1
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O'Meara MJ, Rapala JR, Nichols CB, Alexandre AC, Billmyre RB, Steenwyk JL, Alspaugh JA, O'Meara TR. CryptoCEN: A Co-Expression Network for Cryptococcus neoformans reveals novel proteins involved in DNA damage repair. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011158. [PMID: 38359090 PMCID: PMC10901339 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Elucidating gene function is a major goal in biology, especially among non-model organisms. However, doing so is complicated by the fact that molecular conservation does not always mirror functional conservation, and that complex relationships among genes are responsible for encoding pathways and higher-order biological processes. Co-expression, a promising approach for predicting gene function, relies on the general principal that genes with similar expression patterns across multiple conditions will likely be involved in the same biological process. For Cryptococcus neoformans, a prevalent human fungal pathogen greatly diverged from model yeasts, approximately 60% of the predicted genes in the genome lack functional annotations. Here, we leveraged a large amount of publicly available transcriptomic data to generate a C. neoformans Co-Expression Network (CryptoCEN), successfully recapitulating known protein networks, predicting gene function, and enabling insights into the principles influencing co-expression. With 100% predictive accuracy, we used CryptoCEN to identify 13 new DNA damage response genes, underscoring the utility of guilt-by-association for determining gene function. Overall, co-expression is a powerful tool for uncovering gene function, and decreases the experimental tests needed to identify functions for currently under-annotated genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J O'Meara
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jackson R Rapala
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Connie B Nichols
- Departments of Medicine and Molecular Genetics/Microbiology; and Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - A Christina Alexandre
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - R Blake Billmyre
- Departments of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences/Infectious Disease, College of Pharmacy/College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jacob L Steenwyk
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - J Andrew Alspaugh
- Departments of Medicine and Molecular Genetics/Microbiology; and Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
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2
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Santana DJ, Anku JAE, Zhao G, Zarnowski R, Johnson CJ, Hautau H, Visser ND, Ibrahim AS, Andes D, Nett JE, Singh S, O'Meara TR. A Candida auris-specific adhesin, Scf1 , governs surface association, colonization, and virulence. Science 2023; 381:1461-1467. [PMID: 37769084 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf8972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Candida auris is an emerging fungal pathogen responsible for health care-associated outbreaks that arise from persistent surface and skin colonization. We characterized the arsenal of adhesins used by C. auris and discovered an uncharacterized adhesin, Surface Colonization Factor (Scf1), and a conserved adhesin, Iff4109, that are essential for the colonization of inert surfaces and mammalian hosts. SCF1 is apparently specific to C. auris, and its expression mediates adhesion to inert and biological surfaces across isolates from all five clades. Unlike canonical fungal adhesins, which function through hydrophobic interactions, Scf1 relies on exposed cationic residues for surface association. SCF1 is required for C. auris biofilm formation, skin colonization, virulence in systemic infection, and colonization of inserted medical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darian J Santana
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Juliet A E Anku
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Guolei Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Robert Zarnowski
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Chad J Johnson
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Haley Hautau
- Division of Infectious Disease, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Noelle D Visser
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ashraf S Ibrahim
- Division of Infectious Disease, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David Andes
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jeniel E Nett
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Shakti Singh
- Division of Infectious Disease, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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3
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Anderson FM, Visser ND, Amses KR, Hodgins-Davis A, Weber AM, Metzner KM, McFadden MJ, Mills RE, O'Meara MJ, James TY, O'Meara TR. Candida albicans selection for human commensalism results in substantial within-host diversity without decreasing fitness for invasive disease. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3001822. [PMID: 37205709 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a frequent colonizer of human mucosal surfaces as well as an opportunistic pathogen. C. albicans is remarkably versatile in its ability to colonize diverse host sites with differences in oxygen and nutrient availability, pH, immune responses, and resident microbes, among other cues. It is unclear how the genetic background of a commensal colonizing population can influence the shift to pathogenicity. Therefore, we examined 910 commensal isolates from 35 healthy donors to identify host niche-specific adaptations. We demonstrate that healthy people are reservoirs for genotypically and phenotypically diverse C. albicans strains. Using limited diversity exploitation, we identified a single nucleotide change in the uncharacterized ZMS1 transcription factor that was sufficient to drive hyper invasion into agar. We found that SC5314 was significantly different from the majority of both commensal and bloodstream isolates in its ability to induce host cell death. However, our commensal strains retained the capacity to cause disease in the Galleria model of systemic infection, including outcompeting the SC5314 reference strain during systemic competition assays. This study provides a global view of commensal strain variation and within-host strain diversity of C. albicans and suggests that selection for commensalism in humans does not result in a fitness cost for invasive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith M Anderson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Noelle D Visser
