1
|
Mohammadi S, Leduc A, Charette SJ, Barbeau J, Vincent AT. Amino acid substitutions in specific proteins correlate with farnesol unresponsiveness in Candida albicans. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:93. [PMID: 36859182 PMCID: PMC9979538 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09174-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The quorum-sensing molecule farnesol, in opportunistic yeast Candida albicans, modulates its dimorphic switch between yeast and hyphal forms, and biofilm formation. Although there is an increasing interest in farnesol as a potential antifungal drug, the molecular mechanism by which C. albicans responds to this molecule is still not fully understood. RESULTS A comparative genomic analysis between C. albicans strains that are naturally unresponsive to 30 µM of farnesol on TYE plates at 37 °C versus responsive strains uncovered new molecular determinants involved in the response to farnesol. While no signature gene was identified, amino acid changes in specific proteins were shown to correlate with the unresponsiveness to farnesol, particularly with substitutions in proteins known to be involved in the farnesol response. Although amino acid changes occur primarily in disordered regions of proteins, some amino acid changes were also found in known domains. Finally, the genomic investigation of intermediate-response strains showed that the non-response to farnesol occurs gradually following the successive accumulation of amino acid changes at specific positions. CONCLUSION It is known that large genomic changes, such as recombinations and gene flow (losses and gains), can cause major phenotypic changes in pathogens. However, it is still not well known or documented how more subtle changes, such as amino acid substitutions, play a role in the adaptation of pathogens. The present study shows that amino acid changes can modulate C. albicans yeast's response to farnesol. This study also improves our understanding of the network of proteins involved in the response to farnesol, and of the involvement of amino acid substitutions in cellular behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sima Mohammadi
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Département des sciences animales, Faculté des sciences de l’agriculture et de l’alimentation, Université Laval, Pavillon Paul-Comtois, 2425 rue de l’Agriculture, G1V 0A6 Quebec City, QC Canada ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Institut de biologie intégrative et des systèmes, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC Canada
| | - Annie Leduc
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Département de stomatologie, Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal City, QC Canada
| | - Steve J. Charette
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Institut de biologie intégrative et des systèmes, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC Canada ,grid.421142.00000 0000 8521 1798Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Quebec City, QC Canada ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Département de biochimie, de microbiologie et de bio-informatique, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC Canada
| | - Jean Barbeau
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Département de stomatologie, Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal City, QC Canada
| | - Antony T. Vincent
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Département des sciences animales, Faculté des sciences de l’agriculture et de l’alimentation, Université Laval, Pavillon Paul-Comtois, 2425 rue de l’Agriculture, G1V 0A6 Quebec City, QC Canada ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Institut de biologie intégrative et des systèmes, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lv Q, Yan L, Wang J, Feng J, Gao L, Qiu L, Chao W, Qin YL, Jiang Y. Combined Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis Reveals That the Potent Antifungal Pyrylium Salt Inhibits Mitochondrial Complex I in Candida albicans. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0320922. [PMID: 36790175 PMCID: PMC10100848 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03209-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on the structural modification of SM21, xy12, a new pyrylium salt derivative with enhanced antifungal activities, was synthesized. The MICs (MIC90) of xy12 against Candida albicans ranged from 0.125 to 0.25 μg/mL, about 2-fold lower than those of SM21. In addition, xy12 inhibited hypha and biofilm formation in C. albicans in a dose-dependent manner. A total of 3,454 differentially expressed genes and 260 differential metabolites were identified in the xy12-treated C. albicans by RNA-seq and non-targeted metabolomics. By integrating KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, we found that inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation was the important antifungal mechanism of action of xy12. Electron transport through mitochondrial respiratory complexes I to IV is the common process of oxidative phosphorylation. Compared with the sensitivity of the wild-type SC5314 to xy12, decreased sensitivities in mitochondrial complex I (CI)-deficient mutants and increased sensitivities in mitochondrial complex III- and