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Silva FJ, Domínguez-Santos R, Latorre A, García-Ferris C. Comparative Transcriptomics of Fat Bodies between Symbiotic and Quasi-Aposymbiotic Adult Females of Blattella germanica with Emphasis on the Metabolic Integration with Its Endosymbiont Blattabacterium and Its Immune System. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4228. [PMID: 38673813 PMCID: PMC11050582 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084228] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We explored the metabolic integration of Blattella germanica and its obligate endosymbiont Blattabacterium cuenoti by the transcriptomic analysis of the fat body of quasi-aposymbiotic cockroaches, where the endosymbionts were almost entirely removed with rifampicin. Fat bodies from quasi-aposymbiotic insects displayed large differences in gene expression compared to controls. In quasi-aposymbionts, the metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine involved in cuticle sclerotization and pigmentation increased drastically to compensate for the deficiency in the biosynthesis of these amino acids by the endosymbionts. On the other hand, the uricolytic pathway and the biosynthesis of uric acid were severely decreased, probably because the reduced population of endosymbionts was unable to metabolize urea to ammonia. Metabolite transporters that could be involved in the endosymbiosis process were identified. Immune system and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene expression was also reduced in quasi-aposymbionts, genes encoding peptidoglycan-recognition proteins, which may provide clues for the maintenance of the symbiotic relationship, as well as three AMP genes whose involvement in the symbiotic relationship will require additional analysis. Finally, a search for AMP-like factors that could be involved in controlling the endosymbiont identified two orphan genes encoding proteins smaller than 200 amino acids underexpressed in quasi-aposymbionts, suggesting a role in the host-endosymbiont relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J. Silva
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), University of Valencia and Spanish Research Council, 46980 Paterna, Spain; (R.D.-S.); (A.L.)
- Genomics and Health Area, Foundation for the Promotion of Sanitary and Biomedical Research of the Valencia Region, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rebeca Domínguez-Santos
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), University of Valencia and Spanish Research Council, 46980 Paterna, Spain; (R.D.-S.); (A.L.)
- Genomics and Health Area, Foundation for the Promotion of Sanitary and Biomedical Research of the Valencia Region, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Amparo Latorre
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), University of Valencia and Spanish Research Council, 46980 Paterna, Spain; (R.D.-S.); (A.L.)
- Genomics and Health Area, Foundation for the Promotion of Sanitary and Biomedical Research of the Valencia Region, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos García-Ferris
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), University of Valencia and Spanish Research Council, 46980 Paterna, Spain; (R.D.-S.); (A.L.)
- Genomics and Health Area, Foundation for the Promotion of Sanitary and Biomedical Research of the Valencia Region, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
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2
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Li D, Zhang M, Teng Zhu La AL, Lyu Z, Li X, Feng Y, Liu D, Guo Y, Hu Y. Quercetin-enriched Lactobacillus aviarius alleviates hyperuricemia by hydrolase-mediated degradation of purine nucleosides. Pharmacol Res 2023; 196:106928. [PMID: 37717681 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The development of hyperuricemia (HUA) and gout is associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Quercetin can reduce serum uric acid levels and thus alleviate HUA by modulating the gut microbiota. However, the detailed mechanisms involved in this process are not fully understood. Here, we showed that quercetin significantly reduced the serum uric acid level in a chicken HUA model by altering the chicken cecal microbiota structure and function and increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus aviarius. An L. aviarius strain, CML180, was isolated from the quercetin-treated chicken gut microbiota. Strain characterization indicated that quercetin promoted the growth of L. aviarius CML180 and increased its adhesion, hydrophobicity, and co-aggregation abilities. Gavage of live L. aviarius CML180 to a mouse model of HUA-established by adenosine and potassium oxonate-reduced the serum uric acid level and alleviated HUA. The ability of L. aviarius CML180 to decrease the level of uric acid was due to its degradation of purine nucleosides, which are the precursors for uric acid production. A nucleoside hydrolase gene, nhy69, was identified from the genome of L. aviarius CML180, and the resulting protein, Nhy69, exhibited strong purine nucleoside-hydrolyzing activity at mesophilic temperature and neutral pH conditions. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the potential of quercetin to treat HUA or gout diseases via a specific gut microbe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Depeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Meihong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - A La Teng Zhu La
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhengtian Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yuqing Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Dan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yuming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yongfei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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3
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Patiño LH, Muñoz M, Ramírez AL, Vélez N, Escandón P, Parra-Giraldo CM, Ramírez JD. A Landscape of the Genomic Structure of Cryptococcus neoformans in Colombian Isolates. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9020135. [PMID: 36836249 PMCID: PMC9959405 DOI: 10.3390/jof9020135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans species complexes are recognized as environmental fungi responsible for lethal meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised individuals. Despite the vast knowledge about the epidemiology and genetic diversity of this fungus in different regions of the world, more studies are necessary to comprehend the genomic profiles across South America, including Colombia, considered to be the second country with the highest number of Cryptococcosis. Here, we sequenced and analyzed the genomic architecture of 29 Colombian C. neoformans isolates and evaluated the phylogenetic relationship of these strains with publicly available C. neoformans genomes. The phylogenomic analysis showed that 97% of the isolates belonged to the VNI molecular type and the presence of sub-lineages and sub-clades. We evidenced a karyotype without changes, a low number of genes with copy number variations, and a moderate number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Additionally, a difference in the number of SNPs between the sub-lineages/sub-clades was observed; some were involved in crucial fungi biological processes. Our study demonstrated the intraspecific divergence of C. neoformans in Colombia. These findings provide evidence that Colombian C. neoformans isolates do not probably require significant structural changes as adaptation mechanisms to the host. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the whole genome sequence of Colombian C. neoformans isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz Helena Patiño
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Angie Lorena Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Nórida Vélez
- Unidad de Proteómica y Micosis Humanas, Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28001 Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Claudia-Marcela Parra-Giraldo
- Unidad de Proteómica y Micosis Humanas, Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28001 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +1-(332)-2344161
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4
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Rafei R, Koong J, Osman M, Al Atrouni A, Hamze M, Hamidian M. Analysis of pCl107 a large plasmid carried by an ST25 Acinetobacter baumannii strain reveals a complex evolutionary history and links to multiple antibiotic resistance and metabolic pathways. FEMS MICROBES 2022; 3:xtac027. [PMID: 37332503 PMCID: PMC10117892 DOI: 10.1093/femsmc/xtac027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii has successfully spread during the last decades as one of the main critically important pathogens. However, many aspects including plasmids, are still under-investigated. Here, we report the complete sequence of an Acinetobacter baumannii strain, belonging to the ST25IP (Institut Pasteur) sequence type recovered in 2012 in Lebanon, using a combination of Illumina MiSeq and Oxford Nanopore sequencing and a hybrid assembly approach. This strain (Cl107) carries a 198 kb plasmid called pCl107 that encodes the MPFI conjugative transfer system. The plasmid carries the aacA1, aacC2, sul2, strAB, and tetA(B) antibiotic resistance genes. pCl107 region encompassing the sul2, strAB, tetA(B) is closely related to AbGRI1 chromosomal resistance islands, which are widespread in A. baumannii strains belonging to Global Clone 2. The resistance region found in pCl107 is one of the missing links in the evolutionary history of the AbGRI1 islands. pCl107 also contains a BREX Type 1 region and represents one of the two main evolution patterns observed in BREX clusters found in plasmids related to pCl107. pCl107 also harbours a ptx phosphonate metabolism module, which plays an ancestral structure compared to other large plasmids in ST25 strains. While the uric acid metabolic module found in pCl107 is incomplete, we identified possible ancestors from plasmids and chromosomes of Acinetobacter spp. Our analyses indicate a complex evolutionary history of plasmids related to pCl107 with many links to multiple antibiotic resistance and metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayane Rafei
