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Yang J, Ma Y, Li B, Xi Z, Zhang L, Wang Y, Feng W. Roles of Nucleolar Factor RCL1 in Itraconazole Resistance of Clinical Candida albicans Under Different Stress Conditions. Infect Drug Resist 2024; 17:769-777. [PMID: 38433785 PMCID: PMC10908289 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s431024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose RNA terminal phosphate cyclase like 1 (RCL1) undergoes overexpression during the immune response of Candida albicans following drug treatment. This study aims to investigate the expression levels of RCL1 in C. albicans under various stress conditions. Methods Fifteen itraconazole (ITR)-resistant strains of clinical C. albicans, and one standard strain were employed for RCL1 sequencing, and mutations in RCL1 were analyzed. Subsequently, 14 out of the 15 ITR-resistant clinical strains and 14 clinical strains sensitive to ITR, fluconazole (FCA) as well as voriconazole (VRC) were cultured under diverse conditions. The expression of RCL1 ITR-resistant and sensitive C. albicans was then assessed using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays. Results Compared to the standard strain, three missense mutations (C6A, G10A, and A11T) were identified in the RCL1 gene of ITR-resistant C. albicans through successful forward sequencing. Additionally, using successful reverse sequencing, one synonymous mutation (C1T) and four missense mutations (C1T, A3T, A7G, and T8G) were found in the RCL1 gene of ITR-resistant C. albicans. RCL1 expression was significantly higher in ITR-resistant C. albicans than in sensitive strains under standard conditions (37°C, 0.03% CO2, pH 4.0). Low temperature (25°C) increased RCL1 expression in sensitive C. albicans while decreasing it in ITR-resistant strains. Elevated CO2 concentrations (5% CO2) had a negligible effect on RCL1 expression in sensitive C. albicans, but effectively reduced RCL1 level in ITR-resistant strains. Furthermore, a medium with a pH of 7 decreased the expression of RCL1 in both resistant and sensitive C. albicans. Conclusion This study demonstrated that RCL1 mutations in ITR-resistant C. albicans, and variations in culture conditions significantly influence RCL1 expression in both ITR-resistant and sensitive C. albicans, thereby inducing alterations in the dimorphism of C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiqin Xi
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenli Feng
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, People’s Republic of China
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2
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Robbins N, Cowen LE. Roles of Hsp90 in Candida albicans morphogenesis and virulence. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 75:102351. [PMID: 37399670 PMCID: PMC11016340 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Hsp90 is a conserved molecular chaperone that facilitates the folding and function of hundreds of client proteins, many of which serve as core hubs of signal transduction networks. Hsp90 has a critical role in virulence of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans, which exists as a natural commensal of the human microbiota and is a leading cause of invasive fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. The ability of C. albicans to cause disease is tightly coupled to its capacity to undergo a morphogenetic transition between yeast and filamentous forms. Here, we describe the complex mechanisms by which Hsp90 regulates C. albicans morphogenesis and virulence, and explore the potential of targeting fungal Hsp90 as a therapeutic strategy to combat fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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3
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Li J, Xuan R, Wu W, Zhang H, Zhao J, Zhang S. Geldanamycin ameliorates multiple organ dysfunction and microthrombosis in septic mice by inhibiting the formation of the neutrophil extracellular network by activating heat shock factor 1 HSF1. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2023; 50:698-707. [PMID: 37308449 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Sepsis and septic shock are common critical illnesses in the intensive care unit with a high mortality rate. Geldanamycin (GA) has a broad spectrum of antibacterial and antiviral activity and has inhibitory effects on various viruses. However, whether GA affects sepsis due to infections remains unknown. In this study, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in serum; neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and kidney injury molecule-1 in the urine, cytokines (tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and myeloperoxidase in the lung tissues were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Pathological injury was measured by hematoxylin and eosin staining and neutrophils were measured by flow cytometry analysis; related expressions were analysed by qPCR, western blot and immunofluorescence assay. The results showed that GA significantly ameliorated cecum ligation and puncture (CLP)-triggered liver, kidney and lung injury in septic mice. In addition, we found that GA dose-dependently inhibited microthrombosis and alleviated coagulopathy in septic mice. Further molecular mechanism analysis suggests that GA may act through upregulation of heat shock factor 1 and tissue-type plasminogen activator. In conclusion, our study elucidated the protective effects of GA in a mouse model established using CLP, and the results reveal that GA may be a promising agent for sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ruijing Xuan
- Department of Experimental Zoology, Laboratory Animal Center, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Weidong Wu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hailong Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Shan Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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4
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Jiang C, Ge J, He B, Zhang Z, Hu Z, Li Y, Zeng B. Transcriptomic analysis reveals Aspergillus oryzae responds to temperature stress by regulating sugar metabolism and lipid metabolism. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274394. [PMID: 36094945 PMCID: PMC9467314 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274394] [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: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus oryzae is widely used in industrial applications, which always encounter changes within multiple environmental conditions during fermentation, such as temperature stress. However, the molecular mechanisms by which A. oryzae protects against temperature stress have not been elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the fermentative behavior, transcriptomic profiles, and metabolic changes of A. oryzae in response to temperature stress. Both low and high temperatures inhibited mycelial growth and conidial formation of A. oryzae. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in sugar metabolism and lipid metabolism under temperature stress. Specifically, the DEGs in trehalose synthesis and starch metabolism were upregulated under low-temperature stress, while high temperatures inhibited the expression of genes involved in fructose, galactose, and glucose metabolism. Quantitative analysis of intracellular sugar further revealed that low temperature increased trehalose accumulation, while high temperature increased the contents of intracellular trehalose, galactose, and glucose, consistent with transcriptome analysis. In addition, most DEGs involved in lipid metabolism were significantly downregulated under low-temperature stress. Furthermore, the metabolomic analysis revealed that linoleic acid, triacylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphoribosyl were significantly decreased in response to low-temperature stress. These results increase our understanding of the coping mechanisms of A. oryzae in response to temperature stress, which lays the foundation for future improvements through genetic modification to enhance A. oryzae against extreme temperature stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmiao Jiang
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering and Co-Innovation Center for In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents and Devices of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
- * E-mail: (CJ); (BZ)
| | - Jinxin Ge
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering and Co-Innovation Center for In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents and Devices of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bin He
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering and Co-Innovation Center for In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents and Devices of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering and Co-Innovation Center for In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents and Devices of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhihong Hu
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering and Co-Innovation Center for In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents and Devices of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yongkai Li
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering and Co-Innovation Center for In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents and Devices of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bin Zeng
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering and Co-Innovation Center for In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents and Devices of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
- College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China
- * E-mail: (CJ); (BZ)
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Elevating Air Temperature may Enhance Future Epidemic Risk of the Plant Pathogen Phytophthora infestans. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8080808. [PMID: 36012796 PMCID: PMC9410326 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of pathogen adaptation to global warming is important for predicting future disease epidemics and food production in agricultural ecosystems; however, the patterns and mechanisms of such adaptation in many plant pathogens are poorly understood. Here, population genetics combined with physiological assays and common garden experiments were used to analyze the genetics, physiology, and thermal preference of pathogen aggressiveness in an evolutionary context using 140 Phytophthora infestans genotypes under five temperature regimes. Pathogens originating from warmer regions were more thermophilic and had a broader thermal niche than those from cooler regions. Phenotypic plasticity contributed ~10-fold more than heritability measured by genetic variance. Further, experimental temperatures altered the expression of genetic variation and the association of pathogen aggressiveness with the local temperature. Increasing experimental temperature enhanced the variation in aggressiveness. At low experimental temperatures, pathogens from warmer places produced less disease than those from cooler places; however, this pattern was reversed at higher experimental temperatures. These results suggest that geographic variation in the thermal preferences of pathogens should be included in modeling future disease epidemics in agricultural ecosystems in response to global warming, and greater attention should be paid to preventing the movement of pathogens from warmer to cooler places.
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Palmieri B, Condemi L, Bertozzi E, Garoia F, Vadalà M. Relapsing Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: Treatment with Oxygen Therapy and Hyaluronic Acid. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2022.10129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE. The aim of our open, anecdotical, retrospective, spontaneous trial has been to evaluate the efficacy of the association between high concentration oxygen and hyaluronic acid for treatment of relapsing candidiasis.METHODS. 45 women (30.9 ±4.4 years) with relapsing candidiasis, and complaining of dryness, dyspareunia, pain, appealing to our Second Opinion Medical Consultation Network, signed an informed consent form and were treated with oxygen/hyaluronic acid therapy treatment, once a week, for a total of five weeks at the outpatient clinic (Healthy Center, Sirio, Fidenza, Italy). The physicians of the Second Opinion Network followed up weekly from remote (WhatsApp, Skype) each treated patient as to state the effectiveness, tolerability, and side effects of the treatment.RESULTS. The mean VAS and VuAS scores measured at first visit were 2,660 and 2,622 and significantly (p<0,0001) reduced to 1,311 and 0,77 at last visit. The measurements of the vaginal pH and of the vaginal swab after the last treatment session confirmed significantly (p<0.0001) the absence of candidiasis. Three months later in the follow-up, the percentage of patients who had had only one VVC relapse was 4,44% (2/45), a percentage that increased just to 8,8% at six months (4/45). The elastography index was significantly (p<0.0001) increased after the last treatment session (2,55 ± 0,545 vs 4,48 ± 0,505).CONCLUSIONS. The combined oxygen therapy with hyaluronic acid gave definite therapeutic benefits in this cohort of relapsing candidiasis in the acute phase of the infection. The 6-month follow up, also detected a lower reinfection rate compared with the historical available data. The procedure is totally painless with excellent compliance by patients and no untoward effects.
