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Lindemann-Perez E, Perez JC. Candida albicans natural diversity: a resource to dissect fungal commensalism and pathogenesis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 80:102493. [PMID: 38833793 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a ubiquitous fungus of humans. It is not only a component of the oral and intestinal microbiota of most healthy adults but also a major cause of mucosal disorders and life-threatening disseminated infections. Until recently, research on the biology and pathogenesis of the fungus was largely based on a single clinical isolate. We review investigations that have started to dissect a diverse set of C. albicans strains. Using different approaches to leverage the species' phenotypic and/or genetic diversity, these studies illuminate the wide range of interactions between fungus and host. While connecting genetic variants to phenotypes of interest remains challenging, research on C. albicans' natural diversity is central to understand fungal commensalism and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lindemann-Perez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA
| | - J Christian Perez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA.
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2
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Bras G, Satala D, Juszczak M, Kulig K, Wronowska E, Bednarek A, Zawrotniak M, Rapala-Kozik M, Karkowska-Kuleta J. Secreted Aspartic Proteinases: Key Factors in Candida Infections and Host-Pathogen Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4775. [PMID: 38731993 PMCID: PMC11084781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094775] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular proteases are key factors contributing to the virulence of pathogenic fungi from the genus Candida. Their proteolytic activities are crucial for extracting nutrients from the external environment, degrading host defenses, and destabilizing the internal balance of the human organism. Currently, the enzymes most frequently described in this context are secreted aspartic proteases (Saps). This review comprehensively explores the multifaceted roles of Saps, highlighting their importance in biofilm formation, tissue invasion through the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins and components of the coagulation cascade, modulation of host immune responses via impairment of neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage functions, and their contribution to antifungal resistance. Additionally, the diagnostic challenges associated with Candida infections and the potential of Saps as biomarkers were discussed. Furthermore, we examined the prospects of developing vaccines based on Saps and the use of protease inhibitors as adjunctive therapies for candidiasis. Given the complex biology of Saps and their central role in Candida pathogenicity, a multidisciplinary approach may pave the way for innovative diagnostic strategies and open new opportunities for innovative clinical interventions against candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazyna Bras
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
| | - Dorota Satala
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
| | - Magdalena Juszczak
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Kamila Kulig
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
| | - Ewelina Wronowska
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
| | - Aneta Bednarek
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Marcin Zawrotniak
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
| | - Maria Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
| | - Justyna Karkowska-Kuleta
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland (M.Z.); (J.K.-K.)
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Rodríguez DL, Lindemann-Perez E, Perez JC. RFX transcription factor in the human-associated yeast Candida albicans regulates adhesion to oral epithelium. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:727-741. [PMID: 38183361 PMCID: PMC11023810 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Adhesion to mucosal surfaces is a critical step in many bacterial and fungal infections. Here, using a mouse model of oral infection by the human fungal pathobiont Candida albicans, we report the identification of a novel regulator of C. albicans adhesion to the oral mucosa. The regulator is a member of the regulatory factor X (RFX) family of transcription factors, which control cellular processes ranging from genome integrity in model yeasts to tissue differentiation in vertebrates. Mice infected with the C. albicans rfx1 deletion mutant displayed increased fungal burden in tongues compared to animals infected with the reference strain. High-resolution imaging revealed RFX1 transcripts being expressed by C. albicans cells during infection. Concomitant with the increase in fungal burden, the rfx1 mutant elicited an enhanced innate immune response. Transcriptome analyses uncovered HWP1, a gene encoding an adhesion protein that mediates covalent attachment to buccal cells, as a major RFX1-regulated locus. Consistent with this result, we establish that C. albicans adhesion to oral cells is modulated by RFX1 in an HWP1-dependent manner. Our findings expand the repertoire of biological processes controlled by the RFX family and illustrate a mechanism whereby C. albicans can adjust adhesion to the oral epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana L. Rodríguez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA
| | - Elena Lindemann-Perez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA
| | - J. Christian Perez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA
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Cui Y, Wang D, Nobile CJ, Dong D, Ni Q, Su T, Jiang C, Peng Y. Systematic identification and characterization of five transcription factors mediating the oxidative stress response in Candida albicans. Microb Pathog 2024; 187:106507. [PMID: 38145792 PMCID: PMC10872297 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen that causes superficial and systemic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. In response to C. albicans infection, innate immune cells of the host produce and accumulate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to irreversible damage and apoptosis of fungal cells. Several transcription factors involved in this oxidative stress response have been identified; however, a systematic study to identify the transcription factors that mediate the oxidative stress response has not yet been conducted. Here, we screened a comprehensive transcription factor mutant library consisting of 211 transcription factor deletion mutant strains in the presence and absence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a potent ROS inducer, and identified five transcription factors (Skn7, Dpb4, Cap1, Dal81, and Stp2) that are sensitive to H2O2. Genome-wide transcriptional profiling revealed that H2O2 induces a discrete set of differentially regulated genes among the five identified transcription factor mutant strains. Functional enrichment analysis identified KEGG pathways pertaining to glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, and ribosome synthesis as the most enriched pathways. GO term analysis of the top common differentially expressed genes among the transcription factor mutant strains identified hexose catabolism and iron transport as the most enriched GO terms upon exposure to H2O2. This study is the first to systematically identify and characterise the transcription factors involved in the response to H2O2. Based on our transcriptional profiling results, we found that exposure to H2O2 modulates several downstream genes involved in fungal virulence. Overall, this study sheds new light on the metabolism, physiological functions, and cellular processes involved in the H2O2-induced oxidative stress response in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchao Cui
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Daosheng Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Clarissa J Nobile
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA; Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Danfeng Dong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Ni
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tongxuan Su
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cen Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yibing Peng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Pinsky M, Kornitzer D. Genetic Analysis of Candida albicans Filamentation by the Iron Chelator BPS Reveals a Role for a Conserved Kinase-WD40 Protein Pair. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:83. [PMID: 38276029 PMCID: PMC10820326 DOI: 10.3390/jof10010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a major human pathogenic fungus that is distinguished by its capability to switch from a yeast to a hyphal morphology under different conditions. Here, we analyze the cellular effects of high concentrations of the iron chelator bathophenanthroline disulfonate (BPS). BPS inhibits cellular growth by withholding iron, but when iron chelation is overcome by the addition of hemoglobin as an iron source, the cells resume growth as hyphae. The BPS hyphal induction pathway was characterized by identifying the hyphal-specific transcription factors that it requires and by a forward genetic screen for mutants that fail to form hyphae in BPS using a transposon library generated in a haploid strain. Among the mutants identified are the DYRK1-like kinase Yak1 and Orf19.384, a homolog of the DYRK1-associated protein WDR68/DCAF7. Orf19.384 nuclear localization depends on Yak1, similar to their mammalian counterparts. We identified the hyphal suppressor transcription factor Sfl1 as a candidate target of Yak1-Orf19.384 and show that Sfl1 modification is similarly affected in the yak1 and orf19.384 mutant strains. These results suggest that DYRK1/Yak1 and WDR68/Orf19.384 represent a conserved protein pair that regulates cell differentiation from fungi to animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Kornitzer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion—I.I.T., Haifa 31096, Israel;
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Le Bars P, Kouadio AA, Amouriq Y, Bodic F, Blery P, Bandiaky ON. Different Polymers for the Base of Removable Dentures? Part II: A Narrative Review of the Dynamics of Microbial Plaque Formation on Dentures. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 16:40. [PMID: 38201705 PMCID: PMC10780608 DOI: 10.3390/polym16010040] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the current disparities and gaps in research on the characteristics of the oral ecosystem of denture wearers, making a unique contribution to the literature on this topic. We aimed to synthesize the literature on the state of current knowledge concerning the biological behavior of the different polymers used in prosthetics. Whichever polymer is used in the composition of the prosthetic base (poly methyl methacrylate acrylic (PMMA), polyamide (PA), or polyether ether ketone (PEEK)), the simple presence of a removable prosthesis in the oral cavity can disturb the balance of the oral microbiota. This phenomenon is aggravated by poor oral hygiene, resulting in an increased microbial load coupled with the reduced salivation that is associated with older patients. In 15-70% of patients, this imbalance leads to the appearance of inflammation under the prosthesis (denture stomatitis, DS). DS is dependent on the equilibrium-as well as on the reciprocal, fragile, and constantly dynamic conditions-between the host and the microbiome in the oral cavity. Several local and general parameters contribute to this balance. Locally, the formation of microbial plaque on dentures (DMP) depends on the phenomena of adhesion, aggregation, and accumulation of microorganisms. To limit DMP, apart from oral and lifestyle hygiene, the prosthesis must be polished and regularly immersed in a disinfectant bath. It can also be covered with an insulating coating. In the long term, relining and maintenance of the prosthesis must also be established to control microbial proliferation. On the other hand, several general conditions specific to the host (aging; heredity; allergies; diseases such as diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular, respiratory, or digestive diseases; and immunodeficiencies) can make the management of DS difficult. Thus, the second part of this review addresses the complexity of the management of DMP depending on the polymer used. The methodology followed in this review comprised the formulation of a search strategy, definition of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and selection of studies for analysis. The PubMed database was searched independently for pertinent studies. A total of 213 titles were retrieved from the electronic databases, and after applying the exclusion criteria, we selected 84 articles on the possible microbial interactions between the prosthesis and the oral environment, with a particular emphasis on Candida albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Le Bars
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Nantes University, 1 Place Alexis Ricordeau, F-44042 Nantes, France; (A.A.K.); (Y.A.); (F.B.); (P.B.)
- Nantes University, Oniris, University of Angers, CHU Nantes (Clinical Investigation Unit Odontology), INSERM, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, F-44000 Nantes, France;
| | - Alain Ayepa Kouadio
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Nantes University, 1 Place Alexis Ricordeau, F-44042 Nantes, France; (A.A.K.); (Y.A.); (F.B.); (P.B.)
