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Puumala E, Fallah S, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Advancements and challenges in antifungal therapeutic development. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0014223. [PMID: 38294218 PMCID: PMC10938895 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00142-23] [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] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Over recent decades, the global burden of fungal disease has expanded dramatically. It is estimated that fungal disease kills approximately 1.5 million individuals annually; however, the true worldwide burden of fungal infection is thought to be higher due to existing gaps in diagnostics and clinical understanding of mycotic disease. The development of resistance to antifungals across diverse pathogenic fungal genera is an increasingly common and devastating phenomenon due to the dearth of available antifungal classes. These factors necessitate a coordinated response by researchers, clinicians, public health agencies, and the pharmaceutical industry to develop new antifungal strategies, as the burden of fungal disease continues to grow. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the new antifungal therapeutics currently in clinical trials, highlighting their spectra of activity and progress toward clinical implementation. We also profile up-and-coming intracellular proteins and pathways primed for the development of novel antifungals targeting their activity. Ultimately, we aim to emphasize the importance of increased investment into antifungal therapeutics in the current continually evolving landscape of infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Puumala
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Fallah
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2
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Wang Z, Yao S, Han Z, Li Z, Wu Z, Hao H, Feng D. Rapid discovery of a new antifoulant: From in silico studies targeting barnacle chitin synthase to efficacy against barnacle settlement. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 274:116187. [PMID: 38460404 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Due to the adverse environmental impacts of toxic heavy metal-based antifoulants, the screening of environmentally friendly antifoulants has become important for the development of marine antifouling technology. Compared with the traditional lengthy and costly screening method, computer-aided drug design (CADD) offers a promising and efficient solution that can accelerate the screening process of green antifoulants. In this study, we selected barnacle chitin synthase (CHS, an important enzyme for barnacle settlement and development) as the target protein for docking screening. Three CHS genes were identified in the barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite, and their encoded proteins were found to share a conserved glycosyltransferase domain. Molecular docking of 31,561 marine natural products with AaCHSs revealed that zoanthamine alkaloids had the best binding affinity (-11.8 to -12.6 kcal/mol) to AaCHSs. Considering that the low abundance of zoanthamine alkaloids in marine organisms would limit their application as antifoulants, a marine fungal-derived natural product, mycoepoxydiene (MED), which has a similar chemical structure to zoanthamine alkaloids and the potential for large-scale production by fermentation, was selected and validated for stable binding to AaCHS2L2 using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Finally, the efficacy of MED in inhibiting cyprid settlement of A. amphitrite was confirmed by a bioassay that demonstrated an EC50 of 1.97 μg/mL, suggesting its potential as an antifoulant candidate. Our research confirmed the reliability of using AaCHSs as antifouling targets and has provided insights for the efficient discovery of green antifoulants by CADD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixuan Wang
- State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Shanshan Yao
- State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zhaofang Han
- State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zhuo Li
- State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zhiwen Wu
- State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Huanhuan Hao
- State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Danqing Feng
- State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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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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Purushotham P, Ho R, Zimmer J. In vitro function, assembly, and interaction of primary cell wall cellulose synthase homotrimers. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.13.580128. [PMID: 38405885 PMCID: PMC10888898 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.13.580128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Plant cell walls contain a meshwork of cellulose fibers embedded into a matrix of other carbohydrate and non-carbohydrate-based biopolymers. This composite material exhibits extraordinary properties, from stretchable and pliable cell boundaries to solid protective shells. Cellulose, a linear glucose polymer, is synthesized and secreted across the plasma membrane by cellulose synthase (CesA). Plants express several CesA isoforms, with different subsets necessary for primary and secondary cell wall biogenesis. The produced cellulose chains can be organized into fibrillar structures and fibrillogenesis likely requires the supramolecular organization of CesAs into pseudo sixfold symmetric complexes (CSCs). Here, we structurally and functionally characterize a set of soybean (Gm) CesA isoforms implicated in primary cell wall biogenesis. Cryogenic electron microscopy analyses of catalytically active GmCesA1, GmCesA3, and GmCesA6 reveal their assembly into homotrimeric complexes, stabilized by a cytosolic plant conserved region. Contrasting secondary cell wall CesAs, a peripheral position of the C-terminal transmembrane helix creates a large, lipid-exposed lateral opening of the enzymes' cellulose-conducting transmembrane channels. Co-purification experiments reveal that homotrimers of different CesA isoforms interact in vitro and that this interaction is independent of the enzymes' N-terminal cytosolic domains. Our data suggest that cross-isoform interactions are mediated by the class-specific region, which forms a hook-shaped protrusion of the catalytic domain at the cytosolic water-lipid interface. Further, inter-isoform interactions lead to synergistic catalytic activity, suggesting increased cellulose biosynthesis upon homotrimer interaction. Combined, our structural and biochemical data favor a model by which homotrimers of different CesA isoforms assemble into a microfibril-producing CSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallinti Purushotham
