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Xiao D, Driller M, Dielentheis‐Frenken M, Haala F, Kohl P, Stein K, Blank LM, Tiso T. Advances in Aureobasidium research: Paving the path to industrial utilization. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14535. [PMID: 39075758 PMCID: PMC11286673 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14535] [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: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
We here explore the potential of the fungal genus Aureobasidium as a prototype for a microbial chassis for industrial biotechnology in the context of a developing circular bioeconomy. The study emphasizes the physiological advantages of Aureobasidium, including its polyextremotolerance, broad substrate spectrum, and diverse product range, making it a promising candidate for cost-effective and sustainable industrial processes. In the second part, recent advances in genetic tool development, as well as approaches for up-scaled fermentation, are described. This review adds to the growing body of scientific literature on this remarkable fungus and reveals its potential for future use in the biotechnological industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Difan Xiao
- iAMB – Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt – Aachen Biology and BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Marielle Driller
- iAMB – Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt – Aachen Biology and BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Marie Dielentheis‐Frenken
- iAMB – Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt – Aachen Biology and BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Frederick Haala
- iAMB – Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt – Aachen Biology and BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Philipp Kohl
- iAMB – Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt – Aachen Biology and BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Karla Stein
- iAMB – Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt – Aachen Biology and BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Lars M. Blank
- iAMB – Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt – Aachen Biology and BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Till Tiso
- iAMB – Institute of Applied Microbiology, ABBt – Aachen Biology and BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
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2
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Yu Y, Li X, Hou Y, Wei M, Qian Y, Zhou Y, Yin M, Jiang Y, Song P. The effect of Ca 2+-calcineurin signaling pathway on the antifungal activity of Pd-D-V against Botrytis cinerea. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 203:106007. [PMID: 39084802 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.106007] [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: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea is an intractable fungal disease that causes extensive damage to agricultural products. In the search for novel antifungal active ingredients, we discovered a linear pyranocoumarin Pd-D-V was effective against B. cinerea in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Furthermore, this study investigated the effects of Ca2+ and the Ca2+-calcineurin signaling pathway on its antifungal activity against B. cinerea. The results indicated that Pd-D-V reduced the concentration of Ca2+ in the mycelia of B. cinerea; CaCl2, the Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil, or the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporin A could affect the sensitivity of Pd-D-V against B. cinerea; the expression of genes (Bccch1, Bcmid1, BccnA, Bccnb1, Bcpmc1, and Bcpmr1) of the Ca2+-calcineurin signaling pathway decreased after Pd-D-V treatment. In summary, Pd-D-V is compound for developing fungicides against B. cinerea. Pd-D-V can reduce intracellular Ca2+ concentration and disturb Ca2+ homeostasis. The Ca2+-calcineurin signaling pathway is important in the antifungal activity of Pd-D-V against B. cinerea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Xinru Li
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yiping Hou
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Min Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Yiyun Qian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Yuxin Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Min Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Yanqin Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Pingping Song
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
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3
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Cacciotti A, Beccaccioli M, Reverberi M. The CRZ1 transcription factor in plant fungi: regulation mechanism and impact on pathogenesis. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:647. [PMID: 38727981 PMCID: PMC11087348 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09593-4] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+) is a universal signaling molecule that is tightly regulated, and a fleeting elevation in cytosolic concentration triggers a signal cascade within the cell, which is crucial for several processes such as growth, tolerance to stress conditions, and virulence in fungi. The link between calcium and calcium-dependent gene regulation in cells relies on the transcription factor Calcineurin-Responsive Zinc finger 1 (CRZ1). The direct regulation of approximately 300 genes in different stress pathways makes it a hot topic in host-pathogen interactions. Notably, CRZ1 can modulate several pathways and orchestrate cellular responses to different types of environmental insults such as osmotic stress, oxidative stress, and membrane disruptors. It is our belief that CRZ1 provides the means for tightly modulating and synchronizing several pathways allowing pathogenic fungi to install into the apoplast and eventually penetrate plant cells (i.e., ROS, antimicrobials, and quick pH variation). This review discusses the structure, function, regulation of CRZ1 in fungal physiology and its role in plant pathogen virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Cacciotti
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - M Beccaccioli
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - M Reverberi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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4
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Bao Z, Chen Y, Zhang Z, Yang H, Yan R, Zhu D. Heat stress-induced NO enhanced perylenequinone biosynthesis of Shiraia sp. via calcium signaling pathway. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:317. [PMID: 38700737 PMCID: PMC11068690 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13142-1] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Perylenequinones (PQs) are natural photosensitizing compounds used as photodynamic therapy, and heat stress (HS) is the main limiting factor of mycelial growth and secondary metabolism of fungi. This study aimed to unravel the impact of HS-induced Ca2+ and the calcium signaling pathway on PQ biosynthesis of Shiraia sp. Slf14(w). Meanwhile, the intricate interplay between HS-induced NO and Ca2+ and the calcium signaling pathway was investigated. The outcomes disclosed that Ca2+ and the calcium signaling pathway activated by HS could effectively enhance the production of PQs in Shiraia sp. Slf14(w). Further investigations elucidated the specific mechanism through which NO signaling molecules induced by HS act upon the Ca2+/CaM (calmodulin) signaling pathway, thus propelling PQ biosynthesis in Shiraia sp. Slf14(w). This was substantiated by decoding the downstream positioning of the CaM/CaN (calcineurin) pathway in relation to NO through comprehensive analyses encompassing transcript levels, enzyme assays, and the introduction of chemical agents. Concurrently, the engagement of Ca2+ and the calcium signaling pathway in heat shock signaling was also evidenced. The implications of our study underscore the pivotal role of HS-induced Ca2+ and the calcium signaling pathway, which not only participate in heat shock signal transduction but also play an instrumental role in promoting PQ biosynthesis. Consequently, our study not only enriches our comprehension of the mechanisms driving HS signaling transduction in fungi but also offers novel insights into the PQ synthesis paradigm within Shiraia sp. Slf14(w). KEY POINTS: • The calcium signaling pathway was proposed to participate in PQ biosynthesis under HS. • HS-induced NO was revealed to act upon the calcium signaling pathway for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuanying Bao
- Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Subtropic Plant Resources of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
- Key Lab of Bioprocess Engineering of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, China
| | - Yunni Chen
- Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Subtropic Plant Resources of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Zhibin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Subtropic Plant Resources of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Huilin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Subtropic Plant Resources of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Riming Yan
- Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Subtropic Plant Resources of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Du Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Subtropic Plant Resources of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China.
- Key Lab of Bioprocess Engineering of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, China.
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5
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Flynn MJ, Harper NW, Li R, Zhu LJ, Lee MJ, Benanti JA. Calcineurin promotes adaptation to chronic stress through two distinct mechanisms. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.19.585797. [PMID: 38562881 PMCID: PMC10983906 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.19.585797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Adaptation to environmental stress requires coordination between stress-defense programs and cell cycle progression. The immediate response to many stressors has been well characterized, but how cells survive in challenging environments long-term is unknown. Here, we investigate the role of the stress-activated phosphatase calcineurin (CN) in adaptation to chronic CaCl2 stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We find that prolonged exposure to CaCl2 impairs mitochondrial function and demonstrate that cells respond to this stressor using two CN-dependent mechanisms - one that requires the downstream transcription factor Crz1 and another that is Crz1-independent. Our data indicate that CN maintains cellular fitness by promoting cell cycle progression and preventing CaCl2-induced cell death. When Crz1 is present, transient CN activation suppresses cell death and promotes adaptation despite high levels of mitochondrial loss. However, in the absence of Crz1, prolonged activation of CN prevents mitochondrial loss and further cell death by upregulating glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis genes thereby mitigating damage from reactive oxygen species. These findings illustrate how cells maintain long-term fitness during chronic stress and suggest that CN promotes adaptation in challenging environments by multiple mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie J. Flynn
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Nicholas W. Harper
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
- Department of Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester MA 01605
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester MA 01605
| | - Michael J. Lee
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Jennifer A. Benanti
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
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6
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Pavesic MW, Gale AN, Nickels TJ, Harrington AA, Bussey M, Cunningham KW. Calcineurin-dependent contributions to fitness in the opportunistic pathogen Candida glabrata. mSphere 2024; 9:e0055423. [PMID: 38171022 PMCID: PMC10826367 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00554-23] [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] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The protein phosphatase calcineurin is vital for the virulence of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida glabrata. The host-induced stresses that activate calcineurin signaling are unknown, as are the targets of calcineurin relevant to virulence. To potentially shed light on these processes, millions of transposon insertion mutants throughout the genome of C. glabrata were profiled en masse for fitness defects in the presence of FK506, a specific inhibitor of calcineurin. Eighty-seven specific gene deficiencies depended on calcineurin signaling for full viability in vitro both in wild-type and pdr1∆ null strains lacking pleiotropic drug resistance. Three genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis (FKS1, DCW1, FLC1) possess co-essential paralogs whose expression depended on calcineurin and Crz1 in response to micafungin, a clinical antifungal that interferes with cell wall biogenesis. Interestingly, 80% of the FK506-sensitive mutants were deficient in different aspects of vesicular trafficking, such as endocytosis, exocytosis, sorting, and biogenesis of secretory proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In response to the experimental antifungal manogepix that blocks GPI-anchor biosynthesis in the ER, calcineurin signaling increased and strongly prevented cell death independent of Crz1, one of its major targets. Comparisons between manogepix, micafungin, and the ER-stressing tunicamycin reveal a correlation between the degree of calcineurin signaling and the degree of cell survival. These findings suggest that calcineurin plays major roles in mitigating stresses of vesicular trafficking. Such stresses may arise during host infection and in response to antifungal therapies.IMPORTANCECalcineurin plays critical roles in the virulence of most pathogenic fungi. This study sheds light on those roles in the opportunistic pathogen Candida glabrata using a genome-wide analysis in vitro. The findings could lead to antifungal developments that also avoid immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W. Pavesic
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew N. Gale
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Timothy J. Nickels
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Maya Bussey
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kyle W. Cunningham
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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7