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, CHU, Abidjan P.O. Box 612, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Yves Amouriq
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Nantes University, 1 Place Alexis Ricordeau, F-44042 Nantes, France; (A.A.K.); (Y.A.); (F.B.); (P.B.)
- Nantes University, Oniris, University of Angers, CHU Nantes (Clinical Investigation Unit Odontology), INSERM, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, F-44000 Nantes, France;
| | - François Bodic
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Nantes University, 1 Place Alexis Ricordeau, F-44042 Nantes, France; (A.A.K.); (Y.A.); (F.B.); (P.B.)
- Nantes University, Oniris, University of Angers, CHU Nantes (Clinical Investigation Unit Odontology), INSERM, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, F-44000 Nantes, France;
| | - Pauline Blery
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Nantes University, 1 Place Alexis Ricordeau, F-44042 Nantes, France; (A.A.K.); (Y.A.); (F.B.); (P.B.)
- Nantes University, Oniris, University of Angers, CHU Nantes (Clinical Investigation Unit Odontology), INSERM, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, F-44000 Nantes, France;
| | - Octave Nadile Bandiaky
- Nantes University, Oniris, University of Angers, CHU Nantes (Clinical Investigation Unit Odontology), INSERM, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, F-44000 Nantes, France;
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Ajetunmobi OH, Badali H, Romo JA, Ramage G, Lopez-Ribot JL. Antifungal therapy of Candida biofilms: Past, present and future. Biofilm 2023; 5:100126. [PMID: 37193227 PMCID: PMC10182175 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2023.100126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Virtually all Candida species linked to clinical candidiasis are capable of forming highly resistant biofilms on different types of surfaces, which poses an additional significant threat and further complicates therapy of these infections. There is a scarcity of antifungal agents, and their effectiveness, particularly against biofilms, is limited. Here we provide a historical perspective on antifungal agents and therapy of Candida biofilms. As we reflect upon the past, consider the present, and look towards the future of antifungal therapy of Candida biofilms, we believe that there are reasons to remain optimistic, and that the major challenges of Candida biofilm therapy can be conquered within a reasonable timeframe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olabayo H. Ajetunmobi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Hamid Badali
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jesus A. Romo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Gordon Ramage
- Glasgow Biofilm Research Network, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Jose L. Lopez-Ribot
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Corresponding author. Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA.
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Ganser C, Staples MI, Dowell M, Frazer C, Dainis J, Sircaik S, Bennett RJ. Filamentation and biofilm formation are regulated by the phase-separation capacity of network transcription factors in Candida albicans. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011833. [PMID: 38091321 PMCID: PMC10718430 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of the fungus Candida albicans to filament and form biofilms contributes to its burden as a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. Biofilm development involves an interconnected transcriptional regulatory network (TRN) consisting of nine transcription factors (TFs) that bind both to their own regulatory regions and to those of the other network TFs. Here, we show that seven of the nine TFs in the C. albicans biofilm network contain prion-like domains (PrLDs) that have been linked to the ability to form phase-separated condensates. Construction of PrLD mutants in four biofilm TFs reveals that these domains are essential for filamentation and biofilm formation in C. albicans. Moreover, biofilm PrLDs promote the formation of phase-separated condensates in the nuclei of live cells, and PrLD mutations that abolish phase separation (such as the removal of aromatic residues) also prevent biofilm formation. Biofilm TF condensates can selectively recruit other TFs through PrLD-PrLD interactions and can co-recruit RNA polymerase II, implicating condensate formation in the assembly of active transcriptional complexes. Finally, we show that PrLD mutations that block the phase separation of biofilm TFs also prevent filamentation in an in vivo model of gastrointestinal colonization. Together, these studies associate transcriptional condensates with the regulation of filamentation and biofilm formation in C. albicans, and highlight how targeting of PrLD-PrLD interactions could prevent pathogenesis by this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin Ganser
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Mae I. Staples
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Maureen Dowell
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Corey Frazer
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Joseph Dainis
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Shabnam Sircaik
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Richard J. Bennett
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
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Brahma P, Aggarwal R, Sanyal K. Biased eviction of variant histone H3 nucleosomes triggers biofilm growth in Candida albicans. mBio 2023; 14:e0206323. [PMID: 37768046 PMCID: PMC10653867 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02063-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Candida albicans lives as a commensal in most healthy humans but can cause superficial skin infections to life-threatening systemic infections. C. albicans also forms biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces. Biofilm cells are difficult to treat and highly resistant to antifungals. A specific set of genes is differentially regulated in biofilm cells as compared to free-floating planktonic cells of C. albicans. In this study, we addressed how a variant histone H3VCTG, a previously identified negative regulator of biofilm formation, modulates gene expression changes. By providing compelling evidence, we show that biased eviction of H3VCTG nucleosomes at the promoters of biofilm-relevant genes facilitates the accessibility of both transcription activators and repressors to modulate gene expression. Our study is a comprehensive investigation of genome-wide nucleosome occupancy in both planktonic and biofilm states, which reveals transition to an open chromatin landscape during biofilm mode of growth in C. albicans, a medically relevant pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Brahma
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Rashi Aggarwal
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Kaustuv Sanyal
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Malinovská Z, Čonková E, Váczi P. Biofilm Formation in Medically Important Candida Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:955. [PMID: 37888211 PMCID: PMC10607155 DOI: 10.3390/jof9100955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, the number of infections caused by biofilm-forming fungal pathogens is very high. In human medicine, there is an increasing proportion of immunocompromised patients with prolonged hospitalization, and patients with long-term inserted drains, cannulas, catheters, tubes, or other artificial devices, that exhibit a predisposition for colonization by biofilm-forming yeasts. A high percentage of mortality is due to candidemia caused by medically important Candida species. Species of major clinical significance include C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, and C. auris. The association of these pathogenic species in the biofilm structure is a serious therapeutic problem. Candida cells growing in the form of a biofilm are able to resist persistent therapy thanks to a combination of their protective mechanisms and their ability to disseminate to other parts of the body, thus representing a threat from the perspective of a permanent source of infection. The elucidation of the key mechanisms of biofilm formation is essential to progress in the understanding and treatment of invasive Candida infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Malinovská
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia; (E.Č.); (P.V.)
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Balla N, Jakab Á, Kovács F, Ragyák Á, Tóth Z, Balázsi D, Forgács L, Bozó A, Al Refai F, Borman AM, Majoros L, Kovács R. Total transcriptome analysis of Candida auris planktonic cells exposed to tyrosol. AMB Express 2023; 13:81. [PMID: 37532970 PMCID: PMC10397170 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-023-01586-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tyrosol, a secondary metabolite of Candida species, regulates fungal morphogenesis, and its application may represent a novel innovative therapy against emerging multi-resistant fungal superbug such as Candida auris. In the current study, the effects of tyrosol on growth, redox homeostasis, intracellular microelement contents and activities of virulence-related enzymes released by C. auris were examined. To gain further information about the effect of tyrosol exposure, we revealed gene transcriptional changes using total transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq). At a concentration of 15 mM, tyrosol significantly decrease the growth of fungal cells within 2 h of its addition (5.6 × 107±1.2 × 107 and 2.5 × 107±0.6 × 107 colony forming unit/mL for control and tyrosol-treated cells, respectively). Furthermore, it enhanced the release of reactive oxygen species as confirmed by a dichlorofluorescein (DCF) assay (7.3 ± 1.8 [nmol DCF (OD640)-1] versus 16.8 ± 3.9 [nmol DCF (OD640)-1]), which was coincided with elevated superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Tyrosol exerted in a 37%, 25%, 34% and 55% decrease in intracellular manganese, iron, zinc and copper contents, respectively, compared to control cells. The tyrosol treatment led to a 142 and 108 differentially transcripted genes with at least a 1.5-fold increase or decrease in transcription, respectively. Genes related to iron and fatty acid metabolism as well as nucleic acid synthesis were down-regulated, whereas those related to the antioxidative defence, adhesion and oxoacid metabolic processes were up-regulated. This study shows that tyrosol significantly influences growth, intracellular physiological processes and gene transcription in C. auris, which could highly support the development of novel treatment approaches against this important pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémi Balla
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Jakab
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Fruzsina Kovács
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Ágota Ragyák
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Agilent Atomic Spectroscopy Partner Laboratory, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Tóth
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Dávid Balázsi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Lajos Forgács
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Aliz Bozó
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Farah Al Refai
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Andrew M Borman
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology (MRCCMM), University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - László Majoros
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Renátó Kovács
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary.
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12
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Iyer KR, Li SC, Revie NM, Lou JW, Duncan D, Fallah S, Sanchez H, Skulska I, Ušaj MM, Safizadeh H, Larsen B, Wong C, Aman A, Kiyota T, Yoshimura M, Kimura H, Hirano H, Yoshida M, Osada H, Gingras AC, Andes DR, Shapiro RS, Robbins N, Mazhab-Jafari MT, Whitesell L, Yashiroda Y, Boone C, Cowen LE. Identification of triazenyl indoles as inhibitors of fungal fatty acid biosynthesis with broad-spectrum activity. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:795-810.e8. [PMID: 37369212 PMCID: PMC11016341 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.06.005] [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: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Rising drug resistance among pathogenic fungi, paired with a limited antifungal arsenal, poses an increasing threat to human health. To identify antifungal compounds, we screened the RIKEN natural product depository against representative isolates of four major human fungal pathogens. This screen identified NPD6433, a triazenyl indole with broad-spectrum activity against all screening strains, as well as the filamentous mold Aspergillus fumigatus. Mechanistic studies indicated that NPD6433 targets the enoyl reductase domain of fatty acid synthase 1 (Fas1), covalently inhibiting its flavin mononucleotide-dependent NADPH-oxidation activity and arresting essential fatty acid biosynthesis. Robust Fas1 inhibition kills Candida albicans, while sublethal inhibition impairs diverse virulence traits. At well-tolerated exposures, NPD6433 extended the lifespan of nematodes infected with azole-resistant C. albicans. Overall, identification of NPD6433 provides a tool with which to explore lipid homeostasis as a therapeutic target in pathogenic fungi and reveals a mechanism by which Fas1 function can be inhibited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kali R Iyer
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sheena C Li
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Nicole M Revie
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer W Lou
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dustin Duncan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sara Fallah
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hiram Sanchez
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Iwona Skulska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Mojca Mattiazzi Ušaj
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hamid Safizadeh
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Brett Larsen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cassandra Wong
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ahmed Aman
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada; Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Taira Kiyota
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mami Yoshimura
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kimura
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | | | - Minoru Yoshida
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Osada
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David R Andes
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mohammad T Mazhab-Jafari
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Luke Whitesell
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yoko Yashiroda
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan.
| | - Charles Boone
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Japan.