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Kevin R Amses
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Andrea Hodgins-Davis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Alexandra M Weber
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Katura M Metzner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Michael J McFadden
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Ryan E Mills
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Matthew J O'Meara
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Timothy Y James
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
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4
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MacAlpine J, Daniel-Ivad M, Liu Z, Yano J, Revie NM, Todd RT, Stogios PJ, Sanchez H, O'Meara TR, Tompkins TA, Savchenko A, Selmecki A, Veri AO, Andes DR, Fidel PL, Robbins N, Nodwell J, Whitesell L, Cowen LE. A small molecule produced by Lactobacillus species blocks Candida albicans filamentation by inhibiting a DYRK1-family kinase. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6151. [PMID: 34686660 PMCID: PMC8536679 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26390-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungus Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that can exploit imbalances in microbiome composition to invade its human host, causing pathologies ranging from vaginal candidiasis to fungal sepsis. Bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus are colonizers of human mucosa and can produce compounds with bioactivity against C. albicans. Here, we show that some Lactobacillus species produce a small molecule under laboratory conditions that blocks the C. albicans yeast-to-filament transition, an important virulence trait. It remains unexplored whether the compound is produced in the context of the human host. Bioassay-guided fractionation of Lactobacillus-conditioned medium linked this activity to 1-acetyl-β-carboline (1-ABC). We use genetic approaches to show that filamentation inhibition by 1-ABC requires Yak1, a DYRK1-family kinase. Additional biochemical characterization of structurally related 1-ethoxycarbonyl-β-carboline confirms that it inhibits Yak1 and blocks C. albicans biofilm formation. Thus, our findings reveal Lactobacillus-produced 1-ABC can prevent the yeast-to-filament transition in C. albicans through inhibition of Yak1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie MacAlpine
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Zhongle Liu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Junko Yano
- Center of Excellence in Oral and Craniofacial Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Nicole M Revie
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert T Todd
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Peter J Stogios
- BioZone, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hiram Sanchez
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Thomas A Tompkins
- Rosell Institute for Microbiome and Probiotics, 6100 Avenue Royalmount, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alexei Savchenko
- BioZone, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID), Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Anna Selmecki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Amanda O Veri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David R Andes
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Paul L Fidel
- Center of Excellence in Oral and Craniofacial Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Justin Nodwell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Luke Whitesell
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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5
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Case NT, Duah K, Larsen B, Wong CJ, Gingras AC, O'Meara TR, Robbins N, Veri AO, Whitesell L, Cowen LE. The macrophage-derived protein PTMA induces filamentation of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109584. [PMID: 34433036 PMCID: PMC8454912 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Evasion of killing by immune cells is crucial for fungal survival in the host. For the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, internalization by macrophages induces a transition from yeast to filaments that promotes macrophage death and fungal escape. Nutrient deprivation, alkaline pH, and oxidative stress have been implicated as triggers of intraphagosomal filamentation; however, the impact of other host-derived factors remained unknown. Here, we show that lysates prepared from macrophage-like cell lines and primary macrophages robustly induce C. albicans filamentation. Enzymatic treatment of lysate implicates a phosphorylated protein, and bioactivity-guided fractionation coupled to mass spectrometry identifies the immunomodulatory phosphoprotein PTMA as a candidate trigger of C. albicans filamentation. Immunoneutralization of PTMA within lysate abolishes its activity, strongly supporting PTMA as a filament-inducing component of macrophage lysate. Adding to the known repertoire of physical factors, this work implicates a host protein in the induction of C. albicans filamentation within immune cells. The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans filaments within host macrophages, enabling its escape. Case et al. demonstrate that lysates prepared from macrophage-like cell lines and primary macrophages induce C. albicans filamentation and implicate the immunomodulatory protein prothymosin alpha (PTMA) as a trigger of filamentation produced by host immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola T Case