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Martín JF, Liras P. Targeting of Specialized Metabolites Biosynthetic Enzymes to Membranes and Vesicles by Posttranslational Palmitoylation: A Mechanism of Non-Conventional Traffic and Secretion of Fungal Metabolites. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1224. [PMID: 38279221 PMCID: PMC10816013 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021224] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In nature, the formation of specialized (secondary) metabolites is associated with the late stages of fungal development. Enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in fungi are located in distinct subcellular compartments including the cytosol, peroxisomes, endosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, different types of vesicles, the plasma membrane and the cell wall space. The enzymes traffic between these subcellular compartments and the secretion through the plasma membrane are still unclear in the biosynthetic processes of most of these metabolites. Recent reports indicate that some of these enzymes initially located in the cytosol are later modified by posttranslational acylation and these modifications may target them to membrane vesicle systems. Many posttranslational modifications play key roles in the enzymatic function of different proteins in the cell. These modifications are very important in the modulation of regulatory proteins, in targeting of proteins, intracellular traffic and metabolites secretion. Particularly interesting are the protein modifications by palmitoylation, prenylation and miristoylation. Palmitoylation is a thiol group-acylation (S-acylation) of proteins by palmitic acid (C16) that is attached to the SH group of a conserved cysteine in proteins. Palmitoylation serves to target acylated proteins to the cytosolic surface of cell membranes, e.g., to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, whereas the so-called toxisomes are formed in trichothecene biosynthesis. Palmitoylation of the initial enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of melanin serves to target them to endosomes and later to the conidia, whereas other non-palmitoylated laccases are secreted directly by the conventional secretory pathway to the cell wall space where they perform the last step(s) of melanin biosynthesis. Six other enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of endocrosin, gliotoxin and fumitremorgin believed to be cytosolic are also targeted to vesicles, although it is unclear if they are palmitoylated. Bioinformatic analysis suggests that palmitoylation may be frequent in the modification and targeting of polyketide synthetases and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases. The endosomes may integrate other small vesicles with different cargo proteins, forming multivesicular bodies that finally fuse with the plasma membrane during secretion. Another important effect of palmitoylation is that it regulates calcium metabolism by posttranslational modification of the phosphatase calcineurin. Mutants defective in the Akr1 palmitoyl transferase in several fungi are affected in calcium transport and homeostasis, thus impacting on the biosynthesis of calcium-regulated specialized metabolites. The palmitoylation of secondary metabolites biosynthetic enzymes and their temporal distribution respond to the conidiation signaling mechanism. In summary, this posttranslational modification drives the spatial traffic of the biosynthetic enzymes between the subcellular organelles and the plasma membrane. This article reviews the molecular mechanism of palmitoylation and the known fungal palmitoyl transferases. This novel information opens new ways to improve the biosynthesis of the bioactive metabolites and to increase its secretion in fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F. Martín
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Área de Microbiología, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain;
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8
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Jiang L, Xu H, Wei M, Gu Y, Yan H, Pan L, Wei C. Transcriptional expression of PHR2 is positively controlled by the calcium signaling transcription factor Crz1 through its binding motif in the promoter. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0168923. [PMID: 38054721 PMCID: PMC10783099 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01689-23] [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] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The fungal cell wall consists of glucans, mannoproteins, and chitin and is essential for cell viability, morphogenesis, and pathogenesis. The enzymes of the GH72 family are responsible for ß-(1,3)-glucan elongation and branching, which is crucial for the formation of the glucan-chitin polymer at the bud neck of yeast cells. In the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, there are five GH72 enzyme-encoding genes: PHR1, PHR2, PHR3, PGA4, and PGA5. It is known that expression of PHR1 and PHR2 is controlled by the pH-responsive Rim101 pathway through the transcription factor Rim101. In this study, we have demonstrated that the transcription expression of PHR2 is also controlled by the transcription factor Crz1 through its binding motif in the promoter. Therefore, we have uncovered a dual-control mechanism by which PHR2 expression is negatively regulated via CaRim101 through the pH-responsive pathway and positively modulated by CaCrz1 through the calcium/calcineurin signaling pathway.
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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, China
| | - Huihui Xu
- Department of Food Science, School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
| | - Min Wei
- Laboratory of Yeast Biology and Fermentation Technology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Technology, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yiying Gu
- Laboratory of Yeast Biology and Fermentation Technology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Technology, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Hongbo Yan
- Department of Food Science, School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
| | - Lingxin Pan
- Laboratory of Yeast Biology and Fermentation Technology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Technology, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Chunyu Wei
- Laboratory of Yeast Biology and Fermentation Technology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Technology, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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9
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Martín JF. Interaction of calcium responsive proteins and transcriptional factors with the PHO regulon in yeasts and fungi. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1225774. [PMID: 37601111 PMCID: PMC10437122 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1225774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphate and calcium ions are nutrients that play key roles in growth, differentiation and the production of bioactive secondary metabolites in filamentous fungi. Phosphate concentration regulates the biosynthesis of hundreds of fungal metabolites. The central mechanisms of phosphate transport and regulation, mediated by the master Pho4 transcriptional factor are known, but many aspects of the control of gene expression need further research. High ATP concentration in the cells leads to inositol pyrophosphate molecules formation, such as IP3 and IP7, that act as phosphorylation status reporters. Calcium ions are intracellular messengers in eukaryotic organisms and calcium homeostasis follows elaborated patterns in response to different nutritional and environmental factors, including cross-talking with phosphate concentrations. A large part of the intracellular calcium is stored in vacuoles and other organelles forming complexes with polyphosphate. The free cytosolic calcium concentration is maintained by transport from the external medium or by release from the store organelles through calcium permeable transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels. Calcium ions, particularly the free cytosolic calcium levels, control the biosynthesis of fungal metabolites by two mechanisms, 1) direct interaction of calcium-bound calmodulin with antibiotic synthesizing enzymes, and 2) by the calmodulin-calcineurin signaling cascade. Control of very different secondary metabolites, including pathogenicity determinants, are mediated by calcium through the Crz1 factor. Several interactions between calcium homeostasis and phosphate have been demonstrated in the last decade: 1) The inositol pyrophosphate IP3 triggers the release of calcium ions from internal stores into the cytosol, 2) Expression of the high affinity phosphate transporter Pho89, a Na+/phosphate symporter, is controlled by Crz1. Also, mutants defective in the calcium permeable TRPCa7-like of Saccharomyces cerevisiae shown impaired expression of Pho89. This information suggests that CrzA and Pho89 play key roles in the interaction of phosphate and calcium regulatory pathways, 3) Finally, acidocalcisomes organelles have been found in mycorrhiza and in some melanin producing fungi that show similar characteristics as protozoa calcisomes. In these organelles there is a close interaction between orthophosphate, pyrophosphate and polyphosphate and calcium ions that are absorbed in the polyanionic polyphosphate matrix. These advances open new perspectives for the control of fungal metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F. Martín
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Área de Microbiología, Universidad de León, León, Spain
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10
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Lee GM, Weng F, Cranley J, Rajasekhar A, Stoeckel M, Kane T, Tisi R, Wang Y. The Ycx1 protein encoded by the yeast YDL206W gene plays a role in calcium and calcineurin signaling. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104647. [PMID: 36965615 PMCID: PMC10126930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104647] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium is ubiquitously present in all living cells and plays important regulatory roles in a wide variety of biological processes. In yeast, many effects of calcium are mediated via the action of calcineurin, a calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase. Proper signaling of calcium and calcineurin is important in yeast, and the calcineurin pathway has emerged as a valuable target for developing novel antifungal drugs. Here, we report a role of YDL206W in calcium and calcineurin signaling in yeast. YDL206W is an uncharacterized gene in yeast, encoding a protein with two sodium/calcium exchange domains. Disrupting the YDL206W gene leads to a diminished level of calcium-induced activation of calcineurin and a reduced accumulation of cytosolic calcium. Consistent with a role of calcineurin in regulating pheromone and cell wall integrity signaling, the ydl206wΔ mutants display an enhanced growth arrest induced by pheromone treatment and poor growth at elevated temperature. Subcellular localization studies indicate that YDL206W is localized in endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. Together, our results reveal YDL206W as a new regulator for calcineurin signaling in yeast and suggest a role of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi in regulating cytosolic calcium in yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace M Lee
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Fangli Weng
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Juliana Cranley
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Matthew Stoeckel
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Thomas Kane
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Renata Tisi
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Yuqi Wang
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
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11
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Camponeschi I, Montanari A, Mazzoni C, Bianchi MM. Light Stress in Yeasts: Signaling and Responses in Creatures of the Night. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24086929. [PMID: 37108091 PMCID: PMC10139380 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086929] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Living organisms on the surface biosphere are periodically yet consistently exposed to light. The adaptive or protective evolution caused by this source of energy has led to the biological systems present in a large variety of organisms, including fungi. Among fungi, yeasts have developed essential protective responses against the deleterious effects of light. Stress generated by light exposure is propagated through the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide and mediated by regulatory factors that are also involved in the response to other stressors. These have included Msn2/4, Crz1, Yap1, and Mga2, thus suggesting that light stress is a common factor in the yeast environmental response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Camponeschi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Montanari
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Mazzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Maria Bianchi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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12
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Han P, Hua Z, Zhao Y, Huang L, Yuan Y. PuCRZ1, an C2H2 transcription factor from Polyporus umbellatus, positively regulates mycelium response to osmotic stress. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1131605. [PMID: 37089566 PMCID: PMC10115967 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1131605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyporus umbellatus is an edible and medicinal mushroom with the capacity to produce sclerotia. However, the mechanism of P. umbellatus sclerotia formation is unclear. CRZ1 is a C2H2 family transcription factor involved in the Ca2+-calcineurin signaling pathway, which has the function of regulating sclerotia formation, maintaining ion homeostasis, and responding to stress. In this study, we identified 28 C2H2 transcription factors in P. umbellatus genome, 13 of which are differentially expressed between mycelium and sclerotia, including PuCRZ1. Combining DNA affinity purification and sequencing (DAP-seq) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), three genes (PuG10, PuG11, PuG12) were identified as putative PuCRZ1 target genes containing a putative binding motif (GTGGCG) within their promoter. Yeast single hybridization (Y1H) and EMSA further confirmed that PuCRZ1 can bind to the promoter region of PuG10, PuG11, and PuG12. PuCRZ1 gene could reduce the sensitivity of NaCl in yeast cells. Furthermore, overexpression of the PuCRZ1 target gene, especially the FVLY domain containing gene PuG11, could improve the mycelia growth rate and mannitol tolerance in P. umbellatus. These results demonstrate that PuCRZ1 in the Ca2+-calcineurin signaling pathway plays an important role in mycelia growth, as well as osmotic stress tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengjie Han
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongyi Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuyang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Luqi Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Luqi Huang,
| | - Yuan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yuan Yuan,
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13
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Cao Y, Zhang C, Fang Y, Liu Y, Lyu K, Ding J, Wang X. Investigation the global effect of rare earth gadolinium on the budding Saccharomyces cerevisiae by genome-scale screening. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1022054. [DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1022054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe rare earth gadolinium (Gd) is widely used in industry and medicine, which has been treated as an emerging pollutant in environment. The increasing pollution of Gd has potential hazards to living organisms. Thus it is essential to investigate the toxicity and action mechanism of Gd in biological system.MethodsIn this study, the global effect and activation mechanism of Gd on yeast were investigated by genome-scale screening.Results and discussionOur results show that 45 gene deletion strains are sensitive to Gd and 10 gene deletion strains are Gd resistant from the diploid gene deletion strain library of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The result of localization analysis shows that most of these genes are involved in cell metabolism, cell cycle, transcription, translation, protein synthesis, protein folding, and cell transport. The result of functional analysis shows that four genes (CNB1, CRZ1, VCX1, and GDT1) are involved in the calcium signaling pathway, and four genes (PHO84, PHO86, PHO2, and PHO4) are involved in phosphorus metabolism. For Gd3+ has the similar ion radius with Ca2+ and easily binds to the phosphate radical, it affects Ca2+ signaling pathway and phosphorus metabolism. The genes ARF1, ARL1, ARL3, SYS1, COG5, COG6, YPT6, VPS9, SSO2, MRL1, AKL1, and TRS85 participate in vesicle transport and protein sorting. Thus, Gd accumulation affects the function of proteins related to vesicle transport, which may result in the failure of Gd transport out of cells. In addition, the intracellular Gd content in the 45 sensitive deletion strains is higher than that in the wild type yeast under Gd stress. It suggests that the sensitivity of yeast deletion strains is related to the excessive intracellular Gd accumulation.
