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Chai Z, Li Y, Zhang J, Ding C, Tong X, Zhang Z. Sirtulin-Ypk1 regulation axis governs the TOR signaling pathway and fungal pathogenicity in Cryptococcus neoformans. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0003824. [PMID: 38912819 PMCID: PMC11302014 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00038-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a life-threatening fungal pathogen that is a causative agent for pulmonary infection and meningoencephalitis in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient individuals. Recent studies have elucidated the important function of the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway in the modulation of C. neoformans virulence factor production and pathogenicity in animal infection models. Herein, we discovered that Ypk1, a critical component of the TOR signaling pathway, acts as a critical modulator in fungal pathogenicity through post-translational modifications (PTMs). Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that Ypk1 is subject to protein acetylation at lysines 315 and 502, and both sites are located within kinase functional domains. Inhibition of the C. neoformans TOR pathway by rapamycin activates the deacetylation process for Ypk1. The YPK1Q strain, a hyper-acetylation of Ypk1, exhibited increased sensitivity to rapamycin, decreased capsule formation ability, reduced starvation tolerance, and diminished fungal pathogenicity, indicating that deacetylation of Ypk1 is crucial for responding to stress. Deacetylase inhibition assays have shown that sirtuin family proteins are critical to the Ypk1 deacetylation mechanism. After screening deacetylase mutants, we found that Dac1 and Dac7 directly interact with Ypk1 to facilitate the deacetylation modification process via a protein-protein interaction. These findings provide new insights into the molecular basis for regulating the TORC-Ypk1 axis and demonstrate an important function of protein acetylation in modulating fungal pathogenicity. IMPORTANCE Cryptococcus neoformans is an important opportunistic fungal pathogen in humans. While there are currently few effective antifungal treatments, the absence of novel molecular targets in fungal pathogenicity hinders the development of new drugs. There is increasing evidence that protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) can modulate the pathogenicity of fungi. In this study, we discovered that the pathogenicity of C. neoformans was significantly impacted by the dynamic acetylation changes of Ypk1, the immediate downstream target of the TOR complex. We discovered that Ypk1 is acetylated at lysines 315 and 502, both of which are within kinase functional domains. Deacetylation of Ypk1 is necessary for formation of the capsule structure, the response to the TOR pathway inhibitor rapamycin, nutrient utilization, and host infection. We also demonstrate that the sirtuin protein family is involved in the Ypk1 deacetylation mechanism. We anticipate that the sirtuin-Ypk1 regulation axis could be used as a potential target for the development of antifungal medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghua Chai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanjian Li
- College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chen Ding
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiujuan Tong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine of Central Hospital of Chaoyang, Chaoyang, China
| | - Zhijie Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Yang C, Li G, Zhang Q, Bai W, Li Q, Zhang P, Zhang J. Histone deacetylase Sir2 promotes the systemic Candida albicans infection by facilitating its immune escape via remodeling the cell wall and maintaining the metabolic activity. mBio 2024; 15:e0044524. [PMID: 38682948 PMCID: PMC11237532 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00445-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylation affects Candida albicans (C. albicans) pathogenicity by modulating virulence factor expression and DNA damage. The histone deacetylase Sir2 is associated with C. albicans plasticity and maintains genome stability to help C. albicans adapt to various environmental niches. However, whether Sir2-mediated chromatin modification affects C. albicans virulence is unclear. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of Sir2 on C. albicans pathogenicity and regulation. Here, we report that Sir2 is required for C. albicans pathogenicity, as its deletion affects the survival rate, fungal burden in different organs and the extent of tissue damage in a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis. We evaluated the impact of Sir2 on C. albicans virulence factors and revealed that the Sir2 null mutant had an impaired ability to adhere to host cells and was more easily recognized by the innate immune system. Comprehensive analysis revealed that the disruption of C. albicans adhesion was due to a decrease in cell surface hydrophobicity rather than the differential expression of adhesion genes on the cell wall. In addition, Sir2 affects the distribution and exposure of mannan and β-glucan on the cell wall, indicating that Sir2 plays a role in preventing the immune system from recognizing C. albicans. Interestingly, our results also indicated that Sir2 helps C. albicans maintain metabolic activity under hypoxic conditions, suggesting that Sir2 contributes to C. albicans colonization at hypoxic sites. In conclusion, our findings provide detailed insights into antifungal targets and a useful foundation for the development of antifungal drugs. IMPORTANCE Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the most common opportunistic fungal pathogen and can cause various superficial infections and even life-threatening systemic infections. To successfully propagate infection, this organism relies on the ability to express virulence-associated factors and escape host immunity. In this study, we demonstrated that the histone deacetylase Sir2 helps C. albicans adhere to host cells and escape host immunity by mediating cell wall remodeling; as a result, C. albicans successfully colonized and invaded the host in vivo. In addition, we found that Sir2 contributes to carbon utilization under hypoxic conditions, suggesting that Sir2 is important for C. albicans survival and the establishment of infection in hypoxic environments. In summary, we investigated the role of Sir2 in regulating C. albicans pathogenicity in detail; these findings provide a potential target for the development of antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guanglin Li
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiyue Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenhui Bai
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qingiqng Li
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peipei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiye Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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Villalba de la Peña M, Kronholm I. Antimicrobial resistance in the wild: Insights from epigenetics. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13707. [PMID: 38817397 PMCID: PMC11134192 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Spreading of bacterial and fungal strains that are resistant to antimicrobials poses a serious threat to the well-being of humans, animals, and plants. Antimicrobial resistance has been mainly investigated in clinical settings. However, throughout their evolutionary history microorganisms in the wild have encountered antimicrobial substances, forcing them to evolve strategies to combat antimicrobial action. It is well known that many of these strategies are based on genetic mechanisms, but these do not fully explain important aspects of the antimicrobial response such as the rapid development of resistance, reversible phenotypes, and hetero-resistance. Consequently, attention has turned toward epigenetic pathways that may offer additional insights into antimicrobial mechanisms. The aim of this review is to explore the epigenetic mechanisms that confer antimicrobial resistance, focusing on those that might be relevant for resistance in the wild. First, we examine the presence of antimicrobials in natural settings. Then we describe the documented epigenetic mechanisms in bacteria and fungi associated with antimicrobial resistance and discuss innovative epigenetic editing techniques to establish causality in this context. Finally, we discuss the relevance of these epigenetic mechanisms on the evolutionary dynamics of antimicrobial resistance in the wild, emphasizing the critical role of priming in the adaptation process. We underscore the necessity of incorporating non-genetic mechanisms into our understanding of antimicrobial resistance evolution. These mechanisms offer invaluable insights into the dynamics of antimicrobial adaptation within natural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ilkka Kronholm
- Department of Biological and Environmental ScienceUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
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McCrory C, Lenardon M, Traven A. Bacteria-derived short-chain fatty acids as potential regulators of fungal commensalism and pathogenesis. Trends Microbiol 2024:S0966-842X(24)00089-1. [PMID: 38729839 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The human gastrointestinal microbiome encompasses bacteria, fungi, and viruses forming complex bionetworks which, for organismal health, must be in a state of homeostasis. An important homeostatic mechanism derives from microbial competition, which maintains the relative abundance of microbial species in a healthy balance. Microbes compete for nutrients and secrete metabolites that inhibit other microbes. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are one such class of metabolites made by gut bacteria to very high levels. SCFAs are metabolised by microbes and host cells and have multiple roles in regulating cell physiology. Here, we review the mechanisms by which SCFAs regulate the fungal gut commensal Candida albicans. We discuss SCFA's ability to inhibit fungal growth, limit invasive behaviours and modulate cell surface antigens recognised by immune cells. We review the mechanisms underlying these roles: regulation of gene expression, metabolism, signalling and SCFA-driven post-translational protein modifications by acylation, which contribute to changes in acylome dynamics of C. albicans with potentially large consequences for cell physiology. Given that the gut mycobiome is a reservoir for systemic disease and has also been implicated in inflammatory bowel disease, understanding the mechanisms by which bacterial metabolites, such as SCFAs, control the mycobiome might provide therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher McCrory
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Infection Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia; Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Megan Lenardon
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ana Traven
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Infection Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia; Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia.
