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Peng M, Cardoso JCR, Power DM. Evolution of chitin-synthase in molluscs and their response to ocean acidification. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2024; 201:108192. [PMID: 39255869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108192] [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: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
Chitin-synthase (CHS) is found in most eukaryotes and has a complex evolutionary history. Research into CHS has mainly been in the context of biomineralization of mollusc shells an area of high interest due to the consequences of ocean acidification. Exploration of CHS at the genomic level in molluscs, the evolution of isoforms, their tissue distribution, and response to environmental challenges are largely unknown. Exploiting the extensive molecular resources for mollusc species it is revealed that bivalves possess the largest number of CHS genes (12-22) reported to date in eukaryotes. The evolutionary tree constructed at the class level of molluscs indicates four CHS Type II isoforms (A-D) probably existed in the most recent common ancestor, and Type II-A (Type II-A-1/Type II-A-2) and Type II-C (Type II-C-1/Type II-C-2) underwent further differentiation. Non-specific loss of CHS isoforms occurred at the class level, and in some Type II (B-D groups) isoforms the myosin head domain, which is associated with shell formation, was not preserved and highly species-specific tissue expression of CHS isoforms occurred. These observations strongly support the idea of CHS functional diversification with shell biomineralization being one of several important functions. Analysis of transcriptome data uncovered the species-specific potential of CHS isoforms in shell formation and a species-specific response to ocean acidification (OA). The impact of OA was not CHS isoform-dependent although in Mytilus, Type I-B and Type II-D gene expression was down-regulated in both M. galloprovincialis and M. coruscus. In summary, during CHS evolution the gene family expanded in bivalves generating a large diversity of isoforms with different structures and with a ubiquitous tissue distribution suggesting that chitin is involved in many biological functions. These findings provide insight into CHS evolution in molluscs and lay the foundation for research into their function and response to environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoxiao Peng
- Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, Centre of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - João C R Cardoso
- Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, Centre of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Deborah M Power
- Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, Centre of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Yang J, Li B, Pan YT, Wang P, Sun ML, Kim KT, Sun H, Ye JR, Jiao Z, Lee YH, Huang L. Phospho-code of a conserved transcriptional factor underpins fungal virulence. BMC Biol 2024; 22:179. [PMID: 39183278 PMCID: PMC11346053 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01978-y] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell wall integrity (CWI) is crucial for fungal growth, pathogenesis, and adaptation to extracellular environments. Calcofluor white (CFW) is a cell wall perturbant that inhibits fungal growth, yet little is known about how phytopathogenic fungi respond to the CFW-induced stress. RESULTS In this study, we unveiled a significant discovery that CFW triggered the translocation of the transcription factor CgCrzA from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. This translocation was regulated by an interacting protein, CgMkk1, a mitogen-activated protein kinase involved in the CWI pathway. Further analysis revealed that CgMkk1 facilitated nuclear translocation by phosphorylating CgCrzA at the Ser280 residue. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, we identified two downstream targets of CgCrzA, namely CgCHS5 and CgCHS6, which are critical for growth, cell wall integrity, and pathogenicity as chitin synthase genes. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide a novel insight into the regulatory mechanism of CgMkk1-CgCrzA-CgChs5/6, which enables response of the cell wall inhibitor CFW and facilitates infectious growth for C. gloeosporioides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyun Yang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210037, China
| | - Bing Li
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China.
| | - Yu-Ting Pan
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210037, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210037, China
| | - Mei-Ling Sun
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210037, China
| | - Ki-Tae Kim
- Department of Agricultural Life Science, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, 57922, Korea
| | - Hui Sun
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210037, China
| | - Jian-Ren Ye
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210037, China
| | - Zhen Jiao
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Yong-Hwan Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Lin Huang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210037, China.