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Abdulghani M, Iram R, Chidrawar P, Bhosle K, Kazi R, Patil R, Kharat K, Zore G. Proteomic profile of Candida albicans biofilm. J Proteomics 2022; 265:104661. [PMID: 35728770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2022.104661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans biofilms are characterized by structural and cellular heterogeneity that confers antifungal resistance and immune evasion. Despite this, biofilm formation remains poorly understood. In this study, we used proteomic analysis to understand biofilm formation in C. albicans related to morphophysiological and architectural features. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that 64 proteins were significantly modulated, of which 31 were upregulated and 33 were downregulated. The results indicate that metabolism (25 proteins), gene expression (13 proteins), stress response (7 proteins), and cell wall (5 proteins) composition are modulated. The rate of oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) and biosynthesis of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, vitamin B6, and thiamine increased, while the rate of methionine biosynthesis decreased. There was a significant modification of the cell wall architecture due to higher levels of Sun41, Pir1 and Csh1 and increased glycosylation of proteins. It was observed that C. albicans induces hyphal growth by upregulating the expression of genes involved in cAMP-PKA and MAPK pathways. This study is significant in that it suggests an increase in OxPhos and alteration of cell wall architecture that could be contributing to the recalcitrance of C. albicans cells growing in biofilms. Nevertheless, a deeper investigation is needed to explore it further. SIGNIFICANCE: Candida sps is included in the list of pathogens with potential drug resistance threat due to the increased frequency especially colonization of medical devices, and tissues among the patients, in recent years. Significance of our study is that we are reporting traits like modulation in cell wall composition, amino acid and vitamin biosynthesis and importantly energy generation (OxPhos) etc. These traits could be conferring antifungal resistance, host immune evasion etc. and thus survival, in addition to facilitating biofilm formation. These findings are expected to prime the further studies on devising potent strategy against biofilm growth among the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazen Abdulghani
- School of Life Sciences, Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded 431606, MS, India
| | - Rasiqua Iram
- School of Life Sciences, Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded 431606, MS, India
| | - Priti Chidrawar
- School of Life Sciences, Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded 431606, MS, India
| | - Kajal Bhosle
- School of Life Sciences, Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded 431606, MS, India
| | - Rubina Kazi
- Division of Biochemical Sciences, CSIR-NCL, Pune 8, MS, India
| | - Rajendra Patil
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, MS, India
| | - Kiran Kharat
- Department of Biotechnology, Deogiri College, Aurangabad, MS, India
| | - Gajanan Zore
- School of Life Sciences, Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded 431606, MS, India.
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Hsiung RT, Chiu MC, Chou JY. Exogenous Indole-3-Acetic Acid Induced Ethanol Tolerance in Phylogenetically Diverse Saccharomycetales Yeasts. Microbes Environ 2022; 37. [PMID: 35082178 PMCID: PMC8958292 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.me21053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is an exogenous growth regulatory signal that is produced by plants and various microorganisms. Microorganisms have been suggested to cross-communicate with each other through IAA-mediated signaling mechanisms. The IAA-induced tolerance response has been reported in several microorganisms, but has not yet been described in Saccharomycetales yeasts. In the present study, three common stressors (heat, osmotic pressure, and ethanol) were examined in relation to the influence of a pretreatment with IAA on stress tolerance in 12 different lineages of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The pretreatment with IAA had a significant effect on the induction of ethanol tolerance by reducing the doubling time of S. cerevisiae growth without the pretreatment. However, the pretreatment did not significantly affect the induction of thermo- or osmotolerance. The IAA pretreatment decreased the lethal effects of ethanol on S. cerevisiae cells. Although yeasts produce ethanol to outcompete sympatric microorganisms, IAA is not a byproduct of this process. Nevertheless, the accumulation of IAA indicates an increasing number of microorganisms, and, thus, greater competition for resources. Since the “wine trait” is shared by both phylogenetically related and distinct lineages in Saccharomycetales, we conclude that IAA-induced ethanol tolerance is not specific to S. cerevisiae; it may be widely detected in both pre-whole genome duplication (WGD) and post-WGD yeasts belonging to several genera of Saccharomycetales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo-Ting Hsiung
- Department of Biology, National Changhua University of Education
| | - Ming-Chung Chiu
- Department of Biology, National Changhua University of Education
| | - Jui-Yu Chou
- Department of Biology, National Changhua University of Education
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9
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Padder SA, Ramzan A, Tahir I, Rehman RU, Shah AH. Metabolic flexibility and extensive adaptability governing multiple drug resistance and enhanced virulence in Candida albicans. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 48:1-20. [PMID: 34213983 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.1935447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Commensal fungus-Candida albicans turn pathogenic during the compromised immunity of the host, causing infections ranging from superficial mucosal to dreadful systemic ones. C. albicans has evolved various adaptive measures which collectively contribute towards its enhanced virulence. Among fitness attributes, metabolic flexibility and vigorous stress response are essential for its pathogenicity and virulence. Metabolic flexibility provides a means for nutrient assimilation and growth in diverse host microenvironments and reduces the vulnerability of the pathogen to various antifungals besides evading host immune response(s). Inside the host micro-environments, C. albicans efficiently utilizes the multiple fermentable and non-fermentable carbon sources to sustain and proliferate in glucose deficit conditions. The utilization of alternative carbon sources further highlights the importance of understanding these pathways as the attractive and potential therapeutic target. A thorough understanding of metabolic flexibility and adaptation to environmental stresses is warranted to decipher in-depth insights into virulence and molecular mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity. In this review, we have attempted to provide a detailed and recent understanding of some key aspects of fungal biology. Particular focus will be placed on processes like nutrient assimilation and utilization, metabolic adaptability, virulence factors, and host immune response in C. albicans leading to its enhanced pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajad Ahmad Padder
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Asiya Ramzan
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Inayatullah Tahir
- Departments of Botany, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Reiaz Ul Rehman
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Abdul Haseeb Shah
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
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d'Enfert C, Kaune AK, Alaban LR, Chakraborty S, Cole N, Delavy M, Kosmala D, Marsaux B, Fróis-Martins R, Morelli M, Rosati D, Valentine M, Xie Z, Emritloll Y, Warn PA, Bequet F, Bougnoux ME, Bornes S, Gresnigt MS, Hube B, Jacobsen ID, Legrand M, Leibundgut-Landmann S, Manichanh C, Munro CA, Netea MG, Queiroz K, Roget K, Thomas V, Thoral C, Van den Abbeele P, Walker AW, Brown AJP. The impact of the Fungus-Host-Microbiota interplay upon Candida albicans infections: current knowledge and new perspectives. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:fuaa060. [PMID: 33232448 PMCID: PMC8100220 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a major fungal pathogen of humans. It exists as a commensal in the oral cavity, gut or genital tract of most individuals, constrained by the local microbiota, epithelial barriers and immune defences. Their perturbation can lead to fungal outgrowth and the development of mucosal infections such as oropharyngeal or vulvovaginal candidiasis, and patients with compromised immunity are susceptible to life-threatening systemic infections. The importance of the interplay between fungus, host and microbiota in driving the transition from C. albicans commensalism to pathogenicity is widely appreciated. However, the complexity of these interactions, and the significant impact of fungal, host and microbiota variability upon disease severity and outcome, are less well understood. Therefore, we summarise the features of the fungus that promote infection, and how genetic variation between clinical isolates influences pathogenicity. We discuss antifungal immunity, how this differs between mucosae, and how individual variation influences a person's susceptibility to infection. Also, we describe factors that influence the composition of gut, oral and vaginal microbiotas, and how these affect fungal colonisation and antifungal immunity. We argue that a detailed understanding of these variables, which underlie fungal-host-microbiota interactions, will present opportunities for directed antifungal therapies that benefit vulnerable patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe d'Enfert
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Ann-Kristin Kaune
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Road West, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Leovigildo-Rey Alaban
- BIOASTER Microbiology Technology Institute, 40 avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Sayoni Chakraborty
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Nathaniel Cole
- Gut Microbiology Group, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Road West, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Margot Delavy
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Daria Kosmala
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Benoît Marsaux
- ProDigest BV, Technologiepark 94, B-9052 Gent, Belgium
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ricardo Fróis-Martins
- Immunology Section, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Moran Morelli
- Mimetas, Biopartner Building 2, J.H. Oortweg 19, 2333 CH Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Diletta Rosati
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marisa Valentine
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Zixuan Xie
- Gut Microbiome Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119–129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yoan Emritloll
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Peter A Warn
- Magic Bullet Consulting, Biddlecombe House, Ugbrook, Chudleigh Devon, TQ130AD, UK
| | - Frédéric Bequet
- BIOASTER Microbiology Technology Institute, 40 avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Marie-Elisabeth Bougnoux
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Stephanie Bornes
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMRF0545, 20 Côte de Reyne, 15000 Aurillac, France
| | - Mark S Gresnigt
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Ilse D Jacobsen
- Microbial Immunology Research Group, Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, and the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Mélanie Legrand
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, USC 2019 INRA, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Salomé Leibundgut-Landmann
- Immunology Section, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Chaysavanh Manichanh
- Gut Microbiome Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119–129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carol A Munro
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Road West, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Mihai G Netea
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Karla Queiroz
- Mimetas, Biopartner Building 2, J.H. Oortweg 19, 2333 CH Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karine Roget
- NEXBIOME Therapeutics, 22 allée Alan Turing, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Vincent Thomas
- BIOASTER Microbiology Technology Institute, 40 avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Claudia Thoral
- NEXBIOME Therapeutics, 22 allée Alan Turing, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Alan W Walker
- Gut Microbiology Group, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Road West, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
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11
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Fabri JHTM, Rocha MC, Fernandes CM, Persinoti GF, Ries LNA, da Cunha AF, Goldman GH, Del Poeta M, Malavazi I. The Heat Shock Transcription Factor HsfA Is Essential for Thermotolerance and Regulates Cell Wall Integrity in Aspergillus fumigatus. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:656548. [PMID: 33897671 PMCID: PMC8062887 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.656548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The deleterious effects of human-induced climate change have long been predicted. However, the imminent emergence and spread of new diseases, including fungal infections through the rise of thermotolerant strains, is still neglected, despite being a potential consequence of global warming. Thermotolerance is a remarkable virulence attribute of the mold Aspergillus fumigatus. Under high-temperature stress, opportunistic fungal pathogens deploy an adaptive mechanism known as heat shock (HS) response controlled by heat shock transcription factors (HSFs). In eukaryotes, HSFs regulate the expression of several heat shock proteins (HSPs), such as the chaperone Hsp90, which is part of the cellular program for heat adaptation and a direct target of HSFs. We recently observed that the perturbation in cell wall integrity (CWI) causes concomitant susceptibility to elevated temperatures in A. fumigatus, although the mechanisms underpinning the HS response and CWI cross talking are not elucidated. Here, we aim at further deciphering the interplay between HS and CWI. Our results show that cell wall ultrastructure is severely modified when A. fumigatus is exposed to HS. We identify the transcription factor HsfA as essential for A. fumigatus viability, thermotolerance, and CWI. Indeed, HS and cell wall stress trigger the coordinated expression of both hsfA and hsp90. Furthermore, the CWI signaling pathway components PkcA and MpkA were shown to be important for HsfA and Hsp90 expression in the A. fumigatus biofilms. Lastly, RNA-sequencing confirmed that hsfA regulates the expression of genes related to the HS response, cell wall biosynthesis and remodeling, and lipid homeostasis. Our studies collectively demonstrate the connection between the HS and the CWI pathway, with HsfA playing a crucial role in this cross-pathway regulation, reinforcing the importance of the cell wall in A. fumigatus thermophily.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marina Campos Rocha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Caroline Mota Fernandes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Gabriela Felix Persinoti
- Laboratório Nacional de Biorrenováveis (LNBR), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Anderson Ferreira da Cunha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Henrique Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport, NY, United States
| | - Iran Malavazi
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
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12
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Molecular characterization of Hsf1 as a master regulator of heat shock response in the thermotolerant methylotrophic yeast Ogataea parapolymorpha. J Microbiol 2021; 59:151-163. [PMID: 33527316 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-021-0646-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Ogataea parapolymorpha (Hansenula polymorpha DL-1) is a thermotolerant methylotrophic yeast with biotechnological applications. Here, O. parapolymorpha genes whose expression is induced in response to heat shock were identified by transcriptome analysis and shown to possess heat shock elements (HSEs) in their promoters. The function of O. parapolymorpha HSF1 encoding a putative heat shock transcription factor 1 (OpHsf1) was characterized in the context of heat stress response. Despite exhibiting low sequence identity (26%) to its Saccharomyces cerevisiae homolog, OpHsf1 harbors conserved domains including a DNA binding domain (DBD), domains involved in trimerization (TRI), transcriptional activation (AR1, AR2), transcriptional repression (CE2), and a C-terminal modulator (CTM) domain. OpHSF1 could complement the temperature sensitive (Ts) phenotype of a S. cerevisiae hsf1 mutant. An O. parapolymorpha strain with an H221R mutation in the DBD domain of OpHsf1 exhibited significantly retarded growth and a Ts phenotype. Intriguingly, the expression of heat-shock-protein-coding genes harboring HSEs was significantly decreased in the H221R mutant strain, even under non-stress conditions, indicating the importance of the DBD for the basal growth of O. parapolymorpha. Notably, even though the deletion of C-terminal domains (ΔCE2, ΔAR2, ΔCTM) of OpHsf1 destroyed complementation of the growth defect of the S. cerevisiae hsf1 strain, the C-terminal domains were shown to be dispensable in O. parapolymorpha. Overexpression of OpHsf1 in S. cerevisiae increased resistance to transient heat shock, supporting the idea that OpHsf1 could be useful in the development of heat-shock-resistant yeast host strains.
