scholarly journals PKC1 Is Essential for Protection against both Oxidative and Nitrosative Stresses, Cell Integrity, and Normal Manifestation of Virulence Factors in the Pathogenic Fungus Cryptococcus neoformans

2008 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 1685-1698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly J. Gerik ◽  
Sujit R. Bhimireddy ◽  
Jan S. Ryerse ◽  
Charles A. Specht ◽  
Jennifer K. Lodge
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Nitrosative Stress ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Fungal Growth ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Cell Integrity ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Pathway Activation ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Kinase Cascade

ABSTRACT Cell wall integrity is crucial for fungal growth, survival, and pathogenesis. Responses to environmental stresses are mediated by the highly conserved Pkc1 protein and its downstream components. In this study, we demonstrate that both oxidative and nitrosative stresses activate the PKC1 cell integrity pathway in wild-type cells, as measured by phosphorylation of Mpk1, the terminal protein in the PKC1 phosphorylation cascade. Furthermore, deletion of PKC1 shows that this gene is essential for defense against both oxidative and nitrosative stresses; however, other genes involved directly in the PKC1 pathway are dispensable for protection against these stresses. This suggests that Pkc1 may have multiple and alternative functions other than activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade from a “top-down” approach. Deletion of PKC1 also causes osmotic instability, temperature sensitivity, severe sensitivity to cell wall-inhibiting agents, and alterations in capsule and melanin. Furthermore, the vital cell wall components chitin and its deacetylated form chitosan appear to be mislocalized in a pkc1Δ strain, although this mutant contains wild-type levels of both of these polymers. These data indicate that loss of Pkc1 has pleiotropic effects because it is central to many functions either dependent on or independent of PKC1 pathway activation. Notably, this is the first time that Pkc1 has been implicated in protection against nitrosative stress in any organism.

scholarly journals Phosphoproteomics of Aspergillus fumigatus Exposed to the Antifungal Drug Caspofungin

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliciane Cevolani Mattos ◽  
Giuseppe Palmisano ◽  
Gustavo H. Goldman
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Fungal Growth ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
High Concentrations

ABSTRACT Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic and allergenic pathogenic fungus, responsible for fungal infections in humans. A. fumigatus infections are usually treated with polyenes, azoles, or echinocandins. Echinocandins, such as caspofungin, can inhibit the biosynthesis of the β-1,3-glucan polysaccharide, affecting the integrity of the cell wall and leading to fungal death. In some A. fumigatus strains, caspofungin treatment at high concentrations induces an increase of fungal growth, a phenomenon called the caspofungin paradoxical effect (CPE). Here, we analyze the proteome and phosphoproteome of the A. fumigatus wild-type strain and of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) mpkA and sakA null mutant strains during CPE (2 μg/ml caspofungin for 1 h). The wild-type proteome showed 75 proteins and 814 phosphopeptides (corresponding to 520 proteins) altered in abundance in response to caspofungin treatment. The ΔmpkA (ΔmpkA caspofungin/wild-type caspofungin) and ΔsakA (ΔsakA caspofungin/wild-type caspofungin) strains displayed 626 proteins and 1,236 phosphopeptides (corresponding to 703 proteins) and 101 proteins and 1,217 phosphopeptides (corresponding to 645 proteins), respectively, altered in abundance. Functional characterization of the phosphopeptides from the wild-type strain exposed to caspofungin showed enrichment for transcription factors, protein kinases, and cytoskeleton proteins. Proteomic analysis of the ΔmpkA and ΔsakA mutants indicated that control of proteins involved in metabolism, such as in production of secondary metabolites, was highly represented in both mutants. Results of functional categorization of phosphopeptides from both mutants were very similar and showed a high number of proteins with decreased phosphorylation of proteins involved in transcriptional control, DNA/RNA binding, cell cycle control, and DNA processing. This report reveals novel transcription factors involved in caspofungin tolerance. IMPORTANCE Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic human-pathogenic fungus causing allergic reactions or systemic infections, such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. Caspofungin is an echinocandin that impacts the construction of the fungal cell wall by inhibiting the biosynthesis of the β-1,3-glucan polysaccharide. Caspofungin is a fungistatic drug and is recommended as a second-line therapy for treatment of aspergillosis. Treatment at high concentrations induces an increase of fungal growth, a phenomenon called the caspofungin paradoxical effect (CPE). Collaboration between the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) of the cell wall integrity (MapkA) and high-osmolarity glycerol (SakA) pathways is essential for CPE. Here, we investigate the global proteome and phosphoproteome of A. fumigatus wild-type, ΔmpkA, and ΔsakA strains upon CPE. This study showed intense cross talk between the two MAPKs for the CPE and identified novel protein kinases and transcription factors possibly important for CPE. Increased understanding of how the modulation of protein phosphorylation may affect the fungal growth in the presence of caspofungin represents an important step in the development of new strategies and methods to combat the fungus inside the host.

