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Kadooka C, Tanaka Y, Kishida R, Hira D, Oka T. Discovery of α-(1→6)-linked mannan structures resembling yeast N-glycan outer chains in Aspergillus fumigatus mycelium. mSphere 2024; 9:e0010024. [PMID: 38651868 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00100-24] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The cellular surface of the pathogenic filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is enveloped in a mannose layer, featuring well-established fungal-type galactomannan and O-mannose-type galactomannan. This study reports the discovery of cell wall component in A. fumigatus mycelium, which resembles N-glycan outer chains found in yeast. The glycosyltransferases involved in its biosynthesis in A. fumigatus were identified, with a focus on two key α-(1→2)-mannosyltransferases, Mnn2 and Mnn5, and two α-(1→6)-mannosyltransferases, Mnn9 and Van1. In vitro examination revealed the roles of recombinant Mnn2 and Mnn5 in transferring α-(1→2)-mannosyl residues. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) analysis of cell wall extracts from the ∆mnn2∆mnn5 strain indicated the existence of an α-(1→6)-linked mannan backbone in the A. fumigatus mycelium, with Mnn2 and Mnn5 adding α-(1→2)-mannosyl residues to this backbone. The α-(1→6)-linked mannan backbone was absent in strains where mnn9 or van1 was disrupted in the parental ∆mnn2∆mnn5 strain in A. fumigatus. Mnn9 and Van1 functioned as α-(1→6)-linked mannan polymerases in heterodimers when co-expressed in Escherichia coli, indicating their crucial role in biosynthesizing the α-(1→6)-linked mannan backbone. Disruptions of these mannosyltransferases did not affect fungal-type galactomannan biosynthesis. This study provides insights into the complexity of fungal cell wall architecture and a better understanding of mannan biosynthesis in A. fumigatus. IMPORTANCE This study unravels the complexities of mannan biosynthesis in A. fumigatus, a key area for antifungal drug discovery. It reveals the presence of α-(1→6)-linked mannan structures resembling yeast N-glycan outer chains in A. fumigatus mycelium, offering fresh insights into the fungal cell wall's design. Key enzymes, Mnn2, Mnn5, Mnn9, and Van1, are instrumental in this process, with Mnn2 and Mnn5 adding specific mannose residues and Mnn9 and Van1 assembling the α-(1→6)-linked mannan structures. Although fungal-type galactomannan's presence in the cell wall is known, the existence of an α-(1→6)-linked mannan adds a new dimension to our understanding. This intricate web of mannan biosynthesis opens avenues for further exploration and enhances our understanding of fungal cell wall dynamics, paving the way for targeted drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Kadooka
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Sojo University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yutaka Tanaka
- Division of Infection and Host Defense, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Rintaro Kishida
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Sojo University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Daisuke Hira
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Sojo University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takuji Oka
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Sojo University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Chakraborty A, Alsharqi L, Kostrzewa M, Armstrong-James D, Larrouy-Maumus G. Intact cell lipidomics using the Bruker MBT lipid Xtract assay allows the rapid detection of glycosyl-inositol-phospho-ceramides from Aspergillus fumigatus. Mol Omics 2024. [PMID: 38623711 DOI: 10.1039/d4mo00030g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Glycosyl-inositol-phospho-ceramides (GIPCs) or glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored fungal polysaccharides are major lipids in plant and fungal plasma membranes and play an important role in stress adaption. However, their analysis remains challenging due to the multiple steps involved in their extraction and purification prior to mass spectrometry analysis. To address this challenge, we report here a novel simplified method to identify GIPCs from Aspergillus fumigatus using the new Bruker MBT lipid Xtract assay. A. fumigatus reference strains and clinical isolates were cultured, harvested, heat-inactivated and suspended in double-distilled water. A fraction of this fungal preparation was then dried in a microtube, mixed with an MBT lipid Xtract matrix (Bruker Daltonik, Germany) and loaded onto a MALDI target plate. Analysis was performed using a Bruker MALDI Biotyper Sirius system in the linear negative ion mode. Mass spectra were scanned from m/z 700 to m/z 2 000. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of cultured fungi showed a clear signature of GIPCs in Aspergillus fumigatus reference strains and clinical isolates. Here, we have demonstrated that routine MALDI-TOF in the linear negative ion mode combined with the MBT lipid Xtract is able to detect Aspergillus fumigatus GIPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishani Chakraborty
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Leila Alsharqi
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | | | - Darius Armstrong-James
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Gerald Larrouy-Maumus
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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Matos GS, Fernandes CM, Del Poeta M. Role of sphingolipids in the host-pathogen interaction. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2023; 1868:159384. [PMID: 37673393 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2023.159384] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens have been under the spotlight as their expanding geographic range combined with their potential harm to vulnerable populations turns them into increasingly threats to public health. Therefore, it is ultimately important to unveil the mechanisms associated with their infection process for further new treatment discovery. With this purpose, sphingolipid-based research has gained attention over the last years as these molecules have key properties that can regulate fungal pathogenicity. Here we discuss some of these properties as well as their role in fungal diseases, focusing on the subgroup of glycosphingolipids, as they represent promising molecules for drug discovery and for the development of fungal vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Soares Matos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | | | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery (ICB&DD), Stony Brook, NY, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport, NY, USA.