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903. Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - Ruoya Ho
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903. Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - Jochen Zimmer
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903. Howard Hughes Medical Institute
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Yu A, Beck M, Merzendorfer H, Yang Q. Advances in understanding insect chitin biosynthesis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 164:104058. [PMID: 38072083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Chitin, a natural polymer of N-acetylglucosamine chains, is a principal component of the apical extracellular matrix in arthropods. Chitin microfibrils serve as structural components of natural biocomposites present in the extracellular matrix of a variety of invertebrates including sponges, molluscs, nematodes, fungi and arthropods. In this review, we summarize the frontier advances of insect chitin synthesis. More specifically, we focus on the chitin synthase (CHS), which catalyzes the key biosynthesis step. CHS is also known as an attractive insecticidal target in that this enzyme is absent in mammals, birds or plants. As no insect chitin synthase structure have been reported so far, we review recent studies on glycosyltransferase domain structures derived from fungi and oomycetes, which are conserved in CHS from all species containing chitin. Auxiliary proteins, which coordinate with CHS in chitin biosynthesis and assembly, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailing Yu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China; State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Marius Beck
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany.
| | - Qing Yang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China; State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Biswas S, Hossen MR, Akter S, Ali MA, Halim MA, Ullah MO. Structural dynamics and functional analysis of Saprolegnia parasitica chitin synthases 5 in a phospholipid bilayer. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:461-474. [PMID: 36995127 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2193993] [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: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Saprolegnia parasitica is an oomycete responsible for a fish disease called saprolegniosis, which poses an economic and environmental burden on aquaculture production. In Saprolegnia, CHS5 of S. parasitica (SpCHS5) contains an N-terminal domain, a catalytic domain of the glycosyltransferase -2 family containing a GT-A fold, and a C-terminal transmembrane domain. No three-dimensional structure of SpCHS5 is reported yet disclosing the structural details of this protein. We have developed a structural model of full-length SpCHS5 and validated it by molecular dynamics simulation technique. From the 1 microsecond simulations, we retrieved the stable RoseTTAFold model SpCHS5 protein to explain characteristics and structural features. Furthermore, from the analysis of the movement of chitin in the protein cavity, we assumed that ARG 482, GLN 527, PHE 529, PHE 530, LEU 540, SER 541, TYR 544, ASN 634, THR 641, TYR 645, THR 641, ASN 772 residues as a main cavity lining site. In SMD analysis, we investigated the opening of the transmembrane cavity required for chitin translocation. The pulling of chitin from the internal cavity to the extracellular region was observed through steered molecular dynamics simulations. A comparison of the initial and final structures of chitin complex showed that there's a transmembrane cavity opening in the simulations. Overall, this present work will help us understand the structural and functional basis of CHS5 and design inhibitors against SpCHS5.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Biswas
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Division of Computer-Aided Drug Design, The Red-Green Research Centre, BICCB, Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Md Rubel Hossen
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Division of Computer-Aided Drug Design, The Red-Green Research Centre, BICCB, Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Shaila Akter
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Division of Computer-Aided Drug Design, The Red-Green Research Centre, BICCB, Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Ackas Ali
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Division of Computer-Aided Drug Design, The Red-Green Research Centre, BICCB, Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA
| | - Mohammad A Halim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA
| | - M Obayed Ullah
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Division of Computer-Aided Drug Design, The Red-Green Research Centre, BICCB, Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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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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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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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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Sanchez N, de Leon N, Valle R, Fung JJ, Khmelinskii A, Roncero C. Multiple quality control mechanisms monitor yeast chitin synthase folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar132. [PMID: 37819693 PMCID: PMC10848949 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-05-0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The chitin synthase Chs3 is a multipass membrane protein whose trafficking is tightly controlled. Accordingly, its exit from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) depends on several complementary mechanisms that ensure its correct folding. Despite its potential failure on its exit, Chs3 is very stable in this compartment, which suggests its poor recognition by ER quality control mechanisms such as endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD). Here we show that proper N-glycosylation of its luminal domain is essential to prevent the aggregation of the protein and its subsequent recognition by the Hrd1-dependent ERAD-L machinery. In addition, the interaction of Chs3 with its chaperone Chs7 seems to mask additional cytosolic degrons, thereby avoiding their recognition by the ERAD-C pathway. On top of that, Chs3 molecules that are not degraded by conventional ERAD can move along the ER membrane to reach the inner nuclear membrane, where they are degraded by the inner nuclear membrane-associated degradation (INMAD) system, which contributes to the intracellular homeostasis of Chs3. These results indicate that Chs3 is an excellent model to study quality control mechanisms in the cell and reinforce its role as a paradigm in intracellular trafficking research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Sanchez
