ABC multidrug transporter Cdr1p of Candida albicans has divergent nucleotide-binding domains which display functional asymmetry

In order to ascertain the molecular basis of ATP-mediated drug extrusion by Cdr1p, a multidrug transporter of Candida albicans, we recently have reported that the Walker A motif of the N-terminal nucleotide biding domain (NBD) of this protein contains an uncommon cysteine residue (C193; GXXGXGCS/T) which is indispensable for ATP hydrolysis. This residue is exceptionally conserved in N-terminal NBDs of fungal ABC transporters and hence makes these transporters an evolutionarily divergent group. However, the presence of a conventional lysine residue at a similar position in the Walker A motif of the C-terminal NBD warrants the individual contribution of both the NBDs in the ATP-driven efflux function of such transporters. In this study we have investigated the contribution of this divergent Walker A motif in the context of the full Cdr1p protein under in vivo conditions by swapping these two crucial amino acids (C193K in Walker A motif of N-terminal NBD and K901C in Walker A motif of C-terminal NBD) between the two NBDs. Both the native and the mutant variants of Cdr1p were integrated at the PDR5 locus as GFP-tagged fusion proteins and were hyper-expressed. Our study shows that both C193K- and K901C-expressing cells elicit a severe impairment of Cdr1p's ATPase function. However, both these mutations have distinct phenotypes with respect to other functional parameters such as substrate efflux and drug resistance profiles. In contrast to C193K, K901C mutant cells were substantially hypersensitive to the tested drugs (fluconazole, ansiomycin, miconazole and cycloheximide) and were unable to expel rhodamine 6G. Our results for the first time show that both NBDs influence the Cdr1p function asymmetrically, and that the positioning of the cysteine and lysine residues within the respective Walker A motifs is functionally not interchangeable.     

Membrane fluidity affects functions of Cdr1p, a multidrug ABC transporter of Candida albicans

Earlier, we have shown that the overexpression of an ABC transporter, CDR1, is involved in the emergence of multidrug resistance in Candida albicans. In this study, we checked its function in vivo by expressing it in different isogenic Saccharomyces cerevisiae erg mutants, which accumulated various intermediates of the ergosterol biosynthesis and thus altered the membrane fluidity. Functions like the accumulation of rhodamine 123, beta-estradiol, fluconazole and floppase activity associated with Cdr1p were measured to ascertain their responses to an altered membrane phase. The floppase activity appeared to be favoured by an enhanced membrane fluidity, while the effluxing of substrates and Cdr1p's ability to confer multidrug resistance were significantly reduced. We demonstrate that only some of the functions of Cdr1p were affected by an altered lipid environment.     

The Candida albicans gene HGT12 (orf19.7094) encodes a hexose transporter

Yeast cells of the human pathogen Candida albicans that enter the bloodstream can be engulfed by macrophage cells but survive in, and can escape from, the phagolysosome. The C. albicans gene HGT12, which is specifically expressed during macrophage infection, encodes a protein that transports fructose, glucose and mannose. Expression of this hexose transporter along with the shift from glycolysis to gluconeogenesis that occurs in these phagocytosed cells suggests a requirement for glucose that can be supplied in part by uptake from the lumen of the phagolysosome.     

The effects of 3-hydroxybutyrate and glucose on human T cell responses to Candida albicans

Abstract Diabetic patients are particularly susceptible to mucocutaneous candidosis. T lymphocytes are central to the induction of antigen-specific immune responses and may be sensitive to the biochemical abnormalities associated with poorly controlled diabetes; namely, hyperglycaemia and/or ketonemia. To examine this we have studied the effect of varying concentrations of glucose and 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB) in cultures of human T cells stimulated with Candida albicans antigen. Proliferation of T cells from six type 1 diabetic and six non-diabetic control subjects was significantly inhibited (both P <0.05) in glucose-free medium, and at a glucose concentration of 80 mmol 1⁻¹ as compared with cultures containing glucose at physiological concentration (5 mmol 1⁻¹). 16 and 32 mmol 1⁻¹ 3-HB also inhibited T cell proliferation in the presence of 5 mmol 1⁻¹ glucose ( P <0.05). The effect of glucose and 3-HB were not additive and the inhibition was not due to cell death. 32 mmol 1⁻¹ 3-HB had less effect when present solely during antigen pulsing than during subsequent lymphocyte stimulation, and was effective even when added after 72 h of a six day culture. This suggests that ketosis affects T cell proliferation more than antigen processing and presentation. We conclude that human antigen-specific T cell proliferation is inhibited in vitro only by concentrations of 3-HB encountered in moderately severe diabetic ketoacidosis, and by glucose concentrations found in severe hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma. The impairment of T cell function under such extreme conditions could be implicated in the close association of diabetic ketoacidosis with deep fungal infections, particularly invasive mucormycosis.     

