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Araújo GRDS, Alves V, Martins-de-Souza PH, Guimarães AJ, Honorato L, Nimrichter L, Takiya CM, Pontes B, Frases S. Dexamethasone and Methylprednisolone Promote Cell Proliferation, Capsule Enlargement, and in vivo Dissemination of C. neoformans. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2021; 2:643537. [PMID: 37744119 PMCID: PMC10512211 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2021.643537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals, who often have some inflammatory condition and, therefore, end up using glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone and methylprednisolone. Although the effects of this class of molecules during cryptococcosis have been investigated, their consequences for the biology of C. neoformans is less explored. Here, we studied the effects of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone on the metabolism and on the induction of virulence factors in C. neoformans. Our results showed that both glucocorticoids increased fungal cell proliferation and surface electronegativity but reduced capsule and secreted polysaccharide sizes, as well as capsule compaction, by decreasing the density of polysaccharide fibers. We also tested whether glucocorticoids could affect the fungal virulence in Galleria mellonella and mice. Although the survival rate of Galleria larvae increased, those from mice showed a tendency to decrease, with infected animals dying earlier after glucocorticoid treatments. The pathogenesis of spread of cryptococcosis and the interleukin secretion pattern were also assessed for lungs and brains of infected mice. While increases in the spread of the fungus to lungs were observed after treatment with glucocorticoids, a significant difference in brain was observed only for methylprednisolone, although a trend toward increasing was also observed for dexamethasone. Moreover, increases in both pulmonary and cerebral IL-10 production, reduction of IL-6 production but no changes in IL-4, IL-17, and INF-γ were also observed after glucocorticoid treatments. Finally, histopathological analysis confirmed the increase in number of fungal cells in lung and brain tissues of mice previously subjected to dexamethasone or methylprednisolone treatments. Together, our results provide compelling evidence for the effects of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone on the biology of C. neoformans and may have important implications for future clinical treatments, calling attention to the risks of using these glucocorticoids against cryptococcosis or in immunocompromised individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glauber R. de S. Araújo
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Cellular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Alves
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Cellular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro H. Martins-de-Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Cellular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Allan J. Guimarães
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Imunologia das Micoses, Depto. de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Leandro Honorato
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Christina Maeda Takiya
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia. Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno Pontes
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susana Frases
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Cellular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Gonçalves DDS, Ferreira MDS, Liedke SC, Gomes KX, de Oliveira GA, Leão PEL, Cesar GV, Seabra SH, Cortines JR, Casadevall A, Nimrichter L, Domont GB, Junqueira MR, Peralta JM, Guimaraes AJ. Extracellular vesicles and vesicle-free secretome of the protozoa Acanthamoeba castellanii under homeostasis and nutritional stress and their damaging potential to host cells. Virulence 2018; 9:818-836. [PMID: 29560793 PMCID: PMC5955443 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2018.1451184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba castellanii (Ac) are ubiquitously distributed in nature, and by contaminating medical devices such as heart valves and contact lenses, they cause a broad range of clinical presentations to humans. Although several molecules have been described to play a role in Ac pathogenesis, including parasite host-tissue invasion and escaping of host-defense, little information is available on their mechanisms of secretion. Herein, we describe the molecular components secreted by Ac, under different protein availability conditions to simulate host niches. Ac extracellular vesicles (EVs) were morphologically and biochemically characterized. Dynamic light scattering analysis of Ac EVs identified polydisperse populations, which correlated to electron microscopy measurements. High-performance thin liquid chromatography of Ac EVs identified phospholipids, steryl-esters, sterol and free-fatty acid, the last two also characterized by GC-MS. Secretome composition (EVs and EVs-free supernatants) was also determined and proteins biological functions classified. In peptone-yeast-glucose (PYG) medium, a total of 179 proteins were identified (21 common proteins, 89 exclusive of EVs and 69 in EVs-free supernatant). In glucose alone, 205 proteins were identified (134 in EVs, 14 common and 57 proteins in EVs-free supernatant). From those, stress response, oxidative and protein and amino acid metabolism proteins prevailed. Qualitative differences were observed on carbohydrate metabolism enzymes from Krebs cycle and pentose phosphate shunt. Serine proteases and metalloproteinases predominated. Analysis of the cytotoxicity of Ac EVs (upon uptake) and EVs-free supernatant to epithelial and glioblastoma cells revealed a dose-dependent effect. Therefore, the Ac secretome differs depending on nutrient conditions, and is also likely to vary during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego de Souza Gonçalves
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Marina da Silva Ferreira
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susie Coutinho Liedke
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kamilla Xavier Gomes