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13
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Hossain S, Lash E, Veri AO, Cowen LE. Functional connections between cell cycle and proteostasis in the regulation of Candida albicans morphogenesis. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108781. [PMID: 33626353 PMCID: PMC7971348 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Morphological plasticity is a key virulence trait for many fungal pathogens. For the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans, transitions among yeast, pseudohyphal, and hyphal forms are critical for virulence, because the morphotypes play distinct roles in the infection process. C. albicans morphogenesis is induced in response to many host-relevant conditions and is regulated by complex signaling pathways and cellular processes. Perturbation of either cell-cycle progression or protein homeostasis induces C. albicans filamentation, demonstrating that these processes play a key role in morphogenetic control. Regulators such as cyclin-dependent kinases, checkpoint proteins, the proteasome, the heat shock protein Hsp90, and the heat shock transcription factor Hsf1 all influence morphogenesis, often through interconnected effects on the cell cycle and proteostasis. This review highlights the major cell-cycle and proteostasis regulators that modulate morphogenesis and discusses how these two processes intersect to regulate this key virulence trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saif Hossain
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Emma Lash
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Amanda O Veri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada.
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14
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Pereira R, Dos Santos Fontenelle RO, de Brito EHS, de Morais SM. Biofilm of Candida albicans: formation, regulation and resistance. J Appl Microbiol 2020; 131:11-22. [PMID: 33249681 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most common human fungal pathogen, causing infections that range from mucous membranes to systemic infections. The present article provides an overview of C. albicans, with the production of biofilms produced by this fungus, as well as reporting the classes of antifungals used to fight such infections, together with the resistance mechanisms to these drugs. Candida albicans is highly adaptable, enabling the transition from commensal to pathogen due to a repertoire of virulence factors. Specifically, the ability to change morphology and form biofilms is central to the pathogenesis of C. albicans. Indeed, most infections by this pathogen are associated with the formation of biofilms on surfaces of hosts or medical devices, causing high morbidity and mortality. Significantly, biofilms formed by C. albicans are inherently tolerant to antimicrobial therapy, so the susceptibility of C. albicans biofilms to current therapeutic agents remains low. Therefore, it is difficult to predict which molecules will emerge as new clinical antifungals. The biofilm formation of C. albicans has been causing impacts on susceptibility to antifungals, leading to resistance, which demonstrates the importance of research aimed at the prevention and control of these clinical microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pereira
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Microbiology Laboratory (LABMIC), Vale do Acaraú State University, Sobral, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - E H S de Brito
- Institute of Health Sciences of University for International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusophony, Redenção, Ceará, Brazil
| | - S M de Morais
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products (LQPN), Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
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15
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W Figueira L, de Oliveira JR, Netto AA, S Zamarioli LD, Marcucci MC, Camargo SE, de Oliveira LD. Curcuma longa L. helps macrophages to control opportunistic micro-organisms during host-microbe interactions. Future Microbiol 2020; 15:1237-1248. [PMID: 33026878 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Plant products have been evaluated to control opportunistic micro-organisms, as well as fortify immune system cells. Thus, Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) extract was evaluated in interactions of murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) with Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, in order to establish cooperation with defense cells. Materials & methods: Effects of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the plant extract were analyzed on phagocytosis, cell viability of RAW 264.7 and production of inflammation-related molecules (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10 and NO). Results: The plant extract was cytocompatible and promoted significant reductions of micro-organisms, and synthesis of inflammation-related molecules, during interactions. Conclusion: C. longa L. extract showed significant antimicrobial response and cooperation with macrophages, by fighting bacteria and yeasts during host-microbe interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro W Figueira
- Department of Biosciences & Oral Diagnosis, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Science & Technology, Av. Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777, São José dos Campos, SP 2245-000, Brazil
| | - Jonatas R de Oliveira
- Department of Biosciences & Oral Diagnosis, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Science & Technology, Av. Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777, São José dos Campos, SP 2245-000, Brazil.,School of Medicine, Anhembi Morumbi University, Av. Dep. Benedito Matarazzo, 4050, São José dos Campos, SP 12230-002, Brazil
| | - Amandio Al Netto
- Anhanguera University, Av. Raimundo Pereira de Magalhães, 3305. São Paulo, SP 05145-200, Brazil
| | - Lucas Dos S Zamarioli
- Department of Mode of Drug Action, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Institute of Pharmacology & Molecular Biology, Rua Três de Maio, 100 São Paulo, SP 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Maria C Marcucci
- Anhanguera University, Av. Raimundo Pereira de Magalhães, 3305. São Paulo, SP 05145-200, Brazil
| | - Samira Ea Camargo
- Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, 1395 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Luciane D de Oliveira
- Department of Biosciences & Oral Diagnosis, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Science & Technology, Av. Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777, São José dos Campos, SP 2245-000, Brazil
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16
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Huang Y, Fujii K, Chen X, Iwatani S, Chibana H, Kojima S, Kajiwara S. Fungal NOX is an essential factor for induction of TG2 in human hepatocytes. Med Mycol 2020; 58:679-689. [PMID: 31642483 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz105] [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: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
NADPH oxidases (Nox) generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion radical (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The pathogenic fungi Candida albicans and Candida glabrata enhance cellular transglutaminase 2 (TG2) activity levels in co-cultured human hepatic cells in a ROS-mediated manner. Deletion of NOX1 (CgNOX1) in C. glabrata blocks the ability of C. glabrata to induce TG2 activity. Here, we investigated whether Nox proteins from C. albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are related with induction of TG2 activity in hepatic cells. C. albicans CFL11 (CaCFL11) was identified as a key factor in this fungus for hepatic TG2 induction in the co-cultures. The cfl11 mutant of C. albicans did not induce TG2 activity in hepatocytes. In addition, overexpression of YNO1, a homolog of CgNOX1, in S. cerevisiae led to induction of ROS generation and TG2 activity in hepatic cells in co-incubation experiments. These findings indicated that a fungal Nox plays a role in enhancing TG2 activity in human hepatocytes and leads to apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Keisuke Fujii
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Xinyue Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Shun Iwatani
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroji Chibana
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Soichi Kojima
- Liver Cancer Prevention Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Saitama, Japan
| | - Susumu Kajiwara
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
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17
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Alves R, Barata-Antunes C, Casal M, Brown AJP, Van Dijck P, Paiva S. Adapting to survive: How Candida overcomes host-imposed constraints during human colonization. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008478. [PMID: 32437438 PMCID: PMC7241708 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful human colonizers such as Candida pathogens have evolved distinct strategies to survive and proliferate within the human host. These include sophisticated mechanisms to evade immune surveillance and adapt to constantly changing host microenvironments where nutrient limitation, pH fluctuations, oxygen deprivation, changes in temperature, or exposure to oxidative, nitrosative, and cationic stresses may occur. Here, we review the current knowledge and recent findings highlighting the remarkable ability of medically important Candida species to overcome a broad range of host-imposed constraints and how this directly affects their physiology and pathogenicity. We also consider the impact of these adaptation mechanisms on immune recognition, biofilm formation, and antifungal drug resistance, as these pathogens often exploit specific host constraints to establish a successful infection. Recent studies of adaptive responses to physiological niches have improved our understanding of the mechanisms established by fungal pathogens to evade the immune system and colonize the host, which may facilitate the design of innovative diagnostic tests and therapeutic approaches for Candida infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosana Alves
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S) University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Barata-Antunes
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S) University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Margarida Casal
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S) University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | | | - Patrick Van Dijck
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Flanders, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sandra Paiva
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S) University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
- * E-mail: mailto:
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18
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Antifungal Activity of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles: Effect on the Growth and Key Virulence Factors of Candida albicans. Mycopathologia 2020; 185:485-494. [PMID: 32328890 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-020-00446-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this research was to study the effects of different concentrations of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) on the growth and key virulence factors of Candida albicans (C. albicans). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of MgO NPs against C. albicans was determined by the micro-broth dilution method. A time-kill curve of MgO NPs and C. albicans was established to investigate the ageing effect of MgO NPs on C. albicans. Crystal violet staining, the MTT assay, and inverted fluorescence microscopy were employed to determine the effects of MgO NPs on C. albicans adhesion, two-phase morphological transformation, biofilm biomass, and metabolic activity. The time-kill curve showed that MgO NPs had fungicidal and antifungal activity against C. albicans in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Semi-quantitative crystal violet staining and MTT assays showed that MgO NPs significantly inhibited C. albicans biofilm formation and metabolic activity, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Inverted fluorescence microscopy showed that MgO NPs could inhibit the formation of C. albicans biofilm hyphae. Adhesion experiments showed that MgO NPs significantly inhibited the initial adhesion of C. albicans (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that MgO NPs can effectively inhibit the growth, initial adhesion, two-phase morphological transformation, and biofilm formation of C. albicans and is an antifungal candidate.