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Kwamaa Duah
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Brett Larsen
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Cassandra J Wong
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Amanda O Veri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Luke Whitesell
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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6
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Santana DJ, Anderson FM, O'Meara TR. Monitoring Inflammasome Priming and Activation in Response to Candida albicans. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 59:e124. [PMID: 33108055 DOI: 10.1002/cpmc.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a common mucosal colonizer, as well as a cause of lethal invasive fungal infections. The major predisposing factor for invasive fungal disease is a compromised immune system. One component of the host immune response to fungal infection is the activation of the inflammasome, a multimeric protein complex that is critical for regulating host pro-inflammatory responses. Here, we describe methods for investigating the interactions between C. albicans and host macrophages, with a focus on the inflammasome. C. albicans isolates differ in the degree to which they activate the inflammasome due to differences in internalization, morphogenic switching, and inflammasome priming. Therefore, we include protocols for identifying these factors. This simple in vitro model can be used to elucidate the contributions of specific C. albicans strains or mutants to different aspects of interactions with macrophages. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Measuring inflammasome priming in response to Candida albicans Basic Protocol 2: Measuring inflammasome activation in response to Candida albicans Support Protocol: Controlling for phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darian J Santana
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Faith M Anderson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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7
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Mirabelli C, Wotring JW, Zhang CJ, McCarty SM, Fursmidt R, Frum T, Kadambi NS, Amin AT, O'Meara TR, Pretto CD, Spence JR, Huang J, Alysandratos KD, Kotton DN, Handelman SK, Wobus CE, Weatherwax KJ, Mashour GA, O'Meara MJ, Sexton JZ. Morphological Cell Profiling of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Identifies Drug Repurposing Candidates for COVID-19. bioRxiv 2020. [PMID: 32577649 PMCID: PMC7302203 DOI: 10.1101/2020.05.27.117184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the associated disease COVID-19, requires therapeutic interventions that can be rapidly identified and translated to clinical care. Traditional drug discovery methods have a >90% failure rate and can take 10–15 years from target identification to clinical use. In contrast, drug repurposing can significantly accelerate translation. We developed a quantitative high-throughput screen to identify efficacious agents against SARS-CoV-2. From a library of 1,425 FDA-approved compounds and clinical candidates, we identified 17 dose-responsive compounds with in vitro antiviral efficacy in human liver Huh7 cells and confirmed antiviral efficacy in human colon carcinoma Caco-2, human prostate adenocarcinoma LNCaP, and in a physiologic relevant model of alveolar epithelial type 2 cells (iAEC2s). Additionally, we found that inhibitors of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway exacerbate SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Notably, we discovered that lactoferrin, a glycoprotein classically found in secretory fluids, including mammalian milk, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in the nanomolar range in all cell models with multiple modes of action, including blockage of virus attachment to cellular heparan sulfate and enhancement of interferon responses. Given its safety profile, lactoferrin is a readily translatable therapeutic option for the management of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Mirabelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jesse W Wotring
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Charles J Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sean M McCarty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Reid Fursmidt
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,U-M Center for Drug Repurposing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Tristan Frum
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Namrata S Kadambi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Anya T Amin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Carla D Pretto
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jason R Spence
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jessie Huang
- Center for Regenerative Medicine of Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.,The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Konstantinos D Alysandratos
- Center for Regenerative Medicine of Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.,The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Darrell N Kotton
- Center for Regenerative Medicine of Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.,The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Samuel K Handelman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,U-M Center for Drug Repurposing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Christiane E Wobus
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Kevin J Weatherwax
- U-M Center for Drug Repurposing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - George A Mashour
- U-M Center for Drug Repurposing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Matthew J O'Meara
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jonathan Z Sexton
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,U-M Center for Drug Repurposing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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8