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14
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Gupta S, Kumar A, Tamuli R. CRZ1 transcription factor is involved in cell survival, stress tolerance, and virulence in fungi. J Biosci 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-022-00294-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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15
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Fungal calcineurin complex as an antifungal target: From past to present to future. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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16
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The NPR/Hal family of protein kinases in yeasts: biological role, phylogeny and regulation under environmental challenges. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:5698-5712. [PMID: 36320937 PMCID: PMC9596735 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation is the most common and versatile post-translational modification occurring in eukaryotes. In yeast, protein phosphorylation is fundamental for maintaining cell growth and adapting to sudden changes in environmental conditions by regulating cellular processes and activating signal transduction pathways. Protein kinases catalyze the reversible addition of phosphate groups to target proteins, thereby regulating their activity. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, kinases are classified into six major groups based on structural and functional similarities. The NPR/Hal family of kinases comprises nine fungal-specific kinases that, due to lack of similarity with the remaining kinases, were classified to the “Other” group. These kinases are primarily implicated in regulating fundamental cellular processes such as maintaining ion homeostasis and controlling nutrient transporters’ concentration at the plasma membrane. Despite their biological relevance, these kinases remain poorly characterized and explored. This review provides an overview of the information available regarding each of the kinases from the NPR/Hal family, including their known biological functions, mechanisms of regulation, and integration in signaling pathways in S. cerevisiae. Information gathered for non-Saccharomyces species of biotechnological or clinical relevance is also included.
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17
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Yang Y, Xie P, Li Y, Bi Y, Prusky DB. Updating Insights into the Regulatory Mechanisms of Calcineurin-Activated Transcription Factor Crz1 in Pathogenic Fungi. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:1082. [PMID: 36294647 PMCID: PMC9604740 DOI: 10.3390/jof8101082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Ca2+, as a second messenger in cells, enables organisms to adapt to different environmental stresses by rapidly sensing and responding to external stimuli. In recent years, the Ca2+ mediated calcium signaling pathway has been studied systematically in various mammals and fungi, indicating that the pathway is conserved among organisms. The pathway consists mainly of complex Ca2+ channel proteins, calcium pumps, Ca2+ transporters and many related proteins. Crz1, a transcription factor downstream of the calcium signaling pathway, participates in regulating cell survival, ion homeostasis, infection structure development, cell wall integrity and virulence. This review briefly summarizes the Ca2+ mediated calcium signaling pathway and regulatory roles in plant pathogenic fungi. Based on discussing the structure and localization of transcription factor Crz1, we focus on the regulatory role of Crz1 on growth and development, stress response, pathogenicity of pathogenic fungi and its regulatory mechanisms. Furthermore, we explore the cross-talk between Crz1 and other signaling pathways. Combined with the important role and pathogenic mechanism of Crz1 in fungi, the new strategies in which Crz1 may be used as a target to explore disease control in practice are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Yang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Pengdong Xie
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Yongcai Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Yang Bi
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Dov B. Prusky
- Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel
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18
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Kulakova MV, Karginov AV, Alexandrov AI, Agaphonov MO. The GEM-GECO Calcium Indicator Is Useable in Ogataea parapolymorpha Yeast, but Aggravates Effects of Increased Cytosolic Calcium Levels. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710004. [PMID: 36077401 PMCID: PMC9456557 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ca2+ is a ubiquitous second messenger, which allows eukaryotic cells to respond to external stimuli. The use of genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators allows real-time monitoring of cytosolic Ca2+ levels to study such responses. Here we explored the possibility of using the ratiometric Ca2+ indicator GEM-GECO for monitoring cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) in the yeast Ogataea parapolymorpha. High-level production of GEM-GECO led to a severe growth defect in cells lacking the vacuolar Ca2+ ATPase Pmc1, which is involved in [Ca2+]cyt control, and prompted a phenotype resembling that of Pmc1 deficiency, in a strain with wild-type PMC1. This was likely due to the presence of the calmodulin domain in GEM-GECO. In contrast to previous studies of genetically-encoded calcium indicators in neuronal cells, our results suggest that physiological effects of GEM-GECO expression in yeast cells are due not to Ca2+ depletion, but to excessive Ca2+ signaling. Despite these drawbacks, study of fluorescence in individual cells revealed switching of GEM-GECO from the Ca2+-free to Ca2+-bound state minutes after external addition of CaCl2. This was followed by gradual return of GEM-GECO to a Ca2+-free-state that was impaired in the pmc1-Δ mutant. These results demonstrate GEM-GECO usability for [Ca2+]cyt monitoring in budding yeast.
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19
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Coleman CE, Landin C, Neuer A, Sayegh FM, Marshall PA. Calmodulin kinase 2 genetically interacts with Rch1p to negatively regulate calcium import into Saccharomyces cerevisiae after extracellular calcium pulse. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:519. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03095-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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20
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DdaCrz1, a C2H2-Type Transcription Factor, Regulates Growth, Conidiation, and Stress Resistance in the Nematode-Trapping Fungus Drechslerella dactyloides. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070750. [PMID: 35887505 PMCID: PMC9322116 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent signaling pathway regulates diverse cellular processes. Calcineurin is a calcium-dependent phosphatase acting in fungi mainly through Crz1, a zinc finger transcription factor. Although the likely involvement of Ca2+ in fungal carnivorism has been documented, how Crz1 functions in nematode-trapping fungi remains unknown. Here, we identified the Crz1 gene (named as DdaCrz1) in Drechslerella dactyloides, a species that forms constricting rings to trap nematodes. The deletion of DdaCrz1 significantly reduced hyphal growth and conidiation, trap formation, and ring cell inflation. Moreover, the mutation increased sensitivity to Mn2+ but decreased sensitivity to Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, and Li+. Similarly, the mutant showed increased tolerance to osmotic stress but was more sensitive to Congo red, a cell wall-damaging agent. Our results confirmed the critical roles of the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent signaling pathway in regulating growth, conidiation, and the stress response, and suggested its involvement in trapping nematodes.
