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Ball B, Sukumaran A, Pladwig S, Kazi S, Chan N, Honeywell E, Modrakova M, Geddes-McAlister J. Proteome signatures reveal homeostatic and adaptive oxidative responses by a putative co-chaperone, Wos2, to influence fungal virulence determinants in cryptococcosis. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0015224. [PMID: 38953322 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00152-24] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of invasive fungal pathogens is dramatically changing the clinical landscape of infectious diseases, posing an imminent threat to public health. Specifically, Cryptococcus neoformans, the human opportunistic pathogen, expresses elaborate virulence mechanisms and is equipped with sophisticated adaptation strategies to survive in harsh host environments. This study extensively characterizes Wos2, an Hsp90 co-chaperone homolog, featuring bilateral functioning for both cryptococcal adaptation and the resulting virulence response. In this study, we evaluated the proteome and secretome signatures associated with wos2 deletion in enriched and infection-mimicking conditions to reveal Wos2-dependent regulation of the oxidative stress response through global translational reprogramming. The wos2Δ strain demonstrates defective intracellular and extracellular antioxidant protection systems, measurable through a decreased abundance of critical antioxidant enzymes and reduced growth in the presence of peroxide stress. Additional Wos2-associated stress phenotypes were observed upon fungal challenge with heat shock, osmotic stress, and cell membrane stressors. We demonstrate the importance of Wos2 for intracellular lifestyle of C. neoformans during in vitro macrophage infection and provide evidence for reduced phagosomal replication levels associated with wos2Δ. Accordingly, wos2Δ featured significantly reduced virulence within impacting fungal burden in a murine model of cryptococcosis. Our study highlights a vulnerable point in the fungal chaperone network that offers a therapeutic opportunity to interfere with both fungal virulence and fitness.IMPORTANCEThe global impact of fungal pathogens, both emerging and emerged, is undeniable, and the alarming increase in antifungal resistance rates hampers our ability to protect the global population from deadly infections. For cryptococcal infections, a limited arsenal of antifungals and increasing rates of resistance demand alternative therapeutic strategies, including an anti-virulence approach, which disarms the pathogen of critical virulence factors, empowering the host to remove the pathogens and clear the infection. To this end, we apply state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based proteomics to evaluate the impact of a recently defined novel co-chaperone, Wos2, toward cryptococcal virulence using in vitro and in vivo models of infection. We explore global proteome and secretome remodeling driven by the protein and uncover the novel role in modulating the fungal oxidative stress response. Complementation of proteome findings with in vitro infectivity assays demonstrated the protective role of Wos2 within the macrophage phagosome, influencing fungal replication and survival. These results underscore differential cryptococcal survivability and weakened patterns of dissemination in the absence of wos2. Overall, our study establishes Wos2 as an important contributor to fungal pathogenesis and warrants further research into critical proteins within global stress response networks as potential druggable targets to reduce fungal virulence and clear infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Ball
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Arjun Sukumaran
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samanta Pladwig
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samiha Kazi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Norris Chan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Effie Honeywell
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Manuela Modrakova
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Kohlmann P, Krylov SN, Marchand P, Jose J. FRET Assays for the Identification of C. albicans HSP90-Sba1 and Human HSP90α-p23 Binding Inhibitors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:516. [PMID: 38675476 PMCID: PMC11053944 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040516] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a critical target for anticancer and anti-fungal-infection therapies due to its central role as a molecular chaperone involved in protein folding and activation. In this study, we developed in vitro Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assays to characterize the binding of C. albicans HSP90 to its co-chaperone Sba1, as well as that of the homologous human HSP90α to p23. The assay for human HSP90α binding to p23 enables selectivity assessment for compounds aimed to inhibit the binding of C. albicans HSP90 to Sba1 without affecting the physiological activity of human HSP90α. The combination of the two assays is important for antifungal drug development, while the assay for human HSP90α can potentially be used on its own for anticancer drug discovery. Since ATP binding of HSP90 is