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Wang X, Jin X, Zhao F, Xu Z, Tan W, Zhang J, Xu Y, Luan X, Fang M, Xie Z, Chang W, Lou H. Structure-Based Optimization of Novel Sterol 24-C-Methyltransferase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Candida albicans Infections. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38764175 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Interfering with sterol biosynthesis is an important strategy for developing safe and effective antifungal drugs. We previously identified compound H55 as an allosteric inhibitor of the fungal-specific C-24 sterol methyltransferase Erg6 for treating Candida albicans infections. Herein, 62 derivatives of H55 were designed and synthesized based on target-ligand interactions to identify more active candidates. Among them, d28 displayed the most potent antivirulence ability (MHIC50 = 0.25 μg/mL) by targeting Erg6, exhibiting an 8-fold increase in potency compared with H55. Moreover, d28 significantly outperformed H55 in inhibiting cell adhesion and biofilm formation, and exhibited minimal cytotoxicity and negligible potential to induce drug resistance. Of note, the coadministration of d28 and other sterol biosynthesis inhibitors, such as tridemorph or terbinafine, demonstrated a strong synergistic antifungal action in vitro and in vivo in a murine skin infection model. These results support the potential application of d28 in the treatment of C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Wang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Xueyang Jin
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Fabao Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Zejun Xu
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Wenzhuo Tan
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Jiaozhen Zhang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Yuliang Xu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, China
| | - Xiaoyi Luan
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Min Fang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Zhiyu Xie
- Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion of Henan Province, Institute of Surface Micro and Nano Materials, College of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Xuchang University, Xuchang 461002, China
| | - Wenqiang Chang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Hongxiang Lou
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
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Ke CL, Lew SQ, Hsieh Y, Chang SC, Lin CH. Convergent and divergent roles of the glucose-responsive kinase SNF4 in Candida tropicalis. Virulence 2023; 14:2175914. [PMID: 36745535 PMCID: PMC9928470 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2175914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The sucrose non-fermenting 1 (SNF1) complex is a heterotrimeric protein kinase complex that is an ortholog of the mammalian AMPK complex and is evolutionally conserved in most eukaryotes. This complex contains a catalytic subunit (Snf1), a regulatory subunit (Snf4) and a scaffolding subunit (Sip1/Sip2/Gal73) in budding yeast. Although the function of AMPK has been well studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans, the role of AMPK in Candida tropicalis has never been investigated. In this study, we focused on SNF4 in C. tropicalis as this fungus cannot produce a snf1Δ mutant. We demonstrated that C. tropicalis SNF4 shares similar roles in glucose derepression and is necessary for cell wall integrity and virulence. The expression of both SNF1 and SNF4 was significantly induced when glucose was limited. Furthermore, snf4Δ strains exhibited high sensitivity to many surface-perturbing agents because the strains contained lower levels of glucan, chitin and mannan. Interestingly, in contrast to C. albicans sak1Δ and snf4Δ, C. tropicalis snf4Δ exhibited phenotypes for cell aggregation and pseudohypha production. These data indicate that SNF4 performs convergent and divergent roles in C. tropicalis and possibly other unknown roles in the C. tropicalis SNF1-SNF4 AMPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai-Ling Ke
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shi Qian Lew
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi Hsieh
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Cheng Chang
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan,CONTACT Ching-Hsuan Lin
