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Huang Z, Wang Q, Khan IA, Li Y, Wang J, Wang J, Liu X, Lin F, Lu J. The Methylcitrate Cycle and Its Crosstalk with the Glyoxylate Cycle and Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle in Pathogenic Fungi. Molecules 2023; 28:6667. [PMID: 37764443 PMCID: PMC10534831 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186667] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In fungi, the methylcitrate cycle converts cytotoxic propionyl-coenzyme A (CoA) to pyruvate, which enters gluconeogenesis. The glyoxylate cycle converts acetyl-CoA to succinate, which enters gluconeogenesis. The tricarboxylic acid cycle is a central carbon metabolic pathway that connects the methylcitrate cycle, the glyoxylate cycle, and other metabolisms for lipids, carbohydrates, and amino acids. Fungal citrate synthase and 2-methylcitrate synthase as well as isocitrate lyase and 2-methylisocitrate lyase, each evolved from a common ancestral protein. Impairment of the methylcitrate cycle leads to the accumulation of toxic intermediates such as propionyl-CoA, 2-methylcitrate, and 2-methylisocitrate in fungal cells, which in turn inhibits the activity of many enzymes such as dehydrogenases and remodels cellular carbon metabolic processes. The methylcitrate cycle and the glyoxylate cycle synergistically regulate carbon source utilization as well as fungal growth, development, and pathogenic process in pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicheng Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Z.H.); (Q.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Qing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Z.H.); (Q.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Irshad Ali Khan
- Department of Agriculture, The University of Swabi, Khyber 29380, Pakistan;
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Z.H.); (Q.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (J.W.); (J.W.); (F.L.)
| | - Jiaoyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (J.W.); (J.W.); (F.L.)
| | - Xiaohong Liu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Fucheng Lin
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (J.W.); (J.W.); (F.L.)
- Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Jianping Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Z.H.); (Q.W.); (Y.L.)
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Zhu C, Tang Y, Ren D, Ren W, Xue Y, Suthaparan A, Li J, Wang Y, Xu L, Zhu P. Propionate poses antivirulence activity against Botrytis cinerea via regulating its metabolism, infection cushion development and overall pathogenic factors. Food Chem 2023; 410:135443. [PMID: 36680882 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea is a devastating pathogen causing gray mold in fruits and vegetables if not properly managed. Although the mechanisms remain unclear, we previously revealed that the safe food additive calcium propionate (CP) could suppress gray mold development on grapes. The present study reports that sub-lethal dose of CP (0.2 % w/v) could allow growth with substantial reprograming the genome-wide transcripts of B. cinerea. Upon CP treatment, the genes related to fungal methylcitrate cycle (responsible for catabolizing propionate) were upregulated. Meanwhile, CP treatment broadly downregulated the transcript levels of the virulence factors. Further comparative analysis of multiple transcriptomes confirmed that the CP treatment largely suppressed the expression of genes related to development and function of infection cushion. Collectively, these findings indicate that CP can not only reduce fungal growth, but also abrogate fungal virulence factors. Thus, CP has significant potential for the control of gray mold in fruit crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanxi Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 200241 Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Tang
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 200241 Shanghai, China
| | - Dandan Ren
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 200241 Shanghai, China
| | - Weiheng Ren
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 200241 Shanghai, China
| | - Yongjun Xue
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 200241 Shanghai, China
| | - Aruppillai Suthaparan
- Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Jufen Li
- Horticultural Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, 201106 Shanghai, China
| | - Yiwen Wang
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 200241 Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Xu
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 200241 Shanghai, China.
| | - Pinkuan Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 200241 Shanghai, China.
