Metabolism of xenobiotics by Beauveria bassiana

The role of microorganisms in the biotransformation of psychoactive substances and its forensic relevance: a critical interdisciplinary review

Microorganisms are widespread on the planet being able to adapt, persist, and grow in diverse environments, either rich in nutrient sources or under harsh conditions. The comprehension of the interaction between microorganisms and drugs is relevant for forensic toxicology and forensic chemistry, elucidating potential pathways of microbial metabolism and their implications. Considering the described scenario, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive and critical review of the state of the art of interactions amongst microorganisms and common drugs of abuse. Additionally, other drugs of forensic interest are briefly discussed. This paper outlines the importance of this area of investigation, covering the intersections between forensic microbiology, forensic chemistry, and forensic toxicology applied to drugs of abuse, and it also highlights research potentialities.

Key points

Microorganisms are widespread on the planet and grow in a myriad of environments.Microorganisms can often be found in matrices of forensic interest.Drugs can be metabolized or produced (e.g. ethanol) by microorganisms.

Biosynthesis of human diazepam and clonazepam metabolites

A screening of fungal and microbial strains allowed to select the best microorganisms to produce in high yields some of the human metabolites of two benzodiazepine drugs, diazepam and clonazepam, in order to study new pharmacological activities and for chemical standard proposes. Among the microorganisms tested, Cunninghamella echinulata ATCC 9244 and Rhizopus arrhizus ATCC 11145 strains, were the most active producers of the mains metabolites of diazepam which included demethylated, hydroxylated derivatives. Beauveria bassiana ATCC 7159 and Chaetomium indicum LCP 984200 produced the 7 amino-clonazepam metabolite and a product of acid hydrolysis of this benzodiazepine.

Genomic perspectives on the evolution of fungal entomopathogenicity in Beauveria bassiana

The ascomycete fungus Beauveria bassiana is a pathogen of hundreds of insect species and is commercially produced as an environmentally friendly mycoinsecticide. We sequenced the genome of B. bassiana and a phylogenomic analysis confirmed that ascomycete entomopathogenicity is polyphyletic, but also revealed convergent evolution to insect pathogenicity. We also found many species-specific virulence genes and gene family expansions and contractions that correlate with host ranges and pathogenic strategies. These include B. bassiana having many more bacterial-like toxins (suggesting an unsuspected potential for oral toxicity) and effector-type proteins. The genome also revealed that B. bassiana resembles the closely related Cordyceps militaris in being heterothallic, although its sexual stage is rarely observed. A high throughput RNA-seq transcriptomic analysis revealed that B. bassiana could sense and adapt to different environmental niches by activating well-defined gene sets. The information from this study will facilitate further development of B. bassiana as a cost-effective mycoinsecticide.

In vitro oxidative metabolism study of (−)-rhazinilam

Metabolism studies were conducted in order to investigate the reasons for the in vivo lack of activity of (-)-rhazinilam 1, an original poison of the mitotic spindle. Bioconversion by Beauveria bassiana strains, rat and human liver microsomes allowed the identification of metabolites 2, 3, and 4 oxidized in positions 3 and 5 of rhazinilam. Further experiments indicated that CYP2B6 was the main CYP responsible for the oxidation of 1 by human liver microsomes. All isolated metabolites were markedly less active than rhazinilam in vitro, which might explain its in vivo inactivity.

Catalytic and immunochemical properties of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase from fungus Rhizopus nigricans

Flavoprotein NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR, EC 1.6.2.4) from filamentous fungus Rhizopus nigricans is a membrane bound enzyme which is involved in the reduction of cytochrome P450 during the hydroxylation of progesterone at 11alpha position. After purification of the enzyme from induced mycelia three forms of fungal CPR were detected on SDS-PAGE: a predominant form with an apparent molecular mass of 78kDa and two truncated forms. N-terminal sequences of all three forms were determined as well as some internal sequences of 78kDa form. Dose-dependent immunoinhibition of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and progesterone 11alpha-hydroxylase activities was observed with mouse anti-CPR antisera. No cross-reactions were obtained on Western blots between mouse anti-CPR antisera and protein preparations from noninduced mycelia and microsomal fraction from fungus Pleurotus osteatus, plant Ginkgo biloba or chicken liver. The kinetic mechanism of CPR was proposed on the basis of model reaction with cytochrome c(3+). Results obtained at high ionic strength suggest a nonclassical two-site ping pong mechanism and at low ionic strength a sequential mechanism of bisubstrate reaction.

Lectin from Beauveria bassiana mycelium recognizes Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen and related structures

A lectin was isolated from the mycelium of the stationary growing enthomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana by extraction, chromatography on QAE-Sephadex A-25, salt precipitation, and hydrophobic chromatography on Phenyl-Sepharose 4B. The Beauveria bassiana lectin (BBL) is a 15 kDa glycoprotein rich in hydrophobic amino acids, without detectable amount of methionine. It contains 12.6% of carbohydrates including galactose and mannose. Isoelectric point was found at pH 7.1. The lectin is stable between pH 6 and 11, and at temperature under 50 degrees C. The activity of the lectin was not dependent on with Ca++, Mn++, Mg++ cations and was apparently not blood group ABO specific. The hemagglutination caused by the lectin was inhibited by alpha lactose (Gal beta 1-->4 Glc alpha), but not by beta lactose (Gal beta 1-->4 Glc beta). In direct ELISA the BBL preferentially reacted with some glycoproteins carrying O-linked sugar structure Gal beta 1-->3 GalNAc: strongly with human glycophorin A and weaker with mouse glycophorin, fetuin, IgA, ovine submaxillary mucin. On the other hand BBL did not react in direct ELISA with N-glycoproteins (alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, fibronectin), however, N-glycoproteins could act as inhibitors of lectin-glycophorin A interaction. We observed also weak interaction with asialo-Tamm-Horsfall N-glycoprotein having unusual large, branched N-glycans with outer GalNAc beta 1-->4Gal sequence. Moreover, the interaction of BBL with highly sialylated preparations of glycoproteins was weaker than with asialo forms. Presented results indicate that BBL exhibits sugar binding specificity towards glycotope corresponding to Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen and its related sequences: Gal beta 1-->3 GalNAc > Neu Ac alpha 2-3 Gal beta 1-->3 (Neu Ac alpha 2-6) GalNAc > Gal beta 1-->4 Glc alpha.

Microbial models for drug metabolism

This review describes microbial transformation studies of drugs, comparing them with the corresponding metabolism in animal systems, and providing technical methods for developing microbial models. Emphasis is laid on the potential for selected microorganisms to mimic all patterns of mammalian biotransformations and to provide preparative methods for structural identification and toxicological and pharmacological studies of drug metabolites.

Cytochrome P450 enzyme systems in fungi

The involvement of cytochrome P450 enzymes in many complex fungal bioconversion processes has been characterized in recent years. Accordingly, there is now considerable scientific interest in fungal cytochrome P450 enzyme systems. In contrast to S. cerevisiae, where surprisingly few P450 genes have been identified, biochemical data suggest that many fungi possess numerous P450 genes. This review summarizes the current information pertaining to these fungal cytochrome P450 systems, with emphasis on the molecular genetics. The use of molecular techniques to improve cytochrome P450 activities in fungi is also discussed.