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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13
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Luther CH, Brandt P, Vylkova S, Dandekar T, Müller T, Dittrich M. Integrated analysis of SR-like protein kinases Sky1 and Sky2 links signaling networks with transcriptional regulation in Candida albicans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1108235. [PMID: 37082713 PMCID: PMC10111165 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1108235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are a major global health burden where Candida albicans is among the most common fungal pathogen in humans and is a common cause of invasive candidiasis. Fungal phenotypes, such as those related to morphology, proliferation and virulence are mainly driven by gene expression, which is primarily regulated by kinase signaling cascades. Serine-arginine (SR) protein kinases are highly conserved among eukaryotes and are involved in major transcriptional processes in human and S. cerevisiae. Candida albicans harbors two SR protein kinases, while Sky2 is important for metabolic adaptation, Sky1 has similar functions as in S. cerevisiae. To investigate the role of these SR kinases for the regulation of transcriptional responses in C. albicans, we performed RNA sequencing of sky1Δ and sky2Δ and integrated a comprehensive phosphoproteome dataset of these mutants. Using a Systems Biology approach, we study transcriptional regulation in the context of kinase signaling networks. Transcriptomic enrichment analysis indicates that pathways involved in the regulation of gene expression are downregulated and mitochondrial processes are upregulated in sky1Δ. In sky2Δ, primarily metabolic processes are affected, especially for arginine, and we observed that arginine-induced hyphae formation is impaired in sky2Δ. In addition, our analysis identifies several transcription factors as potential drivers of the transcriptional response. Among these, a core set is shared between both kinase knockouts, but it appears to regulate different subsets of target genes. To elucidate these diverse regulatory patterns, we created network modules by integrating the data of site-specific protein phosphorylation and gene expression with kinase-substrate predictions and protein-protein interactions. These integrated signaling modules reveal shared parts but also highlight specific patterns characteristic for each kinase. Interestingly, the modules contain many proteins involved in fungal morphogenesis and stress response. Accordingly, experimental phenotyping shows a higher resistance to Hygromycin B for sky1Δ. Thus, our study demonstrates that a combination of computational approaches with integration of experimental data can offer a new systems biological perspective on the complex network of signaling and transcription. With that, the investigation of the interface between signaling and transcriptional regulation in C. albicans provides a deeper insight into how cellular mechanisms can shape the phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian H. Luther
- University of Würzburg, Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter/Am Hubland 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Brandt
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Slavena Vylkova
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Dandekar
- University of Würzburg, Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter/Am Hubland 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Müller
- University of Würzburg, Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter/Am Hubland 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Dittrich
- University of Würzburg, Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter/Am Hubland 97074, Würzburg, Germany
- University of Würzburg, Institut of Human Genetics, Biocenter/Am Hubland 97074, Würzburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Marcus Dittrich,
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14
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Baghiat Esfahani M, Khodavandi A, Alizadeh F, Bahador N. Biofilm-associated genes as potential molecular targets of nano-Fe 3O 4 in Candida albicans. Pharmacol Rep 2023; 75:682-694. [PMID: 36930446 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-023-00467-3] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are few effective treatments for Candida biofilm-associated infections. The present study demonstrated changes in the expression of biofilm-associated genes in Candida albicans treated with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (denoted as nano-Fe3O4). METHODS Nano-Fe3O4 was biologically synthesized using Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus cereus, and Fusarium oxysporum. Additionally, the biologically synthesized nano-Fe3O4 was characterized by visual observation; ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The biologically synthesized nano-Fe3O4 was tested for growth and biofilm formation in C. albicans. Furthermore, quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to study the inhibition of biofilm-associated genes in C. albicans treated with nano-Fe3O4. RESULTS The production of biologically synthesized nano-Fe3O4 was confirmed using extensive characterization methods. The nano-Fe3O4 inhibited growth and biofilm formation. Nano-Fe3O4 exhibited growth inhibition with minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) of 50 to 200 μg mL-1. The anti-biofilm effects of nano-Fe3O4 were shown by 2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5 sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT) reduction assay, crystal violet staining, and light field microscopy. The gene expression results showed that the downregulation of BCR1, ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, and ECE1 genes inhibited the biofilm formation in C. albicans. ALS1 reduction was greater than others, with downregulation of 1375.83-, 1178.71-, and 768.47-fold at 2 × MIC, 1 × MIC, and ½ × MIC of nano-Fe3O4, respectively. CONCLUSION Biofilm-associated genes as potential molecular targets of nano-Fe3O4 in C. albicans may be an effective novel treatment strategy for biofilm-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alireza Khodavandi
- Department of Biology, Gachsaran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gachsaran, Iran.
| | - Fahimeh Alizadeh
- Department of Biology, Gachsaran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gachsaran, Iran
| | - Nima Bahador
- Department of Microbiology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
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15
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Martins Leal Schrekker C, Sokolovicz YCA, Raucci MG, Leal CAM, Ambrosio L, Lettieri Teixeira M, Meneghello Fuentefria A, Schrekker HS. Imidazolium Salts for Candida spp. Antibiofilm High-Density Polyethylene-Based Biomaterials. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15051259. [PMID: 36904500 PMCID: PMC10007465 DOI: 10.3390/polym15051259] [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: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The species of Candida present good capability to form fungal biofilms on polymeric surfaces and are related to several human diseases since many of the employed medical devices are designed using polymers, especially high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Herein, HDPE films containing 0; 0.125; 0.250 or 0.500 wt% of 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (C16MImCl) or its analog 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate (C16MImMeS) were obtained by melt blending and posteriorly mechanically pressurized into films. This approach resulted in more flexible and less brittle films, which impeded the Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis biofilm formation on their surfaces. The employed imidazolium salt (IS) concentrations did not present any significant cytotoxic effect, and the good cell adhesion/proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells on the HDPE-IS films indicated good biocompatibility. These outcomes combined with the absence of microscopic lesions in pig skin after contact with HDPE-IS films demonstrated their potential as biomaterials for the development of effective medical device tools that reduce the risk of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Martins Leal Schrekker
- Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Sarmento Leite 500, Porto Alegre 90050-170, RS, Brazil
| | - Yuri Clemente Andrade Sokolovicz
- Laboratory of Technological Processes and Catalysis, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Grazia Raucci
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy (IPCB-CNR), Viale John Fitzgerald Kennedy 54, Mostra d’Oltremare Padiglione 20, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Alberto Martins Leal
- Laboratory of Technological Processes and Catalysis, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Luigi Ambrosio
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy (IPCB-CNR), Viale John Fitzgerald Kennedy 54, Mostra d’Oltremare Padiglione 20, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Mário Lettieri Teixeira
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Toxicology, Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC), Rodovia SC 283—km 17, Concórdia 89703-720, SC, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Meneghello Fuentefria
- Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Sarmento Leite 500, Porto Alegre 90050-170, RS, Brazil
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Avenida Ipiranga 2752, Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil
- Correspondence: (A.M.F.); (H.S.S.)
| | - Henri Stephan Schrekker
- Laboratory of Technological Processes and Catalysis, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil
- Correspondence: (A.M.F.); (H.S.S.)