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21
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Liu C, Liu T, Lv Z, Qin M, Qu Z, Zhang Z, Li F, Chen D, Zhang X, Chen XL, Shen M. A Calcineurin Regulator MoRCN1 Is Important for Asexual Development, Stress Response, and Plant Infection of Magnaporthe oryzae. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:925645. [PMID: 35783935 PMCID: PMC9244802 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.925645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The calcium/calcineurin signaling pathway plays a key role in the development and virulence of plant pathogenic fungi, but the regulation of this signaling pathway is still not clear. In this study, we identified a calcineurin regulator MoRCN1 in the plant pathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae and found it is important for virulence by regulating the calcineurin pathway. MoRCN1 deletion mutants were severely decreased in colony growth and conidia formation. More importantly, the deletion of MoRCN1 led to a significant reduction in virulence due to defects in appressorium formation and invasive growth. The ΔMorcn1 mutants were more sensitive to different stresses and induced host ROS accumulation, suggesting a role of MoRCN1 in stress adaptation. We found that MoRCN1 directly interacted with the calcineurin catalytic subunit MoCNA and affected its protein stability, which was therefore important for regulating the calcineurin pathway. Transcriptome analysis showed that MoRCN1 significantly activated 491 genes and suppressed 337 genes in response to calcium ion, partially overlapped with the MoCRZ1-bound genes. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analyses indicated that MoRCN1-regulated genes were enriched in stress adaptation, lipid metabolism, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, reflecting a function of MoRCN1 in host cell adaptation. Altogether, these results suggest MoRCN1 functions as a regulator of the calcium/calcineurin signaling pathway for fungal development and infection of host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiyun Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Economic Forest Germplasm Improvement and Resources Comprehensive Utilization, College of Biology and Agricultural Resources, Huanggang Normal University, Huanggang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tiangu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ziwei Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengyuan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiguang Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ziwei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fuyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Deng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinrong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mi Shen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Economic Forest Germplasm Improvement and Resources Comprehensive Utilization, College of Biology and Agricultural Resources, Huanggang Normal University, Huanggang, China
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22
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Spolaor S, Rovetta M, Nobile MS, Cazzaniga P, Tisi R, Besozzi D. Modeling Calcium Signaling in S. cerevisiae Highlights the Role and Regulation of the Calmodulin-Calcineurin Pathway in Response to Hypotonic Shock. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:856030. [PMID: 35664674 PMCID: PMC9158465 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.856030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium homeostasis and signaling processes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as well as in any eukaryotic organism, depend on various transporters and channels located on both the plasma and intracellular membranes. The activity of these proteins is regulated by a number of feedback mechanisms that act through the calmodulin-calcineurin pathway. When exposed to hypotonic shock (HTS), yeast cells respond with an increased cytosolic calcium transient, which seems to be conditioned by the opening of stretch-activated channels. To better understand the role of each channel and transporter involved in the generation and recovery of the calcium transient—and of their feedback regulations—we defined and analyzed a mathematical model of the calcium signaling response to HTS in yeast cells. The model was validated by comparing the simulation outcomes with calcium concentration variations before and during the HTS response, which were observed experimentally in both wild-type and mutant strains. Our results show that calcium normally enters the cell through the High Affinity Calcium influx System and mechanosensitive channels. The increase of the plasma membrane tension, caused by HTS, boosts the opening probability of mechanosensitive channels. This event causes a sudden calcium pulse that is rapidly dissipated by the activity of the vacuolar transporter Pmc1. According to model simulations, the role of another vacuolar transporter, Vcx1, is instead marginal, unless calcineurin is inhibited or removed. Our results also suggest that the mechanosensitive channels are subject to a calcium-dependent feedback inhibition, possibly involving calmodulin. Noteworthy, the model predictions are in accordance with literature results concerning some aspects of calcium homeostasis and signaling that were not specifically addressed within the model itself, suggesting that it actually depicts all the main cellular components and interactions that constitute the HTS calcium pathway, and thus can correctly reproduce the shaping of the calcium signature by calmodulin- and calcineurin-dependent complex regulations. The model predictions also allowed to provide an interpretation of different regulatory schemes involved in calcium handling in both wild-type and mutants yeast strains. The model could be easily extended to represent different calcium signals in other eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Spolaor
- Department of Informatics, Systems and Communication, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Mattia Rovetta
- Department of Informatics, Systems and Communication, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco S. Nobile
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Venice, Italy
- Bicocca Bioinformatics, Biostatistics and Bioimaging Centre—B4, Milan, Italy
- SYSBIO/ISBE.IT Centre of Systems Biology, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Cazzaniga
- Bicocca Bioinformatics, Biostatistics and Bioimaging Centre—B4, Milan, Italy
- SYSBIO/ISBE.IT Centre of Systems Biology, Milan, Italy
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Renata Tisi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Renata Tisi, ; Daniela Besozzi,
| | - Daniela Besozzi
- Department of Informatics, Systems and Communication, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Bicocca Bioinformatics, Biostatistics and Bioimaging Centre—B4, Milan, Italy
- SYSBIO/ISBE.IT Centre of Systems Biology, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Renata Tisi, ; Daniela Besozzi,
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23
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Transcription Factor Crz1 from Cryptococcus humicola Conferred Aluminum Resistance and Interacted with Calcineurin. Curr Microbiol 2022; 79:138. [PMID: 35304662 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-02831-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Calcineurin was activated by aluminum stress and increased aluminum resistance. To investigate how the calcineurin pathway regulates aluminum stress in Cryptococcus humicola, the expressions of Crz1 under stresses were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Calcium, cadmium, and aluminum induced the expression of Crz1. Cna1, calcineurin catalytic subunit A (CNA1) encoding gene, was constructed into pGBKT7 and Crz1 gene was constructed into pGADT7. The resultant plasmids, pGADT7-Crz1 and pGBKT7-Cna1, were transformed into Y2HGold and Y187 yeast strain, respectively. Yeast two-hybridization results showed an interaction between CNA1 and Crz1. The role of Crz1 gene in stresses resistance including hydrogen peroxide, calcium, cadmium, and aluminum was assayed by constructing transgenic yeast. The growth of Crz1 transgenic yeasts was much better than that of the control yeast under these stress conditions. These results suggested that Crz1 participated in resistance to stresses and Crz1 showed an interaction with CNA1.
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24
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Colabardini AC, Wang F, Dong Z, Pardeshi L, Rocha MC, Costa JH, dos Reis TF, Brown A, Jaber QZ, Fridman M, Fill T, Rokas A, Malavazi I, Wong KH, Goldman GH. Heterogeneity in the transcriptional response of the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus to the antifungal agent caspofungin. Genetics 2022; 220:iyab183. [PMID: 34718550 PMCID: PMC8733440 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the main causative agent of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), a severe disease that affects immunosuppressed patients worldwide. The fungistatic drug caspofungin (CSP) is the second line of therapy against IPA but has increasingly been used against clinical strains that are resistant to azoles, the first line antifungal therapy. In high concentrations, CSP induces a tolerance phenotype with partial reestablishment of fungal growth called CSP paradoxical effect (CPE), resulting from a change in the composition of the cell wall. An increasing number of studies has shown that different isolates of A. fumigatus exhibit phenotypic heterogeneity, including heterogeneity in their CPE response. To gain insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of CPE response heterogeneity, we analyzed the transcriptomes of two A. fumigatus reference strains, Af293 and CEA17, exposed to low and high CSP concentrations. We found that there is a core transcriptional response that involves genes related to cell wall remodeling processes, mitochondrial function, transmembrane transport, and amino acid and ergosterol metabolism, and a variable response related to secondary metabolite (SM) biosynthesis and iron homeostasis. Specifically, we show here that the overexpression of a SM pathway that works as an iron chelator extinguishes the CPE in both backgrounds, whereas iron depletion is detrimental for the CPE in Af293 but not in CEA17. We next investigated the function of the transcription factor CrzA, whose deletion was previously shown to result in heterogeneity in the CPE response of the Af293 and CEA17 strains. We found that CrzA constitutively binds to and modulates the expression of several genes related to processes involved in CSP tolerance and that crzA deletion differentially impacts the SM production and growth of Af293 and CEA17. As opposed to the ΔcrzACEA17 mutant, the ΔcrzAAf293 mutant fails to activate cell wall remodeling genes upon CSP exposure, which most likely severely affects its macrostructure and extinguishes its CPE. This study describes how heterogeneity in the response to an antifungal agent between A. fumigatus strains stems from heterogeneity in the function of a transcription factor and its downstream target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina Colabardini
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo CEP 14040-903, Brazil
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Zhiqiang Dong
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Lakhansing Pardeshi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
- Genomics, Bioinformatics and Single Cell Analysis Core, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, 999078, China
| | - Marina Campos Rocha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos CEP 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Jonas Henrique Costa
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo CEP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Thaila Fernanda dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo CEP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Alec Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Qais Z Jaber
- School of Chemistry, Raymond & Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Micha Fridman
- School of Chemistry, Raymond & Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Taicia Fill
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo CEP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Iran Malavazi
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos CEP 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Koon Ho Wong
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
- MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Gustavo Henrique Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo CEP 14040-903, Brazil
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25
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The signaling pathways involved in metabolic regulation and stress responses of the yeast-like fungi Aureobasidium spp. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 55:107898. [PMID: 34974157 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aureobasidium spp. can use a wide range of substrates and are widely distributed in different environments, suggesting that they can sense and response to various extracellular signals and be adapted to different environments. It is true that their pullulan, lipid and liamocin biosynthesis and cell growth are regulated by the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway; Polymalate (PMA) and pullulan biosynthesis is controlled by the Ca2+ and TORC1 signaling pathways; the HOG1 signaling pathway determines high osmotic tolerance and high pullulan and liamocin biosynthesis; the Snf1/Mig1 pathway controls glucose repression on pullulan and liamocin biosynthesis; DHN-melanin biosynthesis and stress resistance are regulated by the CWI signaling pathway and TORC1 signaling pathway. In addition, the HSF1 pathway may control cell growth of some novel strains of A. melanogenum at 37 °C. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of high temperature growth and thermotolerance of some novel strains of A. melanogenum and glucose derepression in A. melanogenum TN3-1 are still unclear.
