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Tee EE, Faulkner C. Plasmodesmata and intercellular molecular traffic control. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 243:32-47. [PMID: 38494438 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodesmata are plasma membrane-lined connections that join plant cells to their neighbours, establishing an intercellular cytoplasmic continuum through which molecules can travel between cells, tissues, and organs. As plasmodesmata connect almost all cells in plants, their molecular traffic carries information and resources across a range of scales, but dynamic control of plasmodesmal aperture can change the possible domains of molecular exchange under different conditions. Plasmodesmal aperture is controlled by specialised signalling cascades accommodated in spatially discrete membrane and cell wall domains. Thus, the composition of plasmodesmata defines their capacity for molecular trafficking. Further, their shape and density can likewise define trafficking capacity, with the cell walls between different cell types hosting different numbers and forms of plasmodesmata to drive molecular flux in physiologically important directions. The molecular traffic that travels through plasmodesmata ranges from small metabolites through to proteins, and possibly even larger mRNAs. Smaller molecules are transmitted between cells via passive mechanisms but how larger molecules are efficiently trafficked through plasmodesmata remains a key question in plasmodesmal biology. How plasmodesmata are formed, the shape they take, what they are made of, and what passes through them regulate molecular traffic through plants, underpinning a wide range of plant physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estee E Tee
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Christine Faulkner
- Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
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2
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Lee-Soety JY, Resch G, Rimal A, Johnson ES, Benway J, Winter E. The MAPK homolog, Smk1, promotes assembly of the glucan layer of the spore wall in S. cerevisiae. Yeast 2024. [PMID: 38874213 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Smk1 is a MAPK homolog in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that controls the postmeiotic program of spore wall assembly. During this program, haploid cells are surrounded by a layer of mannan and then a layer of glucan. These inner layers of the spore wall resemble the vegetative cell wall. Next, the outer layers consisting of chitin/chitosan and then dityrosine are assembled. The outer layers are spore-specific and provide protection against environmental stressors. Smk1 is required for the proper assembly of spore walls. However, the protective properties of the outer layers have limited our understanding of how Smk1 controls this morphogenetic program. Mutants lacking the chitin deacetylases, Cda1 and Cda2, form spores that lack the outer layers of the spore wall. In this study, cda1,2∆ cells were used to demonstrate that Smk1 promotes deposition of the glucan layer of the spore wall through the partially redundant glucan synthases Gsc2 and Fks3. Although Gsc2 is localized to sites of spore wall assembly in the wild type, it is mislocalized in the mother cell cytoplasm in the smk1∆ mutant. These findings suggest that Smk1 controls assembly of the spore wall by regulating the localization of Gsc2 during sporogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Y Lee-Soety
- Department of Biology, Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gwendolyn Resch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Abhimannyu Rimal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Erica S Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jonathan Benway
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Edward Winter
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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3
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Jiang J, Keniya MV, Puri A, Zhan X, Cheng J, Wang H, Lin G, Lee YK, Jaber N, Hassoun Y, Shor E, Shi Z, Lee SH, Xu M, Perlin DS, Dai W. Structural and Biophysical Dynamics of Fungal Plasma Membrane Proteins and Implications for Echinocandin Action in Candida glabrata. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.29.596243. [PMID: 38854035 PMCID: PMC11160696 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.29.596243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Fungal plasma membrane proteins represent key therapeutic targets for antifungal agents, yet their structure and spatial distribution in the native context remain poorly characterized. Herein, we employ an integrative multimodal approach to elucidate the structural and functional organization of plasma membrane protein complexes in Candida glabrata , focusing on prominent and essential membrane proteins, the polysaccharide synthase β-(1,3)-glucan synthase (GS) and the proton pump Pma1. Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) and live cell imaging reveal that GS and Pma1 are heterogeneously distributed into distinct plasma membrane microdomains. Treatment with caspofungin, an echinocandin antifungal that targets GS, alters the plasma membrane and disrupts the native distribution of GS and Pma1. Based on these findings, we propose a model for echinocandin action that considers how drug interactions with the plasma membrane environment lead to inhibition of GS. Our work underscores the importance of interrogating the structural and dynamic characteristics of fungal plasma membrane proteins in situ to understand function and facilitate precisely targeted development of novel antifungal therapies.
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4
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Yiu B, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Interdisciplinary approaches for the discovery of novel antifungals. Trends Mol Med 2024:S1471-4914(24)00121-7. [PMID: 38777733 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi are an increasing public health concern. The emergence of antifungal resistance coupled with the scarce antifungal arsenal highlights the need for novel therapeutics. Fortunately, the past few years have witnessed breakthroughs in antifungal development. Here, we discuss pivotal interdisciplinary approaches for the discovery of novel compounds with efficacy against diverse fungal pathogens. We highlight breakthroughs in improving current antifungal scaffolds, as well as the utility of compound combinations to extend the lifespan of antifungals. Finally, we describe efforts to refine candidate chemical scaffolds by leveraging structure-guided approaches, and the use of functional genomics to expand our knowledge of druggable antifungal targets. Overall, we emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations in the endeavor to develop innovative antifungal strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie Yiu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1M1, Canada.
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5
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Loza L, Doering TL. A fungal protein organizes both glycogen and cell wall glucans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319707121. [PMID: 38743622 PMCID: PMC11126952 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319707121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycogen is a glucose storage molecule composed of branched α-1,4-glucan chains, best known as an energy reserve that can be broken down to fuel central metabolism. Because fungal cells have a specialized need for glucose in building cell wall glucans, we investigated whether glycogen is used for this process. For these studies, we focused on the pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, which causes ~150,000 deaths per year worldwide. We identified two proteins that influence formation of both glycogen and the cell wall: glycogenin (Glg1), which initiates glycogen synthesis, and a protein that we call Glucan organizing enzyme 1 (Goe1). We found that cells missing Glg1 lack α-1,4-glucan in their walls, indicating that this material is derived from glycogen. Without Goe1, glycogen rosettes are mislocalized and β-1,3-glucan in the cell wall is reduced. Altogether, our results provide mechanisms for a close association between glycogen and cell wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza Loza
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Tamara L. Doering
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
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Cao ZQ, Wang GQ, Luo R, Gao YH, Lv JM, Qin SY, Chen GD, Awakawa T, Bao XF, Mei QH, Yao XS, Hu D, Abe I, Gao H. Biosynthesis of Enfumafungin-type Antibiotic Reveals an Unusual Enzymatic Fusion Pattern and Unprecedented C-C Bond Cleavage. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:12723-12733. [PMID: 38654452 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c02415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Enfumafungin-type antibiotics, represented by enfumafungin and fuscoatroside, belong to a distinct group of triterpenoids derived from fungi. These compounds exhibit significant antifungal properties with ibrexafungerp, a semisynthetic derivative of enfumafungin, recently gaining FDA's approval as the first oral antifungal drug for treating invasive vulvar candidiasis. Enfumafungin-type antibiotics possess a cleaved E-ring with an oxidized carboxyl group and a reduced methyl group at the break site, suggesting unprecedented C-C bond cleavage chemistry involved in their biosynthesis. Here, we show that a 4-gene (fsoA, fsoD, fsoE, fsoF) biosynthetic gene cluster is sufficient to yield fuscoatroside by heterologous expression in Aspergillus oryzae. Notably, FsoA is an unheard-of terpene cyclase-glycosyltransferase fusion enzyme, affording a triterpene glycoside product that relies on enzymatic fusion. FsoE is a P450 enzyme that catalyzes successive oxidation reactions at C19 to facilitate a C-C bond cleavage, producing an oxidized carboxyl group and a reduced methyl group that have never been observed in known P450 enzymes. Our study thus sets the important foundation for the manufacture of enfumafungin-type antibiotics using biosynthetic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Qin Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510317, China
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Gao-Qian Wang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Rui Luo
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yao-Hui Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Jian-Ming Lv
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Sheng-Ying Qin
- Clinical Experimental Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Guo-Dong Chen
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Takayoshi Awakawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Xue-Feng Bao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Qing-Hua Mei
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou 510317, China
