly in low-income countries. In 1914, the first case of CBM was described in Brazil, and although efforts have been made, few scientific and technological advances have been made in this area. In the field of fungi and host cell relationship, a very reduced number of antigens were characterized, but available data suggest that ectoantigens bind to the cell membrane of host cells and modulate the phagocytic, immunological, and microbicidal responses of immune cells. Furthermore, antigens cleave extracellular proteins in tissues, allowing fungi to spread. On the contrary, if phagocytic cells are able to present antigens in MHC molecules to T lymphocytes in the presence of costimulation and IL-12, a Th1 immune response will develop and a relative control of the disease will be observed. Despite knowledge of the resistance and susceptibility in CBM, up to now, no effective vaccines have been developed. In the field of chemotherapy, most patients are treated with conventional antifungal drugs, such as itraconazole and terbinafine, but these drugs exhibit limitations, considering that not all patients heal cutaneous lesions. Few advances in treatment have been made so far, but one of the most promising ones is based on the use of immunomodulators, such as imiquimod. Data about a standard treatment are missing in the medical literature; part of it is caused by the existence of a diversity of etiologic agents and clinical forms. The present review summarizes the advances made in the field of CBM related to the diversity of pathogenic species, fungi and host cell relationship, antigens, innate and acquired immunity, clinical forms of CBM, chemotherapy, and diagnosis.
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Granato MQ, Sousa IS, Rosa TLSA, Gonçalves DS, Seabra SH, Alviano DS, Pessolani MCV, Santos ALS, Kneipp LF. Aspartic peptidase of Phialophora verrucosa as target of HIV peptidase inhibitors: blockage of its enzymatic activity and interference with fungal growth and macrophage interaction. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2020; 35:629-638. [PMID: 32037904 PMCID: PMC7034032 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2020.1724994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Phialophora verrucosa causes several fungal human diseases, mainly chromoblastomycosis, which is extremely difficult to treat. Several studies have shown that human immunodeficiency virus peptidase inhibitors (HIV-PIs) are attractive candidates for antifungal therapies. This work focused on studying the action of HIV-PIs on peptidase activity secreted by P. verrucosa and their effects on fungal proliferation and macrophage interaction. We detected a peptidase activity from P. verrucosa able to cleave albumin, sensitive to pepstatin A and HIV-PIs, especially lopinavir, ritonavir and amprenavir, showing for the first time that this fungus secretes aspartic-type peptidase. Furthermore, lopinavir, ritonavir and nelfinavir reduced the fungal growth, causing remarkable ultrastructural alterations. Lopinavir and ritonavir also affected the conidia-macrophage adhesion and macrophage killing. Interestingly, P. verrucosa had its growth inhibited by ritonavir combined with either itraconazole or ketoconazole. Collectively, our results support the antifungal action of HIV-PIs and their relevance as a possible alternative therapy for fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Q. Granato
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos (LTBBF), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ingrid S. Sousa
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos (LTBBF), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Diego S. Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sergio H. Seabra
- Laboratório de Tecnologia em Cultura de Células, Centro Universitário Estadual da Zona Oeste (UEZO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniela S. Alviano
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, IMPPG, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - André L. S. Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucimar F. Kneipp
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos (LTBBF), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Gomes-Vieira AL, Paes-Vieira L, Zamboni DKBB, Dos-Santos ALA, Dick CF, Meyer-Fernandes JR. Ectophosphatase activity in the early-diverging fungus Blastocladiella emersonii: Biochemical characterization and possible role on cell differentiation. Fungal Genet Biol 2018; 117:43-53. [PMID: 30030178 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Blastocladiella emersonii is an interesting model for studding the evolution of cell differentiation in eukaryotic cell because of its taxonomic position towards the base of the fungal phylogenetic tree and because it undergoes radical morphological and biochemical changes throughout its life cycle. In this work, we biochemically characterized a high alkaline phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity present on the cell surface (ectophosphatase) of B. emersonii. The ectophosphatase activity was strongly inhibited at acidic pH values as well as by specific phosphatase inhibitors, such as sodium orthovanadate and bpv-PHEN. In addition, the enzyme activity was modulated by the extracellular concentration of inorganic phosphate (Pi) present in both reaction mixture and culture medium. Phosphotyrosine was hydrolysed at the same extent of its analog, p-NPP, while the hydrolysis of phosphothreonine was 2-fold lower, suggesting that a phosphotyrosine ectophosphatase activity is present on the cell surface of B. emersonii. The ectophosphatase activity was