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Edrich ESM, Duvenage L, Gourlay CW. Alternative Oxidase - Aid or obstacle to combat the rise of fungal pathogens? BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOENERGETICS 2024; 1865:149031. [PMID: 38195037 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2024.149031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens present a growing threat to both humans and global health security alike. Increasing evidence of antifungal resistance in fungal populations that infect both humans and plant species has increased reliance on combination therapies and shown the need for new antifungal therapeutic targets to be investigated. Here, we review the roles of mitochondria and fungal respiration in pathogenesis and discuss the role of the Alternative Oxidase enzyme (Aox) in both human fungal pathogens and phytopathogens. Increasing evidence exists for Aox within mechanisms that underpin fungal virulence. Aox also plays important roles in adaptability that may prove useful within dual targeted fungal-specific therapeutic approaches. As improved fungal specific mitochondrial and Aox inhibitors are under development we may see this as an emerging target for future approaches to tackling the growing challenge of fungal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucian Duvenage
- CMM AFRICA Medical Mycology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Campbell W Gourlay
- Kent Fungal Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Kent CT2 9HY, UK.
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2
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Li J, Yang S, Wu Y, Wang R, Liu Y, Liu J, Ye Z, Tang R, Whiteway M, Lv Q, Yan L. Alternative Oxidase: From Molecule and Function to Future Inhibitors. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:12478-12499. [PMID: 38524433 PMCID: PMC10955580 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
In the respiratory chain of the majority of aerobic organisms, the enzyme alternative oxidase (AOX) functions as the terminal oxidase and has important roles in maintaining metabolic and signaling homeostasis in mitochondria. AOX endows the respiratory system with flexibility in the coupling among the carbon metabolism pathway, electron transport chain (ETC) activity, and ATP turnover. AOX allows electrons to bypass the main cytochrome pathway to restrict the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The inhibition of AOX leads to oxidative damage and contributes to the loss of adaptability and viability in some pathogenic organisms. Although AOXs have recently been identified in several organisms, crystal structures and major functions still need to be explored. Recent work on the trypanosome alternative oxidase has provided a crystal structure of an AOX protein, which contributes to the structure-activity relationship of the inhibitors of AOX. Here, we review the current knowledge on the development, structure, and properties of AOXs, as well as their roles and mechanisms in plants, animals, algae, protists, fungi, and bacteria, with a special emphasis on the development of AOX inhibitors, which will improve the understanding of respiratory regulation in many organisms and provide references for subsequent studies of AOX-targeted inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiye Li
- School
of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Institute
of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy
of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Shiyun Yang
- School
of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yujie Wu
- School
of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ruina Wang
- School
of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yu Liu
- School
of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jiacun Liu
- School
of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zi Ye
- School
of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Renjie Tang
- Beijing
South Medical District of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100072, China
| | - Malcolm Whiteway
- Department
of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, H4B 1R6 Quebec, Canada
| | - Quanzhen Lv
- School
of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Basic
Medicine Innovation Center for Fungal Infectious Diseases, (Naval Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200433, China
- Key
Laboratory of Biosafety Defense (Naval Medical University), Ministry
of Education, Shanghai 200433, China
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Lan Yan
- School
of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Basic
Medicine Innovation Center for Fungal Infectious Diseases, (Naval Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200433, China
- Key
Laboratory of Biosafety Defense (Naval Medical University), Ministry
of Education, Shanghai 200433, China
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai 200433, China
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Sharma R, Gibb AA, Barnts K, Elrod JW, Puri S. Alternative oxidase promotes high iron tolerance in Candida albicans. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0215723. [PMID: 37929974 PMCID: PMC10714975 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02157-23] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The yeast C. albicans exhibits metabolic flexibility for adaptability to host niches with varying availability of nutrients including essential metals like iron. For example, blood is iron deplete, while the oral cavity and the intestinal lumen are considered iron replete. We show here that C. albicans can tolerate very high levels of environmental iron, despite an increase in high iron-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) that it mitigates with the help of a unique oxidase, known as alternative oxidase (AOX). High iron induces AOX1/2 that limits mitochondrial accumulation of ROS. Genetic elimination of AOX1/2 resulted in diminished virulence during oropharyngeal candidiasis in high iron mice. Since human mitochondria lack AOX protein, it represents a unique target for treatment of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishabh Sharma
- Oral Microbiome Research Laboratory, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew A. Gibb
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kelcie Barnts
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Medicine and Surgery, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John W. Elrod
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sumant Puri
- Oral Microbiome Research Laboratory, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Sendra KM, Watson AK, Kozhevnikova E, Moore AL, Embley TM, Hirt RP. Inhibition of mitosomal alternative oxidase causes lifecycle arrest of early-stage Trachipleistophora hominis meronts during intracellular infection of mammalian cells. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1011024. [PMID: 36538568 PMCID: PMC9767352 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011024] [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: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitosomes are highly reduced forms of mitochondria which have lost two of the 'defining' features of the canonical organelle, the mitochondrial genome, and the capacity to generate energy in the form of ATP. Mitosomes are found in anaerobic protists and obligate parasites and, in most of the studied organisms, have a conserved function in the biosynthesis of iron-sulfur clusters (ISC) that are indispensable cofactors of many essential proteins. The genomes of some mitosome-bearing human pathogenic Microsporidia encode homologues of an alternative oxidase (AOX). This mitochondrial terminal respiratory oxidase is absent from the human host, and hence is a potential target for the development of new antimicrobial agents. Here we present experimental evidence for the mitosomal localization of AOX in the microsporidian Trachipleistophora hominis and demonstrate that it has an important role during the parasite's life cycle progression. Using a recently published methodology for synchronising T. hominis infection of mammalian cell lines, we demonstrated specific inhibition of T. hominis early meront growth and replication by an AOX inhibitor colletochlorin B. Treatment of T. hominis-infected host cells with the drug also inhibited re-infection by newly formed dispersive spores. Addition of the drug during the later stages of the parasite life cycle, when our methods suggest that AOX is not actively produced and T. hominis mitosomes are mainly active in Fe/S cluster biosynthesis, had no inhibitory effects on the parasites. Control experiments with the AOX-deficient microsporidian species Encephalitozoon cuniculi, further demonstrated the specificity of inhibition by the drug. Using the same methodology, we demonstrate effects of two clinically used anti-microsporidian drugs albendazole and fumagillin on the cell biology and life cycle progression of T. hominis infecting mammalian host cells. In summary, our results reveal that T. hominis mitosomes have an active role to play in the progression of the parasite life cycle as well as an important role in the biosynthesis of essential Fe/S clusters. Our work also demonstrates that T. hominis is a useful model for testing the efficacy of therapeutic agents and for studying the physiology and cell biology of microsporidian parasites growing inside infected mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacper M. Sendra
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (KMS); (RPH)
| | - Andrew K. Watson
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anthony L. Moore
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - T. Martin Embley
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Robert P. Hirt
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (KMS); (RPH)
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Alternative oxidase is involved in oxidative stress resistance and melanin synthesis in Annulohypoxylon stygium, a companion fungus of Tremella fuciformis. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2022; 115:365-374. [DOI: 10.1007/s10482-021-01705-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Giusiano G. The Trojan Horse Model in Paracoccidioides: A Fantastic Pathway to Survive Infecting Human Cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:605679. [PMID: 33680980 PMCID: PMC7928272 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.605679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most relevant systemic endemic mycosis limited to Latin American countries. The etiological agents are thermally dimorphic species of the genus Paracoccidioides. Infection occurs via respiratory tract by inhalation of propagules from the environmental (saprophytic) phase. In the lung alveoli the fungus converts to the characteristic yeast phase (parasitic) where interact with extracellular matrix proteins, epithelial cells, and the host cellular immunity. The response involves phagocytic cells recognition but intracellular Paracoccidioides have demonstrated the ability to survive and also multiply inside the neutrophils, macrophages, giant cells, and dendritic cells. Persistence of Paracoccidioides as facultative intracellular pathogen is important in terms of the fungal load but also regarding to the possibility to disseminate penetrating other tissues even protected by the phagocytes. This strategy to invade other organs via transmigration of infected phagocytes is called Trojan horse mechanism and it was also described for other fungi and considered a factor of pathogenicity. This mini review comprises a literature revision of the spectrum of tools and mechanisms displayed by Paracoccidioides to overcame phagocytosis, discusses the Trojan horse model and the immunological context in proven models or the possibility that Paracoccidioides apply this tool for dissemination to other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Giusiano
- Mycology Department, Instituto de Medicina Regional, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Resistencia, Argentina
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Updates in Paracoccidioides Biology and Genetic Advances in Fungus Manipulation. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7020116. [PMID: 33557381 PMCID: PMC7915485 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The dimorphic fungi of the Paracoccidioides genus are the causative agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). This disease is endemic in Latin America and primarily affects workers in rural areas. PCM is considered a neglected disease, despite being a disabling disease that has a notable impact on the public health system. Paracoccidioides spp. are thermally dimorphic fungi that present infective mycelia at 25 °C and differentiate into pathogenic yeast forms at 37 °C. This transition involves a series of morphological, structural, and metabolic changes which are essential for their survival inside hosts. As a pathogen, the fungus is subjected to several varieties of stress conditions, including the host immune response, which involves the production of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, thermal stress due to temperature changes during the transition, pH alterations within phagolysosomes, and hypoxia inside granulomas. Over the years, studies focusing on understanding the establishment and development of PCM have been conducted with several limitations due to the low effectiveness of strategies for the genetic manipulation of Paracoccidioides spp. This review describes the most relevant biological features of Paracoccidioides spp., including aspects of the phylogeny, ecology, stress response, infection, and evasion mechanisms of the fungus. We also discuss the genetic aspects and difficulties of fungal manipulation, and, finally, describe the advances in molecular biology that may be employed in molecular research on this fungus in the future.
