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Zheng D, Yue D, Shen J, Li D, Song Z, Huang Y, Yong J, Li Y. Berberine inhibits Candida albicans growth by disrupting mitochondrial function through the reduction of iron absorption. J Appl Microbiol 2023; 134:lxad276. [PMID: 37994672 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxad276] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
AIMS This study aimed to investigate whether berberine (BBR) can inhibit the iron reduction mechanism of Candida albicans, lowering the iron uptake of the yeast and perhaps having antimicrobial effects. METHODS AND RESULTS We determined that BBR may cause extensive transcriptional remodeling in C. albicans and that iron permease Ftr1 played a crucial role in this process through eukaryotic transcriptome sequencing. Mechanistic research showed that BBR might selectively inhibit the iron reduction pathway to lower the uptake of exogenous iron ions, inhibiting C. albicans from growing and metabolizing. Subsequent research revealed that BBR caused significant mitochondrial dysfunction, which triggered the process of mitochondrial autophagy. Moreover, we discovered that C. albicans redox homeostasis, susceptibility to antifungal drugs, and hyphal growth are all impacted by the suppression of this mechanism by BBR. CONCLUSIONS The iron reduction mechanism in C. albicans is disrupted by BBR, which disrupts mitochondrial function and inhibits fungal growth. These findings highlight the potential promise of BBR in antifungal applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongming Zheng
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Daifan Yue
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Jinyang Shen
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Dongmei Li
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Zhen Song
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Yifu Huang
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Jiangyan Yong
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan 610075, China
| | - Yan Li
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan 611137, China
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2
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Wang H, Yu J, Zhu B, Gu L, Wang H, Du X, Zeng T, Tang H. The SbbHLH041- SbEXPA11 Module Enhances Cadmium Accumulation and Rescues Biomass by Increasing Photosynthetic Efficiency in Sorghum. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13061. [PMID: 37685867 PMCID: PMC10487693 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713061] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In plants, expansin genes are responsive to heavy metal exposure. To study the bioremediary potential of this important gene family, we discovered a root-expressed expansin gene in sorghum, SbEXPA11, which is notably upregulated following cadmium (Cd) exposure. However, the mechanism underlying the Cd detoxification and accumulation mediated by SbEXPA11 in sorghum remains unclear. We overexpressed SbEXPA11 in sorghum and compared wild-type (WT) and SbEXPA11-overexpressing transgenic sorghum in terms of Cd accumulation and physiological indices following Cd. Compared with the WT, we found that SbEXPA11 mediates Cd tolerance by exerting reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging effects through upregulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, the overexpression of SbEXPA11 rescued biomass production by increasing the photosynthetic efficiency of transgenic plants. In the pot experiment with a dosage of 10 mg/kg Cd, transgenic sorghum plants demonstrated higher efficacy in reducing the Cd content of the soil (8.62 mg/kg) compared to WT sorghum plants (9.51 mg/kg). Subsequent analysis revealed that the SbbHLH041 transcription factor has the ability to induce SbEXPA11 expression through interacting with the E-box located within the SbEXPA11 promoter. These findings suggest that the SbbHLH041-SbEXPA11 cascade module may be beneficial for the development of phytoremediary sorghum varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huinan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China; (H.W.); (J.Y.); (B.Z.); (L.G.); (H.W.); (X.D.)
| | - Junxing Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China; (H.W.); (J.Y.); (B.Z.); (L.G.); (H.W.); (X.D.)
| | - Bin Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China; (H.W.); (J.Y.); (B.Z.); (L.G.); (H.W.); (X.D.)
| | - Lei Gu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China; (H.W.); (J.Y.); (B.Z.); (L.G.); (H.W.); (X.D.)
| | - Hongcheng Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China; (H.W.); (J.Y.); (B.Z.); (L.G.); (H.W.); (X.D.)
| | - Xuye Du
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China; (H.W.); (J.Y.); (B.Z.); (L.G.); (H.W.); (X.D.)
| | - Tuo Zeng
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China; (H.W.); (J.Y.); (B.Z.); (L.G.); (H.W.); (X.D.)