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Jin X, Hou X, Wang X, Zhang M, Chen J, Song M, Zhang J, Zheng H, Chang W, Lou H. Characterization of an allosteric inhibitor of fungal-specific C-24 sterol methyltransferase to treat Candida albicans infections. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:553-568.e7. [PMID: 37160123 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Filamentation is an important virulence factor of the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. The abolition of Candida albicans hyphal formation by disrupting sterol synthesis is an important concept for the development of antifungal drugs with high safety. Here, we conduct a high-throughput screen using a C. albicans strain expressing green fluorescent protein-labeled Dpp3 to identify anti-hypha agents by interfering with ergosterol synthesis. The antipyrine derivative H55 is characterized to have minimal cytotoxicity and potent inhibition of C. albicans hyphal formation in multiple cultural conditions. H55 monotherapy exhibits therapeutic efficacy in mouse models of azole-resistant candidiasis. H55 treatment increases the accumulation of zymosterol, the substrate of C-24 sterol methyltransferase (Erg6). The results of enzyme assays, photoaffinity labeling, molecular simulation, mutagenesis, and cellular thermal shift assays support H55 as an allosteric inhibitor of Erg6. Collectively, H55, an inhibitor of the fungal-specific enzyme Erg6, holds potential to treat C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyang Jin
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xuben Hou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xue Wang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Institute of Medical Science, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinyao Chen
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Minghui Song
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jiaozhen Zhang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hongbo Zheng
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wenqiang Chang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Hongxiang Lou
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
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Bacillus Metabolites: Compounds, Identification and Anti-Candida albicans Mechanisms. MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres13040070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans seriously threatens human health, especially for immunosuppressed groups. The antifungal agents mainly include azoles, polyenes and echinocandins. However, the few types of existing antifungal drugs and their resistance make it necessary to develop new antifungal drugs. Bacillus and its metabolites has antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi. This review introduces the application of Bacillus metabolites in the control of C. albicans in recent years. Firstly, several compounds produced by Bacillus spp. are listed. Then the isolation and identification techniques of Bacillus metabolites in recent years are described, including high-precision separation technology and omics technology for the separation of similar components of Bacillus metabolites. The mechanisms of Bacillus metabolites against C. albicans are distinguished from the inhibition of pathogenic fungi and inhibition of the fungal virulence factors. The purpose of this review is to systematically summarize the recent studies on the inhibition of pathogenic fungi by Bacillus metabolites. The review is expected to become the reference for the control of pathogenic fungi such as C. albicans and the application of Bacillus metabolites in the future.
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Molecular Mapping of Antifungal Mechanisms Accessing Biomaterials and New Agents to Target Oral Candidiasis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147520. [PMID: 35886869 PMCID: PMC9320712 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral candidiasis has a high rate of development, especially in immunocompromised patients. Immunosuppressive and cytotoxic therapies in hospitalized HIV and cancer patients are known to induce the poor management of adverse reactions, where local and systemic candidiasis become highly resistant to conventional antifungal therapy. The development of oral candidiasis is triggered by several mechanisms that determine oral epithelium imbalances, resulting in poor local defense and a delayed immune system response. As a result, pathogenic fungi colonies disseminate and form resistant biofilms, promoting serious challenges in initiating a proper therapeutic protocol. Hence, this study of the literature aimed to discuss possibilities and new trends through antifungal therapy for buccal drug administration. A large number of studies explored the antifungal activity of new agents or synergic components that may enhance the effect of classic drugs. It was of significant interest to find connections between smart biomaterials and their activity, to find molecular responses and mechanisms that can conquer the multidrug resistance of fungi strains, and to transpose them into a molecular map. Overall, attention is focused on the nanocolloids domain, nanoparticles, nanocomposite synthesis, and the design of polymeric platforms to satisfy sustained antifungal activity and high biocompatibility with the oral mucosa.