Identification and substrate specificity of a ferrichrome-type siderophore transporter (Arn1p) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genes encoding transporters for heterologous siderophores have been identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, of which SIT1, TAF1, and ENB1 encode the transporters for ferrioxamines, ferric triacetylfusarinine C and ferric enterobactin, respectively. In the present communication we have shown that a further gene encoding a member of the major facilitator superfamily, ARN1 (YHL040c), is involved in the transport of a specific class of ferrichromes, possessing anhydromevalonyl residues linked to N(delta)-ornithine (ARN). Ferrirubin and ferrirhodin, which both are produced by filamentous fungi, are the most common representatives of this class of ferrichromes. A strain possessing a disruption in the ARN1 gene was unable to transport ferrirubin, ferrirhodin and also ferrichrome A, indicating that the encoded transporter recognizes anhydromevalonyl and the structurally-related methylglutaconyl side-chains surrounding the iron center. Ferrichromes possessing short-chain ornithine-N(delta)-acetyl residues such as ferrichrome, ferricrocin and ferrichrysin, were excluded by the Arn1 transporter. Substitution of the iron-surrounding N-acyl chains of ferrichromes by propionyl residues had no effect, whereas substitution by butyryl residues led to recognition by the Arn1 transporter. This would indicate that a chain length of four C-atoms is sufficient to allow binding. Using different asperchromes (B1, D1) we also found that a minimal number of two anhydromevalonyl residues is sufficient for recognition by Arn1p. Contrary to the iron-surrounding N-acyl residues, the peptide backbone of ferrichromes was not an important determinant for the Arn1 transporter.     

Projection structure of the bacterial oxalate transporter OxlT at 3.4A resolution

OxlT is a bacterial transporter protein with 12 transmembrane segments that belongs to the Major Facilitator Superfamily of transporters. It facilitates the exchange of oxalate and formate across the membrane of the Gram-negative bacterium Oxalobacter formigenes. From an electron crystallographic analysis of two-dimensional, tube-like crystals of OxlT, we have previously determined the three-dimensional structure of this transporter at 6.5 A resolution. Here, we report conditions to obtain crystalline, two-dimensional sheets of OxlT with diameters exceeding 2 microm. Images of the crystalline sheets were recorded at liquid nitrogen temperatures on a transmission electron microscope equipped with a field-emission gun, operated at 300 kV. Computed optical diffraction patterns from the best images display measurable reflections to about 3.4A, and electron diffraction patterns show spots to about 3.2 A resolution in the best cases. As in the case of the tube-like crystals, the new crystalline sheets also belong to the p22(1)2(1) symmetry group. However, the unit cell dimensions of 102.7A x 67.3 A are significantly smaller in one direction than those previously observed with the tube-like crystals that display unit cell dimensions of 100.3A x 79.0 A. Different regions of OxlT are involved in intermolecular contacts in the two types of crystals, and the improved resolution of the sheet crystals appears to be mainly attributable to this tighter packing of the monomers within the unit cell.     

Association of the hypha‐related protein Pra1 and zinc transporter Zrt1 with biofilm formation by the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans

Bloodstream infection by the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans is a major health problem. Candidemia is often associated with medical devices, which can act as substrates for biofilm development. Biofilm‐related infections are relatively difficult to treat because of their resistance to antimicrobial agents. It is therefore important to explore the mechanisms of biofilm formation. Dimorphism is a major contributor to biofilm formation in C. albicans. To determine whether the hypha‐related proteins Pra1 (pH‐regulated antigen) and Zrt1 (zinc transporter) are responsible for biofilm formation, the ability of pra1 and zrt1 deletion mutants to form biofilms was investigated. Biofilm formation by both deletion mutants was less than that of the wild‐type strain. Because Pra1 and Zrt1 are also related to the zinc homeostasis system, the effects of adding zinc on biofilm formation were also examined. Biofilm formation was increased in the presence of zinc. These data suggest that Pra1 and Zrt1 regulate biofilm formation through zinc homeostasis.