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19
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Non-canonical signalling mediates changes in fungal cell wall PAMPs that drive immune evasion. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5315. [PMID: 31757950 PMCID: PMC6876565 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13298-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
To colonise their host, pathogens must counter local environmental and immunological challenges. Here, we reveal that the fungal pathogen Candida albicans exploits diverse host-associated signals to promote immune evasion by masking of a major pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP), β-glucan. Certain nutrients, stresses and antifungal drugs trigger β-glucan masking, whereas other inputs, such as nitrogen sources and quorum sensing molecules, exert limited effects on this PAMP. In particular, iron limitation triggers substantial changes in the cell wall that reduce β-glucan exposure. This correlates with reduced phagocytosis by macrophages and attenuated cytokine responses by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Iron limitation-induced β-glucan masking depends on parallel signalling via the iron transceptor Ftr1 and the iron-responsive transcription factor Sef1, and the protein kinase A pathway. Our data reveal that C. albicans exploits a diverse range of specific host signals to trigger protective anticipatory responses against impending phagocytic attack and promote host colonisation. The authors show that the fungal pathogen Candida albicans exploits diverse host-associated signals, including specific nutrients and stresses, to promote immune evasion by masking cell wall β-glucan, a major pathogen-associated molecular pattern.
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20
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Grainha TRR, Jorge PADS, Pérez-Pérez M, Pérez Rodríguez G, Pereira MOBO, Lourenço AMG. Exploring anti-quorum sensing and anti-virulence based strategies to fight Candida albicans infections: an in silico approach. FEMS Yeast Res 2019. [PMID: 29518242 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foy022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex virulence attributes of Candida albicans are an attractive target to exploit in the development of new antifungals and anti-virulence strategies to combat C. albicans infections. Particularly, quorum sensing (QS) has been reported as critical for virulence regulation in C. albicans. This work presents two knowledge networks with up-to-date information about QS regulation and experimentally tested anti-QS and anti-virulence agents for C. albicans. A semi-automatic bioinformatics workflow that combines literature mining and expert curation was used to retrieve otherwise scattered information from the scientific literature. The network representation offers an innovative and continuously updatable means for the Candida research community to query QS and virulence data systematically and in a user-friendly way. Notably, the reconstructed networks show the complexity of QS regulation and the impact that some molecules have on the inhibition of virulence mechanisms responsible for infection establishment (e.g. hyphal development) and perseverance (e.g. biofilm formation). In the future, the compiled knowledge may be used to build decision-making models that help infer new knowledge of practical significance. The knowledge networks are publicly available at http://pcquorum.org/. This Web platform enables the exploration of fungal virulence cues as well as reported inhibitors in a user-friendly fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Raquel Rodrigues Grainha
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO-Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Paula Alexandra da Silva Jorge
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO-Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Martín Pérez-Pérez
- ESEI-Department of Computer Science, University of Vigo, Edificio Politecnico, s/n Campus As Lagoas, 32004 Ourense, Spain.,CINBIO-Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, University of Vigo, Campus Universitario Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Gael Pérez Rodríguez
- ESEI-Department of Computer Science, University of Vigo, Edificio Politecnico, s/n Campus As Lagoas, 32004 Ourense, Spain.,CINBIO-Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, University of Vigo, Campus Universitario Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Maria Olívia Baptista Oliveira Pereira
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO-Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Anália Maria Garcia Lourenço
- ESEI-Department of Computer Science, University of Vigo, Edificio Politecnico, s/n Campus As Lagoas, 32004 Ourense, Spain.,CINBIO-Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, University of Vigo, Campus Universitario Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain.,Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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21
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Veri AO, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Regulation of the heat shock transcription factor Hsf1 in fungi: implications for temperature-dependent virulence traits. FEMS Yeast Res 2019; 18:4975774. [PMID: 29788061 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foy041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of fungal pathogens on human health is devastating. For fungi and other pathogens, a key determinant of virulence is the capacity to thrive at host temperatures, with elevated temperature in the form of fever as a ubiquitous host response to defend against infection. A prominent feature of cells experiencing heat stress is the increased expression of heat shock proteins (Hsps) that play pivotal roles in the refolding of misfolded proteins in order to restore cellular homeostasis. Transcriptional activation of this heat shock response is orchestrated by the essential heat shock transcription factor, Hsf1. Although the influence of Hsf1 on cellular stress responses has been studied for decades, many aspects of its regulation and function remain largely enigmatic. In this review, we highlight our current understanding of how Hsf1 is regulated and activated in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and highlight exciting recent discoveries related to its diverse functions under both basal and stress conditions. Given that thermal adaption is a fundamental requirement for growth and virulence in fungal pathogens, we also compare and contrast Hsf1 activation and function in other fungal species with an emphasis on its role as a critical regulator of virulence traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda O Veri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
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22
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Emerging Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Candida albicans. YEASTS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN HEALTH 2019; 58:135-153. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-13035-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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23
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Rocha MC, Santos CA, Malavazi I. The Regulatory Function of the Molecular Chaperone Hsp90 in the Cell Wall Integrity of Pathogenic Fungi. CURR PROTEOMICS 2018. [DOI: 10.2174/1570164615666180820155807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Different signaling cascades including the Cell Wall Integrity (CWI), the High Osmolarity Glycerol (HOG) and the Ca2+/calcineurin pathways control the cell wall biosynthesis and remodeling in fungi. Pathogenic fungi, such as Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans, greatly rely on these signaling circuits to cope with different sources of stress, including the cell wall stress evoked by antifungal drugs and the host’s response during infection. Hsp90 has been proposed as an important regulatory protein and an attractive target for antifungal therapy since it stabilizes major effector proteins that act in the CWI, HOG and Ca2+/calcineurin pathways. Data from the human pathogen C. albicans have provided solid evidence that loss-of-function of Hsp90 impairs the evolution of resistance to azoles and echinocandin drugs. In A. fumigatus, Hsp90 is also required for cell wall integrity maintenance, reinforcing a coordinated function of the CWI pathway and this essential molecular chaperone. In this review, we focus on the current information about how Hsp90 impacts the aforementioned signaling pathways and consequently the homeostasis and maintenance of the cell wall, highlighting this cellular event as a key mechanism underlying antifungal therapy based on Hsp90 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Campos Rocha
- Departmento de Genetica e Evolucao, Centro de Ciencias Biologicas e da Saude, Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
| | - Camilla Alves Santos
- Departmento de Genetica e Evolucao, Centro de Ciencias Biologicas e da Saude, Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
| | - Iran Malavazi
- Departmento de Genetica e Evolucao, Centro de Ciencias Biologicas e da Saude, Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
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24
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Borin GP, Carazzolle MF, Dos Santos RAC, Riaño-Pachón DM, Oliveira JVDC. Gene Co-expression Network Reveals Potential New Genes Related to Sugarcane Bagasse Degradation in Trichoderma reesei RUT-30. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2018; 6:151. [PMID: 30406095 PMCID: PMC6204389 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2018.00151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The biomass-degrading fungus Trichoderma reesei has been considered a model for cellulose degradation, and it is the primary source of the industrial enzymatic cocktails used in second-generation (2G) ethanol production. However, although various studies and advances have been conducted to understand the cellulolytic system and the transcriptional regulation of T. reesei, the whole set of genes related to lignocellulose degradation has not been completely elucidated. In this study, we inferred a weighted gene co-expression network analysis based on the transcriptome dataset of the T. reesei RUT-C30 strain aiming to identify new target genes involved in sugarcane bagasse breakdown. In total, ~70% of all the differentially expressed genes were found in 28 highly connected gene modules. Several cellulases, sugar transporters, and hypothetical proteins coding genes upregulated in bagasse were grouped into the same modules. Among them, a single module contained the most representative core of cellulolytic enzymes (cellobiohydrolase, endoglucanase, β-glucosidase, and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase). In addition, functional analysis using Gene Ontology (GO) revealed various classes of hydrolytic activity, cellulase activity, carbohydrate binding and cation:sugar symporter activity enriched in these modules. Several modules also showed GO enrichment for transcription factor activity, indicating the presence of transcriptional regulators along with the genes involved in cellulose breakdown and sugar transport as well as other genes encoding proteins with unknown functions. Highly connected genes (hubs) were also identified within each module, such as predicted transcription factors and genes encoding hypothetical proteins. In addition, various hubs contained at least one DNA binding site for the master activator Xyr1 according to our in silico analysis. The prediction of Xyr1 binding sites and the co-expression with genes encoding carbohydrate active enzymes and sugar transporters suggest a putative role of these hubs in bagasse cell wall deconstruction. Our results demonstrate a vast range of new promising targets that merit additional studies to improve the cellulolytic potential of T. reesei strains and to decrease the production costs of 2G ethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Pagotto Borin
- Laboratório Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Bioetanol (CTBE), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Falsarella Carazzolle
- Laboratório de Genômica e Expressão (LGE), Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | | | | | - Juliana Velasco de Castro Oliveira
- Laboratório Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Bioetanol (CTBE), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
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25
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Řezanka T, Kolouchová I, Gharwalová L, Doležalová J, Nedbalová L, Sigler K. Sphingolipidomics of Thermotolerant Yeasts. Lipids 2018; 53:627-639. [PMID: 30206958 DOI: 10.1002/lipd.12076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry-based shotgun lipidomics was applied to the analysis of sphingolipids of 11 yeast strains belonging to four genera, that is Cryptococcus, Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, and Wickerhamomyces. The analysis yielded comprehensive results on both qualitative and quantitative representation of complex sphingolipids of three classes-phosphoinositol ceramide (PtdInsCer), mannosyl inositol phosphoceramide (MInsPCer), and mannosyl diinositol phosphoceramide (M(InsP)2 Cer). In total, nearly 150 molecular species of complex sphingolipids were identified. Individual strains were cultured at five different temperatures, that is 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 °C (Wickerhamomyces genus only up to 30 °C), and the change in the culture temperature was found to affect the representation of both the sphingolipid classes and the length of the long-chain bases (LCB). Individual classes of sphingolipids differing in polar heads differed in the temperature response. The relative content of PtdInsCer increased with increasing temperature, whereas that of M(InsP)2 Cer decreased. Molecular species having C18-LCB were associated with low cultivation temperature, and a higher proportion of C20-LCB molecular species was produced at higher temperatures regardless of the type of polar head. On the other hand, the influence of temperature on the representation of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) was less noticeable, the effect of the taxonomic affiliation of the strains being more pronounced than the cultivation temperature. For example, lignoceric and 2-hydrocylo-lignoceric acids were characteristic of the genera Cryptococcus and Schizosaccharomyces, and of Saccharomyces genus cultivated at high temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Řezanka
- Lab of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, v.v.i, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Irena Kolouchová