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McCrory C, Verma J, Tucey TM, Turner R, Weerasinghe H, Beilharz TH, Traven A. The short-chain fatty acid crotonate reduces invasive growth and immune escape of Candida albicans by regulating hyphal gene expression. mBio 2023; 14:e0260523. [PMID: 37929941 PMCID: PMC10746253 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02605-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Macrophages curtail the proliferation of the pathogen Candida albicans within human body niches. Within macrophages, C. albicans adapts its metabolism and switches to invasive hyphal morphology. These adaptations enable fungal growth and immune escape by triggering macrophage lysis. Transcriptional programs regulate these metabolic and morphogenetic adaptations. Here we studied the roles of chromatin in these processes and implicate lysine crotonylation, a histone mark regulated by metabolism, in hyphal morphogenesis and macrophage interactions by C. albicans. We show that the short-chain fatty acid crotonate increases histone crotonylation, reduces hyphal formation within macrophages, and slows macrophage lysis and immune escape of C. albicans. Crotonate represses hyphal gene expression, and we propose that C. albicans uses diverse acylation marks to regulate its cell morphology in host environments. Hyphal formation is a virulence property of C. albicans. Therefore, a further importance of our study stems from identifying crotonate as a hyphal inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher McCrory
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Jiyoti Verma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Timothy M. Tucey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Rachael Turner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Stem Cells and Development Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Harshini Weerasinghe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Traude H. Beilharz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Stem Cells and Development Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Ana Traven
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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Sharma C, Kadosh D. Post-transcriptional control of antifungal resistance in human fungal pathogens. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023; 49:469-484. [PMID: 35634915 PMCID: PMC9766424 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2080527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Global estimates suggest that over 300 million individuals of all ages are affected by serious fungal infections every year, culminating in about 1.7 million deaths. The societal and economic burden on the public health sector due to opportunistic fungal pathogens is quite significant, especially among immunocompromised patients. Despite the high clinical significance of these infectious agents, treatment options are limited with only three major classes of antifungal drugs approved for use. Clinical management of fungal diseases is further compromised by the emergence of antifungal resistant strains. Transcriptional and genetic mechanisms that control drug resistance in human fungal pathogens are well-studied and include drug target alteration, upregulation of drug efflux pumps as well as changes in drug affinity and abundance of target proteins. In this review, we highlight several recently discovered novel post-transcriptional mechanisms that control antifungal resistance, which involve regulation at the translational, post-translational, epigenetic, and mRNA stability levels. The discovery of many of these novel mechanisms has opened new avenues for the development of more effective antifungal treatment strategies and new insights, perspectives, and future directions that will facilitate this process are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheshta Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - David Kadosh
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
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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: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [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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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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9
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Poon Y, Hui M. Inhibitory effect of lactobacilli supernatants on biofilm and filamentation of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1105949. [PMID: 36860488 PMCID: PMC9969145 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1105949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Probiotic Lactobacillus strains had been investigated for the potential to protect against infection caused by the major fungal pathogen of human, Candida albicans. Besides antifungal activity, lactobacilli demonstrated a promising inhibitory effect on biofilm formation and filamentation of C. albicans. On the other hand, two commonly isolated non-albicans Candida species, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis, have similar characteristics in filamentation and biofilm formation with C. albicans. However, there is scant information of the effect of lactobacilli on the two species. Methods In this study, biofilm inhibitory effects of L. rhamnosus ATCC 53103, L. plantarum ATCC 8014, and L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 were tested on the reference strain C. albicans SC5314 and six bloodstream isolated clinical strains, two each of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis. Results and Discussion Cell-free culture supernatants (CFSs) of L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum significantly inhibited in vitro biofilm growth of C. albicans and C. tropicalis. L. acidophilus, conversely, had little effect on C. albicans and C. tropicalis but was more effective on inhibiting C. parapsilosis biofilms. Neutralized L. rhamnosus CFS at pH 7 retained the inhibitory effect, suggesting that exometabolites other than lactic acid produced by the Lactobacillus strain might be accounted for the effect. Furthermore, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum CFSs on the filamentation of C. albicans and C. tropicalis strains. Significantly less Candida filaments were observed after co-incubating with CFSs under hyphae-inducing conditions. Expressions of six biofilm-related genes (ALS1, ALS3, BCR1, EFG1, TEC1, and UME6 in C. albicans and corresponding orthologs in C. tropicalis) in biofilms co-incubated with CFSs were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. When compared to untreated control, the expressions of ALS1, ALS3, EFG1, and TEC1 genes were downregulated in C. albicans biofilm. In C. tropicalis biofilms, ALS3 and UME6 were downregulated while TEC1 was upregulated. Taken together, the L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum strains demonstrated an inhibitory effect, which is likely mediated by the metabolites secreted into culture medium, on filamentation and biofilm formation of C. albicans and C. tropicalis. Our finding suggested an alternative to antifungals for controlling Candida biofilm.
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Rabaan AA, Eljaaly K, Alfouzan WA, Mutair AA, Alhumaid S, Alfaraj AH, Aldawood Y, Alsaleh AA, Albayat H, Azmi RA, AlKaabi N, Alzahrani SJ, AlBahrani S, Sulaiman T, Alshukairi AN, Abuzaid AA, Garout M, Ahmad R, Muhammad J. Psychogenetic, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in Candida auris: Role in drug resistance. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16:257-263. [PMID: 36608452 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, we are facing the challenge of drug resistance emergence in fungi. The availability of limited antifungals and development of multi-drug resistance in fungal pathogens has become a serious concern in the past years in the health sector. Although several cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms have been proposed to explain the drug resistance mechanism in fungi, but a complete understanding of the molecular and genetic mechanisms is still lacking. Besides the genetic mechanism, epigenetic mechanisms are pivotal in the fungal lifecycle and disease biology. However, very little is understood about the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the emergence of multi-drug resistance in fungi, especially in Candida auris (C. auris). The current narrative review summaries the clinical characteristics, genomic organization, and molecular/genetic/epigenetic mechanisms underlying the emergence of drug resistance in C. auris. A very few studies have attempted to evaluate the role of epigenetic mechanisms in C. auris. Furthermore, advanced genetic tools such as the CRISP-Cas9 system can be utilized to elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms and their role in the emergence of multi-drug resistance in C. auris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan.
| | - Khalid Eljaaly
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Pharmacy Practice and Science Department, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Wadha A Alfouzan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat 13110, Kuwait; Microbiology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Farwania Hospital, Farwania 85000, Kuwait
| | - Abbas Al Mutair
- Research Center, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al-Ahsa 36342, Saudi Arabia; College of Nursing, Princess Norah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia; School of Nursing, Wollongong University, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Nursing Department, Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences, Dhahran 33048, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad Alhumaid
- Administration of Pharmaceutical Care, Al-Ahsa Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal H Alfaraj
- Pediatric Department, Abqaiq General Hospital, First Eastern Health Cluster, Abqaiq 33261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yahya Aldawood
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam 34222, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmonem A Alsaleh
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam 34222, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hawra Albayat
- Infectious Disease Department, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh 7790, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reyouf Al Azmi
- Infection Prevention and Control, Eastern Health Cluster, Dammam 32253, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nawal AlKaabi
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Abu Dhabi, 51900, United Arab Emirates; College of Medicine and Health Science, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Samira J Alzahrani
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran 31932, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salma AlBahrani
- Infectious Disease Unit, Specialty Internal Medicine, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran 31932, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tarek Sulaiman
- Infectious Diseases Section, Medical Specialties Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer N Alshukairi
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmonem A Abuzaid
- Medical Microbiology Department, Security Forces Hospital Programme, Dammam 32314, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Garout
- Department of Community Medicine and Health Care for Pilgrims, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rafiq Ahmad
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
| | - Javed Muhammad
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan.