| | - Xin-Sheng Yao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Dan Hu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ikuro Abe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hao Gao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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7
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Izumi H, Nafie LA, Dukor RK. Effect of Conformational Variability on the Drug Resistance of Candida auris ERG11p and FKS1. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:19816-19823. [PMID: 38737078 PMCID: PMC11080008 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c08134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Candida auris infection has been recognized as an urgent threat to antifungal drug resistance, and the Eagle effect of C. auris FKS1 (1,3-β-d-glucan synthase) wild-type isolates has also been noted. The Eagle effect, namely, where higher concentrations of antifungals reduce fungicidal activity relative to lower concentrations, is a confounding factor of apparent antifungal resistance, but the detailed mechanism remains unclear. Here, we present the conformational variability of mutation sites for ERG11p (lanosterol 14α-demethylase) and FKS1 from deep neural network-based prediction along with the reported X-ray crystallographic and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of antifungals. The sequence variability maps provide valuable insights into the inconsistent correlation between azole resistance and the mysterious Eagle effect with the dispersion of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for echinocandin resistance. The conformational variability prediction supports the hypothesis that mutations K143R of clade I, VF125AL of clade III, and Y132F of clade IV for C. auris ERG11p make the corresponding site variable and that an increased population of invisible variable conformations potentially contributes to triazole resistance. In contrast, the predicted rigid conformation by the S639F mutation of hot spot region 1 (HS1) for FKS1 suggests that caspofungin (CAS) is involved in an uncompetitive inhibition, and a decreased population of the CAS-bound state of FKS1 with Rho1 leads to drug resistance. The predicted variable HS1 region for FKS1 WT isolates and the rigid one for FKS1 S639F mutants support the in vivo drug response and the in vitro MIC dispersion. A plausible mechanism of the Eagle effect is hereby proposed, namely, that a high concentration of CAS with a high membrane affinity reduces the population of the CAS-bound state of FKS1 with Rho1, as well as accompanying events such as aggregation or association depending on the conformational variability of HS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Izumi
- National
Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), AIST Tsukuba West, Tsukuba Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan
| | - Laurence A. Nafie
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244-4100, United
States
- BioTools
Inc., Bee Line Hwy, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Rina K. Dukor
- BioTools
Inc., Bee Line Hwy, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
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Li Y, Jiao H, Zhang H, Wang X, Fu Y, Wang Q, Liu H, Yong YC, Guo J, Liu J. Biosafety consideration of nanocellulose in biomedical applications: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 265:130900. [PMID: 38499126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Nanocellulose-based biomaterials have gained significant attention in various fields, especially in medical and pharmaceutical areas, due to their unique properties, including non-toxicity, high specific surface area, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and abundant feasible and sophisticated strategies for functional modification. The biosafety of nanocellulose itself is a prerequisite to ensure the safe and effective application of biomaterials as they interact with living cells, tissues, and organs at the nanoscale. Potential residual endogenous impurities and exogenous contaminants could lead to the failure of the intended functionalities or even serious health complications if they are not adequately removed and assessed before use. This review summarizes the sources of impurities in nanocellulose that may pose potential hazards to their biosafety, including endogenous impurities that co-exist in the cellulosic raw materials themselves and exogenous contaminants caused by external exposure. Strategies to reduce or completely remove these impurities are outlined and classified as chemical, physical, biological, and combined methods. Additionally, key points that require careful consideration in the interpretation of the biosafety evaluation outcomes were discussed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the nanocellulose-based biomaterials in medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, c/o School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Haixin Jiao
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, c/o School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Hongxing Zhang
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, c/o School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, c/o School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Yinyi Fu
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, c/o School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, c/o School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, c/o School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Yang-Chun Yong
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, c/o School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Jiaqi Guo
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, c/o School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China.
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Cong H, Sun Y, Li C, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Ma D, Jiang J, Li L, Li L. The APSES transcription factor CfSwi6 is required for growth, cell wall integrity, and pathogenicity of Ceratocystis fimbriata. Microbiol Res 2024; 281:127624. [PMID: 38295680 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Cell wall integrity (CWI) is crucial for the growth, development, and host invasion of pathogenic fungi. The APSES transcription factor Swi6 in fungi plays a role in mediating cell wall integrity through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Ceratocystis fimbriata is a notorious pathogenic fungus responsible for causing black rot in sweet potatoes. In this study, an orthologous APSES transcription factor Swi6 (CfSwi6) downstream of the CWI regulatory pathway in C. fimbriata was characterized. Deletion of CfSWI6 leads to impaired hyphal development, conidiation, and compromised cell wall integrity, resulting in a significant reduction in virulence. Transcriptome analysis revealed the involvement of CfSWI6 in various pathways, including the MAPK pathway, DNA synthesis and stress response. ChIP-seq data provided predictions of potential target genes regulated by CfSwi6. Through yeast one-hybrid, we confirmed the direct binding of CfSwi6 to the promoter of the chitin synthetase gene. In summary, these findings indicated that CfSwi6 plays an important role in the growth, development, and pathogenicity of C. fimbriata. This study provides new insights into the pathogenic mechanism of C. fimbriata in sweet potato and inspires potential strategies to control sweet potato black rot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Cong
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Yong Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Changgen Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Yongjing Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Yiming Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Daifu Ma
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Sweet Potato Research Institute, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221131, China
| | - Jihong Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Lianwei Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China.
| | - Ludan Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China.
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10
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Kumar V, Huang J, Dong Y, Hao GF. Targeting Fks1 proteins for novel antifungal drug discovery. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:366-384. [PMID: 38493014 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Fungal infections are a major threat to human health. The limited availability of antifungal drugs, the emergence of drug resistance, and a growing susceptible population highlight the critical need for novel antifungal agents. The enzymes involved in fungal cell wall synthesis offer potential targets for antifungal drug development. Recent studies have enhanced our focus on the enzyme Fks1, which synthesizes β-1,3-glucan, a critical component of the cell wall. These studies provide a deeper understanding of Fks1's function in cell wall biosynthesis, pathogenicity, structural biology, evolutionary conservation across fungi, and interaction with current antifungal drugs. Here, we discuss the role of Fks1 in the survival and adaptation of fungi, guided by insights from evolutionary and structural analyses. Furthermore, we delve into the dynamics of Fks1 modulation with novel antifungal strategies and assess its potential as an antifungal drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinit Kumar
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for Research and Development of Fine Chemicals, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China; BMLT, Markham College of Commerce, Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand 825301, India
| | - Juan Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China
| | - Yawen Dong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China.
| | - Ge-Fei Hao
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for Research and Development of Fine Chemicals, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China; National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, PR China.
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11
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Jiménez-Ortigosa C, Jiang J, Chen M, Kuang X, Healey KR, Castellano P, Boparai N, Ludtke SJ, Perlin DS, Dai W. Correction: Jiménez-Ortigosa et al. Cryo-Electron Tomography of Candida glabrata Plasma Membrane Proteins. J. Fungi 2021, 7, 120. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:201. [PMID: 38535242 PMCID: PMC10971649 DOI: 10.3390/jof10030201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The authors wish to update the article title to "Cryo-Electron Tomography of Candida glabrata Plasma Membrane Proteins" [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Jiménez-Ortigosa
- Hackensack Meridian Health-Center for Discovery and Innovation, 111 Ideation Way, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA;
| | - Jennifer Jiang
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (J.J.); (X.K.); (P.C.); (N.B.)