     

Cleavage of human big endothelin-1 by Candida albicans aspartic proteinase

Abstract A Candida albicans aspartic proteinase (CAP), one of the secretory proteinases of Candida albicans , is thought to be a possible virulence factor in Candida albicans infection. Whereas endothelin-1 is found as an endothelium-derived strong vasoconstrictive peptide, it is known to have a role in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis and tissue survival. Endothelin-1 is generated from a precursor form of endothelin-1, the so-called big endothelin-1. It has recently been reported that cathepsin D, E and pepsin, which are aspartic proteinases, convert big endothelin-1 to endothelin-1. In this study, the relationship between CAP and big endothelin-1 was studied. High performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that big endothelin-1 was cleaved into several amino acid sites by CAP, but endothelin-1 was not converted from big endothelin-1. CAP cleaved big endothelin-1 at different sites when compared with that of other known aspartic proteinases, and it suppressed endothelin-1 production through the degradation of big endothelin-1. CAP may break homeostatic mechanism of endothelin-1 in Candida albicans infectious lesion.     

HOG1基因对白念珠菌超微结构的影响

目的探讨HOG1基因对白念珠菌超微结构的影响。方法设置实验组、HOG21组(hog1/hog1双等位基因缺陷株);对照组、WT组(标准株),分别在扫描电镜及透射电镜下观察两组菌株细胞的超微结构。结果扫描电镜下观察两组细胞均呈圆形或椭圆形,呈多边出芽繁殖的生长方式。但HOG1基因缺陷株细胞表面粗糙、凹凸不平,出芽数目比标准株少;标准株细胞表面光滑,出芽数量较多,可见"花瓣样"结构的芽痕;透射电镜下HOG1基因缺陷株细胞壁结构不完整,电子透明层厚薄不一,部分细胞可见棉絮状电子致密外层局灶性缺失、细胞膜外凸、不连续以及细胞膜周围见囊泡聚集等现象。标准株细胞壁各层结构完整。结论HOG1基因对白念珠菌细胞壁结构具有一定影响。     

白念珠菌SPE1基因高表达菌株构建及鉴定

目的构建白念珠菌SPEl基因高表达菌株。方法将白念珠菌．SPEl基因的ORF置于高表达质粒载体pCaE—xP的MErF3启动子后面,构建pCaEXP—SPEJ的高表达质粒,然后采用醋酸锂转染法将高表达质粒转染白念珠菌RMl000中,在SD—ura’met—cys-选择性固体培养基上筛选阳性克隆,抽取基因组进行PCR验证,将验证为阳性转染子的菌落采用RealTimeRT．PCR方法进行SPE1基因转录水平的表达验证。结果通过酶切鉴定pCaEXP—SPEl高表达质粒构建正确;通过PCR验证表明SPEl基因整合到亲本菌中的RPl0位点;通过RealTimeRT—PCR方法筛选出sPEJ基因在转录水平高表达的菌株。结论利用高表达质粒载体pCaEXP通过基因同源重组等方法正确构建SPEl基因高表达的白念珠菌。     

Antagonistic interplay of Swi1 and Tup1 on filamentous growth of Candida albicans

Candida albicans is a polymorphic human opportunistic pathogen in which the Swi-Snf complex functions as an activator whereas Tup1 acts as a general repressor during the yeast-hyphae transition. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the interplay between the Swi-Snf complex and the Tup1-Ssn6 repressive complex regulates the balance between active and repressed chromatin structures of a number of genes. To study the interplay between Candida albicans Swi1 and Tup1 and their effects on morphogenesis, we analyzed phenotypes of swi1/swi1, tup1/tup1 and swi1/swi1 tup1/tup1 mutants under various growth conditions. The swi1/swi1 mutant failed to form true hyphae, whereas the tup1/tup1 mutant exhibited constitutive filamentous growth. Deletion of SWI1 in the tup1/tup1 mutant completely blocked hyphal growth under all the conditions examined. Under aerobic conditions, the swi1/swi1 tup1/tup1 mutant most resembled the swi1/swi1 mutant in phenotype, actin polarization and gene expression pattern. In invaded agar, the double mutant showed similar phenotypes as the swi1/swi1 mutant, while under embedded conditions, it grew as a pseudohypha-like form different from that of the wild-type strain, swi1/swi1 or tup1/tup1 mutants. These results suggest that Swi1 may play a dominant role by antagonizing the repressive effect of the Tup1 on hyphal development in C. albicans.     