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Whole Genome Sequencing and Comparative Genomics of Indian Isolates of Wheat Spot Blotch Pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana Reveals Expansion of Pathogenicity Gene Clusters. Pathogens 2022; 12:pathogens12010001. [PMID: 36678349 PMCID: PMC9865733 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Spot blotch is a highly destructive disease in wheat caused by the fungal pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana (teleomorph, Cochliobolus sativus). It is prevalent in warm and humid areas, including Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the USA. In the present study, twelve isolates of B. sorokiniana were collected from wheat fields in three different geographical locations in India. The pathogenicity of seven sporulating isolates was assessed on 'DDK 1025', a spot blotch-susceptible wheat variety under greenhouse conditions. The isolate 'D2' illustrated the highest virulence, followed by 'SI' and 'BS52'. These three isolates were sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq1000 platform. The estimated genome sizes of the isolates BS52, D2, and SI were 35.19 MB, 39.32 MB, and 32.76 MB, with GC contents of 48.48%, 50.43%, and 49.42%, respectively. The numbers of pathogenicity genes identified in BS52, D2, and SI isolates were 2015, 2476, and 2018, respectively. Notably, the isolate D2 exhibited a relatively larger genome with expanded arsenals of Biosynthetic Gene Clusters (BGCs), CAZymes, secretome, and pathogenicity genes, which could have contributed to its higher virulence among the tested isolates. This study provides the first comparative genome analysis of the Indian isolates of B. sorokiniana using whole genome sequencing.
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Seegers CII, Roth IR, Zarnovican P, Buettner FFR, Routier FH. Characterisation of a gene cluster involved in aspergillus fumigatus zwitterionic glycosphingolipid synthesis. Glycobiology 2022; 32:814-824. [PMID: 35713520 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwac036] [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: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus synthesises the zwitterionic glycolipid Manα1,3Manα1,6GlcNα1,2IPC, named Af3c. Similar glycosphingolipids having a glucosamine (GlcN) linked in α1,2 to inositolphosphoceramide (IPC) as core structure have only been described in a few pathogenic fungi. Here, we describe an Ammophilus fumigatus cluster of 5 genes (AFUA_8G02040 to AFUA_8G02090) encoding proteins required for the glycan part of the glycosphingolipid Af3c. Besides the already characterised UDP-GlcNAc:IPC α1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GntA), the cluster encodes a putative UDP-GlcNAc transporter (NstA), a GlcNAc de-N-acetylase (GdaA), and two mannosyltransferases (OchC and ClpC). The function of these proteins was inferred from analysis of the glycolipids extracted from A. fumigatus strains deficient in one of the genes. Moreover, successive introduction of the genes encoding GntA, GdaA, OchC and ClpC in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae enabled the reconstitution of the Af3c biosynthetic pathway. Absence of Af3c slightly reduced the virulence of A. fumigatus in a Galleria mellonella infection model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla I I Seegers
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry, OE4340, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Isabel Ramón Roth
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry, OE4340, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Patricia Zarnovican
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry, OE4340, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Falk F R Buettner
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry, OE4340, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Françoise H Routier
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry, OE4340, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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Harvey DJ. ANALYSIS OF CARBOHYDRATES AND GLYCOCONJUGATES BY MATRIX-ASSISTED LASER DESORPTION/IONIZATION MASS SPECTROMETRY: AN UPDATE FOR 2015-2016. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2021; 40:408-565. [PMID: 33725404 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This review is the ninth update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2016. Also included are papers that describe methods appropriate to analysis by MALDI, such as sample preparation techniques, even though the ionization method is not MALDI. Topics covered in the first part of the review include general aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, fragmentation and arrays. The second part of the review is devoted to applications to various structural types such as oligo- and poly-saccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides and biopharmaceuticals. Much of this material is presented in tabular form. The third part of the review covers medical and industrial applications of the technique, studies of enzyme reactions and applications to chemical synthesis. The reported work shows increasing use of combined new techniques such as ion mobility and the enormous impact that MALDI imaging is having. MALDI, although invented over 30 years ago is still an ideal technique for carbohydrate analysis and advancements in the technique and range of applications show no sign of deminishing. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Harvey