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 174 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Muyuan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.C.); (S.J.L.)
| | - Xuyuan Kuang
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (J.J.); (X.K.); (P.C.); (N.B.)
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 174 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Department of Hyperbaric Oxygen, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Kelley R. Healey
- Department of Biology, William Paterson University, 300 Pompton Road, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA;
| | - Paul Castellano
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (J.J.); (X.K.); (P.C.); (N.B.)
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 174 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Nikpreet Boparai
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (J.J.); (X.K.); (P.C.); (N.B.)
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 174 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Steven J. Ludtke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.C.); (S.J.L.)
| | - David S. Perlin
- Hackensack Meridian Health-Center for Discovery and Innovation, 111 Ideation Way, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA;
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (J.J.); (X.K.); (P.C.); (N.B.)
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 174 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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12
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Jospe-Kaufman M, Ben-Zeev E, Mottola A, Dukhovny A, Berman J, Carmeli S, Fridman M. Reshaping Echinocandin Antifungal Drugs To Circumvent Glucan Synthase Point-Mutation-Mediated Resistance. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202314728. [PMID: 38161189 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202314728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Echinocandins are a class of antifungal drugs that inhibit the activity of the β-(1,3)-glucan synthase complex, which synthesizes fungal cell wall β-(1,3)-glucan. Echinocandin resistance is linked to mutations in the FKS gene, which encodes the catalytic subunit of the glucan synthase complex. We present a molecular-docking-based model that provides insight into how echinocandins interact with the target Fks protein: echinocandins form a ternary complex with both Fks and membrane lipids. We used reductive dehydration of alcohols to generate dehydroxylated echinocandin derivatives and evaluated their potency against a panel of Candida pathogens constructed by introducing resistance-conferring mutations in the FKS gene. We found that removing the hemiaminal alcohol, which drives significant conformational alterations in the modified echinocandins, reduced their efficacy. Conversely, eliminating the benzylic alcohol of echinocandins enhanced potency by up to two orders of magnitude, in a manner dependent upon the resistance-conferring mutation. Strains that have developed resistance to either rezafungin, the most recently clinically approved echinocandin, or its dehydroxylated derivative RZF-1, exhibit high resistance to rezafungin while demonstrating moderate resistance to RZF-1. These findings provide valuable insight for combating echinocandin resistance through chemical modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriah Jospe-Kaufman
- School of Chemistry, Raymond & Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Efrat Ben-Zeev
- The Whol Drug Discovery institute of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Austin Mottola
- Shmunis School of Biomedical and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anna Dukhovny
- Shmunis School of Biomedical and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Judith Berman
- Shmunis School of Biomedical and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shmuel Carmeli
- School of Chemistry, Raymond & Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Micha Fridman
- School of Chemistry, Raymond & Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
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13
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Ye F, Kang Z, Kou H, Yang Y, Chen W, Wang S, Sun J, Liu F. G-Protein Coupled Receptor Gpr-1 Is Important for the Growth and Nutritional Metabolism of an Invasive Bark Beetle Symbiont Fungi Leptographium procerum. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:3354-3362. [PMID: 38230891 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c07547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Leptographium procerum has been demonstrated to play important roles in the invasive success of red turpentine beetle (RTB), one of the most destructive invasive pests in China. Our previous studies found that bacterial volatile ammonia plays an important role in the maintenance of the RTB-L. procerum invasive complex. In this study, we found a GPCR gene Gpr-1 that was a response to ammonia but not involved in the ammonia-induced carbohydrate metabolism. Deletion of Gpr-1 significantly inhibited the growth and pathogenicity but thickened the cell wall of L. procerum, resulting in more resistance to cell wall-perturbing agents. Further analyses suggested that Gpr-1 deletion caused growth defects that might be due to the dysregulation of the amino acid and lipid metabolisms. The thicker cell wall in the ΔGpr-1 mutant was induced through the cell wall remodeling process. Our results indicated that Gpr-1 is essential for the growth of L. procerum by regulating the nutritional metabolism, which can be further explored for potential applications in the management of RTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiwei Kang
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Hongru Kou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yunwen Yang
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Wei Chen
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Saige Wang
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Jianghua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Fanghua Liu
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
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14
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Cheng B, Yu K, Weng X, Liu Z, Huang X, Jiang Y, Zhang S, Wu S, Wang X, Hu X. Impact of cell wall polysaccharide modifications on the performance of Pichia pastoris: novel mutants with enhanced fitness and functionality for bioproduction applications. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:55. [PMID: 38368340 PMCID: PMC10874062 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02333-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pichia pastoris is a widely utilized host for heterologous protein expression and biotransformation. Despite the numerous strategies developed to optimize the chassis host GS115, the potential impact of changes in cell wall polysaccharides on the fitness and performance of P. pastoris remains largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate how alterations in cell wall polysaccharides affect the fitness and function of P. pastoris, contributing to a better understanding of its overall capabilities. RESULTS Two novel mutants of GS115 chassis, H001 and H002, were established by inactivating the PAS_chr1-3_0225 and PAS_chr1-3_0661 genes involved in β-glucan biosynthesis. In comparison to GS115, both modified hosts exhibited a looser cell surface and larger cell size, accompanied by faster growth rates and higher carbon-to-biomass conversion ratios. When utilizing glucose, glycerol, and methanol as exclusive carbon sources, the carbon-to-biomass conversion rates of H001 surpassed GS115 by 10.00%, 9.23%, and 33.33%, respectively. Similarly, H002 exhibited even higher increases of 32.50%, 12.31%, and 53.33% in carbon-to-biomass conversion compared to GS115 under the same carbon sources. Both chassis displayed elevated expression levels of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and human epidermal growth factor (hegf). Compared to GS115/pGAPZ A-gfp, H002/pGAPZ A-gfp showed a 57.64% higher GFP expression, while H002/pPICZα A-hegf produced 66.76% more hegf. Additionally, both mutant hosts exhibited enhanced biosynthesis efficiencies of S-adenosyl-L-methionine and ergothioneine. H001/pGAPZ A-sam2 synthesized 21.28% more SAM at 1.14 g/L compared to GS115/pGAPZ A-sam2, and H001/pGAPZ A-egt1E obtained 45.41% more ERG at 75.85 mg/L. The improved performance of H001 and H002 was likely attributed to increased supplies of NADPH and ATP. Specifically, H001 and H002 exhibited 5.00-fold and 1.55-fold higher ATP levels under glycerol, and 6.64- and 1.47-times higher ATP levels under methanol, respectively, compared to GS115. Comparative lipidomic analysis also indicated that the mutations generated richer unsaturated lipids on cell wall, leading to resilience to oxidative damage. CONCLUSIONS Two novel P. pastoris chassis hosts with impaired β-1,3-D-glucan biosynthesis were developed, showcasing enhanced performances in terms of growth rate, protein expression, and catalytic capabilities. These hosts exhibit the potential to serve as attractive alternatives to P. pastoris GS115 for various bioproduction applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjie Cheng
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China
| | - Keyang Yu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China
| | - Xing Weng
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China
| | - Zhaojun Liu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China
| | - Xuewu Huang
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Yuhong Jiang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China
| | - Shuyan Wu
- Hopkirk Research Institute, AgResearch Ltd, Massey University, University Avenue and Library Road, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Xiaoyuan Wang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China
| | - Xiaoqing Hu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.