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemical Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Gharwalová
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemical Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Doležalová
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemical Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Linda Nedbalová
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Sigler
- Lab of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, v.v.i, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic
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26
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Zhou G, Ying SH, Hu Y, Fang X, Feng MG, Wang J. Roles of Three HSF Domain-Containing Proteins in Mediating Heat-Shock Protein Genes and Sustaining Asexual Cycle, Stress Tolerance, and Virulence in Beauveria bassiana. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1677. [PMID: 30090094 PMCID: PMC6068467 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat-shock transcription factors (HSFs) with a HSF domain are regulators of fungal heat-shock protein (HSP) genes and many others vectoring heat-shock elements, to which the domain binds in response to heat shock and other stress cues. The fungal insect pathogen Beauveria bassiana harbors three HSF domain-containing orthologous to Hsf1, Sfl1, and Skn7 in many fungi. Here, we show that the three proteins are interrelated at transcription level, play overlapping or opposite roles in activating different families of 28 HSP genes and mediate differential expression of some genes required for asexual developmental and intracellular Na+ homeostasis. Expression levels of skn7 and sfl1 largely increased in Δhsf1, which is evidently lethal in some other fungi. Hsf1 was distinct from Sfl1 and Skn7 in activating most HSP genes under normal and heat-shocked conditions. Sfl1 and Skn7 played overlapping roles in activating more than half of the HSP genes under heat shock. Each protein also activated a few HSP genes not targeted by two others under certain conditions. Deletion of sfl1 resulted in most severe growth defects on rich medium and several minimal media at optimal 25°C while such growth defects were less severe in Δhsf1 and minor in Δskn7. Conidiation level was lowered by 76% in Δskn7, 62% in Δsfl1, and 39% in Δhsf1. These deletion mutants also showed differential changes in cell wall integrity, antioxidant activity, virulence and cellular tolerance to osmotic salt, heat shock, and UV-B irradiation. These results provide a global insight into vital roles of Hsf1, Sfl1, and Skn7 in B. bassiana adaptation to environment and host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Zhou
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sheng-Hua Ying
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Hu
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Fang
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming-Guang Feng
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Wang
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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27
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Nair R, Khandelwal NK, Shariq M, Redhu AK, Gaur NA, Shaikh S, Prasad R. Identification of genome-wide binding sites of heat shock factor 1, Hsf1, under basal conditions in the human pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans. AMB Express 2018; 8:116. [PMID: 30014253 PMCID: PMC6047955 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-018-0647-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The master regulator of thermal stress response, Hsf1, is also an essential determinant for viability and virulence in Candida albicans. Our recent studies highlighted that apart from ubiquitous roles of Hsf1 at higher temperatures, it also has myriad non-heat shock responsive roles essential under iron deprivation and drug defense. Here, we further explored its implications in the normal cellular functioning, by profiling its genome-wide occupancy using chromatin immuno-precipitation coupled to high-density tiling arrays under basal and iron deprived conditions. Hsf1 recruitment profiles revealed that it binds to promoters of 660 genes of varied functions, under both the conditions, however, elicited variability in intensity of binding. For instance, Hsf1 binding was observed on several genes of oxidative and osmotic stress response, cell wall integrity, iron homeostasis, mitochondrial, hyphal and multidrug transporters. Additionally, the present study divulged a novel motif under basal conditions comprising, -GTGn3GTGn3GTG- where, Hsf1 displays strong occupancy at significant number of sites on several promoters distinct from the heat induced motif. Hence, by binding to and regulating major chaperones, stress responsive genes and drug resistance regulators, Hsf1 is imperative in regulating various cellular machineries. The current study provides a framework for understanding novel aspects of how Hsf1 coordinates diverse cellular functions.
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28
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Veri AO, Miao Z, Shapiro RS, Tebbji F, O’Meara TR, Kim SH, Colazo J, Tan K, Vyas VK, Whiteway M, Robbins N, Wong KH, Cowen LE. Tuning Hsf1 levels drives distinct fungal morphogenetic programs with depletion impairing Hsp90 function and overexpression expanding the target space. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007270. [PMID: 29590106 PMCID: PMC5873724 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The capacity to respond to temperature fluctuations is critical for microorganisms to survive within mammalian hosts, and temperature modulates virulence traits of diverse pathogens. One key temperature-dependent virulence trait of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans is its ability to transition from yeast to filamentous growth, which is induced by environmental cues at host physiological temperature. A key regulator of temperature-dependent morphogenesis is the molecular chaperone Hsp90, which has complex functional relationships with the transcription factor Hsf1. Although Hsf1 controls global transcriptional remodeling in response to heat shock, its impact on morphogenesis remains unknown. Here, we establish an intriguing paradigm whereby overexpression or depletion of C. albicans HSF1 induces morphogenesis in the absence of external cues. HSF1 depletion compromises Hsp90 function, thereby driving filamentation. HSF1 overexpression does not impact Hsp90 function, but rather induces a dose-dependent expansion of Hsf1 direct targets that drives overexpression of positive regulators of filamentation, including Brg1 and Ume6, thereby bypassing the requirement for elevated temperature during morphogenesis. This work provides new insight into Hsf1-mediated environmentally contingent transcriptional control, implicates Hsf1 in regulation of a key virulence trait, and highlights fascinating biology whereby either overexpression or depletion of a single cellular regulator induces a profound developmental transition. For human pathogens, the capacity to respond to elevated temperature is required for survival, with elevated temperature in the form of fever as a conserved host response to defend against infection. One of the leading fungal pathogens of humans in Candida albicans, which is capable of growing in both a yeast and filamentous state. The ability to transition between these forms is a key virulence trait, and one that is highly temperature-dependent. A pivotal regulator of filamentous growth is the temperature-responsive molecular chaperone Hsp90, which has complex relationships with the transcription factor Hsf1. Although Hsf1 regulates changes in gene expression in response to heat shock, its impact on morphogenesis remains unknown. Here, we uncover an intriguing phenomenon whereby overexpression or depletion of C. albicans HSF1 induces morphogenesis. We observe that HSF1 depletion compromises Hsp90 function, thereby driving filamentation. In contrast, HSF1 overexpression induces a dose-dependent expansion of its transcriptional targets that drives overexpression of positive regulators of filamentous growth. This work illuminates novel mechanisms through which tuning the levels of an environmentally contingent transcription factor drives a key developmental program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda O. Veri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zhengqiang Miao
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Rebecca S. Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Faiza Tebbji
- Infectious Disease Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Teresa R. O’Meara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sang Hu Kim
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Juan Colazo
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Kaeling Tan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Valmik K. Vyas
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Malcolm Whiteway
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Koon Ho Wong
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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29
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Krakowiak J, Zheng X, Patel N, Feder ZA, Anandhakumar J, Valerius K, Gross DS, Khalil AS, Pincus D. Hsf1 and Hsp70 constitute a two-component feedback loop that regulates the yeast heat shock response. eLife 2018; 7:31668. [PMID: 29393852 PMCID: PMC5809143 DOI: 10.7554/elife.31668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Models for regulation of the eukaryotic heat shock response typically invoke a negative feedback loop consisting of the transcriptional activator Hsf1 and a molecular chaperone. Previously we identified Hsp70 as the chaperone responsible for Hsf1 repression and constructed a mathematical model that recapitulated the yeast heat shock response (Zheng et al., 2016). The model was based on two assumptions: dissociation of Hsp70 activates Hsf1, and transcriptional induction of Hsp70 deactivates Hsf1. Here we validate these assumptions. First, we severed the feedback loop by uncoupling Hsp70 expression from Hsf1 regulation. As predicted by the model, Hsf1 was unable to efficiently deactivate in the absence of Hsp70 transcriptional induction. Next, we mapped a discrete Hsp70 binding site on Hsf1 to a C-terminal segment known as conserved element 2 (CE2). In vitro, CE2 binds to Hsp70 with low affinity (9 µM), in agreement with model requirements. In cells, removal of CE2 resulted in increased basal Hsf1 activity and delayed deactivation during heat shock, while tandem repeats of CE2 sped up Hsf1 deactivation. Finally, we uncovered a role for the N-terminal domain of Hsf1 in negatively regulating DNA binding. These results reveal the quantitative control mechanisms underlying the heat shock response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Krakowiak
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, United States
| | - Xu Zheng
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, United States
| | - Nikit Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, United States
| | - Zoë A Feder
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, United States
| | - Jayamani Anandhakumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, United States
| | - Kendra Valerius
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, United States
| | - David S Gross
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, United States
| | - Ahmad S Khalil
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, United States.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, United States
| | - David Pincus
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, United States
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30
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Rai LS, Singha R, Brahma P, Sanyal K. Epigenetic determinants of phenotypic plasticity in Candida albicans. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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31
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Basso V, d'Enfert C, Znaidi S, Bachellier-Bassi S. From Genes to Networks: The Regulatory Circuitry Controlling Candida albicans Morphogenesis. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2018; 422:61-99. [PMID: 30368597 DOI: 10.1007/82_2018_144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal yeast of most healthy individuals, but also one of the most prevalent human fungal pathogens. During adaptation to the mammalian host, C. albicans encounters different niches where it is exposed to several types of stress, including oxidative, nitrosative (e.g., immune system), osmotic (e.g., kidney and oral cavity) stresses and pH variation (e.g., gastrointestinal (GI) tract and vagina). C. albicans has developed the capacity to respond to the environmental changes by modifying its morphology, which comprises the yeast-to-hypha transition, white-opaque switching, and chlamydospore formation. The yeast-to-hypha transition has been very well characterized and was shown to be modulated by several external stimuli that mimic the host environment. For instance, temperature above 37 ℃, serum, alkaline pH, and CO2 concentration are all reported to enhance filamentation. The transition is characterized by the activation of an intricate regulatory network of signaling pathways, involving many transcription factors. The regulatory pathways that control either the stress response or morphogenesis are required for full virulence and promote survival of C. albicans in the host. Many of these transcriptional circuitries have been characterized, highlighting the complexity and the interconnections between the different pathways. Here, we present the major signaling pathways and the main transcription factors involved in the yeast-to-hypha transition. Furthermore, we describe the role of heat shock transcription factors in the morphogenetic transition, providing an edifying example of the complex cross talk between pathways involved in morphogenesis and stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Basso
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur, INRA, 25 Rue Du Docteur Roux, 75015, Paris, France.,Univ. Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Cellule Pasteur, 25 Rue Du Docteur Roux, Paris, France.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christophe d'Enfert
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur, INRA, 25 Rue Du Docteur Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Sadri Znaidi
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur, INRA, 25 Rue Du Docteur Roux, 75015, Paris, France. .,Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Laboratoire de Microbiologie Moléculaire, Vaccinologie et Développement Biotechnologique, 13 Place Pasteur, 1002, Tunis-Belvédère, Tunisia.
| | - Sophie Bachellier-Bassi
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur, INRA, 25 Rue Du Docteur Roux, 75015, Paris, France.