| | - Heng Tang
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat Breeding, Agronomy College, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271002, China
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Celis AI, Relman DA, Huang KC. The impact of iron and heme availability on the healthy human gut microbiome in vivo and in vitro. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:110-126.e3. [PMID: 36603582 PMCID: PMC9913275 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Responses of the indigenous human gut commensal microbiota to iron are poorly understood because of an emphasis on in vitro studies of pathogen iron sensitivity. In a study of iron supplementation in healthy humans, we identified gradual microbiota shifts in some participants correlated with bacterial iron internalization. To identify direct effects due to taxon-specific iron sensitivity, we used participant stool samples to derive diverse in vitro communities. Iron supplementation of these communities caused small compositional shifts, mimicking those in vivo, whereas iron deprivation dramatically inhibited growth with irreversible, cumulative reduction in diversity and replacement of dominant species. Sensitivity of individual species to iron deprivation in axenic culture generally predicted iron dependency in a community. Finally, exogenous heme acted as a source of inorganic iron to prevent depletion of some species. Our results highlight the complementarity of in vivo and in vitro studies in understanding how environmental factors affect gut microbiotas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna I Celis
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - David A Relman
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Infectious Diseases Section, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Kerwyn Casey Huang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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4
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Palma M, Mondo S, Pereira M, Vieira É, Grigoriev IV, Sá-Correia I. Genome Sequence and Analysis of the Flavinogenic Yeast Candida membranifaciens IST 626. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8030254. [PMID: 35330255 PMCID: PMC8955749 DOI: 10.3390/jof8030254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The ascomycetous yeast Candida membranifaciens has been isolated from diverse habitats, including humans, insects, and environmental sources, exhibiting a remarkable ability to use different carbon sources that include pentoses, melibiose, and inulin. In this study, we isolated four C. membranifaciens strains from soil and investigated their potential to overproduce riboflavin. C. membranifaciens IST 626 was found to produce the highest concentrations of riboflavin. The volumetric production of this vitamin was higher when C. membranifaciens IST 626 cells were cultured in a commercial medium without iron and when xylose was the available carbon source compared to the same basal medium with glucose. Supplementation of the growth medium with 2 g/L glycine favored the metabolization of xylose, leading to biomass increase and consequent enhancement of riboflavin volumetric production that reached 120 mg/L after 216 h of cultivation. To gain new insights into the molecular basis of riboflavin production and carbon source utilization in this species, the first annotated genome sequence of C. membranifaciens is reported in this article, as well as the result of a comparative genomic analysis with other relevant yeast species. A total of 5619 genes were predicted to be present in C. membranifaciens IST 626 genome sequence (11.5 Mbp). Among them are genes involved in riboflavin biosynthesis, iron homeostasis, and sugar uptake and metabolism. This work put forward C. membranifaciens IST 626 as a riboflavin overproducer and provides valuable molecular data for future development of superior producing strains capable of using the wide range of carbon sources, which is a characteristic trait of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Palma
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.P.); (É.V.); (I.S.-C.)
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Stephen Mondo
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (S.M.); (I.V.G.)
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Mariana Pereira
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.P.); (É.V.); (I.S.-C.)
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Érica Vieira
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.P.); (É.V.); (I.S.-C.)
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Igor V. Grigoriev
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (S.M.); (I.V.G.)
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Isabel Sá-Correia
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.P.); (É.V.); (I.S.-C.)