- Laboratoire Microbiologie Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Science & Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon
| | - Jonathan Koong
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Marwan Osman
- Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Ahmad Al Atrouni
- Laboratoire Microbiologie Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Science & Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon
| | - Monzer Hamze
- Laboratoire Microbiologie Santé et Environnement (LMSE), Doctoral School of Science & Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon
| | - Mehrad Hamidian
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia
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5
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Xu X, Yan Y, Huang J, Zhang Z, Wang Z, Wu M, Liang H. Regulation of uric acid and glyoxylate metabolism by UgmR protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:3242-3255. [PMID: 35702827 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa has evolved several systems to adapt to complex environments. The GntR family proteins play important roles in the regulation of metabolic processes and bacterial pathogenesis. In this study, we uncovered that the gene clusters of PA1513-PA1518 and PA1498-PA1502 in P. aeruginosa are required for uric acid and glyoxylate metabolism, respectively. We also identified a GntR family regulator UgmR that is involved in regulation of uric acid and glyoxylate metabolism. Promoter activity measurement and biochemical assays revealed that the UgmR directly represses the transcriptional activity of PA1513-PA1518 and PA1498-PA1502, and this inhibition was relieved by the addition of uric acid. Importantly, further experiments showed that UgmR also participates in the glyoxylate shunt. Collectively, these findings contribute to a better understanding of the UgmR factor involved in uric acid and glyoxylate metabolism, which provide insights into the complex metabolic pathways in P. aeruginosa. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejie Xu
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, China
| | - Yunfang Yan
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, China
| | - Jiadai Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Zihao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, China
| | - Zhihan Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
| | - Haihua Liang
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, China.,College of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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6
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Mattila H, Österman-Udd J, Mali T, Lundell T. Basidiomycota Fungi and ROS: Genomic Perspective on Key Enzymes Involved in Generation and Mitigation of Reactive Oxygen Species. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2022; 3:837605. [PMID: 37746164 PMCID: PMC10512322 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.837605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Our review includes a genomic survey of a multitude of reactive oxygen species (ROS) related intra- and extracellular enzymes and proteins among fungi of Basidiomycota, following their taxonomic classification within the systematic classes and orders, and focusing on different fungal lifestyles (saprobic, symbiotic, pathogenic). Intra- and extracellular ROS metabolism-involved enzymes (49 different protein families, summing 4170 protein models) were searched as protein encoding genes among 63 genomes selected according to current taxonomy. Extracellular and intracellular ROS metabolism and mechanisms in Basidiomycota are illustrated in detail. In brief, it may be concluded that differences between the set of extracellular enzymes activated by ROS, especially by H2O2, and involved in generation of H2O2, follow the differences in fungal lifestyles. The wood and plant biomass degrading white-rot fungi and the litter-decomposing species of Agaricomycetes contain the highest counts for genes encoding various extracellular peroxidases, mono- and peroxygenases, and oxidases. These findings further confirm the necessity of the multigene families of various extracellular oxidoreductases for efficient and complete degradation of wood lignocelluloses by fungi. High variations in the sizes of the extracellular ROS-involved gene families were found, however, among species with mycorrhizal symbiotic lifestyle. In addition, there are some differences among the sets of intracellular thiol-mediation involving proteins, and existence of enzyme mechanisms for quenching of intracellular H2O2 and ROS. In animal- and plant-pathogenic species, extracellular ROS enzymes are absent or rare. In these fungi, intracellular peroxidases are seemingly in minor role than in the independent saprobic, filamentous species of Basidiomycota. Noteworthy is that our genomic survey and review of the literature point to that there are differences both in generation of extracellular ROS as well as in mechanisms of response to oxidative stress and mitigation of ROS between fungi of Basidiomycota and Ascomycota.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Taina Lundell
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Viikki Campus, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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7
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Wu Y, Ye Z, Feng P, Li R, Chen X, Tian X, Han R, Kakade A, Liu P, Li X. Limosilactobacillus fermentum JL-3 isolated from "Jiangshui" ameliorates hyperuricemia by degrading uric acid. Gut Microbes 2022; 13:1-18. [PMID: 33764849 PMCID: PMC8007157 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2021.1897211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies into the beneficial effects of fermented foods have shown that this class of foods are effective in managing hyperuricemia and gout. In this study, the uric acid (UA) degradation ability of Limosilactobacillus fermentum JL-3 strain, isolated from "Jiangshui" (a fermented Chinese food), was investigated. In vitro results showed that JL-3 strain exhibited high degradation capacity and selectivity toward UA. After oral administration to mice for 15 days, JL-3 colonization was continuously detected in the feces of mice. The UA level in urine of mice fed with JL-3 was similar with the control group mice. And the serum UA level of the former was significantly lower (31.3%) than in the control, further confirmed the UA-lowering effect of JL-3 strain. Limosilactobacillus fermentum JL-3 strain also restored some of the inflammatory markers and oxidative stress indicators (IL-1β, MDA, CRE, blood urea nitrogen) related to hyperuricemia, while the gut microbial diversity results showed that JL-3 could regulate gut microbiota dysbiosis caused by hyperuricemia. Therefore, the probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum JL-3 strain is effective in lowering UA levels in mice and could be used as a therapeutic adjunct agent in treating hyperuricemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wu
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ze Ye
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pengya Feng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Rong Li
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaozhu Tian
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Rong Han
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Apurva Kakade
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pu Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China,CONTACT Xiangkai Li Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiangkai Li
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Structural and biochemical insights into a hyperthermostable urate oxidase from Thermobispora bispora for hyperuricemia and gout therapy. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 188:914-923. [PMID: 34403675 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.08.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Microbial urate oxidase has emerged as a potential source of therapeutic properties for hyperuricemia in arthritic gout and renal disease. The thermostability and long-term thermal tolerance of the enzyme need to be established to prolong its therapeutic effects. Here, we present the biochemical and structural aspects of a hyperthermostable urate oxidase (TbUox) from the thermophilic microorganism Thermobispora bispora. Enzymatic characterization of TbUox revealed that it was active over a wide range of temperatures, from 30 to 70 °C, with optimal activity at 65 °C and pH 8.0, which suggests its applicability under physiological conditions. Moreover, TbUox exhibits high thermostability from 10 to 65 °C, with Tm of 70.3 °C and near-neutral pH stability from pH 7.0 to 8.0 and high thermal tolerance. The crystal structures of TbUox revealed a distinct feature of the C-terminal loop extensions that may help with protein stability via inter-subunit interactions. In addition, the high thermal tolerance of TbUox may be contributed by the extensive inter-subunit contacts via salt bridges, hydrogen bonds, and hydrophobic interactions. The findings in this study provide a molecular basis for the thermophilic TbUox urate oxidase for application in hyperuricemia and gout therapy.
