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Muselius B, Roux-Dalvai F, Droit A, Geddes-McAlister J. Resolving the Temporal Splenic Proteome during Fungal Infection for Discovery of Putative Dual Perspective Biomarker Signatures. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2023; 34:1928-1940. [PMID: 37222660 PMCID: PMC10487597 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens are emerging threats to global health with the rise of incidence associated with climate change and increased geographical distribution; factors also influencing host susceptibility to infection. Accurate detection and diagnosis of fungal infections is paramount to offer rapid and effective therapeutic options. For improved diagnostics, the discovery and development of protein biomarkers presents a promising avenue; however, this approach requires a priori knowledge of infection hallmarks. To uncover putative novel biomarkers of disease, profiling of the host immune response and pathogen virulence factor production is indispensable. In this study, we use mass-spectrometry-based proteomics to resolve the temporal proteome of Cryptococcus neoformans infection of the spleen following a murine model of infection. Dual perspective proteome profiling defines global remodeling of the host over a time course of infection, confirming activation of immune associated proteins in response to fungal invasion. Conversely, pathogen proteomes detect well-characterized C. neoformans virulence determinants, along with novel mapped patterns of pathogenesis during the progression of disease. Together, our innovative systematic approach confirms immune protection against fungal pathogens and explores the discovery of putative biomarker signatures from complementary biological systems to monitor the presence and progression of cryptococcal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Muselius
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University
of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Florence Roux-Dalvai
- Proteomics
platform, CHU de Québec - Université
Laval Research Center, Québec
City, Québec G1
V 4G2, Canada
- Computational
Biology Laboratory, CHU de Québec
- Université Laval Research Center, Québec City, Québec G1 V 4G2, Canada
- Canadian
Proteomics and Artificial Intelligence Consortium, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Arnaud Droit
- Proteomics
platform, CHU de Québec - Université
Laval Research Center, Québec
City, Québec G1
V 4G2, Canada
- Computational
Biology Laboratory, CHU de Québec
- Université Laval Research Center, Québec City, Québec G1 V 4G2, Canada
- Canadian
Proteomics and Artificial Intelligence Consortium, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jennifer Geddes-McAlister
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University
of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
- Canadian
Proteomics and Artificial Intelligence Consortium, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
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2
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Quaye IK, Aleksenko L, Paganotti GM, Peloewetse E, Haiyambo DH, Ntebela D, Oeuvray C, Greco B. Malaria Elimination in Africa: Rethinking Strategies for Plasmodium vivax and Lessons from Botswana. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:392. [PMID: 37624330 PMCID: PMC10458071 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8080392] [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: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The global malaria community has picked up the theme of malaria elimination in more than 90% of the world's population in the next decade. Recent reports of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) in sub-Saharan Africa, including in Duffy-negative individuals, threaten the efforts aimed at achieving elimination. This is not only in view of strategies that are tailored only to P. falciparum elimination but also due to currently revealed biological characteristics of P. vivax concerning the relapse patterns of hypnozoites and conservation of large biomasses in cryptic sites in the bone marrow and spleen. A typical scenario was observed in Botswana between 2008 and 2018, which palpably projects how P. vivax could endanger malaria elimination efforts where the two parasites co-exist. The need for the global malaria community, national malaria programs (NMPs), funding agencies and relevant stakeholders to engage in a forum to discuss and recommend clear pathways for elimination of malaria, including P. vivax, in sub-Saharan Africa is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac K. Quaye
- Pan African Vivax and Ovale Network, Faculty of Engineering Computer and Allied Sciences, Regent University College of Science and Technology, #1 Regent Ave, McCarthy Hill, Mendskrom, Dansoman, Accra P.O. Box DS1636, Ghana
| | - Larysa Aleksenko
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, Middlesex, London UB8 3PH, UK;
| | - Giacomo M. Paganotti
- Botswana-University of Pennsylvania Partnership, Riverwalk, Gaborone P.O. Box 45498, Botswana;
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Elias Peloewetse
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone Private Bag 00704, Botswana;
| | - Daniel H. Haiyambo
- Department of Human, Biological and Translational Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia School of Medicine, Hage Geingob Campus, Windhoek Private Bag 13301, Namibia;
| | - Davies Ntebela
- National Malaria Program, Ministry of Health, Gaborone Private Bag 0038, Botswana;
| | - Claude Oeuvray
- Global Health Institute of Merck, Terre Bonne Building Z0, Route de Crassier 1, Eysin, 1266 Geneva, Switzerland; (C.O.); (B.G.)
| | - Beatrice Greco
- Global Health Institute of Merck, Terre Bonne Building Z0, Route de Crassier 1, Eysin, 1266 Geneva, Switzerland; (C.O.); (B.G.)
| | - the PAVON Consortium
- PAVON, Regent University College of Science and Technology, #1 Regent Avenue, McCarthy Hiil, Mendskrom, Dansoman, Accra P.O. Box DS1636, Ghana
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Gutierrez-Gongora D, Raouf-Alkadhimi F, Prosser RS, Geddes-McAlister J. Differentiated extracts from freshwater and terrestrial mollusks inhibit virulence factor production in Cryptococcus neoformans. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4928. [PMID: 36967422 PMCID: PMC10040410 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32140-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The human fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, is responsible for deadly infections among immunocompromised individuals with the evolution of antifungal resistance driving the solution to discover new compounds that inhibit fungal virulence factors rather than kill the pathogen. Recently, exploration into natural sources (e.g., plants, invertebrates, microbes) of antifungal agents has garnered attention by integrating a One Health approach for new compound discovery. Here, we explore extracts from three mollusk species (freshwater and terrestrial) and evaluate effects against the growth and virulence factor production (i.e., thermotolerance, melanin, capsule, and biofilm) in C. neoformans. We demonstrate that clarified extracts of Planorbella pilsbryi have a fungicidal effect on cryptococcal cells comparable to fluconazole. Similarly, all extracts of Cipangopaludina chinensis affect cryptococcal thermotolerance and impair biofilm and capsule production, with clarified extracts of Cepaea nemoralis also conveying the latter effect. Next, inhibitory activity of extracts against peptidases related to specific virulence factors, combined with stress assays and quantitative proteomics, defined distinct proteome signatures and proposed proteins driving the observed anti-virulence properties. Overall, this work highlights the potential of compounds derived from natural sources to inhibit virulence factor production in a clinically important fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ryan S Prosser
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Fu T, Park HH, Kim KS. Role of the cAMP signaling pathway in the dissemination and development on pepper fruit anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum scovillei. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1003195. [PMID: 36262188 PMCID: PMC9574036 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1003195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ascomycete fungus Colletotrichum scovillei causes severe anthracnose disease on the fruit of sweet pepper and chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) worldwide. Understanding the biology of C. scovillei would improve the management of fruit anthracnose diseases. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway regulates diverse cellular and physiological processes in several foliar fungal pathogens. We investigated the roles of the cAMP signaling pathway in C. scovillei using pharmaceutical and genetic approaches. Exogenous cAMP was found to increase conidiation, appressorium formation, and anthracnose disease development in C. scovillei. CsAc1, CsCap1, and CsPdeH, which regulate the intracellular cAMP level, were deleted by homology-dependent gene replacement. Expectedly, the intracellular cAMP level was significantly decreased in ΔCsac1 and ΔCscap1 but increased in ΔCspdeh. All three deletion mutants exhibited serious defects in multiple fungal developments and pathogenicity, suggesting regulation of the intracellular cAMP level is important for C. scovillei. Notably, exogenous cAMP recovered the defect of ΔCsac1 in appressorium development, but not penetration, which was further recovered by adding CaCl2. This result suggests that CsAc1 is associated with both the cAMP and Ca2+ signaling pathways in C. scovillei. ΔCscap1 produced morphologically abnormal conidia with reduced tolerance to thermal stress. ΔCspdeh was completely defective in conidiation in C. scovillei, unlike other foliar pathogens. Taken together, these results demonstrate the importance of cAMP signaling in anthracnose disease caused by C. scovillei.