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica (IBFG) and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Nagore de Leon
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica (IBFG) and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rosario Valle
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica (IBFG) and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jia Jun Fung
- Institute of Molecular Biology, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Cesar Roncero
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica (IBFG) and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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11
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Liu L, Wu H, Long Y, Yang X, Du C, Xu Y, Ji Q. Novel spiro[pyrrolidine-2,3'-quinoline]-2'-one derivatives containing piperazine fragment as potential chitin synthase inhibitors and antifungal agents: Design, synthesis and biological evaluation. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 260:115777. [PMID: 37660485 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115777] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
A series of spiro[pyrrolidine-2,3'-quinoline]-2'-one derivatives were designed and synthesized for the discovery of novel antifungal drugs. The bioactivities of all derivatives were screened by evaluating their inhibitory effects against chitin synthase (CHS) and antimicrobial activities in vitro. Enzyme inhibition experiments showed that all the synthesized compounds inhibited the chitin synthase. Compounds 4d, 4k, 4n and 4o showed inhibitory effects against CHS with IC50 values which were close to that of the control drug (polyoxin B). The results of enzyme kinetics experiment showed that these compounds were non-competitive inhibitors of chitin synthase (Ki of compound 4o is 0.14 mM). Antimicrobial experiments showed that these compounds exhibited moderate to excellent antifungal activity against pathogenic fungal strains while the compounds showed little potency against bacteria. Among them, compounds 4d, 4f, 4k and 4n showed stronger antifungal activities against C. albicans than those of fluconazole and polyoxin B. Compounds 4f, 4n and 4o showed better antifungal activities against A. flavus than those of fluconazole and polyoxin B. Compound 4d showed similar activity to that of fluconazole and stronger activity than those of polyoxin B against C. neoformans and A. fumigatus. It is also showed that these compounds have the potency against drug-resistant fungal variants. The results of sorbitol protection assay and evaluation of antifungal activity against micafungin-resistant strains experiment further illustrated that these compounds inhibited the synthesis of chitin of fungal cell wall. Drug combination experiments showed that these compounds had synergistic or additive effects when combined with fluconazole or polyoxin B. The synergistic effects with polyoxin B further confirmed the compounds were non-competitive inhibitors of chitin synthase. Additionally, docking studies showed that these compounds had strong affinity with chitin synthase from C. albicans (CaChs2). These results indicate that the target of these synthesized compounds is chitin synthase, and these compounds had excellent antifungal activity while possessed the potency against drug-resistant fungal variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lige Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Hu Wu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Yan Long
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Xinlong Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Chuanbiao Du
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Yajie Xu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Qinggang Ji
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China.
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12
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Jiang L, Yan H. Cloning and biochemical characterization of a recombinant chitinase encoded by the CHT4 gene from Candida albicans. Protein Expr Purif 2023; 211:106343. [PMID: 37536579 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2023.106343] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
As one of the major components in the fungal cell wall, chitin is a polymer of β-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine. Chitinases are hydrolytic enzymes that break down glycosidic bonds in the chitin. The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans has three chitinase-encoding genes, CaCHT1, CaCHT2 and CaCHT3. The CaCHT4 gene encodes a protein with the glycoside hydrolase family GH18 domain, Glyco_18, which suggests that CaCht4 might be a chitinase. In the present study, we have cloned, expressed and purified the N-terminally His6-tagged CaCht4 protein from bacterial cells. Further biochemical characterization has shown that this recombinant CaCht4 protein shows both exochitinase (chitobiosidase) and endochitinase activities, but has no N-acetylglucosaminase activity. The optimal temperature for the exochitinase activity of CaCht4 is 55 °C. Taken together, these data support that the CaCHT4 gene encodes a chitinase. Our finding provides a basis for us to understand the biological functions of the CaCHT4 gene in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linghuo Jiang
- Laboratory of Yeast Biology and Fermentation Technology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Technology, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, 530007, China.