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9
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Screening of Chemical Libraries for New Antifungal Drugs against Aspergillus fumigatus Reveals Sphingolipids Are Involved in the Mechanism of Action of Miltefosine. mBio 2021; 12:e0145821. [PMID: 34372704 PMCID: PMC8406317 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01458-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an important fungal pathogen and the main etiological agent of aspergillosis, a disease characterized by a noninvasive process that can evolve to a more severe clinical manifestation, called invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), in immunocompromised patients. The antifungal arsenal to threat aspergillosis is very restricted. Azoles are the main therapeutic approach to control IPA, but the emergence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates has significantly increased over recent decades. Therefore, new strategies are necessary to combat aspergillosis, and drug repurposing has emerged as an efficient and alternative approach for identifying new antifungal drugs. Here, we used a screening approach to analyze A. fumigatus in vitro susceptibility to 1,127 compounds. A. fumigatus was susceptible to 10 compounds, including miltefosine, a drug that displayed fungicidal activity against A. fumigatus. By screening an A. fumigatus transcription factor null library, we identified a single mutant, which has the smiA (sensitive to miltefosine) gene deleted, conferring a phenotype of susceptibility to miltefosine. The transcriptional profiling (RNA-seq) of the wild-type and ΔsmiA strains and chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to next-generation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) of an SmiA-tagged strain exposed to miltefosine revealed genes of the sphingolipid pathway that are directly or indirectly regulated by SmiA. Sphingolipid analysis demonstrated that the mutant has overall decreased levels of sphingolipids when growing in the presence of miltefosine. The identification of SmiA represents the first genetic element described and characterized that plays a direct role in miltefosine response in fungi. IMPORTANCE The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus causes a group of diseases named aspergillosis, and their development occurs after the inhalation of conidia dispersed in the environment. Very few classes of antifungal drugs are available for aspergillosis treatment, e.g., azoles, but the emergence of global resistance to azoles in A. fumigatus clinical isolates has increased over recent decades. Repositioning or repurposing drugs already available on the market is an interesting and faster opportunity for the identification of novel antifungal agents. By using a repurposing strategy, we identified 10 different compounds that impact A. fumigatus survival. One of these compounds, miltefosine, demonstrated fungicidal activity against A. fumigatus. The mechanism of action of miltefosine is unknown, and, aiming to get more insights about it, we identified a transcription factor, SmiA (sensitive to miltefosine), important for miltefosine resistance. Our results suggest that miltefosine displays antifungal activity against A. fumigatus, interfering in sphingolipid biosynthesis.
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10
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Toplis B, Bosch C, Schwartz IS, Kenyon C, Boekhout T, Perfect JR, Botha A. The virulence factor urease and its unexplored role in the metabolism of Cryptococcus neoformans. FEMS Yeast Res 2021; 20:5850754. [PMID: 32490521 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foaa031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcal urease is believed to be important for the degradation of exogenous urea that the yeast encounters both in its natural environment and within the human host. Endogenous urea produced by the yeast's own metabolic reactions, however, may also serve as a substrate for the urease enzyme. Using wild-type, urease-deletion mutant and urease-reconstituted strains of Cryptococcus neoformans H99, we studied reactions located up- and downstream from endogenous urea. We demonstrated that urease is important for cryptococcal growth and that, compared to nutrient-rich conditions at 26°C, urease activity is higher under nutrient-limited conditions at 37°C. Compared to cells with a functional urease enzyme, urease-deficient cells had significantly higher intracellular urea levels and also showed more arginase activity, which may act as a potential source of endogenous urea. Metabolic reactions linked to arginase were also affected, since urease-positive and urease-negative cells differed with respect to agmatinase activity, polyamine synthesis, and intracellular levels of proline and reactive oxygen species. Lastly, urease-deficient cells showed higher melanin levels at 26°C than wild-type cells, while the inverse was observed at 37°C. These results suggest that cryptococcal urease is associated with the functioning of key metabolic pathways within the yeast cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbra Toplis
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Caylin Bosch
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Ilan S Schwartz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2G3
| | - Chris Kenyon
- Sexually Transmitted Infection Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Teun Boekhout
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 3584CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John R Perfect
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710-1000, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alfred Botha
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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11
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Yu CH, Chen Y, Desjardins CA, Tenor JL, Toffaletti DL, Giamberardino C, Litvintseva A, Perfect JR, Cuomo CA. Landscape of gene expression variation of natural isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans in response to biologically relevant stresses. Microb Genom 2020; 6. [PMID: 31860441 PMCID: PMC7067042 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that at its peak epidemic levels caused an estimated million cases of cryptococcal meningitis per year worldwide. This species can grow in diverse environmental (trees, soil and bird excreta) and host niches (intracellular microenvironments of phagocytes and free-living in host tissues). The genetic basic for adaptation to these different conditions is not well characterized, as most experimental work has relied on a single reference strain of C. neoformans. To identify genes important for yeast infection and disease progression, we profiled the gene expression of seven C. neoformans isolates grown in five representative in vitro environmental and in vivo conditions. We characterized gene expression differences using RNA-Seq (RNA sequencing), comparing clinical and environmental isolates from two of the major lineages of this species, VNI and VNBI. These comparisons highlighted genes showing lineage-specific expression that are enriched in subtelomeric regions and in lineage-specific gene clusters. By contrast, we find few expression differences between clinical and environmental isolates from the same lineage. Gene expression specific to in vivo stages reflects available nutrients and stresses, with an increase in fungal metabolism within macrophages, and an induction of ribosomal and heat-shock gene expression within the subarachnoid space. This study provides the widest view to date of the transcriptome variation of C. neoformans across natural isolates, and provides insights into genes important for in vitro and in vivo growth stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Hsin Yu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yuan Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Jennifer L Tenor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Dena L Toffaletti
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Charles Giamberardino
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Anastasia Litvintseva
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - John R Perfect
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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12