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Priya A, Pandian SK. Biofilm and hyphal inhibitory synergistic effects of phytoactives piperine and cinnamaldehyde against Candida albicans. Med Mycol 2022; 60:6602366. [PMID: 35661216 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myac039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral candidiasis, the most common mycotic infection of the human oral cavity is non-life-threatening yet if untreated may advance as systemic infections. Ability of Candida albicans to adapt sessile lifestyle imparts resistance to drugs and host immunity. Consequently, due to limited effectiveness of conventional antifungal treatment, novel therapeutic strategies are required. In the present study, synergistic interaction of phytochemicals, piperine and cinnamaldehyde against the biofilm and hyphal of C. albicans was evaluated. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and biofilm inhibitory concentration (BIC) of piperine and cinnamaldehyde against C. albicans were analysed through microbroth dilution assay and crystal violet staining method, respectively. Combinatorial biofilm and hyphal inhibitory effect were investigated through checkerboard assay. In vitro results were validated through gene expression analysis. BIC of piperine and cinnamaldehyde was determined to be 32 µg/mL and 64 µg/mL, respectively. Interaction between these two phytocomponents was found to be synergistic and six different synergistic antibiofilm combinations were identified. Microscopic analysis of biofilm architecture also evidenced the biofilm and surface adherence inhibitory potential of piperine and cinnamaldehyde combinations. Phenotypic switching between yeast and hyphal morphological forms was influenced by synergistic combinations. qPCR analysis corroborated the results of in vitro activities. nrg1 and trp1, the negative transcriptional regulators of filamentous growth were upregulated whereas other genes that are involved in biofilm formation, filamentous growth, adhesion etc were found to be downregulated. These proficient phytochemical combinations provide a new therapeutic avenue for the treatment of biofilm associated oral candidiasis and to combat the recurrent infections due to antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arumugam Priya
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Science Campus, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
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Abstract
In the last decades, Candida albicans has served as the leading causal agent of life-threatening invasive infections with mortality rates approaching 40% despite treatment. Candida albicans (C. albicans) exists in three biological phases: yeast, pseudohyphae, and hyphae. Hyphae, which represent an important phase in the disease process, can cause tissue damage by invading mucosal epithelial cells then leading to blood infection. In this review, we summarized recent results from different fields of fungal cell biology that are instrumental in understanding hyphal growth. This includes research on the differences among C. albicans phases; the regulatory mechanism of hyphal growth, extension, and maintaining cutting-edge polarity; cross regulations of hyphal development and the virulence factors that cause serious infection. With a better understanding of the mechanism on mycelium formation, this review provides a theoretical basis for the identification of targets in candidiasis treatment. It also gives some reference to the study of antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuedong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Biao Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Costa CP, Bezerra AR, Almeida A, Rocha SM. Candida Species (Volatile) Metabotyping through Advanced Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1911. [PMID: 33266330 PMCID: PMC7760324 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8121911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial metabolomics is a challenge strategy that allows a comprehensive analysis of metabolites within a microorganism and may support a new approach in microbial research, including the microbial diagnosis. Thus, the aim of this research was to in-depth explore a metabolomics strategy based on the use of an advanced multidimensional gas chromatography for the comprehensive mapping of cellular metabolites of C. albicans and non-C. albicans (C. glabrata and C. tropicalis) and therefore contributing for the development of a comprehensive platform for fungal detection management and for species distinction in early growth times (6 h). The volatile fraction comprises 126 putatively identified metabolites distributed over several chemical families: acids, alcohols, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, esters, ketones, monoterpenic and sesquiterpenic compounds, norisoprenoids, phenols and sulphur compounds. These metabolites may be related with different metabolic pathways, such as amino acid metabolism and biosynthesis, fatty acids metabolism, aromatic compounds degradation, mono and sesquiterpenoid synthesis and carotenoid cleavage. These results represent an enlargement of ca. 70% of metabolites not previously reported for C. albicans, 91% for C. glabrata and 90% for C. tropicalis. This study represents the most detailed study about Candida species exometabolome, allowing a metabolomic signature of each species, which signifies an improvement towards the construction of a Candida metabolomics platform whose application in clinical diagnostics can be crucial to guide therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Pedrosa Costa
- Department of Chemistry & LAQV-REQUIMTE, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Ana Rita Bezerra
- Health Sciences Department, Institute for Biomedicine—iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Adelaide Almeida