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Hodgins-Davis A, O'Meara TR. Systems biology of host-Candida interactions: understanding how we shape each other. Curr Opin Microbiol 2020; 58:1-7. [PMID: 32485592 PMCID: PMC7704567 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is both a member of the human mucosal microbiota and a common agent of invasive fungal disease. Systems biology approaches allow for analysis of the interactions between this fungus and its mammalian host. Framing these studies by considering how C. albicans and its host construct the niche the other occupies provides insight into how these interactions shape the ecosystems, behavior, and evolution of each organism. Here, we discuss recent work on multiscale systems biology approaches for examining C. albicans in relation to the host ecosystem to identify the emergent properties of the interactions and new variables that can be targeted for development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Hodgins-Davis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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9
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Abstract
The innate immune system is the first defense against invasive fungal infections, including those caused by Candida albicans. Although C. albicans can exist as a commensal, it can also cause systemic or mucosal infections, especially when the innate immune system is impaired. A key aspect of the interaction between C. albicans and innate immune cells is the ability of C. albicans to induce macrophage pyroptosis, an inflammatory cell death program. The induction of pyroptosis is temporally coupled to a morphological transition between yeast and filamentous growth. However, the relationship between fungal morphogenesis and activation of macrophage pyroptosis is complex. Although most C. albicans mutants with defects in filamentation are also unable to induce macrophage pyroptosis, filamentation is neither necessary nor sufficient for activation of pyroptosis. In our study [O’Meara et al., 2018 mBio], we set out to map the genetic circuitry in both the fungus and the host macrophage that leads to pyroptosis, and determine the impact of altered pyroptosis on infection. We identified 98 C. albicans genes that were dispensable for filamentation in the macrophage but important for enabling the fungus to activate macrophage pyroptosis. Using these mutants, we demonstrated that pyroptosis is required for robust neutrophil accumulation at the site of C. albicans infection. We also showed that, in contrast to previous work, inflammasome priming and activation can be decoupled in the response to C. albicans infection, and that phagolysosomal rupture is not the inflammasome activating signal. Our work provides the most comprehensive analysis of C. albicans interactions with host cells to date, and reveals new factors governing the outcomes of this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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10
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Maxson ME, Naj X, O'Meara TR, Plumb JD, Cowen LE, Grinstein S. Integrin-based diffusion barrier separates membrane domains enabling the formation of microbiostatic frustrated phagosomes. eLife 2018; 7:34798. [PMID: 29553370 PMCID: PMC5897098 DOI: 10.7554/elife.34798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans hyphae can reach enormous lengths, precluding their internalization by phagocytes. Nevertheless, macrophages engulf a portion of the hypha, generating incompletely sealed tubular phagosomes. These frustrated phagosomes are stabilized by a thick cuff of F-actin that polymerizes in response to non-canonical activation of integrins by fungal glycan. Despite their continuity, the surface and invaginating phagosomal membranes retain a strikingly distinct lipid composition. PtdIns(4,5)P2 is present at the plasmalemma but is not detectable in the phagosomal membrane, while PtdIns(3)P and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 co-exist in the phagosomes yet are absent from the surface membrane. Moreover, endo-lysosomal proteins are present only in the phagosomal membrane. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching revealed the presence of a diffusion barrier that maintains the identity of the open tubular phagosome separate from the plasmalemma. Formation of this barrier depends on Syk, Pyk2/Fak and formin-dependent actin assembly. Antimicrobial mechanisms can thereby be deployed, limiting the growth of the hyphae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle E Maxson
- Program in Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Xenia Naj
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jonathan D Plumb
- Program in Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sergio Grinstein
- Program in Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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11
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O'Meara TR, Robbins N, Cowen LE. The Hsp90 Chaperone Network Modulates Candida Virulence Traits. Trends Microbiol 2017; 25:809-819. [PMID: 28549824 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hsp90 is a conserved molecular chaperone that facilitates the folding and function of client proteins. Hsp90 function is dynamically regulated by interactions with co-chaperones and by post-translational modifications. In the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, Hsp90 enables drug resistance and virulence by stabilizing diverse signal transducers. Here, we review studies that have unveiled regulators of Hsp90 function, as well as downstream effectors that govern the key virulence traits of morphogenesis and drug resistance. We highlight recent work mapping the Hsp90 genetic network in C. albicans under diverse environmental conditions, and how these interactions provide insight into circuitry important for drug resistance, morphogenesis, and virulence. Ultimately, elucidating the Hsp90 chaperone network will aid in the development of therapeutics to treat fungal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada.