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Jin D, Li C, Chen X, Wang Y, Al-Rasheid KAS, Stover NA, Shao C, Zhang T. Decryption of the survival "black box": gene family expansion promotes the encystment in ciliated protists. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:286. [PMID: 38500030 PMCID: PMC10946202 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10207-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Encystment is an important survival strategy extensively employed by microbial organisms to survive unfavorable conditions. Single-celled ciliated protists (ciliates) are popular model eukaryotes for studying encystment, whereby these cells degenerate their ciliary structures and develop cyst walls, then reverse the process under more favorable conditions. However, to date, the evolutionary basis and mechanism for encystment in ciliates is largely unknown. With the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technologies, genome sequencing and comparative genomics of ciliates have become effective methods to provide insights into above questions. RESULTS Here, we profiled the MAC genome of Pseudourostyla cristata, a model hypotrich ciliate for encystment studies. Like other hypotrich MAC genomes, the P. cristata MAC genome is extremely fragmented with a single gene on most chromosomes, and encodes introns that are generally small and lack a conserved branch point for pre-mRNA splicing. Gene family expansion analyses indicate that multiple gene families involved in the encystment are expanded during the evolution of P. cristata. Furthermore, genomic comparisons with other five representative hypotrichs indicate that gene families of phosphorelay sensor kinase, which play a role in the two-component signal transduction system that is related to encystment, show significant expansion among all six hypotrichs. Additionally, cyst wall-related chitin synthase genes have experienced structural changes that increase them from single-exon to multi-exon genes during evolution. These genomic features potentially promote the encystment in hypotrichs and enhance their ability to survive in adverse environments during evolution. CONCLUSIONS We systematically investigated the genomic structure of hypotrichs and key evolutionary phenomenon, gene family expansion, for encystment promotion in ciliates. In summary, our results provided insights into the evolutionary mechanism of encystment in ciliates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didi Jin
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolution of Protozoa in Wetland, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
| | - Chao Li
- Key Laboratory of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education), and Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Laboratory of Marine Protozoan Biodiversity and Evolution, Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, 264209, China
- Suzhou Research Institute, Shandong University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yurui Wang
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolution of Protozoa in Wetland, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
| | - Khaled A S Al-Rasheid
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naomi A Stover
- Department of Biology, Bradley University, Peoria, 61625, USA
| | - Chen Shao
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolution of Protozoa in Wetland, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China.
| | - Tengteng Zhang
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolution of Protozoa in Wetland, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China.
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Vandepas LE, Tassia MG, Halanych KM, Amemiya CT. Unexpected Distribution of Chitin and Chitin Synthase across Soft-Bodied Cnidarians. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050777. [PMID: 37238647 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cnidarians are commonly recognized as sea jellies, corals, or complex colonies such as the Portuguese man-of-war. While some cnidarians possess rigid internal calcareous skeletons (e.g., corals), many are soft-bodied. Intriguingly, genes coding for the chitin-biosynthetic enzyme, chitin synthase (CHS), were recently identified in the model anemone Nematostella vectensis, a species lacking hard structures. Here we report the prevalence and diversity of CHS across Cnidaria and show that cnidarian chitin synthase genes display diverse protein domain organizations. We found that CHS is expressed in cnidarian species and/or developmental stages with no reported chitinous or rigid morphological structures. Chitin affinity histochemistry indicates that chitin is present in soft tissues of some scyphozoan and hydrozoan medusae. To further elucidate the biology of chitin in cnidarian soft tissues, we focused on CHS expression in N. vectensis. Spatial expression data show that three CHS orthologs are differentially expressed in Nematostella embryos and larvae during development, suggesting that chitin has an integral role in the biology of this species. Understanding how a non-bilaterian lineage such as Cnidaria employs chitin may provide new insight into hitherto unknown functions of polysaccharides in animals, as well as their role in the evolution of biological novelty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Vandepas
- Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Michael G Tassia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Kenneth M Halanych
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
- Departments of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
| | - Chris T Amemiya
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