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Afonso de Oliveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Pedro Ernesto Lopes Leão
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia de Eucariotos, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriele Vargas Cesar
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia de Eucariotos, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 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
| | - Juliana Reis Cortines
- Departamento de Virologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia de Eucariotos, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gilberto Barbosa Domont
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Magno Rodrigues Junqueira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jose Mauro Peralta
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Allan J. Guimaraes
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
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Vij R, Cordero RJB, Casadevall A. The Buoyancy of Cryptococcus neoformans Is Affected by Capsule Size. mSphere 2018; 3:e00534-18. [PMID: 30404928 PMCID: PMC6222054 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00534-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an environmental pathogenic fungus with a worldwide geographical distribution that is responsible for hundreds of thousands of human cryptococcosis cases each year. During infection, the yeast undergoes a morphological transformation involving capsular enlargement that increases microbial volume. To understand the factors that play a role in environmental dispersal of C. neoformans and C. gattii, we evaluated the cell density of Cryptococcus using Percoll isopycnic gradients. We found differences in the cell densities of strains belonging to C. neoformans and C. gattii species complexes. The buoyancy of C. neoformans strains varied depending on growth medium. In minimal medium, the cryptococcal capsule made a major contribution to the cell density such that cells with larger capsules had lower density than those with smaller capsules. Removing the capsule, by chemical or mechanical methods, increased the C. neoformans cell density and reduced buoyancy. Melanization of the C. neoformans cell wall, which also contributes to virulence, produced a small but consistent increase in cell density. Encapsulated C. neoformans sedimented much more slowly in seawater as its density approached the density of water. Our results suggest a new function for the capsule whereby it can function as a flotation device to facilitate transport and dispersion in aqueous fluids.IMPORTANCE The buoyancy of a microbial cell is an important physical characteristic that may affect its transportability in fluids and interactions with tissues during infection. The polysaccharide capsule surrounding C. neoformans is required for infection and dissemination in the host. Our results indicate that the capsule has a significant effect on reducing cryptococcal cell density, altering its sedimentation in seawater. Modulation of microbial cell density via encapsulation may facilitate dispersal for other important encapsulated pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghav Vij
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Radames J B Cordero
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Casadevall A, Coelho C, Cordero RJB, Dragotakes Q, Jung E, Vij R, Wear MP. The capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans. Virulence 2018; 10:822-831. [PMID: 29436899 PMCID: PMC6779390 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2018.1431087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans is its dominant virulence factor and plays a key role in the biology of this fungus. In this essay, we focus on the capsule as a cellular structure and note the limitations inherent in the current methodologies available for its study. Given that no single method can provide the structure of the capsule, our notions of what is the cryptococcal capsule must be arrived at by synthesizing information gathered from very different methodological approaches including microscopy, polysaccharide chemistry and physical chemistry of macromolecules. The emerging picture is one of a carefully regulated dynamic structure that is constantly rearranged as a response to environmental stimulation and cellular replication. In the environment, the capsule protects the fungus against desiccation and phagocytic predators. In animal hosts the capsule functions in both offensive and defensive modes, such that it interferes with immune responses while providing the fungal cell with a defensive shield that is both antiphagocytic and capable of absorbing microbicidal oxidative bursts from phagocytic cells. Finally, we delineate a set of unsolved problems in the cryptococcal capsule field that could provide fertile ground for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Carolina Coelho
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Radames J B Cordero
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Quigly Dragotakes
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Eric Jung
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Raghav Vij
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Maggie P Wear
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
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Nosanchuk JD, Stark RE, Casadevall A. Fungal Melanin: What do We Know About Structure? Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1463. [PMID: 26733993 PMCID: PMC4687393 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The production of melanin significantly enhances the virulence of many important human pathogenic fungi. Despite fungal melanin’s importance in human disease, as well as melanin’s contribution to the ability of fungi to survive in diverse hostile environments, the structure of melanin remains unsolved. Nevertheless, ongoing research efforts have progressively revealed several notable structural characteristics of this enigmatic pigment, which will be the focus of this review. These compositional and organizational insights could further our ability to develop novel therapeutic approaches to combat fungal disease and enhance our understanding of how melanin is inserted into the cell wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Nosanchuk
