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Liu F, Zeng M, Zhou X, Huang F, Song Z. Aspergillus fumigatus escape mechanisms from its harsh survival environments. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:53. [PMID: 38175242 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12952-z] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous pathogenic mold and causes several diseases, including mycotoxicosis, allergic reactions, and systemic diseases (invasive aspergillosis), with high mortality rates. In its ecological niche, the fungus has evolved and mastered many reply strategies to resist and survive against negative threats, including harsh environmental stress and deficiency of essential nutrients from natural environments, immunity responses and drug treatments in host, and competition from symbiotic microorganisms. Hence, treating A. fumigatus infection is a growing challenge. In this review, we summarized A. fumigatus reply strategies and escape mechanisms and clarified the main competitive or symbiotic relationships between A. fumigatus, viruses, bacteria, or fungi in host microecology. Additionally, we discussed the contemporary drug repertoire used to treat A. fumigatus and the latest evidence of potential resistance mechanisms. This review provides valuable knowledge which will stimulate further investigations and clinical applications for treating and preventing A. fumigatus infections. KEY POINTS: • Harsh living environment was a great challenge for A. fumigatus survival. • A. fumigatus has evolved multiple strategies to escape host immune responses. • A. fumigatus withstands antifungal drugs via intrinsic escape mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Zeng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People's Republic of China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 402160, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Fujiao Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhangyong Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People's Republic of China.
- Molecular Biotechnology Platform, Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People's Republic of China.
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Wang L, Pan H, Ping Z, Ma N, Wang Q, Huang Z. Genome-wide identification and expression analysis revealed key transcription factors as potential regulators of high-temperature adaptation of Coriolopsis trogii. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:357. [PMID: 39028428 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04081-6] [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: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) play a crucial role in gene expression, and studying them can lay the foundation for future research on the functional characterization of TFs involved in various biological processes. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide identification and analysis of TFs in the thermotolerant basidiomycete fungus, Coriolopsis trogii. The TF repertoire of C. trogii consisted of 350 TFs, with C2H2 and Zn2C6 being the largest TF families. When the mycelia of C. trogii were cultured on PDA and transferred from 25 to 35 °C, 14 TFs were up-regulated and 14 TFs were down-regulated. By analyzing RNA-seq data from mycelia cultured at different temperatures and under different carbon sources, we identified 22 TFs that were differentially expressed in more than three comparisons. Co-expression analysis revealed that seven differentially expressed TFs, including four Zn2C6s, one Hap4_Hap_bind, one HMG_box, and one Zinc_knuckle, showed significant correlation with 729 targeted genes. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive characterization of the TF family and systematically screens TFs involved in the high-temperature adaptation of C. trogii, laying the groundwork for further research into the specific roles of TFs in the heat tolerance mechanisms of filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lining Wang
- Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Biomass Value-added Utilization, Guangdong Engineering Research and Development Center for Comprehensive Utilization of Plant Fiber, Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Utilization of Plant Fiber, Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510316, China
| | - Hengyu Pan
- The Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Zhaohua Ping
- Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Biomass Value-added Utilization, Guangdong Engineering Research and Development Center for Comprehensive Utilization of Plant Fiber, Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Utilization of Plant Fiber, Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510316, China
| | - Nianfang Ma
- Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Biomass Value-added Utilization, Guangdong Engineering Research and Development Center for Comprehensive Utilization of Plant Fiber, Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Utilization of Plant Fiber, Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510316, China
| | - Qingfu Wang
- Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Biomass Value-added Utilization, Guangdong Engineering Research and Development Center for Comprehensive Utilization of Plant Fiber, Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Utilization of Plant Fiber, Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510316, China.