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Stephens Z, Wilson LFL, Zimmer J. Diverse mechanisms of polysaccharide biosynthesis, assembly and secretion across kingdoms. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 79:102564. [PMID: 36870276 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Polysaccharides are essential biopolymers produced in all kingdoms of life. On the cell surface, they represent versatile architectural components, forming protective capsules and coats, cell walls, or adhesives. Extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis mechanisms differ based on the cellular localization of polymer assembly. Some polysaccharides are first synthesized in the cytosol and then extruded by ATP powered transporters [1]. In other cases, the polymers are assembled outside the cell [2], synthesized and secreted in a single step [3], or deposited on the cell surface via vesicular trafficking [4]. This review focuses on recent insights into the biosynthesis, secretion, and assembly of EPS in microbes, plants and vertebrates. We focus on comparing the sites of biosynthesis, secretion mechanisms, and higher-order EPS assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachery Stephens
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 480 Ray C. Hunt Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Louis F L Wilson
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 480 Ray C. Hunt Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jochen Zimmer
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 480 Ray C. Hunt Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Characterization of a Marine Diatom Chitin Synthase Using a Combination of Meta-Omics, Genomics, and Heterologous Expression Approaches. mSystems 2023; 8:e0113122. [PMID: 36790195 PMCID: PMC10134812 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01131-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Chitin has important ecological and physiological roles and potential for widespread applications, but the characterization of chitin-related enzymes from β-chitin producers was rarely reported. Querying against the Tara Oceans Gene Atlas, 4,939 chitin-related unique sequences from 12 Pfam accessions were found in Bacillariophyta metatranscriptomes. Putative chitin synthase (CHS) sequences are decreasingly present in Crustacea (39%), Stramenopiles (16%) and Insecta (14%) from the Marine Atlas of Tara Oceans Unigenes version 1 Metatranscriptomes (MATOUv1+T) database. A CHS gene from the model diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana (Thaps3_J4413, designated TpCHS1) was identified. Homology analysis of TpCHS1 in Marine Microbial Eukaryote Transcriptome Sequencing Project (MMETSP), PhycoCosm, and the PLAZA diatom omics data set showed that Mediophyceae and Thalassionemales species were potential new β-chitin producers besides Thalassiosirales. TpCHS1 was overexpressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. In transgenic P. tricornutum lines, TpCHS1-eGFP localizes to the Golgi apparatus and plasma membrane and predominantly accumulates in the cleavage furrow during cell division. Enhanced TpCHS1 expression could induce abnormal cell morphology and reduce growth rates in P. tricornutum, which might be ascribed to the inhibition of the G2/M phase. S. cerevisiae was proved to be a better system for expressing large amounts of active TpCHS1, which effectively incorporates UDP-N-acetylglucosamine in radiometric in vitro assays. Our study expands the knowledge on chitin synthase taxonomic distribution in marine eukaryotic microbes, and is the first to collectively characterize an active marine diatom CHS which may play an important role during cell division. IMPORTANCE As the most abundant biopolymer in the oceans, the significance of chitin and its biosynthesis is rarely demonstrated in diatoms, which are the main contributors to the primary productivity of the oceans, ascribed to their huge biomass and efficient photosynthesis. We retrieved genes involved in chitin-based metabolism against the Tara Oceans Gene Atlas to expand our knowledge about their diversity and distribution in the marine environment. Potential new producers of chitin were found from the analysis of various algal transcriptome and genome databases. Heterologous expression confirms that Thalassiosira pseudonana contains an active chitin synthase (CHS) which may play an important role in the cell division process of diatoms. This study provides new insight into CHS geographic and taxonomic distribution in marine eukaryotic microbes, as well as into a new CHS functioning in the biosynthesis of β-chitin in diatoms.
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Zhen C, Lu H, Jiang Y. Novel Promising Antifungal Target Proteins for Conquering Invasive Fungal Infections. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:911322. [PMID: 35783432 PMCID: PMC9243655 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.911322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) pose a serious clinical problem, but the antifungal arsenal is limited and has many disadvantages, such as drug resistance and toxicity. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop antifungal compounds that target novel target proteins of pathogenic fungi for treating IFIs. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the biological functions of novel promising target proteins for treating IFIs in pathogenic fungi and their inhibitors. Inhibitors of inositol phosphoramide (IPC) synthases (such as Aureobasidin A, Khafrefungin, Galbonolide A, and Pleofungin A) have potent antifungal activities by inhibiting sphingolipid synthesis. Disrupting glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthesis by Jawsamycin (an inhibitor of Spt14), M720 (an inhibitor of Mcd4), and APX001A (an inhibitor of Gwt1) is a promising strategy for treating IFIs. Turbinmicin is a natural-compound inhibitor of Sec14 and has extraordinary antifungal efficacy, broad-antifungal spectrum, low toxicity, and is a promising new compound for treating IFIs. CMLD013075 targets fungal heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and has remarkable antifungal efficacy. Olorofim, as an inhibitor of dihydrolactate dehydrogenase, is a breakthrough drug treatment for IFIs. These novel target proteins and their inhibitors may overcome the limitations of currently available antifungal drugs and improve patient outcomes in the treatment of IFIs.