a prerequisite for HSP90-Sba1/p23 binding, ATP-competitive inhibitors can be identified with the assays. The specificity of binding of fusion protein constructs-HSP90-mNeonGreen (donor) and Sba1-mScarlet-I (acceptor)-to each other in our assay was confirmed via competitive inhibition by both non-labeled Sba1 and known ATP-competitive inhibitors. We utilized the developed assays to characterize the stability of both HSP90-Sba1 and HSP90α-p23 affinity complexes quantitatively. Kd values were determined and assessed for their precision and accuracy using the 95.5% confidence level. For HSP90-Sba1, the precision confidence interval (PCI) was found to be 70-120 (100 ± 20) nM while the accuracy confidence interval (ACI) was 100-130 nM. For HSP90α-p23, PCI was 180-260 (220 ± 40) nM and ACI was 200-270 nM. The developed assays were used to screen a nucleoside-mimetics library of 320 compounds for inhibitory activity against both C. albicans HSP90-Sba1 and human HSP90α-p23 binding. No novel active compounds were identified. Overall, the developed assays exhibited low data variability and robust signal separation, achieving Z factors > 0.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Kohlmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacampus, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - Sergey N. Krylov
- Department of Chemistry, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada;
- Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Pascal Marchand
- Cibles et Médicaments des Infections et de l’Immunité, IICiMed, Nantes Université, UR 1155, F-44000 Nantes, France;
| | - Joachim Jose
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacampus, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
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3
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Wu Y, Zhou J, Wei F, Zhang Y, Zhao L, Feng Z, Feng H. The role of VdSti1 in Verticillium dahliae: insights into pathogenicity and stress responses. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1377713. [PMID: 38638896 PMCID: PMC11024458 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1377713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Sti1/Hop, a stress-induced co-chaperone protein, serves as a crucial link between Hsp70 and Hsp90 during cellular stress responses. Despite its importance in stress defense mechanisms, the biological role of Sti1 in Verticillium dahliae, a destructive fungal pathogen, remains largely unexplored. This study focused on identifying and characterizing Sti1 homologues in V. dahliae by comparing them to those found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The results indicated that the VdSti1-deficient mutant displayed increased sensitivity to drugs targeting the ergosterol synthesis pathway, leading to a notable inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis. Moreover, the mutant exhibited reduced production of microsclerotia and melanin, accompanied by decreased expression of microsclerotia and melanin-related genes VDH1, Vayg1, and VaflM. Additionally, the mutant's conidia showed more severe damage under heat shock conditions and displayed growth defects under various stressors such as temperature, SDS, and CR stress, as well as increased sensitivity to H2O2, while osmotic stress did not impact its growth. Importantly, the VdSti1-deficient mutant demonstrated significantly diminished pathogenicity compared to the wild-type strain. This study sheds light on the functional conservation and divergence of Sti1 homologues in fungal biology and underscores the critical role of VdSti1 in microsclerotia development, stress response, and pathogenicity of V. dahliae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutao Wu
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, China
| | - Jinglong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Feng Wei
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Yalin Zhang
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Lihong Zhao
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Zili Feng
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Hongjie Feng
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, China
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Lin Y, Jung H, Bulman CA, Ng J, Vinck R, O'Beirne C, Zhong S, Moser MS, Tricoche N, Peguero R, Li RW, Urban JF, Le Pape P, Pagniez F, Moretto M, Weil T, Lustigman S, Cariou K, Mitreva M, Sakanari JA, Gasser G. Discovery of New Broad-Spectrum Anti-Infectives for Eukaryotic Pathogens Using Bioorganometallic Chemistry. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15867-15882. [PMID: 38009931 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance observed with many anti-infectives clearly highlights the need for new broad-spectrum agents to treat especially neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) caused by eukaryotic parasitic pathogens, including fungal infections. Herein, we show that the simple modification of one of the most well-known antifungal drugs, fluconazole, with organometallic moieties not only improves the activity of the parent drug but also broadens the scope of application of the new derivatives. These compounds were highly effective in vivo against pathogenic fungal infections and potent against parasitic worms such as Brugia, which causes lymphatic filariasis and Trichuris, one of the soil-transmitted helminths that infects millions of people globally. Notably, the identified molecular targets indicate a mechanism of action that differs greatly from that of the parental antifungal drug, including targets involved in biosynthetic pathways that are absent in humans, offering great potential to expand our armamentarium against drug-resistant fungal infections and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) targeted for elimination by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lin