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Jiang L, Zhang S, Su J, Peck SC, Luo L. Protein Kinase Signaling Pathways in Plant- Colletotrichum Interaction. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 12:829645. [PMID: 35126439 PMCID: PMC8811371 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.829645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by members of Colletotrichum that affect a wide range of crop plants. Strategies to improve crop resistance are needed to reduce the yield losses; and one strategy is to manipulate protein kinases that catalyze reversible phosphorylation of proteins regulating both plant immune responses and fungal pathogenesis. Hence, in this review, we present a summary of the current knowledge of protein kinase signaling pathways in plant-Colletotrichum interaction as well as the relation to a more general understanding of protein kinases that contribute to plant immunity and pathogen virulence. We highlight the potential of combining genomic resources and phosphoproteomics research to unravel the key molecular components of plant-Colletotrichum interactions. Understanding the molecular interactions between plants and Colletotrichum would not only facilitate molecular breeding of resistant cultivars but also help the development of novel strategies for controlling the anthracnose disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Jiang
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Shizi Zhang
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Jianbin Su
- Division of Plant Sciences, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Scott C. Peck
- Division of Biochemistry, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Lijuan Luo
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
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Adenylyl Cyclase and Protein Kinase A Play Redundant and Distinct Roles in Growth, Differentiation, Antifungal Drug Resistance, and Pathogenicity of Candida auris. mBio 2021; 12:e0272921. [PMID: 34663094 PMCID: PMC8524339 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02729-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a globally emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen. Its pathogenicity-related signaling networks are largely unknown. Here, we characterized the pathobiological functions of the cyclic AMP (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway in C. auris. We focused on adenylyl cyclase (CYR1), the PKA regulatory subunit (BCY1), and the PKA catalytic subunits (TPK1 and TPK2). We concluded that PKA acts both dependently and independently of Cyr1 in C. auris. Tpk1 and Tpk2 have major and minor roles, respectively, in PKA activity and functions. Both Cyr1 and PKA promote growth, thermotolerance, filamentous growth, and resistance to stress and antifungal drugs by regulating expression of multiple effector genes. In addition, Cyr1 and PKA subunits were involved in disinfectant resistance of C. auris. However, deletion of both TPK1 and TPK2 generally resulted in more severe defects than CYR1 deletion, indicating that Cyr1 and PKA play redundant and distinct roles. Notably, Tpk1 and Tpk2 have redundant but Cyr1-independent roles in haploid-to-diploid cell transition, which increases virulence of C. auris. However, Tpk1 and Tpk2 often play opposing roles in formation of biofilms and the cell wall components chitin and chitosan. Surprisingly, deletion of CYR1 or TPK1/TPK2, which resulted in severe in vitro growth defects at 37°C, did not attenuate virulence, and BCY1 deletion reduced virulence of C. auris in a systemic murine infection model. In conclusion, this study provides comprehensive insights into the role of the cAMP/PKA pathway in drug resistance and pathogenicity of C. auris and suggests a potential therapeutic option for treatment of C. auris-mediated candidemia.
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7
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Gong M, Zhang H, Wu D, Zhang Z, Zhang J, Bao D, Yang Y. Key metabolism pathways and regulatory mechanisms of high polysaccharide yielding in Hericium erinaceus. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:160. [PMID: 33676419 PMCID: PMC7937317 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07480-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hericium erinaceus, a rare edible and medicine fungus, is widely used in the food and medical field. Polysaccharides from H. erinaceus are the main bioactive compound that exert high bioactive value in the medical and healthcare industries. Results The genome of H. erinaceus original strain HEA was reported 38.16 Mb, encoding 9780 predicted genes by single-molecule, real-time sequencing technology. The phylogenomic analysis showed that H. erinaceus had the closest evolutionary affinity with Dentipellis sp. The polysaccharide content in the fermented mycelia of mutated strains HEB and HEC, which obtained by ARTP mutagenesis in our previous study, was improved by 23.25 and 47.45%, and a new β-glucan fraction with molecular weight 1.056 × 106 Da was produced in HEC. Integrative analysis of transcriptome and proteomics showed the upregulation of the carbohydrate metabolism pathway modules in HEB and HEC might lead to the increased production of glucose-6P and promote the repeating units synthesis of polysaccharides. qPCR and PRM analysis confirmed that most of the co-enriched and differentially co-expressed genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism shared a similar expression trend with the transcriptome and proteome data in HEB and HEC. Heatmap analysis showed a noticeably decreased protein expression profile of the RAS-cAMP-PKA pathway in HEC with a highly increased 47.45% of polysaccharide content. The S phase progression blocking experiment further verified that the RAS-cAMP-PKA pathway’s dysfunction might promote high polysaccharide and β-glucan production in the mutant strain HEC. Conclusions The study revealed the primary mechanism of the increased polysaccharide synthesis induced by ARTP mutagenesis and explored the essential genes and pathways of polysaccharide synthesis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07480-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Gong
- Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Engineering Research Center of Edible Fungi, Key Laboratory of Edible Fungi Resources and Utilization (South), Ministry of Agriculture, the People's Republic of China, No.1000, Jinqi Road, Shanghai, 201403, China
| | - Henan Zhang
- Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Engineering Research Center of Edible Fungi, Key Laboratory of Edible Fungi Resources and Utilization (South), Ministry of Agriculture, the People's Republic of China, No.1000, Jinqi Road, Shanghai, 201403, China
| | - Di Wu
- Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Engineering Research Center of Edible Fungi, Key Laboratory of Edible Fungi Resources and Utilization (South), Ministry of Agriculture, the People's Republic of China, No.1000, Jinqi Road, Shanghai, 201403, China
| | - Zhong Zhang
- Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Engineering Research Center of Edible Fungi, Key Laboratory of Edible Fungi Resources and Utilization (South), Ministry of Agriculture, the People's Republic of China, No.1000, Jinqi Road, Shanghai, 201403, China
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Engineering Research Center of Edible Fungi, Key Laboratory of Edible Fungi Resources and Utilization (South), Ministry of Agriculture, the People's Republic of China, No.1000, Jinqi Road, Shanghai, 201403, China
| | - Dapeng Bao
- Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Engineering Research Center of Edible Fungi, Key Laboratory of Edible Fungi Resources and Utilization (South), Ministry of Agriculture, the People's Republic of China, No.1000, Jinqi Road, Shanghai, 201403, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Engineering Research Center of Edible Fungi, Key Laboratory of Edible Fungi Resources and Utilization (South), Ministry of Agriculture, the People's Republic of China, No.1000, Jinqi Road, Shanghai, 201403, China.
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8
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Maliehe M, Ntoi MA, Lahiri S, Folorunso OS, Ogundeji AO, Pohl CH, Sebolai OM. Environmental Factors That Contribute to the Maintenance of Cryptococcus neoformans Pathogenesis. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8020180. [PMID: 32012843 PMCID: PMC7074686 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8020180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of microorganisms to colonise and display an intracellular lifestyle within a host body increases their fitness to survive and avoid extinction. This host–pathogen association drives microbial evolution, as such organisms are under selective pressure and can become more pathogenic. Some of these microorganisms can quickly spread through the environment via transmission. The non-transmittable fungal pathogens, such as Cryptococcus, probably return into the environment upon decomposition of the infected host. This review analyses whether re-entry of the pathogen into the environment causes restoration of its non-pathogenic state or whether environmental factors and parameters assist them in maintaining pathogenesis. Cryptococcus (C.) neoformans is therefore used as a model organism to evaluate the impact of environmental stress factors that aid the survival and pathogenesis of C. neoformans intracellularly and extracellularly.