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15
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Weng Z, Wei Q, Ye C, Xu Y, Gao J, Zhang W, Liu L, Zhang Y, Hu J, Zhong Q, Sun J, Wang X. Traditional Herb (Moxa) Modified Zinc Oxide Nanosheets for Quick, Efficient and High Tissue Penetration Therapy of Fungal Infection. ACS NANO 2024; 18:5180-5195. [PMID: 38299982 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c13164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Fungal infection possesses the characteristics of high invasion depth and easy formation of a biofilm under the skin, which greatly hinders the treatment process. Here, traditional Chinese medicine moxa is carbonized and modified with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanosheets to synthesize carbonized moxa@ZnO (CMZ) with the dual response properties of yellow light (YL) and ultrasound (US) for synergistic antifungal therapy. CMZ with narrow bandgap can respond to long-wavelength YL that is highly safe and helpful for skin repair. Simultaneously, CMZ with a piezoelectric effect can further enhance the photocatalytic efficiency under the stimulation of US with high tissue penetration. Gene mechanism investigation indicates that when exposed to US and YL irradiation, CMZ-based therapy can adjust the expression of genes associated with fungal virulence, metabolic activity, mycelial growth and biofilm development, thus efficaciously eradicating planktonic Candida albicans (C. albicans) and mature biofilm. Importantly, despite the 1.00 cm thick tissue barrier, CMZ can rapidly eliminate 99.9% of C. albicans within 4 min, showing a satisfactory deep fungicidal efficacy. The in vivo therapeutic effect of this strategy is demonstrated in both open wound and deep cutaneous infection tests, speaking of dramatically better efficacy than the traditional fungicide ketoconazole (KTZ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Weng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, P. R. China
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, P. R. China
| | - Qi Wei
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Ye
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, P. R. China
| | - Yingying Xu
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, P. R. China
| | - Jie Gao
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, P. R. China
| | - Wei Zhang
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, P. R. China
| | - Lubing Liu
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, P. R. China
| | - Yue Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, P. R. China
| | - Jiangnan Hu
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, P. R. China
| | - Qin Zhong
- The First People's Hospital of Nankang District, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341400, P. R. China
| | - Jian Sun
- College of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830017, P. R. China
| | - Xiaolei Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, P. R. China
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, P. R. China
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16
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Kshirsagar R, Munhoven A, Tran Nguyen TM, Ehrenhofer-Murray AE. A role for β-1,6- and β-1,3-glucans in kinetochore function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad195. [PMID: 37950911 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosome segregation is crucial for the faithful inheritance of DNA to the daughter cells after DNA replication. For this, the kinetochore, a megadalton protein complex, assembles on centromeric chromatin containing the histone H3 variant CENP-A, and provides a physical connection to the microtubules. Here, we report an unanticipated role for enzymes required for β-1,6- and β-1,3-glucan biosynthesis in regulating kinetochore function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These carbohydrates are the major constituents of the yeast cell wall. We found that the deletion of KRE6, which encodes a glycosylhydrolase/ transglycosidase required for β-1,6-glucan synthesis, suppressed the centromeric defect of mutations in components of the kinetochore, foremost the NDC80 components Spc24, Spc25, the MIND component Nsl1, and Okp1, a constitutive centromere-associated network protein. Similarly, the absence of Fks1, a β-1,3-glucan synthase, and Kre11/Trs65, a TRAPPII component, suppressed a mutation in SPC25. Genetic analysis indicates that the reduction of intracellular β-1,6- and β-1,3-glucans, rather than the cell wall glucan content, regulates kinetochore function. Furthermore, we found a physical interaction between Kre6 and CENP-A/Cse4 in yeast, suggesting a potential function for Kre6 in glycosylating CENP-A/Cse4 or another kinetochore protein. This work shows a moonlighting function for selected cell wall synthesis proteins in regulating kinetochore assembly, which may provide a mechanism to connect the nutritional status of the cell to cell-cycle progression and chromosome segregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rucha Kshirsagar
- Institut für Biologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Rhoda-Erdmann-Haus, 10099 Berlin, Germany
| | - Arno Munhoven
- Institut für Biologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Rhoda-Erdmann-Haus, 10099 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tra My Tran Nguyen
- Institut für Biologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Rhoda-Erdmann-Haus, 10099 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ann E Ehrenhofer-Murray
- Institut für Biologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Rhoda-Erdmann-Haus, 10099 Berlin, Germany
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17
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Cui FJ, Yang YM, Sun L, Zan XY, Sun WJ, Zeb U. Grifola frondosa polysaccharides: A review on structure/activity, biosynthesis and engineering strategies. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 257:128584. [PMID: 38056754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Polysaccharides are the main polymers in edible fungi Grifola frondosa, playing a crucial role in the physiology and representing the healthy benefits for humans. Recent efforts have well elucidated the fine structures and biological functions of G. frondosa polysaccharides. The recently-rapid developments and increasing availability in fungal genomes also accelerated the better understanding of key genes and pathways involved in biosynthesis of G. frondosa polysaccharides. Herein, we provide a brief overview of G. frondosa polysaccharides and their activities, and comprehensively outline the complex process, genes and proteins corresponding to G. frondosa polysaccharide biosynthesis. The regulation strategies including strain improvement, process optimization and genetic engineering were also summarized for maximum production of G. frondosa polysaccharides. Some remaining unanswered questions in describing the fine synthesis machinery were also pointed out to open up new avenues for answering the structure-activity relationship and improving polysaccharide biosynthesis in G. frondosa. The review hopefully presents a reasonable full picture of activities, biosynthesis, and production regulation of polysaccharide in G. frondosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Jie Cui
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China; Jiangxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Center for Food Additives Bio-production, Dexing 334221, PR China.
| | - Yu-Meng Yang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Lei Sun
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Xin-Yi Zan
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Wen-Jing Sun
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China; Jiangxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Center for Food Additives Bio-production, Dexing 334221, PR China
| | - Umar Zeb
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
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18
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Ren J, Zhang Y, Pan H, Shi R, Zhu H, Yang R, Zhang L, Chen B, Zhu T, Lu X, Huang C. Mobilization of the innate immune response by a specific immunostimulant β-glucan confers resistance to chronic stress-induced depression-like behavior by preventing neuroinflammatory responses. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 127:111405. [PMID: 38118316 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Pre-stimulation of the innate immune response is an effective strategy to prevent depression-like phenotypes in animals. However, the use of conventional immunostimulants may cause adverse effects. Therefore, the search for agents that stimulate the innate immune response but do not induce a pro-inflammatory response could be a new research direction for the prevention of depression. β-glucan is a polysaccharide from Saccharomyces cerevisiae with unique immunomodulatory activity in microglia without eliciting a pro-inflammatory response that could lead to tissue damage. This suggests that β-glucan may be a suitable drug that can be used to prevent depression-like phenotypes. Our results showed that a single injection of β-glucan 1 day before stress exposure at a dose of 10 or 20 mg/kg, but notat a dose of 5 mg/kg, prevented depression-like behavior in mice treated with chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). This effect of β-glucan disappeared when the time interval between β-glucan and stress was extended from 1 day or 5 days to 10 days, which was rescued by a second injection 10 days after the first injection or by a repeated injection (4×, once daily) 10 days before stress exposure. A single β-glucan injection (20 mg/kg) 1 day before stress exposure prevented the CUS-induced increase in brain pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibition of the innate immune response by minocycline (40 mg/kg) abolished the preventive effect of β-glucan on CUS-induced depression-like behaviors and neuroinflammatory responses. These results suggest that β-glucan may prevent chronic stress-induced depression-like phenotypes and neuroinflammatory responses by stimulating the innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ren
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hainan Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ruiting Shi
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, City University of Macau, Av. Parde Tomas Pereira, Taipa 999078, Macau
| | - Haojie Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rongrong Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China; Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Nantong University, #399 Shiji Dadao, Nantong 226007, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bingran Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tao Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xu Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Chao Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China.