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Understanding the fundamental role of virulence determinants to combat Aspergillus fumigatus infections: exploring beyond cell wall. Mycol Prog 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11557-021-01677-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Iwanicki NS, Júnior ID, Eilenberg J, De Fine Licht HH. Comparative RNAseq Analysis of the Insect-Pathogenic Fungus Metarhizium anisopliae Reveals Specific Transcriptome Signatures of Filamentous and Yeast-Like Development. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2020; 10:2141-2157. [PMID: 32354703 PMCID: PMC7341153 DOI: 10.1534/g3.120.401040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The fungus Metarhizium anisopliae is a facultative insect pathogen used as biological control agent of several agricultural pests worldwide. It is a dimorphic fungus that is able to display two growth morphologies, a filamentous phase with formation of hyphae and a yeast-like phase with formation of single-celled blastospores. Blastospores play an important role for M. anisopliae pathogenicity during disease development. They are formed solely in the hemolymph of infected insects as a fungal strategy to quickly multiply and colonize the insect's body. Here, we use comparative genome-wide transcriptome analyses to determine changes in gene expression between the filamentous and blastospore growth phases in vitro to characterize physiological changes and metabolic signatures associated with M. anisopliae dimorphism. Our results show a clear molecular distinction between the blastospore and mycelial phases. In total 6.4% (n = 696) out of 10,981 predicted genes in M. anisopliae were differentially expressed between the two phases with a fold-change > 4. The main physiological processes associated with up-regulated gene content in the single-celled yeast-like blastospores during liquid fermentation were oxidative stress, amino acid metabolism (catabolism and anabolism), respiration processes, transmembrane transport and production of secondary metabolites. In contrast, the up-regulated gene content in hyphae were associated with increased growth, metabolism and cell wall re-organization, which underlines the specific functions and altered growth morphology of M. anisopliae blastospores and hyphae, respectively. Our study revealed significant transcriptomic differences between the metabolism of blastospores and hyphae. These findings illustrate important aspects of fungal morphogenesis in M. anisopliae and highlight the main metabolic activities of each propagule under in vitro growth conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Sant'Anna Iwanicki
- Department of Entomology and Acarology, ESALQ- University of São Paulo, Av Padua Dias, 11-P.O. Box 9-13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil and
| | - Italo Delalibera Júnior
- Department of Entomology and Acarology, ESALQ- University of São Paulo, Av Padua Dias, 11-P.O. Box 9-13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil and
| | - Jørgen Eilenberg
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Henrik H De Fine Licht
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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Varlamov VP, Il'ina AV, Shagdarova BT, Lunkov AP, Mysyakina IS. Chitin/Chitosan and Its Derivatives: Fundamental Problems and Practical Approaches. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2020; 85:S154-S176. [PMID: 32087058 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297920140084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we present the data on the natural occurrence of chitin and its partially or fully deacetylated derivative chitosan, as well as their properties, methods of modification, and potential applications of derivatives with bactericidal, fungicidal, and antioxidant activities. The structure and physicochemical characteristics of the polymers, their functions, and features of chitin microbial synthesis and degradation, including the processes occurring in nature, are described. New data on the hydrolytic microorganisms capable of chitin degradation under extreme conditions are presented. Special attention is focused on the effect of physicochemical characteristics of chitosan, including molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, polydispersity index, and number of amino group derivatives (quaternized, succinyl, etc.) on the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of modified polymers that can be of particular interest for biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture. Analysis of the available literature data confirms the importance of fundamental research to broaden our knowledge on the occurrence of chitin and chitosan in nature, their role in global biosphere cycles, and prospects of applied research aimed at using chitin, chitosan, and their derivatives in various aspects of human activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- V P Varlamov
- Laboratory of Biopolymer Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Federal Research Center "Fundamentals of Biotechnology", Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117312, Russia.
| | - A V Il'ina
- Laboratory of Biopolymer Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Federal Research Center "Fundamentals of Biotechnology", Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117312, Russia
| | - B Ts Shagdarova
- Laboratory of Biopolymer Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Federal Research Center "Fundamentals of Biotechnology", Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117312, Russia
| | - A P Lunkov
- Laboratory of Biopolymer Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Federal Research Center "Fundamentals of Biotechnology", Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117312, Russia
| | - I S Mysyakina
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Federal Research Center "Fundamentals of Biotechnology", Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117312, Russia
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11
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Galachyants YP, Zakharova YR, Volokitina NA, Morozov AA, Likhoshway YV, Grachev MA. De novo transcriptome assembly and analysis of the freshwater araphid diatom Fragilaria radians, Lake Baikal. Sci Data 2019; 6:183. [PMID: 31562323 PMCID: PMC6765018 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0191-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Diatoms are a group of eukaryotic microalgae populating almost all aquatic and wet environments. Their abundance and species diversity make these organisms significant contributors to biogeochemical cycles and important components of aquatic ecosystems. Although significant progress has been made in studies of Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) over the last two decades, since the spread of "omics" technologies, our current knowledge of the molecular processes and gene regulatory networks that facilitate environmental adaptation remain incomplete. Here, we present a transcriptome analysis of Fragilaria radians isolated from Lake Baikal. The resulting assembly contains 27,446 transcripts encoding 21,996 putative proteins. The transcriptome assembly and annotation were coupled with quantitative experiments to search for differentially expressed transcripts between (i) exponential growth phase and dark-acclimated cell cultures, and (ii) those changing expression level during the early response to light treatment in dark-acclimated cells. The availability of F. radians genome and transcriptome data provides the basis for future targeted studies of this species. Furthermore, our results extend taxonomic and environmental sampling of Bacillariophyta, opening new opportunities for comparative omics-driven surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Pavlovich Galachyants
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 664033, 3 Ulan-Batorskaya st., Irkutsk, Russia.
