scholarly journals Preliminary evidence for a glucan acceptor in the yeast Candida albicans

1986 ◽  
Vol 240 (2) ◽  
pp. 495-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Andaluz ◽  
A Guillén ◽  
G Larriba
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Membrane Preparation ◽  
Reaction Products ◽  
Endoglucanase Activity ◽  
Glucan Synthase ◽  
Enzyme Preparations ◽  
Glucan B

Two membrane preparation containing glucan synthase activity were obtained by lysis of regenerating sphaeroplasts (enzyme A) or mechanical breakage (enzyme B) of yeast (Candida albicans) cells. The reaction products of both enzymes (glucans A and B respectively) were characterized as linear beta-1,3-linked glucans on the basis of chemical and enzymic analysis. In addition, two pools of glucan could be distinguished in glucan A preparations on the basis of their susceptibility to an exoglucanase. In no case were the reaction products synthesized de novo; rather the radioactive chains were added to the non-reducing end of non-radioactive preformed glucan chains or to an acceptor of a different nature. At least some of the performed chains of glucan A, but not those of glucan B, showed a free reducing terminal. Glucan A preparations were endowed with endoglucanase activity, which, under appropriate conditions, released glucose, laminaribiose and laminaritriose. These sugars were also found in cell-wall autolysates. On the basis of the origin of both enzyme preparations it is suggested that glucan molecules are synthesized while they are bound to a non-glucan acceptor that is subsequently excised, presumably by cell-wall-associated glucanases.

scholarly journals Masking of β(1-3)-Glucan in the Cell Wall of Candida albicans from Detection by Innate Immune Cells Depends on Phosphatidylserine

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (10) ◽  
pp. 4405-4413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Davis ◽  
Alex Hopke ◽  
Steven C. Minkin ◽  
Anthony E. Montedonico ◽  
Robert T. Wheeler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Immune Effector ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Innate Immune Effector

ABSTRACTThe virulence ofCandida albicansin a mouse model of invasive candidiasis is dependent on the phospholipids phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Disruption of the PS synthase geneCHO1(i.e.,cho1Δ/Δ) eliminates PS and blocks thede novopathway for PE biosynthesis. In addition, thecho1Δ/Δ mutant's ability to cause invasive disease is severely compromised. Thecho1Δ/Δ mutant also exhibits cell wall defects, and in this study, it was determined that loss of PS results in decreased masking of cell wall β(1-3)-glucan from the immune system. In wild-typeC. albicans, the outer mannan layer of the wall masks the inner layer of β(1-3)-glucan from exposure and detection by innate immune effector molecules like the C-type signaling lectin Dectin-1, which is found on macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Thecho1Δ/Δ mutant exhibits increases in exposure of β(1-3)-glucan, which leads to greater binding by Dectin-1 in both yeast and hyphal forms. The unmasking of β(1-3)-glucan also results in increased elicitation of TNF-α from macrophages in a Dectin-1-dependent manner. The role of phospholipids in fungal pathogenesis is an emerging field, and this is the first study showing that loss of PS inC. albicansresults in decreased masking of β(1-3)-glucan, which may contribute to our understanding of fungus-host interactions.

The structure of the yeast cell wall - II. Degradative studies with enzymes

1958 ◽  
Vol 149 (936) ◽  
pp. 425-440 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Phosphorus Content ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Helix Pomatia ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Reaction Products ◽  
Enzyme Preparations ◽  
Phosphate Ions ◽  
Insoluble Glucan ◽  
Isolated Cell