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12
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Li X, Robbins N, O'Meara TR, Cowen LE. Extensive functional redundancy in the regulation of Candida albicans drug resistance and morphogenesis by lysine deacetylases Hos2, Hda1, Rpd3 and Rpd31. Mol Microbiol 2016; 103:635-656. [PMID: 27868254 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Current treatment efforts for fungal infections are hampered by the limited availability of antifungal drugs and by the emergence of drug resistance. A powerful strategy to enhance the efficacy of antifungal drugs is to inhibit the molecular chaperone Hsp90. Hsp90 governs drug resistance, morphogenesis and virulence in a leading fungal pathogen of humans, Candida albicans. Our previous work with Saccharomyces cerevisiae established acetylation as a novel mechanism of posttranslational control of Hsp90 function in fungi. We implicated lysine deacetylases (KDACs) as key regulators of resistance to the most widely deployed class of antifungals, the azoles, in both S. cerevisiae and C. albicans. Here, we demonstrate high levels of functional redundancy among the KDACs that are important for regulating Hsp90 function. We identify Hos2, Hda1, Rpd3 and Rpd31 as the KDACs mediating azole resistance and morphogenesis in C. albicans. Furthermore, we identify lysine 30 and 271 as critical acetylation sites on C. albicans Hsp90, and substitutions at these residues compromise Hsp90 function. Finally, we show that pharmacological inhibition of KDACs phenocopies pharmacological inhibition of Hsp90 and abrogates Hsp90-dependent azole resistance in numerous Candida species. This work illuminates new facets to the impact of KDACs on fungal drug resistance and morphogenesis, provides important insights into the divergence of the C. albicans Hsp90 regulatory network and reveals new targets for development of antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinliu Li
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
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13
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O'Meara TR, Veri AO, Ketela T, Jiang B, Roemer T, Cowen LE. Global analysis of fungal morphology exposes mechanisms of host cell escape. Nat Commun 2015; 6:6741. [PMID: 25824284 PMCID: PMC4382923 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental transitions between single-cell yeast and multicellular filaments underpin virulence of diverse fungal pathogens. For the leading human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, filamentation is thought to be required for immune cell escape via induction of an inflammatory programmed cell death. Here we perform a genome-scale analysis of C. albicans morphogenesis and identify 102 negative morphogenetic regulators and 872 positive regulators, highlighting key roles for ergosterol biosynthesis and N-linked glycosylation. We demonstrate that C. albicans filamentation is not required for escape from host immune cells; instead, macrophage pyroptosis is driven by fungal cell-wall remodelling and exposure of glycosylated proteins in response to the macrophage phagosome. The capacity of killed, previously phagocytized cells to drive macrophage lysis is also observed with the distantly related fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. This study provides a global view of morphogenetic circuitry governing a key virulence trait, and illuminates a new mechanism by which fungi trigger host cell death. Several pathogenic fungi such as Candida albicans undergo transitions between single-celled forms and multicellular filaments. Here the authors perform a genome-scale analysis of C. albicans and show that, contrary to common belief, filamentation is not required for escape from host immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8
| | - Amanda O Veri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8
| | - Troy Ketela
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8
| | - Bo Jiang
- Bioprocess Technology &Expression, Merck Research Laboratories, 2000 Galloping Hill Rd, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, USA
| | - Terry Roemer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Merck Research Laboratories, 2000 Galloping Hill Rd, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, USA
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8
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14
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Polvi EJ, Li X, O'Meara TR, Leach MD, Cowen LE. Opportunistic yeast pathogens: reservoirs, virulence mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:2261-87. [PMID: 25700837 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-1860-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Revised: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Life-threatening invasive fungal infections are becoming increasingly common, at least in part due to the prevalence of medical interventions resulting in immunosuppression. Opportunistic fungal pathogens of humans exploit hosts that are immunocompromised, whether by immunosuppression or genetic predisposition, with infections originating from either commensal or environmental sources. Fungal pathogens are armed with an arsenal of traits that promote pathogenesis, including the ability to survive host physiological conditions and to switch between different morphological states. Despite the profound impact of fungal pathogens on human health worldwide, diagnostic strategies remain crude and treatment options are limited, with resistance to antifungal drugs on the rise. This review will focus on the global burden of fungal infections, the reservoirs of these pathogens, the traits of opportunistic yeast that lead to pathogenesis, host genetic susceptibilities, and the challenges that must be overcome to combat antifungal drug resistance and improve clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Polvi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4368, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