| | - Hongbo Yan
- Department of Food Science, School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, China
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13
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Verma P, Kwansa AL, Ho R, Yingling YG, Zimmer J. Insights into substrate coordination and glycosyl transfer of poplar cellulose synthase-8. Structure 2023; 31:1166-1173.e6. [PMID: 37572661 PMCID: PMC10592267 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Cellulose is an abundant cell wall component of land plants. It is synthesized from UDP-activated glucose molecules by cellulose synthase, a membrane-integrated processive glycosyltransferase. Cellulose synthase couples the elongation of the cellulose polymer with its translocation across the plasma membrane. Here, we present substrate- and product-bound cryogenic electron microscopy structures of the homotrimeric cellulose synthase isoform-8 (CesA8) from hybrid aspen (poplar). UDP-glucose binds to a conserved catalytic pocket adjacent to the entrance to a transmembrane channel. The substrate's glucosyl unit is coordinated by conserved residues of the glycosyltransferase domain and amphipathic interface helices. Site-directed mutagenesis of a conserved gating loop capping the active site reveals its critical function for catalytic activity. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal prolonged interactions of the gating loop with the substrate molecule, particularly across its central conserved region. These transient interactions likely facilitate the proper positioning of the substrate molecule for glycosyl transfer and cellulose translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Verma
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Albert L Kwansa
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Ruoya Ho
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Yaroslava G Yingling
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Jochen Zimmer
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA.
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14
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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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15
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Du Y, Thanapipatsiri A, Yokoyama K. Biosynthesis and Genome Mining Potentials of Nucleoside Natural Products. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300342. [PMID: 37357819 PMCID: PMC10530009 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300342] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Nucleoside natural products show diverse biological activities and serve as leads for various application purposes, including human and veterinary medicine and agriculture. Studies in the past decade revealed that these nucleosides are biosynthesized through divergent mechanisms, in which early steps of the pathways can be classified into two types (C5' oxidation and C5' radical extension), while the structural diversity is created by downstream tailoring enzymes. Based on this biosynthetic logic, we investigated the genome mining discovery potentials of these nucleosides using the two enzymes representing the two types of C5' modifications: LipL-type α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) and Fe-dependent oxygenases and NikJ-type radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) enzymes. The results suggest that this approach allows discovery of putative nucleoside biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and the prediction of the core nucleoside structures. The results also revealed the distribution of these pathways in nature and implied the possibility of future genome mining discovery of novel nucleoside natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Du
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, 307 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Anyarat Thanapipatsiri
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, 307 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kenichi Yokoyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, 307 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 307 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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16
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Ušák D, Haluška S, Pleskot R. Callose synthesis at the center point of plant development-An evolutionary insight. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 193:54-69. [PMID: 37165709 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Polar callose deposition into the extracellular matrix is tightly controlled in time and space. Its presence in the cell wall modifies the properties of the surrounding area, which is fundamental for the correct execution of numerous processes such as cell division, male gametophyte development, intercellular transport, or responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Previous studies have been invaluable in characterizing specific callose synthases (CalSs) during individual cellular processes. However, the complex view of the relationships between a particular CalS and a specific process is still lacking. Here we review the recent proceedings on the role of callose and individual CalSs in cell wall remodelling from an evolutionary perspective and with a particular focus on cytokinesis. We provide a robust phylogenetic analysis of CalS across the plant kingdom, which implies a 3-subfamily distribution of CalS. We also discuss the possible linkage between the evolution of CalSs and their function in specific cell types and processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ušák
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Botany, 165 02 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Samuel Haluška
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Botany, 165 02 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Pleskot
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Botany, 165 02 Prague, Czech Republic
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17
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Shamshoum M, Natalio F. Conserved Active Site Architecture Between Bacterial Cellulose and Chitin Synthases. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300388. [PMID: 37253095 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300388] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Glycosyltransferases (GTs) are a large and diverse group of enzymes responsible for catalyzing the formation of a glycosidic bond between a donor molecule, usually a monosaccharide, and a wide range of acceptor molecules, thus, playing critical roles in various essential biological processes. Chitin and cellulose synthases are two inverting processive integral membrane GTs, belonging to the type-2 family involved in the biosynthesis of chitin and cellulose, respectively. Herein, we report that bacterial cellulose and chitin synthases share an E-D-D-ED-QRW-TK active site common motif that is spatially co-localized. This motif is conserved among distant bacterial evolutionary species despite their low amino acid sequence and structural similarities between them. This theoretical framework offers a new perspective to the current view that bacterial cellulose and chitin synthases are substrate specific and that chitin and cellulose are organism specific. It lays the ground for future in vivo and in silico experimental assessment of cellulose synthase catalytic promiscuity against uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine and chitin synthase against uridine diphosphate glucose, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Shamshoum
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl St., Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Filipe Natalio
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl St., Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
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18
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Latgé JP. Cell wall of Aspergillus fumigatus: Variability and response to stress. Fungal Biol 2023; 127:1259-1266. [PMID: 37495316 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2023.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
The fungal cell is surrounded by a thick cell wall which obviously play an essential role in the protection of the fungus against external aggressive environments. In spite of 50 years of studies, the cell wall remains poorly known and especially its constant modifications during growth as well as environmental changes is not well appreciated. This review focus on the cell wall changes seen between different fungal stages and cell populations with a specific view to explain the resistance to stresses.