| | - Yulia Robertovna Zakharova
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 664033, 3 Ulan-Batorskaya st., Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Nadezda Antonovna Volokitina
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 664033, 3 Ulan-Batorskaya st., Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Alexey Anatolyevich Morozov
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 664033, 3 Ulan-Batorskaya st., Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Yelena Valentinovna Likhoshway
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 664033, 3 Ulan-Batorskaya st., Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Mikhail Aleksandrovich Grachev
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 664033, 3 Ulan-Batorskaya st., Irkutsk, Russia
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13
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Magistrado-Coxen P, Aqeel Y, Lopez A, Haserick JR, Urbanowicz BR, Costello CE, Samuelson J. The most abundant cyst wall proteins of Acanthamoeba castellanii are lectins that bind cellulose and localize to distinct structures in developing and mature cyst walls. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007352. [PMID: 31095564 PMCID: PMC6541295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acanthamoeba castellanii, which causes keratitis and blindness in under-resourced countries, is an emerging pathogen worldwide, because of its association with contact lens use. The wall makes cysts resistant to sterilizing reagents in lens solutions and to antibiotics applied to the eye. Methodology/Principal findings Transmission electron microscopy and structured illumination microscopy (SIM) showed purified cyst walls of A. castellanii retained an outer ectocyst layer, an inner endocyst layer, and conical ostioles that connect them. Mass spectrometry showed candidate cyst wall proteins were dominated by three families of lectins (named here Jonah, Luke, and Leo), which bound well to cellulose and less well to chitin. An abundant Jonah lectin, which has one choice-of-anchor A (CAA) domain, was made early during encystation and localized to the ectocyst layer of cyst walls. An abundant Luke lectin, which has two carbohydrate-binding modules (CBM49), outlined small, flat ostioles in a single-layered primordial wall and localized to the endocyst layer and ostioles of mature walls. An abundant Leo lectin, which has two unique domains with eight Cys residues each (8-Cys), localized to the endocyst layer and ostioles. The Jonah lectin and glycopolymers, to which it binds, were accessible in the ectocyst layer. In contrast, Luke and Leo lectins and the glycopolymers, to which they bind, were mostly inaccessible in the endocyst layer and ostioles. Conclusions/Significance The most abundant A. castellanii cyst wall proteins are three sets of lectins, which have carbohydrate-binding modules that are conserved (CBM49s of Luke), newly characterized (CAA of Jonah), or unique to Acanthamoebae (8-Cys of Leo). Cyst wall formation is a tightly choreographed event, in which lectins and glycopolymers combine to form a mature wall with a protected endocyst layer. Because of its accessibility in the ectocyst layer, an abundant Jonah lectin is an excellent diagnostic target. A half century ago, investigators identified cellulose in the Acanthamoeba cyst wall, which has two layers and conical ostioles that connect them. Here we showed cyst walls contain three large sets of cellulose-binding lectins, which localize to the ectocyst layer (a Jonah lectin) or to the endocyst layer and ostioles (Luke and Leo lectins). We used the lectins to establish a sequence for cyst wall assembly when trophozoites are starved and encyst. In the first stage, a Jonah lectin and glycopolymers were present in dozens of distinct vesicles. In the second stage, a primordial wall contained small, flat ostioles outlined by a Luke lectin. In the third stage, a Jonah lectin remained in the ectocyst layer, while Luke and Leo lectins moved to the endocyst layer and ostioles. A description of the major events during cyst wall development is a starting point for mechanistic studies of its assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Magistrado-Coxen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yousuf Aqeel
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Angelo Lopez
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - John R. Haserick
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Breeanna R. Urbanowicz
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Catherine E. Costello
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - John Samuelson
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Targeting the fungal cell wall: current therapies and implications for development of alternative antifungal agents. Future Med Chem 2019; 11:869-883. [PMID: 30994368 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2018-0465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are a worldwide problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. There are relatively few antifungal agents, and resistance has emerged within these pathogens for the newest antifungal drugs. As the fungal cell wall is critical for growth and development, it is one of the most important targets for drug development. In this review, the currently available cell wall inhibitors and suitable drug candidates for the treatment of fungal infections are explored. Future studies of the fungal cell wall and compounds that have detrimental effects on this important outer structural layer could aid in antifungal drug discovery and lead to the development of alternative cell wall inhibitors to fill gaps in clinical therapies for difficult-to-treat fungal infections.