IV-deficient mutants suggested that the antifungal effects of xy12 were dependent on CI. Consistently, xy12 exhibited antagonism with rotenone, an inhibitor of CI, and significantly inhibited the expression and activity of CI. Meanwhile, the phenotypes in the xy12-treated C. albicans were similar to those in the CI-deficient mutants, such as decreased ATP production, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, loss of mitochondrial DNA, inability to utilize nonfermentative carbon sources, and decreased cell wall N-linked mannoproteins. Collectively, our results revealed that the pyrylium salt xy12 could constrain oxidative phosphorylation by inhibiting mitochondrial complex I in C. albicans, providing a novel lead compound for the development of mitochondria-targeted antifungal drugs. IMPORTANCE The development of new antifungal drugs is critical for solving the problem of antifungal resistance and expanding the limited variety of clinical antifungal drugs. Based on the modification of the pyrylium salt SM21, a new lead compound, xy12, was synthesized which was effective against Candida species both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, conjoined analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome elucidated the antifungal mechanism of action of xy12, which inhibited the activity of mitochondrial complex I in C. albicans. Targeting fungi-specific mitochondrial complex proteins has been reported as a promising antifungal strategy. Our study provided a new lead compound for targeting C. albicans mitochondrial complex I, which could be beneficial for discovering novel antifungal drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quanzhen Lv
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lan Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinxin Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jia Feng
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Gao
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lijuan Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wen Chao
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu-Lin Qin
- Fudan University Minhang Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanying Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mao X, Peng L, Yang L, Zhu M, Du J, Ma C, Yu Q, Li M. Vacuole and mitochondria patch (vCLAMP) and ER-mitochondria encounter structure (ERMES) maintain cell survival by protecting mitochondrial functions in Candida albicans. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 591:88-94. [PMID: 34999259 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.12.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is an important opportunistic fungus in the clinic. In recent years, with the widespread use of antibiotics, drug-resistant strains have been isolated in the clinic, so finding new drug targets has become an urgent problem to be solved. The vacuole and mitochondria patch (vCLAMP) and the ER-mitochondria encounter structure (ERMES) are new types of inner membrane junction systems in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, the functions in maintaining cell survival of the two structures have not yet been elucidated in C. albicans. In this study, VAM6 and MDM34 knockout mutants (vam6Δ/Δmet-MDM34) were constructed using an induction system regulated by the MET3 promoter. PI-positive assays showed that deletion of vCLAMP and ERMES led to abnormal growth of C. albicans. Furthermore, the vam6Δ/Δmet-MDM34 mutant exhibited obvious mitochondrial fragmentation, mtDNA damage, reduced ATP levels, and abnormal mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating its important role in maintaining the structures and functions of mitochondria. Moreover, deletion of vCLAMP and ERMES inhibited filamentous growth. Overall This study shows that vCLAMP and ERMES play important roles in maintaining the survival of C. albicans cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Mao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China; School of Laboratory Animal & Shandong Laboratory Animal Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong, 250000, China
| | - Liping Peng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Li Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Mengsen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jiawen Du
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Congcong Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Qilin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Mingchun Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mao X, Yang L, Yu D, Ma T, Ma C, Wang J, Yu Q, Li M. The Vacuole and Mitochondria Patch (vCLAMP) Protein Vam6 is Crucial for Autophagy in Candida albicans. