Map of dimorphic switching‑related signaling pathways inSporothrix schenckiibased on its transcriptome

Abstract

Sporothrix schenckii (S. schenckii) induces sporotrichosis, which has gained attention in recent years due to its worldwide prevalence. The dimorphic switching process is essential for the pathogenesis of S. schenckii. Previously, overexpression of several signal transduction genes, including SsDRK1 and SsSte20, was observed during the mycelium-to-yeast transition; these were necessary for asexual development, yeast-phase cell formation, cell wall integrity and melanin synthesis. However, the mechanisms of the signaling pathways during dimorphic switching of S. schenckii remain unclear. In the present study, transcriptome sequencing of the 48-h induced yeast forms and mycelium of S. schenckii was performed. In total, 24,904,510 high-quality clean reads were obtained from mycelium samples and 22,814,406 from 48-h induced yeast form samples. Following assembly, 31,779 unigene sequences were obtained with 52.98% GC content (The proportion of guanine G and cytosine C to all bases in nucleic acid). The results demonstrated that 12,217 genes, including genes involved in signal transduction and chitin synthesis, were expressed differentially between the two stages. According to these results, a map of the signaling pathways, including two-component and heterotrimeric G-protein signaling systems, Ras and MAPK cascades associated with the dimorphic switch, was drawn. Taken together, the transcriptome data and analysis performed in the present study lay the foundation for further research into the molecular mechanisms controlling the dimorphic switch of S. schenckii and support the development of anti-S. schenckii strategies targeting genes associated with signaling pathways.

The State of the Art in Transcriptomics and Proteomics of Clinically Relevant Sporothrix Species

“…The overexpression of SsDRK1 and SsSte20 in the yeast phase signaling pathways compared to the mycelium phase of S. schenckii had already been demonstrated [ 74 ]. However, due to the lack of more details regarding the signaling pathways that control the dimorphic transition in S. schenckii , Zheng et al [ 76 ] performed a transcriptomic analysis of the yeast and mycelium stages to obtain more information about these pathways, including the two-component and heterotrimeric G protein signaling systems, Ras and MAPK cascades. RNA from both phases was extracted and sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq™ Xten platform.…”

Human sporotrichosis: recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Dermatology for the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic management

“…Some signaling pathways, such as heterotrimeric G-protein, Ras, and cAMP, as well as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, seem to be important in inducing dimorphic transformation. 31 …”

Old and New Insights into Sporothrix schenckii Complex Biology and Identification

“…Thus, ncRNA would contribute to protein transcription within the complex system of molecular signaling pathways leading to the S. schenckii yeast-to-hypha shift. Furthermore, a transcriptome sequencing analysis of 48 h induced yeast and mycelial S. schenckii stages allowed Zheng et al [ 37 ] to map the signaling pathways associated with the fungus’ morphological switch. This analysis identified G-protein signaling systems, Ras, and MAPK cascades as potential molecular mechanisms to control the S. schenckii dimorphic transition.…”