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Wang F, Han R, Chen S. An Overlooked and Underrated Endemic Mycosis-Talaromycosis and the Pathogenic Fungus Talaromyces marneffei. Clin Microbiol Rev 2023; 36:e0005122. [PMID: 36648228 PMCID: PMC10035316 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00051-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Talaromycosis is an invasive mycosis endemic in tropical and subtropical Asia and is caused by the pathogenic fungus Talaromyces marneffei. Approximately 17,300 cases of T. marneffei infection are diagnosed annually, and the reported mortality rate is extremely high (~1/3). Despite the devastating impact of talaromycosis on immunocompromised individuals, particularly HIV-positive persons, and the increase in reported occurrences in HIV-uninfected persons, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for talaromycosis have received far too little attention worldwide. In 2021, scientists living in countries where talaromycosis is endemic raised a global demand for it to be recognized as a neglected tropical disease. Therefore, T. marneffei and the infectious disease induced by this fungus must be treated with concern. T. marneffei is a thermally dimorphic saprophytic fungus with a complicated mycological growth process that may produce various cell types in its life cycle, including conidia, hyphae, and yeast, all of which are associated with its pathogenicity. However, understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of T. marneffei has been limited until recently. To achieve a holistic view of T. marneffei and talaromycosis, the current knowledge about talaromycosis and research breakthroughs regarding T. marneffei growth biology are discussed in this review, along with the interaction of the fungus with environmental stimuli and the host immune response to fungal infection. Importantly, the future research directions required for understanding this serious infection and its causative pathogenic fungus are also emphasized to identify solutions that will alleviate the suffering of susceptible individuals worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Intensive Care Unit, Biomedical Research Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - RunHua Han
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Shi Chen
- Intensive Care Unit, Biomedical Research Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Biomedical Research Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Systems-Wide Dissection of Organic Acid Assimilation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Reveals a Novel Path To Underground Metabolism. mBio 2022; 13:e0254122. [PMID: 36377867 PMCID: PMC9765439 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02541-22] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is one of the most frequent and severe causes of nosocomial infection. This organism is also a major cause of airway infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Pa is known to have a remarkable metabolic plasticity, allowing it to thrive under diverse environmental conditions and ecological niches; yet, little is known about the central metabolic pathways that sustain its growth during infection or precisely how these pathways operate. In this work, we used a combination of 'omics approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and 13C-fluxomics) and reverse genetics to provide systems-level insight into how the infection-relevant organic acids succinate and propionate are metabolized by Pa. Moreover, through structural and kinetic analysis of the 2-methylcitrate synthase (2-MCS; PrpC) and its paralogue citrate (CIT) synthase (GltA), we show how these two crucial enzymatic steps are interconnected in Pa organic acid assimilation. We found that Pa can rapidly adapt to the loss of GltA function by acquiring mutations in a transcriptional repressor, which then derepresses prpC expression. Our findings provide a clear example of how "underground metabolism," facilitated by enzyme substrate promiscuity, "rewires" Pa metabolism, allowing it to overcome the loss of a crucial enzyme. This pathogen-specific knowledge is critical for the advancement of a model-driven framework to target bacterial central metabolism. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that, due to its unrivalled resistance to antibiotics, ubiquity in the built environment, and aggressiveness in infection scenarios, has acquired the somewhat dubious accolade of being designated a "critical priority pathogen" by the WHO. In this work, we uncover the pathways and mechanisms used by P. aeruginosa to grow on a substrate that is abundant at many infection sites: propionate. We found that if the organism is prevented from metabolizing propionate, the substrate turns from being a convenient nutrient source into a potent poison, preventing bacterial growth. We further show that one of the enzymes involved in these reactions, 2-methylcitrate synthase (PrpC), is promiscuous and can moonlight for another essential enzyme in the cell (citrate synthase). Indeed, mutations that abolish citrate synthase activity (which would normally prevent the cell from growing) can be readily overcome if the cell acquires additional mutations that increase the expression of PrpC. This is a nice example of the evolutionary utility of so-called "underground metabolism."
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Talaromyces marneffei Infection: Virulence, Intracellular Lifestyle and Host Defense Mechanisms. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8020200. [PMID: 35205954 PMCID: PMC8880324 DOI: 10.3390/jof8020200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Talaromycosis (Penicilliosis) is an opportunistic mycosis caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei. Similar to other major causes of systemic mycoses, the extent of disease and outcomes are the results of complex interactions between this opportunistic human pathogen and a host’s immune response. This review will highlight the current knowledge regarding the dynamic interaction between T. marneffei and mammalian hosts, particularly highlighting important aspects of virulence factors, intracellular lifestyle and the mechanisms of immune defense as well as the strategies of the pathogen for manipulating and evading host immune cells.