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
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Black B, Lee C, Horianopoulos LC, Jung WH, Kronstad JW. Respiring to infect: Emerging links between mitochondria, the electron transport chain, and fungal pathogenesis. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009661. [PMID: 34237096 PMCID: PMC8266039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Braydon Black
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Christopher Lee
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Linda C. Horianopoulos
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Won Hee Jung
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Republic of Korea
| | - James W. Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Ke CL, Liao YT, Lin CH. MSS2 maintains mitochondrial function and is required for chitosan resistance, invasive growth, biofilm formation and virulence in Candida albicans. Virulence 2021; 12:281-297. [PMID: 33427576 PMCID: PMC7808435 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1870082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most prevalent fungal pathogen in humans, particularly in immunocompromised patients. In this study, by screening a C. albicans mutant library, we first identified that the MSS2 gene, an ortholog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae MSS2 required for mitochondrial respiration, mediates chitosan resistance. Upon treatment with 0.2% chitosan, the growth of mss2Δ strains was strikingly impaired, and MSS2 expression was significantly repressed by chitosan. Furthermore, mss2Δ strains exhibited slow growth on medium supplemented with glycerol as the sole carbon source. Similar to the chitosan-treated wild-type strain, the mss2Δ strain exhibited a significantly impaired ATP production ability. These data suggest that an antifungal mechanism of chitosan against C. albicans acts by inhibiting MSS2 gene expression, leading to repression of mitochondrial function. Normal respiratory function is suggested to be required for fungal virulence. Interestingly, the mss2Δ mutant strains exhibited significantly impaired invasive ability in vitro and ex vivo but retained normal hyphal development ability in liquid medium. Furthermore, the MSS2 deletion strains could not form robust biofilms and exhibited significantly reduced virulence. Collectively, these results demonstrated that the antifungal effect of chitosan against C. albicans is mediated via inhibition of mitochondrial biogenesis. These data may provide another strategy for antifungal drug development via inhibition of fungal mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai-Ling Ke
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University , Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Liao
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University , Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University , Taipei, Taiwan
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7
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Misslinger M, Hortschansky P, Brakhage AA, Haas H. Fungal iron homeostasis with a focus on Aspergillus fumigatus. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1868:118885. [PMID: 33045305 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
To maintain iron homeostasis, fungi have to balance iron acquisition, storage, and utilization to ensure sufficient supply and to avoid toxic excess of this essential trace element. As pathogens usually encounter iron limitation in the host niche, this metal plays a particular role during virulence. Siderophores are iron-chelators synthesized by most, but not all fungal species to sequester iron extra- and intracellularly. In recent years, the facultative human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus has become a model for fungal iron homeostasis of siderophore-producing fungal species. This article summarizes the knowledge on fungal iron homeostasis and its links to virulence with a focus on A. fumigatus. It covers mechanisms for iron acquisition, storage, and detoxification, as well as the modes of transcriptional iron regulation and iron sensing in A. fumigatus in comparison to other fungal species. Moreover, potential translational applications of the peculiarities of fungal iron metabolism for treatment and diagnosis of fungal infections is addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Misslinger
- Institute of Molecular Biology - Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter Hortschansky
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany; Department Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology - Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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8
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Wang D, Liu B, Xiong T, Yu W, She Q. Investigation of the underlying genes and mechanism of familial hypercholesterolemia through bioinformatics analysis. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2020; 20:419. [PMID: 32938406 PMCID: PMC7493348 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-020-01701-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the commonest inherited metabolic disorders. Abnormally high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in blood leads to premature atherosclerosis onset and a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the specific mechanisms of the progression process are still unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the potential differently expressed genes (DEGs) and mechanism of FH using various bioinformatic tools. Methods GSE13985 and GSE6054 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database for bioinformatic analysis in this study. First, limma package of R was used to identify DEGs between blood samples of patients with FH and those from healthy individuals. Then, the functional annotation of DEGs was carried out by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis. Based on Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) tool, we constructed the Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) network among DEGs and mined the core genes as well. Results A total of 102 communal DEGs (49 up-regulated and 53 down-regulated) are identified in FH samples compared with control samples. The functional changes of DEGs are mainly associated with the focal adhere and glucagon signaling pathway. Ten genes (ITGAL, TLN1, POLR2A, CD69, GZMA, VASP, HNRNPUL1, SF1, SRRM2, ITGAV) were identified as core genes. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the core genes are mainly enriched in numerous processes related to cell adhesion, integrin-mediated signaling pathway and cell-matrix adhesion. In the transcription factor (TF) target regulating network, 219 nodes were detected, including 214 DEGs and 5 TFs (SP1, EGR3, CREB, SEF1, HOX13). In conclusion, the DEGs and hub genes identified in this study may help us understand the potential etiology of the occurrence and development of AS. Conclusion Up-regulated ITGAL, TLN1, POLR2A, VASP, HNRNPUL1, SF1, SRRM2, and down-regulated CD69, GZMA and ITGAV performed important promotional effects for the formation of atherosclerotic plaques those suffering from FH. Moreover, SP1, EGR3, CREB, SEF1 and HOX13 were the potential transcription factors for DEGs and could serve as underlying targets for AS rupture prevention. These findings provide a theoretical basis for us to understand the potential etiology of the occurrence and development of AS in FH patients and we may be able to find potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinghui Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.1 Medical College Road, Shiyou Road Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.1 Medical College Road, Shiyou Road Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianhua Xiong
- Department of Cardiovascular, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.1 Medical College Road, Shiyou Road Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenlong Yu
- Department of Cardiovascular, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.1 Medical College Road, Shiyou Road Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang She
- Department of Cardiovascular, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, 76 Linjiang Road, Chongqing, 400010, P.R. China.