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Seki Kioshima E, de Souza Bonfim de Mendonça P, de Melo Teixeira M, Grenier Capoci IR, Amaral A, Vilugron Rodrigues-Vendramini FA, Lauton Simões B, Rodrigues Abadio AK, Fernandes Matos L, Soares Felipe MS. One Century of Study: What We Learned about Paracoccidioides and How This Pathogen Contributed to Advances in Antifungal Therapy. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:106. [PMID: 33540749 PMCID: PMC7913102 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020106] [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: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a notable fungal infection restricted to Latin America. Since the first description of the disease by Lutz up to the present day, Brazilian researchers have contributed to the understanding of the life cycle of this pathogen and provided the possibility of new targets for antifungal therapy based on the structural and functional genomics of Paracoccidioides. In this context, in silico approaches have selected molecules that act on specific targets, such as the thioredoxin system, with promising antifungal activity against Paracoccidioides. Some of these are already in advanced development stages. In addition, the application of nanostructured systems has addressed issues related to the high toxicity of conventional PCM therapy. Thus, the contribution of molecular biology and biotechnology to the advances achieved is unquestionable. However, it is still necessary to transcend the boundaries of synthetic chemistry, pharmaco-technics, and pharmacodynamics, aiming to turn promising molecules into newly available drugs for the treatment of fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Seki Kioshima
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Patrícia de Souza Bonfim de Mendonça
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Marcus de Melo Teixeira
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasilia, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil;
| | - Isis Regina Grenier Capoci
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - André Amaral
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil;
| | - Franciele Abigail Vilugron Rodrigues-Vendramini
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Bruna Lauton Simões
- Program in Biosciences and Pathophysiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringa (UEM), Maringa, Parana 87020-900, Brazil; (P.d.S.B.d.M.); (I.R.G.C.); (F.A.V.R.-V.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Ana Karina Rodrigues Abadio
- Faculty of Agricultural Social Sciences, Mato Grosso State University, Nova Mutum, Mato Grosso 78450-000, Brazil;
| | - Larissa Fernandes Matos
- Faculty of Ceilandia, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Distrito Federal 72220-275, Brazil;
- Program in Microbial Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Sueli Soares Felipe
- Program of Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasília 70790-160, Brazil;
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Romero-Aguilar L, Cárdenas-Monroy C, Garrido-Bazán V, Aguirre J, Guerra-Sánchez G, Pardo JP. On the use of n-octyl gallate and salicylhydroxamic acid to study the alternative oxidase role. Arch Biochem Biophys 2020; 694:108603. [PMID: 32986977 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2020.108603] [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: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The alternative oxidase (AOX) catalyzes the transfer of electrons from ubiquinol to oxygen without the translocation of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. This enzyme has been proposed to participate in the regulation of cell growth, sporulation, yeast-mycelium transition, resistance to reactive oxygen species, infection, and production of secondary metabolites. Two approaches have been used to evaluate AOX function: incubation of cells for long periods of time with AOX inhibitors or deletion of AOX gene. However, AOX inhibitors might have different targets. To test non-specific effects of n-octyl gallate (nOg) and salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) on fungal physiology we measured the growth and respiratory capacity of two fungal strains lacking (Ustilago maydis-Δaox and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and three species containing the AOX gene (U. maydis WT, Debaryomyces hansenii, and Aspergillus nidulans). For U. maydis, a strong inhibition of growth and respiratory capacity by SHAM was observed, regardless of the presence of AOX. Similarly, A. nidulans mycelial growth was inhibited by low concentrations of nOg independently of AOX expression. In contrast, these inhibitors had no effect or had a minor effect on S. cerevisiae and D. hansenii growth. These results show that nOg and SHAM have AOX independent effects which vary in different microorganisms, indicating that studies based on long-term incubation of cells with these inhibitors should be considered as inconclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucero Romero-Aguilar
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Copilco, Cd. Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Christian Cárdenas-Monroy
- Ciencia Forense, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Copilco, Cd. Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Verónica Garrido-Bazán
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Copilco, Cd. Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jesus Aguirre
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Copilco, Cd. Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Guerra-Sánchez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biotecnología de Hongos, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N., Miguel Hidalgo, 11350, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Juan Pablo Pardo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Copilco, Cd. Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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10
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Tian F, Lee SY, Woo SY, Chun HS. Alternative Oxidase: A Potential Target for Controlling Aflatoxin Contamination and Propagation of Aspergillus flavus. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:419. [PMID: 32256475 PMCID: PMC7092633 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxins are among the most hazardous natural cereal contaminants. These mycotoxins are produced by Aspergillus spp. as polyketide secondary metabolites. Aflatoxigenic fungi including A. flavus express the alternative oxidase (AOX), which introduces a branch in the cytochrome-based electron transfer chain by coupling ubiquinol oxidation directly with the reduction of O2 to H2O. AOX is closely associated with fungal pathogenesis, morphogenesis, stress signaling, and drug resistance and, as recently reported, affects the production of mycotoxins such as sterigmatocystin, the penultimate intermediate in aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis. Thus, AOX might be considered a target for controlling the propagation of and aflatoxin contamination by A. flavus. Hence, this review summarizes the current understanding of fungal AOX and the alternative respiration pathway and the development and potential applications of AOX inhibitors. This review indicates that AOX inhibitors, either alone or in combination with current antifungal agents, are potentially applicable for developing novel, effective antifungal strategies. However, considering the conservation of AOX in fungal and plant cells, a deeper understanding of fungal alternative respiration and fungal AOX structure is needed, along with effective fungal-specific AOX inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Tian
- Food Toxicology Laboratory, Advanced Food Safety Research Group, BK21 Plus, School of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, South Korea
| | - Sang Yoo Lee
- Food Toxicology Laboratory, Advanced Food Safety Research Group, BK21 Plus, School of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, South Korea
| | - So Young Woo
- Food Toxicology Laboratory, Advanced Food Safety Research Group, BK21 Plus, School of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, South Korea
| | - Hyang Sook Chun
- Food Toxicology Laboratory, Advanced Food Safety Research Group, BK21 Plus, School of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, South Korea
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11
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Down-regulation of TUFM impairs host cell interaction and virulence by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17206. [PMID: 31748561 PMCID: PMC6868139 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51540-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Paracoccidioides consist of dimorphic fungi geographically limited to the subtropical regions of Latin America, which are responsible for causing deep systemic mycosis in humans. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Paracoccidioides spp. causes the disease remain poorly understood. Paracoccidioides spp. harbor genes that encode proteins involved in host cell interaction and mitochondrial function, which together are required for pathogenicity and mediate virulence. Previously, we identified TufM (previously known as EF-Tu) in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (PbTufM) and suggested that it may be involved in the pathogenicity of this fungus. In this study, we examined the effects of downregulating PbTUFM using a silenced strain with a 55% reduction in PbTUFM expression obtained by antisense-RNA (aRNA) technology. Silencing PbTUFM yielded phenotypic differences, such as altered translation elongation, respiratory defects, increased sensitivity of yeast cells to reactive oxygen stress, survival after macrophage phagocytosis, and reduced interaction with pneumocytes. These results were associated with reduced virulence in Galleria mellonella and murine infection models, emphasizing the importance of PbTufM in the full virulence of P. brasiliensis and its potential as a target for antifungal agents against paracoccidioidomycosis.