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Benatto Perino EH, Glienke C, de Oliveira Silva A, Deising HB. Molecular Characterization of the Purine Degradation Pathway Genes ALA1 and URE1 of the Maize Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum graminicola Identified Urease as a Novel Target for Plant Disease Control. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2020; 110:1530-1540. [PMID: 32687013 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-04-20-0114-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pathogenicity is governed by environmental factors, with nitrogen playing a key role in triggering pathogenic development. Spores germinating on the plant cuticle are exposed to a nitrogen-free environment, and reprograming of nitrogen metabolism is required for bridging the time needed to gain access to the nitrogen sources of the host. Although degradation of endogenous purine bases efficiently generates ammonium and may allow the fungus to bridge the preinvasion nitrogen gap, the roles of the purine degradation pathway and of the key genes encoding allantoicase and urease are largely unknown in plant pathogenic fungi. To investigate the roles of the allantoicase and urease genes ALA1 and URE1 of the maize anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum graminicola in pathogenic development, we generated ALA1:eGFP and URE1:eGFP fusion strains as well as allantoicase- and urease-deficient mutants. Virulence assays, live cell, and differential interference contrast imaging, chemical complementation and employment of a urease inhibitor showed that the purine degradation genes ALA1 and URE1 are required for bridging nitrogen deficiency at early phases of the infection process and for full virulence. Application of the urease inhibitor acetohydroxamic acid did not only protect maize from C. graminicola infection, but also interfered with the infection process of the wheat powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, the maize and broad bean rusts Puccinia sorghi and Uromyces viciae-fabae, and the potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans. Our data strongly suggest that inhibition of the purine degradation pathway might represent a novel approach to control plant pathogenic fungi and oomycetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvio Henrique Benatto Perino
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná, Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, 81531-990, Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil
| | - Chirlei Glienke
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná, Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, 81531-990, Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Faculty of Natural Sciences III, Institute for Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Chair for Phytopathology and Plant Protection, Betty-Heimann-Str. 3; D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Alan de Oliveira Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná, Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, 81531-990, Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Faculty of Natural Sciences III, Institute for Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Chair for Phytopathology and Plant Protection, Betty-Heimann-Str. 3; D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Holger B Deising
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Faculty of Natural Sciences III, Institute for Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Chair for Phytopathology and Plant Protection, Betty-Heimann-Str. 3; D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
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13
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High-Protein Diet Induces Hyperuricemia in a New Animal Model for Studying Human Gout. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062147. [PMID: 32245084 PMCID: PMC7140009 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperuricemia is a central risk factor for gout and increases the risk for other chronic diseases, including cardiometabolic disease, kidney disease, and hypertension. Overproduction of urate is one of the main reasons for hyperuricemia, and dietary factors including seafoods, meats, and drinking are contributed to the development of it. However, the lack of a suitable animal model for urate metabolism is one of the main reasons for the delay and limitations of hyperuricemia research. Combining evolutionary biological studies and clinical studies, we conclude that chicken is a preferred animal model for hyperuricemia. Thus, we provided chickens a high-protein diet (HPD) to evaluate the changes in the serum urate levels in chickens. In our study, the HPD increased the serum urate level and maintained it at a long-term high level in chickens. Long-term high serum urate levels induced an abnormal chicken claw morphology and the precipitation of monosodium urate (MSU) in joint synovial fluid. In addition, a long-term HPD also decreased the glomerular filtration rate and induced mild renal injury. Most importantly, allopurinol and probenecid displayed the positive effects in decreasing serum urate and then attenuated hyperuricemia in chicken model. These findings provide a novel model for hyperuricemia and a new opportunity to further investigate the effects of long-term hyperuricemia on other metabolic diseases.
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14
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Mosiichuk N, Grujic D, Woliński J, Podpryatov S, Podpriatov S, Szczurek P, Yatsenko T, Shmihel H, Drahanchuk O, Pierzynowski S, Goncharova Pierzynowska K. Uricemia in juvenile pigs model: effect of nephrectomy and potassium oxonate. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL AND FEED SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.22358/jafs/110436/2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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15
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Cui W, Li X, Hull L, Xiao M. GATA-type transcription factors play a vital role in radiation sensitivity of Cryptococcus neoformans by regulating the gene expression of specific amino acid permeases. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6385. [PMID: 31015536 PMCID: PMC6478845 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42778-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a basidiomycete fungus that is highly resistant to ionizing radiation and has been identified in highly radioactive environments. Transcription factors (TFs) are master regulators of gene expression by binding to specific DNA sequences within promoters of target genes. A library of 322 signature-tagged gene deletion strains for 155 C. neoformans TF genes has been established. Previous phenome-based functional analysis of the C. neoformans TF mutant library identified key TFs important for various phenotypes, such as growth, differentiation, virulence-factor production, and stress responses. Here, utilizing the established TF mutant library, we identified 5 TFs that are important for radiation sensitivity, including SRE1, BZP2, GAT5, GAT6, and HCM1. Interestingly, BZP2, GAT5 and GAT6 all belong to the GATA-type transcription factors. These factors regulate transcription of nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR) sensitive genes when preferred nitrogen sources are absent or limiting. In addition to radiation, we found that specific GATA factors are important for other stressors such as rapamycin, fluconazole, and hydroxyurea treatment. Using real-time PCR method, we studied the expression of GATA down-stream genes after radiation exposure and identified that AAP4, AAP5 and URO1 were differentially expressed in the GAT5 and GAT6 mutants compared to the wild type cells. In summary, our data suggest that GATA TFs are important for radiation sensitivity in C. neoformans by regulating specific downstream AAP genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanchang Cui
- Radiation Countermeasures Program, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - XiangHong Li
- Radiation Countermeasures Program, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lisa Hull
- Radiation Countermeasures Program, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mang Xiao
- Radiation Countermeasures Program, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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16
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Quantitation of Purines from Pigeon Guano and Implications for Cryptococcus neoformans Survival During Infection. Mycopathologia 2019; 184:273-281. [PMID: 30707338 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-018-0315-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The fertilizing properties of bird manure, or guano, have played an important role in plant cultivation for thousands of years. Research into its chemical composition by Unger in 1846 identified a novel compound, now known as guanine, a purine base that is essential for DNA and RNA biosynthesis and cell signalling. Nitrogen-rich guano can also harbour human pathogens, one significant example being the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Historically associated with pigeon droppings, C. neoformans is able to infect immunocompromised individuals with the aid of a number of adaptive virulence traits. To gain insight into this niche, a quantitative analysis of pigeon guano was performed by LC/MS to determine the concentrations of purines present. Guanine was found in abundance, in particular, in aged guano samples that contained 156-296 μg/g [w/w] compared to 75 μg/g in fresh guano. Adenine concentrations were more consistent between fresh and aged samples, 13 μg/g compared to 10-15 μg/g, respectively. C. neoformans strains that lack key enzymes of the de novo purine synthesis pathway and are guanine or adenine auxotrophs displayed differences in their ability to exploit this substrate: growth of a guanine auxotrophic mutant (gua1Δ) was partially restored on 30% pigeon guano media, but an adenine auxotrophic mutant (ade13Δ) was unable to grow. We conclude that while purine salvage is likely a useful resource-saving mechanism, alone it is not sufficient to fully provide the purines required by wild-type C. neoformans growing in its guano niche.