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:477-486. [PMID: 34057669 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00565-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Vacuole and mitochondria patches (vCLAMPs) are involved in the stress resistance of yeast, but their exact role in autophagy remains so far unclear. This study, for the first time, investigated the role of the vCLAMP core protein Vam6 in autophagy of Candida albicans. The experiments demonstrated that the deletion of VAM6 led to a growth defect under nitrogen starvation. Also, western blotting revealed that the vam6Δ/Δ mutant attenuated degradation of Atg8 (an autophagy indicator), Lap41 (an indicator of the cytoplasm to vacuole targeting pathway), and Csp37 (a mitophagy indicator). Moreover, the activity of carboxypeptidase Y and the levels of the vacuolar phospholipase Atg15 were significantly decreased in the mutant, which confirmed the defect of autophagy caused by deletion of VAM6. Overall, these results revealed that Vam6 is essential in maintaining the autophagic process under nitrogen starvation, and this provided new insights into the correlation between vCLAMPs and autophagy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Mao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of LifeSciences, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Li Yang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of LifeSciences, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Dixiong Yu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of LifeSciences, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Tianyu Ma
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of LifeSciences, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Congcong Ma
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of LifeSciences, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jiazhen Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of LifeSciences, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Qilin Yu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of LifeSciences, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Mingchun Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of LifeSciences, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mao X, Yang L, Fan Y, Wang J, Cui D, Yu D, Yu Q, Li M. The Vacuole and Mitochondria Patch (vCLAMP) Protein Mcp1 Is Involved in Maintenance of Mitochondrial Function and Mitophagy in Candida albicans. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:633380. [PMID: 33633712 PMCID: PMC7902011 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.633380] [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: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The vacuole and mitochondria patches (vCLAMPs) are novel membrane contact sites in yeast. However, their role in autophagy has not been elucidated so far. In this article, the role of Mcp1, one core component of vCLAMP, in mitophagy of Candida albicans was investigated. Deletion of MCP1 led to abnormal accumulation of enlarged mitochondria and attenuated stability of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in C. albicans when cultured in non-fermentable carbon sources. Furthermore, the mcp1Δ/Δ mutant exhibited defective growth and degradation of Csp37-GFP. These results indicate that Mcp1 plays a crucial role in mitophagy and maintenance of mitochondrial functions under the non-fermentable condition. Interestingly, this deletion had no impact on degradation of Atg8 (the macroautophagy reporter) and Lap41 (the cytoplasm-to-vacuole targeting pathway marker) under SD-N medium. Moreover, deletion of MCP1 inhibited filamentous growth and impaired virulence of the pathogen. This study provides an insight to vCLAMPs in cellular functions and pathogenicity in C. albicans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Mao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Li Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yiming Fan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiazhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dongkai Cui
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dixiong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qilin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mingchun Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mao X, Yang L, Liu Y, Ma C, Ma T, Yu Q, Li M. Vacuole and Mitochondria Patch (vCLAMP) Protein Vam6 Is Involved in Maintenance of Mitochondrial and Vacuolar Functions under Oxidative Stress in Candida albicans. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10010136. [PMID: 33478009 PMCID: PMC7835768 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10010136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is one of the most common opportunistic fungal pathogens in human beings. When infecting host cells, C. albicans is often exposed to oxidative stress from the host immune defense system. Maintenance of mitochondrial and vacuolar functions is crucial for its resistance to oxidative stress. However, the role of vacuole and mitochondria patchs (vCLAMPs) in cellular oxidative stress resistance and in the maintenance of organelle functions remains to be elucidated. Herein, the function of the vCLAMP protein Vam6 in response to oxidative stress was explored. The results showed that the vam6∆/∆ mutant exhibited obvious mitochondrial swelling, mtDNA damage, reduced activity of antioxidant enzymes, and abnormal vacuolar morphology under H2O2 treatment, indicating its important role in maintaining the structures and functions of both mitochondria and vacuoles under oxidative stress. Further studies showed that deletion of VAM6 attenuated hyphal development under oxidative stress. Moreover, loss of Vam6 obviously affected host tissue invasion and virulence of C. albicans. Taken together, this paper reveals the critical role of vCLAMPs in response to oxidative stress in C. albicans.