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12
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Bosnjak N, Smith KM, Asaria I, Lahola-Chomiak A, Kishore N, Todd AT, Freitag M, Nargang FE. Involvement of a G Protein Regulatory Circuit in Alternative Oxidase Production in Neurospora crassa. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2019; 9:3453-3465. [PMID: 31444295 PMCID: PMC6778808 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Neurospora crassa nuclear aod-1 gene encodes an alternative oxidase that functions in mitochondria. The enzyme provides a branch from the standard electron transport chain by transferring electrons directly from ubiquinol to oxygen. In standard laboratory strains, aod-1 is transcribed at very low levels under normal growth conditions. However, if the standard electron transport chain is disrupted, aod-1 mRNA expression is induced and the AOD1 protein is produced. We previously identified a strain of N. crassa, that produces high levels of aod-1 transcript under non-inducing conditions. Here we have crossed this strain to a standard lab strain and determined the genomic sequences of the parents and several progeny. Analysis of the sequence data and the levels of aod-1 mRNA in uninduced cultures revealed that a frameshift mutation in the flbA gene results in the high uninduced expression of aod-1 The flbA gene encodes a regulator of G protein signaling that decreases the activity of the Gα subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins. Our data suggest that strains with a functional flbA gene prevent uninduced expression of aod-1 by inactivating a G protein signaling pathway, and that this pathway is activated in cells grown under conditions that induce aod-1 Induced cells with a deletion of the gene encoding the Gα protein still have a partial increase in aod-1 mRNA levels, suggesting a second pathway for inducing transcription of the gene in N. crassa We also present evidence that a translational control mechanism prevents production of AOD1 protein in uninduced cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Bosnjak
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9 and
| | - Kristina M Smith
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-4003
| | - Iman Asaria
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9 and
| | - Adrian Lahola-Chomiak
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9 and
| | - Nishka Kishore
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9 and
| | - Andrea T Todd
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9 and
| | - Michael Freitag
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-4003
| | - Frank E Nargang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9 and
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13
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Lin Z, Wu J, Jamieson PA, Zhang C. Alternative Oxidase Is Involved in the Pathogenicity, Development, and Oxygen Stress Response of Botrytis cinerea. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2019; 109:1679-1688. [PMID: 31479404 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-01-19-0012-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Alternative oxidase (AOX) is a ubiquinol terminal oxidase that is involved in fungal mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. In this study, we analyzed the roles of AOX in Botrytis cinerea by generating BcAOX deletion mutants. The mutants exhibited defects in mycelial growth, sporulation, spore germination, and virulence. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the mutants to quinone outside inhibitor fungicides and oxidative stress were increased. All phenotypic variations could be restored in the complemented strain. In summary, these results showed that BcAOX is involved in the regulation for vegetative development, adaptation to environmental stress, and virulence of B. cinerea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zesong Lin
- Department of Crop Protection, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forest University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Jianyan Wu
- Department of Crop Protection, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forest University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Pierce A Jamieson
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, and Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A
| | - Chuanqing Zhang
- Department of Crop Protection, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forest University, Hangzhou 311300, China
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14
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Ebiloma GU, Balogun EO, Cueto-Díaz EJ, de Koning HP, Dardonville C. Alternative oxidase inhibitors: Mitochondrion-targeting as a strategy for new drugs against pathogenic parasites and fungi. Med Res Rev 2019; 39:1553-1602. [PMID: 30693533 DOI: 10.1002/med.21560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The alternative oxidase (AOX) is a ubiquitous terminal oxidase of plants and many fungi, catalyzing the four-electron reduction of oxygen to water alongside the cytochrome-based electron transfer chain. Unlike the classical electron transfer chain, however, the activity of AOX does not generate adenosine triphosphate but has functions such as thermogenesis and stress response. As it lacks a mammalian counterpart, it has been investigated intensely in pathogenic fungi. However, it is in African trypanosomes, which lack cytochrome-based respiration in their infective stages, that trypanosome alternative oxidase (TAO) plays the central and essential role in their energy metabolism. TAO was validated as a drug target decades ago and among the first inhibitors to be identified was salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM), which produced the expected trypanocidal effects, especially when potentiated by coadministration with glycerol to inhibit anaerobic energy metabolism as well. However, the efficacy of this combination was too low to be of practical clinical use. The antibiotic ascofuranone (AF) proved a much stronger TAO inhibitor and was able to cure Trypanosoma vivax infections in mice without glycerol and at much lower doses, providing an important proof of concept milestone. Systematic efforts to improve the SHAM and AF scaffolds, aided with the elucidation of the TAO crystal structure, provided detailed structure-activity relationship information and reinvigorated the drug discovery effort. Recently, the coupling of mitochondrion-targeting lipophilic cations to TAO inhibitors has dramatically improved drug targeting and trypanocidal activity while retaining target protein potency. These developments appear to have finally signposted the way to preclinical development of TAO inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godwin U Ebiloma
- Department of Applied Biology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan.,Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Emmanuel O Balogun
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.,Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Harry P de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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15
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Casagrande FB, de Souza Ferreira S, Nunes FPB, Romera LMD, dos Santos SS, Tessaro FHG, de Souza PRK, Almeida SR, Martins JO. Insulin Modulates Paracoccidioides brasiliensis-Induced Inflammation by Restoring the Populations of NK Cells, Dendritic Cells, and B Lymphocytes in Lungs. J Diabetes Res 2018; 2018:6209694. [PMID: 30426021 PMCID: PMC6217756 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6209694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis, a key issue for Brazilian health service, can be aggravated in patients with impaired immunological responses, such as diabetic patients. We evaluated the role of insulin in inflammatory parameters in diabetic and nondiabetic mice using a systemic mycosis Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) model. Diabetic C57BL-6 mice and controls were infected with Pb18 and treated with insulin for 12 days prior to experiments. After 55 days, infected diabetic mice exhibited fewer leukocytes in both peritoneal lavage fluid (PeLF) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and reduced secretion of interleukin- (IL-) 6 in lungs. In addition, diabetic mice presented a reduced influx of TCD4+ cells, TCD8+ cells, B lymphocytes, NK cells, and dendritic cells compared to control infected groups. Insulin treatment restored the leukocyte number in PeLF and restored the presence of B lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and NK cells in lungs of diabetic animals. The data suggest that diabetic mice present impaired immunological response to Pb18 infection and insulin modulates inflammation by reducing IL-6 levels in lung and CINC-1 levels in spleen and liver homogenates, restoring leukocyte concentrations in PeLF and also restoring populations of dendritic cells and B lymphocytes in lungs of diabetic mice, permitting the host to better control the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Beccaria Casagrande
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of University Sao Paulo (FCF/USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sabrina de Souza Ferreira
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of University Sao Paulo (FCF/USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Peixoto Barbosa Nunes
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of University Sao Paulo (FCF/USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Suelen Silvana dos Santos
- Laboratory of Mycology, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, FCF/USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando Henrique Galvão Tessaro
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of University Sao Paulo (FCF/USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula Regina Knox de Souza
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of University Sao Paulo (FCF/USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Universidade Paulista (UNIP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandro Rogério Almeida
- Laboratory of Mycology, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, FCF/USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joilson Oliveira Martins
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of University Sao Paulo (FCF/USP), São Paulo, Brazil
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16
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Castilho DG, Navarro MV, Chaves AFA, Xander P, Batista WL. Recovery of the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis virulence after animal passage promotes changes in the antioxidant repertoire of the fungus. FEMS Yeast Res 2018; 18:4835518. [DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foy007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele G Castilho
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Marina V Navarro
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Alison F A Chaves
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Patricia Xander
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Campus Diadema, Rua São Nicolau, 210, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil
| | - Wagner L Batista
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Campus Diadema, Rua São Nicolau, 210, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil
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17
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González A. Depicting the metabolism of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis during infection by transcriptional and proteomic approaches. Virulence 2017; 8:1108-1110. [PMID: 28679067 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2017.1349591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Angel González
- a Basic and Applied Microbiology Research Group (MICROBRA) , School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia , Medellín , Colombia
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18
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Camacho E, Niño-Vega GA. Paracoccidioides Spp.: Virulence Factors and Immune-Evasion Strategies. Mediators Inflamm 2017; 2017:5313691. [PMID: 28553014 PMCID: PMC5434249 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5313691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioides spp. are dimorphic fungal pathogens responsible for one of the most relevant systemic mycoses in Latin America, paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Their exact ecological niche remains unknown; however, they have been isolated from soil samples and armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), which have been proposed as animal reservoir for these fungi. Human infection occurs by inhalation of conidia or mycelia fragments and is mostly associated with immunocompetent hosts inhabiting and/or working in endemic rural areas. In this review focusing on the pathogen perspective, we will discuss some of the microbial attributes and molecular mechanisms that enable Paracoccidioides spp. to tolerate, adapt, and ultimately avoid the host immune response, establishing infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Camacho
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunobiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gustavo A. Niño-Vega
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, GTO, Mexico
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19
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Mercy L, Lucic-Mercy E, Nogales A, Poghosyan A, Schneider C, Arnholdt-Schmitt B. A Functional Approach towards Understanding the Role of the Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain in an Endomycorrhizal Symbiosis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:417. [PMID: 28424712 PMCID: PMC5371606 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are crucial components of fertile soils, able to provide several ecosystem services for crop production. Current economic, social and legislative contexts should drive the so-called "second green revolution" by better exploiting these beneficial microorganisms. Many challenges still need to be overcome to better understand the mycorrhizal symbiosis, among which (i) the biotrophic nature of AMF, constraining their production, while (ii) phosphate acts as a limiting factor for the optimal mycorrhizal inoculum application and effectiveness. Organism fitness and adaptation to the changing environment can be driven by the modulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain, strongly connected to the phosphorus processing. Nevertheless, the role of the respiratory function in mycorrhiza remains largely unexplored. We hypothesized that the two mitochondrial respiratory chain components, alternative oxidase (AOX) and cytochrome oxidase (COX), are involved in specific mycorrhizal behavior. For this, a complex approach was developed. At the pre-symbiotic phase (axenic conditions), we studied phenotypic responses of Rhizoglomus irregulare spores with two AOX and COX inhibitors [respectively, salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) and potassium cyanide (KCN)] and two growth regulators (abscisic acid - ABA and gibberellic acid - Ga3). At the symbiotic phase, we analyzed phenotypic and transcriptomic (genes involved in respiration, transport, and fermentation) responses in Solanum tuberosum/Rhizoglomus irregulare biosystem (glasshouse conditions): we monitored the effects driven by ABA, and explored the modulations induced by SHAM and KCN under five phosphorus concentrations. KCN and SHAM inhibited in vitro spore germination while ABA and Ga3 induced differential spore germination and hyphal patterns. ABA promoted mycorrhizal colonization, strong arbuscule intensity and positive mycorrhizal growth dependency (MGD). In ABA treated plants, R. irregulare induced down-regulation of StAOX gene isoforms and up-regulation of genes involved in plant COX pathway. In all phosphorus (P) concentrations, blocking AOX or COX induced opposite mycorrhizal patterns in planta: KCN induced higher Arum-type arbuscule density, positive MGD but lower root colonization compared to SHAM, which favored Paris-type formation and negative MGD. Following our results and current state-of-the-art knowledge, we discuss metabolic functions linked to respiration that may occur within mycorrhizal behavior. We highlight potential connections between AOX pathways and fermentation, and we propose new research and mycorrhizal application perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Birgit Arnholdt-Schmitt