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17
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Linder T. A genomic survey of nitrogen assimilation pathways in budding yeasts (sub-phylum Saccharomycotina). Yeast 2018; 36:259-273. [DOI: 10.1002/yea.3364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Linder
- Department of Molecular Sciences; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Uppsala Sweden
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18
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Lazzarino G, Listorti I, Muzii L, Amorini AM, Longo S, Di Stasio E, Caruso G, D’Urso S, Puglia I, Pisani G, Lazzarino G, Tavazzi B, Bilotta P. Low-molecular weight compounds in human seminal plasma as potential biomarkers of male infertility. Hum Reprod 2018; 33:1817-1828. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Lazzarino
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Rome, and Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Listorti
- Alma Res Fertility Centre, Centro di Fecondazione Assistita Alma Res, Via Parenzo 12, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Muzii
- Alma Res Fertility Centre, Centro di Fecondazione Assistita Alma Res, Via Parenzo 12, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Maria Amorini
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Rome, and Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Longo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Rome, and Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy
- LTA-Biotech srl, Viale Don Orione, 3D, Paternò, Catania, Italy
| | - Enrico Di Stasio
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Rome, and Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caruso
- Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero, 73, Troina, Enna, Italy
| | - Serafina D’Urso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Division of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, Catania, Italy
| | - Ilaria Puglia
- Faculty of Biosciences and Agro-Food and Environmental Technologies, University of Teramo, Via R. Balzarini 1, Teramo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pisani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Camillo-Forlanini, Cir.ne Gianicolense 87, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lazzarino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Division of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, Catania, Italy
- LTA-Biotech srl, Viale Don Orione, 3D, Paternò, Catania, Italy
| | - Barbara Tavazzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Rome, and Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Bilotta
- Alma Res Fertility Centre, Centro di Fecondazione Assistita Alma Res, Via Parenzo 12, Rome, Italy
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19
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Martin E, Varotto Boccazzi I, De Marco L, Bongiorno G, Montagna M, Sacchi L, Mensah P, Ricci I, Gradoni L, Bandi C, Epis S. The mycobiota of the sand fly Phlebotomus perniciosus: Involvement of yeast symbionts in uric acid metabolism. Environ Microbiol 2018; 20:1064-1077. [PMID: 29345102 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The knowledge of the fungal mycobiota of arthropods, including the vectors of human and animal diseases, is still limited. Here, the mycobiota associated with the sand fly Phlebotomus perniciosus, the main vector of leishmaniasis in the western Mediterranean area, by a culture-dependent approach (microbiological analyses and sequencing of the 26S rRNA gene), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA amplicon-based next-generation sequencing, fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), and genome sequencing of the dominant yeast species was investigated. The dominant species was Meyerozyma guilliermondii, known for its biotechnological applications. The focus was on this yeast and its prevalence in adults, pupae and larvae of reared sand flies (overall prevalence: 57.5%) and of field-collected individuals (overall prevalence: 9%) was investigated. Using whole-mount FISH and microscopic examination, it was further showed that M. guilliermondii colonizes the midgut of females, males and larvae and the distal part of Malpighian tubules of female sand flies, suggesting a possible role in urate degradation. Finally, the sequencing and analysis of the genome of M. guilliermondii allowed predicting the complete uric acid degradation pathway, suggesting that the yeast could contribute to the removal of the excess of nitrogenous wastes after the blood meal of the insect host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Martin
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Leone De Marco
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Gioia Bongiorno
- Unit of Vector-Borne Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Montagna
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences- Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luciano Sacchi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Priscilla Mensah
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Irene Ricci
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Luigi Gradoni
- Unit of Vector-Borne Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Pediatric Clinical Research Center Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi, Ospedale 'Luigi Sacco', Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Pediatric Clinical Research Center Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi, Ospedale 'Luigi Sacco', Milan, Italy
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20
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Oduro-Mensah D, Ocloo A, Lowor ST, Bonney EY, Okine LK, Adamafio NA. Isolation and characterisation of theobromine-degrading filamentous fungi. Microbiol Res 2018; 206:16-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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21
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Ries LNA, Beattie S, Cramer RA, Goldman GH. Overview of carbon and nitrogen catabolite metabolism in the virulence of human pathogenic fungi. Mol Microbiol 2017; 107:277-297. [PMID: 29197127 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
It is estimated that fungal infections, caused most commonly by Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans, result in more deaths annually than malaria or tuberculosis. It has long been hypothesized the fungal metabolism plays a critical role in virulence though specific nutrient sources utilized by human pathogenic fungi in vivo has remained enigmatic. However, the metabolic utilisation of preferred carbon and nitrogen sources, encountered in a host niche-dependent manner, is known as carbon catabolite and nitrogen catabolite repression (CCR, NCR), and has been shown to be important for virulence. Several sensory and uptake systems exist, including carbon and nitrogen source-specific sensors and transporters, that allow scavenging of preferred nutrient sources. Subsequent metabolic utilisation is governed by transcription factors, whose functions and essentiality differ between fungal species. Furthermore, additional factors exist that contribute to the implementation of CCR and NCR. The role of the CCR and NCR-related factors in virulence varies greatly between fungal species and a substantial gap in knowledge exists regarding specific pathways. Further elucidation of carbon and nitrogen metabolism mechanisms is therefore required in a fungal species- and animal model-specific manner in order to screen for targets that are potential candidates for anti-fungal drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure Nicolas Annick Ries
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 3900, CEP 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Sarah Beattie
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 74 College Street Remsen 213, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Robert A Cramer
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 74 College Street Remsen 213, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n°, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, CEP 14040903, Brazil
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22
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Karwur FF, Pujiastuti DR. Review Article: URIC ACID HOMEOSTASIS AND DISTURBANCES. FOLIA MEDICA INDONESIANA 2017. [DOI: 10.20473/fmi.v53i4.7164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This review examined the homeostasis of uric acid in human body and analyzed recent studies of the affecting major variables. Normal uric acid concentration in male is 3.5-7.2 mg/dL and in female is 2.6-6 mg/dL. Daily turnover of normal uric acid ranges from 498-1392 mg/day, miscible pool is 767-1650 mg, reabsorption is 8064 mg/day, renal excretion is 262-620 mg/day and intestine 186-313 mg/day. The dynamics of uric acid is influenced by factors of food, drink, age, history of disease, and genetic. High purine dietary consumption increases blood uric acid by 1-2 mg/dL, 213-290 g/day fructose drinks increases 0.52-1.7 mg/dL, 1.5 g/kgBW sucrose increases 0.61 mg/dL, and 10-20 ml/kgBW beer increases 0.50-0.92 mg/dL. The ABCG2 gene plays a role in bringing uric acid out of the body by 114.31-162.73 mg/dL, SLC2A9 of 5.43-20.17 mg/dL, and SLC22A12 of 5.77-6.71 mg/dL. The data described the homeostasis of uric acid and the magnitude of the impact of environmental (consumption of food, beverages, and lifestyle) and genetic factors. Understanding uric acid homeostasis and its disturbances is important in managing diseases as a consequence of hyperuricemia and hypouryscemia
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23