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Zhao K, Liu Z, Li M, Hu Y, Yang L, Song X, Qin Y. Drafting Penicillium oxalicum calcineurin-CrzA pathway by combining the analysis of phenotype, transcriptome, and endogenous protein-protein interactions. Fungal Genet Biol 2021; 158:103652. [PMID: 34920105 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2021.103652] [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: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Fungi sense environmental signals and coordinate growth, development, and metabolism accordingly. Calcium-calmodulin-calcineurin signaling is a conserved cascade pathway in fungi. One of the most important downstream targets of this pathway is the transcription factor Crz1/CrzA, which plays an essential role in various cellular processes. The putative collaborators of Penicillium oxalicum CrzA (PoCrzA) were found, through tandem affinity purification followed by mass spectrometric analysis (TAP-MS). A total of 50 protein-protein interaction collaborators of PoCrzA were observed. Among them, some collaborators, such as the catalytic subunit of calcineurin (Cna1, calcineurin A), the regulatory catalytic subunit of calcineurin (Cnb1, calcineurin B), and a 14-3-3 protein Bmh1, which were previously reported in yeast, were identified. Some putative collaborators, including two karyopherins (exportin Los1 and importin Srp1), two kinases (Fus3 and Slt2p), and a general transcriptional corepressor (Cyc8), were also found. The CrzA deletion mutant ΔPocrzA exhibited slow hyphal growth, impaired conidiogenesis, and reduced extracellular cellulase synthesis. Phenotype and transcriptome analysis showed that PoCrzA regulated fungal development in a Flbs-BrlA-dependent manner and participated in cellulase synthesis by modulating cellulolytic gene expression. On the basis of the results of TAP-MS, transcriptome, and phenotypic analysis in P. oxalicum, our study was the first to draft the calcineurin-CrzA pathway in cellulolytic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaili Zhao
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Zhongjiao Liu
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Mengxue Li
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Yueyan Hu
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Ling Yang
- Vocational Education College, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China.
| | - Xin Song
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Yuqi Qin
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China.
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Rana A, Gupta N, Thakur A. Post-transcriptional and translational control of the morphology and virulence in human fungal pathogens. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 81:101017. [PMID: 34497025 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2021.101017] [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: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level are the key to fungal pathogenesis. Fungal pathogens utilize several mechanisms such as adhesion, invasion, phenotype switching and metabolic adaptations, to survive in the host environment and respond. Post-transcriptional and translational regulations have emerged as key regulatory mechanisms ensuring the virulence and survival of fungal pathogens. Through these regulations, fungal pathogens effectively alter their protein pool, respond to various stress, and undergo morphogenesis, leading to efficient and comprehensive changes in fungal physiology. The regulation of virulence through post-transcriptional and translational regulatory mechanisms is mediated through mRNA elements (cis factors) or effector molecules (trans factors). The untranslated regions upstream and downstream of the mRNA, as well as various RNA-binding proteins involved in translation initiation or circularization of the mRNA, play pivotal roles in the regulation of morphology and virulence by influencing protein synthesis, protein isoforms, and mRNA stability. Therefore, post-transcriptional and translational mechanisms regulating the morphology, virulence and drug-resistance processes in fungal pathogens can be the target for new therapeutics. With improved "omics" technologies, these regulatory mechanisms are increasingly coming to the forefront of basic biology and drug discovery. This review aims to discuss various modes of post-transcriptional and translation regulations, and how these mechanisms exert influence in the virulence and morphogenesis of fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Rana
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Nidhi Gupta
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Anil Thakur
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India.
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Ibe C, Munro CA. Fungal Cell Wall Proteins and Signaling Pathways Form a Cytoprotective Network to Combat Stresses. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7090739. [PMID: 34575777 PMCID: PMC8466366 DOI: 10.3390/jof7090739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida species are part of the normal flora of humans, but once the immune system of the host is impaired and they escape from commensal niches, they shift from commensal to pathogen causing candidiasis. Candida albicans remains the primary cause of candidiasis, accounting for about 60% of the global candidiasis burden. The cell wall of C. albicans and related fungal pathogens forms the interface with the host, gives fungal cells their shape, and also provides protection against stresses. The cell wall is a dynamic organelle with great adaptive flexibility that allows remodeling, morphogenesis, and changes in its components in response to the environment. It is mainly composed of the inner polysaccharide rich layer (chitin, and β-glucan) and the outer protein coat (mannoproteins). The highly glycosylated protein coat mediates interactions between C. albicans cells and their environment, including reprograming of wall architecture in response to several conditions, such as carbon source, pH, high temperature, and morphogenesis. The mannoproteins are also associated with C. albicans adherence, drug resistance, and virulence. Vitally, the mannoproteins contribute to cell wall construction and especially cell wall remodeling when cells encounter physical and chemical stresses. This review describes the interconnected cell wall integrity (CWI) and stress-activated pathways (e.g., Hog1, Cek1, and Mkc1 mediated pathways) that regulates cell wall remodeling and the expression of some of the mannoproteins in C. albicans and other species. The mannoproteins of the surface coat is of great importance to pathogen survival, growth, and virulence, thus understanding their structure and function as well as regulatory mechanisms can pave the way for better management of candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chibuike Ibe
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu 441107, Nigeria
- Correspondence:
| | - Carol A. Munro
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK;
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Kothiwal D, Gopinath S, Laloraya S. Cohesin dysfunction results in cell wall defects in budding yeast. Genetics 2021; 217:1-16. [PMID: 33683362 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyaa023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cohesin is a conserved chromatin-binding multisubunit protein complex involved in diverse chromosomal transactions such as sister-chromatid cohesion, chromosome condensation, regulation of gene expression, DNA replication, and repair. While working with a budding yeast temperature-sensitive mutant, mcd1-1, defective in a cohesin subunit, we observed that it was resistant to zymolyase, indicating an altered cell wall organization. The budding yeast cell wall is a strong but elastic structure essential for maintenance of cell shape and protection from extreme environmental challenges. Here, we show that the cohesin complex plays an important role in cell wall maintenance. Cohesin mutants showed high chitin content in the cell wall and sensitivity to multiple cell wall stress-inducing agents. Interestingly, temperature-dependent lethality of cohesin mutants was osmoremedial, in a HOG1-MAPK pathway-dependent manner, suggesting that the temperature sensitivity of these mutants may arise partially from cell wall defects. Moreover, Mpk1 hyper-phosphorylation indicated activation of the cell wall integrity (CWI) signaling pathway in cohesin mutants. Genetic interaction analysis revealed that the CWI pathway is essential for survival of mcd1-1 upon additional cell wall stress. The cell wall defect was independent of the cohesion function and accompanied by misregulation of expression of several genes having cell wall-related functions. Our findings reveal a requirement of cohesin in maintenance of CWI that is independent of the CWI pathway, and that may arise from cohesin's role in regulating the expression of multiple genes encoding proteins involved in cell wall organization and biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepash Kothiwal
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, C. V. Raman Avenue, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Swagathnath Gopinath
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, C. V. Raman Avenue, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Shikha Laloraya
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, C. V. Raman Avenue, Bangalore 560012, India
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Oliveira NK, Frank LA, Squizani ED, Reuwsaat JCV, Marques BM, Motta H, Garcia AWA, Kinskovski UP, Barcellos VA, Schrank A, Pohlmann AR, Staats CC, Guterres SS, Vainstein MH, Kmetzsch L. New nanotechnological formulation based on amiodarone-loaded lipid core nanocapsules displays anticryptococcal effect. Eur J Pharm Sci 2021; 162:105816. [PMID: 33757827 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2021.105816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is the etiological agent of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. The recommended available treatment has low efficiency, with high toxicity and resistance as recurrent problems. In the search of new treatment protocols, the proposal of new pharmacological approaches is considered an innovative strategy, mainly nanotechnological systems considering fungal diseases. The antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone has demonstrated antifungal activity against a range of fungi, including C. neoformans. Here, considering the importance of calcium storage mediated by transporters on cryptococcal virulence, we evaluated the use of the calcium channel blocker amiodarone as an alternative therapy for cryptococcosis. C. neoformans displayed high sensitivity to amiodarone, which was also synergistic with fluconazole. Amiodarone treatment influenced some virulence factors, interrupting the calcium-calcineurin signaling pathway. Experiments with murine cryptococcosis models revealed that amiodarone treatment increased the fungal burden in the lungs, while its combination with fluconazole did not improve treatment compared to fluconazole alone. In addition, we have developed different innovative nanotechnological formulations, one of which combining two drugs with different mechanisms of action. Lipid-core nanocapsules (LNC) loaded with amiodarone (LNCAMD), fluconazole (LNCFLU) and both (LNCAMD+FLU) were produced to achieve a better efficacy in vivo. In an intranasal model of treatment, all the LNC formulations had an antifungal effect. In an intraperitoneal treatment, LNCAMD showed an enhanced anticryptococcal effect compared to the free drug, whereas LNCFLU or LNCAMD+FLU displayed no differences from the free drugs. In this way, nanotechnology using amiodarone formulations could be an effective therapy for cryptococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luiza Abrahão Frank
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil
| | - Eamim Daidrê Squizani
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | | | - Heryk Motta
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Uriel Perin Kinskovski
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Augusto Schrank
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Adriana Raffin Pohlmann
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil; Departamento de Química Orgânica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil
| | - Charley Christian Staats
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Sílvia Stanisçuaski Guterres
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil
| | - Marilene Henning Vainstein
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lívia Kmetzsch
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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Squizani ED, Reuwsaat JC, Motta H, Tavanti A, Kmetzsch L. Calcium: a central player in Cryptococcus biology. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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32