| | - Zhihai Huang
- The Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
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Curtis A, Dobes P, Marciniak J, Hurychova J, Hyrsl P, Kavanagh K. Characterization of Aspergillus fumigatus secretome during sublethal infection of Galleria mellonella larvae. J Med Microbiol 2024; 73:001844. [PMID: 38836745 PMCID: PMC11261830 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001844] [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: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction. The fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus can induce prolonged colonization of the lungs of susceptible patients, resulting in conditions such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.Hypothesis. Analysis of the A. fumigatus secretome released during sub-lethal infection of G. mellonella larvae may give an insight into products released during prolonged human colonisation.Methodology. Galleria mellonella larvae were infected with A. fumigatus, and the metabolism of host carbohydrate and proteins and production of fungal virulence factors were analysed. Label-free qualitative proteomic analysis was performed to identify fungal proteins in larvae at 96 hours post-infection and also to identify changes in the Galleria proteome as a result of infection.Results. Infected larvae demonstrated increasing concentrations of gliotoxin and siderophore and displayed reduced amounts of haemolymph carbohydrate and protein. Fungal proteins (399) were detected by qualitative proteomic analysis in cell-free haemolymph at 96 hours and could be categorized into seven groups, including virulence (n = 25), stress response (n = 34), DNA repair and replication (n = 39), translation (n = 22), metabolism (n = 42), released intracellular (n = 28) and cellular development and cell cycle (n = 53). Analysis of the Gallerial proteome at 96 hours post-infection revealed changes in the abundance of proteins associated with immune function, metabolism, cellular structure, insect development, transcription/translation and detoxification.Conclusion. Characterizing the impact of the fungal secretome on the host may provide an insight into how A. fumigatus damages tissue and suppresses the immune response during long-term pulmonary colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Curtis
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Pavel Dobes
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jacek Marciniak
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Hurychova
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Hyrsl
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Dabholkar A, Pandit S, Devkota R, Dhingra S, Lorber S, Puel O, Calvo AM. Role of the osaA Gene in Aspergillus fumigatus Development, Secondary Metabolism and Virulence. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:103. [PMID: 38392775 PMCID: PMC10890407 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020103] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the leading cause of aspergillosis, associated with high mortality rates, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. In search of novel genetic targets against aspergillosis, we studied the WOPR transcription factor OsaA. The deletion of the osaA gene resulted in colony growth reduction. Conidiation is also influenced by osaA; both osaA deletion and overexpression resulted in a decrease in spore production. Wild-type expression levels of osaA are necessary for the expression of the conidiation regulatory genes brlA, abaA, and wetA. In addition, osaA is necessary for normal cell wall integrity. Furthermore, the deletion of osaA resulted in a reduction in the ability of A. fumigatus to adhere to surfaces, decreased thermotolerance, as well as increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. Metabolomics analysis indicated that osaA deletion or overexpression led to alterations in the production of multiple secondary metabolites, including gliotoxin. This was accompanied by changes in the expression of genes in the corresponding secondary metabolite gene clusters. These effects could be, at least in part, due to the observed reduction in the expression levels of the veA and laeA global regulators when the osaA locus was altered. Importantly, our study shows that osaA is indispensable for virulence in both neutropenic and corticosteroid-immunosuppressed mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apoorva Dabholkar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
| | - Sandesh Pandit
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
| | - Ritu Devkota
- Department of Biological Sciences and Eukaryotic Pathogen Innovation Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Sourabh Dhingra
- Department of Biological Sciences and Eukaryotic Pathogen Innovation Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Sophie Lorber
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, 31027 Toulouse, France
| | - Olivier Puel
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, 31027 Toulouse, France
| | - Ana M Calvo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
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Zheng R, Chen J, Peng Y, Zhu X, Niu M, Chen X, Xie K, Huang R, Zhan S, Su Q, Shen M, Peng D, Ahmad S, Zhao K, Liu ZJ, Zhou Y. General Analysis of Heat Shock Factors in the Cymbidium ensifolium Genome Provided Insights into Their Evolution and Special Roles with Response to Temperature. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1002. [PMID: 38256078 PMCID: PMC10815800 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021002] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Heat shock factors (HSFs) are the key regulators of heat stress responses and play pivotal roles in tissue development and the temperature-induced regulation of secondary metabolites. In order to elucidate the roles of HSFs in Cymbidium ensifolium, we conducted a genome-wide identification of CeHSF genes and predicted their functions based on their structural features and splicing patterns. Our results revealed 22 HSF family members, with each gene containing more than one intron. According to phylogenetic analysis, 59.1% of HSFs were grouped into the A subfamily, while subfamily HSFC contained only two HSFs. And the HSF gene families were differentiated evolutionarily between plant species. Two tandem repeats were found on Chr02, and two segmental duplication pairs were observed on Chr12, Chr17, and Chr19; this provided evidence for whole-genome duplication (WGD) events in C. ensifolium. The core region of the promoter in most CeHSF genes contained cis-acting elements such as AP2/ERF and bHLH, which were associated with plant growth, development, and stress responses. Except for CeHSF11, 14, and 19, each of the remaining CeHSFs contained at least one miRNA binding site. This included binding sites for miR156, miR393, and miR319, which were responsive to temperature and other stresses. The HSF gene family exhibited significant tissue specificity in both vegetative and floral organs of C. ensifolium. CeHSF13 and CeHSF15 showed relatively significant expression in flowers compared to other genes. During flower development, CeHSF15 exhibited markedly elevated expression in the early stages of flower opening, implicating critical regulatory functions in organ development and floral scent-related regulations. During the poikilothermic treatment, CeHSF14 was upregulated over 200-fold after 6 h of heat treatment. CeHSF13 and CeHSF14 showed the highest expression at 6 h of low temperature, while the expression of CeHSF15 and CeHSF21 continuously decreased at a low temperature. The expression patterns of CeHSFs further confirmed their role in responding to temperature stress. Our study may help reveal the important roles of HSFs in plant development and metabolic regulation and show insight for the further molecular design breeding of C. ensifolium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyue Zheng
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Jiemin Chen
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Yukun Peng
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Xuanyi Zhu
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Muqi Niu
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Xiuming Chen
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Kai Xie
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Ruiliu Huang
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Suying Zhan
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Qiuli Su
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Mingli Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China; (M.S.); (K.Z.)