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Lee WD, Fong JJ, Eimes JA, Lim YW. Diversity and abundance of human-pathogenic fungi associated with pigeon faeces in urban environments. Mol Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.14216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Won Dong Lee
- School of Biological Sciences; Seoul National University; Seoul Korea
- Faculty of Biology; Technion-Israel Institute of Technology; Haifa Israel
| | | | - John A. Eimes
- School of Biological Sciences; Seoul National University; Seoul Korea
- University College; Sungkyunkwan University; Suwon Korea
| | - Young Woon Lim
- School of Biological Sciences; Seoul National University; Seoul Korea
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Chitty JL, Fraser JA. Purine Acquisition and Synthesis by Human Fungal Pathogens. Microorganisms 2017; 5:microorganisms5020033. [PMID: 28594372 PMCID: PMC5488104 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms5020033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
While members of the Kingdom Fungi are found across many of the world's most hostile environments, only a limited number of species can thrive within the human host. The causative agents of the most common invasive fungal infections are Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptococcus neoformans. During the infection process, these fungi must not only combat the host immune system while adapting to dramatic changes in temperature and pH, but also acquire sufficient nutrients to enable growth and dissemination in the host. One class of nutrients required by fungi, which is found in varying concentrations in their environmental niches and the human host, is the purines. These nitrogen-containing heterocycles are one of the most abundant organic molecules in nature and are required for roles as diverse as signal transduction, energy metabolism and DNA synthesis. The most common life-threatening fungal pathogens can degrade, salvage and synthesize de novo purines through a number of enzymatic steps that are conserved. While these enable them to adapt to the changing purine availability in the environment, only de novo purine biosynthesis is essential during infection and therefore an attractive antimycotic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Chitty
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - James A Fraser
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, the University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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25
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Uric acid in plants and microorganisms: Biological applications and genetics - A review. J Adv Res 2017; 8:475-486. [PMID: 28748114 PMCID: PMC5512154 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Uric acid increased accumulation and/or reduced excretion in human bodies is closely related to pathogenesis of gout and hyperuricemia. It is highly affected by the high intake of food rich in purine. Uric acid is present in both higher plants and microorganisms with species dependent concentration. Urate-degrading enzymes are found both in plants and microorganisms but the mechanisms by which plant degrade uric acid was found to be different among them. Higher plants produce various metabolites which could inhibit xanthine oxidase and xanthine oxidoreductase, so prohibit the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine then to uric acid in the purine metabolism. However, microorganisms produce group of degrading enzymes uricase, allantoinase, allantoicase and urease, which catalyze the degradation of uric acid to the ammonia. In humans, researchers found that several mutations caused a pseudogenization (silencing) of the uricase gene in ancestral apes which exist as an insoluble crystalloid in peroxisomes. This is in contrast to microorganisms in which uricases are soluble and exist either in cytoplasm or peroxisomes. Moreover, many recombinant uricases with higher activity than the wild type uricases could be induced successfully in many microorganisms. The present review deals with the occurrence of uric acid in plants and other organisms specially microorganisms in addition to the mechanisms by which plant extracts, metabolites and enzymes could reduce uric acid in blood. The genetic and genes encoding for uric acid in plants and microorganisms are also presented.
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Zhong Y, Zhou Z, Fang X, Peng F, Zhang W. Magnetic resonance imaging study of cryptococcal neuroradiological lesions in HIV-negative cryptococcal meningitis. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2017; 36:1367-1372. [DOI: 10.1007/s10096-017-2941-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Vera-Ponce de León A, Sanchez-Flores A, Rosenblueth M, Martínez-Romero E. Fungal Community Associated with Dactylopius (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Dactylopiidae) and Its Role in Uric Acid Metabolism. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:954. [PMID: 27446001 PMCID: PMC4917543 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied fungal species associated with the carmine cochineal Dactylopius coccus and other non-domesticated Dactylopius species using culture-dependent and -independent methods. Thirty seven fungi were isolated in various culture media from insect males and females from different developmental stages and Dactylopius species. 26S rRNA genes and ITS sequences, from cultured fungal isolates revealed different species of Cryptococcus, Rhodotorula, Debaryomyces, Trametes, and Penicillium, which are genera newly associated with Dactylopius. Uric acid (UA) and uricase activity were detected in tissues extracts from different insect developmental stages. However, accumulation of high UA levels and low uricase activities were found only after antifungal treatments, suggesting an important role of fungal species in its metabolism. Additionally, uricolytic fungal isolates were identified and characterized that presumably are involved in nitrogen recycling metabolism. After metagenomic analyses from D. coccus gut and hemolymph DNA and from two published data sets, we confirmed the presence of fungal genes involved in UA catabolism, suggesting that fungi help in the nitrogen recycling process in Dactylopius by uricolysis. All these results show the importance of fungal communities in scale insects such as Dactylopius.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Vera-Ponce de León
- Programa de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Cuernavca, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Sanchez-Flores
- Unidad de Secuenciación Masiva y Bioinformática, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Cuernavca, Mexico
| | - Mónica Rosenblueth
- Programa de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Cuernavca, Mexico
| | - Esperanza Martínez-Romero
- Programa de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Cuernavca, Mexico
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Tebung WA, Choudhury BI, Tebbji F, Morschhäuser J, Whiteway M. Rewiring of the Ppr1 Zinc Cluster Transcription Factor from Purine Catabolism to Pyrimidine Biogenesis in the Saccharomycetaceae. Curr Biol 2016; 26:1677-1687. [PMID: 27321996 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.04.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 04/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic pathways are largely conserved in eukaryotes, but the transcriptional regulation of these pathways can sometimes vary between species; this has been termed "rewiring." Recently, it has been established that in the Saccharomyces lineage starting from Naumovozyma castellii, genes involved in allantoin breakdown have been genomically relocated to form the DAL cluster. The formation of the DAL cluster occurred along with the loss of urate permease (UAP) and urate oxidase (UOX), reducing the requirement for oxygen and bypassing the candidate Ppr1 inducer, uric acid. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, this allantoin catabolism cluster is regulated by the transcription factor Dal82, which is not present in many of the pre-rearrangement fungal species. We have used ChIP-chip analysis, transcriptional profiling of an activated Ppr1 protein, bioinformatics, and nitrogen utilization studies to establish that in Candida albicans the zinc cluster transcription factor Ppr1 controls this allantoin catabolism regulon. Intriguingly, in S. cerevisiae, the Ppr1 ortholog binds the same DNA motif (CGG(N6)CCG) as in C. albicans but serves as a regulator of pyrimidine biosynthesis. This transcription factor rewiring appears to have taken place at the same phylogenetic step as the formation of the rearranged DAL cluster. This transfer of the control of allantoin degradation from Ppr1 to Dal82, together with the repositioning of Ppr1 to the regulation of pyrimidine biosynthesis, may have resulted from a switch to a metabolism that could exploit hypoxic conditions in the lineage leading to N. castellii and S. cerevisiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walters Aji Tebung
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Baharul I Choudhury
- Biology Department, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Faiza Tebbji
- Infectious Diseases Research Centre (CRI), CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUQ), Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Joachim Morschhäuser
- Institut für Molekulare Infektionsbiologie, Universität Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Malcolm Whiteway
- Biology Department, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada.