In contrast to the use by earlier investigators of alkali in degrading the walls of yeast cells, various enzymes have now been employed for this purpose, the reaction products being characterized with the aid of chromatography. Isolated cell walls were dissolved completely by enzyme preparations from Helix pomatia and to various extents up to about 50% by enzymes present in malt, by crystalline trypsin or by crystalline papain. In the case of the malt and snail enzymes, the rapidity of the reactions was directly proportional to the phosphorus content of the cell wall. Both glucose and N-acetylglucosamine were formed using either the malt or the snail enzymes, but no dialyzable products were detected following the action of trypsin or papain. In all cases the non-dialyzable products included both mannan and glucan fractions. Using papain, an initial phase of rapid reaction led to almost complete loss of the negative charge associated with phosphate ions. Effectively the whole of the phosphate thereby dissolved was subsequently recovered in the form of a complex with mannan and protein, which therefore probably forms part of the wall surface. On the basis of such observations, the major constituents of the wall are envisaged as consisting of an insoluble glucan matrix ( ca . 50%) attached by means of a protein ‘cement’ ( ca . 7%) to mannan ( ca . 20%) and also to soluble glucan ( ca . 10%). From the magnitude of the charge density at both the inner and outer surfaces of the wall, it is tentatively concluded that a relatively large fraction of each is occupied by mannan and a comparatively small fraction by protein.

scholarly journals FsFKS1, the 1,3-β-Glucan Synthase from the Caspofungin-Resistant Fungus Fusarium solani

2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 1036-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-sil Ha ◽  
Sarah F. Covert ◽  
Michelle Momany
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Fusarium Solani ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
Spore Viability ◽  
Glucan Synthase ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Sensitive Fungus

ABSTRACT The cell wall, a mesh of carbohydrates and proteins, shapes and protects the fungal cell. The enzyme responsible for the synthesis of one of the main components of the fungal wall, 1,3-β-glucan synthase, is targeted by the antifungal caspofungin acetate (CFA). Clinical isolates of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus are much more sensitive to CFA than clinical isolates of Fusarium species. To better understand CFA resistance in Fusarium species, we cloned and sequenced FsFKS1, which encodes the Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi β(1,3)-d-glucan synthase, used RNA interference to reduce its expression and complemented deletion of the essential fks gene of the CFA-sensitive fungus A. fumigatus with FsFKS1. Reduction of the FsFKS1 message in F. solani f. sp. pisi reduced spore viability and caused lysis of spores and hyphae, consistent with cell wall defects. Compensating for the loss of A. fumigatus fks1 with FsFKS1 caused only a modest increase in the tolerance of A. fumigatus for CFA. Our results suggest that FsFKS1 is required for the proper construction of F. solani cell walls and that the resistance of F. solani to CFA is at best only partially due to resistance of the FsFKS1 enzyme to this antifungal agent.

scholarly journals Cellular Accumulation, Localization, and Activity of a Synthetic Cyclopeptamine in Fungi

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 389-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
John O. Capobianco ◽  
Dorothy Zakula ◽  
David J. Frost ◽  
Robert C. Goldman ◽  
Leping Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Glucan Synthase ◽  
Cellular Accumulation ◽  
Drug Concentrations ◽  
Drug Reservoir ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Glucan Synthesis ◽  
Major Drug

ABSTRACT A novel synthetic cyclopeptamine, A172013, rapidly accumulated by passive diffusion into Candida albicans CCH442. Drug influx could not be totally facilitated by the membrane-bound target, β-(1,3)-glucan synthase, since accumulation was unsaturable at drug concentrations up to 10 μg/ml (about 1.6 × 10−7molecules/cell), or 25× MIC. About 55 and 23% of the cell-incorporated drug was associated with the cell wall and protoplasts, respectively. Isolated microsomes contained 95% of the protoplast-associated drug, which was fully active against glucan synthesis in vitro. Drug (0.1 μg/ml) accumulation was rapid and complete after 5 min in several fungi tested, including a lipopeptide/cyclopeptamine-resistant strain of C. albicans(LP3-1). The compound penetrated to comparable levels in both yeast and hyphal forms of C. albicans, and accumulation inAspergillus niger was 20% that in C. albicans. These data indicated that drug-cell interactions were driven by the amphiphilic nature of the compound and that the cell wall served as a major drug reservoir.