- Functional Cell Reprogramming and Organism Plasticity (FunCrop), EU Marie Curie Chair, ICAAM, University of ÉvoraÉvora, Portugal
- Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of CearáFortaleza, Brazil
- Science and Technology Park Alentejo (PCTA)Évora, Portugal
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20
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Cárdenas-Monroy CA, Pohlmann T, Piñón-Zárate G, Matus-Ortega G, Guerra G, Feldbrügge M, Pardo JP. The mitochondrial alternative oxidase Aox1 is needed to cope with respiratory stress but dispensable for pathogenic development in Ustilago maydis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0173389. [PMID: 28273139 PMCID: PMC5342259 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial alternative oxidase is an important enzyme that allows respiratory activity and the functioning of the Krebs cycle upon disturbance of the respiration chain. It works as a security valve in transferring excessive electrons to oxygen, thereby preventing potential damage by the generation of harmful radicals. A clear biological function, besides the stress response, has so far convincingly only been shown for plants that use the alternative oxidase to generate heat to distribute volatiles. In fungi it was described that the alternative oxidase is needed for pathogenicity. Here, we investigate expression and function of the alternative oxidase at different stages of the life cycle of the corn pathogen Ustilago maydis (Aox1). Interestingly, expression of Aox1 is specifically induced during the stationary phase suggesting a role at high cell density when nutrients become limiting. Studying deletion strains as well as overexpressing strains revealed that Aox1 is dispensable for normal growth, for cell morphology, for response to temperature stress as well as for filamentous growth and plant pathogenicity. However, during conditions eliciting respiratory stress yeast-like growth as well as hyphal growth is strongly affected. We conclude that Aox1 is dispensable for the normal biology of the fungus but specifically needed to cope with respiratory stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas Pohlmann
- Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Department of Biology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gabriela Piñón-Zárate
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM. Ciudad de México, México
| | - Genaro Matus-Ortega
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM. Ciudad de México, México
| | - Guadalupe Guerra
- Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Ciudad de México, México
| | - Michael Feldbrügge
- Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Department of Biology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Juan Pablo Pardo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM. Ciudad de México, México
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21
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Casaletti L, Lima PS, Oliveira LN, Borges CL, Báo SN, Bailão AM, Soares CMA. Analysis of Paracoccidioides lutzii mitochondria: a proteomic approach. Yeast 2017; 34:179-188. [PMID: 27886402 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Paracoccidioides is composed of thermal dimorphic fungi, causative agents of paracoccidioidomycosis, one of the most frequent systemic mycoses in Latin America. Mitochondria have sophisticated machinery for ATP production, which involves metabolic pathways such as citric acid and glyoxylate cycles, electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. In addition, this organelle performs a variety of functions in the cell, working as an exceptional metabolic signalling centre that contributes to cellular stress responses, as autophagy and apoptosis in eukaryotic organisms. The aim of this work was to perform a descriptive proteomic analysis of mitochondria in Paracoccidioides lutzii yeast cells. After mitochondria fractionation, samples enriched in mitochondrial proteins were digested with trypsin and analysed using a NanoUPLC-MSE system (Waters Corporation, Manchester, UK). Ours results revealed that the established protocol for purification of mitochondria was very effective for P. lutzii, and 298 proteins were identified as primarily mitochondrial, in our analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first compilation of mitochondrial proteins from P. lutzii, to date. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Casaletti
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICBII, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.,Escola de Engenharia, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás, 74605-010, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - P S Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICBII, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - L N Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICBII, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - C L Borges
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICBII, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - S N Báo
- Laboratório de Microscopia, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - A M Bailão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICBII, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - C M A Soares
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICBII, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
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22
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Tamayo D, Muñoz JF, Almeida AJ, Puerta JD, Restrepo Á, Cuomo CA, McEwen JG, Hernández O. Paracoccidioides spp. catalases and their role in antioxidant defense against host defense responses. Fungal Genet Biol 2017; 100:22-32. [PMID: 28093309 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Dimorphic human pathogenic fungi interact with host effector cells resisting their microbicidal mechanisms. Yeast cells are able of surviving within the tough environment of the phagolysosome by expressing an antioxidant defense system that provides protection against host-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS). This includes the production of catalases (CATs). Here we identified and analyzed the role of CAT isoforms in Paracoccidioides, the etiological agent of paracoccidioidomycosis. Firstly, we found that one of these isoforms was absent in the closely related dimorphic pathogen Coccidioides and dermatophytes, but all of them were conserved in Paracoccidioides, Histoplasma and Blastomyces species. We probed the contribution of CATs in Paracoccidioides by determining the gene expression levels of each isoform through quantitative RT-qPCR, in both the yeast and mycelia phases, and during the morphological switch (transition and germination), as well as in response to oxidative agents and during interaction with neutrophils. PbCATP was preferentially expressed in the pathogenic yeast phase, and was associated to the response against exogenous H2O2. Therefore, we created and analyzed the virulence defects of a knockdown strain for this isoform, and found that CATP protects yeast cells from H2O2 generated in vitro and is relevant during lung infection. On the other hand, CATA and CATB seem to contribute to ROS homeostasis in Paracoccidioides cells, during endogenous oxidative stress. CAT isoforms in Paracoccidioides might be coordinately regulated during development and dimorphism, and differentially expressed in response to different stresses to control ROS homeostasis during the infectious process, contributing to the virulence of Paracoccidioides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Tamayo
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia; Institute of Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - José F Muñoz
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia; Institute of Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Agostinho J Almeida
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia; Department of Biological Sciences, School of Sciences, Universidad EAFIT, Medellín, Colombia; Instituto Universitario da Maia, Maia, Portugal
| | - Juan D Puerta
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Ángela Restrepo
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - Juan G McEwen
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia; School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Orville Hernández
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia; School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; MICROBA Research Group, School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
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23
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Muñoz JF, Farrer RA, Desjardins CA, Gallo JE, Sykes S, Sakthikumar S, Misas E, Whiston EA, Bagagli E, Soares CMA, Teixeira MDM, Taylor JW, Clay OK, McEwen JG, Cuomo CA. Genome Diversity, Recombination, and Virulence across the Major Lineages of Paracoccidioides. mSphere 2016; 1:e00213-16. [PMID: 27704050 PMCID: PMC5040785 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00213-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Paracoccidioides genus includes two species of thermally dimorphic fungi that cause paracoccidioidomycosis, a neglected health-threatening human systemic mycosis endemic to Latin America. To examine the genome evolution and the diversity of Paracoccidioides spp., we conducted whole-genome sequencing of 31 isolates representing the phylogenetic, geographic, and ecological breadth of the genus. These samples included clinical, environmental and laboratory reference strains of the S1, PS2, PS3, and PS4 lineages of P. brasiliensis and also isolates of Paracoccidioides lutzii species. We completed the first annotated genome assemblies for the PS3 and PS4 lineages and found that gene order was highly conserved across the major lineages, with only a few chromosomal rearrangements. Comparing whole-genome assemblies of the major lineages with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) predicted from the remaining 26 isolates, we identified a deep split of the S1 lineage into two clades we named S1a and S1b. We found evidence for greater genetic exchange between the S1b lineage and all other lineages; this may reflect the broad geographic range of S1b, which is often sympatric with the remaining, largely geographically isolated lineages. In addition, we found evidence of positive selection for the GP43 and PGA1 antigen genes and genes coding for other secreted proteins and proteases and lineage-specific loss-of-function mutations in cell wall and protease genes; these together may contribute to virulence and host immune response variation among natural isolates of Paracoccidioides spp. These insights into the recent evolutionary events highlight important differences between the lineages that could impact the distribution, pathogenicity, and ecology of Paracoccidioides. IMPORTANCE Characterization of genetic differences between lineages of the dimorphic human-pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides can identify changes linked to important phenotypes and guide the development of new diagnostics and treatments. In this article, we compared genomes of 31 diverse isolates representing the major lineages of Paracoccidioides spp. and completed the first annotated genome sequences for the PS3 and PS4 lineages. We analyzed the population structure and characterized the genetic diversity among the lineages of Paracoccidioides, including a deep split of S1 into two lineages (S1a and S1b), and differentiated S1b, associated with most clinical cases, as the more highly recombining and diverse lineage. In addition, we found patterns of positive selection in surface proteins and secreted enzymes among the lineages, suggesting diversifying mechanisms of pathogenicity and adaptation across this species complex. These genetic differences suggest associations with the geographic range, pathogenicity, and ecological niches of Paracoccidioides lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- José F. Muñoz
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- Institute of Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rhys A. Farrer
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Juan E. Gallo
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sean Sykes
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Misas
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- Institute of Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Emily A. Whiston
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Eduardo Bagagli
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Celia M. A. Soares
- Laboratório de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICBII, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Marcus de M. Teixeira
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Division of Pathogen Genomics, Translational Genomics Research Institute North, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - John W. Taylor
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Oliver K. Clay
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan G. McEwen
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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24
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Chaves AFA, Navarro MV, Castilho DG, Calado JCP, Conceição PM, Batista WL. A conserved dimorphism-regulating histidine kinase controls the dimorphic switching in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. FEMS Yeast Res 2016; 16:fow047. [PMID: 27268997 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/fow047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii, thermally dimorphic fungi, are the causative agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Paracoccidioides infection occurs when conidia or mycelium fragments are inhaled by the host, which causes the Paracoccidioides cells to transition to the yeast form. The development of disease requires conidia inside the host alveoli to differentiate into yeast cells in a temperature-dependent manner. We describe the presence of a two-component signal transduction system in P. brasiliensis, which we investigated by expression analysis of a hypothetical protein gene (PADG_07579) that showed high similarity with the dimorphism-regulating histidine kinase (DRK1) gene of Blastomyces dermatitidis and Histoplasma capsulatum This gene was sensitive to environmental redox changes, which was demonstrated by a dose-dependent decrease in transcript levels after peroxide stimulation and a subtler decrease in transcript levels after NO stimulation. Furthermore, the higher PbDRK1 levels after treatment with increasing NaCl concentrations suggest that this histidine kinase can play a role as osmosensing. In the mycelium-yeast (M→Y) transition, PbDRK1 mRNA expression increased 14-fold after 24 h incubation at 37°C, consistent with similar observations in other virulent fungi. These results demonstrate that the PbDRK1 gene is differentially expressed during the dimorphic M→Y transition. Finally, when P. brasiliensis mycelium cells were exposed to a histidine kinase inhibitor and incubated at 37°C, there was a delay in the dimorphic M→Y transition, suggesting that histidine kinases could be targets of interest for PCM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison F A Chaves