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Genomics and Transcriptomics Analyses of the Oil-Accumulating Basidiomycete Yeast Trichosporon oleaginosus: Insights into Substrate Utilization and Alternative Evolutionary Trajectories of Fungal Mating Systems. mBio 2015. [PMID: 26199329 PMCID: PMC4513080 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00918-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial fermentation of agro-industrial waste holds great potential for reducing the environmental impact associated with the production of lipids for industrial purposes from plant biomass. However, the chemical complexity of many residues currently prevents efficient conversion into lipids, creating a high demand for strains with the ability to utilize all energy-rich components of agricultural residues. Here, we present results of genome and transcriptome analyses of Trichosporon oleaginosus. This oil-accumulating yeast is able to grow on a wide variety of substrates, including pentoses and N-acetylglucosamine, making it an interesting candidate for biotechnological applications. Transcriptomics shows specific changes in gene expression patterns under lipid-accumulating conditions. Furthermore, gene content and expression analyses indicate that T. oleaginosus is well-adapted for the utilization of chitin-rich biomass. We also focused on the T. oleaginosus mating type, because this species is a member of the Tremellomycetes, a group that has been intensively analyzed as a model for the evolution of sexual development, the best-studied member being Cryptococcus neoformans. The structure of the T. oleaginosus mating-type regions differs significantly from that of other Tremellomycetes and reveals a new evolutionary trajectory paradigm. Comparative analysis shows that recruitment of developmental genes to the ancestral tetrapolar mating-type loci occurred independently in the Trichosporon and Cryptococcus lineages, supporting the hypothesis of a trend toward larger mating-type regions in fungi. Finite fossil fuel resources pose sustainability challenges to society and industry. Microbial oils are a sustainable feedstock for biofuel and chemical production that does not compete with food production. We describe genome and transcriptome analyses of the oleaginous yeast Trichosporon oleaginosus, which can accumulate up to 70% of its dry weight as lipids. In contrast to conventional yeasts, this organism not only shows an absence of diauxic effect while fermenting hexoses and pentoses but also effectively utilizes xylose and N-acetylglucosamine, which are building blocks of lignocellulose and chitin, respectively. Transcriptome analysis revealed metabolic networks that govern conversion of xylose or N-acetylglucosamine as well as lipid accumulation. These data form the basis for a targeted strain optimization strategy. Furthermore, analysis of the mating type of T. oleaginosus supports the hypothesis of a trend toward larger mating-type regions in fungi, similar to the evolution of sex chromosomes in animals and plants.
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Fernandes JDS, Martho K, Tofik V, Vallim MA, Pascon RC. The Role of Amino Acid Permeases and Tryptophan Biosynthesis in Cryptococcus neoformans Survival. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132369. [PMID: 26162077 PMCID: PMC4498599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic diversity is an important factor during microbial adaptation to different environments. Among metabolic processes, amino acid biosynthesis has been demonstrated to be relevant for survival for many microbial pathogens, whereas the association between pathogenesis and amino acid uptake and recycling are less well-established. Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen with many habitats. As a result, it faces frequent metabolic shifts and challenges during its life cycle. Here we studied the C. neoformans tryptophan biosynthetic pathway and found that the pathway is essential. RNAi indicated that interruptions in the biosynthetic pathway render strains inviable. However, auxotroph complementation can be partially achieved by tryptophan uptake when a non preferred nitrogen source and lower growth temperature are applied, suggesting that amino acid permeases may be the target of nitrogen catabolism repression (NCR). We used bioinformatics to search for amino acid permeases in the C. neoformans and found eight potential global permeases (AAP1 to AAP8). The transcriptional profile of them revealed that they are subjected to regulatory mechanisms which are known to respond to nutritional status in other fungi, such as (i) quality of nitrogen (Nitrogen Catabolism Repression, NCR) and carbon sources (Carbon Catabolism Repression, CCR), (ii) amino acid availability in the extracellular environment (SPS-sensing) and (iii) nutritional deprivation (Global Amino Acid Control, GAAC). This study shows that C. neoformans has fewer amino acid permeases than other model yeasts, and that these proteins may be subjected to complex regulatory mechanisms. Our data suggest that the C. neoformans tryptophan biosynthetic pathway is an excellent pharmacological target. Furthermore, inhibitors of this pathway cause Cryptococcus growth arrest in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Daniel Santos Fernandes
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Diadema, Laboratório de Interações Microbianas (Laboratory 29), Rua Arthur Ridel, 275, 09972–270, Bairro Eldorado, Diadema, SP, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2415 Edifício ICB – III, Cidade Universitária, CEP 05508–900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Kevin Martho
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Diadema, Laboratório de Interações Microbianas (Laboratory 29), Rua Arthur Ridel, 275, 09972–270, Bairro Eldorado, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Veridiana Tofik
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Diadema, Laboratório de Interações Microbianas (Laboratory 29), Rua Arthur Ridel, 275, 09972–270, Bairro Eldorado, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo A. Vallim
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Diadema, Laboratório de Interações Microbianas (Laboratory 29), Rua Arthur Ridel, 275, 09972–270, Bairro Eldorado, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Renata C. Pascon
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Diadema, Laboratório de Interações Microbianas (Laboratory 29), Rua Arthur Ridel, 275, 09972–270, Bairro Eldorado, Diadema, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Desalermos A, Tan X, Rajamuthiah R, Arvanitis M, Wang Y, Li D, Kourkoumpetis TK, Fuchs BB, Mylonakis E. A multi-host approach for the systematic analysis of virulence factors in Cryptococcus neoformans. J Infect Dis 2014; 211:298-305. [PMID: 25114160 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A multi-host approach was followed to screen a library of 1201 signature-tagged deletion strains of Cryptococcus neoformans mutants to identify previously unknown virulence factors. The primary screen was performed using a Caenorhabditis elegans-C. neoformans infection assay. The hits among these strains were reconfirmed as less virulent than the wild type in the insect Galleria mellonella-C. neoformans infection assay. After this 2-stage screen, and to prioritize hits, we performed serial evaluations of the selected strains, using the C. elegans model. All hit strains identified through these studies were validated in a murine model of systemic cryptococcosis. Twelve strains were identified through a stepwise screening assay. Among them, 4 (CSN1201, SRE1, RDI1, and YLR243W) were previously discovered, providing proof of principle for this approach, while the role of the remaining 8 genes (CKS101, CNC5600, YOL003C, CND1850, MLH3, HAP502, MSL5, and CNA2580) were not previously described in cryptococcal virulence. The multi-host approach is an efficient method of studying the pathogenesis of C. neoformans. We used diverse model hosts, C. elegans, G. mellonella, and mice, with physiological differences and identified 12 genes associated with mammalian infection. Our approach may be suitable for large pathogenesis screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Desalermos