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sílvia M. Rocha
- Department of Chemistry & LAQV-REQUIMTE, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
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Witchley JN, Penumetcha P, Abon NV, Woolford CA, Mitchell AP, Noble SM. Candida albicans Morphogenesis Programs Control the Balance between Gut Commensalism and Invasive Infection. Cell Host Microbe 2019; 25:432-443.e6. [PMID: 30870623 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a gut commensal and opportunistic pathogen. The transition between yeast and invasive hyphae is central to virulence but has unknown functions during commensal growth. In a mouse model of colonization, yeast and hyphae co-occur throughout the gastrointestinal tract. However, competitive infections of C. albicans homozygous gene disruption mutants revealed an unanticipated, inhibitory role for the yeast-to-hypha morphogenesis program on commensalism. We show that the transcription factor Ume6, a master regulator of filamentation, inhibits gut colonization, not by effects on cell shape, but by activating the expression of a hypha-specific pro-inflammatory secreted protease, Sap6, and a hyphal cell surface adhesin, Hyr1. Like a ume6 mutant, strains lacking SAP6 exhibit enhanced colonization fitness, whereas SAP6-overexpression strains are attenuated in the gut. These results reveal a tradeoff between fungal programs supporting commensalism and virulence in which selection against hypha-specific markers limits the disease-causing potential of this ubiquitous commensal-pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica N Witchley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Pallavi Penumetcha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Nina V Abon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Carol A Woolford
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Aaron P Mitchell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Suzanne M Noble
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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Kim SW, Joo YJ, Chun YJ, Park YK, Kim J. Cross‐talk between Tor1 and Sch9 regulates hyphae‐specific genes or ribosomal protein genes in a mutually exclusive manner inCandida albicans. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:1041-1057. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Se Woong Kim
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Division of Life Sciences Korea University Seoul 02841Republic of Korea
- HAEL Lab, TechnoComplex Korea University 145Seoul 02841Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Jin Joo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Division of Life Sciences Korea University Seoul 02841Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Jin Chun
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Division of Life Sciences Korea University Seoul 02841Republic of Korea
| | - Young Kwang Park
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Division of Life Sciences Korea University Seoul 02841Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Kim
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Division of Life Sciences Korea University Seoul 02841Republic of Korea
- HAEL Lab, TechnoComplex Korea University 145Seoul 02841Republic of Korea
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Mu C, Pan C, Han Q, Liu Q, Wang Y, Sang J. Phosphatidate phosphatase Pah1 has a role in the hyphal growth and virulence of Candida albicans. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 124:47-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Rodríguez-Cerdeira C, Gregorio MC, Molares-Vila A, López-Barcenas A, Fabbrocini G, Bardhi B, Sinani A, Sánchez-Blanco E, Arenas-Guzmán R, Hernandez-Castro R. Biofilms and vulvovaginal candidiasis. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2018; 174:110-125. [PMID: 30447520 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Candida species, including C. albicans, are part of the mucosal flora of most healthy women, and inhabit the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Under favourable conditions, they can colonize the vulvovaginal mucosa, giving rise to symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). The mechanism by which Candida spp. produces inflammation is unknown. Both, the blastoconidia and the pseudohyphae are capable of destroying the vaginal epithelium by direct invasion. Although the symptoms are not always related to the fungal burden, in general, VVC is associated with a greater number of yeasts and pseudohyphae. Some years ago, C. albicans was the species most frequently involved in the different forms of VVC. However, infections by different species have emerged during the last two decades producing an increase in causative species of VVC such as C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei and C. tropicalis. Candida species are pathogenic organisms that have two forms of development: planktonic and biofilm. A biofilm is defined as a community of microorganisms attached to a surface and encompassed by an extracellular matrix. This form of presentation gives microorganisms greater resistance to antifungal agents. This review, about Candia spp. with a special emphasis on Candida albicans discusses specific areas such as biofilm structure and development, cell morphology and biofilm formation, biofilm-associated gene expression, the cell surface and adherence, the extracellular matrix, biofilm metabolism, and biofilm drug resistance in vulvovaginitis biofilms as an important virulence factor in fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Rodríguez-Cerdeira
- Efficiency, Quality and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain; Dermatology Department, Hospital do Meixoeiro and University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain; European Women's Dermatologic and Venereologic Society (EWDVS), Vigo, Spain.