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Unidade José Alencar, Street São Nicolau, nº210, 4º floor, São Paulo 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Marina V Navarro
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Unidade José Alencar, Street São Nicolau, nº210, 4º floor, São Paulo 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Daniele G Castilho
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Unidade José Alencar, Street São Nicolau, nº210, 4º floor, São Paulo 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Juliana C P Calado
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Unidade José Alencar, Street São Nicolau, nº210, 4º floor, São Paulo 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Palloma M Conceição
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wagner L Batista
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Unidade José Alencar, Street São Nicolau, nº210, 4º floor, São Paulo 04023-900, Brazil Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, São Paulo, Brazil
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25
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Identification and Analysis of the Role of Superoxide Dismutases Isoforms in the Pathogenesis of Paracoccidioides spp. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004481. [PMID: 26963091 PMCID: PMC4786090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of Paracoccidioides to defend itself against reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by host effector cells is a prerequisite to survive. To counteract these radicals, Paracoccidioides expresses, among different antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutases (SODs). In this study, we identified six SODs isoforms encoded by the Paracoccidioides genome. We determined gene expression levels of representative isolates of the phylogenetic lineages of Paracoccidioides spp. (S1, PS2, PS3 and Pb01-like) using quantitative RT-PCR. Assays were carried out to analyze SOD gene expression of yeast cells, mycelia cells, the mycelia-to-yeast transition and the yeast-to-mycelia germination, as well as under treatment with oxidative agents and during interaction with phagocytic cells. We observed an increased expression of PbSOD1 and PbSOD3 during the transition process, exposure to oxidative agents and interaction with phagocytic cells, suggesting that these proteins could assist in combating the superoxide radicals generated during the host-pathogen interaction. Using PbSOD1 and PbSOD3 knockdown strains we showed these genes are involved in the response of the fungus against host effector cells, particularly the oxidative stress response, and in a mouse model of infection. Protein sequence analysis together with functional analysis of knockdown strains seem to suggest that PbSOD3 expression is linked with a pronounced extracellular activity while PbSOD1 seems more related to intracellular requirements of the fungus. Altogether, our data suggests that P. brasiliensis actively responds to the radicals generated endogenously during metabolism and counteracts the oxidative burst of immune cells by inducing the expression of SOD isoforms. Paracoccidioidomycosis is a health-threatening human systemic mycosis, endemic to some Latin America countries. The disease is caused by species belonging to the Paracoccidioides genus. Once inside the human host, Paracoccidioides must face the host innate immune system, escaping from the cytotoxic capacity of innate immune cells (ROS production and liberation of polypeptide antibiotics). To do so, they express and synthetize superoxide dismutases (SODs). We aimed to identify and characterize the SOD isoforms present in the Paracoccidioides genome. We identified six isoforms, among which we found an increased expression of PbSOD1 and PbSOD3 during the transition-to-yeast process, exposure to oxidative agents and interaction with phagocytic cells. Additionally, we found that PbSOD3 expression might be linked with a pronounced extracellular activity while PbSOD1 and the other isoforms seem more related to intracellular requirements of the fungus. We propose that the defence against endogenous-produced ROS may depend on intracellular Sods (mostly SOD1, but possibly also SOD2, SOD4 and SOD5), but defence against extracellular ROS (produced during host-pathogen interactions) might rely to a greater extent on SOD3, which is endowed with an extracellular activity.
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26
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Gonzalez A, Hernandez O. New insights into a complex fungal pathogen: the case of Paracoccidioides spp. Yeast 2016; 33:113-28. [PMID: 26683539 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis endemic to Latin America, with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii being the causal agents of this disorder. Several issues have been raised in the 100 years since its discovery and in this article we discuss features of this fascinating fungal pathogen, including its biology, eco-epidemiology and aspects of its pathogenicity. We also consider some of its virulence determinants, the most recent advances in the study of its metabolic pathways and the molecular and genetic research tools developed for this research. We also review the animal models used to study host-fungal interactions and how the host defence mechanisms against this pathogen work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Gonzalez
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Research Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Orville Hernandez
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Research Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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27
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Rogov AG, Zvyagilskaya RA. Physiological role of alternative oxidase (from yeasts to plants). BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2016; 80:400-7. [PMID: 25869356 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297915040021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria of all so far studied organisms, with the exception of Archaea, mammals, some yeasts, and protists, contain, along with the classical phosphorylating cytochrome pathway, a so-called cyanide-insensitive alternative oxidase (AOX) localized on the matrix side of the mitochondrial inner membrane, and electron transport through which is not coupled with ATP synthesis and energy accumulation. Mechanisms underlying plentiful functions of AOX in organisms at various levels of organization ranging from yeasts to plants are considered. First and foremost, AOX provides a chance of cell survival after inhibiting the terminal components of the main respiratory chain or losing the ability to synthesize these components. The vitally important role of AOX is obvious in thermogenesis of thermogenic plant organs where it becomes the only terminal oxidase with a very high activity, and the energy of substrate oxidation by this respiratory pathway is converted into heat, thus promoting evaporation of volatile substances attracting pollinating insects. AOX plays a fundamentally significant role in alleviating or preventing oxidative stress, thus ensuring the defense against a wide range of stresses and adverse environmental conditions, such as changes in temperature and light intensities, osmotic stress, drought, and attack by incompatible strains of bacterial pathogens, phytopathogens, or their elicitors. Participation of AOX in pathogen survival during its existence inside the host, in antivirus defense, as well as in metabolic rearrangements in plants during embryogenesis and cell differentiation is described. Examples are given to demonstrate that AOX might be an important tool to overcome the adverse aftereffects of restricted activity of the main respiratory chain in cells and whole animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Rogov
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia.
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28
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Lima PDS, Chung D, Bailão AM, Cramer RA, Soares CMDA. Characterization of the Paracoccidioides Hypoxia Response Reveals New Insights into Pathogenesis Mechanisms of This Important Human Pathogenic Fungus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004282. [PMID: 26659387 PMCID: PMC4686304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypoxic microenvironments are generated during fungal infection. It has been described that to survive in the human host, fungi must also tolerate and overcome in vivo microenvironmental stress conditions including low oxygen tension; however nothing is known how Paracoccidioides species respond to hypoxia. The genus Paracoccidioides comprises human thermal dimorphic fungi and are causative agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), an important mycosis in Latin America. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In this work, a detailed hypoxia characterization was performed in Paracoccidioides. Using NanoUPLC-MSE proteomic approach, we obtained a total of 288 proteins differentially regulated in 12 and 24 h of hypoxia, providing a global view of metabolic changes during this stress. In addition, a functional characterization of the homologue to the most important molecule involved in hypoxia responses in other fungi, the SREBP (sterol regulatory element binding protein) was performed. We observed that Paracoccidioides species have a functional homologue of SREBP, named here as SrbA, detected by using a heterologous genetic approach in the srbA null mutant in Aspergillus fumigatus. Paracoccidioides srbA (PbsrbA), in addition to involvement in hypoxia, is probable involved in iron adaptation and azole drug resistance responses. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE In this study, the hypoxia was characterized in Paracoccidioides. The first results can be important for a better understanding of the fungal adaptation to the host and improve the arsenal of molecules for the development of alternative treatment options in future, since molecules related to fungal adaptation to low oxygen levels are important to virulence and pathogenesis in human pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia de Sousa Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Dawoon Chung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Alexandre Melo Bailão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Robert A. Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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29
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Marcos CM, da Silva JDF, de Oliveira HC, Assato PA, Singulani JDL, Lopez AM, Tamayo DP, Hernandez-Ruiz O, McEwen JG, Mendes-Giannini MJS, Fusco-Almeida AM. Decreased expression of 14-3-3 in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis confirms its involvement in fungal pathogenesis. Virulence 2015; 7:72-84. [PMID: 26646480 PMCID: PMC4994830 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2015.1122166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction between the fungal pathogen Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and host cells is usually mediated by specific binding events between adhesins on the fungal surface and receptors on the host extracellular matrix or cell surface. One molecule implicated in the P. brasiliensis-host interaction is the 14-3-3 protein. The 14-3-3 protein belongs to a family of conserved regulatory molecules that are expressed in all eukaryotic cells and are involved in diverse cellular functions. Here, we investigated the relevance of the 14-3-3 protein to the virulence of P. brasiliensis. Using antisense RNA technology and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation, we generated a 14-3-3-silenced strain (expression reduced by ˜55%). This strain allowed us to investigate the interaction between 14-3-3 and the host and to correlate the functions of P. brasiliensis 14-3-3 with cellular features, such as morphological characteristics and virulence, that are important for pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Maria Marcos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julhiany de Fátima da Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Haroldo Cesar de Oliveira
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Akemi Assato
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Junya de Lacorte Singulani
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angela Maria Lopez
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB) - Medellín, Colombia
| | - Diana Patricia Tamayo
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB) - Medellín, Colombia
| | - Orville Hernandez-Ruiz
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB) - Medellín, Colombia
- Escuela de Microbiología; Universidad de Antioquia; Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan G McEwen
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular; Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB) - Medellín, Colombia
- Facultad de Medicina; Universidad de Antioquia; Medellín, Colombia
| | - Maria José Soares Mendes-Giannini
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara; UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista; Departamento de Análises Clínicas; Laboratório de Micologia Clínica; Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
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30
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Rogov AG, Sukhanova EI, Uralskaya LA, Aliverdieva DA, Zvyagilskaya RA. Alternative oxidase: distribution, induction, properties, structure, regulation, and functions. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2015; 79:1615-34. [PMID: 25749168 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297914130112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The respiratory chain in the majority of organisms with aerobic type metabolism features the concomitant existence of the phosphorylating cytochrome pathway and the cyanide- and antimycin A-insensitive oxidative route comprising a so-called alternative oxidase (AOX) as a terminal oxidase. In this review, the history of AOX discovery is described. Considerable evidence is presented that AOX occurs widely in organisms at various levels of organization and is not confined to the plant kingdom. This enzyme has not been found only in Archaea, mammals, some yeasts and protists. Bioinformatics research revealed the sequences characteristic of AOX in representatives of various taxonomic groups. Based on multiple alignments of these sequences, a phylogenetic tree was constructed to infer their possible evolution. The ways of AOX activation, as well as regulatory interactions between AOX and the main respiratory chain are described. Data are summarized concerning the properties of AOX and the AOX-encoding genes whose expression is either constitutive or induced by various factors. Information is presented on the structure of AOX, its active center, and the ubiquinone-binding site. The principal functions of AOX are analyzed, including the cases of cell survival, optimization of respiratory metabolism, protection against excess of reactive oxygen species, and adaptation to variable nutrition sources and to biotic and abiotic stress factors. It is emphasized that different AOX functions complement each other in many instances and are not mutually exclusive. Examples are given to demonstrate that AOX is an important tool to overcome the adverse aftereffects of restricted activity of the main respiratory chain in cells and whole animals. This is the first comprehensive review on alternative oxidases of various organisms ranging from yeasts and protists to vascular plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Rogov
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia.