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16
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Khari A, Biswas B, Gangwar G, Thakur A, Puria R. Candida auris biofilm: a review on model to mechanism conservation. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2023; 21:295-308. [PMID: 36755419 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2023.2179036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Candida auris is included in the fungal infection category 'critical' by WHO because of associated high drug tolerance and spread at an alarming rate which if remains untouched may result in serious outbreaks. Since its discovery in 2009, several assiduous efforts by mycologists across the world have deciphered its biology including growth physiology, drug tolerance, biofilm formation, etc. The differential response of various strains from different clades poses a hurdle in drawing a final conclusion. AREAS COVERED This review provides brief insights into the understanding of C. auris biofilm. It includes information on various models developed to understand the biofilms and conservation of different signaling pathways. Significant development has been made in the recent past with the generation of relevant in vivo and ex vivo models. The role of signaling pathways in the development of biofilm is largely unknown. EXPERT OPINION The selection of an appropriate model system is a must for the accuracy and reproducibility of results. The conservation of major signaling pathways in C. auris with respect to C. albicans and S. cerevisiae highlights that initial inputs acquired from orthologs will be valuable in getting insights into the mechanism of biofilm formation and associated pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsha Khari
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | | | | | - Anil Thakur
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
| | - Rekha Puria
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
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17
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Singha R, Aggarwal R, Sanyal K. Negative regulation of biofilm development by the CUG-Ser1 clade-specific histone H3 variant is dependent on the canonical histone chaperone CAF-1 complex in Candida albicans. Mol Microbiol 2023; 119:574-585. [PMID: 36855815 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15050] [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: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The CUG-Ser1 clade-specific histone H3 variant (H3VCTG ) has been reported to be a negative regulator of planktonic to biofilm growth transition in Candida albicans. The preferential binding of H3VCTG at the biofilm gene promoters makes chromatin repressive for the biofilm mode of growth. The two evolutionarily conserved chaperone complexes involved in incorporating histone H3 are CAF-1 and HIRA. In this study, we sought to identify the chaperone complex(es) involved in loading H3VCTG . We demonstrate that C. albicans cells lacking either Cac1 or Cac2 subunit of the CAF-1 chaperone complex, exhibit a hyper-filamentation phenotype on solid surfaces and form more robust biofilms than wild-type cells, thereby mimicking the phenotype of the H3VCTG null mutant. None of the subunits of the HIRA chaperone complex shows any significant difference in biofilm growth as compared to the wild type. The occupancy of H3VCTG is found to be significantly reduced at the promoters of biofilm genes in the absence of CAF-1 subunits. Hence, we provide evidence that CAF-1, a chaperone known to load canonical histone H3 in mammalian cells, is involved in chaperoning of variant histone H3VCTG at the biofilm gene promoters in C. albicans. Our findings also illustrate the acquisition of an unconventional role of the CAF-1 chaperone complex in morphogenesis in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Singha
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Rashi Aggarwal
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Kaustuv Sanyal
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
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18
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Cravener MV, Do E, May G, Zarnowski R, Andes DR, McManus CJ, Mitchell AP. Reinforcement amid genetic diversity in the Candida albicans biofilm regulatory network. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011109. [PMID: 36696432 PMCID: PMC9901766 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilms of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans include abundant long filaments called hyphae. These cells express hypha-associated genes, which specify diverse virulence functions including surface adhesins that ensure biofilm integrity. Biofilm formation, virulence, and hypha-associated gene expression all depend upon the transcription factor Efg1. This transcription factor has been characterized extensively in the C. albicans type strain SC5314 and derivatives, but only recently has its function been explored in other clinical isolates. Here we define a principal set of Efg1-responsive genes whose expression is significantly altered by an efg1Δ/Δ mutation across 17 clinical isolates. This principal gene set includes 68 direct Efg1 targets, whose 5' regions are bound by Efg1 in five clinical isolates, and 42 indirect Efg1 targets, whose 5' regions are not detectably bound by Efg1. Three direct Efg1 target genes encode transcription factors-BRG1, UME6, and WOR3 -whose increased expression in an efg1Δ/Δ mutant restores expression of multiple indirect and direct principal targets, as well as biofilm formation ability. Although BRG1 and UME6 are well known positive regulators of hypha-associated genes and biofilm formation, WOR3 is best known as an antagonist of Efg1 in the sexual mating pathway. We confirm the positive role of WOR3 in biofilm formation with the finding that a wor3Δ/Δ mutation impairs biofilm formation in vitro and in an in vivo biofilm model. Positive control of Efg1 direct target genes by other Efg1 direct target genes-BRG1, UME6, and WOR3 -may buffer principal Efg1-responsive gene expression against the impact of genetic variation in the C. albicans species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max V. Cravener
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Eunsoo Do
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Gemma May
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Robert Zarnowski
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - David R. Andes
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - C. Joel McManus
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Aaron P. Mitchell
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Sprague JL, Kasper L, Hube B. From intestinal colonization to systemic infections: Candida albicans translocation and dissemination. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2154548. [PMID: 36503341 PMCID: PMC9746630 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2154548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida species are the most prevalent cause of invasive fungal infections, of which Candida albicans is the most common. Translocation across the epithelial barrier into the bloodstream by intestinal-colonizing C. albicans cells serves as the main source for systemic infections. Understanding the fungal mechanisms behind this process will give valuable insights on how to prevent such infections and keep C. albicans in the commensal state in patients with predisposing conditions. This review will focus on recent developments in characterizing fungal translocation mechanisms, compare what we know about enteric bacterial pathogens with C. albicans, and discuss the different proposed hypotheses for how C. albicans enters and disseminates through the bloodstream immediately following translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob L. Sprague
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany,Contact: Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745Jena, Germany
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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20
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High throughput bioanalytical techniques for elucidation of Candida albicans biofilm architecture and metabolome. RENDICONTI LINCEI. SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-022-01115-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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21
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da Silva AF, Farias JR, Franco DCG, Galiza AA, Motta EP, Oliveira ADS, Vasconcelos CC, Cartágenes MDSDS, da Rocha CQ, da Silva MCP, Lopes AJO, do Nascimento FRF, Monteiro CA, Guerra RNM. Anti- Candida albicans Activity of Ononin and Other Secondary Metabolites from Platonia Insignis MART. Metabolites 2022; 12:1014. [PMID: 36355097 PMCID: PMC9696916 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12111014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a human pathogen that is part of the healthy microbiome. However, it is often associated with opportunistic fungal infections. The treatment of these infections is challenging because prolonged exposure to antifungal drugs can culminate in fungal resistance during therapy, and there is a limited number of available drugs. Therefore, this study investigated the antifungal activity of ononin by in silico and in vitro assays, and in Tenebrio molitor as an alternative in vivo model of infection caused by C. albicans. Ononin is an isoflavone glycoside derived from formononetin that has various biological activities. According in silico evaluation, ononin showed the best electron affinity in molecular docking with CaCYP51, with a binding free energy of -10.89 kcal/mol, superior to that of the antifungal drugs fluconazole and posaconazole. The ononin + CaCYP51 complex formed hydrogen bonds with Tyr132, Ser378, Phe380, and Met508, as well as hydrophobic connections with Tyr118, Leu121, Phe126, Leu131, Ile304, and Leu309, and interactions with the heme group. Ononin exerted anti-Candida albicans activity, with MIC between 3.9 and 7.8 µg/mL, and inhibited young and mature biofilms, with a reduction in cell density and metabolic activity of 50 to 80%. The compound was not cytotoxic to sheep red blood cells at concentrations up to 1000 µg/mL. Larvae of the mealworm T. molitor were used as an alternative in vivo model of C. albicans infection. Ononin was able to prolong larval survival at concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 5 mg/kg, and was not toxic up to a concentration of 20 mg/kg. Moreover, ononin reduced the fungal charge in treated animals. In conclusion, our results suggest that ononin has anti-Candida albicans activity and is a potential candidate for the development of new therapeutic alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson França da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunophysiolgy, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Program in Biotechnology-RENORBIO, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Josivan Regis Farias
- Laboratory of Immunophysiolgy, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Danielle Cristine Gomes Franco
- Laboratory of Immunophysiolgy, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Andrea Araruna Galiza
- Laboratory of Immunophysiolgy, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Program in Biotechnology-RENORBIO, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Elizangela Pestana Motta
- Laboratory of Immunophysiolgy, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Aluísio da Silva Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunophysiolgy, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
| | | | - Maria do Socorro de Sousa Cartágenes
- Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Laboratory of Experimental Study of Pain, Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
| | | | - Mayara Cristina Pinto da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunophysiolgy, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Alberto Jorge Oliveira Lopes
- Federal Institute of Science Education and Technology of Maranhão-Campus Santa Inês, Santa Inês 65300-000, Brazil
| | - Flavia Raquel Fernandes do Nascimento
- Laboratory of Immunophysiolgy, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Cristina Andrade Monteiro
- Department of Biology, Federal Institute of Science Education and Technology of Maranhão, São Luís 65030-005, Brazil
| | - Rosane Nassar Meireles Guerra
- Laboratory of Immunophysiolgy, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Program in Biotechnology-RENORBIO, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
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22
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Liu S, Le Mauff F, Sheppard DC, Zhang S. Filamentous fungal biofilms: Conserved and unique aspects of extracellular matrix composition, mechanisms of drug resistance and regulatory networks in Aspergillus fumigatus. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:83. [PMID: 36261442 PMCID: PMC9581972 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00347-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is an ubiquitous mold that can cause invasive pulmonary infections in immunocompromised patients. Within the lung, A. fumigatus forms biofilms that can enhance resistance to antifungals and immune defenses, highlighting the importance of defining the mechanisms underlying biofilm development and associated emergent properties. A. fumigatus biofilms display a morphology and architecture that is distinct from bacterial and yeast biofilms. Moreover, A. fumigatus biofilms display unique characteristics in the composition of their extracellular matrix (ECM) and the regulatory networks governing biofilm formation. This review will discuss our current understanding of the form and function of A. fumigatus biofilms, including the unique components of ECM matrix, potential drug resistance mechanisms, the regulatory networks governing A. fumigatus biofilm formation, and potential therapeutics targeting these structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Francois Le Mauff
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Infectious Disease and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.,McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Donald C Sheppard
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Infectious Disease and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Shizhu Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
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23
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Impaired amino acid uptake leads to global metabolic imbalance of Candida albicans biofilms. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:78. [PMID: 36224215 PMCID: PMC9556537 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00341-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans biofilm maturation is accompanied by enhanced expression of amino acid acquisition genes. Three state-of-the-art omics techniques were applied to detail the importance of active amino acid uptake during biofilm development. Comparative analyses of normoxic wild-type biofilms were performed under three metabolically challenging conditions: aging, hypoxia, and disabled amino acid uptake using a strain lacking the regulator of amino acid permeases Stp2. Aging-induced amino acid acquisition and stress responses to withstand the increasingly restricted environment. Hypoxia paralyzed overall energy metabolism with delayed amino acid consumption, but following prolonged adaptation, the metabolic fingerprints aligned with aged normoxic biofilms. The extracellular metabolome of stp2Δ biofilms revealed deficient uptake for 11 amino acids, resulting in extensive transcriptional and metabolic changes including induction of amino acid biosynthesis and carbohydrate and micronutrient uptake. Altogether, this study underscores the critical importance of a balanced amino acid homeostasis for C. albicans biofilm development.