Potent Chitin Synthase Inhibitors from Plants

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-63
Author(s):  
Amrutha Vijayakumar ◽  
Ajith Madhavan ◽  
Chinchu Bose ◽  
Pandurangan Nanjan ◽  
Sindhu S. Kokkal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Tip Growth ◽  
Chitin Synthase ◽  
Chitin Synthesis ◽  
Hyphal Tip Growth ◽  
Hyphal Tip

Background: Chitin is the main component of fungal, protozoan and helminth cell wall. They help to maintain the structural and functional characteristics of these organisms. The chitin wall is dynamic and is repaired, rearranged and synthesized as the cells develop. Active synthesis can be noticed during cytokinesis, laying of primary septum, maintenance of lateral cell wall integrity and hyphal tip growth. Chitin synthesis involves coordinated action of two enzymes namely, chitin synthase (that lays new cell wall) and chitinase (that removes the older ones). Since chitin synthase is conserved in different eukaryotic microorganisms that can be a ‘soft target’ for inhibition with small molecules. When chitin synthase is inhibited, it leads to the loss of viability of cells owing to the self- disruption of the cell wall by existing chitinase. Methods: In the described study, small molecules from plant sources were screened for their ability to interfere with hyphal tip growth, by employing Hyphal Tip Burst assay (HTB). Aspergillus niger was used as the model organism. The specific role of these small molecules in interfering with chitin synthesis was established with an in-vitro method. The enzyme required was isolated from Aspergillus niger and its activity was deduced through a novel method involving non-radioactively labelled substrate. The activity of the potential lead molecules were also checked against Candida albicans and Caenorhabditis elegans. The latter was adopted as a surrogate for the pathogenic helminths as it shares similarity with regard to cell wall structure and biochemistry. Moreover, it is widely studied and the methodologies are well established. Results: Out of the 11 compounds and extracts screened, 8 were found to be prospective. They were also found to be effective against Candida albicans and Caenorhabditis elegans. Conclusion: Purified Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) Fraction1 (F1) of Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Shell Extract (COSE) was found to be more effective against Candida albicans with an IC50 value of 3.04 μg/mL and on L4 stage of Caenorhabditis elegans with an IC50 of 77.8 μg/mL.

Antifungal Activity Directed Toward the Cell Wall by 2-Cyclohexylidenhydrazo- 4-Phenyl-Thiazole Against Candida albicans

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 428-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nívea P. de Sá ◽  
Ana P. Pôssa ◽  
Pilar Perez ◽  
Jaqueline M.S. Ferreira ◽  
Nayara C. Fonseca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Buccal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Mutant Strains ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Mic Value

<p>Background: The increasing incidence of invasive forms of candidiasis and resistance to antifungal therapy leads us to seek new and more effective antifungal compounds. </P><P> Objective: To investigate the antifungal activity and toxicity as well as to evaluate the potential targets of 2- cyclohexylidenhydrazo-4-phenyl-thiazole (CPT) in Candida albicans. </P><P> Methods: The antifungal activity of CPT against the survival of C. albicans was investigated in Caenorhabditis elegans. Additionally, we determined the effect of CPT on the inhibition of C. albicans adhesion capacity to buccal epithelial cells (BECs), the toxicity of CPT in mammalian cells, and the potential targets of CPT in C. albicans. </P><P> Results: CPT exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.4-1.9 µg/mL. Furthermore, CPT at high concentrations (>60 x MIC) showed no or low toxicity in HepG2 cells and <1% haemolysis in human erythrocytes. In addition, CPT decreased the adhesion capacity of yeasts to the BECs and prolonged the survival of C. elegans infected with C. albicans. Analysis of CPT-treated cells showed that their cell wall was thinner than that of untreated cells, especially the glucan layer. We found that there was a significantly lower quantity of 1,3-β-D-glucan present in CPT-treated cells than that in untreated cells. Assays performed on several mutant strains showed that the MIC value of CPT was high for its antifungal activity on yeasts with defective 1,3-β-glucan synthase. </P><P> Conclusion: In conclusion, CPT appears to target the cell wall of C. albicans, exhibits low toxicity in mammalian cells, and prolongs the survival of C. elegans infected with C. albicans.</p>