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11
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Huang Y, Liu N, Pan Z, Li Z, Sheng C. BET-HDAC Dual Inhibitors for Combinational Treatment of Breast Cancer and Concurrent Candidiasis. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1239-1253. [PMID: 36622852 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is susceptible to Candida infections, and candidiasis has an enhancing effect on the progression and metastasis of tumor. Breast cancer and concurrent candidiasis represent a significant challenge in clinical therapy. Herein, a series of novel small molecule inhibitors simultaneously targeting bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) were designed for combinational treatment of breast cancer and resistant Candida albicans infections. Among them, compounds 13c and 17b exhibited excellent and balanced inhibitory activity against both BET family proteins BRD4 and HDAC1. As compared with BRD4 or HDAC1 inhibitors, dual inhibitors 13c and 17b displayed improved in vivo antitumor efficacy in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer xenograft models. Notably, they synergized with fluconazole (FLC) to effectively reduce the kidney fungal burden in a murine model of disseminated candidiasis. Thus, the BET-HDAC dual inhibitors represented a novel therapeutic strategy for combinational treatment of breast cancer and concurrent candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahui Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military 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, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhizhi Pan
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Xueren Road 2, Dali 671000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuang Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
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12
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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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13
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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] [Key Words] [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
| | - Amalia Porta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
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14
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Lapiere A, Richard ML. Bacterial-fungal metabolic interactions within the microbiota and their potential relevance in human health and disease: a short review. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2105610. [PMID: 35903007 PMCID: PMC9341359 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2105610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The composition of the microbiota is the focus of many recent publications describing the effects of the microbiota on host health. In recent years, research has progressed further, investigating not only the diversity of genes and functions but also metabolites produced by microorganisms composing the microbiota of various niches and how these metabolites affect and shape the microbial community. While an abundance of data has been published on bacterial interactions, much less data are available on the interactions of bacteria with another component of the microbiota: the fungal community. Although present in smaller numbers, fungi are essential to the balance of this complex microbial ecosystem. Both bacterial and fungal communities produce metabolites that influence their own population but also that of the other. However, to date, interkingdom interactions occurring through metabolites produced by bacteria and fungi have rarely been described. In this review, we describe the major metabolites produced by both kingdoms and discuss how they influence each other, by what mechanisms and with what consequences for the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Lapiere
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France,Paris Center for Microbiome Medicine, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire, France
| | - Mathias L Richard
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France,Paris Center for Microbiome Medicine, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire, France,CONTACT Mathias L Richard INRAE, Micalis Institute, Probihote Team, Domaine de Vilvert, 78352, Jouy en Josas, France
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15
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Wang T, Yang W, Liu Y, Li W, Wang Y, Liu N, Sheng C. Jumonji Histone Demethylase Inhibitor JIB-04 as a Broad-Spectrum Antifungal Agent. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:1316-1323. [PMID: 35695031 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are emerging as a global public health problem. The lack of effective antifungal drugs is the bottleneck of clinical antifungal treatment. To identify novel antifungal agents with new mechanisms of action, JIB-04, a Jumonji histone demethylase inhibitor, was identified to possess broad-spectrum antifungal activity by a cell-based screen. Particularly, JIB-04 effectively inhibited Jumonji demethylase activity and ergosterol biosynthesis of Cryptococcus neoformans cells, leading to in vitro and in vivo anti-Cryptococcus activity. It also significantly inhibited the virulence factors of C. neoformans including biofilm, melanin, capsule, and surface hydrophobicity. Thus, JIB-04 was validated as a potent antifungal agent for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis and Jumonji histone demethylase was preliminarily identified as a potential target for the development of novel antifungal therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyou Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wanzhen Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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16
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Etier A, Dumetz F, Chéreau S, Ponts N. Post-Translational Modifications of Histones Are Versatile Regulators of Fungal Development and Secondary Metabolism. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14050317. [PMID: 35622565 PMCID: PMC9145779 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14050317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin structure is a major regulator of DNA-associated processes, such as transcription, DNA repair, and replication. Histone post-translational modifications, or PTMs, play a key role on chromatin dynamics. PTMs are involved in a wide range of biological processes in eukaryotes, including fungal species. Their deposition/removal and their underlying functions have been extensively investigated in yeasts but much less in other fungi. Nonetheless, the major role of histone PTMs in regulating primary and secondary metabolisms of filamentous fungi, including human and plant pathogens, has been pinpointed. In this review, an overview of major identified PTMs and their respective functions in fungi is provided, with a focus on filamentous fungi when knowledge is available. To date, most of these studies investigated histone acetylations and methylations, but the development of new methodologies and technologies increasingly allows the wider exploration of other PTMs, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, sumoylation, and acylation. Considering the increasing number of known PTMs and the full range of their possible interactions, investigations of the subsequent Histone Code, i.e., the biological consequence of the combinatorial language of all histone PTMs, from a functional point of view, are exponentially complex. Better knowledge about histone PTMs would make it possible to efficiently fight plant or human contamination, avoid the production of toxic secondary metabolites, or optimize the industrial biosynthesis of certain beneficial compounds.
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17
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Wang C, Zheng C. Using Caenorhabditis elegans to Model Therapeutic Interventions of Neurodegenerative Diseases Targeting Microbe-Host Interactions. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:875349. [PMID: 35571084 PMCID: PMC9096141 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.875349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence from both clinical studies and animal models indicates the importance of the interaction between the gut microbiome and the brain in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Although how microbes modulate neurodegeneration is still mostly unclear, recent studies have started to probe into the mechanisms for the communication between microbes and hosts in NDs. In this review, we highlight the advantages of using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to disentangle the microbe-host interaction that regulates neurodegeneration. We summarize the microbial pro- and anti-neurodegenerative factors identified using the C. elegans ND models and the effects of many are confirmed in mouse models. Specifically, we focused on the role of bacterial amyloid proteins, such as curli, in promoting proteotoxicity and neurodegeneration by cross-seeding the aggregation of endogenous ND-related proteins, such as α-synuclein. Targeting bacterial amyloid production may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating NDs, and several compounds, such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), were shown to suppress neurodegeneration at least partly by inhibiting curli production. Because bacterial amyloid fibrils contribute to biofilm formation, inhibition of amyloid production often leads to the disruption of biofilms. Interestingly, from a list of 59 compounds that showed neuroprotective effects in C. elegans and mouse ND models, we found that about half of them are known to inhibit bacterial growth or biofilm formation, suggesting a strong correlation between the neuroprotective and antibiofilm activities. Whether these potential therapeutics indeed protect neurons from proteotoxicity by inhibiting the cross-seeding between bacterial and human amyloid proteins awaits further investigations. Finally, we propose to screen the long list of antibiofilm agents, both FDA-approved drugs and novel compounds, for their neuroprotective effects and develop new pharmaceuticals that target the gut microbiome for the treatment of NDs. To this end, the C. elegans ND models can serve as a platform for fast, high-throughput, and low-cost drug screens that target the microbe-host interaction in NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chaogu Zheng
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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18
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Ramos-García VH, Villota-Salazar NA, González-Prieto JM, Cortés-Espinosa DV. Different histone deacetylase inhibitors reduce growth, virulence as well as changes in the morphology of the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 38:63. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-022-03249-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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19
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Cai Q, Tian L, Xie JT, Jiang DH, Keyhani NO. Contributions of a Histone Deacetylase (SirT2/Hst2) to Beauveria bassiana Growth, Development, and Virulence. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8030236. [PMID: 35330238 PMCID: PMC8950411 DOI: 10.3390/jof8030236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sirtuins are a class of histone deacetylases that promote heterochromatin formation to repress transcription. The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana contains six sirtuin homologs. The class III histone deacetylase, BbSir2, has been previously shown to affect the regulation of carbon/nitrogen metabolism and asexual development, with only moderate effects on virulence. Here, we examine another class III histone deacetylase (BbSirT2) and show that it contributes to deacetylation of lysine residues on histone H4-K16ac. Directed gene-knockout of BbSirT2 dramatically reduced conidiation, the ability of the fungus to metabolize a range of carbon and nitrogen sources, and tolerances to oxidative, heat, and UV stress and significantly attenuated virulence in both intrahemocoel injection and topical bioassays using the Greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) as the insect host. ΔBbSirT2 cells showed alterations in cell cycle development and hyphal septation and produced morphologically aberrant conidia. Comparative transcriptomic analyses of wild type versus ΔBbSirT2 cells indicated differential expression of 1148 genes. Differentially expressed genes were enriched in pathways involved in cell cycle and rescue, carbon/nitrogen metabolism, and pathogenesis. These included changes in the expression of polyketide synthases (PKSs) and LysM effector proteins that contribute to degradation of host toxins and target host pathways, respectively. These data indicate contributions of BbSirT2 in helping to mediate fungal stress and development, with the identification of affected gene targets that can help account for the observed reduced virulence phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Cai
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (J.-T.X.); (D.-H.J.)
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Bldg. 981, Museum Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Correspondence: (Q.C.); (N.O.K.)
| | - Li Tian
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan 250353, China;
| | - Jia-Tao Xie
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (J.-T.X.); (D.-H.J.)
| | - Dao-Hong Jiang
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (J.-T.X.); (D.-H.J.)
| | - Nemat O. Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Bldg. 981, Museum Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Correspondence: (Q.C.); (N.O.K.)