| | - Miguel Carnero Gregorio
- Efficiency, Quality and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain; Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Alberto Molares-Vila
- Efficiency, Quality and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain; Department of Department of Analytical & Food Chemistry, Universidade de Vigo (UVIGO), Spain
| | - Adriana López-Barcenas
- Efficiency, Quality and Costs in Health Services Research Group (EFISALUD), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Spain; Mycology Service, Hospital Manuel Gea González, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Ardiana Sinani
- Dermatology Service, Military Medical Unit, University Trauma Hospital, Tirana, Albania
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The 5' Untranslated Region of the EFG1 Transcript Promotes Its Translation To Regulate Hyphal Morphogenesis in Candida albicans. mSphere 2018; 3:3/4/e00280-18. [PMID: 29976646 PMCID: PMC6034079 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00280-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive 5' untranslated regions (UTR) are a hallmark of transcripts determining hyphal morphogenesis in Candida albicans The major transcripts of the EFG1 gene, which are responsible for cellular morphogenesis and metabolism, contain a 5' UTR of up to 1,170 nucleotides (nt). Deletion analyses of the 5' UTR revealed a 218-nt sequence that is required for production of the Efg1 protein and its functions in filamentation, without lowering the level and integrity of the EFG1 transcript. Polysomal analyses revealed that the 218-nt 5' UTR sequence is required for efficient translation of the Efg1 protein. Replacement of the EFG1 open reading frame (ORF) by the heterologous reporter gene CaCBGluc confirmed the positive regulatory importance of the identified 5' UTR sequence. In contrast to other reported transcripts containing extensive 5' UTR sequences, these results indicate the positive translational function of the 5' UTR sequence in the EFG1 transcript, which is observed in the context of the native EFG1 promoter. It is proposed that the 5' UTR recruits regulatory factors, possibly during emergence of the native transcript, which aid in translation of the EFG1 transcript.IMPORTANCE Many of the virulence traits that make Candida albicans an important human fungal pathogen are regulated on a transcriptional level. Here, we report an important regulatory contribution of translation, which is exerted by the extensive 5' untranslated regulatory sequence (5' UTR) of the transcript for the protein Efg1, which determines growth, metabolism, and filamentation in the fungus. The presence of the 5' UTR is required for efficient translation of Efg1, to promote filamentation. Because transcripts for many relevant regulators contain extensive 5' UTR sequences, it appears that the virulence of C. albicans depends on the combination of transcriptional and translational regulatory mechanisms.
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Rapid Gene Concatenation for Genetic Rescue of Multigene Mutants in Candida albicans. mSphere 2018; 3:3/2/e00169-18. [PMID: 29695626 PMCID: PMC5917427 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00169-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of new genes is often built upon the knowledge of well-characterized genes. One avenue toward revealing such connections involves creation of strains with mutations in two or more defined genes to permit genetic interaction analysis. Strain manipulations can yield unexpected mutations at loci outside the defined targeted genes. In this report, we describe a method for rapid validation of multigene mutants, thus allowing an appraisal of the contribution of the defined targeted genes to the strain’s phenotype. The biological function of a gene is often probed through its interactions with other genes. This general approach has been especially useful to build knowledge about poorly understood genes upon the bedrock of well-characterized genes. Genetic interaction analysis requires the construction of strains with mutations in two or more genes. Single-gene mutants of microbial pathogens are generally validated through introduction of a wild-type copy of the affected gene to create a complemented or reconstituted strain, followed by testing for restoration of a wild-type phenotype. This practice, formalized as one of Falkow’s “molecular Koch’s postulates” ensures that the phenotype of the mutant depends upon the known mutation. However, multigene mutants are seldom validated because of the labor required to assemble multiple genomic segments into a vector that can be introduced into the mutant strain. We present here an approach, concatemer assembly for rescue of mutant abilities (CARMA), that circumvents this impediment through an in vivo recombinational assembly strategy that does not require cloning at all. Our results show that CARMA allows genetic rescue of two double-gene mutant strains of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans. IMPORTANCE Our understanding of new genes is often built upon the knowledge of well-characterized genes. One avenue toward revealing such connections involves creation of strains with mutations in two or more defined genes to permit genetic interaction analysis. Strain manipulations can yield unexpected mutations at loci outside the defined targeted genes. In this report, we describe a method for rapid validation of multigene mutants, thus allowing an appraisal of the contribution of the defined targeted genes to the strain’s phenotype.