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Hyeim Jung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Christina A Bulman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - James Ng
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Robin Vinck
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Cillian O'Beirne
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Shuai Zhong
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Matthew S Moser
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Nancy Tricoche
- Molecular Parasitology, New York Blood Center, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Ricardo Peguero
- Molecular Parasitology, New York Blood Center, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Robert W Li
- United States Department of Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, United States
| | - Joseph F Urban
- United States Department of Agriculture, Diet, Genomics and Immunology Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, United States
| | - Patrice Le Pape
- Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, Cibles et Médicaments des Infections et de l'Immunité, IICiMed, UR 1155, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Fabrice Pagniez
- Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, Cibles et Médicaments des Infections et de l'Immunité, IICiMed, UR 1155, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Marco Moretto
- Fondazione Edmund Mach Via E. Mach 1, Research and Innovation Centre, Via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Tobias Weil
- Fondazione Edmund Mach Via E. Mach 1, Research and Innovation Centre, Via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Sara Lustigman
- Molecular Parasitology, New York Blood Center, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Kevin Cariou
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Makedonka Mitreva
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, United States
| | - Judy A Sakanari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Gilles Gasser
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
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5
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Lin Y, Jung H, Bulman CA, Ng J, Vinck R, O'Beirne C, Moser MS, Tricoche N, Peguero R, Li RW, Urban JF, Pape PL, Pagniez F, Moretto M, Weil T, Lustigman S, Cariou K, Mitreva M, Sakanari JA, Gasser G. Discovery of New Broad-Spectrum Anti-Infectives for Eukaryotic Pathogens Using Bioorganometallic Chemistry. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.28.546819. [PMID: 37425761 PMCID: PMC10327022 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.28.546819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance observed with many anti-infectives clearly highlights the need for new broad-spectrum agents to treat especially neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) caused by eukaryotic parasitic pathogens including fungal infections. Since these diseases target the most vulnerable communities who are disadvantaged by health and socio-economic factors, new agents should be, if possible, easy-to-prepare to allow for commercialization based on their low cost. In this study, we show that simple modification of one of the most well-known antifungal drugs, fluconazole, with organometallic moieties not only improves the activity of the parent drug but also broadens the scope of application of the new derivatives. These compounds were highly effective in vivo against pathogenic fungal infections and potent against parasitic worms such as Brugia, which causes lymphatic filariasis and Trichuris, one of the soil-transmitted helminths that infects millions of people globally. Notably, the identified molecular targets indicate a mechanism of action that differs greatly from the parental antifungal drug, including targets involved in biosynthetic pathways that are absent in humans, offering great potential to expand our armamentarium against drug-resistant fungal infections and NTDs targeted for elimination by 2030. Overall, the discovery of these new compounds with broad-spectrum activity opens new avenues for the development of treatments for several current human infections, either caused by fungi or by parasites, including other NTDs, as well as newly emerging diseases. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY Simple derivatives of the well-known antifungal drug fluconazole were found to be highly effective in vivo against fungal infections, and also potent against the parasitic nematode Brugia, which causes lymphatic filariasis and against Trichuris, one of the soil-transmitted helminths that infects millions of people globally.