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Qian W, Lu J, Gao C, Liu Q, Yao W, Wang T, Wang X, Wang Z. Isobavachalcone exhibits antifungal and antibiofilm effects against C. albicans by disrupting cell wall/membrane integrity and inducing apoptosis and autophagy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1336773. [PMID: 38322671 PMCID: PMC10845358 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1336773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Isobavachalcone (IBC) is a natural flavonoid with multiple pharmacological properties. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of IBC against planktonic growth and biofilms of Candida albicans (C. albicans) and the mechanisms underlying its antifungal action. The cell membrane integrity, cell metabolic viability, and cell morphology of C. albicans treated with IBC were evaluated using CLSM and FESEM analyses. Crystal violet staining, CLSM, and FESEM were used to assess the inhibition of biofilm formation, as well as dispersal and killing effects of IBC on mature biofilms. RNA-seq combined with apoptosis and autophagy assays was used to examine the mechanisms underlying the antifungal action of IBC. IBC exhibited excellent antifungal activity with 8 μg/mL of MIC for C. albicans. IBC disrupted the cell membrane integrity, and inhibited biofilm formation. IBC dispersed mature biofilms and damaged biofilm cells of C. albicans at 32 μg/mL. Moreover, IBC induced apoptosis and autophagy-associated cell death of C. albicans. The RNA-seq analysis revealed upregulation or downregulation of key genes involved in cell wall synthesis (Wsc1 and Fks1), ergosterol biosynthesis (Erg3, and Erg11), apoptisis (Hsp90 and Aif1), as well as autophagy pathways (Atg8, Atg13, and Atg17), and so forth, in response to IBC, as evidenced by the experiment-based phenotypic analysis. These results suggest that IBC inhibits C. albicans growth by disrupting the cell wall/membrane, caused by the altered expression of genes associated with β-1,3-glucan and ergosterol biosynthesis. IBC induces apoptosis and autophagy-associated cell death by upregulating the expression of Hsp90, and altering autophagy-related genes involved in the formation of the Atg1 complex and the pre-autophagosomal structure. Together, our findings provide important insights into the potential multifunctional mechanism of action of IBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weidong Qian
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, China
| | - Jiaxing Lu
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, China
| | - Chang Gao
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, China
| | - Qiming Liu
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, China
| | - Wendi Yao
- Department of Urology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ting Wang
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiaobin Wang
- Department of Urology, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhifeng Wang
- Department of Urology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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Bzducha-Wróbel A, Farkaš P, Bieliková S, Čížová A, Sujkowska-Rybkowska M. How do the carbon and nitrogen sources affect the synthesis of β-(1,3/1,6)-glucan, its structure and the susceptibility of Candida utilis yeast cells to immunolabelling with β-(1,3)-glucan monoclonal antibodies? Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:28. [PMID: 38243245 PMCID: PMC10799355 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02305-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The need to limit antibiotic therapy due to the spreading resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to these medicinal substances stimulates research on new therapeutic agents, including the treatment and prevention of animal diseases. This is one of the goals of the European Green Deal and the Farm-To-Fork strategy. Yeast biomass with an appropriate composition and exposure of cell wall polysaccharides could constitute a functional feed additive in precision animal nutrition, naturally stimulating the immune system to fight infections. RESULTS The results of the research carried out in this study showed that the composition of Candida utilis ATCC 9950 yeast biomass differed depending on growth medium, considering especially the content of β-(1,3/1,6)-glucan, α-glucan, and trehalose. The highest β-(1,3/1,6)-glucan content was observed after cultivation in deproteinated potato juice water (DPJW) as a nitrogen source and glycerol as a carbon source. Isolation of the polysaccharide from yeast biomass confirmed the highest yield of β-(1,3/1,6)-glucan after cultivation in indicated medium. The differences in the susceptibility of β-(1,3)-glucan localized in cells to interaction with specific β-(1,3)-glucan antibody was noted depending on the culture conditions. The polymer in cells from the DPJW supplemented with glycerol and galactose were labelled with monoclonal antibodies with highest intensity, interestingly being less susceptible to such an interaction after cell multiplication in medium with glycerol as carbon source and yeast extract plus peptone as a nitrogen source. CONCLUSIONS Obtained results confirmed differences in the structure of the β-(1,3/1,6)-glucan polymers considering side-chain length and branching frequency, as well as in quantity of β-(1,3)- and β-(1,6)-chains, however, no visible relationship was observed between the structural characteristics of the isolated polymers and its susceptibility to immunolabeling in whole cells. Presumably, other outer surface components and molecules can mask, shield, protect, or hide epitopes from antibodies. β-(1,3)-Glucan was more intensely recognized by monoclonal antibody in cells with lower trehalose and glycogen content. This suggests the need to cultivate yeast biomass under appropriate conditions to fulfil possible therapeutic functions. However, our in vitro findings should be confirmed in further studies using tissue or animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bzducha-Wróbel
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159C Street, 02-787, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Pavol Farkaš
- Department of Glycobiotechnology, Institute of Chemistry Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84538, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Sandra Bieliková
- Department of Glycomaterials, Institute of Chemistry Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84538, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Alžbeta Čížová
- Department of Glycomaterials, Institute of Chemistry Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84538, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Marzena Sujkowska-Rybkowska
- Department of Botany, Warsaw, Institute of Biology, University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159C Street, 02-787, Warsaw, Poland
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Jiang K, Luo P, Wang X, Lu L. Insight into advances for the biosynthetic progress of fermented echinocandins of antifungals. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14359. [PMID: 37885073 PMCID: PMC10832530 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections have increased remarkably, which have become unprecedented concern to human health. However, the effectiveness of current antifungal drugs is limited due to drug resistance and toxic side-effects. It is urgently required to establish the effective biosynthetic strategy for developing novel and safe antifungal molecules economically. Echinocandins become a promising option as a mainstay family of antifungals, due to specifically targeting the fungal specific cell wall. To date, three kinds of echinocandins for caspofungin, anidulafungin, and micafungin, which derived from pneumocandin B0 , echinocandin B, and FR901379, are commercially available in clinic and have shown potential in managing invasive fungal infections in a cost-effective manner. However, current echinocandins-derived precursors all are produced by environmental fungal isolates with long fermentation cycle and low yields, which challenge the production efficacy of these precursors in industry. Therefore, understanding their biosynthetic machinery is of great importance for improving antifungal titres and creating new echinocandins-derived products. With the development of genome-wide sequencing and establishment of gene-editing technology, there are a growing number of reports on echinocandins-derived products and their biosynthetic gene clusters. This review briefly summarizes the discovery and development history of echinocandins, compares their structural characteristics and biosynthetic processes, and sums up existed strategies for improving their production. Moreover, the genomic analysis of related biosynthetic gene clusters of echinocandins is discussed, highlighting the similarities and differences among the clusters. Last, the biosynthetic processes of echinocandins are compared, focusing on the activation and attachment of side-chains and the formation of the hexapeptide core. This review aims to provide insights into the development and production of new echinocandin drugs by modifying the structure of echinocandin-derived precursors and/or optimizing the fermentation processes; and achieve a new microbial chassis for efficient production of echinocandins in heterologous hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaili Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu, Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life SciencesNanjing Normal UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Pan Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu, Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life SciencesNanjing Normal UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xinxin Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu, Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life SciencesNanjing Normal UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ling Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu, Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life SciencesNanjing Normal UniversityNanjingChina