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Sinha M, Shree A, Singh K, Kumar K, Singh SK, Kumar V, Verma PK. Modulation of fungal virulence through CRZ1 regulated F-BAR-dependent actin remodeling and endocytosis in chickpea infecting phytopathogen Ascochyta rabiei. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009137. [PMID: 33999937 PMCID: PMC8158962 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Polarized hyphal growth of filamentous pathogenic fungi is an essential event for host penetration and colonization. The long-range early endosomal trafficking during hyphal growth is crucial for nutrient uptake, sensing of host-specific cues, and regulation of effector production. Bin1/Amphiphysin/Rvs167 (BAR) domain-containing proteins mediate fundamental cellular processes, including membrane remodeling and endocytosis. Here, we identified a F-BAR domain protein (ArF-BAR) in the necrotrophic fungus Ascochyta rabiei and demonstrate its involvement in endosome-dependent fungal virulence on the host plant Cicer arietinum. We show that ArF-BAR regulates endocytosis at the hyphal tip, localizes to the early endosomes, and is involved in actin dynamics. Functional studies involving gene knockout and complementation experiments reveal that ArF-BAR is necessary for virulence. The loss-of-function of ArF-BAR gene results in delayed formation of apical septum in fungal cells near growing hyphal tip that is crucial for host penetration, and impaired secretion of a candidate effector having secretory signal peptide for translocation across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The mRNA transcripts of ArF-BAR were induced in response to oxidative stress and infection. We also show that ArF-BAR is able to tubulate synthetic liposomes, suggesting the functional role of F-BAR domain in membrane tubule formation in vivo. Further, our studies identified a stress-induced transcription factor, ArCRZ1 (Calcineurin-responsive zinc finger 1), as key transcriptional regulator of ArF-BAR expression. We propose a model in which ArCRZ1 functions upstream of ArF-BAR to regulate A. rabiei virulence through a mechanism that involves endocytosis, effector secretion, and actin cytoskeleton regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Sinha
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Ankita Shree
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Kunal Singh
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Kamal Kumar
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Shreenivas Kumar Singh
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Vimlesh Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISER-Bhopal), Bhauri, Bhopal, India
| | - Praveen Kumar Verma
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail: ,
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Mela A, Momany M. Septins coordinate cell wall integrity and lipid metabolism in a sphingolipid-dependent process. J Cell Sci 2021; 135:256543. [PMID: 33912961 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Septins colocalize with membrane sterol-rich regions and facilitate recruitment of cell wall synthases during wall remodeling. We show that null mutants missing an Aspergillus nidulans core septin present in hexamers and octamers (ΔaspAcdc11, ΔaspBcdc3 or ΔaspCcdc12) are sensitive to multiple cell wall-disturbing agents that activate the cell wall integrity MAPK pathway. The null mutant missing the octamer-exclusive core septin (ΔaspDcdc10) showed similar sensitivity, but only to a single cell wall-disturbing agent and the null mutant missing the noncore septin (ΔaspE) showed only very mild sensitivity to a different single agent. Core septin mutants showed changes in wall polysaccharide composition and chitin synthase localization. Mutants missing any of the five septins resisted ergosterol-disrupting agents. Hexamer mutants showed increased sensitivity to sphingolipid-disrupting agents. Core septins mislocalized after treatment with sphingolipid-disrupting agents, but not after ergosterol-disrupting agents. Our data suggest that the core septins are involved in cell wall integrity signaling, that all five septins are involved in monitoring ergosterol metabolism, that the hexamer septins are required for sphingolipid metabolism and that septins require sphingolipids to coordinate the cell wall integrity response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Mela
- Fungal Biology Group and Plant Biology Department, University of Georgia, 2502 Miller Plant Science Building, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Michelle Momany
- Fungal Biology Group and Plant Biology Department, University of Georgia, 2502 Miller Plant Science Building, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Zhu L, Sardana R, Jin DK, Emr SD. Calcineurin-dependent regulation of endocytosis by a plasma membrane ubiquitin ligase adaptor, Rcr1. J Cell Biol 2021; 219:151785. [PMID: 32421152 PMCID: PMC7401822 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201909158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Rsp5, the Nedd4 family member in yeast, is an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in numerous cellular processes, many of which require Rsp5 to interact with PY-motif containing adaptor proteins. Here, we show that two paralogous transmembrane Rsp5 adaptors, Rcr1 and Rcr2, are sorted to distinct cellular locations: Rcr1 is a plasma membrane (PM) protein, whereas Rcr2 is sorted to the vacuole. Rcr2 is delivered to the vacuole using ubiquitin as a sorting signal. Rcr1 is delivered to the PM by the exomer complex using a newly uncovered PM sorting motif. Further, we show that Rcr1, but not Rcr2, is up-regulated via the calcineurin/Crz1 signaling pathway. Upon exogenous calcium treatment, Rcr1 ubiquitinates and down-regulates the chitin synthase Chs3. We propose that the PM-anchored Rsp5/Rcr1 ubiquitin ligase-adaptor complex can provide an acute response to degrade unwanted proteins under stress conditions, thereby maintaining cell integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhu
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Richa Sardana
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Daniel K Jin
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Scott D Emr
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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Qi CY, Jia SL, Liu GL, Chen L, Wei X, Hu Z, Chi ZM, Chi Z. Polymalate (PMA) biosynthesis and its molecular regulation in Aureobasidium spp. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 174:512-518. [PMID: 33548308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
It has been well documented that different strains of Aureobasidium spp. can synthesize and secrete over 30.0 g/L of polymalate (PMA) and the produced PMA has many potential applications in biomaterial, medical and food industries. The substrates for PMA biosynthesis include glucose, xylose, fructose, sucrose and glucose or fructose or xylose or sucrose-containing natural materials from industrial and agricultural wastes. Malate, the only monomer for PMA biosynthesis mainly comes from TCA cycle, cytosolic reduction TCA pathway and the glyoxylate cycle. The PMA synthetase (a NRPS) containing A like domain, T domain and C like domain is responsible for polymerization of malate into PMA molecules by formation of ester bonds between malates. PMA biosynthesis is regulated by the transcriptional activator Crz1 from Ca2+ signaling pathway, the GATA-type transcription factor Gat1 from nitrogen catabolite repression and the GATA-type transcription factor NsdD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong-Yan Qi
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Yushan Road, No. 5, Qingdao, China
| | - Shu-Lei Jia
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Yushan Road, No. 5, Qingdao, China
| | - Guang-Lei Liu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Yushan Road, No. 5, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 266003, China
| | - Lu Chen
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Yushan Road, No. 5, Qingdao, China
| | - Xin Wei
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Yushan Road, No. 5, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhong Hu
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Zhen-Ming Chi
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Yushan Road, No. 5, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 266003, China
| | - Zhe Chi
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Yushan Road, No. 5, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 266003, China.
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Zhang X, Cao S, Li W, Sun H, Deng Y, Zhang A, Chen H. Functional Characterization of Calcineurin-Responsive Transcription Factors Fg01341 and Fg01350 in Fusarium graminearum. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:597998. [PMID: 33324378 PMCID: PMC7726117 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.597998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ca2 +/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin is one of the important regulators of intracellular calcium homeostasis and has been investigated extensively in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, only a few reports have explored the function of the Crz1 homolog in filamentous fungi, especially in Fusarium graminearum. In this study, we identified Fg01341 as a potential ortholog of yeast Crz1. Fg01341 could interact with calcineurin and initiate nuclear transport in a calcineurin-dependent manner. The ΔFg01341 mutant exhibited normal hyphal growth on basic medium and conidia formation, but sexual reproduction was partially blocked. Pathogenicity assays showed that the virulence of the ΔFg01341 mutant in flowering wheat heads and corn silks dramatically decreased and was thus consistent with the reduction in deoxynivalenol production. Unexpectedly, the sensitivity to osmotic stress of the deletion mutant and that of the wild-type strain did not present any differences. The deletion mutant showed higher sensitivity to tebuconazole than the wild-type strain. Results also showed that the transcription factor Fg01350 might be the calcineurin target and was independent of Crz1. Furthermore, ΔFg01350 showed defects in hyphal growth, sexual production, virulence, and deoxynivalenol production. Collectively, the results indicate that these two proteins functionally redundant and that the calcineurin-Crz1-independent pathway is particularly important in F. graminearum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangxiang Zhang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,The Management of Scientific Research, Jiangsu Coastal Area Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Yancheng, China
| | - Shulin Cao
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiyan Sun
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanyu Deng
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Aixiang Zhang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Huaigu Chen
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
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Víglaš J, Olejníková P. Signalling mechanisms involved in stress response to antifungal drugs. Res Microbiol 2020; 172:103786. [PMID: 33038529 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of antifungal resistance is a serious threat in the treatment of mycoses. The primary susceptible fungal cells may evolve a resistance after longer exposure to antifungal agents. The exposure itself causes stress condition, to which the fungus needs to adapt. This review provides detailed description of evolutionary conserved molecular mechanisms contributing to the adaptation response to stress caused by antifungal agents as well as their interconnection. The knowledge may help us to find new ways to delay the emergence of drug resistance as the same mechanisms are used regardless of what antifungal compound causes stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ján Víglaš
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 81237, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Petra Olejníková
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 81237, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Dai M, Liu J, Zhang L, Tan Y, Yan J, Wang J, Nian H. Transcriptome analysis of Cryptococcus humicola under aluminum stress revealed the potential role of the cell wall in aluminum tolerance. Metallomics 2020; 12:1370-1379. [PMID: 32608423 DOI: 10.1039/d0mt00042f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aluminum (Al) toxicity is one of the most important limiting factors for crop yield in acidic soils. Bound Al gets converted into a toxic ionic state (Al3+) in acidic soil. Recent studies have shown that Al can act on the cell walls, cell membranes, organelles, and nuclei of microorganisms and affect substance and energy metabolism. To explore the gene expression at the transcriptional level under Al stress, we sequenced the transcriptome of Cryptococcus humicola, which is a highly Al-resistant yeast strain isolated from acidic soil and tolerates up to 200 mM Al3+. The screening conditions for genes from the control and experimental group were a false discovery rate (FDR) <0.05 and log 2|FC| > 1. A total of 4760 genes were differentially expressed, among which 3066 were upregulated and 1694 were downregulated. These genes control glycometabolism, protein synthesis, lipid metabolism and signalling pathways. Eleven selected differentially expressed genes were further validated using qRT-PCR. The results suggested that Al stress leads to complex responses in C. humicola. The effects of Al on the β-d-glucan and mannose contents and Al accumulation in the cell wall were determined. With an increase in the Al treatment time and concentration, the contents of β-d-glucan and mannose showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. Under Al treatment, the Al content of the cell wall also showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. These results suggested that Al accumulates in the cell wall and the cell wall plays a vital role in the Al resistance of C. humicola. The differentially expressed genes provide a foundation for the further study of Al tolerance in C. humicola.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyao Dai
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
| | - Jia Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
| | - Lei Zhang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