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6
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Ko Y, Chun J, Yang H, Kim D. Hypoviral-regulated HSP90 co-chaperone p23 (CpCop23) determines the colony morphology, virulence, and viral response of chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:413-424. [PMID: 36762926 PMCID: PMC10098053 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We previously identified a protein spot that showed down-regulation in the presence of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) and tannic acid supplementation as a Hsp90 co-chaperone p23 gene (CpCop23). The CpCop23-null mutant strain showed retarded growth with less aerial mycelia and intense pigmentation. Conidia of the CpCop23-null mutant were significantly decreased and their viability was dramatically diminished. The CpCop23-null mutant showed hypersensitivity to Hsp90 inhibitors. However, no differences in responsiveness were observed after exposure to other stressors such as temperature, reactive oxygen species, and high osmosis, the exception being cell wall-disturbing agents. A severe reduction in virulence was observed in the CpCop23-null mutant. Interestingly, viral transfer to the CpCop23-null mutant from CHV1-infected strain via anastomosis was more inefficient than a comparable transfer with the wild type as a result of decreased hyphal branching of the CpCop23-null mutant around the peripheral region, which resulted in less fusion of the hyphae. The CHV1-infected CpCop23-null mutant exhibited recovered mycelial growth with less pigmentation and sporulation. The CHV1-transfected CpCop23-null mutant demonstrated almost no virulence, that is, even less than that of the CHV1-infected wild type (UEP1), a further indication that reduced virulence of the mutant is not attributable exclusively to the retarded growth but rather is a function of the CpCop23 gene. Thus, this study indicates that CpCop23 plays a role in ensuring appropriate mycelial growth and development, spore viability, responses to antifungal drugs, and fungal virulence. Moreover, the CpCop23 gene acts as a host factor that affects CHV1-infected fungal growth and maintains viral symptom development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yo‐Han Ko
- Department of Molecular Biology, Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Institute for Molecular Biology and GeneticsJeonbuk National UniversityJeonjuSouth Korea
| | - Jeesun Chun
- Department of Molecular Biology, Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Institute for Molecular Biology and GeneticsJeonbuk National UniversityJeonjuSouth Korea
| | - Han‐Eul Yang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Institute for Molecular Biology and GeneticsJeonbuk National UniversityJeonjuSouth Korea
| | - Dae‐Hyuk Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Institute for Molecular Biology and GeneticsJeonbuk National UniversityJeonjuSouth Korea
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7
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Víglaš J, Olejníková P. Antifungal azoles trigger a xenobiotic detoxification pathway and chitin synthesis in Neurospora crassa. Res Microbiol 2023:104055. [PMID: 36963554 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2023.104055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
The presence of antifungal drugs is prompting the fungal microorganisms to react by mechanisms broader than the resistance. The fungi evolved mechanisms, by which they respond to various stress conditions, including the presence of antifungal compounds. In this work, we studied the response of model filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa to azole antifungals in the broader context of the adaptation mechanisms. We demonstrated the increase in expression of filamentous fungi-specific genes encoding cytochrome enzymes of CYP65 clan and plasma membrane-localized ABCC transporters. Azoles appear not to conjugate with glutathione. Surprisingly, the azoles caused changes in the hyphae organization and the amount of chitin in cell wall by the same manner that was thought to be echinocandin-specific. The response to individual azoles appeared to be influenced by the structure of azole compound (prochloraz - main outlier). Taken together, these findings demonstrate the importance of study of stress response mechanisms, specifically in filamentous fungi. Many aspects of the reaction within azoles seem to be similar, though specificities are occurring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ján Víglaš
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Food and Chemical Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Petra Olejníková
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Food and Chemical Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia.