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31
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Tavares AH, Fernandes L, Bocca AL, Silva-Pereira I, Felipe MS. Transcriptomic reprogramming of genus Paracoccidioides in dimorphism and host niches. Fungal Genet Biol 2015; 81:98-109. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2014.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2013] [Revised: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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32
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Zhou G, Song Z, Yin Y, Jiang W, Wang Z. Involvement of an alternative oxidase in the regulation of hyphal growth and microsclerotial formation in Nomuraea rileyi CQNr01. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 31:1343-52. [PMID: 26135515 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-015-1877-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria of Nomuraea rileyi contain an alternative oxidase (Aox), which reduces oxygen to water by accepting electrons directly from ubiquinol. Furthermore, through a transcriptional analysis, we found that an alternative oxidase (Nraox) was up-regulated during microsclerotial formation. To study the function of NrAox, Nraox was cloned from N. rileyi CQNr01. The full-length cDNA was 1266 bp with an open reading frame of 1068 bp encoding 355 amino acids. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that the NrAox of N. rileyi was closely related to Metarhizium acridum Aox. The relative expression level of the Nraox was up-regulated during microsclerotial (MS) initiation. A salicylhydroxamic acid, a specific alternative oxidase inhibitor, application to the culture media severely decreased MS yields, changed the hyphae morphology and slowed the H2O2 removal. Nraox silencing caused mycelial deformations, reduced the MS yields by 97.3 % and increased MS size compared with those of the control. MS virulence was decreased to 26.2 % after Nraox was silenced. However, the Nraox-silenced strain was sensitive to environmental stress, and the growth rate was reduced under stress conditions. The results obtained suggested that Nraox is required for MS differentiation by regulating the intracellular H2O2 concentration and hypha growth. Additionally, Nraox had a great impact on the virulence of N. rileyi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilin Zhou
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticides, School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China
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Mejía SP, Cano LE, López JA, Hernandez O, González Á. Human neutrophils produce extracellular traps against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2015; 161:1008-1017. [PMID: 25701733 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Neutrophils play an important role as effector cells and contribute to the resistance of the host against microbial pathogens. Neutrophils are able to produce extracellular traps (NETs) in response to medically important fungi, including Aspergillus spp., Candida albicans and Cryptococcus gattii. However, NET production in response to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis has yet to be studied. We have demonstrated that human neutrophils produce NETs against both conidia and yeasts of P. brasiliensis. Although the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) did not alter NET production against conidia, it partially suppressed NET formation against P. brasiliensis yeasts. Cytochalasin D or IFN-γ did not affect the production of NETs against the fungus. Additionally, a mutant strain of P. brasiliensis with reduced expression of an alternative oxidase induced significantly higher levels of NETs in comparison with the WT strain. Finally, c.f.u. quantification of P. brasiliensis showed no significant differences when neutrophils were treated with DPI, DNase I or cytochalasin D as compared with untreated cells. These data establish that NET formation by human neutrophils appears to be either dependent or independent of reactive oxygen species production, correlating with the fungal morphotype used for stimulation. However, this mechanism was ineffective in killing the fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana P Mejía
- School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 no. 52-51, Medellín, Colombia.,Medical and Experimental Mycology Group, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), Carrera 72A no. 78B 141, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Luz E Cano
- School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 no. 52-51, Medellín, Colombia.,Medical and Experimental Mycology Group, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), Carrera 72A no. 78B 141, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan A López
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Research Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 no. 52-51, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Orville Hernandez
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), Carrera 72A no. 78B 141, Medellín, Colombia.,Basic and Applied Microbiology Research Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 no. 52-51, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Ángel González
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Research Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 no. 52-51, Medellín, Colombia
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34
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Hernández O, Araque P, Tamayo D, Restrepo A, Herrera S, Mcewen JG, Pelaez C, Almeida AJ. Alternative oxidase plays an important role in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis cellular homeostasis and morphological transition. Med Mycol 2015; 53:205-14. [DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myu091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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35
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Muñoz JF, Gallo JE, Misas E, Priest M, Imamovic A, Young S, Zeng Q, Clay OK, McEwen JG, Cuomo CA. Genome update of the dimorphic human pathogenic fungi causing paracoccidioidomycosis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3348. [PMID: 25474325 PMCID: PMC4256289 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidiodomycosis (PCM) is a clinically important fungal disease that can acquire serious systemic forms and is caused by the thermodimorphic fungal Paracoccidioides spp. PCM is a tropical disease that is endemic in Latin America, where up to ten million people are infected; 80% of reported cases occur in Brazil, followed by Colombia and Venezuela. To enable genomic studies and to better characterize the pathogenesis of this dimorphic fungus, two reference strains of P. brasiliensis (Pb03, Pb18) and one strain of P. lutzii (Pb01) were sequenced [1]. While the initial draft assemblies were accurate in large scale structure and had high overall base quality, the sequences had frequent small scale defects such as poor quality stretches, unknown bases (N's), and artifactual deletions or nucleotide duplications, all of which caused larger scale errors in predicted gene structures. Since assembly consensus errors can now be addressed using next generation sequencing (NGS) in combination with recent methods allowing systematic assembly improvement, we re-sequenced the three reference strains of Paracoccidioides spp. using Illumina technology. We utilized the high sequencing depth to re-evaluate and improve the original assemblies generated from Sanger sequence reads, and obtained more complete and accurate reference assemblies. The new assemblies led to improved transcript predictions for the vast majority of genes of these reference strains, and often substantially corrected gene structures. These include several genes that are central to virulence or expressed during the pathogenic yeast stage in Paracoccidioides and other fungi, such as HSP90, RYP1-3, BAD1, catalase B, alpha-1,3-glucan synthase and the beta glucan synthase target gene FKS1. The improvement and validation of these reference sequences will now allow more accurate genome-based analyses. To our knowledge, this is one of the first reports of a fully automated and quality-assessed upgrade of a genome assembly and annotation for a non-model fungus. The fungal genus Paracoccidioides is the causal agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a neglected tropical disease that is endemic in several countries of South America. Paracoccidioides is a pathogenic dimorphic fungus that is capable of converting to a virulent yeast form after inhalation by the host. Therefore the molecular biology of the switch to the yeast phase is of particular interest for understanding the virulence of this and other human pathogenic fungi, and ultimately for reducing the morbidity and mortality caused by such fungal infections. We here present the strategy and methods we used to update and improve accuracy of three reference genome sequences of Paracoccidioides spp. utilizing state-of-the-art Illumina re-sequencing, assembly improvement, re-annotation, and quality assessment. The resulting improved genome resource should be of wide use not solely for advancing research on the genetics and molecular biology of Paracoccidioides and the closely related pathogenic species Histoplasma and Blastomyces, but also for fungal diagnostics based on sequencing or molecular assays, characterizing rapidly changing proteins that may be involved in virulence, SNP-based population analyses and other tasks that require high sequence accuracy. The genome update and underlying strategy and methods also serve as a proof of principle that could encourage similar improvements of other draft genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- José F. Muñoz
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- Institute of Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan E. Gallo
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Elizabeth Misas
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- Institute of Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Margaret Priest
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alma Imamovic
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sarah Young
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Qiandong Zeng
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Oliver K. Clay
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan G. McEwen
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Christina A. Cuomo
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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New developments of RNAi in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: prospects for high-throughput, genome-wide, functional genomics. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3173. [PMID: 25275433 PMCID: PMC4183473 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Fungal Genome Initiative of the Broad Institute, in partnership with the Paracoccidioides research community, has recently sequenced the genome of representative isolates of this human-pathogen dimorphic fungus: Pb18 (S1), Pb03 (PS2) and Pb01. The accomplishment of future high-throughput, genome-wide, functional genomics will rely upon appropriate molecular tools and straightforward techniques to streamline the generation of stable loss-of-function phenotypes. In the past decades, RNAi has emerged as the most robust genetic technique to modulate or to suppress gene expression in diverse eukaryotes, including fungi. These molecular tools and techniques, adapted for RNAi, were up until now unavailable for P. brasiliensis. Methodology/Principal Findings In this paper, we report Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation of yeast cells for high-throughput applications with which higher transformation frequencies of 150±24 yeast cell transformants per 1×106 viable yeast cells were obtained. Our approach is based on a bifunctional selective marker fusion protein consisted of the Streptoalloteichus hindustanus bleomycin-resistance gene (Shble) and the intrinsically fluorescent monomeric protein mCherry which was codon-optimized for heterologous expression in P. brasiliensis. We also report successful GP43 gene knock-down through the expression of intron-containing hairpin RNA (ihpRNA) from a Gateway-adapted cassette (cALf) which was purpose-built for gene silencing in a high-throughput manner. Gp43 transcript levels were reduced by 73.1±22.9% with this approach. Conclusions/Significance We have a firm conviction that the genetic transformation technique and the molecular tools herein described will have a relevant contribution in future Paracoccidioides spp. functional genomics research. Diverse eukaryotes, including various fungi, utilize RNA interference (RNAi) pathways to regulate genome-wide gene expression. Since the initial characterization of these pathways and the demonstration of its artificial induction in the filamentous ascomycete Neurospora crassa, RNAi has emerged as the most robust reverse-genetic technique to scrutinize the function of genes and has been increasingly adopted in high-throughput functional genomics in search of new insights into fungal pathobiology. Herein, we have developed appropriate molecular tools and straightforward techniques to streamline the generation of stable loss-of-function phenotypes for the human-pathogen Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, which is phylogenetically related to Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccidioides immitis and Histoplasma capsulatum. Likewise these thermo-dimorphic fungi, P. brasiliensis infection in immunocompetent or immunocompromised individuals ensue in a life-threatening systemic mycosis known as Paracoccidioidomycosis.