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20
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Li C, Tu J, Han G, Liu N, Sheng C. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90)/Histone deacetylase (HDAC) dual inhibitors for the treatment of azoles-resistant Candida albicans. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 227:113961. [PMID: 34742014 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Clinical treatment of candidiasis has suffered from increasingly severe drug resistance and limited efficacy. Thus, novel strategies to deal with drug resistance are highly desired to develop effective therapeutic agents. Herein, dual inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) was validated as a new strategy to potentiate efficacy of fluconazole against resistant Candida albicans infections. The first generation of Hsp90/HDAC dual inhibitors were designed as synergistic enhancers to treat azoles-resistant candidiasis. In particular, compound J5 exhibited fungal-selective inhibitory effects on Hsp90 and HDACs, leading to low toxicity and excellent in vitro (FICI = 0.266) and in vivo synergistic antifungal potency to treat fluconazole resistant candidiasis. Antifungal-mechanistic investigation revealed that compound J5 suppressed important virulence factors and down-regulated expression of resistance-associated genes. Therefore, Hsp90/HDAC dual inhibitors represent a new strategy for the development of novel antifungal therapeutics to combat azole-resistant candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaochen Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jie Tu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Guiyan Han
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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21
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Rodríguez-Carlos A, Jacobo-Delgado YM, Santos-Mena AO, Rivas-Santiago B. Modulation of cathelicidin and defensins by histone deacetylase inhibitors: A potential treatment for multi-drug resistant infectious diseases. Peptides 2021; 140:170527. [PMID: 33744370 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Infectious diseases are an important growing public health problem, which perspective has worsened due to the increasing number of drug-resistant strains in the last few years. Although diverse solutions have been proposed, one viable solution could be the use of immune system modulators. The induction of the immune response can be increased by histone deacetylase inhibitors (iHDAC), which in turn modulate the chromatin and increase the activation of different cellular pathways and nuclear factors such as STAT3, HIF-1α NF-kB, C/EBPα and, AP-1. These pathways are capable to promote several immune response-related molecules including those with antimicrobial properties such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that lead to the elimination of pathogens including multi drug-resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Rodríguez-Carlos
- Medical Research Unit-Zacatecas, Mexican Institute for Social Security-IMSS, Zacatecas, Mexico
| | | | - Alan O Santos-Mena
- Medical Research Unit-Zacatecas, Mexican Institute for Social Security-IMSS, Zacatecas, Mexico
| | - Bruno Rivas-Santiago
- Medical Research Unit-Zacatecas, Mexican Institute for Social Security-IMSS, Zacatecas, Mexico.
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22
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Synthesis and antibacterial study of cell-penetrating peptide conjugated trifluoroacetyl and thioacetyl lysine modified peptides. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 219:113447. [PMID: 33892275 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Substrate-based sirtuin inhibitors target bacterial genome and RNA and provide a promising approach to address bacterial resistance issues, if cellular internalisation can be achieved. We designed N-trifluoroacetyl lysine and N-thioacetyl lysine peptides (KP 13, KP 15 and KP 24) as inhibitors of bacterial sirtuins and their cell-penetrating peptide conjugates Tat KP 13, Tat KP 15 and Tat KP 24. The conjugated peptides were successfully internalised and showed signs of bacterial transcription inhibition resulting in enhanced antibacterial potency against model Gram negative and Gram positive pathogens. Synergistic activity in combination with streptomycin and polymyxin B has also been established. These peptides were effective in inhibiting biofilm formation and eradicating preformed biofilms. Morphological analysis using both SEM and TEM showed bacterial membrane disruption. Calcein dye leakage analysis established the selectivity of these peptides to bacterial membranes. This study documents the first report of the application of substrate-based sirtuin inhibitors as antimicrobial therapeutics.
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23
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Fourie R, Cason ED, Albertyn J, Pohl CH. Transcriptional response of Candida albicans to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a polymicrobial biofilm. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6134339. [PMID: 33580263 PMCID: PMC8049422 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is frequently co-isolated with the Gram-negative bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro, the interaction is complex, with both species influencing each other. Not only does the bacterium kill hyphal cells of C. albicans through physical interaction, it also affects C. albicans biofilm formation and morphogenesis, through various secreted factors and cell wall components. The present study sought to expand the current knowledge regarding the interaction between C. albicans and P. aeruginosa, using transcriptome analyses of early static biofilms. Under these conditions, a total of 2,537 open reading frames (approximately 40% of the C. albicans transcriptome) was differentially regulated in the presence of P. aeruginosa. Upon deeper analyses it became evident that the response of C. albicans toward P. aeruginosa was dominated by a response to hypoxia, and included those associated with stress as well as iron and zinc homeostasis. These conditions may also lead to the observed differential regulation of genes associated with cell membrane synthesis, morphology, biofilm formation and phenotypic switching. Thus, C. albicans in polymicrobial biofilms with P. aeruginosa have unique transcriptional profiles that may influence commensalism as well as pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruan Fourie
- Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| | - Errol D Cason
- Department of Animal Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| | - Jacobus Albertyn
- Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| | - Carolina H Pohl
- Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
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24
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Cai Q, Tian L, Xie JT, Huang QY, Feng MG, Keyhani NO. A fungal sirtuin modulates development and virulence in the insect pathogen, Beauveria bassiana. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:5164-5183. [PMID: 33817929 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin transitions are mediated in part by acetylation/deacetylation post-translational modifications of histones. Histone deacetylases, e.g. sirtuins (Sir-proteins), repress transcription via promotion of heterochromatin formation. Here, we characterize the Sir2 class III histone deacetylase (BbSir2) in the environmentally and economically important fungal insect pathogen, Beauveria bassiana. BbSir2 is shown to contribute to the deacetylation of lysine residues on H3 and H4 histones. Targeted gene knockout of BbSir2 resulted in impaired asexual development, reduced abilities to utilize various carbon/nitrogen sources, reduced tolerance to oxidative, heat, and UV stress, and attenuated virulence. ΔBbSir2 cells showed disrupted cell cycle development and abnormal hyphal septation patterns. Proteomic protein acetylation analyses of wild type and ΔBbSir2 cells revealed the differential abundance of 462 proteins and altered (hyper- or hypo-) acetylation of 436 lysine residues on 350 proteins. Bioinformatic analyses revealed enrichment in pathways involved in carbon/nitrogen metabolism, cell cycle control and cell rescue, defence and mitochondrial functioning. Critical targets involved in virulence included LysM effector proteins and a benzoquinone oxidoreductase implicated in detoxification of cuticular compounds. These data indicate broad effects of BbSir2 on fungal development and stress response, with identification of discrete targets that can account for the observed (decreased) virulence phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China.,Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Bldg. 981, Museum Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Li Tian
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan, Shandong, 250353, China
| | - Jia-Tao Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Qiu-Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Ming-Guang Feng
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Nemat O Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Bldg. 981, Museum Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
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25
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Demin KA, Refeld AG, Bogdanova AA, Prazdnova EV, Popov IV, Kutsevalova OY, Ermakov AM, Bren AB, Rudoy DV, Chistyakov VA, Weeks R, Chikindas ML. Mechanisms of Candida Resistance to Antimycotics and Promising Ways to Overcome It: The Role of Probiotics. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2021; 13:926-948. [PMID: 33738706 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-021-09776-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic Candida and infections caused by those species are now considered as a serious threat to public health. The treatment of candidiasis is significantly complicated by the increasing resistance of pathogenic strains to current treatments and the stagnant development of new antimycotic drugs. Many species, such as Candida auris, have a wide range of resistance mechanisms. Among the currently used synthetic and semi-synthetic antifungal drugs, the most effective are azoles, echinocandins, polyenes, nucleotide analogs, and their combinations. However, the use of probiotic microorganisms and/or the compounds they produce is quite promising, although underestimated by modern pharmacology, to control the spread of pathogenic Candida species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin A Demin
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Aleksandr G Refeld
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Anna A Bogdanova
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Evgenya V Prazdnova
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Igor V Popov
- Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | | | - Alexey M Ermakov
- Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Anzhelica B Bren
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia.,Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Dmitry V Rudoy
- Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Chistyakov
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Richard Weeks
- Health Promoting Naturals Laboratory, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers State University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Michael L Chikindas
- Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia. .,Health Promoting Naturals Laboratory, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers State University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. .,I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
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26