| | - Yong Tan
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
| | - Jinping Yan
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
| | - Juyuan Wang
- Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252000, China
| | - Hongjuan Nian
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
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Squizani ED, Reuwsaat JCV, Lev S, Motta H, Sperotto J, Kaufman-Francis K, Desmarini D, Vainstein MH, Staats CC, Djordjevic JT, Kmetzsch L. Calcium Binding Protein Ncs1 Is Calcineurin Regulated in Cryptococcus neoformans and Essential for Cell Division and Virulence. mSphere 2020; 5:e00761-20. [PMID: 32907953 PMCID: PMC7485688 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00761-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) is crucial for signal transduction in Cryptococcus neoformans, the major cause of fatal fungal meningitis. The calcineurin pathway is the only Ca2+-requiring signaling cascade implicated in cryptococcal stress adaptation and virulence, with Ca2+ binding mediated by the EF-hand domains of the Ca2+ sensor protein calmodulin. In this study, we identified the cryptococcal ortholog of neuronal calcium sensor 1 (Ncs1) as a member of the EF-hand superfamily. We demonstrated that Ncs1 has a role in Ca2+ homeostasis under stress and nonstress conditions, as the ncs1Δ mutant is sensitive to a high Ca2+ concentration and has an elevated basal Ca2+ level. Furthermore, NCS1 expression is induced by Ca2+, with the Ncs1 protein adopting a punctate subcellular distribution. We also demonstrate that, in contrast to the case with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, NCS1 expression in C. neoformans is regulated by the calcineurin pathway via the transcription factor Crz1, as NCS1 expression is reduced by FK506 treatment and CRZ1 deletion. Moreover, the ncs1Δ mutant shares a high temperature and high Ca2+ sensitivity phenotype with the calcineurin and calmodulin mutants (cna1Δ and cam1Δ), and the NCS1 promoter contains two calcineurin/Crz1-dependent response elements (CDRE1). Ncs1 deficiency coincided with reduced growth, characterized by delayed bud emergence and aberrant cell division, and hypovirulence in a mouse infection model. In summary, our data show that Ncs1 has a significant role as a Ca2+ sensor in C. neoformans, working with calcineurin to regulate Ca2+ homeostasis and, consequently, promote fungal growth and virulence.IMPORTANCECryptococcus neoformans is the major cause of fungal meningitis in HIV-infected patients. Several studies have highlighted the important contributions of Ca2+ signaling and homeostasis to the virulence of C. neoformans Here, we identify the cryptococcal ortholog of neuronal calcium sensor 1 (Ncs1) and demonstrate its role in Ca2+ homeostasis, bud emergence, cell cycle progression, and virulence. We also show that Ncs1 function is regulated by the calcineurin/Crz1 signaling cascade. Our work provides evidence of a link between Ca2+ homeostasis and cell cycle progression in C. neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamim Daidrê Squizani
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Sophie Lev
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Heryk Motta
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Julia Sperotto
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Keren Kaufman-Francis
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Desmarini Desmarini
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marilene Henning Vainstein
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Charley Christian Staats
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Julianne T Djordjevic
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lívia Kmetzsch
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Chen SY, Osimiri LC, Chevalier M, Bugaj LJ, Nguyen TH, Greenstein RA, Ng AH, Stewart-Ornstein J, Neves LT, El-Samad H. Optogenetic Control Reveals Differential Promoter Interpretation of Transcription Factor Nuclear Translocation Dynamics. Cell Syst 2020; 11:336-353.e24. [PMID: 32898473 PMCID: PMC7648432 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression is thought to be affected not only by the concentration of transcription factors (TFs) but also the dynamics of their nuclear translocation. Testing this hypothesis requires direct control of TF dynamics. Here, we engineer CLASP, an optogenetic tool for rapid and tunable translocation of a TF of interest. Using CLASP fused to Crz1, we observe that, for the same integrated concentration of nuclear TF over time, changing input dynamics changes target gene expression: pulsatile inputs yield higher expression than continuous inputs, or vice versa, depending on the target gene. Computational modeling reveals that a dose-response saturating at low TF input can yield higher gene expression for pulsatile versus continuous input, and that multi-state promoter activation can yield the opposite behavior. Our integrated tool development and modeling approach characterize promoter responses to Crz1 nuclear translocation dynamics, extracting quantitative features that may help explain the differential expression of target genes. CLASP is a modular optogenetic strategy to control the nuclear localization of transcription factors (TFs) and elicit gene expression from their cognate promoters. CLASP control of Crz1 nuclear localization, coupled with computational modeling, revealed how promoters can differentially decode dynamic transcription factor signals. The integrated strategy of CLASP development and modeling presents a generalized approach to causally investigate the transcriptional consequences of dynamic TF nuclear shuttling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Y Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Lindsey C Osimiri
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; The UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Michael Chevalier
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Lukasz J Bugaj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Taylor H Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - R A Greenstein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, George Williams Hooper Foundation, Tetrad Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Andrew H Ng
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; The UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Cell Design Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jacob Stewart-Ornstein
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Lauren T Neves
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Hana El-Samad
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Cell Design Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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Schmidt O, Weyer Y, Sprenger S, Widerin MA, Eising S, Baumann V, Angelova M, Loewith R, Stefan CJ, Hess MW, Fröhlich F, Teis D. TOR complex 2 (TORC2) signaling and the ESCRT machinery cooperate in the protection of plasma membrane integrity in yeast. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:12028-12044. [PMID: 32611771 PMCID: PMC7443507 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) mediate evolutionarily conserved membrane remodeling processes. Here, we used budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to explore how the ESCRT machinery contributes to plasma membrane (PM) homeostasis. We found that in response to reduced membrane tension and inhibition of TOR complex 2 (TORC2), ESCRT-III/Vps4 assemblies form at the PM and help maintain membrane integrity. In turn, the growth of ESCRT mutants strongly depended on TORC2-mediated homeostatic regulation of sphingolipid (SL) metabolism. This was caused by calcineurin-dependent dephosphorylation of Orm2, a repressor of SL biosynthesis. Calcineurin activity impaired Orm2 export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and thereby hampered its subsequent endosome and Golgi-associated degradation (EGAD). The ensuing accumulation of Orm2 at the ER in ESCRT mutants necessitated TORC2 signaling through its downstream kinase Ypk1, which repressed Orm2 and prevented a detrimental imbalance of SL metabolism. Our findings reveal compensatory cross-talk between the ESCRT machinery, calcineurin/TORC2 signaling, and the EGAD pathway important for the regulation of SL biosynthesis and the maintenance of PM homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Schmidt
- Institute for Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Yannick Weyer
- Institute for Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Simon Sprenger
- Institute for Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael A Widerin
- Institute for Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sebastian Eising
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Verena Baumann
- Institute for Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mihaela Angelova
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robbie Loewith
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christopher J Stefan
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael W Hess
- Institute for Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florian Fröhlich
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - David Teis
- Institute for Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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42
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LeBlanc EV, Polvi EJ, Veri AO, Privé GG, Cowen LE. Structure-guided approaches to targeting stress responses in human fungal pathogens. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:14458-14472. [PMID: 32796038 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.013731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi inhabit extraordinarily diverse ecological niches, including the human body. Invasive fungal infections have a devastating impact on human health worldwide, killing ∼1.5 million individuals annually. The majority of these deaths are attributable to species of Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus Treating fungal infections is challenging, in part due to the emergence of resistance to our limited arsenal of antifungal agents, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic options. Whereas conventional antifungal strategies target proteins or cellular components essential for fungal growth, an attractive alternative strategy involves targeting proteins that regulate fungal virulence or antifungal drug resistance, such as regulators of fungal stress responses. Stress response networks enable fungi to adapt, grow, and cause disease in humans and include regulators that are highly conserved across eukaryotes as well as those that are fungal-specific. This review highlights recent developments in elucidating crystal structures of fungal stress response regulators and emphasizes how this knowledge can guide the design of fungal-selective inhibitors. We focus on the progress that has been made with highly conserved regulators, including the molecular chaperone Hsp90, the protein phosphatase calcineurin, and the small GTPase Ras1, as well as with divergent stress response regulators, including the cell wall kinase Yck2 and trehalose synthases. Exploring structures of these important fungal stress regulators will accelerate the design of selective antifungals that can be deployed to combat life-threatening fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle V LeBlanc
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth J Polvi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda O Veri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gilbert G Privé
- Departments of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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43
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Wang K, Chi Z, Liu GL, Qi CY, Jiang H, Hu Z, Chi ZM. A novel PMA synthetase is the key enzyme for polymalate biosynthesis and its gene is regulated by a calcium signaling pathway in Aureobasidium melanogenum ATCC62921. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 156:1053-1063. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.11.188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Leech CM, Flynn MJ, Arsenault HE, Ou J, Liu H, Zhu LJ, Benanti JA. The coordinate actions of calcineurin and Hog1 mediate the stress response through multiple nodes of the cell cycle network. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008600. [PMID: 32343701 PMCID: PMC7209309 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon exposure to environmental stressors, cells transiently arrest the cell cycle while they adapt and restore homeostasis. A challenge for all cells is to distinguish between stress signals and coordinate the appropriate adaptive response with cell cycle arrest. Here we investigate the role of the phosphatase calcineurin (CN) in the stress response and demonstrate that CN activates the Hog1/p38 pathway in both yeast and human cells. In yeast, the MAPK Hog1 is transiently activated in response to several well-studied osmostressors. We show that when a stressor simultaneously activates CN and Hog1, CN disrupts Hog1-stimulated negative feedback to prolong Hog1 activation and the period of cell cycle arrest. Regulation of Hog1 by CN also contributes to inactivation of multiple cell cycle-regulatory transcription factors (TFs) and the decreased expression of cell cycle-regulated genes. CN-dependent downregulation of G1/S genes is dependent upon Hog1 activation, whereas CN inactivates G2/M TFs through a combination of Hog1-dependent and -independent mechanisms. These findings demonstrate that CN and Hog1 act in a coordinated manner to inhibit multiple nodes of the cell cycle-regulatory network. Our results suggest that crosstalk between CN and stress-activated MAPKs helps cells tailor their adaptive responses to specific stressors. In order to survive exposure to environmental stress, cells transiently arrest the cell division cycle while they adapt to the stress. Several kinases and phosphatases are known to control stress adaptation programs, but the extent to which these signaling pathways work together to tune the stress response is not well understood. This study investigates the role of the phosphatase calcineurin in the stress response and shows that calcineurin inhibits the cell cycle in part by stimulating the activity of the Hog1/p-38 stress-activated MAPK in both yeast and human cells. Crosstalk between stress response pathways may help cells mount specific responses to diverse stressors and to survive changes in their environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra M. Leech