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32
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Recent advances in delivery of antifungal agents for therapeutic management of candidiasis. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 96:1478-1490. [PMID: 29223551 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.11.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by yeasts that belong to the genus Candida. There are over twenty species of Candida yeasts that can cause infection in humans, the most common of which is Candida albicans. Candida yeasts normally reside in the intestinal tract and can be found on mucous membranes and skin without causing infection; however, overgrowth of these organisms can cause symptoms to develop. Presence of other diseases that compromises the patient's immunity makes it more difficult to treat. Candidiasis is majorly divided into superficial infections (oral or vaginal) and systemic infections, also known as invasive candidiasis. The conventional therapeutic modalities used to treat candidiasis are associated with several side effects that limits the dose and dosing frequency. Development of novel drug delivery systems for reduction in dose and alleviation of side effects is an important strategy to improve the clinical efficacy and patient acceptability. This review gives a bird's eye view of the classification and current therapeutic regime of candidiasis. It presents the varied types of drug delivery systems that have been exploited for delivery of antifungal agents with measurable benefits. It also touches upon echinocandins a relatively new class of drugs that are amenable for translation into novel dosage forms with application against biofilm producing and fluconazole resistant strains contributing to a better therapeutic management of candidiasis.
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33
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Kastora SL, Herrero‐de‐Dios C, Avelar GM, Munro CA, Brown AJP. Sfp1 and Rtg3 reciprocally modulate carbon source-conditional stress adaptation in the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. Mol Microbiol 2017; 105:620-636. [PMID: 28574606 PMCID: PMC5575477 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenicity of the clinically important yeast, Candida albicans, is dependent on robust responses to host-imposed stresses. These stress responses have generally been dissected in vitro at 30°C on artificial growth media that do not mimic host niches. Yet host inputs, such as changes in carbon source or temperature, are known to affect C. albicans stress adaptation. Therefore, we performed screens to identify novel regulators that promote stress resistance during growth on a physiologically relevant carboxylic acid and at elevated temperatures. These screens revealed that, under these 'non-standard' growth conditions, numerous uncharacterised regulators are required for stress resistance in addition to the classical Hog1, Cap1 and Cta4 stress pathways. In particular, two transcription factors (Sfp1 and Rtg3) promote stress resistance in a reciprocal, carbon source-conditional manner. SFP1 is induced in stressed glucose-grown cells, whereas RTG3 is upregulated in stressed lactate-grown cells. Rtg3 and Sfp1 regulate the expression of key stress genes such as CTA4, CAP1 and HOG1 in a carbon source-dependent manner. These mechanisms underlie the stress sensitivity of C. albicans sfp1 cells during growth on glucose, and rtg3 cells on lactate. The data suggest that C. albicans exploits environmentally contingent regulatory mechanisms to retain stress resistance during host colonisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavroula L. Kastora
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenAB25 2ZDUK
| | - Carmen Herrero‐de‐Dios
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenAB25 2ZDUK
| | - Gabriela M. Avelar
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenAB25 2ZDUK
| | - Carol A. Munro
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenAB25 2ZDUK
| | - Alistair J. P. Brown
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenAB25 2ZDUK
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34
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Chen F, Duan GH, Li DL, Zhan J. Host Resistance and Temperature-Dependent Evolution of Aggressiveness in the Plant Pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1217. [PMID: 28702023 PMCID: PMC5487519 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how habitat heterogeneity may affect the evolution of plant pathogens is essential to effectively predict new epidemiological landscapes and manage genetic diversity under changing global climatic conditions. In this study, we explore the effects of habitat heterogeneity, as determined by variation in host resistance and local temperature, on the evolution of Zymoseptoria tritici by comparing the aggressiveness development of five Z. tritici populations originated from different parts of the world on two wheat cultivars varying in resistance to the pathogen. Our results show that host resistance plays an important role in the evolution of Z. tritici. The pathogen was under weak, constraining selection on a host with quantitative resistance but under a stronger, directional selection on a susceptible host. This difference is consistent with theoretical expectations that suggest that quantitative resistance may slow down the evolution of pathogens and therefore be more durable. Our results also show that local temperature interacts with host resistance in influencing the evolution of the pathogen. When infecting a susceptible host, aggressiveness development of Z. tritici was negatively correlated to temperatures of the original collection sites, suggesting a trade-off between the pathogen's abilities of adapting to higher temperature and causing disease and global warming may have a negative effect on the evolution of pathogens. The finding that no such relationship was detected when the pathogen infected the partially resistant cultivars indicates the evolution of pathogens in quantitatively resistant hosts is less influenced by environments than in susceptible hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengping Chen
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityFuzhou, China
| | - Guo-Hua Duan
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityFuzhou, China
| | - Dong-Liang Li
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityFuzhou, China
| | - Jiasui Zhan
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityFuzhou, China
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Chairatana P, Chiang IL, Nolan EM. Human α-Defensin 6 Self-Assembly Prevents Adhesion and Suppresses Virulence Traits of Candida albicans. Biochemistry 2017; 56:1033-1041. [PMID: 28026958 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b01111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human α-defensin 6 (HD6) is a host-defense peptide that contributes to intestinal innate immunity and mediates homeostasis at mucosal surfaces by forming noncovalent oligomers that capture bacteria and prevent bacterial invasion of the epithelium. This work illustrates a new role of HD6 in defending the host epithelium against pathogenic microorganisms. We report that HD6 blocks adhesion of Candida albicans to human intestinal epithelial cells and suppresses two C. albicans virulence traits, namely, invasion of human epithelial cells and biofilm formation. Moreover, a comparison of HD6 and a single-point variant F2A that does not form higher-order oligomers demonstrates that the self-assembly properties of HD6 are essential for functional activity against C. albicans. This opportunistic fungal pathogen, which resides in the intestine as a member of the gut microbiota in healthy individuals, can turn virulent and cause a variety of diseases ranging from superficial infections to life-threatening systemic infections. Our results indicate that HD6 may allow C. albicans to persist as a harmless commensal in the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, HD6 and HD6-inspired molecules may provide a foundation for exploring new antimicrobial strategies that attenuate the virulence traits of C. albicans and other microbial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoom Chairatana
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - I-Ling Chiang
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Elizabeth M Nolan
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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Nair R, Shariq M, Dhamgaye S, Mukhopadhyay CK, Shaikh S, Prasad R. Non-heat shock responsive roles of HSF1 in Candida albicans are essential under iron deprivation and drug defense. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2016; 1864:345-354. [PMID: 27889440 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2016.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Recently, we have reported that the conditional mutant of the heat shock factor-1 (HSF1) in Candida albicans displays enhanced susceptibility not only towards a plant alkaloid, berberine, but also to diverse antifungal drugs. The present study attempts to identify additional phenotypes highlighting the non-heat shock responsive roles of HSF1 that could be correlated with the enhanced drug susceptibility. We uncover an intricate relationship between cellular iron and HSF1 mediated drug susceptibility of C. albicans. Interestingly, at 30°C, the conditional deletion of HSF1 while presented no growth defect, exhibited low intracellular iron. Notably, exogenous supplementation of iron reversed growth defects of HSF1 mutant when grown at 37°C. We provide evidence that the HSF1 mutant presents interesting phenotypes at basal conditions and are implicated in enhanced drug susceptibilities, dysfunctional mitochondria, decreased resistance towards oxidative stress and compromised cell wall integrity, all of which could be fully reversed upon iron supplementation. The HSF1 mutant also displayed defective filamentation at basal conditions under various solid hypha inducing media. Further, chelation of iron of HSF1 mutant cells led to severe growth defects and apparently triggers an iron starvation signal in the cell thus, demonstrating that HSF1 is essential for C. albicans cells to tolerate the iron deprivation stress. Together, apart from the well-established roles of HSF1 in reciprocation of thermal stress, this study extends its role under basal conditions and provides molecular insights into the role of HSF1 in iron deprivation and drug defense of C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remya Nair
- Rajiv Gandhi Institute of IT & Biotechnology, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India; School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohd Shariq
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India; Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Shamim Shaikh
- Rajiv Gandhi Institute of IT & Biotechnology, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India
| | - Rajendra Prasad
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India; Amity Institute of Integrative Sciences and Health and Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Gurgaon, India.