Cell extensions in pkc1 mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

1999 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Azuma ◽  
S Torii ◽  
J Kato ◽  
H Ooshima
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Isoamyl Alcohol ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Cell Integrity ◽  
Actin Cable ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Kinase Cascade ◽  
Cell Surface Structure ◽  
Protein Kinase Cascade

To obtain information on cell wall synthesis and its relationship to morphology, we examined the induction of cell extensions of yeast upon the addition of isoamyl alcohol in osmotically fragile mutants that had mutations in genes related to the cell integrity pathway through activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. We found that isoamyl alcohol induces cell extensions in pkc1 deletion mutants but not in mutants with mutations in genes positioned downstream or upstream of the PKC1 gene. These results suggest that Pkc1p functions not only in the integrity pathway but also in the induction. We characterized the elongated cells; many had two or more nuclei. We found no difference in cell surface structure between round and elongated cells from the results of chitin staining and cell wall extraction. Actin cytoskeleton was organized in elongated cells, as well as round cells. Cytochalasin D (0.08 mg/mL) inhibited the formation of actin cable but did not affect the induction of cell extensions.Key words: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, pkc1, isoamyl alcohol, cell extension.

scholarly journals Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Cross-Talk Interaction Modulates the Production of Melanins in Aspergillus fumigatus

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Oliveira Manfiolli ◽  
Filipe Silva Siqueira ◽  
Thaila Fernanda dos Reis ◽  
Patrick Van Dijck ◽  
Sanne Schrevens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Cross Talk ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Melanin Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Salvage Pathways

ABSTRACT The pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is able to adapt to extremely variable environmental conditions. The A. fumigatus genome contains four genes coding for mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which are important regulatory knots involved in diverse cellular responses. From a clinical perspective, MAPK activity has been connected to salvage pathways, which can determine the failure of effective treatment of invasive mycoses using antifungal drugs. Here, we report the characterization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fus3 ortholog in A. fumigatus, designated MpkB. We demonstrate that MpkB is important for conidiation and that its deletion induces a copious increase of dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin production. Simultaneous deletion of mpkB and mpkA, the latter related to maintenance of the cell wall integrity, normalized DHN-melanin production. Localization studies revealed that MpkB translocates into the nuclei when A. fumigatus germlings are exposed to caspofungin stress, and this is dependent on the cross-talk interaction with MpkA. Additionally, DHN-melanin formation was also increased after deletion of genes coding for the Gα protein GpaA and for the G protein-coupled receptor GprM. Yeast two-hybrid and coimmunoprecipitation assays confirmed that GpaA and GprM interact, suggesting their role in the MpkB signaling cascade. IMPORTANCE Aspergillus fumigatus is the most important airborne human pathogenic fungus, causing thousands of deaths per year. Its lethality is due to late and often inaccurate diagnosis and the lack of efficient therapeutics. The failure of efficient prophylaxis and therapy is based on the ability of this pathogen to activate numerous salvage pathways that are capable of overcoming the different drug-derived stresses. A major role in the protection of A. fumigatus is played by melanins. Melanins are cell wall-associated macromolecules classified as virulence determinants. The understanding of the various signaling pathways acting in this organism can be used to elucidate the mechanism beyond melanin production and help to identify ideal drug targets.

scholarly journals The Yeast Protein Kinase C Cell Integrity Pathway Mediates Tolerance to the Antifungal Drug Caspofungin through Activation of Slt2p Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling

2003 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 1200-1210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Reinoso-Martín ◽  
Christoph Schüller ◽  
Manuela Schuetzer-Muehlbauer ◽  
Karl Kuchler
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Antifungal Drug ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Cell Integrity ◽  
Cell Wall Synthesis ◽  
Kinase C ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Yeast Genes

ABSTRACT The echinocandin caspofungin is a new antifungal drug that blocks cell wall synthesis through inhibition of β-(1-3)-glucan synthesis. Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells are able to tolerate rather high caspofungin concentrations, displaying high viability at low caspofungin doses. To identify yeast genes implicated in caspofungin tolerance, we performed a genome-wide microarray analysis. Strikingly, caspofungin treatment rapidly induces a set of genes from the protein kinase C (PKC) cell integrity signaling pathway, as well as those required for cell wall maintenance and architecture. The mitogen-activated protein kinase Slt2p is rapidly activated by phosphorylation, triggering signaling through the PKC pathway. Cells lacking genes such as SLT2, BCK1, and PKC1, as well as the caspofungin target gene, FKS1, display pronounced hypersensitivity, demonstrating that the PKC pathway is required for caspofungin tolerance. Notably, the cell surface integrity sensor Wsc1p, but not the sensors Wsc2-4p and Mid2p, is required for sensing caspofungin perturbations. The expression modulation of PKC target genes requires the transcription factor Rlm1p, which controls expression of several cell wall synthesis and maintenance genes. Thus, caspofungin-induced cell wall damage requires Wsc1p as a dedicated sensor to launch a protective response through the activated salvage pathway for de novo cell wall synthesis. Our results establish caspofungin as a specific activator of Slt2p stress signaling in baker's yeast.