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Ranjan K, Brandão F, Morais JAV, Muehlmann LA, Silva-Pereira I, Bocca AL, Matos LF, Poças-Fonseca MJ. The role of Cryptococcus neoformans histone deacetylase genes in the response to antifungal drugs, epigenetic modulators and to photodynamic therapy mediated by an aluminium phthalocyanine chloride nanoemulsion in vitro. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY 2021; 216:112131. [PMID: 33517071 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2021.112131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus is a globally distributed fungal pathogen that primarily afflicts immunocompromised individuals. The therapeutic options are limited and include mostly amphotericin B or fluconazole, alone or in combination. The extensive usage of antifungals allowed the selection of resistant pathogens posing threats to global public health. Histone deacetylase genes are involved in Cryptococcus virulence, and in pathogenicity and resistance to azoles in Candida albicans. Aiming to assess whether histone deacetylase genes are involved in antifungal response and in synergistic drug interactions, we evaluated the activity of amphotericin B, fluconazole, sulfamethoxazole, sodium butyrate or trichostatin A (histone deacetylase inhibitors), and hydralazine or 5- aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DNA methyl-transferase inhibitors) against different Cryptococcus neoformans strains, C. neoformans histone deacetylase null mutants and Cryptococcus gattii NIH198. The drugs were employed alone or in different combinations. Fungal growth after photodynamic therapy mediated by an aluminium phthalocyanine chloride nanoemulsion, alone or in combination with the aforementioned drugs, was assessed for the C. neoformans HDAC null mutant strains. Our results showed that fluconazole was synergistic with sodium butyrate or with trichostatin A for the hda1Δ/hos2Δ double mutant strain. Sulfamethoxazole was synergistic with sodium butyrate or with hydralazine also for hda1Δ/hos2Δ. These results clearly indicate a link between HDAC impairment and drug sensitivity. Photodynamic therapy efficacy on controlling the growth of the HDAC mutant strains was increased by amphotericin B, fluconazole, sodium butyrate or hydralazine. This is the first study in Cryptococcus highlighting the combined effects of antifungal drugs, histone deacetylase or DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and photodynamic therapy in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunal Ranjan
- Department of Genetics and Morphology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Brandão
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - José Athayde V Morais
- Postgraduate Program in Nanoscience and Nanobiotechnology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Luís Alexandre Muehlmann
- Postgraduate Program in Nanoscience and Nanobiotechnology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil; Faculty of Ceilandia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
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27
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Madaan P, Sikka P, Malik DS. Cosmeceutical Aptitudes of Niacinamide: A Review. RECENT ADVANCES IN ANTI-INFECTIVE DRUG DISCOVERY 2021; 16:196-208. [PMID: 34844552 DOI: 10.2174/2772434416666211129105629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence and scope of dermatological illness differ from region to region. Based upon type and severity, the conditions may vary from superficial to deep systemic skin infections. Niacinamide, an amide analog of vitamin B3 which was conventionally utilized as a food supplement, is now explored for the management of skin disorders. Being a powerhouse on its own, it is not stored inside the body naturally and has to be acquired from external sources. Areas Covered: This review is an attempt to disclose the physiology, pharmacology, and highlight the dermatological potentials of niacinamide, discussing its pharmacological mechanisms, varied commercially available treatments, and novel approaches, i.e., in research and patented formulations. RESULTS Niacinamide has been verified in treating almost every skin disorder, viz. aging, hyperpigmentation, acne, psoriasis, pruritus, dermatitis, fungal infections, epidermal melasma, non-melanoma skin cancer, etc. It has been reported to possess numerous properties, for instance, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antipruritic, and anticancer, which makes it an ideal ingredient for varied dermal therapies. Long term use of niacinamide, regardless of the skin type, paves the way for new skin cells, making skin healthier, brighter, and hydrated. CONCLUSION Niacinamide possesses a variety of positive characteristics in the field of dermatology. Novel approaches are warranted over current treatments which could bypass the above shortcomings and form an effective and stable system. Hence, niacinamide has the potential to become an individual and a productive component with wide future scope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyush Madaan
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab,India
| | - Priyanshi Sikka
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab,India
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28
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Li Z, Tu J, Han G, Liu N, Sheng C. Novel Carboline Fungal Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitors for Combinational Treatment of Azole-Resistant Candidiasis. J Med Chem 2020; 64:1116-1126. [PMID: 33356256 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Due to the evolution and development of antifungal drug resistance, limited efficacy of existing drugs has led to high mortality in patients with serious fungal infections. To develop novel antifungal therapeutic strategies, herein a series of carboline fungal histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors were designed and synthesized, which had potent synergistic effects with fluconazole against resistant Candida albicans infection. In particular, compound D12 showed excellent in vitro and in vivo synergistic antifungal efficacy with fluconazole to treat azole-resistant candidiasis. It cooperated with fluconazole in reducing the virulence of C. albicans by blocking morphological mutual transformation and inhibiting biofilm formation. Mechanism studies revealed that the reversion of drug resistance was due to downregulation of the expression of the azole target gene ERG11 and efflux gene CDR1. Taken together, fungal HDAC inhibitor D12 offered a promising lead compound for combinational treatment of azole-resistant candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuang Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jie Tu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Guiyan Han
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.,School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
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29
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Chen J, Liu Q, Zeng L, Huang X. Protein Acetylation/Deacetylation: A Potential Strategy for Fungal Infection Control. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:574736. [PMID: 33133044 PMCID: PMC7579399 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.574736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein acetylation is a universal post-translational modification that fine-tunes the major cellular processes of many life forms. Although the mechanisms regulating protein acetylation have not been fully elucidated, this modification is finely tuned by both enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms. Protein deacetylation is the reverse process of acetylation and is mediated by deacetylases. Together, protein acetylation and deacetylation constitute a reversible regulatory protein acetylation network. The recent application of mass spectrometry-based proteomics has led to accumulating evidence indicating that reversible protein acetylation may be related to fungal virulence because a substantial amount of virulence factors are acetylated. Additionally, the relationship between protein acetylation/deacetylation and fungal drug resistance has also been proven and the potential of deacetylase inhibitors as an anti-infective treatment has attracted attention. This review aimed to summarize the research progress in understanding fungal protein acetylation/deacetylation and discuss the mechanism of its mediation in fungal virulence, providing novel targets for the treatment of fungal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junzhu Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qiong Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lingbing Zeng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaotian Huang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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30
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Winter C, Fehr M, Craig IR, Grammenos W, Wiebe C, Terteryan-Seiser V, Rudolf G, Mentzel T, Quintero Palomar MA. Trifluoromethyloxadiazoles: inhibitors of histone deacetylases for control of Asian soybean rust. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:3357-3368. [PMID: 32369266 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trifluoromethyloxadiazoles (TFMOs) are selective inhibitors of class II histone deacetylases (HDACs). To date, class II HDACs have not been addressed as target enzymes by commercial fungicides. RESULTS Antifungal testing of a broad variety of TFMOs against several important plant pathogens showed activity against only rusts, and especially Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the cause of Asian soybean rust. A structure-activity relationship was established, leading to highly active fungicides that inhibit fungal class II and HOS3-type HDACs of Aspergillus nidulans. Studies of the enzyme-inhibitor binding mode using protein structural information based on the crystal structure of human HDAC4 argue that TFMOs inhibit these enzymes only after undergoing hydration. CONCLUSION Fungal class II HDACs are potential target enzymes for the control of at least some biotrophic crop diseases, in particular Asian soybean rust. As with any novel mode-of-action, class II HDAC fungicides would offer the potential to control fungal isolates that show reduced sensitivity toward existing commercial fungicides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcus Fehr
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Ian R Craig
- BASF SE, Digitalization in R&D, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Georg Rudolf
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions, Ludwigshafen, Germany
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31
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Jenull S, Tscherner M, Mair T, Kuchler K. ATAC-Seq Identifies Chromatin Landscapes Linked to the Regulation of Oxidative Stress in the Human Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6030182. [PMID: 32967096 PMCID: PMC7559329 DOI: 10.3390/jof6030182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human fungal pathogens often encounter fungicidal stress upon host invasion, but they can swiftly adapt by transcriptional reprogramming that enables pathogen survival. Fungal immune evasion is tightly connected to chromatin regulation. Hence, fungal chromatin modifiers pose alternative treatment options to combat fungal infections. Here, we present an assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) protocol adapted for the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans to gain further insight into the interplay of chromatin accessibility and gene expression mounted during fungal adaptation to oxidative stress. The ATAC-seq workflow not only facilitates the robust detection of genomic regions with accessible chromatin but also allows for the precise modeling of nucleosome positions in C. albicans. Importantly, the data reveal genes with altered chromatin accessibility in upstream regulatory regions, which correlate with transcriptional regulation during oxidative stress. Interestingly, many genes show increased chromatin accessibility without change in gene expression upon stress exposure. Such chromatin signatures could predict yet unknown regulatory factors under highly dynamic transcriptional control. Additionally, de novo motif analysis in genomic regions with increased chromatin accessibility upon H2O2 treatment shows significant enrichment for Cap1 binding sites, a major factor of oxidative stress responses in C. albicans. Taken together, the ATAC-seq workflow enables the identification of chromatin signatures and highlights the dynamics of regulatory mechanisms mediating environmental adaptation of C. albicans.