Collapse
|
7
|
Peng X, Yu Q, Liu Y, Ma T, Li M. Study on the Function of the Inositol Polyphosphate Kinases Kcs1 and Vip1 of Candida albicans in Energy Metabolism. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:566069. [PMID: 33362729 PMCID: PMC7758236 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.566069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, inositol polyphosphate kinase KCS1 but not VIP1 knockout is of great significance for maintaining cell viability, promoting glycolysis metabolism, and inducing mitochondrial damage. The functions of Candida albicans inositol polyphosphate kinases Kcs1 and Vip1 have not yet been studied. In this study, we found that the growth rate of C. albicans vip1Δ/Δ strain in glucose medium was reduced and the upregulation of glycolysis was accompanied by a decrease in mitochondrial activity, resulting in a large accumulation of lipid droplets, along with an increase in cell wall chitin and cell membrane permeability, eventually leading to cell death. Relieving intracellular glycolysis rate or increasing mitochondrial metabolism can reduce lipid droplet accumulation, causing a reduction in chitin content and cell membrane permeability. The growth activity and energy metabolism of the vip1Δ/Δ strains in a non-fermentable carbon source glycerol medium were not different from those of the wild-type strains, indicating that knocking out VIP1 did not cause mitochondria damage. Moreover, C. albicans KCS1 knockout did not affect cell activity and energy metabolism. Thus, in C. albicans, Vip1 is more important than Kcs1 in regulating cell viability and energy metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueling Peng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qilin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yingzheng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tianyu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mingchun Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wang L, Chen R, Weng Q, Lin S, Wang H, Li L, Fuchs BB, Tan X, Mylonakis E. SPT20 Regulates the Hog1-MAPK Pathway and Is Involved in Candida albicans Response to Hyperosmotic Stress. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:213. [PMID: 32153525 PMCID: PMC7047840 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen and relies on the Hog1-MAPK pathway to resist osmotic stress posed by the environment or during host invasions. Here, we investigated the role of SPT20 in response to osmotic stress. Testing a C. albicans spt20Δ/Δ mutant, we found it was sensitive to osmotic stress. Using sequence alignment, we identified the conserved functional domains between CaSpt20 and ScSpt20. Reconstitution of the Spt20 function in a spt20Δ/CaSPT20 complemented strain found CaSPT20 can suppress the high sensitivity to hyperosmotic stressors, a cell wall stress agent, and antifungal drugs in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae spt20Δ/Δ mutant background. We measured the cellular glycerol accumulation and found it was significantly lower in the C. albicans spt20Δ/Δ mutant strain, compared to the wild type strain SC5314 (P < 0.001). This result was also supported by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, which showed the expression levels of gene contributing to glycerol accumulation were reduced in Caspt20Δ/Δ compared to wild type (GPD2 and TGL1, P < 0.001), while ADH7 and AGP2, whose expression can lead to glycerol decrease, were induced when cells were exposed to high osmolarity (ADH7, P < 0.001; AGP2, P = 0.002). In addition, we tested the transcription levels of Hog1-dependent osmotic stress response genes, and found that they were significantly upregulated in wild type cells encountering hyperosmolarity, while the expression of HGT10, SKO1, CAT1, and SLP3 were not induced when SPT20 was deleted. Although the transcript of ORF19.3661 and ORF19.4370 in Caspt20Δ/Δ was induced in the presence of 1 M NaCl, the levels were less than what was observed in the wild type (ORF19.3661, P = 0.007; ORF19.4370, P = 0.011). Moreover, the deletion of CaSPT20 in C. albicans reduced phosphorylation levels of Hog1. These findings suggested that SPT20 is conserved between yeast and C. albicans and plays an important role in adapting to osmotic stress through regulating Hog1-MAPK pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lianfang Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Chronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Huiqiao Medical Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruilan Chen
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Fangcun Branch of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiuting Weng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Chronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Huiqiao Medical Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoming Lin
- Department of Respiratory, Longhua District People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huijun Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Chronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Huiqiao Medical Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Li
- Huiqiao Medical Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Beth Burgwyn Fuchs
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Xiaojiang Tan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Chronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Huiqiao Medical Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cui L, Zhao H, Yin Y, Liang C, Mao X, Liu Y, Yu Q, Li M. Function of Atg11 in non-selective autophagy and selective autophagy of Candida albicans. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 516:1152-1158. [PMID: 31284951 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.06.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is an important opportunistic pathogenic fungus in the human body. It is a common microbe inhabiting on the mucosa surfaces of healthy individuals, but may cause infections when the host immune system is weak. Autophagy is a "self-eating" process in eukaryotes, which can recover and utilize damaged organelles and misfolded proteins. Here we investigated the role of the autophagy-related protein Atg11 in C. albicans. Deletion of ATG11 led to the defect in growth under the nitrogen starvation condition. Western blotting and GFP localization further revealed that the transport and degradation of Atg8 was blocked in the atg11Δ/Δ mutant under both the nitrogen starvation and hypha-inducing conditions. Moreover, degradation of both Lap41 (the indicator of the cytoplasm-to-vacuole pathway) and Csp37 (the indicator of mitophagy) was also thoroughly suppressed in this mutant under nitrogen starvation. These results indicated that Atg11 plays an essential role in both non-selective and selective autophagy in C. albicans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Cui