also strongly inhibited by EGTA, indicating the participation of Ca2+ ions on catalysis. The hydrolysis of p-NPP was differentially regulated throughout the B. emersonii life cycle, suggesting that the ectophosphatase activity could be involved in cell differentiation processes. In support of this, the addition of bpv-PHEN or vanadate at the beginning of germination inhibited the differentiation of zoospores to germ cells, compared to control or tartrate-treated cells. On the other hand, if the inhibitors are added 15 or 30 min after initiation of germination the inhibitory effect on zoospore germination decreases significantly, suggesting that the phosphotyrosine ectophosphatase activity is important at the first minutes of germination. The addition of vanadate, molybdate and bpv-PHEN during vegetative growth inhibited the enlargement of the cells compared to control or tartrate-treated cells. Finally, vanadate or bpv-PHEN added during sporulation strongly inhibited zoospore biogenesis, indicating an important role of such ectophosphatases in this differentiation process. Taken together, these data show the existence of a high alkaline ectophosphotyrosine phosphatase activity in B. emersonii that is probably tied to cell differentiation processes of the fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- André L Gomes-Vieira
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Lisvane Paes-Vieira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Dayana K B B Zamboni
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - André L A Dos-Santos
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cláudia F Dick
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Palmeira VF, Goulart FRV, Granato MQ, Alviano DS, Alviano CS, Kneipp LF, Santos ALS. Fonsecaea pedrosoi Sclerotic Cells: Secretion of Aspartic-Type Peptidase and Susceptibility to Peptidase Inhibitors. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1383. [PMID: 30008700 PMCID: PMC6033999 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fonsecaea pedrosoi is a dematiaceous fungus and the main causative agent of chromoblastomycosis that is a chronic disease usually affecting the human skin and subcutaneous tissues, which causes deformations and incapacities, being frequently refractory to available therapies. A typical globe-shaped, multiseptated and pigmented cells, known as sclerotic cells, are found in the lesions of infected individuals. In the present work, we have investigated the production of aspartic-type peptidase in F. pedrosoi sclerotic cells as well as the effect of peptidase inhibitors (PIs) on its enzymatic activity and viability. Our data showed that sclerotic cells are able to secrete pepstatin A-sensible aspartic peptidase when grown under chemically defined conditions. In addition, aspartic PIs (ritonavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, and saquinavir), which are clinically used in the HIV chemotherapy, significantly decreased the fungal peptidase activity, varying from 55 to 99%. Moreover, sclerotic cell-derived aspartic peptidase hydrolyzed human albumin, an important serum protein, as well as laminin, an extracellular matrix component, but not immunoglobulin G and fibronectin. It is well-known that aspartic peptidases play important physiological roles in fungal cells. With this task in mind, the effect of pepstatin A, a classical aspartic peptidase inhibitor, on the F. pedrosoi proliferation was evaluated. Pepstatin A inhibited the fungal viability in both cellular density- and drug-concentration manners. Moreover, HIV-PIs at 10 μM powerfully inhibited the viability (>65%) of F. pedrosoi sclerotic cells. The detection of aspartic peptidase produced by sclerotic cells, the parasitic form of F. pedrosoi, may contribute to reveal new virulence markers and potential targets for chromoblastomycosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanila F Palmeira
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fatima R V Goulart
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcela Q Granato
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniela S Alviano
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Celuta S Alviano
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucimar F Kneipp
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André L S Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Abstract
Chromoblastomycosis (CBM), also known as chromomycosis, is one of the most prevalent implantation fungal infections, being the most common of the gamut of mycoses caused by melanized or brown-pigmented fungi. CBM is mainly a tropical or subtropical disease that may affect individuals with certain risk factors around the world. The following characteristics are associated with this disease: (i) traumatic inoculation by implantation from an environmental source, leading to an initial cutaneous lesion at the inoculation site; (ii) chronic and progressive cutaneous and subcutaneous tissular involvement associated with fibrotic and granulomatous reactions associated with microabscesses and often with tissue proliferation; (iii) a nonprotective T helper type 2 (Th2) immune response with ineffective humoral involvement; and (iv) the presence of muriform (sclerotic) cells embedded in the affected tissue. CBM lesions are clinically polymorphic and are commonly misdiagnosed as various other infectious and noninfectious diseases. In its more severe clinical forms, CBM may cause an incapacity for labor due to fibrotic sequelae and also due to a series of clinical complications, and if not recognized at an early stage, this disease can be refractory to antifungal therapy.