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32
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LeBlanc EV, Polvi EJ, Veri AO, Privé GG, Cowen LE. Structure-guided approaches to targeting stress responses in human fungal pathogens. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:14458-14472. [PMID: 32796038 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.013731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi inhabit extraordinarily diverse ecological niches, including the human body. Invasive fungal infections have a devastating impact on human health worldwide, killing ∼1.5 million individuals annually. The majority of these deaths are attributable to species of Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus Treating fungal infections is challenging, in part due to the emergence of resistance to our limited arsenal of antifungal agents, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic options. Whereas conventional antifungal strategies target proteins or cellular components essential for fungal growth, an attractive alternative strategy involves targeting proteins that regulate fungal virulence or antifungal drug resistance, such as regulators of fungal stress responses. Stress response networks enable fungi to adapt, grow, and cause disease in humans and include regulators that are highly conserved across eukaryotes as well as those that are fungal-specific. This review highlights recent developments in elucidating crystal structures of fungal stress response regulators and emphasizes how this knowledge can guide the design of fungal-selective inhibitors. We focus on the progress that has been made with highly conserved regulators, including the molecular chaperone Hsp90, the protein phosphatase calcineurin, and the small GTPase Ras1, as well as with divergent stress response regulators, including the cell wall kinase Yck2 and trehalose synthases. Exploring structures of these important fungal stress regulators will accelerate the design of selective antifungals that can be deployed to combat life-threatening fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle V LeBlanc
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth J Polvi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda O Veri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gilbert G Privé
- Departments of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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33
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Chromatin Structure and Drug Resistance in Candida spp. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6030121. [PMID: 32751495 PMCID: PMC7559719 DOI: 10.3390/jof6030121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-microbial resistance (AMR) is currently one of the most serious threats to global human health and, appropriately, research to tackle AMR garnishes significant investment and extensive attention from the scientific community. However, most of this effort focuses on antibiotics, and research into anti-fungal resistance (AFR) is vastly under-represented in comparison. Given the growing number of vulnerable, immunocompromised individuals, as well as the positive impact global warming has on fungal growth, there is an immediate urgency to tackle fungal disease, and the disturbing rise in AFR. Chromatin structure and gene expression regulation play pivotal roles in the adaptation of fungal species to anti-fungal stress, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue to tackle AFR. In this review we discuss both the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms by which chromatin structure can dictate AFR mechanisms and will present evidence of how pathogenic yeast, specifically from the Candida genus, modify chromatin structure to promote survival in the presence of anti-fungal drugs. We also discuss the mechanisms by which anti-chromatin therapy, specifically lysine deacetylase inhibitors, influence the acquisition and phenotypic expression of AFR in Candida spp. and their potential as effective adjuvants to mitigate against AFR.
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34
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Su S, Shi X, Xu W, Li Y, Chen X, Jia S, Sun S. Antifungal Activity and Potential Mechanism of Panobinostat in Combination With Fluconazole Against Candida albicans. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1584. [PMID: 32765454 PMCID: PMC7378535 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are an emerging problem worldwide, which bring huge health challenges. Candida albicans, the most common opportunistic fungal pathogen, can cause bloodstream infections with high mortality in susceptible hosts. At present, available antifungal agents used in clinical practice are limited, and most of them also have some serious adverse effects. The emergence of drug resistance because of the wide use of antifungal agents is a new limitation to successful patient therapy. Drug combination therapy is increasingly becoming a way to enhance antifungal efficacy, and reduce drug resistance and potential toxicity. Panobinostat, as a pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor, has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as novel antitumor agents. In this study, the antifungal effects and mechanisms of panobinostat combined with fluconazole (FLC) against C. albicans were explored for the first time. The results indicated that panobinostat could work synergistically with FLC against resistant C. albicans, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of panobinostat could decrease from 128 to 0.5–2 μg/ml and the MIC of FLC could decrease from >512 to 0.25–0.5 μg/ml, and the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) value ranged from 0.0024 to 0.0166. It was not only synergized against planktonic cells but also against C. albicans biofilms performed ≤8 h when panobinostat is combined with fluconazole; the sessile MIC (sMIC) of panobinostat could decrease from >128 to 0.5–8 μg/ml and the sMIC of FLC from >1024 to 0.5–2 μg/ml, and the FICI value was <0.5. The Galleria mellonella infection model was used to evaluate the in vivo effect of the drug combination, and the result showed that the survival rate could be improved obviously. Finally, we explored the synergistic mechanisms of the drug combination. The hyphal growth, which plays roles in drug resistance, was found to be inhibited, and metacaspase which is related to cell apoptosis was activated (p < 0.01), whereas the synergistic effects were proven not to be related to the efflux pumps (p > 0.05). These findings might provide novel insights into the antifungal drug discovery and the treatment of candidiasis caused by C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Su
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaohong Shi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yiman Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xueqi Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shuang Jia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Shujuan Sun
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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35
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Su S, Li X, Yang X, Li Y, Chen X, Sun S, Jia S. Histone acetylation/deacetylation in Candida albicans and their potential as antifungal targets. Future Microbiol 2020; 15:1075-1090. [PMID: 32854542 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the incidence of invasive fungal infections has significantly increased. Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the most common opportunistic fungal pathogen that infects humans. The limited number of available antifungal agents and the emergence of drug resistance pose difficulties to treatment, thus new antifungals are urgently needed. Through their functions in DNA replication, DNA repair and transcription, histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) perform essential functions relating to growth, virulence, drug resistance and stress responses of C. albicans. Here, we summarize the physiological and pathological functions of HATs/HDACs, potential antifungal targets and underlying antifungal compounds that impact histone acetylation and deacetylation. We anticipate this review will stimulate the identification of new HAT/HDAC-related antifungal targets and antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Su
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiuyun Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Qilu Children’s Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250022, China
| | - Xinmei Yang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yiman Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xueqi Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shujuan Sun
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuang Jia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
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36
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Han G, Liu N, Li C, Tu J, Li Z, Sheng C. Discovery of Novel Fungal Lanosterol 14α-Demethylase (CYP51)/Histone Deacetylase Dual Inhibitors to Treat Azole-Resistant Candidiasis. J Med Chem 2020; 63:5341-5359. [PMID: 32347094 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (particularly candidiasis) are emerging as severe infectious diseases worldwide. Because of serious antifungal drug resistance, therapeutic efficacy of the current treatment for candidiasis is limited and associated with high mortality. However, it is highly challenging to develop novel strategies and effective therapeutic agents to combat drug resistance. Herein, the first generation of lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51)-histone deacetylase (HDAC) dual inhibitors was designed, which exhibited potent antifungal activity against azole-resistant clinical isolates. In particular, compounds 12h and 15j were highly active both in vitro and in vivo to treat azole-resistant candidiasis. Antifungal mechanism studies revealed that they acted by blocking ergosterol biosynthesis and HDAC catalytic activity in fungus, suppressing the function of efflux pump, yeast-to-hypha morphological transition, and biofilm formation. Therefore, CYP51-HDAC dual inhibitors represent a promising strategy to develop novel antifungal agents against azole-resistant candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiyan Han
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chenglan Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China.,School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Jie Tu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhuang Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