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Biofilm Alterations on the Stepwise Acquisition of Fluconazole-resistant Candida Albicans Isolates. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEREOLOGY 2022; 5:132-139. [PMID: 36199677 PMCID: PMC9521591 DOI: 10.1097/jd9.0000000000000223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
By assessing and comparing the phenotypic changes on the stepwise acquisition of fluconazole resistant Candida albicans isolates, we could find and describe the relationship between drug resistance and biofilm formation ability in a series of clonal strains.
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Priya A, Pandian SK. Biofilm and hyphal inhibitory synergistic effects of phytoactives piperine and cinnamaldehyde against Candida albicans. Med Mycol 2022; 60:6602366. [PMID: 35661216 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myac039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral candidiasis, the most common mycotic infection of the human oral cavity is non-life-threatening yet if untreated may advance as systemic infections. Ability of Candida albicans to adapt sessile lifestyle imparts resistance to drugs and host immunity. Consequently, due to limited effectiveness of conventional antifungal treatment, novel therapeutic strategies are required. In the present study, synergistic interaction of phytochemicals, piperine and cinnamaldehyde against the biofilm and hyphal of C. albicans was evaluated. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and biofilm inhibitory concentration (BIC) of piperine and cinnamaldehyde against C. albicans were analysed through microbroth dilution assay and crystal violet staining method, respectively. Combinatorial biofilm and hyphal inhibitory effect were investigated through checkerboard assay. In vitro results were validated through gene expression analysis. BIC of piperine and cinnamaldehyde was determined to be 32 µg/mL and 64 µg/mL, respectively. Interaction between these two phytocomponents was found to be synergistic and six different synergistic antibiofilm combinations were identified. Microscopic analysis of biofilm architecture also evidenced the biofilm and surface adherence inhibitory potential of piperine and cinnamaldehyde combinations. Phenotypic switching between yeast and hyphal morphological forms was influenced by synergistic combinations. qPCR analysis corroborated the results of in vitro activities. nrg1 and trp1, the negative transcriptional regulators of filamentous growth were upregulated whereas other genes that are involved in biofilm formation, filamentous growth, adhesion etc were found to be downregulated. These proficient phytochemical combinations provide a new therapeutic avenue for the treatment of biofilm associated oral candidiasis and to combat the recurrent infections due to antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arumugam Priya
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Science Campus, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
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26
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Glazier VE. EFG1, Everyone’s Favorite Gene in Candida albicans: A Comprehensive Literature Review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:855229. [PMID: 35392604 PMCID: PMC8980467 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.855229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida sp. are among the most common fungal commensals found in the human microbiome. Although Candida can be found residing harmlessly on the surface of the skin and mucosal membranes, these opportunistic fungi have the potential to cause superficial skin, nail, and mucus membrane infections as well as life threatening systemic infections. Severity of infection is dependent on both fungal and host factors including the immune status of the host. Virulence factors associated with Candida sp. pathogenicity include adhesin proteins, degradative enzymes, phenotypic switching, and morphogenesis. A central transcriptional regulator of morphogenesis, the transcription factor Efg1 was first characterized in Candida albicans in 1997. Since then, EFG1 has been referenced in the Candida literature over three thousand times, with the number of citations growing daily. Arguably one of the most well studied genes in Candida albicans, EFG1 has been referenced in nearly all contexts of Candida biology from the development of novel therapeutics to white opaque switching, hyphae morphology to immunology. In the review that follows we will synthesize the research that has been performed on this extensively studied transcription factor and highlight several important unanswered questions.
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27
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FLO8 deletion leads to decreased adhesion and virulence with downregulated expression of EPA1, EPA6, and EPA7 in Candida glabrata. Braz J Microbiol 2022; 53:727-738. [PMID: 35122657 PMCID: PMC9151949 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00703-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Candida glabrata does not develop into a pathogenic hiphal form; however, it has become the second most common pathogen of fungal infections in humans, partly because of its adhesion ability and virulence. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to determine whether Flo8, a transcription factor that plays an important role in the virulence and drug resistance in Candida albicans, has a similar role in C. glabrata. METHODS We constructed FLO8 null strains of a C. glabrata standard strain and eight clinical strains from different sources, and a FLO8 complemented strain. Real-time quantitative PCR, biofilm formation assays, hydrophobicity tests, adhesion tests, Caenorhabditis elegans survival assay, and drug-susceptibility were then performed. RESULTS Compared with the wild-type strains, the biofilm formation, hydrophobicity, adhesion, and virulence of the FLO8-deficient strains decreased, accompanied by decreased expression of EPA1, EPA6, and EPA7. On the other hand, it showed no changes in antifungal drug resistance, although the expression levels of CDR1, CDR2, and SNQ2 increased after FLO8 deletion. CONCLUSIONS These results indicated that Flo8 is involved in the adhesion and virulence of C. glabrata, with FLO8 deletion leading to decreased expression of EPA1, EPA6, and EPA7 and decreased biofilm formation, hydrophobicity, adhesion, and virulence.
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Iracane E, Vega-Estévez S, Buscaino A. On and Off: Epigenetic Regulation of C. albicans Morphological Switches. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111463. [PMID: 34832617 PMCID: PMC8619191 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans is a dimorphic opportunistic pathogen that colonises most of the human population without creating any harm. However, this fungus can also cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals. The ability to successfully colonise different host niches is critical for establishing infections and pathogenesis. C. albicans can live and divide in various morphological forms critical for its survival in the host. Indeed, C. albicans can grow as both yeast and hyphae and can form biofilms containing hyphae. The transcriptional regulatory network governing the switching between these different forms is complex but well understood. In contrast, non-DNA based epigenetic modulation is emerging as a crucial but still poorly studied regulatory mechanism of morphological transition. This review explores our current understanding of chromatin-mediated epigenetic regulation of the yeast to hyphae switch and biofilm formation. We highlight how modification of chromatin structure and non-coding RNAs contribute to these morphological transitions.
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29
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Palková Z, Váchová L. Spatially structured yeast communities: Understanding structure formation and regulation with omics tools. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:5613-5621. [PMID: 34712401 PMCID: PMC8529026 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-celled yeasts form spatially structured populations - colonies and biofilms, either alone (single-species biofilms) or in cooperation with other microorganisms (mixed-species biofilms). Within populations, yeast cells develop in a coordinated manner, interact with each other and differentiate into specialized cell subpopulations that can better adapt to changing conditions (e.g. by reprogramming metabolism during nutrient deficiency) or protect the overall population from external influences (e.g. via extracellular matrix). Various omics tools together with specialized techniques for separating differentiated cells and in situ microscopy have revealed important processes and cell interactions in these structures, which are summarized here. Nevertheless, current knowledge is still only a small part of the mosaic of complexity and diversity of the multicellular structures that yeasts form in different environments. Future challenges include the use of integrated multi-omics approaches and a greater emphasis on the analysis of differentiated cell subpopulations with specific functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdena Palková
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Libuše Váchová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
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30
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Lu H, Li F, Yuan L, Domenzain I, Yu R, Wang H, Li G, Chen Y, Ji B, Kerkhoven EJ, Nielsen J. Yeast metabolic innovations emerged via expanded metabolic network and gene positive selection. Mol Syst Biol 2021; 17:e10427. [PMID: 34676984 PMCID: PMC8532513 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202110427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Yeasts are known to have versatile metabolic traits, while how these metabolic traits have evolved has not been elucidated systematically. We performed integrative evolution analysis to investigate how genomic evolution determines trait generation by reconstructing genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) for 332 yeasts. These GEMs could comprehensively characterize trait diversity and predict enzyme functionality, thereby signifying that sequence-level evolution has shaped reaction networks towards new metabolic functions. Strikingly, using GEMs, we can mechanistically map different evolutionary events, e.g. horizontal gene transfer and gene duplication, onto relevant subpathways to explain metabolic plasticity. This demonstrates that gene family expansion and enzyme promiscuity are prominent mechanisms for metabolic trait gains, while GEM simulations reveal that additional factors, such as gene loss from distant pathways, contribute to trait losses. Furthermore, our analysis could pinpoint to specific genes and pathways that have been under positive selection and relevant for the formulation of complex metabolic traits, i.e. thermotolerance and the Crabtree effect. Our findings illustrate how multidimensional evolution in both metabolic network structure and individual enzymes drives phenotypic variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhong Lu
- Department of Biology and Biological EngineeringChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Feiran Li
- Department of Biology and Biological EngineeringChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Le Yuan
- Department of Biology and Biological EngineeringChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Iván Domenzain
- Department of Biology and Biological EngineeringChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Rosemary Yu
- Department of Biology and Biological EngineeringChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Biology and Biological EngineeringChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
- National Bioinformatics Infrastructure SwedenScience for Life LaboratoryChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Biology and Biological EngineeringChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Biology and Biological EngineeringChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Boyang Ji
- Department of Biology and Biological EngineeringChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for BiosustainabilityTechnical University of DenmarkLyngbyDenmark
| | - Eduard J Kerkhoven
- Department of Biology and Biological EngineeringChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Jens Nielsen
- Department of Biology and Biological EngineeringChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for BiosustainabilityTechnical University of DenmarkLyngbyDenmark
- BioInnovation InstituteCopenhagen NDenmark
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31
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Rai LS, van Wijlick L, Chauvel M, d'Enfert C, Legrand M, Bachellier-Bassi S. Overexpression approaches to advance understanding of Candida albicans. Mol Microbiol 2021; 117:589-599. [PMID: 34569668 PMCID: PMC9298300 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that is responsible for infections linked to high mortality. Loss‐of‐function approaches, taking advantage of gene knockouts or inducible down‐regulation, have been successfully used in this species in order to understand gene function. However, overexpression of a gene provides an alternative, powerful tool to elucidate gene function and identify novel phenotypes. Notably, overexpression can identify pathway components that might remain undetected using loss‐of‐function approaches. Several repressible or inducible promoters have been developed which allow to shut off or turn on the expression of a gene in C. albicans upon growth in the presence of a repressor or inducer. In this review, we summarize recent overexpression approaches used to study different aspects of C. albicans biology, including morphogenesis, biofilm formation, drug tolerance, and commensalism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laxmi Shanker Rai
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INRAE, USC2019, Paris, France
| | - Lasse van Wijlick
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INRAE, USC2019, Paris, France
| | - Murielle Chauvel
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INRAE, USC2019, Paris, France
| | - Christophe d'Enfert
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INRAE, USC2019, Paris, France
| | - Mélanie Legrand
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INRAE, USC2019, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Bachellier-Bassi
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INRAE, USC2019, Paris, France
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Galdiero E, Ricciardelli A, D'Angelo C, de Alteriis E, Maione A, Albarano L, Casillo A, Corsaro MM, Tutino ML, Parrilli E. Pentadecanoic acid against Candida albicans-Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilm: towards the development of an anti-biofilm coating to prevent polymicrobial infections. Res Microbiol 2021; 172:103880. [PMID: 34563667 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2021.103880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The ability to form biofilms is a common feature of microorganisms, which can colonize a variety of surfaces, such as host tissues and medical devices, resulting in infections highly resistant to conventional drugs. This aspect is particularly critical in polymicrobial biofilms involving both fungi and bacteria, therefore, to eradicate such severe infections, new and effective anti-biofilm strategies are needed. The efficacy of pentadecanal and pentadecanoic acid as anti-biofilm agents has been recently reported against different bacterial strains. Their chemical similarity with diffusible signal factors (DSFs), plus the already known ability of fatty acids to act as anti-biofilm agents, suggested to explore their use against Candida albicans and Klebsiella pneumoniae mixed biofilm. In this work, we demonstrated the ability of both molecules to prevent the formation and destabilize the structure of the dual-species biofilm. Moreover, the pentadecanoic acid anti-biofilm coating, previously developed through the adsorption of the fatty acid on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), was proved to prevent the polymicrobial biofilm formation in dynamic conditions by confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis. Finally, the evaluation of the expression levels of some biofilm-related genes of C. albicans and K. pneumoniae treated with pentadecanoic acid provided some insights into the molecular mechanisms underpinning its anti-biofilm effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Galdiero
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Santangelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - A Ricciardelli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - C D'Angelo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - E de Alteriis
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Santangelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - A Maione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Santangelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - L Albarano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Santangelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80125, Naples, Italy; Department of Marine Biothecnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - A Casillo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - M M Corsaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - M L Tutino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - E Parrilli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80125, Naples, Italy.