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Rodrigues L, Russo-Abrahão T, Cunha RA, Gonçalves T, Meyer-Fernandes JR. Characterization of extracellular nucleotide metabolism in Candida albicans. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2015; 363:fnv212. [PMID: 26538575 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnv212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most frequent agent of human disseminated fungal infection. Ectophosphatase and ectonucleotidase activities are known to influence the infectious potential of several microbes, including other non-albicans species of Candida. With the present work we aim to characterize these ecto-enzymatic activities in C. albicans. We found that C. albicans does not have a classical ecto-5'-nucleotidase enzyme and 5'AMP is cleaved by a phosphatase instead of exclusively by a nucleotidase that also can use 3'AMP as a substrate. Moreover, these enzymatic activities are not dependent on secreted soluble enzymes and change when the yeast cells are under infection conditions, including low pH, and higher temperature and CO2 content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Rodrigues
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal FMUC-Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Thais Russo-Abrahão
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), CCS, Bloco H, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo A Cunha
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal FMUC-Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal FMUC-Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), CCS, Bloco H, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Granato MQ, Massapust PDA, Rozental S, Alviano CS, dos Santos ALS, Kneipp LF. 1,10-phenanthroline inhibits the metallopeptidase secreted by Phialophora verrucosa and modulates its growth, morphology and differentiation. Mycopathologia 2014; 179:231-42. [PMID: 25502596 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-014-9832-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Phialophora verrucosa is one of the etiologic agents of chromoblastomycosis, a fungal infection that affects cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues. This disease is chronic, recurrent and difficult to treat. Several studies have shown that secreted peptidases by fungi are associated with important pathophysiological processes. Herein, we have identified and partially characterized the peptidase activity secreted by P. verrucosa conidial cells. Using human serum albumin as substrate, the best hydrolysis profile was detected at extreme acidic pH (3.0) and at 37 °C. The enzymatic activity was completely blocked by classical metallopeptidase inhibitors/chelating agents as 1,10-phenanthroline and EGTA. Zinc ions stimulated the metallo-type peptidase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Several proteinaceous substrates were cleaved, in different extension, by the P. verrucosa metallopeptidase activity, including immunoglobulin G, fibrinogen, collagen types I and IV, fibronectin, laminin and keratin; however, mucin and hemoglobin were not susceptible to proteolysis. As metallopeptidases participate in different cellular metabolic pathways in fungal cells, we also tested the influence of 1,10-phenanthroline and EGTA on P. verrucosa development. Contrarily to EGTA, 1,10-phenanthroline inhibited the fungal viability (MIC 0.8 µg/ml), showing fungistatic effect, and induced profound morphological alterations as visualized by transmission electron microscopy. In addition, 1,10-phenanthroline arrested the filamentation process in P. verrucosa. Our results corroborate the supposition that metallopeptidase inhibitors/chelating agents have potential to control crucial biological events in fungal agents of chromoblastomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Queiroz Granato
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Identification of Aph1, a phosphate-regulated, secreted, and vacuolar acid phosphatase in Cryptococcus neoformans. mBio 2014; 5:e01649-14. [PMID: 25227465 PMCID: PMC4172073 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01649-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans strains isolated from patients with AIDS secrete acid phosphatase, but the identity and role of the enzyme(s) responsible have not been elucidated. By combining a one-dimensional electrophoresis step with mass spectrometry, a canonically secreted acid phosphatase, CNAG_02944 (Aph1), was identified in the secretome of the highly virulent serotype A strain H99. We created an APH1 deletion mutant (Δaph1) and showed that Δaph1-infected Galleria mellonella and mice survived longer than those infected with the wild type (WT), demonstrating that Aph1 contributes to cryptococcal virulence. Phosphate starvation induced APH1 expression and secretion of catalytically active acid phosphatase in the WT, but not in the Δaph1 mutant, indicating that Aph1 is the major extracellular acid phosphatase in C. neoformans and that it is phosphate repressible. DsRed-tagged Aph1 was transported to the fungal cell periphery and vacuoles via endosome-like structures and was enriched in bud necks. A similar pattern of Aph1 localization was observed in cryptococci cocultured with THP-1 monocytes, suggesting that Aph1 is produced during host infection. In contrast to Aph1, but consistent with our previous biochemical data, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged phospholipase B1 (Plb1) was predominantly localized at the cell periphery, with no evidence of endosome-mediated export. Despite use of different intracellular transport routes by Plb1 