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8
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Regulation of Hsp80 involved in the acquisition of induced thermotolerance, and NCA-2 involved in calcium stress tolerance by the calcineurin-CRZ-1 signaling pathway in Neurospora crassa. Mycol Prog 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11557-022-01833-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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9
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Zhu Y, Fang C, Shi Y, Shan Y, Liu X, Liang Y, Huang L, Liu X, Liu C, Zhao Y, Fan S, Zhang X. Candida albicans Multilocus Sequence Typing Clade I Contributes to the Clinical Phenotype of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Patients. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:837536. [PMID: 35433756 PMCID: PMC9010739 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.837536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most frequent fungal species responsible for vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), which exhibits distinct genetic diversity that is linked with the clinical phenotype. This study aimed to assess the genotypes and clinical characteristics of different C. albicans isolates from VVC patients. Based on multilocus sequence typing (MLST), clade 1 was identified as the largest C. albicans group, which appeared most frequently in recurrent VVC and treatment failure cases. Further study of antifungal susceptibility demonstrated that MLST clade 1 strains presented significantly higher drug resistance ability than non-clade 1 strains, which result from the overexpression of MDR1. The mRNA and protein expression levels of virulence-related genes were also significantly higher in clade 1 isolates than in non-clade 1 isolates. Proteomic analysis indicated that the protein stabilization pathway was significantly enriched in clade 1 strains and that RPS4 was a central regulator of proteins involved in stress resistance, adherence, and DNA repair, which all contribute to the resistance and virulence of MLST clade 1 strains. This study was the first attempt to compare the correlation mechanisms between C. albicans MLST clade 1 and non-clade 1 strains and the clinical phenotype, which is of great significance for VVC classification and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxia Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory on Technology for Early Diagnosis of Major Gynecological Disease, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Yu Shi
- Clinical College of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yingying Shan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory on Technology for Early Diagnosis of Major Gynecological Disease, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoping Liu
- Department of Laboratory Science, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yiheng Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory on Technology for Early Diagnosis of Major Gynecological Disease, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liting Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory on Technology for Early Diagnosis of Major Gynecological Disease, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinyang Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory on Technology for Early Diagnosis of Major Gynecological Disease, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunfeng Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory on Technology for Early Diagnosis of Major Gynecological Disease, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yin Zhao
- Research Institute of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shangrong Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory on Technology for Early Diagnosis of Major Gynecological Disease, Shenzhen, China
- Shangrong Fan
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory on Technology for Early Diagnosis of Major Gynecological Disease, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaowei Zhang
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Staniszewska M, Zdrojewski T, Gizińska M, Rogalska M, Kuryk Ł, Kowalkowska A, Łukowska-Chojnacka E. Tetrazole derivatives bearing benzodiazepine moiety—synthesis and action mode against virulence of Candida albicans. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 230:114060. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.114060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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11
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Ball B, Woroszchuk E, Sukumaran A, West H, Afaq A, Carruthers-Lay D, Muselius B, Gee L, Langille M, Pladwig S, Kazi S, Hendriks A, Geddes-McAlister J. Proteome and secretome profiling of zinc availability in Cryptococcus neoformans identifies Wos2 as a subtle influencer of fungal virulence determinants. BMC Microbiol 2021; 21:341. [PMID: 34903172 PMCID: PMC8667453 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02410-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fungal infections impact over 25% of the global population. For the opportunistic fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, infection leads to cryptococcosis. In the presence of the host, disease is enabled by elaboration of sophisticated virulence determinants, including polysaccharide capsule, melanin, thermotolerance, and extracellular enzymes. Conversely, the host protects itself from fungal invasion by regulating and sequestering transition metals (e.g., iron, zinc, copper) important for microbial growth and survival. RESULTS Here, we explore the intricate relationship between zinc availability and fungal virulence via mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics. We observe a core proteome along with a distinct zinc-regulated protein-level signature demonstrating a shift away from transport and ion binding under zinc-replete conditions towards transcription and metal acquisition under zinc-limited conditions. In addition, we revealed a novel connection among zinc availability, thermotolerance, as well as capsule and melanin production through the detection of a Wos2 ortholog in the secretome under replete conditions. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we provide new biological insight into cellular remodeling at the protein level of C. neoformans under regulated zinc conditions and uncover a novel connection between zinc homeostasis and fungal virulence determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Ball
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - E Woroszchuk
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - A Sukumaran
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - H West
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - A Afaq
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - D Carruthers-Lay
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - B Muselius
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - L Gee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - M Langille
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - S Pladwig
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - S Kazi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - A Hendriks
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - J Geddes-McAlister
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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12
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Advances in Fusarium drug resistance research. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2021; 24:215-219. [PMID: 33460843 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusarium species cause many diseases in plants and humans, which results in a great number of economic losses every year. The management of plant diseases and related human diseases caused by Fusarium is challenging as many kinds of Fusarium may be intrinsically resistant to antifungal drugs, not to mention the fact that they can acquire drug resistance, which is common in clinical practice. To date, the drug resistance of Fusarium is mainly related to target alterations, drug efflux and biofilm formation. This article reviews recent studies related to the mechanism of Fusarium resistance, and summarizes the key molecules affecting resistance.