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Teixeira MM, Theodoro RC, Nino-Vega G, Bagagli E, Felipe MSS. Paracoccidioides species complex: ecology, phylogeny, sexual reproduction, and virulence. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004397. [PMID: 25357210 PMCID: PMC4214758 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marcus M. Teixeira
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Raquel C. Theodoro
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Nino-Vega
- Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Eduardo Bagagli
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Maria S. S. Felipe
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
- Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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Hemoglobin uptake by Paracoccidioides spp. is receptor-mediated. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2856. [PMID: 24831516 PMCID: PMC4022528 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is essential for the proliferation of fungal pathogens during infection. The availability of iron is limited due to its association with host proteins. Fungal pathogens have evolved different mechanisms to acquire iron from host; however, little is known regarding how Paracoccidioides species incorporate and metabolize this ion. In this work, host iron sources that are used by Paracoccidioides spp. were investigated. Robust fungal growth in the presence of the iron-containing molecules hemin and hemoglobin was observed. Paracoccidioides spp. present hemolytic activity and have the ability to internalize a protoporphyrin ring. Using real-time PCR and nanoUPLC-MSE proteomic approaches, fungal growth in the presence of hemoglobin was shown to result in the positive regulation of transcripts that encode putative hemoglobin receptors, in addition to the induction of proteins that are required for amino acid metabolism and vacuolar protein degradation. In fact, one hemoglobin receptor ortholog, Rbt5, was identified as a surface GPI-anchored protein that recognized hemin, protoporphyrin and hemoglobin in vitro. Antisense RNA technology and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation were used to generate mitotically stable Pbrbt5 mutants. The knockdown strain had a lower survival inside macrophages and in mouse spleen when compared with the parental strain, which suggested that Rbt5 could act as a virulence factor. In summary, our data indicate that Paracoccidioides spp. can use hemoglobin as an iron source most likely through receptor-mediated pathways that might be relevant for pathogenic mechanisms. Fungal infections contribute substantially to human morbidity and mortality. During infectious processes, fungi have evolved mechanisms to obtain iron from high-affinity iron-binding proteins. In the current study, we demonstrated that hemoglobin is the preferential host iron source for the thermodimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides spp. To acquire hemoglobin, the fungus presents hemolytic activity and the ability to internalize protoporphyrin rings. A putative hemoglobin receptor, Rbt5, was demonstrated to be GPI-anchored at the yeast cell surface. Rbt5 was able to bind to hemin, protoporphyrin and hemoglobin in vitro. When rbt5 expression was inhibited, the survival of Paracoccidioides sp. inside macrophages and the fungal burden in mouse spleen diminished, which indicated that Rbt5 could participate in the establishment of the fungus inside the host. Drugs or vaccines could be developed against Paracoccidioides spp. Rbt5 to disturb iron uptake of this micronutrient and, thus, the proliferation of the fungus. Moreover, this protein could be used in routes to introduce antifungal agents into fungal cells.
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Bajaj I, Veiga T, van Dissel D, Pronk JT, Daran JM. Functional characterization of a Penicillium chrysogenum mutanase gene induced upon co-cultivation with Bacillus subtilis. BMC Microbiol 2014; 14:114. [PMID: 24884713 PMCID: PMC4077275 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-14-114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbial gene expression is strongly influenced by environmental growth conditions. Comparison of gene expression under different conditions is frequently used for functional analysis and to unravel regulatory networks, however, gene expression responses to co-cultivation with other microorganisms, a common occurrence in nature, is rarely studied under laboratory conditions. To explore cellular responses of the antibiotic-producing fungus Penicillium chrysogenum to prokaryotes, the present study investigates its transcriptional responses during co-cultivation with Bacillus subtilis. RESULTS Steady-state glucose-limited chemostats of P. chrysogenum grown under penillicin-non-producing conditions were inoculated with B. subtilis. Physiological and transcriptional responses of P. chrysogenum in the resulting mixed culture were monitored over 72 h. Under these conditions, B. subtilis outcompeted P. chrysogenum, as reflected by a three-fold increase of the B. subtilis population size and a two-fold reduction of the P. chrysogenum biomass concentration. Genes involved in the penicillin pathway and in synthesis of the penicillin precursors and side-chain were unresponsive to the presence of B. subtilis. Moreover, Penicillium polyketide synthase and nonribosomal peptide synthase genes were either not expressed or down-regulated. Among the highly responsive genes, two putative α-1,3 endoglucanase (mutanase) genes viz Pc12g07500 and Pc12g13330 were upregulated by more than 15-fold and 8-fold, respectively. Measurement of enzyme activity in the supernatant of mixed culture confirmed that the co-cultivation with B. subtilis induced mutanase production. Mutanase activity was neither observed in pure cultures of P. chrysogenum or B. subtilis, nor during exposure of P. chrysogenum to B. subtilis culture supernatants or heat-inactivated B. subtilis cells. However, mutanase production was observed in cultures of P. chrysogenum exposed to filter-sterilized supernatants of mixed cultures of P. chrysogenum and B. subtilis. Heterologous expression of Pc12g07500 and Pc12g13330 genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae confirmed that Pc12g07500 encoded an active α-1,3 endoglucanase. CONCLUSION Time-course transcriptional profiling of P. chrysogenum revealed differentially expressed genes during co-cultivation with B. subtilis. Penicillin production was not induced under these conditions. However, induction of a newly characterized P. chrysogenum gene encoding α-1,3 endoglucanase may enhance the efficacy of fungal antibiotics by degrading bacterial exopolysaccharides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishwar Bajaj
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, the Netherlands
- Kluyver Centre for Genomics of Industrial Fermentation, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Tânia Veiga
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, the Netherlands
- Kluyver Centre for Genomics of Industrial Fermentation, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Dino van Dissel
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, the Netherlands
- Kluyver Centre for Genomics of Industrial Fermentation, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Jack T Pronk
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, the Netherlands
- Kluyver Centre for Genomics of Industrial Fermentation, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Jean-Marc Daran
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, the Netherlands
- Kluyver Centre for Genomics of Industrial Fermentation, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, the Netherlands
- Platform for Green Synthetic Biology, P.O. Box 5057, 2600 GA Delft, the Netherlands
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Genetic and functional investigation of Zn(2)Cys(6) transcription factors RSE2 and RSE3 in Podospora anserina. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2013; 13:53-65. [PMID: 24186951 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00172-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In Podospora anserina, the two zinc cluster proteins RSE2 and RSE3 are essential for the expression of the gene encoding the alternative oxidase (aox) when the mitochondrial electron transport chain is impaired. In parallel, they activated the expression of gluconeogenic genes encoding phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (pck) and fructose-1,6-biphosphatase (fbp). Orthologues of these transcription factors are present in a wide range of filamentous fungi, and no other role than the regulation of these three genes has been evidenced so far. In order to better understand the function and the organization of RSE2 and RSE3, we conducted a saturated genetic screen based on the constitutive expression of the aox gene. We identified 10 independent mutations in 9 positions in rse2 and 11 mutations in 5 positions in rse3. Deletions were generated at some of these positions and the effects analyzed. This analysis suggests the presence of central regulatory domains and a C-terminal activation domain in both proteins. Microarray analysis revealed 598 genes that were differentially expressed in the strains containing gain- or loss-of-function mutations in rse2 or rse3. It showed that in addition to aox, fbp, and pck, RSE2 and RSE3 regulate the expression of genes encoding the alternative NADH dehydrogenase, a Zn2Cys6 transcription factor, a flavohemoglobin, and various hydrolases. As a complement to expression data, a metabolome profiling approach revealed that both an rse2 gain-of-function mutation and growth on antimycin result in similar metabolic alterations in amino acids, fatty acids, and α-ketoglutarate pools.