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Maybruck BT, Lam WC, Specht CA, Ilagan MXG, Donlin MJ, Lodge JK. The Aminoalkylindole BML-190 Negatively Regulates Chitosan Synthesis via the Cyclic AMP/Protein Kinase A1 Pathway in Cryptococcus neoformans. mBio 2019; 10:e02264-19. [PMID: 31848271 PMCID: PMC6918072 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02264-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans can cause fatal meningoencephalitis in patients with AIDS or other immunocompromising conditions. Current antifungals are suboptimal to treat this disease; therefore, novel targets and new therapies are needed. Previously, we have shown that chitosan is a critical component of the cryptococcal cell wall and is required for survival in the mammalian host and that chitosan deficiency results in rapid clearance from the mammalian host. We had also identified several specific proteins that were required for chitosan biosynthesis, and we hypothesize that screening for compounds that inhibit chitosan biosynthesis would identify additional genes/proteins that influence chitosan biosynthesis. To identify these compounds, we developed a robust and novel cell-based flow cytometry screening method to identify small-molecule inhibitors of chitosan production. We screened the ICCB Known Bioactives library and identified 8 compounds that reduced chitosan in C. neoformans We used flow cytometry-based counterscreens and confirmatory screens, followed by a biochemical secondary screen to refine our primary screening hits to 2 confirmed hits. One of the confirmed hits that reduced chitosan content was the aminoalkylindole BML-190, a known inverse agonist of mammalian cannabinoid receptors. We demonstrated that BML-190 likely targets the C. neoformans G-protein-coupled receptor Gpr4 and, via the cyclic AMP (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway, contributes to an intracellular accumulation of cAMP that results in decreased chitosan. Our discovery suggests that this approach could be used to identify additional compounds and pathways that reduce chitosan biosynthesis and could lead to potential novel therapeutics against C. neoformansIMPORTANCECryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that kills ∼200,000 people every year. The cell wall is an essential organelle that protects fungi from the environment. Chitosan, the deacetylated form of chitin, has been shown to be an essential component of the cryptococcal cell wall during infection of a mammalian host. In this study, we screened a set of 480 compounds, which are known to have defined biological activities, for activity that reduced chitosan production in C. neoformans Two of these compounds were confirmed using an alternative method of measuring chitosan, and one of these was demonstrated to impact the cAMP signal transduction pathway. This work demonstrates that the cAMP pathway regulates chitosan biosynthesis in C. neoformans and validates that this screening approach could be used to find potential antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T Maybruck
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Woei C Lam
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Charles A Specht
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ma Xenia G Ilagan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Maureen J Donlin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jennifer K Lodge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics of Fungal Pathogenesis, Host-Fungal Interactions, and Antifungal Development. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5020052. [PMID: 31212923 PMCID: PMC6616953 DOI: 10.3390/jof5020052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of fungal diseases is increasing on a global scale, ranging from acute to systemic infections caused by commensal or pathogenic microorganisms, often associated with the immune status of the host. Morbidity and mortality rates remain high and our ability to treat fungal infections is challenged by a limited arsenal of antifungal agents and the emergence of drug resistant pathogens. There is a high demand for new approaches to elucidate the fungal mechanisms of pathogenesis and the interplay between host and pathogen to discover novel treatment options. Moreover, the need for improved drug efficacy and reduced host toxicity requires the identification and characterization of antifungal biological targets and molecular mechanisms of action. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics is a rapidly advancing field capable of addressing these priorities by providing comprehensive information on the dynamics of cellular processes, modifications, and interactions. In this Review, we focus on applications of MS-based proteomics in a diverse array of fungal pathogens and host systems to define and distinguish the molecular details of fungal pathogenesis and host–fungal interactions. We also explore the emerging role of MS-based proteomics in the discovery and development of novel antifungal therapies and provide insight into the future of MS-based proteomics in fungal biology.
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11
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Zhu W, Xu X, Peng F, Yan DZ, Zhang S, Xu R, Wu J, Li X, Wei W, Chen W. The cyclase-associated protein ChCAP is important for regulation of hyphal growth, appressorial development, penetration, pathogenicity, conidiation, intracellular cAMP level, and stress tolerance in Colletotrichum higginsianum. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2019; 283:1-10. [PMID: 31128679 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Colletotrichum higginsianum causes anthracnose disease in a wide range of cruciferous crops and has been used as a model system to study plant-pathogen interactions and pathogenicity of hemibiotrophic plant pathogens. Conidiation, hyphae growth, appressorial development and appressorial penetration are significant steps during the infection process of C. higginsianum. However, the mechanisms of these important steps during infection remain incompletely understood. To further investigate the mechanisms of the plant-C. higginsianum interactions during infection progress, we characterized Cyclase-Associated Protein (ChCAP) gene. Deletion of the ChCAP gene resulted in reduction in conidiation and hyphal growth rate. The pathogenicity of ΔChCAP mutants was significantly reduced with much smaller lesion on the infected leaves compared to that of wild type strain with typically water-soaked and dark necrotic lesions on Arabidopsis leaves. Further study demonstrated that the appressorial formation rate, turgor pressure, penetration ability and switch from biotrophic to necrotrophic phases decreased obviously in ΔChCAP mutants, indicating that the attenuated pathogenicity of ΔChCAP mutants was due to these defective phenotypes. In addition, the ΔChCAP mutants sectored on PDA with abnormal, dark color, vesicle-like colony morphology and hyphae tip. Moreover, the ΔChCAP mutants had a reduced intracellular cAMP levels and exogenous cAMP can partially rescue the defects of ΔChCAP mutants in appressorial formation and penetration rate, but not in colony morphology, conidial shape and virulence, indicating that ChCAP is a key component in cAMP signaling pathway and likely play other roles in biology of C. higginsianum. In summary, our findings support the role of ChCAP in regulating conidiation, intracellular cAMP level, hyphal growth, appressorial formation, penetration ability and pathogenicity of this hemibiotrophic fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Zhu
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowen Xu
- Hubei Academy of Forestry, Wuhan 430075, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Peng
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, People's Republic of China
| | - Da-Zhong Yan
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaopeng Zhang
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, People's Republic of China
| | - Ran Xu
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Wu
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Li
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Washington State University, Pullman 99164, USA.
| | - Weidong Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Washington State University, Pullman 99164, USA.
