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Borkúti P, Kristó I, Szabó A, Kovács Z, Vilmos P. FERM domain-containing proteins are active components of the cell nucleus. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302489. [PMID: 38296350 PMCID: PMC10830384 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The FERM domain is a conserved and widespread protein module that appeared in the common ancestor of amoebae, fungi, and animals, and is therefore now found in a wide variety of species. The primary function of the FERM domain is localizing to the plasma membrane through binding lipids and proteins of the membrane; thus, for a long time, FERM domain-containing proteins (FDCPs) were considered exclusively cytoskeletal. Although their role in the cytoplasm has been extensively studied, the recent discovery of the presence and importance of cytoskeletal proteins in the nucleus suggests that FDCPs might also play an important role in nuclear function. In this review, we collected data on their nuclear localization, transport, and possible functions, which are still scattered throughout the literature, with special regard to the role of the FERM domain in these processes. With this, we would like to draw attention to the exciting, new dimension of the role of FDCPs, their nuclear activity, which could be an interesting novel direction for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anikó Szabó
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kovács
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Multidisciplinary Medical Science, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter Vilmos
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
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Prazsák I, Tombácz D, Fülöp Á, Torma G, Gulyás G, Dörmő Á, Kakuk B, McKenzie Spires L, Toth Z, Boldogkői Z. KSHV 3.0: a state-of-the-art annotation of the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus transcriptome using cross-platform sequencing. mSystems 2024; 9:e0100723. [PMID: 38206015 PMCID: PMC10878076 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01007-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a large, oncogenic DNA virus belonging to the gammaherpesvirus subfamily. KSHV has been extensively studied with various high-throughput RNA-sequencing approaches to map the transcription start and end sites, the splice junctions, and the translation initiation sites. Despite these efforts, the comprehensive annotation of the viral transcriptome remains incomplete. In the present study, we generated a long-read sequencing data set of the lytic and latent KSHV transcriptome using native RNA and direct cDNA-sequencing methods. This was supplemented with Cap Analysis of Gene Expression sequencing based on a short-read platform. We also utilized data sets from previous publications for our analysis. As a result of this combined approach, we have identified a number of novel viral transcripts and RNA isoforms and have either corroborated or improved the annotation of previously identified viral RNA molecules, thereby notably enhancing our comprehension of the transcriptomic architecture of the KSHV genome. We also evaluated the coding capability of transcripts previously thought to be non-coding by integrating our data on the viral transcripts with translatomic information from other publications.IMPORTANCEDeciphering the viral transcriptome of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus is of great importance because we can gain insight into the molecular mechanism of viral replication and pathogenesis, which can help develop potential targets for antiviral interventions. Specifically, the identification of substantial transcriptional overlaps by this work suggests the existence of a genome-wide interference between transcriptional machineries. This finding indicates the presence of a novel regulatory layer, potentially controlling the expression of viral genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- István Prazsák
- Department of Medical Biology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Dóra Tombácz
- Department of Medical Biology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ádám Fülöp
- Department of Medical Biology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Torma
- Department of Medical Biology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Gulyás
- Department of Medical Biology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ákos Dörmő
- Department of Medical Biology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Balázs Kakuk
- Department of Medical Biology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Lauren McKenzie Spires
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Zsolt Toth
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Zsolt Boldogkői
- Department of Medical Biology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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Solta A, Boettiger K, Kovács I, Lang C, Megyesfalvi Z, Ferk F, Mišík M, Hoetzenecker K, Aigner C, Kowol CR, Knasmueller S, Grusch M, Szeitz B, Rezeli M, Dome B, Schelch K. Entinostat Enhances the Efficacy of Chemotherapy in Small Cell Lung Cancer Through S-phase Arrest and Decreased Base Excision Repair. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:4644-4659. [PMID: 37725585 PMCID: PMC10644001 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acquired chemoresistance is a frequent event in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), one of the deadliest human malignancies. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have been shown to synergize with different chemotherapeutic agents including cisplatin. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the dual targeting of HDAC inhibition and chemotherapy in SCLC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The efficacy of HDACi and chemotherapy in SCLC was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Synergistic drug interactions were calculated based on the HSA model (Combenefit software). Results from the proteomic analysis were confirmed via ICP-MS, cell-cycle analysis, and comet assays. RESULTS Single entinostat- or chemotherapy significantly reduced cell viability in human neuroendocrine SCLC cells. The combination of entinostat with either cisplatin, carboplatin, irinotecan, epirubicin, or etoposide led to strong synergy in a subset of resistant SCLC cells. Combination treatment with entinostat and cisplatin significantly decreased tumor growth in vivo. Proteomic analysis comparing the groups of SCLC cell lines with synergistic and additive response patterns indicated alterations in cell-cycle regulation and DNA damage repair. Cell-cycle analysis revealed that cells exhibiting synergistic drug responses displayed a shift from G1 to S-phase compared with cells showing additive features upon dual treatment. Comet assays demonstrated more DNA damage and decreased base excision repair in SCLC cells more responsive to combination therapy. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we decipher the molecular processes behind synergistic interactions between chemotherapy and HDAC inhibition. Moreover, we report novel mechanisms to overcome drug resistance in SCLC, which may be relevant to increasing therapeutic success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Solta
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristiina Boettiger
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ildikó Kovács
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Christian Lang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsolt Megyesfalvi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Franziska Ferk
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Miroslav Mišík
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Konrad Hoetzenecker