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13
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Víglaš J, Olejníková P. Signalling mechanisms involved in stress response to antifungal drugs. Res Microbiol 2020; 172:103786. [PMID: 33038529 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of antifungal resistance is a serious threat in the treatment of mycoses. The primary susceptible fungal cells may evolve a resistance after longer exposure to antifungal agents. The exposure itself causes stress condition, to which the fungus needs to adapt. This review provides detailed description of evolutionary conserved molecular mechanisms contributing to the adaptation response to stress caused by antifungal agents as well as their interconnection. The knowledge may help us to find new ways to delay the emergence of drug resistance as the same mechanisms are used regardless of what antifungal compound causes stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ján Víglaš
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 81237, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Petra Olejníková
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 81237, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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14
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Navarro MV, Chaves AFA, Castilho DG, Casula I, Calado JCP, Conceição PM, Iwai LK, de Castro BF, Batista WL. Effect of Nitrosative Stress on the S-Nitroso-Proteome of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1184. [PMID: 32582109 PMCID: PMC7287035 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungi Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii are the causative agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a systemic mycosis endemic to Latin America. This fungus is considered a facultative intracellular pathogen that is able to survive and replicate inside macrophages. The survival of the fungus during infection depends on its adaptability to various conditions, such as nitrosative/oxidative stress produced by the host immune cells, particularly alveolar macrophages. Currently, there is little knowledge about the Paracoccidioides spp. signaling pathways involved in the fungus evasion mechanism of the host defense response. However, it is known that some of these pathways are triggered by reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) produced by host cells. Considering that the effects of NO (nitric oxide) on pathogens are concentration dependent, such effects could alter the redox state of cysteine residues by influencing (activating or inhibiting) a variety of protein functions, notably S-nitrosylation, a highly important NO-dependent posttranslational modification that regulates cellular functions and signaling pathways. It has been demonstrated by our group that P. brasiliensis yeast cells proliferate when exposed to low NO concentrations. Thus, this work investigated the modulation profile of S-nitrosylated proteins of P. brasiliensis, as well as identifying S-nitrosylation sites after treatment with RNS. Through mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS/MS) and label-free quantification, it was possible to identify 474 proteins in the S-nitrosylated proteome study. With this approach, we observed that proteins treated with NO at low concentrations presented a proliferative response pattern, with several proteins involved in cellular cycle regulation and growth being activated. These proteins appear to play important roles in fungal virulence. On the other hand, fungus stimulated by high NO concentrations exhibited a survival response pattern. Among these S-nitrosylated proteins we identified several potential molecular targets for fungal disease therapy, including cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway, amino acid and folic acid metabolisms. In addition, we detected that the transnitrosylation/denitrosylation redox signaling are preserved in this fungus. Finally, this work may help to uncover the beneficial and antifungal properties of NO in the P. brasiliensis and point to useful targets for the development of antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina V. Navarro
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alison F. A. Chaves
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniele G. Castilho
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isis Casula
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, Brazil
| | - Juliana C. P. Calado
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Palloma M. Conceição
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, Brazil
| | - Leo K. Iwai
- Laboratory of Applied Toxinology, Center of Toxins, Immune-response and Cell Signaling, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Beatriz F. de Castro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, Brazil
| | - Wagner L. Batista
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, Brazil
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15