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12
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Guo W, Gao Y, Yu Z, Xiao Y, Zhang Z, Zhang H. The adenylate cyclase UvAc1 and phosphodiesterase UvPdeH control the intracellular cAMP level, development, and pathogenicity of the rice false smut fungus Ustilaginoidea virens. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 129:65-73. [PMID: 31063805 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway plays pleiotropic roles in regulating development and pathogenicity in eukaryotes. cAMP is a second messenger that is important for the activation of downstream pathways. The intracellular cAMP level is modulated mainly by its biosynthesis, which is catalyzed by adenylate cyclases (ACs), and hydrolysis by phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Here, we identified the AC UvAc1 and the cAMP high-affinity PDE UvPdeH in the rice false smut fungus Ustilaginoidea virens; these enzymes are homologs of MoMac1 and MoPdeH in Magnaporthe oryzae (rice blast fungus). A heterogenous complementation assay revealed that UvAc1 and UvPdeH partially or completely rescued the defects in ΔMomac1 and ΔMopdeH mutant M. oryzae. UvAc1 and UvPdeH play important roles in the development and virulence of U. virens. ΔUvac1 and ΔUvpdeH mutant fungi showed defects in conidial production, morphology, and germination; reduced toxicity against germinating rice seeds; and reduced virulence on rice panicles. ΔUvac1 exhibited increased sensitivity to Calcofluor White (CFW) and sodium chloride (NaCl), and decreased sensitivity to Congo Red (CR), while ΔUvpdeH showed increased sensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate, CR, sorbitol, and hydrogen peroxide, and decreased sensitivity to CFW and NaCl. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed that the intracellular cAMP level was significantly increased in ΔUvpdeH and decreased in ΔUvac1. Taken together, our results demonstrate that UvAc1 and UvPdeH are conservative components of the cAMP pathway that are important for conidiogenesis, stress responses, virulence, and regulation of the intracellular cAMP level in U. virens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwen Guo
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yixin Gao
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zhaomeng Yu
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yuhan Xiao
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zhengguang Zhang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210095, China.
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13
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Sun L, Qin J, Rong W, Ni H, Guo HS, Zhang J. Cellophane surface-induced gene, VdCSIN1, regulates hyphopodium formation and pathogenesis via cAMP-mediated signalling in Verticillium dahliae. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2019; 20:323-333. [PMID: 30341832 PMCID: PMC6637875 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The soil-borne vascular pathogen Verticillium dahliae infects many dicotyledonous plants to cause devastating wilt diseases. During colonization, V. dahliae spores develop hyphae surrounding the roots. Only a few hyphae that adhere tightly to the root surface form hyphopodia at the infection site, which further differentiate into penetration pegs to facilitate infection. The molecular mechanisms controlling hyphopodium formation in V. dahliae remain unclear. Here, we uncovered a cellophane surface-induced gene (VdCSIN1) as a regulator of V. dahliae hyphopodium formation and pathogenesis. Deletion of VdCSIN1 compromises hyphopodium formation, hyphal development and pathogenesis. Exogenous application of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) degradation inhibitor or disruption of the cAMP phosphodiesterase gene (VdPDEH) partially restores hyphopodium formation in the VdΔcsin1 mutant. Moreover, deletion of VdPDEH partially restores the pathogenesis of the VdΔcsin1 mutant. These findings indicate that VdCSIN1 regulates hyphopodium formation via cAMP-mediated signalling to promote host colonization by V. dahliae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jun Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Wei Rong
- College of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Hao Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Hui-Shan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
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14
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Chang C, Cai E, Deng YZ, Mei D, Qiu S, Chen B, Zhang LH, Jiang Z. cAMP/PKA signalling pathway regulates redox homeostasis essential for Sporisorium scitamineum mating/filamentation and virulence. Environ Microbiol 2019; 21:959-971. [PMID: 30537399 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The fungal pathogen Sporisorium scitamineum causes sugarcane smut disease. The formation and growth of dikaryotic hypha after sexual mating is critical for S. scitamineum pathogenicity, however regulation of S. scitimineum mating has not been studied in detail. We identified and characterized the core components of the conserved cAMP/PKA pathway in S. scitamineum by reverse genetics. Our results showed that cAMP/PKA signalling pathway is essential for proper mating and filamentation, and thus critical for S. scitamineum virulence. We further demonstrated that an elevated intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) level promotes S. scitamineum mating-filamentation, via transcriptional regulation of ROS catabolic enzymes, and is under regulation of the cAMP/PKA signalling pathway. Furthermore, we found that fungal cAMP/PKA signalling pathway is also involved in regulation of host ROS response. Overall, our work displayed a positive role of elevated intracellular ROS in fungal differentiation and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changqing Chang
- Guangdong Innovative and Entepreneurial Research Team of Sociomicrobiology Basic Science and Frontier Technology, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Peoples' Republic of China.,Department of Plant Pathology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Enping Cai
- Guangdong Innovative and Entepreneurial Research Team of Sociomicrobiology Basic Science and Frontier Technology, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Peoples' Republic of China.,Department of Plant Pathology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yi Zhen Deng
- Department of Plant Pathology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Dan Mei
- Guangdong Innovative and Entepreneurial Research Team of Sociomicrobiology Basic Science and Frontier Technology, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Peoples' Republic of China.,Department of Plant Pathology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Shanxu Qiu
- Guangdong Innovative and Entepreneurial Research Team of Sociomicrobiology Basic Science and Frontier Technology, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Peoples' Republic of China.,Department of Plant Pathology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Baoshan Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Lian-Hui Zhang
- Department of Plant Pathology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zide Jiang
- Department of Plant Pathology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
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15
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Huang G, Huang Q, Wei Y, Wang Y, Du H. Multiple roles and diverse regulation of the Ras/cAMP/protein kinase A pathway in Candida albicans. Mol Microbiol 2018; 111:6-16. [PMID: 30299574 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a major fungal pathogen of humans, causing both superficial and life-threatening systemic infections in immunocompromised people. The conserved Ras/cAMP/PKA pathway plays a key role in regulating multiple traits important for the virulence of C. albicans such as cell growth, yeast-hyphal transition, white-opaque switching, sexual reproduction and biofilm development. Diverse external signals influence cell physiology by activating this signaling pathway. The key components of the Ras/cAMP/PKA pathway include two Ras GTPases (Ras1 and Ras2), an adenylyl cyclase (Cyr1, also known as Cdc35), two cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (Pde1 and Pde2) and the catalytic (Tpk1 and Tpk2) and regulatory (Bcy1) subunits of PKA kinase. Activation of this pathway dramatically alters the gene expression profile via several transcription factors, leading to the activation of specific biological processes. Here, we review the progress made in the past two decades to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which the Ras/cAMP/PKA pathway senses diverse environmental cues and controls specific cellular responses and its connection with other signaling pathways in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.,State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qian Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Yujia Wei
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228, Singapore
| | - Han Du
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.,Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
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16
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Mayer FL, Sánchez-León E, Kronstad JW. A chemical genetic screen reveals a role for proteostasis in capsule and biofilm formation by Cryptococcus neoformans. MICROBIAL CELL 2018; 5:495-510. [PMID: 30483521 PMCID: PMC6244295 DOI: 10.15698/mic2018.11.656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic microorganisms employ specialized virulence factors to cause disease. Biofilm formation and the production of a polysaccharide capsule are two important virulence factors in Cryptococcus neoformans, the fungal pathogen that causes meningoencephalitis. Here, we show that the bipolar disorder drug lithium inhibits formation of both virulence factors by a mechanism involving dysregulation of the ubiquitin/proteasome system. By using a chemical genetics approach and bioinformatic analyses, we describe the cellular landscape affected by lithium treatment. We demonstrate that lithium affects many different pathways in C. neoformans, including the cAMP/protein kinase A, inositol biosynthesis, and ubiquitin/proteasome pathways. By analyzing mutants with defects in the ubiquitin/proteasome system, we uncover a role for proteostasis in both capsule and biofilm formation. Moreover, we demonstrate an additive influence of lithium and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in inhibiting capsule production, thus establishing a link between lithium activity and the proteasome system. Finally, we show that the lithium-mimetic drug ebselen potently blocks capsule and biofilm formation, and has additive activity with lithium or bortezomib. In summary, our results illuminate the impact of lithium on C. neoformans, and link dysregulation of the proteasome to capsule and biofilm inhibition in this important fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- François L Mayer