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33
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CO 2 enhances the formation, nutrient scavenging and drug resistance properties of C. albicans biofilms. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2021; 7:67. [PMID: 34385462 PMCID: PMC8361082 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-021-00238-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
C. albicans is the predominant human fungal pathogen and frequently colonises medical devices, such as voice prostheses, as a biofilm. It is a dimorphic yeast that can switch between yeast and hyphal forms in response to environmental cues, a property that is essential during biofilm establishment and maturation. One such cue is the elevation of CO2 levels, as observed in exhaled breath for example. However, despite the clear medical relevance, the effect of CO2 on C. albicans biofilm growth has not been investigated to date. Here we show that physiologically relevant CO2 elevation enhances each stage of the C. albicans biofilm-forming process: from attachment through maturation to dispersion. The effects of CO2 are mediated via the Ras/cAMP/PKA signalling pathway and the central biofilm regulators Efg1, Brg1, Bcr1 and Ndt80. Biofilms grown under elevated CO2 conditions also exhibit increased azole resistance, increased Sef1-dependent iron scavenging and enhanced glucose uptake to support their rapid growth. These findings suggest that C. albicans has evolved to utilise the CO2 signal to promote biofilm formation within the host. We investigate the possibility of targeting CO2-activated processes and propose 2-deoxyglucose as a drug that may be repurposed to prevent C. albicans biofilm formation on medical airway management implants. We thus characterise the mechanisms by which CO2 promotes C. albicans biofilm formation and suggest new approaches for future preventative strategies.
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Cavalheiro M, Pereira D, Formosa-Dague C, Leitão C, Pais P, Ndlovu E, Viana R, Pimenta AI, Santos R, Takahashi-Nakaguchi A, Okamoto M, Ola M, Chibana H, Fialho AM, Butler G, Dague E, Teixeira MC. From the first touch to biofilm establishment by the human pathogen Candida glabrata: a genome-wide to nanoscale view. Commun Biol 2021; 4:886. [PMID: 34285314 PMCID: PMC8292413 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02412-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida glabrata is an opportunistic pathogen that adheres to human epithelial mucosa and forms biofilm to cause persistent infections. In this work, Single-cell Force Spectroscopy (SCFS) was used to glimpse at the adhesive properties of C. glabrata as it interacts with clinically relevant surfaces, the first step towards biofilm formation. Following a genetic screening, RNA-sequencing revealed that half of the entire transcriptome of C. glabrata is remodeled upon biofilm formation, around 40% of which under the control of the transcription factors CgEfg1 and CgTec1. Using SCFS, it was possible to observe that CgEfg1, but not CgTec1, is necessary for the initial interaction of C. glabrata cells with both abiotic surfaces and epithelial cells, while both transcription factors orchestrate biofilm maturation. Overall, this study characterizes the network of transcription factors controlling massive transcriptional remodelling occurring from the initial cell-surface interaction to mature biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Cavalheiro
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Diana Pereira
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Carolina Leitão
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Pais
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Easter Ndlovu
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Romeu Viana
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andreia I Pimenta
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rui Santos
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Michiyo Okamoto
- Medical Mycology Research Center (MMRC), Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Mihaela Ola
- School of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hiroji Chibana
- Medical Mycology Research Center (MMRC), Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Arsénio M Fialho
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Geraldine Butler
- School of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Etienne Dague
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France.
| | - Miguel C Teixeira
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB - Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal.
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35
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Salama OE, Gerstein AC. High-Throughput Computational Analysis of Biofilm Formation from Time-Lapse Microscopy. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e194. [PMID: 34242490 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans biofilm formation in the presence of drugs can be examined through time-lapse microscopy. In many cases, the images are used qualitatively, which limits their utility for hypothesis testing. We employed a machine-learning algorithm implemented in the Orbit Image Analysis program to detect the percent area covered by cells from each image. This is combined with custom R scripts to determine the growth rate, growth asymptote, and time to reach the asymptote as quantitative proxies for biofilm formation. We describe step-by-step protocols that go from sample preparation for time-lapse microscopy through image analysis parameterization and visualization of the model fit. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Sample preparation Basic Protocol 2: Time-lapse microscopy: Evos protocol Basic Protocol 3: Batch file renaming Basic Protocol 4: Machine learning analysis of Evos images with Orbit Basic Protocol 5: Parametrization of Orbit output in R Basic Protocol 6: Visualization of logistic fits in R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ola E Salama
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Aleeza C Gerstein
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Department of Statistics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Maia CMDA, Pasetto S, Nonaka CFW, Costa EMMDB, Murata RM. Yeast-Host Interactions: Anadenanthera colubrina Modulates Virulence Factors of C. albicans and Inflammatory Response In Vitro. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:629778. [PMID: 34168555 PMCID: PMC8217765 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.629778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral candidiasis is one of the most common fungal infections in humans. Its incidence has increased widely, as well as the antifungal resistance, demanding for the search for novel antifungal therapeutic agents. Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan is a plant species that has been proven to possess pharmacological effects, including antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities. This study evaluated in vitro the effects of standardized A. colubrina extract on virulence factors of Candida albicans and its regulation on immune response through C. albicans-host interaction. Antifungal activity was evaluated by Broth Microdilution Method against reference Candida strains (C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis; C. dubliniensis). Anti-biofilm effect was performed on C. albicans mature biofilm and quantified by CFU/mL/g of biofilm dry weight. Proleotlytic enzymatic activities of proteinase and phospholipase were assessed by Azocasein and Phosphatidylcholine assays, respectively. Cytotoxicity effect was determined by Cell Titer Blue Viability Assay on Human Gingival Fibroblasts. Co-cultured model was used to analyze C. albicans coexisting with HGF by Scanning Electron Microscopy and fluorescence microscopies; gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR of C. albicans enzymes (SAP-1, PLB-1) and of host inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, IL-10). Cytokines secretion was analysed by Luminex. The extract presented antifungal effect with MIC<15.62 μg/ml against Candida strains. Biofilm and proteolytic activity were significant reduced at 312.4 μg/ml (20 × 15.62 μg/ml) extract concentration. Cell viability was maintained higher than 70% in concentrations up to 250 μg/ml (LD50 = 423.3 μg/ml). Co-culture microscopies demonstrated a substantial decreased in C. albicans growth and minimal toxicity against host cells. Gene expressions of SAP-1/PLB-1 were significantly down-regulated and host immune response was modulated by a significant decreased on IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines secretion. A. colubrina had antifungal activity on Candida strains, antibiofilm, and anti-proteolytic enzyme effects against C. albicans. Presented low cytotoxicity to the host cells and modulatory effects on the host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Medeiros de Almeida Maia
- Department of Dentistry, Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, State University of Paraiba, Campina Grande, Brazil
- Department of Foundational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Silvana Pasetto
- Department of Foundational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | | | | | - Ramiro Mendonça Murata
- Department of Foundational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
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37
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Barbosa A, Araújo D, Henriques M, Silva S. The combined application of the anti-RAS1 and anti-RIM101 2'-OMethylRNA oligomers enhances Candida albicans filamentation control. Med Mycol 2021; 59:1024-1031. [PMID: 34097057 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myab033] [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: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Whereas antisense oligomers (ASOs) have been successfully utilized to control gene expression, they have been little exploited to control Candida albicans virulence's determinants. Filamentation is an important virulence factor of C. albicans, and RAS1 and RIM101 genes are involved in its regulation. Thus, the main goal of this work was to project ASOs, based on 2'-OMethyl chemical modification, to target RAS1 and RIM101 mRNA and to validate its application either alone or in combination, to reduce Candida filamentation in different human body fluids.It was verified that both, anti-RAS1 2'OMe and anti-RIM101 2'OMe oligomers, were able to reduce the levels of RAS1 and RIM101 genes' expression and to significantly reduce C. albicans filamentation. Furthermore, the combined application of anti-RAS1 2'OMe oligomer and anti-RIM101 2'OMe oligomer enhances the control of C. albicans filamentation in artificial saliva and urine.Our work confirms that ASOs are useful tools for research and therapeutic development on the control of candidiasis. LAY ABSTRACT This work aimed to project antisense oligomers to control Candida albicans filamentation. The results revealed that the projected oligomers, anti-RAS1 2'OMe and anti-RIM101 2'OMe, were able to control RAS1 and RIM101 gene expression and to significantly reduce C. albicans filamentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Barbosa
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Daniela Araújo
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Mariana Henriques
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sónia Silva
- LIBRO - Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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38