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19
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Rao P, Ninama J, Dudhat M, Goswami D, Rawal RM. Curcumin interferes with chitin synthesis in Aedes aegypti: a computational and experimental investigation. Mol Divers 2023:10.1007/s11030-023-10672-0. [PMID: 37358753 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10672-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Throughout history, vector-borne diseases have consistently posed significant challenges to human health. Among the strategies for vector control, chemical insecticides have seen widespread use since their inception. Nevertheless, their effectiveness is continually undermined by the steady growth of insecticide resistance within these vector populations. As such, the demand for more robust, efficient, and cost-effective natural insecticides has become increasingly pressing. One promising avenue of research focuses on chitin, a crucial structural component of mosquitoes' exoskeletons and other insects. Chitin not only provides protection and rigidity but also lends flexibility to the insect body. It undergoes substantial transformations during insect molting, a process known as ecdysis. Crucially, the production of chitin is facilitated by an enzyme known as chitin synthase, making it an attractive target for potential novel insecticides. Our recent study delved into the impacts of curcumin, a natural derivative of turmeric, on chitin synthesis and larval development in Aedes aegypti, a mosquito species known to transmit dengue and yellow fever. Our findings demonstrate that even sub-lethal amounts of curcumin can significantly reduce overall chitin content and disrupt the cuticle development in the 4th instar larvae of Aedes aegypti. Further to this, we utilized computational analyses to investigate how curcumin interacts with chitin synthase. Techniques such as molecular docking, pharmacophore feature mapping, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations helped to illustrate that curcumin binds to the same site as polyoxin D, a recognized inhibitor of chitin synthase. These findings point to curcumin's potential as a natural, bioactive larvicide that targets chitin synthase in mosquitoes and potentially other insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyashi Rao
- Department of Biochemistry & Forensic Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Jinal Ninama
- Department of Biochemistry & Forensic Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Mansi Dudhat
- Department of Biochemistry & Forensic Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Dweipayan Goswami
- Department of Microbiology & Biotechnology, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Rakesh M Rawal
- Department of Biochemistry & Forensic Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India.
- Department of Life Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India.
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20
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Ruíz-Baltazar ÁDJ, Böhnel HN, Larrañaga Ordaz D, Cervantes-Chávez JA, Méndez-Lozano N, Reyes-López SY. Green Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of Surface-Decorated Nanoparticles of Fe 3O 4 with Au and Ag: Study of the Antifungal and Antibacterial Activity. J Funct Biomater 2023; 14:304. [PMID: 37367269 DOI: 10.3390/jfb14060304] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This work proposes a sonochemical biosynthesis of magnetoplasmonic nanostructures of Fe3O4 decorated with Au and Ag. The magnetoplasmonic systems, such as Fe3O4 and Fe3O4-Ag, were characterized structurally and magnetically. The structural characterizations reveal the magnetite structures as the primary phase. Noble metals, such as Au and Ag, are present in the sample, resulting in a structure-decorated type. The magnetic measurements indicate the superparamagnetic behavior of the Fe3O4-Ag and Fe3O4-Au nanostructures. The characterizations were carried out by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Complementarily, antibacterial and antifungal assays were carried out to evaluate the potential properties and future applications in biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro de Jesús Ruíz-Baltazar
- CONAHCYT-Centro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Santiago de Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Harald Norbert Böhnel
- Centro de Geociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Santiago de Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Daniel Larrañaga Ordaz
- Minnesota Dental Research Center for Biomaterials and Biomechanical, School of Dentistry of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - José Antonio Cervantes-Chávez