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eddy Sánchez-León
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - James W Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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17
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Demuyser L, Van Genechten W, Mizuno H, Colombo S, Van Dijck P. Introducing fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based biosensors for the analysis of cAMP-PKA signalling in the fungal pathogen Candida glabrata. Cell Microbiol 2018; 20:e12863. [PMID: 29845711 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The cyclic adenosine monophosphate-protein kinase A (cAMP-PKA) pathway is central to signal transduction in many organisms. In pathogenic fungi such as Candida albicans, this signalling cascade has proven to be involved in several processes, such as virulence, indicating its potential importance in antifungal drug discovery. Candida glabrata is an upcoming pathogen of the same species, yet information regarding the role of cAMP-PKA signalling in virulence is largely lacking. To enable efficient monitoring of cAMP-PKA activity in this pathogen, we here present the usage of two FRET-based biosensors. Both variations in the activity of PKA and the quantity of cAMP can be detected in a time-resolved manner, as we exemplify by glucose-induced activation of the pathway. We also present information on how to adequately process and analyse the data in a mathematically correct and physiologically relevant manner. These sensors will be of great benefit for scientists interested in linking the cAMP-PKA signalling cascade to downstream processes, such as virulence, possibly in a host environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Demuyser
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Flanders, Belgium.,Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Wouter Van Genechten
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Flanders, Belgium.,Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium.,Chemistry-Biochemistry Department, Molecular and Structural Biology Section, KU Leuven, Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Hideaki Mizuno
- Chemistry-Biochemistry Department, Molecular and Structural Biology Section, KU Leuven, Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Sonia Colombo
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Flanders, Belgium.,Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium
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18
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Hommel B, Mukaremera L, Cordero RJB, Coelho C, Desjardins CA, Sturny-Leclère A, Janbon G, Perfect JR, Fraser JA, Casadevall A, Cuomo CA, Dromer F, Nielsen K, Alanio A. Titan cells formation in Cryptococcus neoformans is finely tuned by environmental conditions and modulated by positive and negative genetic regulators. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1006982. [PMID: 29775480 PMCID: PMC5959062 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans exhibits morphological changes in cell size during lung infection, producing both typical size 5 to 7 μm cells and large titan cells (> 10 μm and up to 100 μm). We found and optimized in vitro conditions that produce titan cells in order to identify the ancestry of titan cells, the environmental determinants, and the key gene regulators of titan cell formation. Titan cells generated in vitro harbor the main characteristics of titan cells produced in vivo including their large cell size (>10 μm), polyploidy with a single nucleus, large vacuole, dense capsule, and thick cell wall. Here we show titan cells derived from the enlargement of progenitor cells in the population independent of yeast growth rate. Change in the incubation medium, hypoxia, nutrient starvation and low pH were the main factors that trigger titan cell formation, while quorum sensing factors like the initial inoculum concentration, pantothenic acid, and the quorum sensing peptide Qsp1p also impacted titan cell formation. Inhibition of ergosterol, protein and nucleic acid biosynthesis altered titan cell formation, as did serum, phospholipids and anti-capsular antibodies in our settings. We explored genetic factors important for titan cell formation using three approaches. Using H99-derivative strains with natural genetic differences, we showed that titan cell formation was dependent on LMP1 and SGF29 genes. By screening a gene deletion collection, we also confirmed that GPR4/5-RIM101, and CAC1 genes were required to generate titan cells and that the PKR1, TSP2, USV101 genes negatively regulated titan cell formation. Furthermore, analysis of spontaneous Pkr1 loss-of-function clinical isolates confirmed the important role of the Pkr1 protein as a negative regulator of titan cell formation. Through development of a standardized and robust in vitro assay, our results provide new insights into titan cell biogenesis with the identification of multiple important factors/pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Hommel
- Institut Pasteur, Molecular Mycology Unit, Département de Mycologie, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR2000, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Groupe Hospitalier Lariboisière, Saint-Louis, Fernand Widal, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Liliane Mukaremera
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Radames J. B. Cordero
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD., United States of America
| | - Carolina Coelho
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD., United States of America
| | | | - Aude Sturny-Leclère
- Institut Pasteur, Molecular Mycology Unit, Département de Mycologie, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR2000, Paris, France
| | - Guilhem Janbon
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des ARN des Pathogènes Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Paris, France
| | - John R. Perfect
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - James A. Fraser
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD., United States of America
| | - Christina A. Cuomo
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Françoise Dromer
- Institut Pasteur, Molecular Mycology Unit, Département de Mycologie, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR2000, Paris, France
| | - Kirsten Nielsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Alexandre Alanio
- Institut Pasteur, Molecular Mycology Unit, Département de Mycologie, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR2000, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Groupe Hospitalier Lariboisière, Saint-Louis, Fernand Widal, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD., United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Zhu W, Zhou M, Xiong Z, Peng F, Wei W. The cAMP-PKA Signaling Pathway Regulates Pathogenicity, Hyphal Growth, Appressorial Formation, Conidiation, and Stress Tolerance in Colletotrichum higginsianum. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1416. [PMID: 28791004 PMCID: PMC5524780 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Colletotrichum higginsianum is an economically important pathogen that causes anthracnose disease in a wide range of cruciferous crops. Understanding the mechanisms of the cruciferous plant–C. higginsianum interactions will be important in facilitating efficient control of anthracnose diseases. The cAMP-PKA signaling pathway plays important roles in diverse physiological processes of multiple pathogens. C. higginsianum contains two genes, ChPKA1 and ChPKA2, that encode the catalytic subunits of cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). To analyze the role of cAMP signaling pathway in pathogenicity and development in C. higginsianum, we characterized ChPKA1 and ChPKA2 genes, and adenylate cyclase (ChAC) gene. The ChPKA1 and ChAC deletion mutants were unable to cause disease and significantly reduced in hyphal growth, tolerance to cell wall inhibitors, conidiation, and appressorial formation with abnormal germ tubes, but they had an increased tolerance to elevated temperatures and exogenous H2O2. In contrast, the ChPKA2 mutant had no detectable alteration of phenotypes, suggesting that ChPKA1 contributes mainly to PKA activities in C. higginsianum. Moreover, we failed to generate ΔChPKA1ChPKA2 double mutant, indicating that deletion of both PKA catalytic subunits is lethal in C. higginsianum and the two catalytic subunits possibly have overlapping functions. These results indicated that ChPKA1 is the major PKA catalytic subunit in cAMP-PKA signaling pathway and plays significant roles in hyphal growth, pathogenicity, appressorial formation, conidiation, and stress tolerance in C. higginsianum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Zhu
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Man Zhou
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Jianghan UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Zeyang Xiong
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Jianghan UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Fang Peng
- College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Jianghan UniversityWuhan, China
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20
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A novel bZIP protein, Gsb1, is required for oxidative stress response, mating, and virulence in the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Sci Rep 2017. [PMID: 28642475 PMCID: PMC5481450 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04290-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, which causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised individuals, normally faces diverse stresses in the human host. Here, we report that a novel, basic, leucine-zipper (bZIP) protein, designated Gsb1 (general stress-related bZIP protein 1), is required for its normal growth and diverse stress responses. C. neoformans gsb1Δ mutants grew slowly even under non-stressed conditions and showed increased sensitivity to high or low temperatures. The hypersensitivity of gsb1Δ to oxidative and nitrosative stresses was reversed by addition of a ROS scavenger. RNA-Seq analysis during normal growth revealed increased expression of a number of genes involved in mitochondrial respiration and cell cycle, but decreased expression of several genes involved in the mating-pheromone-responsive MAPK signaling pathway. Accordingly, gsb1Δ showed defective mating and abnormal cell-cycle progression. Reflecting these pleiotropic phenotypes, gsb1Δ exhibited attenuated virulence in a murine model of cryptococcosis. Moreover, RNA-Seq analysis under oxidative stress revealed that several genes involved in ROS defense, cell-wall remodeling, and protein glycosylation were highly induced in the wild-type strain but not in gsb1Δ. Gsb1 localized exclusively in the nucleus in response to oxidative stress. In conclusion, Gsb1 is a key transcription factor modulating growth, stress responses, differentiation, and virulence in C. neoformans.