| | - Donghui Peng
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Sagheer Ahmad
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Kai Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China; (M.S.); (K.Z.)
| | - Zhong-Jian Liu
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Yuzhen Zhou
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (J.C.); (Y.P.); (X.Z.); (M.N.); (X.C.); (K.X.); (R.H.); (S.Z.); (Q.S.); (D.P.); (S.A.)
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Son YE, Han J, Lee KT, Park HS. Pleiotropic functions of SscA on the asexual spore of the human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Mycology 2023; 15:238-254. [PMID: 38813476 PMCID: PMC11132850 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2023.2294061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Asexual spores, called conidia, are key reproductive fungal particles that enable survival in harsh environmental conditions or host systems. The conidia can infect humans, animals, and plants to cause various fungal diseases. Transcription factors, including VosA, WetA, and SscA, have key roles in conidia formation and long-term survival in Aspergillus nidulans. Herein, we report the pleiotropic functions of SscA in the conidia of the human pathogen A. fumigatus. The deletion of sscA increased conidia formation despite decreased fungal growth. Absence of sscA impaired long-term survival and reduced spore resistance to various stresses, including heat, UV, and oxidation. Transcriptomic analyses showed that SscA involved the mRNA expression of cell wall organisation-related genes. Importantly, the sscA deletion mutant conidia contained an increased amount of β-glucan and chitin compared to wild type conidia. In addition, conidial gliotoxin production was decreased in the sscA deletion strain. Overall, SscA has pleiotropic roles in conidia formation, maturation and dormancy and mycotoxin production in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Eun Son
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwoo Han
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Tae Lee
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Soo Park
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Department of Integrative Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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Neves-da-Rocha J, Santos-Saboya MJ, Lopes MER, Rossi A, Martinez-Rossi NM. Insights and Perspectives on the Role of Proteostasis and Heat Shock Proteins in Fungal Infections. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1878. [PMID: 37630438 PMCID: PMC10456932 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11081878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms that infect humans, animals, and plants. To successfully colonize their hosts, pathogenic fungi must continuously adapt to the host's unique environment, e.g., changes in temperature, pH, and nutrient availability. Appropriate protein folding, assembly, and degradation are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and survival under stressful conditions. Therefore, the regulation of proteostasis is crucial for fungal pathogenesis. The heat shock response (HSR) is one of the most important cellular mechanisms for maintaining proteostasis. It is activated by various stresses and regulates the activity of heat shock proteins (HSPs). As molecular chaperones, HSPs participate in the proteostatic network to control cellular protein levels by affecting their conformation, location, and degradation. In recent years, a growing body of evidence has highlighted the crucial yet understudied role of stress response circuits in fungal infections. This review explores the role of protein homeostasis and HSPs in fungal pathogenicity, including their contributions to virulence and host-pathogen interactions, as well as the concerted effects between HSPs and the main proteostasis circuits in the cell. Furthermore, we discuss perspectives in the field and the potential for targeting the components of these circuits to develop novel antifungal therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Neves-da-Rocha
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (M.J.S.-S.); (M.E.R.L.); (A.R.)
| | | | | | | | - Nilce M. Martinez-Rossi
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (M.J.S.-S.); (M.E.R.L.); (A.R.)