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9
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Martínez-Pastor MT, Puig S. Adaptation to iron deficiency in human pathogenic fungi. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1867:118797. [PMID: 32663505 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Iron is an essential micronutrient for virtually all eukaryotic organisms and plays a central role during microbial infections. Invasive fungal diseases are associated with strikingly high rates of mortality, but their impact on human health is usually underestimated. Upon a fungal infection, hosts restrict iron availability in order to limit the growth and virulence of the pathogen. Here, we use two model yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, to delve into the response to iron deficiency of human fungal pathogens, such as Candida glabrata, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans. Fungi possess common and species-specific mechanisms to acquire iron and to control the response to iron limitation. Upon iron scarcity, fungi activate a wide range of elegant strategies to capture and import exogenous iron, mobilize iron from intracellular stores, and modulate their metabolism to economize and prioritize iron utilization. Hence, iron homeostasis genes represent remarkable virulence factors that can be used as targets for the development of novel antifungal treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sergi Puig
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
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10
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Gupta M, Outten CE. Iron-sulfur cluster signaling: The common thread in fungal iron regulation. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2020; 55:189-201. [PMID: 32234663 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Iron homeostasis in fungi involves balancing iron uptake and storage with iron utilization to achieve adequate, nontoxic levels of this essential nutrient. Extensive work in the nonpathogenic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe has uncovered unique iron regulation networks for each organism that control iron metabolism via distinct molecular mechanisms. However, common themes have emerged from these studies. The activities of all fungal iron-sensing transcription factors characterized to date are regulated via iron-sulfur cluster signaling. Furthermore, glutaredoxins often play a key role in relaying the intracellular iron status to these DNA-binding proteins. Recent work with fungal pathogens, including Candida and Aspergillus species and Cryptococcus neoformans, has revealed novel iron regulation mechanisms, yet similar roles for iron-sulfur clusters and glutaredoxins in iron signaling have been confirmed. This review will focus on these recent discoveries regarding iron regulation pathways in both pathogenic and nonpathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malini Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA 29208
| | - Caryn E Outten
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA 29208.
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11
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Muthamil S, Prasath KG, Priya A, Precilla P, Pandian SK. Global proteomic analysis deciphers the mechanism of action of plant derived oleic acid against Candida albicans virulence and biofilm formation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5113. [PMID: 32198447 PMCID: PMC7083969 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61918-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal fungus in humans, mostly found on the mucosal surfaces of the mouth, gut, vagina and skin. Incidence of ever increasing invasive candidiasis in immunocompromised patients, alarming occurrence of antifungal resistance and insufficient diagnostic methods demand more focused research into C. albicans pathogenicity. Consequently, in the present study, oleic acid from Murraya koenigii was shown to have the efficacy to inhibit biofilm formation and virulence of Candida spp. Results of in vitro virulence assays and gene expression analysis, impelled to study the protein targets which are involved in the molecular pathways of C. albicans pathogenicity. Proteomic studies of differentially expressed proteins reveals that oleic acid induces oxidative stress responses and mainly targets the proteins involved in glucose metabolism, ergosterol biosynthesis, lipase production, iron homeostasis and amino acid biosynthesis. The current study emphasizes anti-virulent potential of oleic acid which can be used as a therapeutic agent to treat Candida infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subramanian Muthamil
- Department of Biotechnology Science Campus Alagappa University Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Krishnan Ganesh Prasath
- Department of Biotechnology Science Campus Alagappa University Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Arumugam Priya
- Department of Biotechnology Science Campus Alagappa University Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Pitchai Precilla
- Department of Biotechnology Science Campus Alagappa University Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India
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