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Clemens Aigner
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian R. Kowol
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Michael Grusch
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Beáta Szeitz
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Melinda Rezeli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Balazs Dome
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Schelch
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Vig I, Benkő Z, Gila BC, Palczert Z, Jakab Á, Nagy F, Miskei M, Lee MK, Yu JH, Pócsi I, Emri T. Functional characterization of genes encoding cadmium pumping P 1B-type ATPases in Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus nidulans. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0028323. [PMID: 37676031 PMCID: PMC10581124 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00283-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Several P1B-type ATPases are important Cd2+/Cu2+ pumps in Aspergillus species, and they are tightly associated with the heavy metal stress tolerance of these ascomycetous fungi. To better understand the roles of the two P1B-type ATPases, Aspergillus nidulans CrpA Cd2+/Cu2+ pump (orthologue of the Candida albicans Crp1 Cd2+/Cu2+ pump) and Aspergillus fumigatus PcaA Cd2+ pump (orthologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pca1 Cd2+ pump), we have generated individual mutants and characterized their heavy metal susceptibilities. The deletion of CrpA in A. nidulans has led to the increased sensitivity of the fungus to stresses induced by Zn2+, Fe2+, or the combination of oxidative-stress-inducing menadione sodium bisulfite and Fe3+. Heterologous expression of A. fumigatus PcaA in the S. cerevisiae pca1 deletion mutant has resulted in enhanced tolerance of the yeast to stresses elicited by Cd2+or Zn2+ but not by Fe2+/Fe3+ or Cu2+. Mammalian host immune defense can attack microbes by secreting Zn2+ or Cu2+, and the oxidative stress induced by host immune systems can also disturb metal (Cu2+, Fe2+, and Zn2+) homeostasis in microbes. In summary, PcaA and CrpA can protect fungal cells from these complex stresses that contribute to the virulence of the pathogenic Aspergillus species. Moreover, due to their presence on the fungal cell surface, these P1B-type ATPases may serve as a novel drug target in the future. IMPORTANCE Mammalian host immune defense disrupts heavy metal homeostasis of fungal pathogens. P1B-type ATPase of Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus nidulans may help to cope with this stress and serve as virulence traits. In our experiments, both A. nidulans Cd2+/Cu2+ pump CrpA and A. fumigatus Cd2+ pump PcaA protected fungal cells from toxic Zn2+, and CrpA also decreased Fe2+ susceptibility most likely indirectly. In addition, CrpA protected cells against the combined stress induced by the oxidative stressor menadione and Fe3+. Since P1B-type ATPases are present on the fungal cell surface, these proteins may serve as a novel drug target in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildikó Vig
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zsigmond Benkő
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Barnabás Cs. Gila
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Palczert
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Jakab
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Fruzsina Nagy
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Márton Miskei
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mi-Kyung Lee
- Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Jeongeup-si, South Korea
| | - Jae-Hyuk Yu
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tamás Emri
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
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Bauer K, Rafael B, Vágó B, Kiss-Vetráb S, Molnár A, Szebenyi C, Varga M, Szekeres A, Vágvölgyi C, Papp T, Nagy G. Characterization of the Sterol 24-C-Methyltransferase Genes Reveals a Network of Alternative Sterol Biosynthetic Pathways in Mucor lusitanicus. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0031523. [PMID: 37036336 PMCID: PMC10269636 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00315-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Certain members of the order Mucorales can cause a life-threatening, often-fatal systemic infection called mucormycosis. Mucormycosis has a high mortality rate, which can reach 96 to 100% depending on the underlying condition of the patient. Mucorales species are intrinsically resistant to most antifungal agents, such as most of the azoles, which makes mucormycosis treatment challenging. The main target of azoles is the lanosterol 14α-demethylase (Erg11), which is responsible for an essential step in the biosynthesis of ergosterol, the main sterol component of the fungal membrane. Mutations in the erg11 gene can be associated with azole resistance; however, resistance can also be mediated by loss of function or mutation of other ergosterol biosynthetic enzymes, such as the sterol 24-C-methyltransferase (Erg6). The genome of Mucor lusitanicus encodes three putative erg6 genes (i.e., erg6a, erg6b, and erg6c). In this study, the role of erg6 genes in azole resistance of Mucor was analyzed by generating and analyzing knockout mutants constructed using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique. Susceptibility testing of the mutants suggested that one of the three genes, erg6b, plays a crucial role in the azole resistance of Mucor. The sterol composition of erg6b knockout mutants was significantly altered compared to that of the original strain, and it revealed the presence of at least four alternative sterol biosynthesis pathways leading to formation of ergosterol and other alternative, nontoxic sterol products. Dynamic operation of these pathways and the switching of biosynthesis from one to the other in response to azole treatment could significantly contribute to avoiding the effects of azoles by these fungi. IMPORTANCE The fungal membrane contains ergosterol instead of cholesterol, which offers a specific point of attack for the defense against pathogenic fungi. Indeed, most antifungal agents target ergosterol or its biosynthesis. Mucormycoses-causing fungi are resistant to most antifungal agents, including most of the azoles. For this reason, the drugs of choice to treat such infections are limited. The exploration of ergosterol biosynthesis is therefore of fundamental importance to understand the azole resistance of mucormycosis-causing fungi and to develop possible new control strategies. Characterization of sterol 24-C-methyltransferase demonstrated its role in the azole resistance and virulence of M. lusitanicus. Moreover, our experiments suggest that there are at least four alternative pathways for the biosynthesis of sterols in Mucor. Switching between pathways may contribute to the maintenance of azole resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kitti Bauer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bence Rafael
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bernadett Vágó
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sándor Kiss-Vetráb
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anna Molnár
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csilla Szebenyi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mónika Varga
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - András Szekeres
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csaba Vágvölgyi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Papp
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Nagy
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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