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Sass G, Martinez M, Kotta-Loizou I, Stevens D. AfuPmV-1-Infected Aspergillus fumigatus Is More Susceptible to Stress Than Virus-Free Fungus. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:750. [PMID: 37504738 PMCID: PMC10381315 DOI: 10.3390/jof9070750] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Aspergillus fumigatus polymycovirus 1 (AfuPmV-1) affects Aspergillus fumigatus Af293's growth in vitro, iron metabolism, resistance in intermicrobial competition with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, resistance to osmotic stress, and resistance to the chitin synthase inhibitor nikkomycin Z. Here, we show that response to high temperature, Congo Red-induced stress, and hydrogen peroxide are also dependent on the viral infection status of A. fumigatus. AfuPmV-1- infected Af293 was more susceptible than virus-free Af293 to growth inhibition by high temperature, hydrogen peroxide, Congo Red exposure, and nutrient restriction. Increased resistance of virus-free fungus was observed when cultures were started from conidia but, in the case of high temperature and hydrogen peroxide, not when cultures were started from hyphae. This indicates that the virus impairs the stress response during the growth phase of germination of conidia and development into hyphae. In conclusion, our work indicates that AfuPmV-1 infection in A. fumigatus impairs host responses to stress, as shown by exposure to high temperature, oxidative stress such as hydrogen peroxide, and some cell wall stresses, as shown by exposure to Congo Red (in agreement with our previous observations using nikkomycin Z) and nutrient restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Sass
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA 95128, USA
| | - Marife Martinez
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA 95128, USA
| | - Ioly Kotta-Loizou
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW72AZ, UK
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Science, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane Campus, Hatfield AL109AB, UK
| | - David Stevens
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA 95128, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Fabri JHTM, Rocha MC, Fernandes CM, Campanella JEM, da Cunha AF, Del Poeta M, Malavazi I. The Heat Shock Transcription Factor HsfA Plays a Role in Membrane Lipids Biosynthesis Connecting Thermotolerance and Unsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism in Aspergillus fumigatus. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0162723. [PMID: 37195179 PMCID: PMC10269545 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01627-23] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Thermotolerance is a remarkable virulence attribute of Aspergillus fumigatus, but the consequences of heat shock (HS) to the cell membrane of this fungus are unknown, although this structure is one of the first to detect changes in ambient temperature that imposes on the cell a prompt adaptative response. Under high-temperature stress, fungi trigger the HS response controlled by heat shock transcription factors, such as HsfA, which regulates the expression of heat shock proteins. In yeast, smaller amounts of phospholipids with unsaturated fatty acid (FA) chains are synthesized in response to HS, directly affecting plasma membrane composition. The addition of double bonds in saturated FA is catalyzed by Δ9-fatty acid desaturases, whose expression is temperature-modulated. However, the relationship between HS and saturated/unsaturated FA balance in membrane lipids of A. fumigatus in response to HS has not been investigated. Here, we found that HsfA responds to plasma membrane stress and has a role in sphingolipid and phospholipid unsaturated biosynthesis. In addition, we studied the A. fumigatus Δ9-fatty acid desaturase sdeA and discovered that this gene is essential and required for unsaturated FA biosynthesis, although it did not directly affect the total levels of phospholipids and sphingolipids. sdeA depletion significantly sensitizes mature A. fumigatus biofilms to caspofungin. Also, we demonstrate that hsfA controls sdeA expression, while SdeA and Hsp90 physically interact. Our results suggest that HsfA is required for the adaptation of the fungal plasma membrane to HS and point out a sharp relationship between thermotolerance and FA metabolism in A. fumigatus. IMPORTANCE Aspergillus fumigatus causes invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, a life-threatening infection accounting for high mortality rates in immunocompromised patients. The ability of this organism to grow at elevated temperatures is long recognized as an essential attribute for this mold to cause disease. A. fumigatus responds to heat stress by activating heat shock transcription factors and chaperones to orchestrate cellular responses that protect the fungus against damage caused by heat. Concomitantly, the cell membrane must adapt to heat and maintain physical and chemical properties such as the balance between saturated/unsaturated fatty acids. However, how A. fumigatus connects these two physiological responses is unclear. Here, we explain that HsfA affects the synthesis of complex membrane lipids such as phospholipids and sphingolipids and controls the enzyme SdeA, which produces monounsaturated fatty acids, raw material for membrane lipids. These findings suggest that forced dysregulation of saturated/unsaturated fatty acid balance might represent novel strategies for antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Henrique Tadini Marilhano Fabri
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Campos Rocha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caroline Mota Fernandes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Jonatas Erick Maimoni Campanella
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anderson Ferreira da Cunha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport, New York, USA
| | - Iran Malavazi