- Unidad de Microbiología Básica y Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, UAQ Campus Aeropuerto, Santiago de Querétaro 76140, Mexico
| | - Néstor Méndez-Lozano
- Campus Querétaro, Universidad del Valle de México, Blvd. Juriquilla no. 1000 A. Del. Santa Rosa Jáuregui, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Simón Yobanny Reyes-López
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Departamento de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo Envolvente del Pronaf y Estocolmo s/n, Zona Pronaf, Ciudad Juárez 32310, Mexico
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21
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Du C, Yang X, Long Y, Lang X, Liu L, Xu Y, Wu H, Chu Y, Hu X, Deng J, Ji Q. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel spiro-quinazolinone derivatives as chitin synthase inhibitors and antifungal agents. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 255:115388. [PMID: 37141707 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115388] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A series of spiro-quinazolinone scaffolds were constructed based on the bioactivity of quinazolinone and the inherent feature of spirocycle to design novel chitin synthase inhibitors that possess mode of action different from that of the currently used antifungal agents. Among them, the spiro[thiophen-quinazolin]-one derivatives containing α, β-unsaturated carbonyl fragments had shown inhibitory activities against chitin synthase and antifungal activities. The enzymatic experiments showed that among the sixteen compounds, compounds 12d, 12g, 12j, 12l and 12m exhibited inhibitions against chitin synthase with IC50 values of 116.7 ± 19.6 μM, 106.7 ± 14.2 μM, 102.3 ± 9.6 μM, 122.7 ± 22.2 μM and 136.8 ± 12.4 μM, respectively, which were comparable to that of polyoxin B (IC50 = 93.5 ± 11.1 μM). The assays of enzymatic Kinetic parameters showed that compound 12g was a non-competitive inhibitor of chitin synthase. The antifungal assays showed that compounds 12d, 12g, 12j, 12l and 12m exhibited a broad-spectrum of antifungal activity against the four strains tested in vitro. In which, compounds 12g and 12j had stronger antifungal activity against four tested strains than that of polyoxin B and similar to that of fluconazole, while compounds 12d, 12l and 12m showed antifungal activity comparable to that of polyoxin B against four tested strains. Meanwhile, compounds 12d, 12g, 12j, 12l and 12m exhibited good antifungal activity against fluconazole-resistant and micafungin-resistant fungi variants with MIC values ranging from 4 to 32 μg/mL while the MIC values of reference drugs were above 256 μg/mL. Furthermore, the results of drug-combination experiments showed that compounds 12d, 12g, 12j, 12l and 12m had synergistic or additive effects with fluconazole or polyoxin B. The results of sorbitol protection experiment and the experiment of antifungal activity against micafungin-resistant fungi further demonstrated that these compounds target chitin synthase. The result of cytotoxicity assay showed that compound 12g had low toxicity toward human lung cancer A549 cells and the ADME analysis in silico displayed that compound 12g possessed promising pharmacokinetic properties. The molecular docking indicated that compound 12g formed multiple hydrogen bond interactions binding to chitin synthase, which might be conductive to increasing the binding affinity and inhibiting the activity of chitin synthase. The above results indicated that the designed compounds were chitin synthase inhibitors with selectivity and broad-spectrum antifungal activity and could be act as the lead compounds against drug-resistant fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanbiao Du
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Xinlong Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Yan Long
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Xueqing Lang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine Diagnostics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China
| | - Lige Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Yajie Xu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Hu Wu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Yiwen Chu
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, PR China
| | - Xiaolei Hu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine Diagnostics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China.
| | - Junfeng Deng
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, PR China.
| | - Qinggang Ji
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China.