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Oliveira MVD, Oliveira ACDF, Shida CS, Oliveira RCD, Nunes LR. Gene expression modulation by paraquat-induced oxidative stress conditions in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Fungal Genet Biol 2013; 60:101-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2013.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Revised: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Redundant catalases detoxify phagocyte reactive oxygen and facilitate Histoplasma capsulatum pathogenesis. Infect Immun 2013; 81:2334-46. [PMID: 23589579 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00173-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Histoplasma capsulatum is a respiratory pathogen that infects phagocytic cells. The mechanisms allowing Histoplasma to overcome toxic reactive oxygen molecules produced by the innate immune system are an integral part of Histoplasma's ability to survive during infection. To probe the contribution of Histoplasma catalases in oxidative stress defense, we created and analyzed the virulence defects of mutants lacking CatB and CatP, which are responsible for extracellular and intracellular catalase activities, respectively. Both CatB and CatP protected Histoplasma from peroxide challenge in vitro and from antimicrobial reactive oxygen produced by human neutrophils and activated macrophages. Optimal protection required both catalases, as the survival of a double mutant lacking both CatB and CatP was lower than that of single-catalase-deficient cells. Although CatB contributed to reactive oxygen species defenses in vitro, CatB was dispensable for lung infection and extrapulmonary dissemination in vivo. Loss of CatB from a strain also lacking superoxide dismutase (Sod3) did not further reduce the survival of Histoplasma yeasts. Nevertheless, some catalase function was required for pathogenesis since simultaneous loss of both CatB and CatP attenuated Histoplasma virulence in vivo. These results demonstrate that Histoplasma's dual catalases comprise a system that enables Histoplasma to efficiently overcome the reactive oxygen produced by the innate immune system.
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Gómez IT, Ruiz OH, Muñoz JF, Garcia AM, Restrepo A, McEwen JG. RNAi technology targeting Pb<i>GP</i>43 and Pb<i>P</i>27 in <i>Paracoccidioides brasiliensis</i>. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/ojgen.2013.32a2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Tamayo D, Muñoz JF, Torres I, Almeida AJ, Restrepo A, McEwen JG, Hernández O. Involvement of the 90 kDa heat shock protein during adaptation of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis to different environmental conditions. Fungal Genet Biol 2012. [PMID: 23207691 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2012.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
HSP90 is a molecular chaperone that participates in folding, stabilization, activation, and assembly of several proteins, all of which are key regulators in cell signaling. In dimorphic pathogenic fungi such as Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, the adaptation to a higher temperature, acid pH and oxidative stress, is an essential event for fungal survival and also for the establishing of the infectious process. To further understand the role of this protein, we used antisense RNA technology to generate a P. brasiliensis isolate with reduced PbHSP90 gene expression (PbHSP90-aRNA). Reduced expression of HSP90 decreased yeast cell viability during batch culture growth and increased susceptibility to acid pH environments and imposed oxidative stress. Also, PbHSP90-aRNA yeast cells presented reduced viability upon interaction with macrophages. The findings presented here suggest a protective role for HSP90 during adaptation to hostile environments, one that promotes survival of the fungus during host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Tamayo
- Unidad de Biología Celular y Molecular, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
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Zhang L, Oh Y, Li H, Baldwin IT, Galis I. Alternative oxidase in resistance to biotic stresses: Nicotiana attenuata AOX contributes to resistance to a pathogen and a piercing-sucking insect but not Manduca sexta larvae. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2012; 160:1453-67. [PMID: 22961128 PMCID: PMC3490609 DOI: 10.1104/pp.112.200865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2012] [Accepted: 09/03/2012] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The role of the alternative respiratory pathway in the protection of plants against biotic stress was examined in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata) plants (irAOX) silenced in the expression of ALTERNATIVE OXIDASE (AOX) gene. Wild-type and irAOX plants were independently challenged with (1) chewing herbivores (Manduca sexta), (2) piercing-sucking insects (Empoasca spp.), and (3) bacterial pathogens (Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000), showing that all these treatments can strongly elicit accumulation of AOX gene transcripts in wild-type plants. When N. attenuata chemical defenses and resistance were examined, irAOX plants showed wild-type levels of defense-related phytohormones, secondary metabolites, and resistance to M. sexta. In contrast, piercing-sucking leafhoppers (Empoasca spp.) caused more leaf damage and induced significantly higher salicylic acid levels in irAOX compared with wild-type plants in the field and/or glasshouse. Subsequently, irAOX plants accumulated lower levels of defense metabolites, 17-hydroxygeranyllinalool diterpene glycosides, caffeoylputrescine, and nicotine compared with wild-type plants under prolonged attack of Empoasca spp. in the glasshouse. Finally, an accelerated cell death phenotype was observed in irAOX plants infected with P. syringae, which correlated with higher levels of salicylic acid and hydrogen peroxide levels in pathogen-infected irAOX compared with wild-type leaves. Overall, the AOX-associated changes in phytohormone and/or redox levels appear to support the resistance of N. attenuata plants against cell piercing-sucking insects and modulate the progression of cell death in pathogen-infected tissues but are not effective against rapidly feeding specialist herbivore M. sexta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- Department of Molecular Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena D-07745, Germany (L.Z., Y.O., I.T.B., I.G.); and School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People’s Republic of China (L.Z., H.L.)
| | - Youngjoo Oh
- Department of Molecular Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena D-07745, Germany (L.Z., Y.O., I.T.B., I.G.); and School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People’s Republic of China (L.Z., H.L.)
| | - Hongyu Li
- Department of Molecular Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena D-07745, Germany (L.Z., Y.O., I.T.B., I.G.); and School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People’s Republic of China (L.Z., H.L.)
| | - Ian T. Baldwin
- Department of Molecular Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena D-07745, Germany (L.Z., Y.O., I.T.B., I.G.); and School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People’s Republic of China (L.Z., H.L.)
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Thomazella DPT, Teixeira PJPL, Oliveira HC, Saviani EE, Rincones J, Toni IM, Reis O, Garcia O, Meinhardt LW, Salgado I, Pereira GAG. The hemibiotrophic cacao pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa depends on a mitochondrial alternative oxidase for biotrophic development. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2012; 194:1025-1034. [PMID: 22443281 PMCID: PMC3415677 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04119.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The tropical pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa causes witches' broom disease in cacao. As a hemibiotrophic fungus, it initially colonizes the living host tissues (biotrophic phase), and later grows over the dead plant (necrotrophic phase). Little is known about the mechanisms that promote these distinct fungal phases or mediate the transition between them. An alternative oxidase gene (Mp-aox) was identified in the M. perniciosa genome and its expression was analyzed througout the fungal life cycle. In addition, the effects of inhibitors of the cytochrome-dependent respiratory chain (CRC) and alternative oxidase (AOX) were evaluated on the in vitro development of M. perniciosa. Larger numbers of Mp-aox transcripts were observed in the biotrophic hyphae, which accordingly showed elevated sensitivity to AOX inhibitors. More importantly, the inhibition of CRC prevented the transition from the biotrophic to the necrotrophic phase, and the combined use of a CRC and AOX inhibitor completely halted fungal growth. On the basis of these results, a novel mechanism is presented in which AOX plays a role in the biotrophic development of M. perniciosa and regulates the transition to its necrotrophic stage. Strikingly, this model correlates well with the infection strategy of animal pathogens, particularly Trypanosoma brucei, which uses AOX as a strategy for pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela P T Thomazella
- Laboratório de Genômica e Expressão, Departamento de Genética, Evolução e Bioagentes, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Paulo José P L Teixeira
- Laboratório de Genômica e Expressão, Departamento de Genética, Evolução e Bioagentes, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Halley C Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Elzira E Saviani
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Johana Rincones
- Laboratório de Genômica e Expressão, Departamento de Genética, Evolução e Bioagentes, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Isabella M Toni
- Laboratório de Genômica e Expressão, Departamento de Genética, Evolução e Bioagentes, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Osvaldo Reis
- Laboratório de Genômica e Expressão, Departamento de Genética, Evolução e Bioagentes, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Odalys Garcia
- Laboratório de Genômica e Expressão, Departamento de Genética, Evolução e Bioagentes, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Lyndel W Meinhardt
- Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Bldg. 001, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Ione Salgado
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Gonçalo A G Pereira
- Laboratório de Genômica e Expressão, Departamento de Genética, Evolução e Bioagentes, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
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Grahl N, Dinamarco TM, Willger SD, Goldman GH, Cramer RA. Aspergillus fumigatus mitochondrial electron transport chain mediates oxidative stress homeostasis, hypoxia responses and fungal pathogenesis. Mol Microbiol 2012; 84:383-99. [PMID: 22443190 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2012.08034.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
We previously observed that hypoxia is an important component of host microenvironments during pulmonary fungal infections. However, mechanisms of fungal growth in these in vivo hypoxic conditions are poorly understood. Here, we report that mitochondrial respiration is active in hypoxia (1% oxygen) and critical for fungal pathogenesis. We generated Aspergillus fumigatus alternative oxidase (aoxA) and cytochrome C (cycA) null mutants and assessed their ability to tolerate hypoxia, macrophage killing and virulence. In contrast to ΔaoxA, ΔcycA was found to be significantly impaired in conidia germination, growth in normoxia and hypoxia, and displayed attenuated virulence. Intriguingly, loss of cycA results in increased levels of AoxA activity, which results in increased resistance to oxidative stress, macrophage killing and long-term persistence in murine lungs. Thus, our results demonstrate a previously unidentified role for fungal mitochondrial respiration in the pathogenesis of aspergillosis, and lay the foundation for future research into its role in hypoxia signalling and adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Grahl
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
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