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15
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O'Meara TR, Cowen LE. Hsp90-dependent regulatory circuitry controlling temperature-dependent fungal development and virulence. Cell Microbiol 2014; 16:473-81. [PMID: 24438186 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenic fungi Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptococcus neoformans are an increasing cause of human mortality, especially in immunocompromised populations. During colonization and adaptation to various host environments, these fungi undergo morphogenetic alterations that allow for survival within the host. One key environmental cue driving morphological changes is external temperature. The Hsp90 chaperone protein provides one mechanism to link temperature with the signalling cascades that regulate morphogenesis, fungal development and virulence. Candida albicans is a model system for understanding the connections between morphogenesis and Hsp90. Due to the high degree of conservation in Hsp90, many of the connections in C. albicans may be extrapolated to other fungal pathogens or parasites. Examining the role of Hsp90 during development and morphogenesis in these three major fungal pathogens may provide insight into key aspects of adaptation to the host, leading to additional avenues for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa R O'Meara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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16
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Mitchell PV, Gaeta CJ, O'Meara TR, Pepper DM, Schiller CM, Horsky TN, Warde C. Single-pixel demonstration of innovative adaptive optics by use of a charge-transfer membrane light modulator. Opt Lett 1993; 18:1748-1750. [PMID: 19823505 DOI: 10.1364/ol.18.001748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We have constructed and demonstrated a single-pixel implementation of an all-optical membrane-based spatial light modulator as a compact optical wave-front error correction device. High rates of response of as much as 20 kHz in an open-loop configuration were obtained. The device was then used in an adaptive-optics servo to compensate successfully for a 1-kHz sinusoidal phase error with a peak-to-peak excursion of approximately pi/7 rad. A small-signal servo gain of the order of 10 was inferred from the closed-loop measurements.
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17
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Klein MB, Dunning GJ, Valley GC, Lind RC, O'Meara TR. Imaging threshold detector using a phase-conjugate resonator in BaTiO(3). Opt Lett 1986; 11:575-577. [PMID: 19738693 DOI: 10.1364/ol.11.000575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We have demonstrated an imaging threshold detector using a phase-conjugate resonator to provide high spatial resolution and signal regeneration near threshold. The device is based on spatially resolved grating erasure in photorefractive BaTiO(3) and has the capability of high resolution and low cross talk.
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18
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Kokorowski SA, O'Meara TR, Lind RC, Calderone T. Automatic speckle cancellation techniques for multidither adaptive optics. Appl Opt 1980; 19:371-381. [PMID: 20216857 DOI: 10.1364/ao.19.000371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Analytical and computer simulation results show that it is possible to restore speckle-degraded performance of multidither adaptive optics systems. Such systems are known to be vulnerable to interference caused by the motion of a speckle pattern across their receiver apertures. Analysis has shown that the primary effect of speckel is to amplitude-modulate the usual point-source intensity distribution reflected from a target glint. With large targets there is also an additive noise contribution from the intensity associated with reflections from the area surrounding the target glint. A method is described whereby the speckle interference is estimated and electronically canceled in order to restore the degraded adaptive performance.
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19
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Bridges WB, Brunner PT, Lazzara SP, Nussmeier TA, O'Meara TR, Sanguinet JA, Brown WP. Coherent optical adaptive techniques. Appl Opt 1974; 13:291-300. [PMID: 20125977 DOI: 10.1364/ao.13.000291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The theory of multidither adaptive optical radar phased arrays is briefly reviewed as an introduction to the experimental results obtained with seven-element linear and three-element triangular array systems operating at 0.6328 microm. Atmospheric turbulence compensation and adaptive tracking capabilities are demonstrated.
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