Identification of a major glucose transporter in Flavobacterium johnsoniae: Inhibition of F. johnsoniae colony spreading by glucose uptake

Many members of the phylum Bacteroidetes, such as Flavobacterium johnsoniae, can glide over a solid surface: an ability called gliding motility. It can be usually observed on agar plates as thin, flat, spreading colonies with irregular, feathery edges; this phenomenon is called colony spreading. Colony spreading of F. johnsoniae on 1.5% agar plates containing poor nutrients is dose‐dependently inhibited by addition of D‐glucose, as previously reported. Accordingly, here, we created mutants (by transposon mutagenesis) that partially suppressed glucose‐mediated inhibition of colony spreading. Among the isolates, we found that one had a transposon insertion in Fjoh_4565, tentatively named mfsA, which encodes a major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter previously shown to be required for growth on glucose, N‐acetyl‐glucosamine, and chitin. We constructed an mfsA deletion mutant and found that the mutant showed no glucose‐mediated acceleration of growth or glucose uptake. The mfsA gene complemented the phenotype of a glucose‐negative Escherichia coli. These results suggest that the mfsA gene encodes the sole MFS transporter of glucose in F. johnsoniae and that glucose uptake is partially required for the glucose‐mediated inhibition of F. johnsoniae colony spreading.

     

白念珠菌高铁还原酶FRP1基因的功能

白念珠菌((Candida albicans)获得铁的能力影响细胞的生长和毒力,高铁还原酶是白念珠菌高亲和铁吸收系统的重要组成部分.[目的]构建高铁还原酶FRP1(Ferric reductase protein)基因缺失突变株,对FRP1基因功能进行初步研究.[方法]使用Northem杂交的方法分析FRP1基因在缺铁和富铁条件下的表达.利用PCR介导的基因敲除技术构建frp1缺失突变株,并且对野生型和缺失突变株在细胞高铁还原酶活性以及缺铁条件下的生长情况进行比较分析.[结果]缺铁条件可以诱导FRP1基因的表达.frp1缺失突变株不能在铁缺陷的固体培养基上生长.[结论]FRP1蛋白可能是白念珠菌在缺铁条件下起主要作用的高铁还原酶.     

白念珠菌新型耐药基因MXR1的敲除与鉴定

目的 构建用于白念珠菌MXR1基因敲除的载体质粒,并通过Ura-Blaster策略敲除MXR1两条等位基因.方法 分别扩增白念珠菌MXR1基因ORF两侧上下游的片段,通过酶切与连接反应,将上下游片段分别插入到p5921质粒的hisG-URA 3-hisG盒两端,从而形成MXR1敲除载体质粒pUC-MXR1-URA3.通过Ura-Blaster策略将载体质粒转染到白念珠菌RM 1000内,并采用PCR和Southern-blot杂交方法鉴定各步转染、复筛所得的阳性克隆.结果 成功获得MXR1基因缺失的菌株.结论 MXR1基因缺失菌株的构建,有助于深入研究白念珠菌耐药机制.     

Role of nutritional status of the cell in pH regulated dimorphism of Candida albicans

Stationary phase cells of Candida albicans are under the control of glucose repression, as indicated by the inhibition of germ tube formation by glucose. This 'glucose effect' was absent in starved cells which were derived from similar stationary phase cells. Moreover, starved cells required glucose for germ tube formation, suggesting that it was depletion of energy reserves which was the main factor overriding the 'glucose repression machinery' during starvation. High concentration of phosphate in Lee's medium was the reason for the reduced ability of the starved cells to form germ tubes at pH 4.5 (20% of cells compared to 88% at pH 6.8). However, when phosphate was replaced or its concentration reduced, germ tube formation occurred as frequently at pH 4.5 as at pH 6.8. This 'phosphate effect' was not observed in stationary phase cells, as they were already repressed by glucose.     

Identification of an exoribonuclease homolog, CaKEM1/CaXRN1, in Candida albicans and its characterization in filamentous growth

KEM1/XRN1 and RAT1 are two known exoribonuclease genes in Saccharomyces cereivsiae and encode a cytoplasmic and nuclear exoribonuclease, respectively. CaKEM1/CaXRN1 and CaRAT1, the Candida albicans homologs of 5'-->3' exoribonuclease genes, were identified by protein sequence comparisons and by functional complementation of the S. cerevisiae kem1/xrn1 null mutation. The deduced amino acid sequences of CaKEM1 and CaRAT1 show 51% and 55% identities to those of the S. cerevisiae KEM1 and RAT1, respectively. The exonuclease motifs were found to be highly conserved in CaKem1p and CaRat1p. We disrupted two chromosomal copies of CaKEM1 in a diploid C. albicans strain and demonstrate that C. albicans kem1/kem1 mutants are defective in filamentous growth on filamentous-inducing media. These results imply that CaKEM1 is involved in filamentous growth of C. albicans.