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15
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Shao Z, Thomas Y, Hembach L, Xing X, Duan D, Moerschbacher BM, Bulone V, Tirichine L, Bowler C. Comparative characterization of putative chitin deacetylases from Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseudonana highlights the potential for distinct chitin-based metabolic processes in diatoms. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2019; 221:1890-1905. [PMID: 30288745 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Chitin is generally considered to be present in centric diatoms but not in pennate species. Many aspects of chitin biosynthetic pathways have not been explored in diatoms. We retrieved chitin metabolic genes from pennate (Phaeodactylum tricornutum) and centric (Thalassiosira pseudonana) diatom genomes. Chitin deacetylase (CDA) genes from each genome (PtCDA and TpCDA) were overexpressed in P. tricornutum. We performed comparative analysis of their sequence structure, phylogeny, transcriptional profiles, localization and enzymatic activities. The chitin relevant proteins show complex subcellular compartmentation. PtCDA was likely acquired by horizontal gene transfer from prokaryotes, whereas TpCDA has closer relationships with sequences in Opisthokonta. Using transgenic P. tricornutum lines expressing CDA-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins, PtCDA predominantly localizes to Golgi apparatus whereas TpCDA localizes to endoplasmic reticulum/chloroplast endoplasmic reticulum membrane. CDA-GFP overexpression upregulated the transcription of chitin synthases and potentially enhanced the ability of chitin synthesis. Although both CDAs are active on GlcNAc5 , TpCDA is more active on the highly acetylated chitin polymer DA60. We have addressed the ambiguous characters of CDAs from P. tricornutum and T. pseudonana. Differences in localization, evolution, expression and activities provide explanations underlying the greater potential of centric diatoms for chitin biosynthesis. This study paves the way for in vitro applications of novel CDAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanru Shao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266071, Qingdao, China
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 266237, Qingdao, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266071, Qingdao, China
| | - Yann Thomas
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Lea Hembach
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Westphalian Wilhelm's-University Münster, 48143, Münster, Germany
| | - Xiaohui Xing
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia
- Adelaide Glycomics, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia
- Division of Glycoscience, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), AlbaNova University Centre, Stockholm, SE10691, Sweden
| | - Delin Duan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266071, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 266237, Qingdao, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266071, Qingdao, China
| | - Bruno M Moerschbacher
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Westphalian Wilhelm's-University Münster, 48143, Münster, Germany
| | - Vincent Bulone
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia
- Adelaide Glycomics, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia
- Division of Glycoscience, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), AlbaNova University Centre, Stockholm, SE10691, Sweden
| | - Leila Tirichine
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Chris Bowler
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
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16
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Cortés JCG, Curto MÁ, Carvalho VSD, Pérez P, Ribas JC. The fungal cell wall as a target for the development of new antifungal therapies. Biotechnol Adv 2019; 37:107352. [PMID: 30797093 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the past three decades invasive mycoses have globally emerged as a persistent source of healthcare-associated infections. The cell wall surrounding the fungal cell opposes the turgor pressure that otherwise could produce cell lysis. Thus, the cell wall is essential for maintaining fungal cell shape and integrity. Given that this structure is absent in host mammalian cells, it stands as an important target when developing selective compounds for the treatment of fungal infections. Consequently, treatment with echinocandins, a family of antifungal agents that specifically inhibits the biosynthesis of cell wall (1-3)β-D-glucan, has been established as an alternative and effective antifungal therapy. However, the existence of many pathogenic fungi resistant to single or multiple antifungal families, together with the limited arsenal of available antifungal compounds, critically affects the effectiveness of treatments against these life-threatening infections. Thus, new antifungal therapies are required. Here we review the fungal cell wall and its relevance in biotechnology as a target for the development of new antifungal compounds, disclosing the most promising cell wall inhibitors that are currently in experimental or clinical development for the treatment of some invasive mycoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos G Cortés
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - M-Ángeles Curto
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Vanessa S D Carvalho
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pilar Pérez
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Ribas
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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17