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Pemmaraju SC, Padmapriya K, Pruthi PA, Prasad R, Pruthi V. Impact of oxidative and osmotic stresses on Candida albicans biofilm formation. BIOFOULING 2016; 32:897-909. [PMID: 27472386 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2016.1212021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans possesses an ability to grow under different host-driven stress conditions by developing robust protective mechanisms. In this investigation the focus was on the impact of osmotic (2M NaCl) and oxidative (5 mM H2O2) stress conditions during C. albicans biofilm formation. Oxidative stress enhanced extracellular DNA secretion into the biofilm matrix, increased the chitin level, and reduced virulence factors, namely phospholipase and proteinase activity, while osmotic stress mainly increased extracellular proteinase and decreased phospholipase activity. Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis of mannan isolated from the C. albicans biofilm cell wall revealed a decrease in mannan content and reduced β-linked mannose moieties under stress conditions. The results demonstrate that C. albicans adapts to oxidative and osmotic stress conditions by inducing biofilm formation with a rich exopolymeric matrix, modulating virulence factors as well as the cell wall composition for its survival in different host niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suma C Pemmaraju
- a Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee , Roorkee , Uttarakhand , India
| | - Kumar Padmapriya
- a Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee , Roorkee , Uttarakhand , India
| | - Parul A Pruthi
- a Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee , Roorkee , Uttarakhand , India
| | | | - Vikas Pruthi
- a Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee , Roorkee , Uttarakhand , India
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Kuan CS, Cham CY, Singh G, Yew SM, Tan YC, Chong PS, Toh YF, Atiya N, Na SL, Lee KW, Hoh CC, Yee WY, Ng KP. Genomic Analyses of Cladophialophora bantiana, a Major Cause of Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis Provides Insight into Its Lifestyle, Virulence and Adaption in Host. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161008. [PMID: 27570972 PMCID: PMC5003357 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cladophialophora bantiana is a dematiaceous fungus with a predilection for causing central nervous system (CNS) infection manifesting as brain abscess in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. In this paper, we report comprehensive genomic analyses of C. bantiana isolated from the brain abscess of an immunocompetent man, the first reported case in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The identity of the fungus was determined using combined morphological analysis and multilocus phylogeny. The draft genome sequence of a neurotrophic fungus, C. bantiana UM 956 was generated using Illumina sequencing technology to dissect its genetic fundamental and basic biology. The assembled 37.1 Mb genome encodes 12,155 putative coding genes, of which, 1.01% are predicted transposable elements. Its genomic features support its saprophytic lifestyle, renowned for its versatility in decomposing hemicellulose and pectin components. The C. bantiana UM 956 was also found to carry some important putative genes that engaged in pathogenicity, iron uptake and homeostasis as well as adaptation to various stresses to enable the organism to survive in hostile microenvironment. This wealth of resource will further catalyse more downstream functional studies to provide better understanding on how this fungus can be a successful and persistent pathogen in human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee Sian Kuan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chun Yoong Cham
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Jalan Residensi, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
- Department of Surgery, Neurosurgical Division, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Gurmit Singh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Jalan Residensi, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Su Mei Yew
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Yue Fen Toh
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nadia Atiya
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shiang Ling Na
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kok Wei Lee
- Codon Genomics SB, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | | | - Wai-Yan Yee
- Codon Genomics SB, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Kee Peng Ng
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- * E-mail:
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The transcription factor SKN7 regulates conidiation, thermotolerance, apoptotic-like cell death and parasitism in the nematode endoparasitic fungus Hirsutella minnesotensis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:30047. [PMID: 27436205 PMCID: PMC4951753 DOI: 10.1038/srep30047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor SKN7 is a highly conserved protein among fungi and was initially recognized as a response regulator that protects cells from oxidative stress and maintains cell wall integrity in yeast. Orthologs of SKN7 are extensively present in biocontrol agents of plant pathogens, but they had not been functionally characterized. Here, we identified and characterized the transcription factor SKN7 in the nematode endoparasitic fungus Hirsutella minnesotensis. Null mutant lacking HIM-SKN7 (HIM_03620), which was generated by a gene disruption strategy, demonstrated reduced conidiation, increased sensitivity to high temperature, hydrogen peroxide, mannitol and ethanol, and reduced fungal resistance to farnesol. However, over-expression mutant showed increased conidial production, thermotolerance and resistance to farnesol, suggesting that HIM-SKN7 regulates antiapoptotic-like cell death in H. minnesotensis. Moreover, the results showed that in null mutant, H. minnesotensis had decreased endoparasitic ability as compared to wild type and over-expression strain. During the infection process, the relative expression of the HIM-SKN7 gene was significantly induced in the wild type and over-expression strain. The results of the present study advance our understanding of the functions of the SKN7 gene in biocontrol agents, in particular, nematode endoparasitic fungi.
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Leach MD, Farrer RA, Tan K, Miao Z, Walker LA, Cuomo CA, Wheeler RT, Brown AJP, Wong KH, Cowen LE. Hsf1 and Hsp90 orchestrate temperature-dependent global transcriptional remodelling and chromatin architecture in Candida albicans. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11704. [PMID: 27226156 PMCID: PMC4894976 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fever is a universal response to infection, and opportunistic pathogens such as Candida albicans have evolved complex circuitry to sense and respond to heat. Here we harness RNA-seq and ChIP-seq to discover that the heat shock transcription factor, Hsf1, binds distinct motifs in nucleosome-depleted promoter regions to regulate heat shock genes and genes involved in virulence in C. albicans. Consequently, heat shock increases C. albicans host cell adhesion, damage and virulence. Hsf1 activation depends upon the molecular chaperone Hsp90 under basal and heat shock conditions, but the effects are opposite and in part controlled at the level of Hsf1 expression and DNA binding. Finally, we demonstrate that Hsp90 regulates global transcription programs by modulating nucleosome levels at promoters of stress-responsive genes. Thus, we describe a mechanism by which C. albicans responds to temperature via Hsf1 and Hsp90 to orchestrate gene expression and chromatin architecture, thereby enabling thermal adaptation and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle D. Leach
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8
| | - Rhys A. Farrer
- Genome Sequencing and Analysis Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Kaeling Tan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Zhengqiang Miao
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Louise A. Walker
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469, USA
| | - Christina A. Cuomo
- Genome Sequencing and Analysis Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Robert T. Wheeler
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469, USA
| | - Alistair J. P. Brown
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Koon Ho Wong
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8
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Sharafi G, Khosravi AR, Vahedi G, Yahyaraeyat R, Abbasi T. A comparative study of the timecourse of the expression of the thermo‑inducible HSP70 gene in clinical and environmental isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus. Mol Med Rep 2016; 13:4513-21. [PMID: 27035559 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The internal environment within animals or humans provides different conditions to invading saprophytic fungal pathogens, requiring the differential regulation of genes in comparison to environmental conditions. Understanding the mechanisms by which pathogens regulate genes within the host may be key in determining pathogen behavior within the host and may additionally facilitate further investigation into novel therapeutic agents. The heat shock protein (HSP)70 gene and its associated proteins have been frequently reported to be among the most highly expressed and dominant proteins present within various locations at physiological temperatures. The present study examined relative gene expression levels of the HSP70 gene in Aspergillus fumigatus isolates from both clinical and environmental origins, at a range of temperature points (20, 30, 37 and 42˚C) over five days, using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, comparing with a standard A. fumigatus strain incubated at 25˚C. The results indicated a differential gene expression pattern for the environmental and clinical isolates. During the five days, the HSP70 expression levels in the clinical samples were higher than in the environmental samples. However, the difference in the expression levels between the two groups at 42˚C was reduced. The mean HSP70 expression level over the five incubation days demonstrated a gradual and continual increasing trend by temperature elevation in both groups at 30, 37 and 42˚C, however, at 20˚C both groups demonstrated reduced expression. The temperature shift from 20 to 42˚C resulted in HSP70 induction and up to a 10‑ and 8.6‑fold change in HSP70 expression levels on the fifth day of incubation in the clinical and environmental groups, respectively. In conclusion, incubation at 37 and 42˚C resulted in the highest expression levels in both experimental groups, with these temperature points important for the induction of HSP70 expression in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Golnaz Sharafi
- Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1419963111, Iran
| | - Ali Reza Khosravi
- Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1419963111, Iran
| | - Ghasem Vahedi
- Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1419963111, Iran
| | - Ramak Yahyaraeyat
- Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1419963111, Iran
| | - Teimur Abbasi
- Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166614711, Iran
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Role of Heat-Shock Proteins in Cellular Function and in the Biology of Fungi. BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:132635. [PMID: 26881084 PMCID: PMC4736001 DOI: 10.1155/2015/132635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Stress (biotic or abiotic) is an unfavourable condition for an organism including fungus. To overcome stress, organism expresses heat-shock proteins (Hsps) or chaperons to perform biological function. Hsps are involved in various routine biological processes such as transcription, translation and posttranslational modifications, protein folding, and aggregation and disaggregation of proteins. Thus, it is important to understand holistic role of Hsps in response to stress and other biological conditions in fungi. Hsp104, Hsp70, and Hsp40 are found predominant in replication and Hsp90 is found in transcriptional and posttranscriptional process. Hsp90 and Hsp70 in combination or alone play a major role in morphogenesis and dimorphism. Heat stress in fungi expresses Hsp60, Hsp90, Hsp104, Hsp30, and Hsp10 proteins, whereas expression of Hsp12 protein was observed in response to cold stress. Hsp30, Hsp70, and Hsp90 proteins showed expression in response to pH stress. Osmotic stress is controlled by small heat-shock proteins and Hsp60. Expression of Hsp104 is observed under high pressure conditions. Out of these heat-shock proteins, Hsp90 has been predicted as a potential antifungal target due to its role in morphogenesis. Thus, current review focuses on role of Hsps in fungi during morphogenesis and various stress conditions (temperature, pH, and osmotic pressure) and in antifungal drug tolerance.