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Jung SI, Rodriguez N, Irrizary J, Liboro K, Bogarin T, Macias M, Eivers E, Porter E, Filler SG, Park H. Yeast casein kinase 2 governs morphology, biofilm formation, cell wall integrity, and host cell damage of Candida albicans. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187721. [PMID: 29107946 PMCID: PMC5673188 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulatory networks governing morphogenesis of a pleomorphic fungus, Candida albicans are extremely complex and remain to be completely elucidated. This study investigated the function of C. albicans yeast casein kinase 2 (CaYck2p). The yck2Δ/yck2Δ strain displayed constitutive pseudohyphae in both yeast and hyphal growth conditions, and formed enhanced biofilm under non-biofilm inducing condition. This finding was further supported by gene expression analysis of the yck2Δ/yck2Δ strain which showed significant upregulation of UME6, a key transcriptional regulator of hyphal transition and biofilm formation, and cell wall protein genes ALS3, HWP1, and SUN41, all of which are associated with morphogenesis and biofilm architecture. The yck2Δ/yck2Δ strain was hypersensitive to cell wall damaging agents and had increased compensatory chitin deposition in the cell wall accompanied by an upregulation of the expression of the chitin synthase genes, CHS2, CHS3, and CHS8. Absence of CaYck2p also affected fungal-host interaction; the yck2Δ/yck2Δ strain had significantly reduced ability to damage host cells. However, the yck2Δ/yck2Δ strain had wild-type susceptibility to cyclosporine and FK506, suggesting that CaYck2p functions independently from the Ca+/calcineurin pathway. Thus, in C. albicans, Yck2p is a multifunctional kinase that governs morphogenesis, biofilm formation, cell wall integrity, and host cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sook-In Jung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Natalie Rodriguez
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jihyun Irrizary
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Karl Liboro
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Thania Bogarin
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Marlene Macias
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Edward Eivers
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Edith Porter
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Scott G. Filler
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States of America
| | - Hyunsook Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Silva-Rocha WP, de Azevedo MF, Ferreira MRA, da Silva JDF, Svidzinski TIE, Milan EP, Soares LAL, Rocha KBF, Uchôa AF, Mendes-Giannini MJS, Fusco Almeida AM, Chaves GM. Effect of the Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Eugenia uniflora on Proteins Global Expression during Morphogenesis in Candida albicans. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1788. [PMID: 29018413 PMCID: PMC5622941 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is able to switch from yeast to hyphal growth and this is an essential step for tissue invasion and establishment of infection. Due to the limited drug arsenal used to treat fungal infections and the constant emergence of resistant strains, it is important to search for new therapeutic candidates. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate by proteomic analysis the role of a natural product (Eugenia uniflora) in impairing hypha formation in C. albicans. We also tested the potential action of E. uniflora to prevent and treat oral candidiasis induced in a murine model of oral infection and the ability of polymorphonuclear neutrophils to phagocytize C. albicans cells treated with the ethyl acetate fraction of the extract. We found that this fraction greatly reduced hypha formation after morphogenesis induction in the presence of serum. Besides, several proteins were differentially expressed in cells treated with the fraction. Surprisingly, the ethyl acetate fraction significantly reduced phagocytosis in C. albicans (Mean 120.36 ± 36.71 yeasts/100 PMNs vs. 44.68 ± 19.84 yeasts/100 PMNs). Oral candidiasis was attenuated when C. albicans cells were either pre-incubated in the presence of E. uniflora or when the fraction was applied to the surface of the oral cavity after infection. These results were consistent with the reduction in CFU counts (2.36 vs. 1.85 Log10 CFU/ml) and attenuation of tissue damage observed