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21
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Gontijo FDA, de Melo AT, Pascon RC, Fernandes L, Paes HC, Alspaugh JA, Vallim MA. The role of Aspartyl aminopeptidase (Ape4) in Cryptococcus neoformans virulence and authophagy. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177461. [PMID: 28542452 PMCID: PMC5444613 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to survive and cause disease, microbial pathogens must be able to proliferate at the temperature of their infected host. We identified novel microbial features associated with thermotolerance in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans using a random insertional mutagenesis strategy, screening for mutants with defective growth at 37°C. Among several thermosensitive mutants, we identified one bearing a disruption in a gene predicted to encode the Ape4 aspartyl aminopeptidase protein. Ape4 metalloproteases in other fungi, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are activated by nitrogen starvation, and they are required for autophagy and the cytoplasm-to-vacuole targeting (Cvt) pathway. However, none have been previously associated with altered growth at elevated temperatures. We demonstrated that the C. neoformans ape4 mutant does not grow at 37°C, and it also has defects in the expression of important virulence factors such as phospholipase production and capsule formation. C. neoformans Ape4 activity was required for this facultative intracellular pathogen to survive within macrophages, as well as for virulence in an animal model of cryptococcal infection. Similar to S. cerevisiae Ape4, the C. neoformans GFP-Ape4 fusion protein co-localized with intracytoplasmic vesicles during nitrogen depletion. APE4 expression was also induced by the combination of nutrient and thermal stress. Together these results suggest that autophagy is an important cellular process for this microbial pathogen to survive within the environment of the infected host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Renata C. Pascon
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Larissa Fernandes
- Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Ceilândia, Ceilândia, DF, Brazil
| | - Hugo Costa Paes
- Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Medicina, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - J. Andrew Alspaugh
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Marcelo A. Vallim
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Diadema, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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22
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Bloom ALM, Leipheimer J, Panepinto JC. mRNA decay: an adaptation tool for the environmental fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2017; 8. [PMID: 28524625 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are ubiquitous in the environment and humans constantly encounter them in the soil, air, water, and food. The vast majority of these interactions are inconsequential. However, in the context of immunodeficiency precipitated by HIV infection, hematologic malignancy, or transplantation, a small subset of fungi can cause devastating, systemic infection. The most deadly of the opportunistic environmental fungi, Cryptococcus neoformans, is estimated to cause hundreds of thousands of deaths per year, mostly in the context of HIV co-infection. The cellular processes that mediate adaptation to the host environment are of great interest as potential novel therapeutic targets. One such cellular process important for host adaptation is mRNA decay, which mediates the specific degradation of subsets of functionally related mRNAs in response to stressors relevant to pathogenesis, including human core body temperature, carbon limitation, and reactive oxygen stress. Thus, for C. neoformans, host adaptation requires mRNA decay to mediate rapid transcriptome remodeling in the face of stressors encountered in the host. Several nodes of stress-responsive signaling that govern the stress-responsive transcriptome also control the decay rate of mRNAs cleared from the ribosome during stress, suggesting an additional layer of coupling between mRNA synthesis and decay that allows C. neoformans to be a successful pathogen of humans. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1424. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1424 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L M Bloom
- Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jay Leipheimer
- Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - John C Panepinto
- Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Cao C, Wu M, Bing J, Tao L, Ding X, Liu X, Huang G. Global regulatory roles of the c
AMP/PKA
pathway revealed by phenotypic, transcriptomic and phosphoproteomic analyses in a null mutant of the
PKA
catalytic subunit in
C
andida albicans. Mol Microbiol 2017; 105:46-64. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chengjun Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101 China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049 China
| | - Mei Wu
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871 China
| | - Jian Bing
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101 China
| | - Li Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101 China
| | - Xuefen Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101 China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049 China
| | - Xiaoyun Liu
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871 China
| | - Guanghua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101 China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049 China
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24
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Steenwyk JL, Soghigian JS, Perfect JR, Gibbons JG. Copy number variation contributes to cryptic genetic variation in outbreak lineages of Cryptococcus gattii from the North American Pacific Northwest. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:700. [PMID: 27590805 PMCID: PMC5009542 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3044-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Copy number variants (CNVs) are a class of structural variants (SVs) and are defined as fragments of DNA that are present at variable copy number in comparison with a reference genome. Recent advances in bioinformatics methodologies and sequencing technologies have enabled the high-resolution quantification of genome-wide CNVs. In pathogenic fungi SVs have been shown to alter gene expression, influence host specificity, and drive fungicide resistance, but little attention has focused specifically on CNVs. Using publicly available sequencing data, we identified 90 isolates across 212 Cryptococcus gattii genomes that belong to the VGII subgroups responsible for the recent deadly outbreaks in the North American Pacific Northwest. We generated CNV profiles for each sample to investigate the prevalence and function of CNV in C. gattii. Results We identified eight genetic clusters among publicly available Illumina whole genome sequence data from 212 C. gattii isolates through population structure analysis. Three clusters represent the VGIIa, VGIIb, and VGIIc subgroups from the North American Pacific Northwest. CNV was bioinformatically predicted and affected ~300–400 Kilobases (Kb) of the C. gattii VGII subgroup genomes. Sixty-seven loci, encompassing 58 genes, showed highly divergent patterns of copy number variation between VGII subgroups. Analysis of PFam domains within divergent CN variable genes revealed enrichment of protein domains associated with transport, cell wall organization and external encapsulating structure. Conclusions CNVs may contribute to pathological and phenotypic differences observed between the C. gattii VGIIa, VGIIb, and VGIIc subpopulations. Genes overlapping with population differentiated CNVs were enriched for several virulence related functional terms. These results uncover novel candidate genes to examine the genetic and functional underpinnings of C. gattii pathogenicity. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3044-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob L Steenwyk
- Biology Department, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA, USA.,Current address: Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - John S Soghigian
- Biology Department, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA, USA.,Current address: Department of Environmental Sciences, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - John R Perfect
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John G Gibbons
- Biology Department, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA, USA.