and Aph1, secretion of both proteins was compromised in a Δsec14-1 mutant. Secretions from the WT, but not from Δaph1, hydrolyzed a range of physiological substrates, including phosphotyrosine, glucose-1-phosphate, β-glycerol phosphate, AMP, and mannose-6-phosphate, suggesting that the role of Aph1 is to recycle phosphate from macromolecules in cryptococcal vacuoles and to scavenge phosphate from the extracellular environment. Infections with the AIDS-related fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans cause more than 600,000 deaths per year worldwide. Strains of Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from patients with AIDS secrete acid phosphatase; however, the identity and role of the enzyme(s) are unknown. We have analyzed the secretome of the highly virulent serotype A strain H99 and identified Aph1, a canonically secreted acid phosphatase. By creating an APH1 deletion mutant and an Aph1-DsRed-expressing strain, we demonstrate that Aph1 is the major extracellular and vacuolar acid phosphatase in C. neoformans and that it is phosphate repressible. Furthermore, we show that Aph1 is produced in cryptococci during coculture with THP-1 monocytes and contributes to fungal virulence in Galleria mellonella and mouse models of cryptococcosis. Our findings suggest that Aph1 is secreted to the environment to scavenge phosphate from a wide range of physiological substrates and is targeted to vacuoles to recycle phosphate from the expendable macromolecules.
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Pereira-Neves A, Rosales-Encina JL, Meyer-Fernandes JR, Benchimol M. Tritrichomonas foetus: Characterisation of ecto-phosphatase activities in the endoflagelar form and their possible participation on the parasite’s transformation and cytotoxicity. Exp Parasitol 2014; 142:67-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Revised: 04/12/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Biochemical properties and possible roles of ectophosphatase activities in fungi. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:2289-304. [PMID: 24509700 PMCID: PMC3958851 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15022289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ectophosphatases are surface membrane-bound proteins whose active sites face the extracellular medium. These enzymes have been reported in several microorganisms including a large number of medically relevant fungal species. An effective technique for identifying ectophosphatases is performing phosphatase activity assays using living intact cells. Biochemical characterization of these activities has shown their differential modulation by classical phosphatase inhibitors, divalent metals and pH range. The physiological roles of ectophosphatases are not well established; however, it has been suggested that these enzymes play important roles in nutrition, proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, virulence and infection. Adhesion to host cells is the first step in establishing a fungal infection and ectophosphatases may be one of the first parasite proteins that come into contact with the host cells. Several results indicate that ectophosphatase activities increase the capacity of fungi to adhere to the host cells. In this context, the present review provides an overview of recent discoveries related to the occurrence and possible roles of ectophosphatase activities in fungal cells.
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Freitas-Mesquita AL, Meyer-Fernandes JR. Ecto-nucleotidases and Ecto-phosphatases from Leishmania and Trypanosoma parasites. Subcell Biochem 2014; 74:217-252. [PMID: 24264248 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-7305-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Ecto-enzymes can be defined as membrane-bound proteins that have their active site facing the extracellular millieu. In trypanosomatids, the physiological roles of these enzymes remain to be completed elucidated; however, many important events have already been related to them, such as the survival of parasites during their complex life cycle and the successful establishment of host infection. This chapter focuses on two remarkable classes of ecto-enzymes: ecto-nucleotidases and ecto-phosphatases, summarizing their occurrence and possible physiological roles in Leishmania and Trypanosoma genera. Ecto-nucleotidases are characterized by their ability to hydrolyze extracellular nucleotides, playing an important role in purinergic signaling. By the action of these ecto-enzymes, parasites are capable of modulating the host immune system, which leads to a successful parasite infection. Furthermore, ecto-nucleotidases are also involved in the purine salvage pathway, acting in the generation of nucleosides that are able to cross plasma membrane via specialized transporters. Another important ecto-enzyme present in a vast number of pathogenic organisms is the ecto-phosphatase. These enzymes are able to hydrolyze extracellular phosphorylated substrates, releasing free inorganic phosphate that can be internalized by the cell, crossing the plasma membrane through a Pi-transporter. Ecto-phosphatases are also involved in the invasion and survival of parasite in the host cells. Several alternative functions have been suggested for these enzymes in parasites, such as participation in their proliferation, differentiation, nutrition and protection. In this context, the present chapter provides an overview of recent discoveries related to the occurrence of ecto-nucleotidase and ecto-phosphatase activities in Leishmania and Trypanosoma parasites.
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