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Target Discovery Institute, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, United Kingdom
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Saromi K, England P, Tang W, Kostrzewa M, Corran A, Woscholski R, Larrouy-Maumus G. Rapid glycosyl-inositol-phospho-ceramide fingerprint from filamentous fungal pathogens using the MALDI Biotyper Sirius system. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2020; 34:e8904. [PMID: 32700347 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Glycosyl-inositol-phospho-ceramides (GIPCs) or glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored fungal polysaccharides are known to be major lipids in plant and fungal plasma membranes and to play an important role in stress adaption. However, their analysis remains challenging due to the several steps involved for their extractions and purifications prior to mass spectrometric analysis. To address this challenge, we developed a rapid and sensitive method to identify GIPCs from the four common fungal plant pathogens Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium graminearium, Neurospora crassa and Ustilago maydis. METHODS Fungal plant pathogens were cultured, harvested, heat-inactivated and washed three times with double-distilled water. Intact fungi were deposited on a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) target plate, mixed with the matrix consisting of a 9:1 mixture of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid solubilized at 10 mg/mL in chloroform-methanol (9:1 v/v) and analyzed using a Bruker MALDI Biotyper Sirius system in the linear negative ion mode. Mass spectra were acquired from m/z 700 to 2000. RESULTS MALDI time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometric analysis of cultured fungi showed clear signature of GIPCs in B. cinerea, F. graminearium, N. crassa and U. maydis. CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated that routine MALDI-TOF in the linear negative ion mode combined with an apolar solvent system to solubilize the matrix is applicable to the detection of filamentous fungal GIPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kofo Saromi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Institute of Chemical Biology (ICB), Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Philippa England
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Wenhao Tang
- Department of Mathematics, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | - Andy Corran
- Syngenta Group, Bioscience, Jealott's Hill Research Station, Bracknell RG42 6EY, UK
| | - Rudiger Woscholski
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Institute of Chemical Biology (ICB), Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Gerald Larrouy-Maumus
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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Galactomannan Produced by Aspergillus fumigatus: An Update on the Structure, Biosynthesis and Biological Functions of an Emblematic Fungal Biomarker. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6040283. [PMID: 33198419 PMCID: PMC7712326 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The galactomannan (GM) that is produced by the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is an emblematic biomarker in medical mycology. The GM is composed of two monosaccharides: mannose and galactofuranose. The furanic configuration of galactose residues, absent in mammals, is responsible for the antigenicity of the GM and has favoured the development of ELISA tests to diagnose aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. The GM that is produced by A. fumigatus is a unique fungal polysaccharide containing a tetramannoside repeat unit and having three different forms: (i) membrane bound through a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor, (ii) covalently linked to β-1,3-glucans in the cell wall, or (iii) released in the culture medium as a free polymer. Recent studies have revealed the crucial role of the GM during vegetative and polarized fungal growth. This review highlights these recent data on its biosynthetic pathway and its biological functions during the saprophytic and pathogenic life of this opportunistic human fungal pathogen.