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25
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Fernández Núñez L, Ocampo J, Gottlieb AM, Rossi S, Moreno S. Multiple isoforms for the catalytic subunit of PKA in the basal fungal lineage Mucor circinelloides. Fungal Biol 2016; 120:1493-1508. [PMID: 27890086 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2016.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinase A (PKA) activity is involved in dimorphism of the basal fungal lineage Mucor. From the recently sequenced genome of Mucor circinelloides we could predict ten catalytic subunits of PKA. From sequence alignment and structural prediction we conclude that the catalytic core of the isoforms is conserved, and the difference between them resides in their amino termini. This high number of isoforms is maintained in the subdivision Mucoromycotina. Each paralogue, when compared to the ones form other fungi is more homologous to one of its orthologs than to its paralogs. All of these fungal isoforms cannot be included in the class I or II in which fungal protein kinases have been classified. mRNA levels for each isoform were measured during aerobic and anaerobic growth. The expression of each isoform is differential and associated to a particular growth stage. We reanalyzed the sequence of PKAC (GI 20218944), the only cloned sequence available until now for a catalytic subunit of M. circinelloides. PKAC cannot be classified as a PKA because of its difference in the conserved C-tail; it shares with PKB a conserved C2 domain in the N-terminus. No catalytic activity could be measured for this protein nor predicted bioinformatically. It can thus be classified as a pseudokinase. Its importance can not be underestimated since it is expressed at the mRNA level in different stages of growth, and its deletion is lethal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Fernández Núñez
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Intendente Güiraldes 2160 - Ciudad Universitaria - C1428EGA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Josefina Ocampo
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Intendente Güiraldes 2160 - Ciudad Universitaria - C1428EGA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alexandra M Gottlieb
- Departamento de Ecologia, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IEGEBA-CONICET, Intendente Güiraldes 2160 - Ciudad Universitaria - C1428EGA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia Rossi
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Intendente Güiraldes 2160 - Ciudad Universitaria - C1428EGA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia Moreno
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Intendente Güiraldes 2160 - Ciudad Universitaria - C1428EGA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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26
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Choi J, Jung WH, Kronstad JW. The cAMP/protein kinase A signaling pathway in pathogenic basidiomycete fungi: Connections with iron homeostasis. J Microbiol 2015; 53:579-87. [PMID: 26231374 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-015-5247-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A number of pathogenic species of basidiomycete fungi are either life-threatening pathogens of humans or major economic pests for crop production. Sensing the host is a key aspect of pathogen proliferation during disease, and signal transduction pathways are critically important for detecting environmental conditions and facilitating adaptation. This review focuses on the contributions of the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway in Cryptococcus neoformans, a species that causes meningitis in humans, and Ustilago maydis, a model phytopathogen that causes a smut disease on maize. Environmental sensing by the cAMP/PKA pathway regulates the production of key virulence traits in C. neoformans including the polysaccharide capsule and melanin. For U. maydis, the pathway controls the dimorphic transition from budding growth to the filamentous cell type required for proliferation in plant tissue. We discuss recent advances in identifying new components of the cAMP/PKA pathway in these pathogens and highlight an emerging theme that pathway signaling influences iron acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaehyuk Choi
- Division of Life Sciences, and Culture Collection and DNA Bank of Mushrooms, Incheon National University, Incheon, 406-772, Republic of Korea
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27
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Hu G, Caza M, Cadieux B, Bakkeren E, Do E, Jung WH, Kronstad JW. The endosomal sorting complex required for transport machinery influences haem uptake and capsule elaboration in Cryptococcus neoformans. Mol Microbiol 2015; 96:973-92. [PMID: 25732100 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Iron availability is a key determinant of virulence in the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. Previous work revealed that the ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) protein Vps23 functions in iron acquisition, capsule formation and virulence. Here, we further characterized the ESCRT machinery to demonstrate that defects in the ESCRT-II and III complexes caused reduced capsule attachment, impaired growth on haem and resistance to non-iron metalloprotoporphyrins. The ESCRT mutants shared several phenotypes with a mutant lacking the pH-response regulator Rim101, and in other fungi, the ESCRT machinery is known to activate Rim101 via proteolytic cleavage. We therefore expressed a truncated and activated version of Rim101 in the ESCRT mutants and found that this allele restored capsule formation but not growth on haem, thus suggesting a Rim101-independent contribution to haem uptake. We also demonstrated that the ESCRT machinery acts downstream of the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway to influence capsule elaboration. Defects in the ESCRT components also attenuated virulence in macrophage survival assays and a mouse model of cryptococcosis to a greater extent than reported for loss of Rim101. Overall, these results indicate that the ESCRT complexes function in capsule elaboration, haem uptake and virulence via Rim101-dependent and independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanggan Hu
- Michael Smith Laboratories, The University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Mélissa Caza
- Michael Smith Laboratories, The University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Brigitte Cadieux
- Michael Smith Laboratories, The University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Erik Bakkeren
- Michael Smith Laboratories, The University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Eunsoo Do
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, 456-756, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Hee Jung
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, 456-756, Republic of Korea
| | - James W Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories, The University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
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28
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Macheleidt J, Scherlach K, Neuwirth T, Schmidt-Heck W, Straßburger M, Spraker J, Baccile JA, Schroeder FC, Keller NP, Hertweck C, Heinekamp T, Brakhage AA. Transcriptome analysis of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A-regulated genes reveals the production of the novel natural compound fumipyrrole by Aspergillus fumigatus. Mol Microbiol 2015; 96:148-62. [PMID: 25582336 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic human pathogenic fungus causing life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. Adaptation to different habitats and also virulence of the fungus depends on signal perception and transduction by modules such as the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Here, by transcriptome analysis, 632 differentially regulated genes of this important signaling cascade were identified, including 23 putative transcriptional regulators. The highest upregulated transcription factor gene was located in a previously unknown secondary metabolite gene cluster, which we named fmp, encoding an incomplete non-ribosomal peptide synthetase, FmpE. Overexpression of the regulatory gene fmpR using the Tet(On) system led to the specific expression of the other six genes of the fmp cluster. Metabolic profiling of wild type and fmpR overexpressing strain by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-HRESI-MS and structure elucidation by NMR led to identification of 5-benzyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid, which we named fumipyrrole. Fumipyrrole was not described as natural product yet. Chemical synthesis of fumipyrrole confirmed its structure. Interestingly, deletion of fmpR or fmpE led to reduced growth and sporulation of the mutant strains. Although fmp cluster genes were transcribed in infected mouse lungs, deletion of fmpR resulted in wild-type virulence in a murine infection model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Macheleidt
- Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), 07745, Jena, Germany; Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, 07745, Jena, Germany
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29
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Maier EJ, Haynes BC, Gish SR, Wang ZA, Skowyra ML, Marulli AL, Doering TL, Brent MR. Model-driven mapping of transcriptional networks reveals the circuitry and dynamics of virulence regulation. Genome Res 2015; 25:690-700. [PMID: 25644834 PMCID: PMC4417117 DOI: 10.1101/gr.184101.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Key steps in understanding a biological process include identifying genes that are involved and determining how they are regulated. We developed a novel method for identifying transcription factors (TFs) involved in a specific process and used it to map regulation of the key virulence factor of a deadly fungus—its capsule. The map, built from expression profiles of 41 TF mutants, includes 20 TFs not previously known to regulate virulence attributes. It also reveals a hierarchy comprising executive, midlevel, and “foreman” TFs. When grouped by temporal expression pattern, these TFs explain much of the transcriptional dynamics of capsule induction. Phenotypic analysis of TF deletion mutants revealed complex relationships among virulence factors and virulence in mice. These resources and analyses provide the first integrated, systems-level view of capsule regulation and biosynthesis. Our methods dramatically improve the efficiency with which transcriptional networks can be analyzed, making genomic approaches accessible to laboratories focused on specific physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezekiel J Maier
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA; Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Brian C Haynes
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA; Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Stacey R Gish
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Zhuo A Wang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Michael L Skowyra
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Alyssa L Marulli
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Tamara L Doering
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Michael R Brent
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA; Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA; Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
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30
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Isolation and Characterization of the PKAr Gene From a Plant Pathogen, Curvularia lunata. Indian J Microbiol 2014; 54:310-4. [PMID: 24891738 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-013-0439-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
By using EST database from a full-length cDNA library of Curvularia lunata, we have isolated a 2.9 kb cDNA, termed PKAr. An ORF of 1,383 bp encoding a polypeptide of 460 amino acids with molecular weight 50.1 kDa, (GeneBank Acc. No. KF675744) was cloned. The deduced amino acid sequence of the PKAr shows 90 and 88 % identity with cAMP-dependent protein kinase A regulatory subunit from Alternaria alternate and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis Pt-1C-BFP, respectively. Database analysis revealed that the deduced amino acid sequence of PKAr shares considerable similarity with that of PKA regulatory subunits in other organisms, particularly in the conserved regions. No introns were identified within the 1,383 bp of ORF compared with PKAr genomic DNA sequence. Southern blot indicated that PKAr existed as a single copy per genome. The mRNA expression level of PKAr in different development stages were demonstrated using real-time quantitative PCR. The results showed that the level of PKAr expression was highest in vegetative growth mycelium, which indicated it might play an important role in the vegetative growth of C. lunata. These results provided a fundamental supporting research on the function of PKAr in plant pathogen, C. lunata.