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22
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Jin J, Iwama R, Horiuchi H. The N-terminal disordered region of ChsB regulates its efficient transport to the hyphal apical surface in Aspergillus nidulans. Curr Genet 2023; 69:175-188. [PMID: 37071151 PMCID: PMC10163080 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-023-01267-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
In fungi, the cell wall plays a crucial role in morphogenesis and response to stress from the external environment. Chitin is one of the main cell wall components in many filamentous fungi. In Aspergillus nidulans, a class III chitin synthase ChsB plays a pivotal role in hyphal extension and morphogenesis. However, little is known about post-translational modifications of ChsB and their functional impacts. In this study, we showed that ChsB is phosphorylated in vivo. We characterized strains that produce ChsB using stepwise truncations of its N-terminal disordered region or deletions of some residues in that region and demonstrated its involvement in ChsB abundance on the hyphal apical surface and in hyphal tip localization. Furthermore, we showed that some deletions in this region affected the phosphorylation states of ChsB, raising the possibility that these states are important for the localization of ChsB to the hyphal surface and the growth of A. nidulans. Our findings indicate that ChsB transport is regulated by its N-terminal disordered region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyun Jin
- Department of Biotechnology, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
- Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Agricultural Sciences in Weifang, Shandong, 261325, China
| | - Ryo Iwama
- Department of Biotechnology, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Horiuchi
- Department of Biotechnology, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
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23
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Stephens Z, Wilson LFL, Zimmer J. Diverse mechanisms of polysaccharide biosynthesis, assembly and secretion across kingdoms. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 79:102564. [PMID: 36870276 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Polysaccharides are essential biopolymers produced in all kingdoms of life. On the cell surface, they represent versatile architectural components, forming protective capsules and coats, cell walls, or adhesives. Extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis mechanisms differ based on the cellular localization of polymer assembly. Some polysaccharides are first synthesized in the cytosol and then extruded by ATP powered transporters [1]. In other cases, the polymers are assembled outside the cell [2], synthesized and secreted in a single step [3], or deposited on the cell surface via vesicular trafficking [4]. This review focuses on recent insights into the biosynthesis, secretion, and assembly of EPS in microbes, plants and vertebrates. We focus on comparing the sites of biosynthesis, secretion mechanisms, and higher-order EPS assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachery Stephens
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 480 Ray C. Hunt Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Louis F L Wilson
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 480 Ray C. Hunt Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jochen Zimmer
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 480 Ray C. Hunt Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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24
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Controlled processivity in glycosyltransferases: A way to expand the enzymatic toolbox. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 63:108081. [PMID: 36529206 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108081] [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: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Glycosyltransferases (GT) catalyse the biosynthesis of complex carbohydrates which are the most abundant group of molecules in nature. They are involved in several key mechanisms such as cell signalling, biofilm formation, host immune system invasion or cell structure and this in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. As a result, research towards complete enzyme mechanisms is valuable to understand and elucidate specific structure-function relationships in this group of molecules. In a next step this knowledge could be used in GT protein engineering, not only for rational drug design but also for multiple biotechnological production processes, such as the biosynthesis of hyaluronan, cellooligosaccharides or chitooligosaccharides. Generation of these poly- and/or oligosaccharides is possible due to a common feature of several of these GTs: processivity. Enzymatic processivity has the ability to hold on to the growing polymer chain and some of these GTs can even control the number of glycosyl transfers. In a first part, recent advances in understanding the mechanism of various processive enzymes are discussed. To this end, an overview is given of possible engineering strategies for the purpose of new industrial and fundamental applications. In the second part of this review, we focused on specific chain length-controlling mechanisms, i.e., key residues or conserved regions, and this for both eukaryotic and prokaryotic enzymes.
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25
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Verma P, Kwansa AL, Ho R, Yingling YG, Zimmer J. Insights into substrate coordination and glycosyl transfer of poplar cellulose synthase-8. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.07.527505. [PMID: 36798277 PMCID: PMC9934533 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.07.527505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Cellulose is an abundant cell wall component of land plants. It is synthesized from UDP-activated glucose molecules by cellulose synthase, a membrane-integrated processive glycosyltransferase. Cellulose synthase couples the elongation of the cellulose polymer with its translocation across the plasma membrane. Here, we present substrate and product-bound cryogenic electron microscopy structures of the homotrimeric cellulose synthase isoform-8 (CesA8) from hybrid aspen (poplar). UDP-glucose binds to a conserved catalytic pocket adjacent to the entrance to a transmembrane channel. The substrate's glucosyl unit is coordinated by conserved residues of the glycosyltransferase domain and amphipathic interface helices. Site-directed mutagenesis of a conserved gating loop capping the active site reveals its critical function for catalytic activity. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal prolonged interactions of the gating loop with the substrate molecule, particularly across its central conserved region. These transient interactions likely facilitate the proper positioning of the substrate molecule for glycosyl transfer and cellulose translocation. Highlights Cryo-EM structures of substrate and product bound poplar cellulose synthase provide insights into substrate selectivitySite directed mutagenesis signifies a critical function of the gating loop for catalysisMolecular dynamics simulations support persistent gating loop - substrate interactionsGating loop helps in positioning the substrate molecule to facilitate cellulose elongationConserved cellulose synthesis substrate binding mechanism across the kingdoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Verma