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Yang B, Wang J, Jiang H, Lin H, Ou Z, Ullah A, Hua Y, Chen J, Lin X, Hu X, Zheng L, Wang Q. Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Talaromyces marneffei Yeasts Mediate Inflammatory Response in Macrophage Cells by Bioactive Protein Components. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:603183. [PMID: 33488545 PMCID: PMC7819977 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.603183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) loaded with proteins, nucleic acids, membrane lipids, and other virulence factors could participate in pathogenic processes in some fungi such as Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans. However, the specific characteristics of EVs derived from Talaromyces marneffei (TM) still have not been figured out yet. In the present study, it has been observed that TM-derived EVs were a heterogeneous group of nanosized membrane vesicles (30–300 nm) under nanoparticle tracking analysis and transmission electron microscopy. The DiI-labeled EVs could be taken up by RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Incubation of EVs with macrophages would result in increased expression levels of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and some inflammatory factors including interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and tumor necrosis factor. Furthermore, the expression of co-stimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86, and MHC-II) was also increased in macrophages stimulated with EVs. The level of inflammatory factors secreted by macrophages showed a significant decrease when EVs were hydrolyzed by protease, while that of DNA and RNA hydrolase treatment remained unchanged. Subsequently, some virulence factors in EVs including heat shock protein, mannoprotein 1, and peroxidase were determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Taken together, our results indicated that the TM-derived EVs could mediate inflammatory response and its protein would play a key role in regulating the function of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Yang
- Center for Clinical Laboratory, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongye Jiang
- Shunde Hospital, The First People's Hospital of Shunde, Southern Medical University, Foshan, China
| | - Huixian Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zihao Ou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Amir Ullah
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuneng Hua
- Center for Clinical Laboratory, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juanjiang Chen
- Center for Clinical Laboratory, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomin Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiumei Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Center for Clinical Laboratory, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Cen J, Chen J, Qiu Y, Zeng W, Zhang J. Bioinformatic analysis of the pathogenic mechanism of talaromyces marneffei infection. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e23409. [PMID: 33235120 PMCID: PMC7710178 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000023409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Talaromyces marneffei (T marneffei), known as a significant pathogen in patients with AIDS in Southeast Asia, is a dimorphic fungus, which can cause deadly systematic infection in immunocompromised hosts. What is more, the dimorphic phase transition has been reported as a conspicuous process linked with virulence. Interestingly, the yeast form was found in infected individuals, representing the pathogenic phase. However, few researches were found to study the mechanism of dimorphic transition. Thus, a diverse insight into the dimorphic switch mechanism, is urgently needed and we are the first one to research the mechanism of dimorphism. METHODS Firstly, we investigated the microarray of T. marneffei in the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO) for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Then Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) v6.8 was employed to analyze the underlying enrichment and pathway in biological process of DEGs. Meanwhile, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using STRING database. On the strength of the theory that similar amino acid sequences share similar structures, which play a decisive role on the function of protein, three dimensional structures of hub-genes were predicted to further investigate the likely function of hub-genes. RESULTS GSE51109 was elected as the eligible series for the purpose of our research, including GSM1238923 (GSM23), GSM1238924 (GSM24), and GSM1238925 (GSM25). PMAA_012920, PMAA_028730, PMAA_068140, PMAA_092900, PMAA_032350 were the most remarkable genes in all of the three PPI networks, thus, were viewed as hub-genes. With regard to the three-dimensional construction, except that there was no significant prediction structure of PMAA_092900 with the criterion seq identify > 30%, GMQE: 0-1, QMEAN4: -4-0, the parallel templates for four structures were Crystal structure of Saccharomyces cerevesiae mitochondrial NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase in complex with isocitrate, Organellar two-pore channels (TPCs), Yeast Isocitrate Dehydrogenase (Apo Form) and Crystal Structure Of ATP-Dependent Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase From Thermus thermophilus HB8 in order. CONCLUSION The dimorphic transition of T. marneffei was viewed as a pathogenic factor and DEGs were observed. In-depth study of the function and pathway of DEGs revealed that PMAA_012920, PMAA_028730, PMAA_068140, PMAA_092900, PMAA_032350 were most likely acting as the hub-genes and were likely taking effect through regulating energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiemei Cen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong
- Department of Respiratory Medicine
| | - Jiarui Chen
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Ye Qiu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine
| | - Wen Zeng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine
| | - Jianquan Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong
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Tsang CC, Lau SKP, Woo PCY. Sixty Years from Segretain’s Description: What Have We Learned and Should Learn About the Basic Mycology of Talaromyces marneffei? Mycopathologia 2019; 184:721-729. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-019-00395-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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