Micafungin-Induced Cell Wall Damage Stimulates Morphological Changes Consistent with Microcycle Conidiation in Aspergillus nidulans

Reese, Samantha; Chelius, Cynthia; Riekhof, Wayne R.; Marten, Mark R.; Harris, Steven D.

doi:10.3390/jof7070525

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Triggering the somatic growth phase after latency requires activation of cellular metabolism (DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis). Conidia are sensitive to external environmental factors, detected through specific proteins associated with the cell wall that are responsible for transmitting the signals related to cell activation, growth, and somatic development of the fungus, under suitable environmental conditions [63]. Two examples are G protein-coupled receptor 1 (Gpr1p), which is associated with the detection of nutrients such as glucose, and the general control nonderepressible 2 (Gcn2p), which is involved in nitrogen sensors [64,65].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Shock Waves on the Growth of <em>Aspergillus niger</em> Conidia: Evaluation of Germination and Preliminary Study on Gene Expression

Larrañaga-Ordáz¹,

Martínez-Maldonado²,

Millán-Chiu³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Shock waves, as used in medicine, can induce cell permeabilization, genetically transforming filamentous fungi; however, little is known on the interaction of shock waves with the cell wall. Because of this, the selection of parameters has been empirical. We studied the influence of shock waves on the germination of Aspergillus niger, to understand their effect on the modulation of four genes related to the growth of conidia. Parameters were varied in the range reported in protocols for genetic transformation. Vials containing conidia in suspension were exposed to either 50, 100 or 200 single-pulse or tandem shock waves, with different peak pressures (approximately 42, 66 and 83 MPa). In the tandem mode, three delays were tested. To equalize the total energy, the number of tandem “events” was halved compared to the number of single-pulse shock waves. Our results demonstrate that shock waves do not generate severe cellular effects on the viability and germination of A. niger conidia. Nevertheless, increase in the aggressiveness of the treatment induced a modification in the four genes tested. Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant changes to the cell wall of the conidia. Under optimized conditions, shock waves could be used for several biotechnological applications, surpassing conventional techniques.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Shock Waves on the Growth of <em>Aspergillus niger</em> Conidia: Evaluation of Germination and Preliminary Study on Gene Expression

Larrañaga-Ordáz¹,

Martínez-Maldonado²,

Millán-Chiu³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…Chitin is a β-1,4-linked polymer of N-acetylglucosamine and a major component of the fungal cell wall [43,44]. Fungi can successfully invade the host by destroying the conserved chitin in the fungal cell wall.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Antifungal Effects of Citral on Magnaporthe oryzae Occur via Modulation of Chitin Content as Revealed by RNA-Seq Analysis

Song

Zhao

Zhou

et al. 2021

JoF

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The natural product citral has previously been demonstrated to possess antifungal activity against Magnaporthe oryzae. The purpose of this study was to screen and annotate genes that were differentially expressed (DEGs) in M. oryzae after treatment with citral using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Thereafter, samples were reprepared for quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis verification of RNA-seq data. The results showed that 649 DEGs in M. oryzae were significantly affected after treatment with citral (100 μg/mL) for 24 h. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and a gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolic pathways, including the chitin synthesis pathway and UDP sugar synthesis pathway. The results of the RT-qPCR analysis also showed that the chitin present in M. oryzae might be degraded to chitosan, chitobiose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and β-D-fructose-6-phosphate following treatment with citral. Chitin degradation was indicated by damaged cell-wall integrity. Moreover, the UDP glucose synthesis pathway was involved in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, providing precursors for the synthesis of polysaccharides. Galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, which is involved in the regulation of UDP-α-D-galactose and α-D-galactose-1-phosphate, was downregulated. This would result in the inhibition of UDP glucose (UDP-Glc) synthesis, a reduction in cell-wall glucan content, and the destruction of cell-wall integrity.

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“…Micafungin is an effective prophylactic antifungal agent and has been used in patients with hematological diseases (e.g., acute leukemia) who are at high risk of invasive mold infections (Park et al 2019;Siopi et al 2021). The drug significantly up-regulates the conidiophore brlA gene and alters Aspergillus nidulans morphology (Reese et al 2021). Importantly, antifungal prophylaxis success rates are up to 80% in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients when administered micafungin (50 mg/day) (Jarvis et al 2004).…”

Section: Antifungal Drug Use Against a Fumigatus In Clinical Settingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aspergillus fumigatus escape mechanisms from its harsh survival environments

Liu,

Zeng,

Zhou

et al. 2024

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol

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Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous pathogenic mold and causes several diseases, including mycotoxicosis, allergic reactions, and systemic diseases (invasive aspergillosis), with high mortality rates. In its ecological niche, the fungus has evolved and mastered many reply strategies to resist and survive against negative threats, including harsh environmental stress and deficiency of essential nutrients from natural environments, immunity responses and drug treatments in host, and competition from symbiotic microorganisms. Hence, treating A. fumigatus infection is a growing challenge. In this review, we summarized A. fumigatus reply strategies and escape mechanisms and clarified the main competitive or symbiotic relationships between A. fumigatus, viruses, bacteria, or fungi in host microecology. Additionally, we discussed the contemporary drug repertoire used to treat A. fumigatus and the latest evidence of potential resistance mechanisms. This review provides valuable knowledge which will stimulate further investigations and clinical applications for treating and preventing A. fumigatus infections. Key points • Harsh living environment was a great challenge for A. fumigatus survival. • A. fumigatus has evolved multiple strategies to escape host immune responses. • A. fumigatus withstands antifungal drugs via intrinsic escape mechanisms.

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Micafungin-Induced Cell Wall Damage Stimulates Morphological Changes Consistent with Microcycle Conidiation in Aspergillus nidulans

Cited by 9 publications

References 36 publications

Effect of Shock Waves on the Growth of <em>Aspergillus niger</em> Conidia: Evaluation of Germination and Preliminary Study on Gene Expression

Effect of Shock Waves on the Growth of <em>Aspergillus niger</em> Conidia: Evaluation of Germination and Preliminary Study on Gene Expression

The Antifungal Effects of Citral on Magnaporthe oryzae Occur via Modulation of Chitin Content as Revealed by RNA-Seq Analysis

Aspergillus fumigatus escape mechanisms from its harsh survival environments

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