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Chybowska AD, Childers DS, Farrer RA. Nine Things Genomics Can Tell Us About Candida auris. Front Genet 2020; 11:351. [PMID: 32351544 PMCID: PMC7174702 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a recently emerged multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen causing severe illness in hospitalized patients. C. auris is most closely related to a few environmental or rarely observed but cosmopolitan Candida species. However, C. auris is unique in the concern it is generating among public health agencies for its rapid emergence, difficulty to treat, and the likelihood for further and more extensive outbreaks and spread. To date, five geographically distributed and genetically divergent lineages have been identified, none of which includes isolates that were collected prior to 1996. Indeed, C. auris' ecological niche(s) and emergence remain enigmatic, although a number of hypotheses have been proposed. Recent genomic and transcriptomic work has also identified a variety of gene and chromosomal features that may have conferred C. auris with several important clinical phenotypes including its drug-resistance and growth at high temperatures. In this review we discuss nine major lines of enquiry into C. auris that big-data technologies and analytical approaches are beginning to answer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra D. Chybowska
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences, and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Delma S. Childers
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Rhys A. Farrer
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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Li D, Ramanathan S, Wang G, Wu Y, Tang Q, Li G. Acetylation of lysine 7 of AhyI affects the biological function in Aeromonas hydrophila. Microb Pathog 2020; 140:103952. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Tu B, Yin G, Li H. Synergistic effects of vorinostat (SAHA) and azoles against Aspergillus species and their biofilms. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:28. [PMID: 32028887 PMCID: PMC7006160 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-1718-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive aspergillosis is a fungal infection that occurs mainly in immunocompromised patients. It is responsible for a high degree of mortality and is invariably unresponsive to conventional antifungal treatments. Histone deacetylase inhibitors can affect the cell cycle, apoptosis and differentiation. The histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat (SAHA) has recently received approval for the treatment of cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Here, we investigated the interactions of SAHA and itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole against Aspergillus spp. in vitro using both planktonic cells and biofilms. RESULTS We investigated 20 clinical strains using broth microdilution checkerboard methods. The results showed synergy between SAHA and itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole against 60, 40, and 25% of tested isolates of planktonic Aspergillus spp., respectively. Similar synergy was also observed against Aspergillus biofilms. The expression of the azole-associated multidrug efflux pumps MDR1, MDR2, MDR3 and MDR4, as well as that of HSP90, was measured by RT-PCR. The results indicated that the molecular mechanism of the observed synergistic effects in Aspergillus fumigatus may be partly associated with dampened expression of the efflux pump genes and, furthermore, that HSP90 suppression may be a major contributor to the observed synergistic effects of the drugs. CONCLUSIONS SAHA has potential as a secondary treatment to enhance the effects of azoles against both biofilm and planktonic cells of Aspergillus spp. in vitro. This effect occurs mostly by inhibition of HSP90 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Tu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Gendi Yin
- Department of Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
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40
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Chang Z, Yadav V, Lee SC, Heitman J. Epigenetic mechanisms of drug resistance in fungi. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 132:103253. [PMID: 31325489 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.103253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of drug-resistant fungi poses a continuously increasing threat to human health. Despite advances in preventive care and diagnostics, resistant fungi continue to cause significant mortality, especially in immunocompromised patients. Therapeutic resources are further limited by current usage of only four major classes of antifungal drugs. Resistance against these drugs has already been observed in pathogenic fungi requiring the development of much needed newer antifungal drugs. Epigenetic changes such as DNA or chromatin modifications alter gene expression levels in response to certain stimuli, including interaction with the host in the case of fungal pathogens. These changes can confer resistance to drugs by altering the expression of target genes or genes encoding drug efflux pumps. Multiple pathogens share many of these epigenetic pathways; thus, targeting epigenetic pathways might also identify drug target candidates for the development of broad-spectrum antifungal drugs. In this review, we discuss the importance of epigenetic pathways in mediating drug resistance in fungi as well as in the development of anti-fungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zanetta Chang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Vikas Yadav
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Soo Chan Lee
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Li X, Yuan M, Yin R, Liu X, Zhang Y, Sun S, Han L, He S. Histone deacetylase inhibitor attenuates experimental fungal keratitis in mice. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9859. [PMID: 31285488 PMCID: PMC6614500 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46361-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal keratitis is one of the leading causes of blindness of infected corneal diseases, but the pathogenesis of fungal keratitis is not fully understood and therefore the treatment of the disease by medication is still under investigation. In the current study, we sought to study the effect of HDAC inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) on experimental fungal keratitis in mice. SAHA (25 mg/kg) (n = 30) or vehicle (DMSO) (n = 30) was delivered through intraperitoneal injection (IP) 24 hours after the fungal inoculation, and the same amount of SAHA injection or DMSO was followed at day 2. The expression of histone H3 (H3), acetylated histone H3 (AC-H3), histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC)1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in surgically excised specimens from the patients and mice with fungal keratitis were detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of mRNAs for Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), TNFα, and TLR4 were evaluated in the corneas of the mice with fungal infection and the control corneas by real-time PCR. The quantification of IL-1β and TNFα in the corneas of the mice with fungal infection was determined by ELISA. The inhibitory effect of SAHA on mice fungal keratitis was revealed by GMS and H&E staining. We found that the downregulation of histone acetylation and upregulation of HDAC1 expression were associated with the increased inflammation response in fungal keratitis not only in humans but also in experimental animals. SAHA was able to inhibit experimental fungal keratitis in mouse by suppressing TLR4 and inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-1β; the inhibition of HDAC may be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of fungal keratitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Li
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China. .,Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, 450003, China. .,People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China. .,People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.
| | - Min Yuan
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Ruijie Yin
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Shengtao Sun
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Lei Han
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Shikun He
- Departments of Pathology and Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Shivarathri R, Tscherner M, Zwolanek F, Singh NK, Chauhan N, Kuchler K. The Fungal Histone Acetyl Transferase Gcn5 Controls Virulence of the Human Pathogen Candida albicans through Multiple Pathways. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9445. [PMID: 31263212 PMCID: PMC6603162 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45817-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal virulence is regulated by a tight interplay of transcriptional control and chromatin remodelling. Despite compelling evidence that lysine acetylation modulates virulence of pathogenic fungi such as Candida albicans, the underlying mechanisms have remained largely unexplored. We report here that Gcn5, a paradigm lysyl-acetyl transferase (KAT) modifying both histone and non-histone targets, controls fungal morphogenesis - a key virulence factor of C. albicans. Our data show that genetic removal of GCN5 abrogates fungal virulence in mice, suggesting strongly diminished fungal fitness in vivo. This may at least in part arise from increased susceptibility to killing by macrophages, as well as by other phagocytes such as neutrophils or monocytes. Loss of GCN5 also causes hypersensitivity to the fungicidal drug caspofungin. Caspofungin hypersusceptibility requires the master regulator Efg1, working in concert with Gcn5. Moreover, Gcn5 regulates multiple independent pathways, including adhesion, cell wall-mediated MAP kinase signaling, hypersensitivity to host-derived oxidative stress, and regulation of the Fks1 glucan synthase, all of which play critical roles in virulence and antifungal susceptibility. Hence, Gcn5 regulates fungal virulence through multiple mechanisms, suggesting that specific inhibition of Gcn5 could offer new therapeutic strategies to combat invasive fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raju Shivarathri
- Medical University of Vienna, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Tscherner
- Medical University of Vienna, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Zwolanek
- Medical University of Vienna, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Neeraj Chauhan
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
| | - Karl Kuchler
- Medical University of Vienna, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter, A-1030, Vienna, Austria.