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mackenzie J. Flynn
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Heather E. Arsenault
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jianhong Ou
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Haibo Liu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jennifer A. Benanti
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Diessl J, Nandy A, Schug C, Habernig L, Büttner S. Stable and destabilized GFP reporters to monitor calcineurin activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 7:106-114. [PMID: 32274389 PMCID: PMC7136757 DOI: 10.15698/mic2020.04.713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The protein phosphatase calcineurin is activated in response to rising intracellular Ca2+ levels and impacts fundamental cellular processes in organisms ranging from yeast to humans. In fungi, calcineurin orchestrates cellular adaptation to diverse environmental challenges and is essential for virulence of pathogenic species. To enable rapid and large-scale assessment of calcineurin activity in living, unperturbed yeast cells, we have generated stable and destabilized GFP transcriptional reporters under the control of a calcineurin-dependent response element (CDRE). Using the reporters, we show that the rapid dynamics of calcineurin activation and deactivation can be followed by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. This system is compatible with live/dead staining that excludes confounding dead cells from the analysis. The reporters provide technology to monitor calcineurin dynamics during stress and ageing and may serve as a drug-screening platform to identify novel antifungal compounds that selectively target calcineurin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutta Diessl
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, the Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arpita Nandy
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, the Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christina Schug
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, the Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lukas Habernig
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, the Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sabrina Büttner
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, the Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, A-8010 Graz, Austria
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46
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Park HS, Lee SC, Cardenas ME, Heitman J. Calcium-Calmodulin-Calcineurin Signaling: A Globally Conserved Virulence Cascade in Eukaryotic Microbial Pathogens. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 26:453-462. [PMID: 31600499 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2019.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Calcium is an abundant intracellular ion, and calcium homeostasis plays crucial roles in several cellular processes. The calcineurin signaling cascade is one of the major pathways governed by intracellular calcium. Calcineurin, a conserved protein from yeast to humans, is a calcium-calmodulin-dependent serine-threonine-specific phosphatase that orchestrates cellular stress responses. In eukaryotic microbial pathogens, calcineurin controls essential virulence pathways, such as the ability to grow at host temperature, morphogenesis to enable invasive hyphal growth, drug tolerance and resistance, cell wall integrity, and sexual development. Therefore, the calcineurin cascade is an attractive target in drug development against eukaryotic pathogens. In the present review, we summarize and discuss the current knowledge on the roles of calcineurin in eukaryotic microbial pathogens, focusing on fungi and parasitic protists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Soo Park
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Chan Lee
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID), Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Maria E Cardenas
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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47
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Li Y, Ren H, Zhao Y, Sun J, Fan Y, Jin D, Pei Y. Characterization of three FK506-binding proteins in the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. J Invertebr Pathol 2020; 171:107334. [PMID: 32006551 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2020.107334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
FK506 binding proteins (FKBPs) participate in regulation of diverse biological processes. However, the role of these proteins in insect-pathogenic fungi is far from well understood. To investigate the functions of FKBPs in Beauveria bassiana, a widely used entomopathogenic fungus for control of insect pests, we identify three putative FKBP genes, Bbfkbp12, Bbfkbp15, and Bbfkbp50, in the fungus. Gene-disruption experiments show that loss of Bbfkbp12 results in a significant increase of resistance of B. bassiana against the immunosuppressive compounds FK506 and rapamycin, while loss of Bbfkbp50 leads to the resistance to the ergosterol synthesis inhibitor lovastatin. Transcription assays of calcineurin (CaN)- and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin)-downstream target genes confirm that BbFKBP12 is the target of both FK506 and rapamycin, associated with CaN- and mTOR-signal pathways in B. bassiana. GFP-tagging of the proteins shows that BbFKBP12 and BbFKBP15 localize in cytoplasm while BbFKBP50 in nucleus. Our results provide useful information for the study of functions of CaN- and mTOR-mediated signaling, and ergosterol synthesis in the entomopathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Li
- Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Hui Ren
- Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Yutao Zhao
- Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Jiyuan Sun
- Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Yanhua Fan
- Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Dan Jin
- Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Yan Pei
- Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400716, China.
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Shishodia SK, Tiwari S, Hoda S, Vijayaraghavan P, Shankar J. SEM and qRT-PCR revealed quercetin inhibits morphogenesis of Aspergillus flavus conidia via modulating calcineurin-Crz1 signalling pathway. Mycology 2020; 11:118-125. [PMID: 32923020 PMCID: PMC7448844 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2020.1711826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS exploits diverse mechanisms to survive during exposure to antifungal agents including morphogenesis. Germination of dormant conidia involves cascades of reactions integrated into the signalling pathway. This study documents the effect of phytochemical-quercetin on A. flavus during germination of conidia using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Significant inhibition of conidial swelling of A. flavus in comparison to control was observed at 4 and 7 h Quantitative real-time PCR for genes from calcium signalling pathway and heat-shock proteins family showed up-regulation of heat shock (Hsp70 and Hsp90) and calcium signalling pathway genes (calcium-transporting ATPase and calmodulin) in response to quercetin at initial 4 h in comparison to control sample whereas up-regulation of Hsp70, calcineurin and transcription factor Crz1, were observed in both the treated samples. Gene encoding for calcium-kinase, cAMP, Rho-gdp, Plc and Pkc showed a constitutively higher level of expression in quercetin-treated sample in comparison to control at both time points. These data showed a clear response from genes encoding calcineurin-Crz1 signalling pathways and may find its application in the screening of antifungal agents. ABBREVIATIONS Hsp: Hear shock protein; MIC: Minimum Inhibitory Concentration; SEM: Scanning Electron Microscopy; qRT-PCR: Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia K. Shishodia
- Genomics laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
| | - Shraddha Tiwari
- Genomics laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
| | - Shanu Hoda
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | | | - Jata Shankar
- Genomics laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
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Xu H, Fang T, Omran RP, Whiteway M, Jiang L. RNA sequencing reveals an additional Crz1-binding motif in promoters of its target genes in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:1. [PMID: 31900175 PMCID: PMC6942403 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0473-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The calcium/calcineurin signaling pathway is mediated by the transcription factors NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) in mammals and Crz1 (calcineurin-responsive zinc finger 1) in yeasts and other lower eukaryotes. A previous microarray analysis identified a putative Crz1-binding motif in promoters of its target genes in Candida albicans, but it has not been experimentally demonstrated. Methods An inactivation mutant for CaCRZ1 was generated through CRISPR/Cas9 approach. Transcript profiling was carried out by RNA sequencing of the wild type and the inactivation mutant for CaCRZ1 in response to 0.2 M CaCl2. Gene promoters were scanned by the online MEME (Multiple Em for Motif Elicitation) software. Gel electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis were used for in vitro and in vivo CaCrz1-binding experiments, respectively. Results RNA sequencing reveals that expression of 219 genes is positively, and expression of 59 genes is negatively, controlled by CaCrz1 in response to calcium stress. These genes function in metabolism, cell cycling, protein fate, cellular transport, signal transduction, transcription, and cell wall biogenesis. Forty of these positively regulated 219 genes have previously been identified by DNA microarray analysis. Promoter analysis of these common 40 genes reveals a consensus motif [5′-GGAGGC(G/A)C(T/A)G-3′], which is different from the putative CaCrz1-binding motif [5′-G(C/T)GGT-3′] identified in the previous study, but similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae ScCrz1-binding motif [5′-GNGGC(G/T)CA-3′]. EMSA and ChIP assays indicate that CaCrz1 binds in vitro and in vivo to both motifs in the promoter of its target gene CaUTR2. Promoter mutagenesis demonstrates that these two CaCrz1-binding motifs play additive roles in the regulation of CaUTR2 expression. In addition, the CaCRZ1 gene is positively regulated by CaCrz1. CaCrz1 can bind in vitro and in vivo to its own promoter, suggesting an autoregulatory mechanism for CaCRZ1 expression. Conclusions CaCrz1 differentially binds to promoters of its target genes to regulate their expression in response to calcium stress. CaCrz1 also regulates its own expression through the 5′-TGAGGGACTG-3′ site in its promoter. Video abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Xu
- Laboratory for Yeast Molecular and Cell Biology, Department of Food Science, School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Tianshu Fang
- Laboratory for Yeast Molecular and Cell Biology, Department of Food Science, School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Raha Parvizi Omran
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Malcolm Whiteway
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Linghuo Jiang
- Laboratory for Yeast Molecular and Cell Biology, Department of Food Science, School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, China.
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Ariño J, Velázquez D, Casamayor A. Ser/Thr protein phosphatases in fungi: structure, regulation and function. MICROBIAL CELL 2019; 6:217-256. [PMID: 31114794 PMCID: PMC6506691 DOI: 10.15698/mic2019.05.677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Reversible phospho-dephosphorylation of proteins is a major mechanism for the control of cellular functions. By large, Ser and Thr are the most frequently residues phosphorylated in eukar-yotes. Removal of phosphate from these amino acids is catalyzed by a large family of well-conserved enzymes, collectively called Ser/Thr protein phosphatases. The activity of these enzymes has an enormous impact on cellular functioning. In this work we pre-sent the members of this family in S. cerevisiae and other fungal species, and review the most recent findings concerning their regu-lation and the roles they play in the most diverse aspects of cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Ariño
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diego Velázquez
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Casamayor
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular and Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
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