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Zhang T, Cao Q, Li N, Liu D, Yuan Y. Transcriptome analysis of fungicide-responsive gene expression profiles in two Penicillium italicum strains with different response to the sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide prochloraz. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:156. [PMID: 32050894 PMCID: PMC7017498 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6564-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Penicillium italicum (blue mold) is one of citrus pathogens causing undesirable citrus fruit decay even at strictly-controlled low temperatures (< 10 °C) during shipping and storage. P. italicum isolates with considerably high resistance to sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides have emerged; however, mechanism(s) underlying such DMI-resistance remains unclear. In contrast to available elucidation on anti-DMI mechanism for P. digitatum (green mold), how P. italicum DMI-resistance develops has not yet been clarified. Results The present study prepared RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) libraries for two P. italicum strains (highly resistant (Pi-R) versus highly sensitive (Pi-S) to DMI fungicides), with and without prochloraz treatment, to identify prochloraz-responsive genes facilitating DMI-resistance. After 6 h prochloraz-treatment, comparative transcriptome profiling showed more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Pi-R than Pi-S. Functional enrichments identified 15 DEGs in the prochloraz-induced Pi-R transcriptome, simultaneously up-regulated in P. italicum resistance. These included ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter-encoding genes, major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter-encoding genes, ergosterol (ERG) anabolism component genes ERG2, ERG6 and EGR11 (CYP51A), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling-inducer genes Mkk1 and Hog1, and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK) signaling-inducer genes CaMK1 and CaMK2. Fragments Per Kilobase per Million mapped reads (FPKM) analysis of Pi-R transcrtiptome showed that prochloraz induced mRNA increase of additional 4 unigenes, including the other two ERG11 isoforms CYP51B and CYP51C and the remaining kinase-encoding genes (i.e., Bck1 and Slt2) required for Slt2-MAPK signaling. The expression patterns of all the 19 prochloraz-responsive genes, obtained in our RNA-seq data sets, have been validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). These lines of evidence in together draw a general portrait of anti-DMI mechanisms for P. italicum species. Intriguingly, some strategies adopted by the present Pi-R were not observed in the previously documented prochloraz-resistant P. digitatum transcrtiptomes. These included simultaneous induction of all major EGR11 isoforms (CYP51A/B/C), over-expression of ERG2 and ERG6 to modulate ergosterol anabolism, and concurrent mobilization of Slt2-MAPK and CaMK signaling processes to overcome fungicide-induced stresses. Conclusions The present findings provided transcriptomic evidence on P. italicum DMI-resistance mechanisms and revealed some diversity in anti-DMI strategies between P. italicum and P. digitatum species, contributing to our knowledge on P. italicum DMI-resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingfu Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Qianwen Cao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Na Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China.,Yunnan Higher Education Institutions, College of Life Science and Technology, Honghe University, Mengzi, 661199, China
| | - Deli Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
| | - Yongze Yuan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
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16
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Bartsch K, Hombach-Barrigah A, Clos J. Hsp90 inhibitors radicicol and geldanamycin have opposing effects on Leishmania Aha1-dependent proliferation. Cell Stress Chaperones 2017; 22:729-742. [PMID: 28455612 PMCID: PMC5573691 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-017-0800-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hsp90 and its co-chaperones are essential for the medically important parasite Leishmania donovani, facilitating life cycle control and intracellular survival. Activity of Hsp90 is regulated by co-chaperones of the Aha1 and P23 families. In this paper, we studied the expression of L. donovani Aha1 in two life cycle stages, its interaction with Hsp90 and the phenotype of Aha1 null mutants during the insect stage and inside infected macrophages. This study provides a detailed in vitro analysis of the function of Aha1 in Leishmania parasites and the first instance of a reverse genetic analysis of Aha1 in a protozoan parasite. While Aha1 is non-essential under standard growth conditions and at elevated temperature, Aha1 protects against ethanol stress. However, both overexpression and lack of Aha1 affected parasite growth in the presence of the Hsp90 inhibitors radicicol (RAD) and geldanamycin (GA). Under RAD pressure, P23 and Aha1 act in an antagonistic way. By contrast, expression levels of both co-chaperones have similar effects under GA treatment, indicating different inhibition mechanisms by the two compounds. Aha1 is also secreted in virulence-enhancing exosomes. This may explain why the loss of Aha1 reduces the infectivity of L. donovani in ex vivo mouse macrophages, indicating a role during the intracellular mammalian stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Bartsch
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht St. 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Antje Hombach-Barrigah
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht St. 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Clos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht St. 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany.
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