scholarly journals The fission yeast pmk1+ gene encodes a novel mitogen-activated protein kinase homolog which regulates cell integrity and functions coordinately with the protein kinase C pathway.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 6752-6764 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Toda ◽  
S Dhut ◽  
G Superti-Furga ◽  
Y Gotoh ◽  
E Nishida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Cell Integrity ◽  
Kinase C ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Mapk Gene

We have isolated a gene, pmk1+, a third mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) gene homolog from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The predicted amino acid sequence shows the most homology (63 to 65% identity) to those of budding yeast Saccharomyces Mpk1 and Candida Mkc1. The Pmk1 protein contains phosphorylated tyrosines, and the level of tyrosine phosphorylation was increased in the dsp1 mutant which lacks an attenuating phosphatase for Pmk1. The level of tyrosine phosphorylation appears constant during hypotonic or heat shock treatment. The cells with pmk1 deleted (delta pmk1) are viable but show various defective phenotypes, including cell wall weakness, abnormal cell shape, a cytokinesis defect, and altered sensitivities to cations, such as hypersensitivity to potassium and resistance to sodium. Consistent with a high degree of conservation of amino acid sequence, multicopy plasmids containing the MPK1 gene rescued the defective phenotypes of the delta pmk1 mutant. The frog MAPK gene also suppressed the pmk1 disruptant. The results of genetic analysis indicated that Pmk1 lies on a novel MAPK pathway which does not overlap functionally with the other two MAPK pathways, the Spk1-dependent mating signal pathway and Sty1/Spc1/Phh1-dependent stress-sensing pathway. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Mpk1 is involved in cell wall integrity and functions downstream of the protein kinase C homolog. In contrast, in S. pombe, Pmk1 may not act in a linear manner with respect to fission yeast protein kinase C homologs. Interestingly, however, these two pathways are not independent; instead, they regulate cell integrity in a coordinate manner.

scholarly journals Cell Wall Stress Depolarizes Cell Growth via Hyperactivation of Rho1

1999 ◽  
Vol 147 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Alain Delley ◽  
Michael N. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Wall Stress ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Regulatory Subunit ◽  
Cell Wall Stress ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Kinase Cascade

Cells sense and physiologically respond to environmental stress via signaling pathways. Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells respond to cell wall stress by transiently depolarizing the actin cytoskeleton. We report that cell wall stress also induces a transient depolarized distribution of the cell wall biosynthetic enzyme glucan synthase FKS1 and its regulatory subunit RHO1, possibly as a mechanism to repair general cell wall damage. The redistribution of FKS1 is dependent on the actin cytoskeleton. Depolarization of the actin cytoskeleton and FKS1 is mediated by the plasma membrane protein WSC1, the RHO1 GTPase switch, PKC1, and a yet-to-be defined PKC1 effector branch. WSC1 behaves like a signal transducer or a stress-specific actin landmark that both controls and responds to the actin cytoskeleton, similar to the bidirectional signaling between integrin receptors and the actin cytoskeleton in mammalian cells. The PKC1-activated mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade is not required for depolarization, but rather for repolarization of the actin cytoskeleton and FKS1. Thus, activated RHO1 can mediate both polarized and depolarized cell growth via the same effector, PKC1, suggesting that RHO1 may function as a rheostat rather than as a simple on-off switch.

scholarly journals Transcriptional Coregulation by the Cell Integrity Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Slt2 and the Cell Cycle Regulator Swi4

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (19) ◽  
pp. 6515-6528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Baetz ◽  
Jason Moffat ◽  
Jennifer Haynes ◽  
Michael Chang ◽  
Brenda Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Regulatory Subunit ◽  
Cell Integrity ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