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - He Zhao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yujun Yin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Chao Liang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Xiaolong Mao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yingzheng Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Qilin Yu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Mingchun Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Jia C, Zhang J, Zhuge Y, Xu K, Liu J, Wang J, Li L, Chu M. Synergistic effects of geldanamycin with fluconazole are associated with reactive oxygen species in Candida tropicalis resistant to azoles and amphotericin B. Free Radic Res 2019; 53:618-628. [PMID: 31185751 DOI: 10.1080/10715762.2019.1610563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chang Jia
- Pediatric Research Institute, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, PR China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Children’s Heart Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, PR China
| | - Yingzhi Zhuge
- Children’s Heart Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, PR China
| | - Ke Xu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, PR China
| | - Jiahui Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, PR China
| | - Jinle Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, PR China
| | - Lei Li
- School of Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, PR China
| | - Maoping Chu
- Pediatric Research Institute, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, PR China
- Children’s Heart Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Dong Y, Zhang D, Yu Q, Zhao Q, Xiao C, Zhang K, Jia C, Chen S, Zhang B, Zhang B, Li M. Loss of Ssq1 leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, activation of autophagy and cell cycle arrest due to iron overload triggered by mitochondrial iron-sulfur cluster assembly defects in Candida albicans. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2017; 85:44-55. [PMID: 28163187 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2017.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Revised: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Iron-sulfur clusters perform essential functions in enzymatic catalysis and homeostatic regulation. Here we for the first time identified Ssq1 as an essential component for iron-sulfur cluster assembly in Candida albicans. Ssq1 played an important role in cell growth. Shutting off SSQ1 led to accumulation of intracellular iron, especially in mitochondria, and disorder of intracellular iron regulation. In tetO-SSQ1, iron overloading triggered the oxidative damage of mitochondrial function. Surprisingly, disruption of SSQ1 activated autophagic pathway. The mitochondrial dysfunction was further aggravated when CCZ1 (which is essential for autophagy) and SSQ1 was simultaneously deleted, suggesting that autophagy played a critical role in maintenance of mitochondrial function in tetO-SSQ1. In addition, double deletion of SSQ1 and CCZ1 further elevated cellular iron levels in comparison with tetO-SSQ1, indicating that autophagy participated in maintenance of iron homeostasis. Furthermore, we found that loss of SSQ1 led to increasing protein expression of Rnr1 and redistribution of Rnr2 from the nucleus to cytoplasm, and further resulted in cell cycle arrest. The results implied that cell cycle arrest was caused by activating the checkpoint pathway because of impairing the iron-sulfur cluster assembly in tetO-SSQ1. Shutting off SSQ1 led to a significant defect in filamentous development. Interestingly, the tetO-SSQ1ccz1Δ/Δ growth was inhibited on hyphae-inducing solid media. Both tetO-SSQ1 and tetO-SSQ1ccz1Δ/Δ exhibited extremely attenuated virulence, indicating that Ssq1 might provide a promising target for antifungal drugs development. In summary, our findings provide new insights into the understanding of iron-sulfur cluster assembly-related gene in C. albicans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Dong
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China; The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, PR China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Qilin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Chenpeng Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Chang Jia
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Sijia Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Bing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Biao Zhang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Mingchun Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wang D, Wang S, He D, Gao S, Xue B, Wang L. Deletion of afpab1 Causes Increased Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress and Hypovirulence in Aspergillus fumigatus. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17111811. [PMID: 27801871 PMCID: PMC5133812 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17111811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus AFPAB1 is the ortholog of the Aspergillus oryzae cytoplasmic messenger ribonucleoprotein granules AOPAB1 that function to depress the initiation of translation during stress. A. fumigatus can regulate its cellular physiology in response to environmental stresses, but there has been no research on Pab1 in A. fumigatus. The associated gene afpab1 was replaced with a hygromycin-selectable marker to generate the strain Δafpab1. Phenotypic analysis showed that the Δafpab1 grew more weakly than the wild-type strain. Also the germination rate of Δafpab1 was decreased when exposed to oxidative stress. The morphology of Δafpab1 spores also showed great changes. The killing rate of Δafpab1 by RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells was increased, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging ability of Δafpab1 was decreased. Pathogenicity testing showed that the deletion strain had decreased virulence. Therefore, we conclude that afpab1 activity is correlated with susceptibility to oxidative stress, and deletion of afpab1 from A. fumigatus possibly leads to observed hypovirulence in an immunosuppressed mouse model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongyang Wang