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Abstract
Filamentous and dimorphic fungi cause invasive mycoses associated with high mortality rates. Among the fungal determinants involved in the establishment of infection, glycosphingolipids (GSLs) have gained increased interest in the last few decades. GSLs are ubiquitous membrane components that have been isolated from both filamentous and dimorphic species and play a crucial role in polarized growth as well as hypha-to-yeast transition. In fungi, two major classes of GSLs are found: neutral and acidic GSLs. Neutral GSLs comprise glucosylceramide and galactosylceramide, which utilize Δ4-Δ8-9-methyl-sphingadienine as a sphingoid base, linked to a C16-18 fatty acid chain, forming ceramide, and to a sugar residue, such as glucose or galactose. In contrast, acidic GSLs include glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides (GIPCs), composed of phytosphingosine attached to a long or very long fatty acid chain (C18-26) and to diverse and complex glycan groups via an inositol-phosphate linker. GIPCs are absent in mammalian cells, while fungal glucosylceramide and galactosylceramide are present but diverge structurally from their counterparts. Therefore, these compounds and their biosynthetic pathways represent potential targets for the development of selective therapeutic strategies. In this minireview, we discuss the enzymatic steps involved in the production of fungal GSLs, analyze their structure, and address the role of the currently characterized genes in the biology and pathogenesis of filamentous and dimorphic fungi.
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Li J, Mouyna I, Henry C, Moyrand F, Malosse C, Chamot-Rooke J, Janbon G, Latgé JP, Fontaine T. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Anchors from Galactomannan and GPI-Anchored Protein Are Synthesized by Distinct Pathways in Aspergillus fumigatus. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 4:E19. [PMID: 29393895 PMCID: PMC5872322 DOI: 10.3390/jof4010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) are lipid anchors allowing the exposure of proteins at the outer layer of the plasma membrane. In fungi, a number of GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) are involved in the remodeling of the cell wall polymers. GPIs follow a specific biosynthetic pathway in the endoplasmic reticulum. After the transfer of the protein onto the GPI-anchor, a lipid remodeling occurs to substitute the diacylglycerol moiety by a ceramide. In addition to GPI-APs, A. fumigatus produces a GPI-anchored polysaccharide, the galactomannan (GM), that remains unique in the fungal kingdom. To investigate the role of the GPI pathway in the biosynthesis of the GM and cell wall organization, the deletion of PER1-coding for a phospholipase required for the first step of the GPI lipid remodeling-was undertaken. Biochemical characterization of the GPI-anchor isolated from GPI-APs showed that the PER1 deficient mutant produced a lipid anchor with a diacylglycerol. The absence of a ceramide on GPI-anchors in the Δper1 mutant led to a mislocation of GPI-APs and to an alteration of the composition of the cell wall alkali-insoluble fraction. On the other hand, the GM isolated from the Δper1 mutant membranes possesses a ceramide moiety as the parental strain, showing that GPI anchor of the GM follow a distinct unknown biosynthetic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jizhou Li
- Unité des Aspergillus, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Isabelle Mouyna
- Unité des Aspergillus, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Christine Henry
- Unité des Aspergillus, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Frédérique Moyrand
- Unité de Biologie des ARN des Pathogènes Fongiques, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Christian Malosse
- Unité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie, Institut Pasteur, CNRS USR 2000, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Julia Chamot-Rooke
- Unité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie, Institut Pasteur, CNRS USR 2000, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Guilhem Janbon
- Unité de Biologie des ARN des Pathogènes Fongiques, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Jean-Paul Latgé
- Unité des Aspergillus, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Thierry Fontaine
- Unité des Aspergillus, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
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Sphingolipids from the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Biochimie 2017; 141:9-15. [PMID: 28652019 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2017.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Sphingolipids (SPLs) are key components of the plasma membrane in yeast and filamentous fungi. These molecules are involved in a number of cellular processes, and particularly, SGLs are essential components of the highly polarized fungal growth where they are required for the formation of the polarisome organization at the hyphal apex. Aspergillus fumigatus, a human fungal pathogen, produce SGLs that are discriminated into neutral cerebrosides, glycosylinositolphosphoceramides (GIPCs) and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors. In addition to complex hydrophilic head groups of GIPCs, A. fumigatus is, to date, the sole fungus that produces a GPI-anchored polysaccharide. These SPLs follow three different biosynthetic pathways. Genetics blockage leading to the inhibition of any SPL biosynthesis or to the alteration of the structure of SPL induces growth and virulence defects. The complete lipid moiety of SPLs is essential for the lipid microdomain organization and their biosynthetic pathways are potential antifungal targets but remains understudied.
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