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Almeida-Paes R, Brito-Santos F, Oliveira MME, Bailão AM, Borges CL, Araújo GRDS, Frases S, Soares CMDA, Zancopé-Oliveira RM. Interaction with Pantoea agglomerans Modulates Growth and Melanization of Sporothrix brasiliensis and Sporothrix schenckii. Mycopathologia 2019; 184:367-381. [PMID: 31214857 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-019-00350-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Sporothrix brasiliensis and Sporothrix schenckii stand as the most virulent agents of sporotrichosis, a worldwide-distributed subcutaneous mycosis. The origin of Sporothrix virulence seems to be associated with fungal interactions with organisms living in the same environment. To assess this hypothesis, the growth of these two species in association with Pantoea agglomerans, a bacterium with a habitat similar to Sporothrix spp., was evaluated. Growth, melanization, and gene expression of the fungus were compared in the presence or absence of the bacterium in the same culture medium. Both S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii grew in contact with P. agglomerans yielding heavily melanized conidia after 5 days of incubation at 30 °C in Sabouraud agar. This increased melanin production occurred around bacterial colonies, suggesting that fungal melanization is triggered by a diffusible bacterial product, which is also supported by a similar pattern of melanin production during Sporothrix spp. growth in contact with heat-killed P. agglomerans. Growth of P. agglomerans was similar in the presence or absence of the fungus. However, the growth of S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii was initially inhibited, but further enhanced when these species were co-cultured with P. agglomerans. Moreover, fungi were able to use killed bacteria as both carbon and nitrogen sources for growth. Representational difference analysis identified overexpressed genes related to membrane transport when S. brasiliensis was co-cultured with the bacteria. The down-regulation of metabolism-related genes appears to be related to nutrient availability during bacterial exploitation. These findings can lead to a better knowledge on Sporothrix ecology and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fábio Brito-Santos
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Manoel Marques Evangelista Oliveira
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Melo Bailão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Clayton Luiz Borges
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Glauber Ribeiro de Souza Araújo
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Susana Frases
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Rosely Maria Zancopé-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Elías-Villalobos A, Barrales RR, Ibeas JI. Chromatin modification factors in plant pathogenic fungi: Insights from Ustilago maydis. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 129:52-64. [PMID: 30980908 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Adaptation to the environment is a requirement for the survival of every organism. For pathogenic fungi this also implies coping with the different conditions that occur during the infection cycle. After detecting changes to external media, organisms must modify their gene expression patterns in order to accommodate the new circumstances. Control of gene expression is a complex process that involves the coordinated action of multiple regulatory elements. Chromatin modification is a well-known mechanism for controlling gene expression in response to environmental changes in all eukaryotes. In pathogenic fungi, chromatin modifications are known to play crucial roles in controlling host interactions and their virulence capacity, yet little is known about the specific genes they directly target and to which signals they respond. The smut fungus Ustilago maydis is an excellent model system in which multiple molecular and cellular approaches are available to study biotrophic interactions. Many target genes regulated during the infection process have been well studied, however, how they are controlled and specifically how chromatin modifications affect gene regulation in the context of infection is not well known in this organism. Here, we analyse the presence of chromatin modifying enzymes and complexes in U. maydis and discuss their putative roles in this plant pathogen in the context of findings from other organisms, including other plant pathogens such as Magnaporthe oryzae and Fusarium graminearum. We propose U. maydis as a remarkable organism with interesting chromatin features, which would allow finding new functions of chromatin modifications during plant pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Elías-Villalobos
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier (CRBM), UMR5237-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
| | - Ramón R Barrales
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla, Spain.
| | - José I Ibeas
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla, Spain
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Rodríguez-Cerdeira C, Gregorio MC, Molares-Vila A, López-Barcenas A, Fabbrocini G, Bardhi B, Sinani A, Sánchez-Blanco E, Arenas-Guzmán R, Hernandez-Castro R. Biofilms and vulvovaginal candidiasis. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2018; 174:110-125. [PMID: 30447520 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Candida species, including C. albicans, are part of the mucosal flora of most healthy women, and inhabit the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Under favourable conditions, they can colonize the vulvovaginal mucosa, giving rise to symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). The mechanism by which Candida spp. produces inflammation is unknown. Both, the blastoconidia and the pseudohyphae are capable of destroying the vaginal epithelium by direct invasion. Although the symptoms are not always related to the fungal burden, in general, VVC is associated with a greater number of yeasts and pseudohyphae. Some years ago, C. albicans was the species most frequently involved in the different forms of VVC. However, infections by different species have emerged during the last two decades producing an increase in causative species of VVC such as C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei and C. tropicalis. Candida species are pathogenic organisms that have two forms of development: planktonic and biofilm. A biofilm is defined as a community of microorganisms attached to a surface and encompassed by an extracellular matrix. This form of presentation gives microorganisms greater resistance to antifungal agents. This review, about Candia spp. with a special emphasis on Candida albicans discusses specific areas such as biofilm structure and development, cell morphology and biofilm formation, biofilm-associated gene expression, the cell surface and adherence, the extracellular matrix, biofilm metabolism, and biofilm drug resistance in vulvovaginitis biofilms as an important virulence factor in fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Rodríguez-Cerdeira
- Efficiency, Quality and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain; Dermatology Department, Hospital do Meixoeiro and University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain; European Women's Dermatologic and Venereologic Society (EWDVS), Vigo, Spain.
| | - Miguel Carnero Gregorio
- Efficiency, Quality and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain; Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Alberto Molares-Vila
- Efficiency, Quality and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain; Department of Department of Analytical & Food Chemistry, Universidade de Vigo (UVIGO), Spain
| | - Adriana López-Barcenas
- Efficiency, Quality and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain; Mycology Service, Hospital Manuel Gea González, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Ardiana Sinani
- Dermatology Service, Military Medical Unit, University Trauma Hospital, Tirana, Albania
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Fungal Resistance to Echinocandins and the MDR Phenomenon in Candida glabrata. JOURNAL OF FUNGI (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 4:jof4030105. [PMID: 30200517 PMCID: PMC6162769 DOI: 10.3390/jof4030105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Candida glabrata has thoroughly adapted to successfully colonize human mucosal membranes and survive in vivo pressures. prior to and during antifungal treatment. Out of all the medically relevant Candida species, C. glabrata has emerged as a leading cause of azole, echinocandin, and multidrug (MDR: azole + echinocandin) adaptive resistance. Neither mechanism of resistance is intrinsic to C. glabrata, since stable genetic resistance depends on mutation of drug target genes, FKS1 and FKS2 (echinocandin resistance), and a transcription factor, PDR1, which controls expression of major drug transporters, such as CDR1 (azole resistance). However, another hallmark of C. glabrata is the ability to withstand drug pressure both in vitro and in vivo prior to stable "genetic escape". Additionally, these resistance events can arise within individual patients, which underscores the importance of understanding how this fungus is adapting to its environment and to drug exposure in vivo. Here, we explore the evolution of echinocandin resistance as a multistep model that includes general cell stress, drug adaptation (tolerance), and genetic escape. The extensive genetic diversity reported in C. glabrata is highlighted.
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Modulation of the Fungal-Host Interaction by the Intra-Species Diversity of C. albicans. Pathogens 2018; 7:pathogens7010011. [PMID: 29342100 PMCID: PMC5874737 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens7010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of human infections caused by the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans is on the rise due to increasing numbers of immunosuppressed patients. The importance of the immune system in preventing overgrowth of the colonizing fungus and thereby limiting infection is well recognized and host protective mechanisms widely investigated. Only recently, it was recognized that the natural diversity in the fungal species could also influence the outcome of the interaction between the fungus and the host. C. albicans strain-specific differences are complex and their regulation at the genomic, genetic, and epigenetic level and by environmental factors is only partially understood. In this review, we provide an overview of the natural diversity of C. albicans and discuss how it impacts host-fungal interactions and thereby affects the balance between commensalism versus disease.
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Liu N, Tu J, Dong G, Wang Y, Sheng C. Emerging New Targets for the Treatment of Resistant Fungal Infections. J Med Chem 2018; 61:5484-5511. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Na Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Tu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guoqiang Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People’s Republic of China
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Rai LS, Singha R, Brahma P, Sanyal K. Epigenetic determinants of phenotypic plasticity in Candida albicans. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Erlendson AA, Friedman S, Freitag M. A Matter of Scale and Dimensions: Chromatin of Chromosome Landmarks in the Fungi. Microbiol Spectr 2017; 5:10.1128/microbiolspec.FUNK-0054-2017. [PMID: 28752814 PMCID: PMC5536859 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.funk-0054-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin and chromosomes of fungi are highly diverse and dynamic, even within species. Much of what we know about histone modification enzymes, RNA interference, DNA methylation, and cell cycle control was first addressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Aspergillus nidulans, and Neurospora crassa. Here, we examine the three landmark regions that are required for maintenance of stable chromosomes and their faithful inheritance, namely, origins of DNA replication, telomeres and centromeres. We summarize the state of recent chromatin research that explains what is required for normal function of these specialized chromosomal regions in different fungi, with an emphasis on the silencing mechanism associated with subtelomeric regions, initiated by sirtuin histone deacetylases and histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) methyltransferases. We explore mechanisms for the appearance of "accessory" or "conditionally dispensable" chromosomes and contrast what has been learned from studies on genome-wide chromosome conformation capture in S. cerevisiae, S. pombe, N. crassa, and Trichoderma reesei. While most of the current knowledge is based on work in a handful of genetically and biochemically tractable model organisms, we suggest where major knowledge gaps remain to be closed. Fungi will continue to serve as facile organisms to uncover the basic processes of life because they make excellent model organisms for genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, and evolutionary biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyson A. Erlendson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331
| | - Steven Friedman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331
| | - Michael Freitag
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331
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