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Jilin University Mycology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Shunan Wang
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Jilin University Mycology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Dan He
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Jilin University Mycology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Song Gao
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Jilin University Mycology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Baiji Xue
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Jilin University Mycology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Jilin University Mycology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
Macroautophagy/autophagy is a conserved lysosomal degradation process essential for cell physiology and human health. By regulating apoptosis, inflammation, pathogen clearance, immune response and other cellular processes, autophagy acts as a modulator of pathogenesis and is a potential therapeutic target in diverse diseases. With regard to oral disease, autophagy can be problematic either when it is activated or impaired, because this process is involved in diverse functions, depending on the specific disease and its level of progression. In particular, activated autophagy functions as a cytoprotective mechanism under environmental stress conditions, which regulates tumor growth and mediates resistance to anticancer treatment in established tumors. During infections and inflammation, activated autophagy selectively delivers microbial antigens to the immune systems, and is therefore connected to the elimination of intracellular pathogens. Impaired autophagy contributes to oxidative stress, genomic instability, chronic tissue damage, inflammation and tumorigenesis, and is involved in aberrant bacterial clearance and immune priming. Hence, substantial progress in the study of autophagy provides new insights into the pathogenesis of oral diseases. This review outlines the mechanisms of autophagy, and highlights the emerging roles of this process in oral cancer, periapical lesions, periodontal diseases, and oral candidiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Qin Tan
- a The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education , School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Jing Zhang
- a The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education , School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,b Department of Oral Medicine , School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Gang Zhou
- a The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education , School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,b Department of Oral Medicine , School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Chen Y, Yu Q, Wang H, Dong Y, Jia C, Zhang B, Xiao C, Zhang B, Xing L, Li M. The malfunction of peroxisome has an impact on the oxidative stress sensitivity in Candida albicans. Fungal Genet Biol 2016; 95:1-12. [PMID: 27473887 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2016.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2016] [Revised: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The peroxisome plays an essential role in eukaryotic cellular metabolism, including β-oxidation of fatty acids and detoxification of hydrogen peroxide. However, its functions in the important fungal pathogen, C. albicans, remain to be investigated. In this study, we identified a homologue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae peroxisomal protein Pex1 in this pathogen, and explored its functions in stress tolerance. Fluorescence observation revealed that C. albicans Pex1 was localized in the peroxisomes, and its loss led to the defect in peroxisome formation. Interestingly, the pex1Δ/Δ mutant had increased tolerance to oxidative stress, which was neither associated with the Cap1 pathway, nor related to the altered distribution of catalase. However, under oxidative stress, the pex1Δ/Δ mutant showed increased expression of autophagy-related genes, with enhanced cytoplasm-to-vacuole transport and degradation of the autophagy markers Atg8 and Lap41. Moreover, the double mutants pex1Δ/Δatg8Δ/Δ and pex1Δ/Δatg1Δ/Δ, both of which were defective in autophagy and peroxisome formation, showed remarkable attenuated tolerance to oxidative stress. These results indicated that autophagy is involved in resistance to oxidative stress in pex1Δ/Δ mutant. Taken together, this study provides evidence that the peroxisomal protein Pex1 regulates oxidative stress tolerance in an autophagy-dependent manner in C. albicans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yulu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Qilin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Honggang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Yijie Dong
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Chang Jia
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Bing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Chenpeng Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Biao Zhang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Laijun Xing
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Mingchun Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|