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of MedicineBronx, NY, USA; Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of MedicineBronx, NY, USA
| | - Ruth E Stark
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Graduate Center, The City College of New York, The City University of New YorkNew York, NY, USA; Institute for Macromolecular Assemblies, The City University of New YorkNew York, NY, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD, USA
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Albuquerque PC, Fonseca FL, Dutra FF, Bozza MT, Frases S, Casadevall A, Rodrigues ML. Cryptococcus neoformans glucuronoxylomannan fractions of different molecular masses are functionally distinct. Future Microbiol 2014; 9:147-61. [PMID: 24571070 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.13.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) is the major polysaccharide component of Cryptococcus neoformans. We evaluated in this study whether GXM fractions of different molecular masses were functionally distinct. MATERIALS & METHODS GXM samples isolated from C. neoformans cultures were fractionated to generate polysaccharide preparations differing in molecular mass. These fractions were used in experiments focused on the association of GXM with cell wall components of C. neoformans, as well as on the interaction of the polysaccharide with host cells. RESULTS & CONCLUSION GXM fractions of variable molecular masses bound to the surface of a C. neoformans acapsular mutant in a punctate pattern that is in contrast to the usual annular pattern of surface coating observed when GXM samples containing the full molecular mass range were used. The polysaccharide samples were also significantly different in their ability to stimulate cytokine production by host cells. Our findings indicate that GXM fractions are functionally distinct depending on their mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila C Albuquerque
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, CTDS-Fiocruz. Avenida Brasil 4036, Prédio da Expansão, 8o andar, Sala 814, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-361, Brazil
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7
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da Silva JDF, de Oliveira HC, Marcos CM, da Silva RAM, da Costa TA, Calich VLG, Almeida AMF, Mendes-Giannini MJS. Paracoccidoides brasiliensis 30 kDa adhesin: identification as a 14-3-3 protein, cloning and subcellular localization in infection models. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62533. [PMID: 23638109 PMCID: PMC3640054 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Accepted: 03/21/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidoides brasiliensis adhesion to lung epithelial cells is considered an essential event for the establishment of infection and different proteins participate in this process. One of these proteins is a 30 kDa adhesin, pI 4.9 that was described as a laminin ligand in previous studies, and it was more highly expressed in more virulent P. brasiliensis isolates. This protein may contribute to the virulence of this important fungal pathogen. Using Edman degradation and mass spectrometry analysis, this 30 kDa adhesin was identified as a 14-3-3 protein. These proteins are a conserved group of small acidic proteins involved in a variety of processes in eukaryotic organisms. However, the exact function of these proteins in some processes remains unknown. Thus, the goal of the present study was to characterize the role of this protein during the interaction between the fungus and its host. To achieve this goal, we cloned, expressed the 14-3-3 protein in a heterologous system and determined its subcellular localization in in vitro and in vivo infection models. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed the ubiquitous distribution of this protein in the yeast form of P. brasiliensis, with some concentration in the cytoplasm. Additionally, this 14-3-3 protein was also present in P. brasiliensis cells at the sites of infection in C57BL/6 mice intratracheally infected with P. brasiliensis yeast cells for 72 h (acute infections) and 30 days (chronic infection). An apparent increase in the levels of the 14-3-3 protein in the cell wall of the fungus was also noted during the interaction between P. brasiliensis and A549 cells, suggesting that this protein may be involved in host-parasite interactions, since inhibition assays with the protein and this antibody decreased P. brasiliensis adhesion to A549 epithelial cells. Our data may lead to a better understanding of P. brasiliensis interactions with host tissues and paracoccidioidomycosis pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julhiany de Fatima da Silva
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University - University Estadual Paulista Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Haroldo César de Oliveira
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University - University Estadual Paulista Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caroline Maria Marcos
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University - University Estadual Paulista Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosângela Aparecida Moraes da Silva
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University - University Estadual Paulista Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tania Alves da Costa
- Department of Immunology, Biomedical Institute, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Marisa Fusco Almeida
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University - University Estadual Paulista Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria José Soares Mendes-Giannini
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University - University Estadual Paulista Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
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Rodrigues ML. Surface architecture of fungal pathogens. Front Microbiol 2012; 3:80. [PMID: 22403580 PMCID: PMC3291873 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2012.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2011] [Accepted: 02/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marcio L Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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