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Polvi EJ, Li X, O’Meara TR, Leach MD, Cowen LE. Opportunistic yeast pathogens: reservoirs, virulence mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:2261-87. [PMID: 25700837 PMCID: PMC11113693 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-1860-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Revised: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Life-threatening invasive fungal infections are becoming increasingly common, at least in part due to the prevalence of medical interventions resulting in immunosuppression. Opportunistic fungal pathogens of humans exploit hosts that are immunocompromised, whether by immunosuppression or genetic predisposition, with infections originating from either commensal or environmental sources. Fungal pathogens are armed with an arsenal of traits that promote pathogenesis, including the ability to survive host physiological conditions and to switch between different morphological states. Despite the profound impact of fungal pathogens on human health worldwide, diagnostic strategies remain crude and treatment options are limited, with resistance to antifungal drugs on the rise. This review will focus on the global burden of fungal infections, the reservoirs of these pathogens, the traits of opportunistic yeast that lead to pathogenesis, host genetic susceptibilities, and the challenges that must be overcome to combat antifungal drug resistance and improve clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J. Polvi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4368, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
| | - Xinliu Li
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4368, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
| | - Teresa R. O’Meara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4368, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
| | - Michelle D. Leach
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4368, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4368, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
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Brown AJP, Budge S, Kaloriti D, Tillmann A, Jacobsen MD, Yin Z, Ene IV, Bohovych I, Sandai D, Kastora S, Potrykus J, Ballou ER, Childers DS, Shahana S, Leach MD. Stress adaptation in a pathogenic fungus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 217:144-55. [PMID: 24353214 PMCID: PMC3867497 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.088930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a major fungal pathogen of humans. This yeast is carried by many individuals as a harmless commensal, but when immune defences are perturbed it causes mucosal infections (thrush). Additionally, when the immune system becomes severely compromised, C. albicans often causes life-threatening systemic infections. A battery of virulence factors and fitness attributes promote the pathogenicity of C. albicans. Fitness attributes include robust responses to local environmental stresses, the inactivation of which attenuates virulence. Stress signalling pathways in C. albicans include evolutionarily conserved modules. However, there has been rewiring of some stress regulatory circuitry such that the roles of a number of regulators in C. albicans have diverged relative to the benign model yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This reflects the specific evolution of C. albicans as an opportunistic pathogen obligately associated with warm-blooded animals, compared with other yeasts that are found across diverse environmental niches. Our understanding of C. albicans stress signalling is based primarily on the in vitro responses of glucose-grown cells to individual stresses. However, in vivo this pathogen occupies complex and dynamic host niches characterised by alternative carbon sources and simultaneous exposure to combinations of stresses (rather than individual stresses). It has become apparent that changes in carbon source strongly influence stress resistance, and that some combinatorial stresses exert non-additive effects upon C. albicans. These effects, which are relevant to fungus–host interactions during disease progression, are mediated by multiple mechanisms that include signalling and chemical crosstalk, stress pathway interference and a biological transistor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair J P Brown
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
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Membrane fluidity and temperature sensing are coupled via circuitry comprised of Ole1, Rsp5, and Hsf1 in Candida albicans. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2014; 13:1077-84. [PMID: 24951438 PMCID: PMC4135801 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00138-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Temperature is a ubiquitous environmental variable which can profoundly influence the physiology of living cells as it changes over time and space. When yeast cells are exposed to a sublethal heat shock, normal metabolic functions become repressed and the heat shock transcription factor Hsf1 is activated, inducing heat shock proteins (HSPs). Candida albicans, the most prevalent human fungal pathogen, is an opportunistic pathogen that has evolved as a relatively harmless commensal of healthy individuals. Even though C. albicans occupies thermally buffered niches, it has retained the classic heat shock response, activating Hsf1 during slow thermal transitions such as the increases in temperature suffered by febrile patients. However, the mechanism of temperature sensing in fungal pathogens remains enigmatic. A few studies with Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggest that thermal stress is transduced into a cellular signal at the level of the membrane. In this study, we manipulated the fluidity of C. albicans membrane to dissect mechanisms of temperature sensing. We determined that in response to elevated temperature, levels of OLE1, encoding a fatty acid desaturase, decrease. Subsequently, loss of OLE1 triggers expression of FAS2, encoding a fatty acid synthase. Furthermore, depletion of OLE1 prevents full activation of Hsf1, thereby reducing HSP expression in response to heat shock. This reduction in Hsf1 activation is attributable to the E3 ubiquitin ligase Rsp5, which regulates OLE1 expression. To our knowledge, this is the first study to define a molecular link between fatty acid synthesis and the heat shock response in the fungal kingdom.
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Épidémiologie des otomycoses au centre hospitalier et universitaire de Yopougon (Abidjan-Côte d’Ivoire). J Mycol Med 2014; 24:e9-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2013.07.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2012] [Revised: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Castelhano Santos N, Pereira MO, Lourenço A. Pathogenicity phenomena in three model systems: from network mining to emerging system-level properties. Brief Bioinform 2013; 16:169-82. [PMID: 24106130 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbt071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the interconnections of microbial pathogenicity phenomena, such as biofilm formation, quorum sensing and antimicrobial resistance, is a tremendous open challenge for biomedical research. Progress made by wet-lab researchers and bioinformaticians in understanding the underlying regulatory phenomena has been significant, with converging evidence from multiple high-throughput technologies. Notably, network reconstructions are already of considerable size and quality, tackling both intracellular regulation and signal mediation in microbial infection. Therefore, it stands to reason that in silico investigations would play a more active part in this research. Drug target identification and drug repurposing could take much advantage of the ability to simulate pathogen regulatory systems, host-pathogen interactions and pathogen cross-talking. Here, we review the bioinformatics resources and tools available for the study of the gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and the fungal species Candida albicans. The choice of these three microorganisms fits the rationale of the review converging into pathogens of great clinical importance, which thrive in biofilm consortia and manifest growing antimicrobial resistance.
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Znaidi S, Nesseir A, Chauvel M, Rossignol T, d'Enfert C. A comprehensive functional portrait of two heat shock factor-type transcriptional regulators involved in Candida albicans morphogenesis and virulence. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003519. [PMID: 23966855 PMCID: PMC3744398 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Sfl1p and Sfl2p are two homologous heat shock factor-type transcriptional regulators that antagonistically control morphogenesis in Candida albicans, while being required for full pathogenesis and virulence. To understand how Sfl1p and Sfl2p exert their function, we combined genome-wide location and expression analyses to reveal their transcriptional targets in vivo together with the associated changes of the C. albicans transcriptome. We show that Sfl1p and Sfl2p bind to the promoter of at least 113 common targets through divergent binding motifs and modulate directly the expression of key transcriptional regulators of C. albicans morphogenesis and/or virulence. Surprisingly, we found that Sfl2p additionally binds to the promoter of 75 specific targets, including a high proportion of hyphal-specific genes (HSGs; HWP1, HYR1, ECE1, others), revealing a direct link between Sfl2p and hyphal development. Data mining pointed to a regulatory network in which Sfl1p and Sfl2p act as both transcriptional activators and repressors. Sfl1p directly represses the expression of positive regulators of hyphal growth (BRG1, UME6, TEC1, SFL2), while upregulating both yeast form-associated genes (RME1, RHD1, YWP1) and repressors of morphogenesis (SSN6, NRG1). On the other hand, Sfl2p directly upregulates HSGs and activators of hyphal growth (UME6, TEC1), while downregulating yeast form-associated genes and repressors of morphogenesis (NRG1, RFG1, SFL1). Using genetic interaction analyses, we provide further evidences that Sfl1p and Sfl2p antagonistically control C. albicans morphogenesis through direct modulation of the expression of important regulators of hyphal growth. Bioinformatic analyses suggest that binding of Sfl1p and Sfl2p to their targets occurs with the co-binding of Efg1p and/or Ndt80p. We show, indeed, that Sfl1p and Sfl2p targets are bound by Efg1p and that both Sfl1p and Sfl2p associate in vivo with Efg1p. Taken together, our data suggest that Sfl1p and Sfl2p act as central “switch on/off” proteins to coordinate the regulation of C. albicans morphogenesis. Candida albicans can switch from a harmless colonizer of body organs to a life-threatening invasive pathogen. This switch is linked to the ability of C. albicans to undergo a yeast-to-filament shift induced by various cues, including temperature. Sfl1p and Sfl2p are two transcription factors required for C. albicans virulence, but antagonistically regulate morphogenesis: Sfl1p represses it, whereas Sfl2p activates it in response to temperature. We show here that Sfl1p and Sfl2p bind in vivo, via divergent motifs, to the regulatory region of a common set of targets encoding key determinants of morphogenesis and virulence and exert both activating and repressing effects on gene expression. Additionally, Sfl2p binds to specific targets, including genes essential for hyphal development. Bioinformatic analyses suggest that Sfl1p and Sfl2p control C. albicans morphogenesis by cooperating with two important regulators of filamentous growth, Efg1p and Ndt80p, a premise that was confirmed by the observation of concomitant binding of Sfl1p, Sfl2p and Efg1p to the promoter of target genes and the demonstration of direct or indirect physical association of Sfl1p and Sfl2p with Efg1p, in vivo. Our data suggest that Sfl1p and Sfl2p act as central “switch on/off” proteins to coordinate the regulation of C. albicans morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadri Znaidi
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département Génomes et Génétique, Paris, France
- INRA, USC2019, Paris, France
| | - Audrey Nesseir
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département Génomes et Génétique, Paris, France
- INRA, USC2019, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Cellule Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Murielle Chauvel
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département Génomes et Génétique, Paris, France
- INRA, USC2019, Paris, France
| | - Tristan Rossignol
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département Génomes et Génétique, Paris, France
- INRA, USC2019, Paris, France
| | - Christophe d'Enfert
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Département Génomes et Génétique, Paris, France
- INRA, USC2019, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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Martínez-Soto D, Robledo-Briones AM, Estrada-Luna AA, Ruiz-Herrera J. Transcriptomic analysis of Ustilago maydis infecting Arabidopsis reveals important aspects of the fungus pathogenic mechanisms. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2013; 8:e25059. [PMID: 23733054 PMCID: PMC4005800 DOI: 10.4161/psb.25059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Revised: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptomic and biochemical analyses of the experimental pathosystem constituted by Ustilago maydis and Arabidopsis thaliana were performed. Haploid or diploid strains of U. maydis inoculated in A. thaliana plantlets grew on the surface and within the plant tissues in the form of mycelium, inducing chlorosis, anthocyanin formation, malformations, necrosis and adventitious roots development, but not teliospores. Symptoms were more severe in plants inoculated with the haploid strain which grew more vigorously than the diploid strain. RNA extracted at different times post-infection was used for hybridization of one-channel microarrays that were analyzed focusing on the fungal genes involved in the general pathogenic process, biogenesis of the fungal cell wall and the secretome. In total, 3,537 and 3,299 genes were differentially expressed in the haploid and diploid strains, respectively. Differentially expressed genes were related to different functional categories and many of them showed a similar regulation occurring in U. maydis infecting maize. Our data suggest that the haploid strain behaves as a necrotrophic pathogen, whereas the diploid behaves as a biotrophic pathogen. The results obtained are evidence of the usefulness of the U. maydis-A. thaliana pathosystem for the analysis of the pathogenic mechanisms of U. maydis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrés A. Estrada-Luna
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética; Unidad Irapuato; Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional; Irapuato, Gto México
| | - José Ruiz-Herrera
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética; Unidad Irapuato; Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional; Irapuato, Gto México
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Tsai PW, Chen YT, Hsu PC, Lan CY. Study of Candida albicans and its interactions with the host: A mini review. Biomedicine (Taipei) 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomed.2012.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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