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Buruli Ulcer, a Prototype for Ecosystem-Related Infection, Caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Clin Microbiol Rev 2017; 31:31/1/e00045-17. [PMID: 29237707 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00045-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Buruli ulcer is a noncontagious disabling cutaneous and subcutaneous mycobacteriosis reported by 33 countries in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America. The causative agent, Mycobacterium ulcerans, derives from Mycobacterium marinum by genomic reduction and acquisition of a plasmid-borne, nonribosomal cytotoxin mycolactone, the major virulence factor. M. ulcerans-specific sequences have been readily detected in aquatic environments in food chains involving small mammals. Skin contamination combined with any type of puncture, including insect bites, is the most plausible route of transmission, and skin temperature of <30°C significantly correlates with the topography of lesions. After 30 years of emergence and increasing prevalence between 1970 and 2010, mainly in Africa, factors related to ongoing decreasing prevalence in the same countries remain unexplained. Rapid diagnosis, including laboratory confirmation at the point of care, is mandatory in order to reduce delays in effective treatment. Parenteral and potentially toxic streptomycin-rifampin is to be replaced by oral clarithromycin or fluoroquinolone combined with rifampin. In the absence of proven effective primary prevention, avoiding skin contamination by means of clothing can be implemented in areas of endemicity. Buruli ulcer is a prototype of ecosystem pathology, illustrating the impact of human activities on the environment as a source for emerging tropical infectious diseases.
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Abstract
The molecular composition of the cell wall is critical for the biology and ecology of each fungal species. Fungal walls are composed of matrix components that are embedded and linked to scaffolds of fibrous load-bearing polysaccharides. Most of the major cell wall components of fungal pathogens are not represented in humans, other mammals, or plants, and therefore the immune systems of animals and plants have evolved to recognize many of the conserved elements of fungal walls. For similar reasons the enzymes that assemble fungal cell wall components are excellent targets for antifungal chemotherapies and fungicides. However, for fungal pathogens, the cell wall is often disguised since key signature molecules for immune recognition are sometimes masked by immunologically inert molecules. Cell wall damage leads to the activation of sophisticated fail-safe mechanisms that shore up and repair walls to avoid catastrophic breaching of the integrity of the surface. The frontiers of research on fungal cell walls are moving from a descriptive phase defining the underlying genes and component parts of fungal walls to more dynamic analyses of how the various components are assembled, cross-linked, and modified in response to environmental signals. This review therefore discusses recent advances in research investigating the composition, synthesis, and regulation of cell walls and how the cell wall is targeted by immune recognition systems and the design of antifungal diagnostics and therapeutics.
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19
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Abstract
The molecular composition of the cell wall is critical for the biology and ecology of each fungal species. Fungal walls are composed of matrix components that are embedded and linked to scaffolds of fibrous load-bearing polysaccharides. Most of the major cell wall components of fungal pathogens are not represented in humans, other mammals, or plants, and therefore the immune systems of animals and plants have evolved to recognize many of the conserved elements of fungal walls. For similar reasons the enzymes that assemble fungal cell wall components are excellent targets for antifungal chemotherapies and fungicides. However, for fungal pathogens, the cell wall is often disguised since key signature molecules for immune recognition are sometimes masked by immunologically inert molecules. Cell wall damage leads to the activation of sophisticated fail-safe mechanisms that shore up and repair walls to avoid catastrophic breaching of the integrity of the surface. The frontiers of research on fungal cell walls are moving from a descriptive phase defining the underlying genes and component parts of fungal walls to more dynamic analyses of how the various components are assembled, cross-linked, and modified in response to environmental signals. This review therefore discusses recent advances in research investigating the composition, synthesis, and regulation of cell walls and how the cell wall is targeted by immune recognition systems and the design of antifungal diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil A R Gow
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB252ZD, United Kingdom
| | | | - Carol A Munro
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB252ZD, United Kingdom
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20
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Scorzoni L, de Paula E Silva ACA, Marcos CM, Assato PA, de Melo WCMA, de Oliveira HC, Costa-Orlandi CB, Mendes-Giannini MJS, Fusco-Almeida AM. Antifungal Therapy: New Advances in the Understanding and Treatment of Mycosis. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:36. [PMID: 28167935 PMCID: PMC5253656 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The high rates of morbidity and mortality caused by fungal infections are associated with the current limited antifungal arsenal and the high toxicity of the compounds. Additionally, identifying novel drug targets is challenging because there are many similarities between fungal and human cells. The most common antifungal targets include fungal RNA synthesis and cell wall and membrane components, though new antifungal targets are being investigated. Nonetheless, fungi have developed resistance mechanisms, such as overexpression of efflux pump proteins and biofilm formation, emphasizing the importance of understanding these mechanisms. To address these problems, different approaches to preventing and treating fungal diseases are described in this review, with a focus on the resistance mechanisms of fungi, with the goal of