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22
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Hrmova M, Zimmer J, Bulone V, Fincher GB. Enzymes in 3D: Synthesis, remodelling, and hydrolysis of cell wall (1,3;1,4)-β-glucans. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 194:33-50. [PMID: 37594400 PMCID: PMC10762513 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Recent breakthroughs in structural biology have provided valuable new insights into enzymes involved in plant cell wall metabolism. More specifically, the molecular mechanism of synthesis of (1,3;1,4)-β-glucans, which are widespread in cell walls of commercially important cereals and grasses, has been the topic of debate and intense research activity for decades. However, an inability to purify these integral membrane enzymes or apply transgenic approaches without interpretative problems associated with pleiotropic effects has presented barriers to attempts to define their synthetic mechanisms. Following the demonstration that some members of the CslF sub-family of GT2 family enzymes mediate (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan synthesis, the expression of the corresponding genes in a heterologous system that is free of background complications has now been achieved. Biochemical analyses of the (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan synthesized in vitro, combined with 3-dimensional (3D) cryogenic-electron microscopy and AlphaFold protein structure predictions, have demonstrated how a single CslF6 enzyme, without exogenous primers, can incorporate both (1,3)- and (1,4)-β-linkages into the nascent polysaccharide chain. Similarly, 3D structures of xyloglucan endo-transglycosylases and (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan endo- and exohydrolases have allowed the mechanisms of (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan modification and degradation to be defined. X-ray crystallography and multi-scale modeling of a broad specificity GH3 β-glucan exohydrolase recently revealed a previously unknown and remarkable molecular mechanism with reactant trajectories through which a polysaccharide exohydrolase can act with a processive action pattern. The availability of high-quality protein 3D structural predictions should prove invaluable for defining structures, dynamics, and functions of other enzymes involved in plant cell wall metabolism in the immediate future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Hrmova
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, and the Waite Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064, Australia
| | - Jochen Zimmer
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Vincent Bulone
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
- Division of Glycoscience, Department of Chemistry, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Alba Nova University Centre, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Geoffrey B Fincher
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, and the Waite Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064, Australia
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23
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Oliveira NJC, Dos Santos Júnior VS, Pierotte IC, Leocádio VAT, Santana LFDA, Marques GVDL, Protti ÍF, Braga SFP, Kohlhoff M, Freitas TR, Sabino ADP, Kronenberger T, Gonçalves JE, Johann S, Santos DA, César IDC, Maltarollo VG, Oliveira RB. Discovery of Lead 2-Thiazolylhydrazones with Broad-Spectrum and Potent Antifungal Activity. J Med Chem 2023; 66:16628-16645. [PMID: 38064359 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Opportunistic fungal infections represent a global health problem, mainly for immunocompromised individuals. New therapeutical options are needed since several fungal strains show resistance to clinically available antifungal agents. 2-Thiazolylhydrazones are well-known as potent compounds against Candida and Cryptococcus species. A scaffold-focused drug design using machine-learning models was established to optimize the 2-thiazolylhydrazone skeleton and obtain novel compounds with higher potency, better solubility in water, and enhanced absorption. Twenty-nine novel compounds were obtained and most showed low micromolar MIC values against different species of Candida and Cryptococcus spp., including Candida auris, an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast. Among the synthesized compounds, 2-thiazolylhydrazone 28 (MIC value ranging from 0.8 to 52.17 μM) was selected for further studies: cytotoxicity evaluation, permeability study in Caco-2 cell model, and in vivo efficacy against Cryptococcus neoformans in an invertebrate infection model. All results obtained indicate the great potential of 28 as a novel antifungal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nereu Junio Cândido Oliveira
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Valtair Severino Dos Santos Júnior
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Isabella Campolina Pierotte
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Victor Augusto Teixeira Leocádio
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Luiz Felipe de Andrade Santana
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Vitor de Lima Marques
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Ícaro Ferrari Protti
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Saulo Fehelberg Pinto Braga
- Departamento de Farmácia, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Markus Kohlhoff
- Química de Produtos Naturais Bioativos (QPNB), Instituto René Rachou (IRR) - FIOCRUZ Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Túlio Resende Freitas
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Adriano de Paula Sabino
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Thales Kronenberger
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Tuebingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery & Development (TüCAD2), 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Excellence Cluster ″Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections″ (CMFI), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - José Eduardo Gonçalves
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Susana Johann
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Daniel A Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Isabela da Costa César
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Gonçalves Maltarollo
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Renata Barbosa Oliveira
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
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Ostroumova OS, Efimova SS. Lipid-Centric Approaches in Combating Infectious Diseases: Antibacterials, Antifungals and Antivirals with Lipid-Associated Mechanisms of Action. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1716. [PMID: 38136750 PMCID: PMC10741038 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12121716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the global challenges of the 21st century is the increase in mortality from infectious diseases against the backdrop of the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic microorganisms. In this regard, it is worth targeting antibacterials towards the membranes of pathogens that are quite conservative and not amenable to elimination. This review is an attempt to critically analyze the possibilities of targeting antimicrobial agents towards enzymes involved in pathogen lipid biosynthesis or towards bacterial, fungal, and viral lipid membranes, to increase the permeability via pore formation and to modulate the membranes' properties in a manner that makes them incompatible with the pathogen's life cycle. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each approach in the search for highly effective but nontoxic antimicrobial agents. Examples of compounds with a proven molecular mechanism of action are presented, and the types of the most promising pharmacophores for further research and the improvement of the characteristics of antibiotics are discussed. The strategies that pathogens use for survival in terms of modulating the lipid composition and physical properties of the membrane, achieving a balance between resistance to antibiotics and the ability to facilitate all necessary transport and signaling processes, are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga S. Ostroumova
- Laboratory of Membrane and Ion Channel Modeling, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, St. Petersburg 194064, Russia;
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25