- Division of Infectious diseases, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Xiaojiang Tan
- Division of Infectious diseases, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Rajmohan Rajamuthiah
- Division of Infectious diseases, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Marios Arvanitis
- Division of Infectious diseases, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Yan Wang
- Division of Infectious diseases, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Dedong Li
- Division of Infectious diseases, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | | | - Beth Burgwyn Fuchs
- Division of Infectious diseases, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Division of Infectious diseases, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
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Cissé OH, Pagni M, Hauser PM. Comparative genomics suggests that the human pathogenic fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii acquired obligate biotrophy through gene loss. Genome Biol Evol 2014; 6:1938-48. [PMID: 25062922 PMCID: PMC4159005 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evu155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii is a fungal parasite that colonizes specifically humans and turns into an opportunistic pathogen in immunodeficient individuals. The fungus is able to reproduce extracellularly in host lungs without eliciting massive cellular death. The molecular mechanisms that govern this process are poorly understood, in part because of the lack of an in vitro culture system for Pneumocystis spp. In this study, we explored the origin and evolution of the putative biotrophy of P. jirovecii through comparative genomics and reconstruction of ancestral gene repertoires. We used the maximum parsimony method and genomes of related fungi of the Taphrinomycotina subphylum. Our results suggest that the last common ancestor of Pneumocystis spp. lost 2,324 genes in relation to the acquisition of obligate biotrophy. These losses may result from neutral drift and affect the biosyntheses of amino acids and thiamine, the assimilation of inorganic nitrogen and sulfur, and the catabolism of purines. In addition, P. jirovecii shows a reduced panel of lytic proteases and has lost the RNA interference machinery, which might contribute to its genome plasticity. Together with other characteristics, that is, a sex life cycle within the host, the absence of massive destruction of host cells, difficult culturing, and the lack of virulence factors, these gene losses constitute a unique combination of characteristics which are hallmarks of both obligate biotrophs and animal parasites. These findings suggest that Pneumocystis spp. should be considered as the first described obligate biotrophs of animals, whose evolution has been marked by gene losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ousmane H Cissé
- Institute of Microbiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, SwitzerlandVital-IT Group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, SwitzerlandPresent address: Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA
| | - Marco Pagni
- Vital-IT Group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philippe M Hauser
- Institute of Microbiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Switzerland
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The role of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway in Cryptococcus neoformans high temperature growth and virulence. Fungal Genet Biol 2014; 70:12-23. [PMID: 25011011 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2014.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Revised: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections are often difficult to treat due to the inherent similarities between fungal and animal cells and the resulting host toxicity from many antifungal compounds. Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen of humans that causes life-threatening disease, primarily in immunocompromised patients. Since antifungal therapy for this microorganism is limited, many investigators have explored novel drug targets aim at virulence factors, such as the ability to grow at mammalian physiological temperature (37°C). To address this issue, we used the Agrobacterium tumefaciens gene delivery system to create a random insertion mutagenesis library that was screened for altered growth at elevated temperatures. Among several mutants unable to grow at 37°C, we explored one bearing an interruption in the URA4 gene. This gene encodes dihydroorotase (DHOase) that is involved in the de novo synthesis of pyrimidine ribonucleotides. Loss of the C. neoformans Ura4 protein, by targeted gene interruption, resulted in an expected uracil/uridine auxotrophy and an unexpected high temperature growth defect. In addition, the ura4 mutant displayed phenotypic defects in other prominent virulence factors (melanin, capsule and phospholipase) and reduced stress response compared to wild type and reconstituted strains. Accordingly, this mutant had a decreased survival rate in macrophages and attenuated virulence in a murine model of cryptococcal infection. Quantitative PCR analysis suggests that this biosynthetic pathway is induced during the transition from 30°C to 37°C, and that transcriptional regulation of de novo and salvage pyrimidine pathway are under the control of the Ura4 protein.
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Percudani R, Carnevali D, Puggioni V. Ureidoglycolate hydrolase, amidohydrolase, lyase: how errors in biological databases are incorporated in scientific papers and vice versa. DATABASE-THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL DATABASES AND CURATION 2013; 2013:bat071. [PMID: 24107613 PMCID: PMC3793230 DOI: 10.1093/database/bat071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
An opaque biochemical definition, an insufficient functional characterization, an interpolated database description, and a beautiful 3D structure with a wrong reaction. All these are elements of an exemplar case of misannotation in biological databases and confusion in the scientific literature concerning genes and enzymes acting on ureidoglycolate, an intermediate of purine catabolism. Here we show biochemical evidence for the relocation of genes assigned to EC 3.5.3.19 (ureidoglycolate hydrolase, releasing ammonia), such as allA of Escherichia coli or DAL3 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to EC 4.3.2.3 (ureidoglycolate lyase, releasing urea). The EC 3.5.3.19 should be more appropriately named ureidoglycolate amidohydrolase and include genes equivalent to UAH of Arabidopsis thaliana. The distinction between ammonia- or urea-releasing activities from ureidoglycolate is relevant for the understanding of nitrogen metabolism in various organisms and of virulence factors in certain pathogens rather than a nomenclature problem. We trace the original fault in database annotation and provide a rationale for its incorporation and persistence in the scientific literature. Notwithstanding the technological distance, yet not surprising for the constancy of human nature, error categories and mechanisms established in the study of the work of amanuensis monks still apply to the modern curation of biological databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Percudani
- Department of Life Sciences, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Parma, Italy
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