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Albert L. Kwansa
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Ruoya Ho
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Yaroslava G. Yingling
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Jochen Zimmer
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Lead contact
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26
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Weyer R, Hellmann MJ, Hamer-Timmermann SN, Singh R, Moerschbacher BM. Customized chitooligosaccharide production-controlling their length via engineering of rhizobial chitin synthases and the choice of expression system. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1073447. [PMID: 36588959 PMCID: PMC9795070 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1073447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chitooligosaccharides (COS) have attracted attention from industry and academia in various fields due to their diverse bioactivities. However, their conventional chemical production is environmentally unfriendly and in addition, defined and pure molecules are both scarce and expensive. A promising alternative is the in vivo synthesis of desired COS in microbial platforms with specific chitin synthases enabling a more sustainable production. Hence, we examined the whole cell factory approach with two well-established microorganisms-Escherichia coli and Corynebacterium glutamicum-to produce defined COS with the chitin synthase NodC from Rhizobium sp. GRH2. Moreover, based on an in silico model of the synthase, two amino acids potentially relevant for COS length were identified and mutated to direct the production. Experimental validation showed the influence of the expression system, the mutations, and their combination on COS length, steering the production from originally pentamers towards tetramers or hexamers, the latter virtually pure. Possible explanations are given by molecular dynamics simulations. These findings pave the way for a better understanding of chitin synthases, thus allowing a more targeted production of defined COS. This will, in turn, at first allow better research of COS' bioactivities, and subsequently enable sustainable large-scale production of oligomers.
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27
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Chitin Synthesis in Yeast: A Matter of Trafficking. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012251. [PMID: 36293107 PMCID: PMC9603707 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012251] [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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Chitin synthesis has attracted scientific interest for decades as an essential part of fungal biology and for its potential as a target for antifungal therapies. While this interest remains, three decades ago, pioneering molecular studies on chitin synthesis regulation identified the major chitin synthase in yeast, Chs3, as an authentic paradigm in the field of the intracellular trafficking of integral membrane proteins. Over the years, researchers have shown how the intracellular trafficking of Chs3 recapitulates all the steps in the intracellular trafficking of integral membrane proteins, from their synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum to their degradation in the vacuole. This trafficking includes specific mechanisms for sorting in the trans-Golgi network, regulated endocytosis, and endosomal recycling at different levels. This review summarizes the work carried out on chitin synthesis regulation, mostly focusing on Chs3 as a molecular model to study the mechanisms involved in the control of the intracellular trafficking of proteins.
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28
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Chen W, Cao P, Liu Y, Yu A, Wang D, Chen L, Sundarraj R, Yuchi Z, Gong Y, Merzendorfer H, Yang Q. Structural basis for directional chitin biosynthesis. Nature 2022; 610:402-408. [PMID: 36131020 PMCID: PMC9556331 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05244-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Chitin, the most abundant aminopolysaccharide in nature, is an extracellular polymer consisting of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) units1. The key reactions of chitin biosynthesis are catalysed by chitin synthase2-4, a membrane-integrated glycosyltransferase that transfers GlcNAc from UDP-GlcNAc to a growing chitin chain. However, the precise mechanism of this process has yet to be elucidated. Here we report five cryo-electron microscopy structures of a chitin synthase from the devastating soybean root rot pathogenic oomycete Phytophthora sojae (PsChs1). They represent the apo, GlcNAc-bound, nascent chitin oligomer-bound, UDP-bound (post-synthesis) and chitin synthase inhibitor nikkomycin Z-bound states of the enzyme, providing detailed views into the multiple steps of chitin biosynthesis and its competitive inhibition. The structures reveal the chitin synthesis reaction chamber that has the substrate-binding site, the catalytic centre and the entrance to the polymer-translocating channel that allows the product polymer to be discharged. This arrangement reflects consecutive key events in chitin biosynthesis from UDP-GlcNAc binding and polymer elongation to the release of the product. We identified a swinging loop within the chitin-translocating channel, which acts as a 'gate lock' that prevents the substrate from leaving while directing the product polymer into the translocating channel for discharge to the extracellular side of the cell membrane. This work reveals the directional multistep mechanism of chitin biosynthesis and provides a structural basis for inhibition of chitin synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Cao
- Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yuansheng Liu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Ailing Yu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dong Wang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rajamanikandan Sundarraj
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery and High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhiguang Yuchi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery and High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yong Gong
- Center for Multi-disciplinary Research, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, School of Science and Technology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Qing Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
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