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Wu M, Xu X, Hu R, Chen Q, Chen L, Yuan Y, Li J, Zhou L, Feng S, Wang L, Chen S, Gu M. A Membrane-Targeted Photosensitizer Prevents Drug Resistance and Induces Immune Response in Treating Candidiasis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2207736. [PMID: 37875397 PMCID: PMC10724446 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202207736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans), a ubiquitous polymorphic fungus in humans, causes different types of candidiasis, including oral candidiasis (OC) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), which are physically and mentally concerning and financially costly. Thus, developing alternative antifungals that prevent drug resistance and induce immunity to eliminate Candida biofilms is crucial. Herein, a novel membrane-targeted aggregation-induced emission (AIE) photosensitizer (PS), TBTCP-QY, is developed for highly efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT) of candidiasis. TBTCP-QY has a high molar absorption coefficient and an excellent ability to generate 1 O2 and •OH, entering the interior of biofilms due to its high permeability. Furthermore, TBTCP-QY can efficiently inhibit biofilm formation by suppressing the expression of genes related to the adhesion (ALS3, EAP1, and HWP1), invasion (SAP1 and SAP2), and drug resistance (MDR1) of C. albicans, which is also advantageous for eliminating potential fungal resistance to treat clinical infectious diseases. TBTCP-QY-mediated PDT efficiently targets OC and VVC in vivo in a mouse model, induces immune response, relieves inflammation, and accelerates the healing of mucosal defects to combat infections caused by clinically isolated fluconazole-resistant strains. Moreover, TBTCP-QY demonstrates excellent biocompatibility, suggesting its potential applications in the clinical treatment of OC and VVC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming‐Yu Wu
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural DrugsSchool of Life Science and EngineeringSouthwest Jiaotong UniversityChengduSichuan610031China
| | - Xiaoyu Xu
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Rui Hu
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
- Department of Respiratory DiseasesThe Research and Application Center of Precision MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450014China
| | - Qingrong Chen
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Luojia Chen
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Yuncong Yuan
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Medical Intensive Care UnitMaternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei ProvinceTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430070China
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Shun Feng
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural DrugsSchool of Life Science and EngineeringSouthwest Jiaotong UniversityChengduSichuan610031China
| | - Lianrong Wang
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
- Department of Respiratory DiseasesThe Research and Application Center of Precision MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450014China
| | - Shi Chen
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Meijia Gu
- Department of GastroenterologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug DiscoveryTaiKang Center for Life and Medical SciencesZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
- Department of Respiratory DiseasesThe Research and Application Center of Precision MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450014China
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Gao L, Meng J, Dai W, Zhang Z, Dong H, Yuan Q, Zhang W, Liu S, Wu X. Deciphering cell wall sensors enabling the construction of robust P. pastoris for single-cell protein production. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2023; 16:178. [PMID: 37978550 PMCID: PMC10655344 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-023-02428-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell protein (SCP) production in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris has the potential to achieve a sustainable protein supply. However, improving the methanol fermentation efficiency and reducing carbon loss has been a long-standing challenge with far-reaching scientific and practical implications. Here, comparative transcriptomics revealed that PAS_0305, a gene directly associated with cell wall thickness under methanol stress, can be used as a target for unlocking cell wall sensors. Intracellular trehalose accumulation confirmed that cell wall sensors were activated after knocking out PAS_0305, which resulted in increased cell wall permeability. Genome-wide signal perturbations were transduced through the HOG module and the CWI pathway, which was confirmed to connected by Pbs2-Mkk. As a consequence of CWI pathway activation, ΔPAS_0305 elicited a rescue response of cell wall remodeling by increasing the β-1,3-glucan content and decreasing the chitin/mannose content. Remarkably, perturbations in global stress signals led to a fine-tuning of the metabolic network of ΔPAS_0305, resulting in a superior phenotype with highest crude protein and methanol conversion rate of 67.21% and 0.46 gDCW/g. Further genome-scale metabolic models were constructed to validate the experimental results, confirming that unlocking cell wall sensors resulted in maximized flux from methanol towards SCP and effectively addressing the issue of carbon loss in methanol fermentation. This work sheds new light on the potential of manipulating cellular signaling pathways to optimize metabolic networks and achieve exceptional phenotypic characteristics, providing new strategies for constructing versatile cell factories in P. pastoris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Gao
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, No. 32, Xiqi Road, Tianjin Airport Economic Park, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Jiao Meng
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, No. 32, Xiqi Road, Tianjin Airport Economic Park, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Wuling Dai
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, No. 32, Xiqi Road, Tianjin Airport Economic Park, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Zhaokun Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, No. 32, Xiqi Road, Tianjin Airport Economic Park, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Haofan Dong
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, No. 32, Xiqi Road, Tianjin Airport Economic Park, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Qianqian Yuan
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, No. 32, Xiqi Road, Tianjin Airport Economic Park, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Wuyuan Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, No. 32, Xiqi Road, Tianjin Airport Economic Park, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Shuguang Liu
- Beijing Chasing future Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Wu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, No. 32, Xiqi Road, Tianjin Airport Economic Park, Tianjin, 300308, China.
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Li Y, Hou X, Li R, Liao K, Ma L, Wang X, Ji P, Kong H, Xia Y, Ding H, Kang W, Zhang G, Li J, Xiao M, Li Y, Xu Y. Whole genome analysis of echinocandin non-susceptible Candida Glabrata clinical isolates: a multi-center study in China. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:341. [PMID: 37974063 PMCID: PMC10652494 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-03105-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida glabrata is an important cause of invasive candidiasis. Echinocandins are the first-line treatment of invasive candidiasis caused by C. glabrata. The epidemiological echinocandin sensitivity requires long-term surveillance and the understanding about whole genome characteristics of echinocandin non-susceptible isolates was limited. RESULTS The present study investigated the echinocandin susceptibility of 1650 C. glabrata clinical isolates in China from August 2014 to July 2019. The in vitro activity of micafungin was significantly better than those of caspofungin and anidulafungin (P < 0.001), assessed by MIC50/90 values. Whole genome sequencing was conducted on non-susceptible isolates and geography-matched susceptible isolates. Thirteen isolates (0.79%) were resistant to at least one echinocandin. Six isolates (0.36%) were solely intermediate to caspofungin. Common evolutionary analysis of echinocandin-resistant and echinocandin-intermediate isolates revealed genes related with reduced caspofungin sensitivity, including previously identified sphinganine hydroxylase encoding gene SUR2. Genome-wide association study identified SNPs at subtelometric regions that were associated with echinocandin non-susceptibility. In-host evolution of echinocandin resistance of serial isolates revealed an enrichment for non-synonymous mutations in adhesins genes and loss of subtelometric regions containing adhesin genes. CONCLUSIONS The echinocandins are highly active against C. glabrata in China with a resistant rate of 0.79%. Echinocandin non-susceptible isolates carried common evolved genes which are related with reduced caspofungin sensitivity. In-host evolution of C. glabrata accompanied intensive changing of adhesins profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
- Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Hou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruoyu Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Liao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Ma
- Union Hospital Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Ping Ji
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Wulumuqi, China
| | - Haishen Kong
- Department of Microbiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yun Xia
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Ding
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, China
| | - Wei Kang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Xiao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yingxing Li
- Biomedical Engineering Facility of National Infrastructures for Translational Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Yingchun Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China.