with histopathological analysis of animals belonging to treated group. We also observed shorter true hyphae by direct examination and histopathological analysis, when cells were treated with the referred natural product. The E. uniflora ethyl acetate fraction was non-toxic to human cells. E. uniflora may act on essential proteins mainly related to cellular structure, reducing the capacity of filamentation and attenuating infection in a murine model, without causing any toxic effect on human cells, suggesting that it may be a future therapeutic alternative for the treatment of Candida infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walicyranison P Silva-Rocha
- Laboratório de Micologia Médica e Molecular, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Matheus F de Azevedo
- Laboratório de Micologia Médica e Molecular, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Magda R A Ferreira
- Departamento de Farmácia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Terezinha I E Svidzinski
- Departamento de Análise Clínicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Eveline P Milan
- Departamento de Infectologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Luiz A L Soares
- Departamento de Farmácia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Keyla B F Rocha
- Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Adriana F Uchôa
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética, Centro de Biociências, Instituto de Medicina Tropical do RN, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Ana M Fusco Almeida
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme M Chaves
- Laboratório de Micologia Médica e Molecular, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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17
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Jenull S, Tscherner M, Gulati M, Nobile CJ, Chauhan N, Kuchler K. The Candida albicans HIR histone chaperone regulates the yeast-to-hyphae transition by controlling the sensitivity to morphogenesis signals. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8308. [PMID: 28814742 PMCID: PMC5559454 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08239-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Morphological plasticity such as the yeast-to-hyphae transition is a key virulence factor of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Hyphal formation is controlled by a multilayer regulatory network composed of environmental sensing, signaling, transcriptional modulators as well as chromatin modifications. Here, we demonstrate a novel role for the replication-independent HIR histone chaperone complex in fungal morphogenesis. HIR operates as a crucial modulator of hyphal development, since genetic ablation of the HIR complex subunit Hir1 decreases sensitivity to morphogenetic stimuli. Strikingly, HIR1-deficient cells display altered transcriptional amplitudes upon hyphal initiation, suggesting that Hir1 affects transcription by establishing transcriptional thresholds required for driving morphogenetic cell-fate decisions. Furthermore, ectopic expression of the transcription factor Ume6, which facilitates hyphal maintenance, rescues filamentation defects of hir1Δ/Δ cells, suggesting that Hir1 impacts the early phase of hyphal initiation. Hence, chromatin chaperone-mediated fine-tuning of transcription is crucial for driving morphogenetic conversions in the fungal pathogen C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Jenull
- Medical University of Vienna, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Campus Vienna Biocenter, Dr.-Bohr-Gasse 9/2, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Tscherner
- Medical University of Vienna, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Campus Vienna Biocenter, Dr.-Bohr-Gasse 9/2, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
| | - Megha Gulati
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California-Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Clarissa J Nobile
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California-Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Neeraj Chauhan
- Public Health Research Institute, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School - Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Karl Kuchler
- Medical University of Vienna, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Campus Vienna Biocenter, Dr.-Bohr-Gasse 9/2, A-1030, Vienna, Austria.