scholarly journals The newly synthesized thiazole derivatives as potential antifungal compounds against Candida albicans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Biernasiuk ◽  
Anna Berecka-Rycerz ◽  
Anna Gumieniczek ◽  
Maria Malm ◽  
Krzysztof Z. Łączkowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Thiazole Derivatives ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
Erythrocyte Lysis ◽  
Low Cytotoxicity ◽  
High Antifungal Activity

Abstract Recently, the occurrence of candidiasis has increased dramatically, especially in immunocompromised patients. Additionally, their treatment is often ineffective due to the resistance of yeasts to antimycotics. Therefore, there is a need to search for new antifungals. A series of nine newly synthesized thiazole derivatives containing the cyclopropane system, showing promising activity against Candida spp., has been further investigated. We decided to verify their antifungal activity towards clinical Candida albicans isolated from the oral cavity of patients with hematological malignancies and investigate the mode of action on fungal cell, the effect of combination with the selected antimycotics, toxicity to erythrocytes, and lipophilicity. These studies were performed by the broth microdilution method, test with sorbitol and ergosterol, checkerboard technique, erythrocyte lysis assay, and reversed phase thin-layer chromatography, respectively. All derivatives showed very strong activity (similar and even higher than nystatin) against all C. albicans isolates with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 0.008–7.81 µg/mL Their mechanism of action may be related to action within the fungal cell wall structure and/or within the cell membrane. The interactions between the derivatives and the selected antimycotics (nystatin, chlorhexidine, and thymol) showed additive effect only in the case of combination some of them and thymol. The erythrocyte lysis assay confirmed the low cytotoxicity of these compounds as compared to nystatin. The high lipophilicity of the derivatives was related with their high antifungal activity. The present studies confirm that the studied thiazole derivatives containing the cyclopropane system appear to be a very promising group of compounds in treatment of infections caused by C. albicans. However, this requires further studies in vivo. Key points • The newly thiazoles showed high antifungal activity and some of them — additive effect in combination with thymol. • Their mode of action may be related with the influence on the structure of the fungal cell wall and/or the cell membrane. • The low cytotoxicity against erythrocytes and high lipophilicity of these derivatives are their additional good properties. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Fructose Induces Fluconazole Resistance in Candida albicans through Activation of Mdr1 and Cdr1 Transporters

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 2127
Author(s):  
Jakub Suchodolski ◽  
Anna Krasowska
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Multidrug Resistance ◽  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Efflux Transporters ◽  
Fluconazole Resistance ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Candida albicans is a pathogenic fungus that is increasingly developing multidrug resistance (MDR), including resistance to azole drugs such as fluconazole (FLC). This is partially a result of the increased synthesis of membrane efflux transporters Cdr1p, Cdr2p, and Mdr1p. Although all these proteins can export FLC, only Cdr1p is expressed constitutively. In this study, the effect of elevated fructose, as a carbon source, on the MDR was evaluated. It was shown that fructose, elevated in the serum of diabetics, promotes FLC resistance. Using C. albicans strains with green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged MDR transporters, it was determined that the FLC-resistance phenotype occurs as a result of Mdr1p activation and via the increased induction of higher Cdr1p levels. It was observed that fructose-grown C. albicans cells displayed a high efflux activity of both transporters as opposed to glucose-grown cells, which synthesize Cdr1p but not Mdr1p. Additionally, it was concluded that elevated fructose serum levels induce the de novo production of Mdr1p after 60 min. In combination with glucose, however, fructose induces Mdr1p production as soon as after 30 min. It is proposed that fructose may be one of the biochemical factors responsible for Mdr1p production in C. albicans cells.

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