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
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Korfanty G, Heifetz E, Xu J. Assessing thermal adaptation of a global sample of Aspergillus fumigatus: Implications for climate change effects. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1059238. [PMID: 36875405 PMCID: PMC9978374 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1059238] [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: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a common environmental mold and a major cause of opportunistic infections in humans. It's distributed among many ecological niches across the globe. A major virulence factor of A. fumigatus is its ability to grow at high temperature. However, at present, little is known about variations among strains in their growth at different temperatures and how their geographic origins may impact such variations. In this study, we analyzed 89 strains from 12 countries (Cameroon, Canada, China, Costa Rica, France, India, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Peru, Saudi Arabia, and USA) representing diverse geographic locations and temperature environments. Each strain was grown at four temperatures and genotyped at nine microsatellite loci. Our analyses revealed a range of growth profiles, with significant variations among strains within individual geographic populations in their growths across the temperatures. No statistically significant association was observed between strain genotypes and their thermal growth profiles. Similarly geographic separation contributed little to differences in thermal adaptations among strains and populations. The combined analyses among genotypes and growth rates at different temperatures in the global sample suggest that most natural populations of A. fumigatus are capable of rapid adaptation to temperature changes. We discuss the implications of our results to the evolution and epidemiology of A. fumigatus under increasing climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg Korfanty
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Erin Heifetz
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jianping Xu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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11
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Pineda-Hernández E, Cruz-Valderrama JE, Gómez-Maqueo X, Martínez-Barajas E, Gamboa-deBuen A. BIIDXI, a DUF642 Cell Wall Protein That Regulates Pectin Methyl Esterase Activity, Is Involved in Thermotolerance Processes in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:3049. [PMID: 36432778 PMCID: PMC9694414 DOI: 10.3390/plants11223049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plant cell wall remodeling is an important process during plant responses to heat stress. Pectins, a group of cell wall polysaccharides with a great diversity of complex chemical structures, are also involved in heat stress responses. Enzymatic activity of the pectin methyl esterases, which remove methyl groups from pectins in the cell wall, is regulated by DUF642 proteins, as described in different plants, including Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa. Our results demonstrated that heat stress altered the expression of the DUF642 gene, BIIDXI. There was an important decrease in BIIDXI expression during the first hour of HS, followed by an increase at 24 h. bdx-1 seedlings had less tolerance to heat stress but presented a normal heat stress response; HSFA2 and HSP22 expressions were highly increased, as they were in WT seedlings. Thermopriming triggered changes in pectin methyl esterase activity in WT seedlings, while no increases in PME activity were detected in bdx-1 seedlings at the same conditions. Taken together, our results suggest that BIIDXI is involved in thermotolerance via PME activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Pineda-Hernández
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - José Erik Cruz-Valderrama
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Ximena Gómez-Maqueo
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Eleazar Martínez-Barajas
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Alicia Gamboa-deBuen
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
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12
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Yap A, Glarcher I, Misslinger M, Haas H. Characterization and engineering of the xylose-inducible xylP promoter for use in mold fungal species. Metab Eng Commun 2022; 15:e00214. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mec.2022.e00214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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13
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Iqbal MZ, Jia T, Tang T, Anwar M, Ali A, Hassan MJ, Zhang Y, Tang Q, Peng Y. A Heat Shock Transcription Factor TrHSFB2a of White Clover Negatively Regulates Drought, Heat and Salt Stress Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12769. [PMID: 36361560 PMCID: PMC9654841 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat shock transcription factors (HSF) are divided into classes A, B and C. Class A transcription factors are generally recognized as transcriptional activators, while functional characterization of class B and C heat shock transcription factors have not been fully developed in most plant species. We isolated and characterized a novel HSF transcription factor gene, TrHSFB2a (a class B HSF) gene, from the drought stress-sensitive forage crop species, white clover (Trifolium repens). TrHSFB2a was highly homologous to MtHSFB2b, CarHSFB2a, AtHSFB2b and AtHSFB2a. The expression of TrHSFB2a was strongly induced by drought (PEG6000 15% w/v), high temperature (35 °C) and salt stresses (200 mM L-1 NaCl) in white clover, while subcellular localization analysis showed that it is a nuclear protein. Overexpression of the white clover gene TrHSFB2a in Arabidopsis significantly reduced fresh and dry weight, relative