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Mendelsohn S, Pinsky M, Weissman Z, Kornitzer D. Regulation of the Candida albicans Hypha-Inducing Transcription Factor Ume6 by the CDK1 Cyclins Cln3 and Hgc1. mSphere 2017; 2:e00248-16. [PMID: 28289726 PMCID: PMC5343172 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00248-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to switch between proliferation as yeast cells and development into hyphae is a hallmark of Candida albicans. The switch to hyphal morphogenesis depends on external inducing conditions, but its efficiency is augmented in stationary-phase cells. Ume6, a transcription factor that is itself transcriptionally induced under hypha-promoting conditions, is both necessary and sufficient for hyphal morphogenesis. We found that Ume6 is regulated posttranslationally by the cell cycle kinase Cdc28/Cdk1, which reduces Ume6 activity via different mechanisms using different cyclins. Together with the cyclin Hgc1, Cdk1 promotes degradation of Ume6 via the SCFCDC4 ubiquitin ligase. Since HGC1 is a key transcriptional target of Ume6, this results in a negative-feedback loop between Hgc1 and Ume6. In addition, we found that Cln3, a G1 cyclin that is essential for cell cycle progression and yeast proliferation, suppresses hyphal morphogenesis and that Cln3 suppresses Ume6 activity both in the heterologous Saccharomyces cerevisiae system and in C. albicans itself. This activity of Cln3 may provide the basis for the antagonistic relationship between yeast proliferation and hyphal development in C. albicans. IMPORTANCE The yeast to hypha (mold) morphogenetic switch of Candida albicans plays a role in its virulence and constitutes a diagnostic trait for this organism, the most prevalent systemic fungal pathogen in industrialized countries. It has long been known that hyphae are most efficiently induced from stationary cultures. Here, a molecular basis for this observation is provided. The G1 cyclin Cln3, an essential promoter of yeast proliferation, was found to suppress hyphal induction. Suppression of hyphal induction is achieved by inhibition of the activity of the central activator of hyphal morphogenesis, the transcription factor Ume6. Thus, levels of Cln3 control the switch between proliferation of C. albicans as individual yeast cells and development into extended hyphae, a switch that may preface the proliferation/differentiation switch in multicellular organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigal Mendelsohn
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-I.I.T. and the Rappaport Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Haifa, Israel
| | - Mariel Pinsky
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-I.I.T. and the Rappaport Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ziva Weissman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-I.I.T. and the Rappaport Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Haifa, Israel
| | - Daniel Kornitzer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-I.I.T. and the Rappaport Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Haifa, Israel
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19
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Araújo D, Henriques M, Silva S. Portrait of Candida Species Biofilm Regulatory Network Genes. Trends Microbiol 2016; 25:62-75. [PMID: 27717660 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2016.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Most cases of candidiasis have been attributed to Candida albicans, but Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis, designated as non-C. albicans Candida (NCAC), have been identified as frequent human pathogens. Moreover, Candida biofilms are an escalating clinical problem associated with significant rates of mortality. Biofilms have distinct developmental phases, including adhesion/colonisation, maturation and dispersal, controlled by complex regulatory networks. This review discusses recent advances regarding Candida species biofilm regulatory network genes, which are key components for candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Araújo
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Mariana Henriques
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sónia Silva
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
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Verma-Gaur J, Traven A. Post-transcriptional gene regulation in the biology and virulence of Candida albicans. Cell Microbiol 2016; 18:800-6. [PMID: 26999710 PMCID: PMC5074327 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, remodelling of gene expression drives host adaptation and virulence. Recent studies revealed that in addition to transcription, post‐transcriptional mRNA control plays important roles in virulence‐related pathways. Hyphal morphogenesis, biofilm formation, stress responses, antifungal drug susceptibility and virulence in animal models require post‐transcriptional regulators. This includes RNA binding proteins that control mRNA localization, decay and translation, as well as the cytoplasmic mRNA decay pathway. Comprehensive understanding of how modulation of gene expression networks drives C. albicans virulence will necessitate integration of our knowledge on transcriptional and post‐transcriptional mRNA control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoti Verma-Gaur
- Infection and Immunity Program and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Ana Traven
- Infection and Immunity Program and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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