developing efficient strategies to overcoming and preventing resistance as well as new advances in antifungal therapy. Due to the limited antifungal arsenal, researchers have sought to improve treatment via different approaches, and the synergistic effect obtained by the combination of antifungals contributes to reducing toxicity and could be an alternative for treatment. Another important issue is the development of new formulations for antifungal agents, and interest in nanoparticles as new types of carriers of antifungal drugs has increased. In addition, modifications to the chemical structures of traditional antifungals have improved their activity and pharmacokinetic parameters. Moreover, a different approach to preventing and treating fungal diseases is immunotherapy, which involves different mechanisms, such as vaccines, activation of the immune response and inducing the production of host antimicrobial molecules. Finally, the use of a mini-host has been encouraging for in vivo testing because these animal models demonstrate a good correlation with the mammalian model; they also increase the speediness of as well as facilitate the preliminary testing of new antifungal agents. In general, many years are required from discovery of a new antifungal to clinical use. However, the development of new antifungal strategies will reduce the therapeutic time and/or increase the quality of life of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Scorzoni
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Ana C A de Paula E Silva
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Caroline M Marcos
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Patrícia A Assato
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Wanessa C M A de Melo
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Haroldo C de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Caroline B Costa-Orlandi
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Maria J S Mendes-Giannini
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
| | - Ana M Fusco-Almeida
- Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Araraquara, Brasil
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21
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Traller JC, Cokus SJ, Lopez DA, Gaidarenko O, Smith SR, McCrow JP, Gallaher SD, Podell S, Thompson M, Cook O, Morselli M, Jaroszewicz A, Allen EE, Allen AE, Merchant SS, Pellegrini M, Hildebrand M. Genome and methylome of the oleaginous diatom Cyclotella cryptica reveal genetic flexibility toward a high lipid phenotype. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2016; 9:258. [PMID: 27933100 PMCID: PMC5124317 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-016-0670-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improvement in the performance of eukaryotic microalgae for biofuel and bioproduct production is largely dependent on characterization of metabolic mechanisms within the cell. The marine diatom Cyclotella cryptica, which was originally identified in the Aquatic Species Program, is a promising strain of microalgae for large-scale production of biofuel and bioproducts, such as omega-3 fatty acids. RESULTS We sequenced the nuclear genome and methylome of this oleaginous diatom to identify the genetic traits that enable substantial accumulation of triacylglycerol. The genome is comprised of highly methylated repetitive sequence, which does not significantly change under silicon starved lipid induction, and data further suggests the primary role of DNA methylation is to suppress DNA transposition. Annotation of pivotal glycolytic, lipid metabolism, and carbohydrate degradation processes reveal an expanded enzyme repertoire in C. cryptica that would allow for an increased metabolic capacity toward triacylglycerol production. Identification of previously unidentified genes, including those involved in carbon transport and chitin metabolism, provide potential targets for genetic manipulation of carbon flux to further increase its lipid phenotype. New genetic tools were developed, bringing this organism on a par with other microalgae in terms of genetic manipulation and characterization approaches. CONCLUSIONS Functional annotation and detailed cross-species comparison of key carbon rich processes in C. cryptica highlights the importance of enzymatic subcellular compartmentation for regulation of carbon flux, which is often overlooked in photosynthetic microeukaryotes. The availability of the genome sequence, as well as advanced genetic manipulation tools enable further development of this organism for deployment in large-scale production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse C. Traller
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0202 USA
| | - Shawn J. Cokus
- Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - David A. Lopez
- Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Olga Gaidarenko
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0202 USA
| | - Sarah R. Smith
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0202 USA
- J. Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
| | - John P. McCrow
- J. Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
| | - Sean D. Gallaher
- Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Sheila Podell
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0202 USA
| | - Michael Thompson
- Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Orna Cook
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0202 USA
| | - Marco Morselli
- Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Artur Jaroszewicz
- Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Eric E. Allen
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0202 USA
| | - Andrew E. Allen
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0202 USA
- J. Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
| | - Sabeeha S. Merchant
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Matteo Pellegrini
- Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Mark Hildebrand
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0202 USA
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