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28
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Zhang R, Wang Y, Wu A, Wang J, Zhang J. Strategies of targeting CYP51 for IFIs therapy: Emerging prospects, opportunities and challenges. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115658. [PMID: 37480712 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115658] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
CYP51, a monooxygenase associated with the sterol synthesis pathway, is responsible for the catalysis of the 14-methyl hydroxylation reaction of lanosterol precursors. This enzyme is widely present in microorganisms, plants, and mammals. In mammals, CYP51 plays a role in cholesterol production, oligodendrocyte formation, oocyte maturation, and spermatogenesis. In fungal cells, CYP51 is an enzyme that synthesizes membrane sterols. By inhibiting fungal CYP51, ergosterol synthesis can be inhibited and ergosterol membrane fluidity is altered, resulting in fungal cell apoptosis. Thus, targeting CYP51 is a reliable antifungal strategy with important implications for the treatment of invasive fungal infections (IFIs). Many CYP51 inhibitors have been approved by the FDA for clinical treatment. However, several limitations of CYP51 inhibitors remain to be resolved, including fungal resistance, hepatotoxicity, and drug-drug interactions. New broad-spectrum, anti-resistant, highly selective CYP51 inhibitors are expected to be developed to enhance clinical efficacy and minimize adverse effects. Herein, we summarize the structural features and biological functions of CYP51 and emphatically analyze the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and therapeutic potential of different chemical types of small-molecule CYP51 inhibitors. We also discuss the latest progress of novel strategies, providing insights into new drugs targeting CYP51 for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruofei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Aijia Wu
- Department of Neurology, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, Tennessee, United States
| | - Jifa Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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29
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Fernando LD, Zhao W, Gautam I, Ankur A, Wang T. Polysaccharide assemblies in fungal and plant cell walls explored by solid-state NMR. Structure 2023; 31:1375-1385. [PMID: 37597511 PMCID: PMC10843855 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Structural analysis of macromolecular complexes within their natural cellular environment presents a significant challenge. Recent applications of solid-state NMR (ssNMR) techniques on living fungal cells and intact plant tissues have greatly enhanced our understanding of the structure of extracellular matrices. Here, we selectively highlight the most recent progress in this field. Specifically, we discuss how ssNMR can provide detailed insights into the chemical composition and conformational structure of pectin, and the consequential impact on polysaccharide interactions and cell wall organization. We elaborate on the use of ssNMR data to uncover the arrangement of the lignin-polysaccharide interface and the macrofibrillar structure in native plant stems or during degradation processes. We also comprehend the dynamic structure of fungal cell walls under various morphotypes and stress conditions. Finally, we assess how the combination of NMR with other techniques can enhance our capacity to address unresolved structural questions concerning these complex macromolecular assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyanage D Fernando
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Wancheng Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Isha Gautam
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Ankur Ankur
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Tuo Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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30
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Cheng Z, Wu W, Liu Y, Chen S, Li H, Yang X, Zhu X, Chen X, Yan L, Chu Z, Sun P. Natural Enfumafungin Analogues from Hormonema carpetanum and Their Antifungal Activities. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:2407-2413. [PMID: 37853717 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Ibrexafungerp, an inhibitor of fungal β-(1,3)-d-glucan synthase, represents the first new class of antifungals to be approved in the last 20 years. Ibrexafungerp is a semisynthetic derivative of the naturally occurring triterpene glycoside enfumafungin. In order to search for new analogues of enfumafungin and to probe its biosynthesis, we undertook a reinvestigation of Hormonema carpetanum, which led to the isolation of two new analogues, enfumafungins B and C, together with enfumafungin. Due to the presence of a hemiacetal moiety in the structure, the enfumafungins appear as a mixture of two interconverting epimers during both the purification process and NMR data acquisition. The structure elucidation, including the differentiation of 25S* and 25R* epimers, was completed by combined analyses of NMR and MS spectroscopic data. The discovery of enfumafungins B and C may have implications for enfumafungin biosynthesis. The antifungal activity of enfumafungins B and C was significantly lower than that of enfumafungin, suggesting that the C-2 substituents and the C-19 carboxy acid are important for activity. Molecular docking simulations revealed significant hydrogen bond interactions between enfumafungins and β-(1,3)-d-glucan synthase, which may be useful for developing new antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guo-He Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wei Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guo-He Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yu Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guo-He Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Shuo Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guo-He Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hongji Li
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guo-He Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xingchi Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guo-He Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xiaofan Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guo-He Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xuxiang Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guo-He Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Lan Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guo-He Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhiyong Chu
- Navy Medical Research Institute, Naval Medical University, 880 Xiangyin Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Peng Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guo-He Road, Shanghai 200433, China
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31
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Zhao CR, You ZL, Chen DD, Hang J, Wang ZB, Ji M, Wang LX, Zhao P, Qiao J, Yun CH, Bai L. Structure of a fungal 1,3-β-glucan synthase. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh7820. [PMID: 37703377 PMCID: PMC10499315 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh7820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
1,3-β-Glucan serves as the primary component of the fungal cell wall and is produced by 1,3-β-glucan synthase located in the plasma membrane. This synthase is a molecular target for antifungal drugs such as echinocandins and the triterpenoid ibrexafungerp. In this study, we present the cryo-electron microscopy structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae 1,3-β-glucan synthase (Fks1) at 2.47-Å resolution. The structure reveals a central catalytic region adopting a cellulose synthase fold with a cytosolic conserved GT-A-type glycosyltransferase domain and a closed transmembrane channel responsible for glucan transportation. Two extracellular disulfide bonds are found to be crucial for Fks1 enzymatic activity. Through structural comparative analysis with cellulose synthases and structure-guided mutagenesis studies, we gain previously unknown insights into the molecular mechanisms of fungal 1,3-β-glucan synthase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Ran Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Long You
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Dan-Dan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Hang
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao-Bin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Ji
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Le-Xuan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction, Beijing, China
| | - Cai-Hong Yun
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Bai
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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32
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Lee Y, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Molecular mechanisms governing antifungal drug resistance. NPJ ANTIMICROBIALS AND RESISTANCE 2023; 1:5. [PMID: 38686214 PMCID: PMC11057204 DOI: 10.1038/s44259-023-00007-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens are a severe public health problem. The leading causative agents of systemic fungal infections include species from the Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus genera. As opportunistic pathogens, these fungi are generally harmless in healthy hosts; however, they can cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Despite the profound impact of pathogenic fungi on global human health, the current antifungal armamentarium is limited to only three major classes of drugs, all of which face complications, including host toxicity, unfavourable pharmacokinetics, or limited spectrum of activity. Further exacerbating this issue is the growing prevalence of antifungal-resistant infections and the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens. In this review, we discuss the diverse strategies employed by leading fungal pathogens to evolve antifungal resistance, including drug target alterations, enhanced drug efflux, and induction of cellular stress response pathways. Such mechanisms of resistance occur through diverse genetic alterations, including point mutations, aneuploidy formation, and epigenetic changes given the significant plasticity observed in many fungal genomes. Additionally, we highlight recent literature surrounding the mechanisms governing resistance in emerging multidrug-resistant pathogens including Candida auris and Candida glabrata. Advancing our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms by which fungi adapt to the challenge of antifungal exposure is imperative for designing therapeutic strategies to tackle the emerging threat of antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjin Lee
- 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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Kordalewska M, Cancino-Prado G, Nobrega de Almeida Júnior J, Brasil Brandão I, Tigulini de Souza Peral R, Colombo AL, Perlin DS. Novel Non-Hot Spot Modification in Fks1 of Candida auris Confers Echinocandin Resistance. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0042323. [PMID: 37222585 PMCID: PMC10269051 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00423-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We determined the echinocandin susceptibility and FKS1 genotypes of 13 clinical isolates of Candida auris that were recovered from 4 patients at a tertiary care center in Salvador, Brazil. Three isolates were categorized as echinocandin-resistant, and they harbored a novel FKS1 mutation that led to an amino acid change W691L located downstream from hot spot 1. When introduced to echinocandin-susceptible C. auris strains by CRISPR/Cas9, Fks1 W691L induced elevated MIC values to all echinocandins (anidulafungin, 16 to 32×; caspofungin, >64×; micafungin, >64×).
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Kordalewska
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Geselle Cancino-Prado
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - João Nobrega de Almeida Júnior
- Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Arnaldo L. Colombo
- Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - David S. Perlin
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
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34
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Roe K. Treatment alternatives for multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103596. [PMID: 37086779 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Several fungal pathogens are becoming resistant to conventional fungal infection treatments, and some fungal pathogens have become multidrug resistant. Alternative treatments include fungal vaccines, natural or synthetic monoclonal antibody (mAb) injections, or potentially natural or synthetic mAbs produced in vivo by packaged mRNA. Specifically synthesized proteins can mask distinctive pathogenic fungal surface proteins and target pathogenic fungal proteins to stop fungal infections. Treatments could use direct injections or injections of packaged mRNA with instructions for patient synthesis of either the natural or synthetic mAbs. These alternative treatments offer potentially significant advantages compared with existing treatments for fungal pathogens. Teaser: New fungal pathogen treatment approaches can use natural or synthetic monoclonal antibodies to activate immune cells and treat specific fungal infections that are now multidrug resistant to conventional antifungal drugs.
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