ABSTRACT In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the heterodimeric transcription factor SBF (for SCB binding factor) is composed of Swi4 and Swi6 and activates gene expression at the G1/S-phase transition of the mitotic cell cycle. Cell cycle commitment is associated not only with major alterations in gene expression but also with highly polarized cell growth; the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Slt2 is required to maintain cell wall integrity during periods of polarized growth and cell wall stress. We describe experiments aimed at defining the regulatory pathway involving the cell cycle transcription factor SBF and Slt2-MAPK. Gene expression assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed Slt2-dependent recruitment of SBF to the promoters of the G1 cyclinsPCL1 and PCL2 after activation of the Slt2-MAPK pathway. We performed DNA microarray analysis and identified other genes whose expression was reduced in both SLT2and SWI4 deletion strains. Genes that are sensitive to both Slt2 and Swi4 appear to be uniquely regulated and reveal a role for Swi4, the DNA-binding component of SBF, which is independent of the regulatory subunit Swi6. Some of the Swi4- and Slt2-dependent genes do not require Swi6 for either their expression or for Swi4 localization to their promoters. Consistent with these results, we found a direct interaction between Swi4 and Slt2. Our results establish a new Slt2-dependent mode of Swi4 regulation and suggest roles for Swi4 beyond its prominent role in controlling cell cycle transcription.

scholarly journals The Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Slt2 mitogen-activated protein kinase ortholog, SMK3, is required for infection initiation but not lesion expansion

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 836-850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zafer Dallal Bashi ◽  
Sanjaya Gyawali ◽  
Diana Bekkaoui ◽  
Cathy Coutu ◽  
Leora Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Fungal Growth ◽  
Cell Wall Integrity ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Phytopathogenic Fungus ◽  
Growth Physiology ◽  
Solid Media ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play a central role in transferring signals and regulating gene expression in response to extracellular stimuli. An ortholog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall integrity MAPK was identified in the phytopathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Disruption of the S. sclerotiorum Smk3 gene severely reduced virulence on intact host plant leaves but not on leaves stripped of cuticle wax. This was attributed to alterations in hyphal apical dominance leading to the inability to aggregate and form infection cushions. The mutation also caused loss of the ability to produce sclerotia, increased aerial hyphae formation, and altered hyphal hydrophobicity and cell wall integrity. Mutants had slower radial expansion rates on solid media but more tolerance to elevated temperatures. Loss of the SMK3 cell wall integrity MAPK appears to have impaired the ability of S. sclerotiorum to sense its surrounding environment, leading to misregulation of a variety of functions. Many of the phenotypes were similar to those observed in S. sclerotiorum adenylate cyclase and SMK1 MAPK mutants, suggesting that these signaling pathways co-regulate aspects of fungal growth, physiology, and pathogenicity.

scholarly journals The MAP kinase signal transduction network in Candida albicans

Microbiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 152 (4) ◽  
pp. 905-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Alonso Monge ◽  
E. Román ◽  
C. Nombela ◽  
J. Pla
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Phenotypic Characterization ◽  
Cell Integrity ◽  
Hog Pathway ◽  
Chlamydospore Formation ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase-mediated pathways are key elements in sensing and transmitting the response of cells to environmental conditions by the sequential action of phosphorylation events. In the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, different routes have been identified by genetic analysis, and especially by the phenotypic characterization of mutants altered in the Mkc1, Cek1/2 and Hog1 MAP kinases. The cell integrity (or MKC1-mediated) pathway is primarily involved in the biogenesis of the cell wall. The HOG pathway participates in the response to osmotic stress while the Cek1 pathway mediates mating and filamentation. Their actual functions are, however, much broader and Mkc1 senses several types of stress, while Hog1 is also responsive to other stress conditions and participates in two morphogenetic programmes: filamentation and chlamydospore formation. Furthermore, it has been recently shown that Cek1 participates in a putative pathway involved in the construction of the cell wall and which seems to be operative under basal conditions. As these stimuli are frequently encountered in the human host, they provide a reasonable explanation for the significant reduction in pathogenicity that several signal transduction mutants show in certain animal models of virulence. MAPK pathways therefore represent an attractive multienzymic system for which novel antifungal therapy could be designed.

scholarly journals Repression of Ribosome and tRNA Synthesis in Secretion-Defective Cells Is Signaled by a Novel Branch of the Cell Integrity Pathway

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 3843-3851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Li ◽  
Robyn D. Moir ◽  
Indra K. Sethy-Coraci ◽  
Jonathan R. Warner ◽  
Ian M. Willis
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Turgor Pressure ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Cell Integrity ◽  
Effector Pathway ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Kinase Cascade

ABSTRACT The transcription of ribosomal DNA, ribosomal protein (RP) genes, and 5S and tRNA genes by RNA polymerases (Pols) I, II, and III, respectively, is rapidly and coordinately repressed upon interruption of the secretory pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We find that repression of ribosome and tRNA synthesis in secretion-defective cells involves activation of the cell integrity pathway. Transcriptional repression requires the upstream components of this pathway, including the Wsc family of putative plasma membrane sensors and protein kinase C (PKC), but not the downstream Bck1–Mkk1/2–Slt2 mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. These findings reveal a novel PKC effector pathway that controls more than 85% of nuclear transcription. It is proposed that the coordination of ribosome and tRNA synthesis with cell growth may be achieved, in part, by monitoring the turgor pressure of the cell.

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