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Li P, Shen S, Jia J, Sun H, Zhu H, Wei N, Yu B, Sohail A, Wu D, Zeng F, Hao Z, Dong J. The catalytic subunit of type 2A protein phosphatase negatively regulates conidiation and melanin biosynthesis in Setosphaeria turcica. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:131149. [PMID: 38556232 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131149] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Northern corn leaf blight caused by Setosphaeria turcica is a major fungal disease responsible for significant reductions in maize yield worldwide. Eukaryotic type 2A protein phosphatase (PP2A) influences growth and virulence in a number of pathogenic fungi, but little is known about its roles in S. turcica. Here, we functionally characterized S. turcica StPP2A-C, which encodes the catalytic C subunit of StPP2A. StPP2A-C deletion slowed colony growth, conidial germination, and appressorium formation but increased conidiation, melanin biosynthesis, glycerol content, and disease lesion size on maize. These effects were associated with expression changes in genes related to calcium signaling, conidiation, laccase activity, and melanin and glycerol biosynthesis, as well as changes in intra- and extracellular laccase activity. A pull-down screen for candidate StPP2A-c interactors revealed an interaction between StPP2A-c and StLac1. Theoretical modeling and yeast two-hybrid experiments confirmed that StPP2A-c interacted specifically with the copper ion binding domain of StLac1 and that Cys267 of StPP2A-c was required for this interaction. StPP2A-C expression thus appears to promote hyphal growth and reduce pathogenicity in S. turcica, at least in part by altering melanin synthesis and laccase activity; these insights may ultimately support the development of novel strategies for biological management of S. turcica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Li
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement, Hebei Agricultural University, Hebei 071001, China; College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China
| | - Shen Shen
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, College of Life Sciences, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China
| | - Jingzhe Jia
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, College of Life Sciences, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China
| | - Hehe Sun
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, College of Life Sciences, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China
| | - Hang Zhu
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, College of Life Sciences, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China
| | - Ning Wei
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, College of Life Sciences, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, College of Life Sciences, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China
| | - Aamir Sohail
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, College of Life Sciences, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China
| | - Di Wu
- Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, College of Life Sciences, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China
| | - Fanli Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement, Hebei Agricultural University, Hebei 071001, China; Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, College of Life Sciences, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China.
| | - Zhimin Hao
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement, Hebei Agricultural University, Hebei 071001, China; Hebei Bioinformatic Utilization and Technological Innovation Center for Agricultural Microbes, Hebei Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, College of Life Sciences, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China.
| | - Jingao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement, Hebei Agricultural University, Hebei 071001, China; College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China.
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Zhang P, Li C, Huo L, Xiang B, Rahim K, Hao X, Zhu X. Role of the fungus-specific flavin carrier Flc1 in antifungal resistance in the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Med Mycol 2019; 57:468-477. [PMID: 30010978 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myy050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
FLC family, a conserved fungus-specific family of integral membrane proteins, has been demonstrated to play important roles in flavin transport, growth, and virulence in several fungi but not yet in Cryptococcus neoformans. In this study, we have identified the single homologue of flavin adenine dinucleotide transporter in the opportunistic pathogen C. neoformans. The computational and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the fungal specificity of cryptococcal Flc1 protein, thus providing a promising drug target for clinical treatment of cryptococcosis. Disruption of FLC1 conferred sensitivity to 1% Congo red and 0.02% SDS, as well as leading to impaired chitin distribution in cell wall as observed with Calcofluor White staining, which collectively indicated the roles of FLC1 in maintenance of cell wall integrity. Further investigations revealed the defects of flc1Δ mutant in resistance to poor nutrition and elevated temperatures, and the ability to undergo invasive growth under nutrient-depleted conditions was reduced as well in flc1Δ mutant, suggesting the roles of Flc1 in response to environmental stresses. More importantly, our results showed that flc1Δ mutant exhibited severe susceptibility to antifungal aminoglycosides (hygromycin B and geneticin) and amphotericin B, but developed multidrug resistance to flucytosine and rapamycin, which provided great hints for therapeutic failure of cryptococcosis in clinic with the standard combination therapy. Finally, typical virulence factors including melanin biosynthesis and capsule formation in flc1Δ mutant were reduced as well, indicating the possible involvement of Flc1 in virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering Drug and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University (CLS-BNU), Beijing 100875, China
| | - Chenxi Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering Drug and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University (CLS-BNU), Beijing 100875, China
| | - Liang Huo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering Drug and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University (CLS-BNU), Beijing 100875, China
| | - Biyun Xiang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering Drug and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University (CLS-BNU), Beijing 100875, China
| | - Kashif Rahim
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering Drug and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University (CLS-BNU), Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xiaoran Hao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering Drug and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University (CLS-BNU), Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xudong Zhu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering Drug and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University (CLS-BNU), Beijing 100875, China
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Yasutis KM, Kozminski KG. Cell cycle checkpoint regulators reach a zillion. Cell Cycle 2013; 12:1501-9. [PMID: 23598718 DOI: 10.4161/cc.24637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Entry into mitosis is regulated by a checkpoint at the boundary between the G2 and M phases of the cell cycle (G2/M). In many organisms, this checkpoint surveys DNA damage and cell size and is controlled by both the activation of mitotic cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) and the inhibition of an opposing phosphatase, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Misregulation of mitotic entry can often lead to oncogenesis or cell death. Recent research has focused on discovering the signaling pathways that feed into the core checkpoint control mechanisms dependent on Cdk and PP2A. Herein, we review the conserved mechanisms of the G2/M transition, including recently discovered upstream signaling pathways that link cell growth and DNA replication to cell cycle progression. Critical consideration of the human, frog and yeast models of mitotic entry frame unresolved and emerging questions in this field, providing a prediction of signaling molecules and pathways yet to be discovered.
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Abstract
The human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is characterized by its ability to induce a distinct polysaccharide capsule in response to a number of host-specific environmental stimuli. The induction of capsule is a complex biological process encompassing regulation at multiple steps, including the biosynthesis, transport, and maintenance of the polysaccharide at the cell surface. By precisely regulating the composition of its cell surface and secreted polysaccharides, C. neoformans has developed intricate ways to establish chronic infection and dormancy in the human host. The plasticity of the capsule structure in response to various host conditions also underscores the complex relationship between host and parasite. Much of this precise regulation of capsule is achieved through the transcriptional responses of multiple conserved signaling pathways that have been coopted to regulate this C. neoformans-specific virulence-associated phenotype. This review focuses on specific host stimuli that trigger the activation of the signal transduction cascades and on the downstream transcriptional responses that are required for robust encapsulation around the cell.
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