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31
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Cheon SA, Jung KW, Bahn YS, Kang HA. The unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway in Cryptococcus. Virulence 2013; 5:341-50. [PMID: 24504058 DOI: 10.4161/viru.26774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Unique and evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways allow an organism to sense, respond to, and adapt to internal and external environmental cues at its biological niche. In eukaryotic cells, the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway regulates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis upon exposure to environmental changes causing ER stress. The UPR pathway of Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, which causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised individuals, consists of the evolutionarily conserved Ire1 kinase, a unique bZIP transcription factor, Hxl1, and the ER-resident molecular chaperone Kar2/BiP. Although the Cryptococcus UPR pathway regulates ER stress, antifungal drug resistance, and virulence in an Ire1/Hxl1-dependent manner, Ire1 has Hxl1-independent roles in capsule biosynthesis and thermotolerance. In this review, we highlight the conserved and unique features of the Cryptococcus UPR pathway compared with other fungal UPR systems and its importance in the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis and discuss future challenges in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seon Ah Cheon
- Department of Life Science; Research Center for Biomolecules and Biosystems; College of Natural Science; Chung-Ang University; Seoul, Korea; Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis; Seoul National University; Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwang-Woo Jung
- Department of Biotechnology; Center for Fungal Pathogenesis; Yonsei University; Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong-Sun Bahn
- Department of Biotechnology; Center for Fungal Pathogenesis; Yonsei University; Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Ah Kang
- Department of Life Science; Research Center for Biomolecules and Biosystems; College of Natural Science; Chung-Ang University; Seoul, Korea
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32
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Stress signaling pathways for the pathogenicity of Cryptococcus. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2013; 12:1564-77. [PMID: 24078305 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00218-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Sensing, responding, and adapting to the surrounding environment are crucial for all living organisms to survive, proliferate, and differentiate in their biological niches. This ability is also essential for Cryptococcus neoformans and its sibling species Cryptococcus gattii, as these pathogens have saprobic and parasitic life cycles in natural and animal host environments. The ability of Cryptococcus to cause fatal meningoencephalitis is highly related to its capability to remodel and optimize its metabolic and physiological status according to external cues. These cues act through multiple stress signaling pathways through a panoply of signaling components, including receptors/sensors, small GTPases, secondary messengers, kinases, transcription factors, and other miscellaneous adaptors or regulators. In this minireview, we summarize and highlight the importance of several stress signaling pathways that influence the pathogenicity of Cryptococcus and discuss future challenges in these areas.
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Cheng Q, Zhou Y. Novel role of KT5720 on regulating hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel activity and dorsal root ganglion neuron excitability. DNA Cell Biol 2013; 32:320-8. [PMID: 23713946 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2013.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, which are involved in diverse mechanisms that regulate DRG functions. Protein kinase A (PKA) is an essential kinase that plays a key role in almost all types of cells; it regulates the ion channel activity, the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, as well as modulates cellular signals transduction. Nevertheless, the effect of PKA inhibition on the HCN channel activity in DRG neuron remains to be elucidated. Here we investigated the impact of PKA inhibition on the HCN channel activity and DRG neurons excitability. Our patch-clamp experiments both under whole-cell and single-channel conditions demonstrated that PKA inhibition with KT5720, a cell membrane permeable PKA-specific inhibitor, significantly attenuated HCN channel currents. Current clamp recording on freshly isolated DRG neurons showed KT5720 reduced overshoot amplitude and enhanced the threshold of the action potential. Moreover, our live-cell Ca(2+) imaging experiments illustrated KT5720 markedly reduced the intracellular Ca(2+) level. Collectively, this is the first report that addresses KT5720 attenuates the HCN channel activity and intracellular Ca(2+), thus reducing DRG neurons excitability. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that PKA is a potential target for curing HCN and DRG neuron relevant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuping Cheng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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Shen S, Hao Z, Gu S, Wang J, Cao Z, Li Z, Wang Q, Li P, Hao J, Dong J. The catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A StPKA-c contributes to conidiation and early invasion in the phytopathogenic fungus Setosphaeria turcica. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2013; 343:135-44. [PMID: 23557024 DOI: 10.1111/1574-6968.12150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2012] [Revised: 03/01/2013] [Accepted: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) is an important mediator of signal transduction in eukaryotic cells. Thus, identifying its function is necessary to understand the cAMP signaling network. StPKA-c, the PKA catalytic subunit gene in Setosphaeria turcica, was investigated by RNA interference technology. Transformant strains M3, M5, and M9 with diverse StPKA-c silencing efficiency were confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot. Compared with the wild-type strain 01-23, the transformant strains exhibited increased growth rate and significantly decreased conidium production. In addition, the ratios of spore germination and appressorium formation and penetration were slightly reduced. Relative to the wild-type strain, the transformants demonstrated different colony color, greatly reduced pathogenicity, and similar HT-toxin activity. Further studies showed that the content of intracellular melanin in the transformants significantly decreased, and the transcription of transcriptional factor StMR was down-regulated correspondingly. The transcription and enzyme activity of xylanase was also impaired. Thus, we proposed that StPKA-c was mainly involved in the mycelium growth, conidiation, and pathogenesis of S. turcica. Furthermore, it was positively correlated with the biosyntheses of melanin and xylanase but dispensable for the activity of HT-toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Shen
- Mycotoxin and Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei Province, China
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35
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Genetic control of infection-related development in Magnaporthe oryzae. Curr Opin Microbiol 2012; 15:678-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2012] [Revised: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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36
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Cryptococcus neoformans phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) ortholog is required for stress tolerance and survival in murine phagocytes. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2012; 12:12-22. [PMID: 23087368 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00235-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans PKH2-01 and PKH2-02 are orthologous to mammalian PDK1 kinase genes. Although orthologs of these kinases have been extensively studied in S. cerevisiae, little is known about their function in pathogenic fungi. In this study, we show that PKH2-02 but not PKH2-01 is required for C. neoformans to tolerate cell wall, oxidative, nitrosative, and antifungal drug stress. Deletion of PKH2-02 leads to decreased basal levels of Pkc1 activity and, consequently, reduced activation of the cell wall integrity mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in response to cell wall, oxidative, and nitrosative stress. PKH2-02 function also is required for tolerance of fluconazole and amphotericin B, two important drugs for the treatment of cryptococcosis. Furthermore, OSU-03012, an inhibitor of human PDK1, is synergistic and fungicidal in combination with fluconazole. Using a Galleria mellonella model of low-temperature cryptococcosis, we found that PKH2-02 is also required for virulence in a temperature-independent manner. Consistent with the hypersensitivity of the pkh2-02Δ mutant to oxidative and nitrosative stress, this mutant shows decreased survival in murine phagocytes compared to that of wild-type (WT) cells. In addition, we show that deletion of PKH2-02 affects the interaction between C. neoformans and phagocytes by decreasing its ability to suppress production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and reactive oxygen species. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that Pkh2-02-mediated signaling in C. neoformans is crucial for stress tolerance, host-pathogen interactions, and both temperature-dependent and -independent virulence.
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