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Wang JM, Woodruff AL, Dunn MJ, Fillinger RJ, Bennett RJ, Anderson MZ. Intraspecies Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Key Regulators of Candida albicans Pathogenic Traits. mBio 2021; 12:e00586-21. [PMID: 33879584 PMCID: PMC8092256 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00586-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The human commensal and opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans displays extensive genetic and phenotypic variation across clinical isolates. Here, we performed RNA sequencing on 21 well-characterized isolates to examine how genetic variation contributes to gene expression differences and to link these differences to phenotypic traits. C. albicans adapts primarily through clonal evolution, and yet hierarchical clustering of gene expression profiles in this set of isolates did not reproduce their phylogenetic relationship. Strikingly, strain-specific gene expression was prevalent in some strain backgrounds. Association of gene expression with phenotypic data by differential analysis, linear correlation, and assembly of gene networks connected both previously characterized and novel genes with 23 C. albicans traits. Construction of de novo gene modules produced a gene atlas incorporating 67% of C. albicans genes and revealed correlations between expression modules and important phenotypes such as systemic virulence. Furthermore, targeted investigation of two modules that have novel roles in growth and filamentation supported our bioinformatic predictions. Together, these studies reveal widespread transcriptional variation across C. albicans isolates and identify genetic and epigenetic links to phenotypic variation based on coexpression network analysis.IMPORTANCE Infectious fungal species are often treated uniformly despite clear evidence of genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity being widespread across strains. Identifying the genetic basis for this phenotypic diversity is extremely challenging because of the tens or hundreds of thousands of variants that may distinguish two strains. Here, we use transcriptional profiling to determine differences in gene expression that can be linked to phenotypic variation among a set of 21 Candida albicans isolates. Analysis of this transcriptional data set uncovered clear trends in gene expression characteristics for this species and new genes and pathways that were associated with variation in pathogenic processes. Direct investigation confirmed functional predictions for a number of new regulators associated with growth and filamentation, demonstrating the utility of these approaches in linking genes to important phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M Wang
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Andrew L Woodruff
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Matthew J Dunn
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Robert J Fillinger
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Richard J Bennett
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Matthew Z Anderson
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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39
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Mancera E, Nocedal I, Hammel S, Gulati M, Mitchell KF, Andes DR, Nobile CJ, Butler G, Johnson AD. Evolution of the complex transcription network controlling biofilm formation in Candida species. eLife 2021; 10:e64682. [PMID: 33825680 PMCID: PMC8075579 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We examine how a complex transcription network composed of seven 'master' regulators and hundreds of target genes evolved over a span of approximately 70 million years. The network controls biofilm formation in several Candida species, a group of fungi that are present in humans both as constituents of the microbiota and as opportunistic pathogens. Using a variety of approaches, we observed two major types of changes that have occurred in the biofilm network since the four extant species we examined last shared a common ancestor. Master regulator 'substitutions' occurred over relatively long evolutionary times, resulting in different species having overlapping but different sets of master regulators of biofilm formation. Second, massive changes in the connections between the master regulators and their target genes occurred over much shorter timescales. We believe this analysis is the first detailed, empirical description of how a complex transcription network has evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Mancera
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad IrapuatoIrapuatoMexico
| | - Isabel Nocedal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Stephen Hammel
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Megha Gulati
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, MercedMercedUnited States
| | - Kaitlin F Mitchell
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of WisconsinMadisonUnited States
| | - David R Andes
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of WisconsinMadisonUnited States
| | - Clarissa J Nobile
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, MercedMercedUnited States
| | - Geraldine Butler
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Alexander D Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Microbiome Initiative, Chan Zuckerberg BiohubSan FranciscoUnited States
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40
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Brandenburg KS, Weaver AJ, Karna SLR, Leung KP. The impact of simultaneous inoculation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans on rodent burn wounds. Burns 2021; 47:1818-1832. [PMID: 33771422 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2021.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Burn wound infection often involves a diverse combination of bacterial and fungal pathogens. In this study, we characterize the mixed species burn wound infection by inoculating the burn surface with 1 × 103/4/5 CFU of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans in a 1:1:1 ratio. Using the revised Walker-Mason scald burn rat model, 168 male Sprague-Dawley rats (350-450 g) subject to ∼10% TBSA burn injury, with or without inoculation, were evaluated for 11 days after burn. In the wound, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus formed robust biofilms as determined by the bacterial tissue load, ∼1 × 109 CFU/g, and expression of key biofilm genes. Interestingly, within 3 days C. albicans achieved tissue loads of ∼1 × 106 CFU/g, but its numbers were significantly reduced beyond the limit of detection in the burn wound by day 7 in partial-thickness injuries and by day 11 in full-thickness injuries. The pathogenic biofilms contributed to burn depth progression, increased release of HMGB-1 into circulation from injured tissue, and significantly elevated the numbers of circulating innate immune cells (Neutrophils, Monocytes, and Basophils). This robust model of multi-species burn wound infection will serve as the basis for the development of new antimicrobials for combating biofilm-based wound infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth S Brandenburg
- Division of Combat Wound Repair, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
| | - Alan J Weaver
- Division of Combat Wound Repair, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
| | - S L Rajasekhar Karna
- Division of Combat Wound Repair, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
| | - Kai P Leung
- Division of Combat Wound Repair, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
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41
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Enhancing the Antifungal Activity of Griseofulvin by Incorporation a Green Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposite. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13040542. [PMID: 33673135 PMCID: PMC7918479 DOI: 10.3390/polym13040542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal biofilms have caused several medical problems, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality as well as poor response to antifungal drugs. The current study was designed to evaluate the enhancement of antifungal and anti-biofilm activity of Griseofulvin-loaded green nanocomposite-based biopolymers (Ge-Nco) of glycogen and gelatin against different strains of pathogenic Candida species. The prepared Ge-Nco was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). In addition, the morphology of the mature biofilm and the inhibition of biofilm was monitored and visualized using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and (IC50) of Griseofulvin alone and the prepared Ge-Nco against three different strains of Candida sp. were determined according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method. The effects of Griseofulvin alone and Ge-Nco on the tested Candida sp. biofilm formation were determined by the crystal-violet staining protocol. The biofilm inhibition potential of Ge-Nco against the tested Candida sp. was detected and depicted under CLSM (2.5 D view). The findings depicted that Ge-Nco was prepared in nanometer size (10–23 nm). The observed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Griseofulvin alone and Ge-Nco against three different Candida sp. were found to be in range 49.9–99.8 μg/mL and 6.24–12.48 μg/mL, respectively. These results provide evidence for implementing efficient antivirulence approaches against three different Candida sp. that would be less likely to foster the emergence of resistance.
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42
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Ponde NO, Lortal L, Ramage G, Naglik JR, Richardson JP. Candida albicans biofilms and polymicrobial interactions. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 47:91-111. [PMID: 33482069 PMCID: PMC7903066 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2020.1843400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a common fungus of the human microbiota. While generally a harmless commensal in healthy individuals, several factors can lead to its overgrowth and cause a range of complications within the host, from localized superficial infections to systemic life-threatening disseminated candidiasis. A major virulence factor of C. albicans is its ability to form biofilms, a closely packed community of cells that can grow on both abiotic and biotic substrates, including implanted medical devices and mucosal surfaces. These biofilms are extremely hard to eradicate, are resistant to conventional antifungal treatment and are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, making biofilm-associated infections a major clinical challenge. Here, we review the current knowledge of the processes involved in C. albicans biofilm formation and development, including the central processes of adhesion, extracellular matrix production and the transcriptional network that regulates biofilm development. We also consider the advantages of the biofilm lifestyle and explore polymicrobial interactions within multispecies biofilms that are formed by C. albicans and selected microbial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole O. Ponde
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Léa Lortal
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon Ramage
- School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, Glasgow Dental School and Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow, G2 3JZ, United Kingdom
| | - Julian R. Naglik
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan P. Richardson
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
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43
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Involvement of amyloid proteins in the formation of biofilms in the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. Res Microbiol 2021; 172:103813. [PMID: 33515679 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2021.103813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Candida species represent a major fungal threat for human health. Within the Candida genus, the yeast Candida albicans is the most frequently incriminated species during episodes of candidiasis or candidemia. Biofilm formation is used by C. albicans to produce a microbial community that is important in an infectious context. The cell wall, the most superficial cellular compartment, is of paramount importance regarding the establishment of biofilms. C. albicans cell wall contains proteins with amyloid properties that are necessary for biofilm formation due to their adhesion properties. This review focuses on these amyloid proteins during biofilm formation in the yeast C. albicans.