water contents (RWC), maximum photosynthesis efficiency (Fv/Fm) and performance index on the absorption basis (PIABS), while it promoted leaf senescence, relative electrical conductivity (REC) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to a wild type under drought, heat and salt stress conditions of Arabidopsis plants. The silencing of its native homolog (AtHSFB2a) by RNA interference in Arabidopsis thaliana showed opposite trends by significantly increasing fresh and dry weights, RWC, maximum photosynthesis efficiency (Fv/Fm) and performance index on the absorption basis (PIABS) and reducing REC and MDA contents under drought, heat and salt stress conditions compared to wild type Arabidopsis plants. These phenotypic and physiological indicators suggested that the TrHSFB2a of white clover functions as a negative regulator of heat, salt and drought tolerance. The bioinformatics analysis showed that TrHSFB2a contained the core B3 repression domain (BRD) that has been reported as a repressor activator domain in other plant species that might repress the activation of the heat shock-inducible genes required in the stress tolerance process in plants. The present study explores one of the potential causes of drought and heat sensitivity in white clover that can be overcome to some extent by silencing the TrHSFB2a gene in white clover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zafar Iqbal
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Tong Jia
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Tao Tang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Muhammad Anwar
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Plant Epigenetics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Asif Ali
- Key Laboratory of Southwest Crop Genetic Resources and Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Education, Rice Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Muhammad Jawad Hassan
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Youzhi Zhang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Qilin Tang
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yan Peng
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
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14
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Response and regulatory mechanisms of heat resistance in pathogenic fungi. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:5415-5431. [PMID: 35941254 PMCID: PMC9360699 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12119-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Both the increasing environmental temperature in nature and the defensive body temperature response to pathogenic fungi during mammalian infection cause heat stress during the fungal existence, reproduction, and pathogenic infection. To adapt and respond to the changing environment, fungi initiate a series of actions through a perfect thermal response system, conservative signaling pathways, corresponding transcriptional regulatory system, corresponding physiological and biochemical processes, and phenotypic changes. However, until now, accurate response and regulatory mechanisms have remained a challenge. Additionally, at present, the latest research progress on the heat resistance mechanism of pathogenic fungi has not been summarized. In this review, recent research investigating temperature sensing, transcriptional regulation, and physiological, biochemical, and morphological responses of fungi in response to heat stress is discussed. Moreover, the specificity thermal adaptation mechanism of pathogenic fungi in vivo is highlighted. These data will provide valuable knowledge to further understand the fungal heat adaptation and response mechanism, especially in pathogenic heat-resistant fungi. Key points • Mechanisms of fungal perception of heat pressure are reviewed. • The regulatory mechanism of fungal resistance to heat stress is discussed. • The thermal adaptation mechanism of pathogenic fungi in the human body is highlighted.
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15
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Crunden JL, Diezmann S. Hsp90 interaction networks in fungi-tools and techniques. FEMS Yeast Res 2021; 21:6413543. [PMID: 34718512 PMCID: PMC8599792 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foab054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a central regulator of cellular proteostasis. It stabilizes numerous proteins that are involved in fundamental processes of life, including cell growth, cell-cycle progression and the environmental response. In addition to stabilizing proteins, Hsp90 governs gene expression and controls the release of cryptic genetic variation. Given its central role in evolution and development, it is important to identify proteins and genes that interact with Hsp90. This requires sophisticated genetic and biochemical tools, including extensive mutant collections, suitable epitope tags, proteomics approaches and Hsp90-specific pharmacological inhibitors for chemogenomic screens. These usually only exist in model organisms, such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yet, the importance of other fungal species, such as Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, as serious human pathogens accelerated the development of genetic tools to study their virulence and stress response pathways. These tools can also be exploited to map Hsp90 interaction networks. Here, we review tools and techniques for Hsp90 network mapping available in different fungi and provide a summary of existing mapping efforts. Mapping Hsp90 networks in fungal species spanning >500 million years of evolution provides a unique vantage point, allowing tracking of the evolutionary history of eukaryotic Hsp90 networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia L Crunden
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Stephanie Diezmann
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
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