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44
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Sircaik S, Román E, Bapat P, Lee KK, Andes DR, Gow NAR, Nobile CJ, Pla J, Panwar SL. The protein kinase Ire1 impacts pathogenicity of Candida albicans by regulating homeostatic adaptation to endoplasmic reticulum stress. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13307. [PMID: 33403715 PMCID: PMC8044019 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The unfolded protein response (UPR), crucial for the maintenance of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis, is tied to the regulation of multiple cellular processes in pathogenic fungi. Here, we show that Candida albicans relies on an ER‐resident protein, inositol‐requiring enzyme 1 (Ire1) for sensing ER stress and activating the UPR. Compromised Ire1 function impacts cellular processes that are dependent on functional secretory homeostasis, as inferred from transcriptional profiling. Concordantly, an Ire1‐mutant strain exhibits pleiotropic roles in ER stress response, antifungal tolerance, cell wall regulation and virulence‐related traits. Hac1 is the downstream target of C. albicans Ire1 as it initiates the unconventional splicing of the 19 bp intron from HAC1 mRNA during tunicamycin‐induced ER stress. Ire1 also activates the UPR in response to perturbations in cell wall integrity and cell membrane homeostasis in a manner that does not necessitate the splicing of HAC1 mRNA. Furthermore, the Ire1‐mutant strain is severely defective in hyphal morphogenesis and biofilm formation as well as in establishing a successful infection in vivo. Together, these findings demonstrate that C. albicans Ire1 functions to regulate traits that are essential for virulence and suggest its importance in responding to multiple stresses, thus integrating various stress signals to maintain ER homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Sircaik
- Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Elvira Román
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Priyanka Bapat
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, California, USA.,Quantitative and System Biology Graduate Program, University of California, Merced, California, USA
| | - Keunsook K Lee
- The Aberdeen Fungal Group, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - David R Andes
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Neil A R Gow
- The Aberdeen Fungal Group, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.,Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Clarissa J Nobile
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, California, USA.,Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, California, USA
| | - Jesús Pla
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sneh Lata Panwar
- Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
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45
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Ke CL, Liao YT, Lin CH. MSS2 maintains mitochondrial function and is required for chitosan resistance, invasive growth, biofilm formation and virulence in Candida albicans. Virulence 2021; 12:281-297. [PMID: 33427576 PMCID: PMC7808435 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1870082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most prevalent fungal pathogen in humans, particularly in immunocompromised patients. In this study, by screening a C. albicans mutant library, we first identified that the MSS2 gene, an ortholog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae MSS2 required for mitochondrial respiration, mediates chitosan resistance. Upon treatment with 0.2% chitosan, the growth of mss2Δ strains was strikingly impaired, and MSS2 expression was significantly repressed by chitosan. Furthermore, mss2Δ strains exhibited slow growth on medium supplemented with glycerol as the sole carbon source. Similar to the chitosan-treated wild-type strain, the mss2Δ strain exhibited a significantly impaired ATP production ability. These data suggest that an antifungal mechanism of chitosan against C. albicans acts by inhibiting MSS2 gene expression, leading to repression of mitochondrial function. Normal respiratory function is suggested to be required for fungal virulence. Interestingly, the mss2Δ mutant strains exhibited significantly impaired invasive ability in vitro and ex vivo but retained normal hyphal development ability in liquid medium. Furthermore, the MSS2 deletion strains could not form robust biofilms and exhibited significantly reduced virulence. Collectively, these results demonstrated that the antifungal effect of chitosan against C. albicans is mediated via inhibition of mitochondrial biogenesis. These data may provide another strategy for antifungal drug development via inhibition of fungal mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai-Ling Ke
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University , Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Liao
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University , Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University , Taipei, Taiwan
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A Screen for Small Molecules to Target Candida albicans Biofilms. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 7:jof7010009. [PMID: 33375490 PMCID: PMC7824004 DOI: 10.3390/jof7010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans can form biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces, which are inherently resistant to antifungal drugs. We screened the Chembridge Small Molecule Diversity library containing 30,000 “drug-like” small molecules and identified 45 compounds that inhibited biofilm formation. These 45 compounds were then tested for their abilities to disrupt mature biofilms and for combinatorial interactions with fluconazole, amphotericin B, and caspofungin, the three antifungal drugs most commonly prescribed to treat Candida infections. In the end, we identified one compound that moderately disrupted biofilm formation on its own and four compounds that moderately inhibited biofilm formation and/or moderately disrupted mature biofilms only in combination with either caspofungin or fluconazole. No combinatorial interactions were observed between the compounds and amphotericin B. As members of a diversity library, the identified compounds contain “drug-like” chemical backbones, thus even seemingly “weak hits” could represent promising chemical starting points for the development and the optimization of new classes of therapeutics designed to target Candida biofilms.
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47
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Pereira R, Dos Santos Fontenelle RO, de Brito EHS, de Morais SM. Biofilm of Candida albicans: formation, regulation and resistance. J Appl Microbiol 2020; 131:11-22. [PMID: 33249681 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most common human fungal pathogen, causing infections that range from mucous membranes to systemic infections. The present article provides an overview of C. albicans, with the production of biofilms produced by this fungus, as well as reporting the classes of antifungals used to fight such infections, together with the resistance mechanisms to these drugs. Candida albicans is highly adaptable, enabling the transition from commensal to pathogen due to a repertoire of virulence factors. Specifically, the ability to change morphology and form biofilms is central to the pathogenesis of C. albicans. Indeed, most infections by this pathogen are associated with the formation of biofilms on surfaces of hosts or medical devices, causing high morbidity and mortality. Significantly, biofilms formed by C. albicans are inherently tolerant to antimicrobial therapy, so the susceptibility of C. albicans biofilms to current therapeutic agents remains low. Therefore, it is difficult to predict which molecules will emerge as new clinical antifungals. The biofilm formation of C. albicans has been causing impacts on susceptibility to antifungals, leading to resistance, which demonstrates the importance of research aimed at the prevention and control of these clinical microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pereira
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Microbiology Laboratory (LABMIC), Vale do Acaraú State University, Sobral, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - E H S de Brito
- Institute of Health Sciences of University for International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusophony, Redenção, Ceará, Brazil
| | - S M de Morais
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products (LQPN), Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
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48
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Rodriguez DL, Quail MM, Hernday AD, Nobile CJ. Transcriptional Circuits Regulating Developmental Processes in Candida albicans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:605711. [PMID: 33425784 PMCID: PMC7793994 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.605711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal member of the human microbiota that colonizes multiple niches in the body including the skin, oral cavity, and gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts of healthy individuals. It is also the most common human fungal pathogen isolated from patients in clinical settings. C. albicans can cause a number of superficial and invasive infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals. The ability of C. albicans to succeed as both a commensal and a pathogen, and to thrive in a wide range of environmental niches within the host, requires sophisticated transcriptional regulatory programs that can integrate and respond to host specific environmental signals. Identifying and characterizing the transcriptional regulatory networks that control important developmental processes in C. albicans will shed new light on the strategies used by C. albicans to colonize and infect its host. Here, we discuss the transcriptional regulatory circuits controlling three major developmental processes in C. albicans: biofilm formation, the white-opaque phenotypic switch, and the commensal-pathogen transition. Each of these three circuits are tightly knit and, through our analyses, we show that they are integrated together by extensive regulatory crosstalk between the core regulators that comprise each circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana L. Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California—Merced, Merced, CA, United States
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California—Merced, Merced, CA, United States
| | - Morgan M. Quail
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California—Merced, Merced, CA, United States
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California—Merced, Merced, CA, United States
| | - Aaron D. Hernday
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California—Merced, Merced, CA, United States
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California - Merced, Merced, CA, United States
| | - Clarissa J. Nobile
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California—Merced, Merced, CA, United States
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California - Merced, Merced, CA, United States
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49
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Preventing Candida albicans biofilm formation using aromatic-rich piperazines. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115810. [PMID: 33091849 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The global increase in microbial resistance is an imminent threat to public health. Effective treatment of infectious diseases now requires new antimicrobial therapies. We report herein the discovery of aromatic-rich piperazines that inhibit biofilm formation by C. albicans. 22 piperazines, including 16 novel ones, were prepared efficiently using a combination of solid- and solution phase synthesis. The most potent compound prevents morphological switching under several hypha-inducing conditions and reduces C. albicans' ability to adhere to epithelial cells. These processes are essential to the development of Candida biofilms, which are associated with its increased resistance to immune defenses and antifungal agents.
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50
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Zara G, Budroni M, Mannazzu I, Fancello F, Zara S. Yeast biofilm in food realms: occurrence and control. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 36:134. [PMID: 32776210 PMCID: PMC7415760 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-020-02911-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In natural environments, microorganisms form microbial aggregates called biofilms able to adhere to a multitude of different surfaces. Yeasts make no exception to this rule, being able to form biofilms in a plethora of environmental niches. In food realms, yeast biofilms may cause major problems due to their alterative activities. In addition, yeast biofilms are tenacious structures difficult to eradicate or treat with the current arsenal of antifungal agents. Thus, much effort is being made to develop novel approaches to prevent and disrupt yeast biofilms, for example through the use of natural antimicrobials or small molecules with both inhibiting and dispersing properties. The aim of this review is to provide a synopsis of the most recent literature on yeast biofilms regarding: (i) biofilm formation mechanisms; (ii) occurrence in food and in food-related environments; and (iii) inhibition and dispersal using natural compounds, in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Zara
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Marilena Budroni
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Ilaria Mannazzu
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Francesco Fancello
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Severino Zara
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
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