scholarly journals Urease as a Virulence Factor in Experimental Cryptococcosis

2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 443-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary M. Cox ◽  
Jean Mukherjee ◽  
Garry T. Cole ◽  
Arturo Casadevall ◽  
John R. Perfect
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Genomic Locus ◽  
Phenoloxidase Activity ◽  
Infection Models ◽  
Experimental Cryptococcosis ◽  
Human Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Capsule Size

ABSTRACT Urease catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea to ammonia and carbamate and has been found to be an important pathogenic factor for certain bacteria. Cryptococcus neoformans is a significant human pathogenic fungus that produces large amounts of urease; thus we wanted to investigate the importance of urease in the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis. We cloned and sequenced the genomic locus containing the single-copy C. neoformans urease gene (URE1) and used this to disrupt the native URE1in the serotype A strain H99. The ure1 mutant strains were found to have in vitro growth characteristics, phenoloxidase activity, and capsule size similar to those of the wild type. Comparison of aure1 mutant with H99 after intracisternal inoculation into corticosteroid-treated rabbits revealed no significant differences in colony counts recovered from the cerebrospinal fluid. However, when these two strains were compared in both the murine intravenous and inhalational infection models, there were significant differences in survival. Mice infected with a ure1 strain lived longer than mice infected with H99 in both models. The ure1 strain was restored to urease positivity by complementation withURE1, and two resulting transformants were significantly more pathogenic than the ure1 strain. Our results suggest that urease activity is involved in the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis but that the importance may be species and/or infection site specific.

scholarly journals Identification of ENA1 as a Virulence Gene of the Human Pathogenic Fungus Cryptococcus neoformans through Signature-Tagged Insertional Mutagenesis

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Idnurm ◽  
Felicia J. Walton ◽  
Anna Floyd ◽  
Jennifer L. Reedy ◽  
Joseph Heitman
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Insertional Mutagenesis ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
New Genes ◽  
Strain Collection ◽  
Mutant Strains ◽  
Human Pathogenic Fungus

ABSTRACT A library of more than 4,500 signature-tagged insertion mutants of the human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans was generated, and a subset was screened in a murine inhalation model to identify genes required for virulence. New genes that regulate aspects of C. neoformans virulence were also identified by screening the entire library for in vitro phenotypes related to the ability to cause disease, including melanin production, growth at high temperature, and growth under conditions of nutrient limitation. A screen of 10% of the strain collection in mice identified an avirulent mutant strain with an insertion in the ENA1 gene, which is predicted to encode a fungus-specific sodium or potassium P-type ATPase. The results of the deletion of the gene and complementation experiments confirmed its key role in mammalian virulence. ena1 mutant strains exhibited no change in sensitivity to high salt concentrations but were sensitive to alkaline pH conditions, providing evidence that the fungus may have to survive at elevated pH during infection of the mammalian host. The mutation of the well-characterized virulence factor calcineurin (CNA1) also rendered C. neoformans strains sensitive to elevated pH. ENA1 transcripts in wild-type and cna1 mutant strains were upregulated in response to high pH, and cna1 ena1 double mutant strains exhibited increased sensitivity to elevated pH, indicating that at least two pathways in the fungus mediate survival under alkaline conditions. Signature-tagged mutagenesis is an effective strategy for the discovery of new virulence genes in fungal pathogens of animals.

scholarly journals In vitro antifungal and demelanizing activity of Nepeta rtanjensis essential oil against the human pathogen Bipolaris spicifera

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 897-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milica Ljaljevic-Grbic ◽  
M. Stupar ◽  
Jelena Vukojevic ◽  
D. Grubisic
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oil ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Conidia Germination ◽  
Growth Assay ◽  
Human Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Bipolaris Spicifera

The antifungal activity of Nepeta rtanjensis Diklic & Milojevic essential oil was tested against the human pathogenic fungus Bipolaris spicifera (Bainier) Subramanian via mycelial growth assay and conidia germination assay. The minimally inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the oil was determined at 1.0 ?g ml-1, while the MIC for the antifungal drug Bifonazole in a positive control was determined at 10.0 ?g ml-1. The maximum of conidia germination inhibition was accomplished at 0.6 ?g ml-1. In addition, at 0.6 ?g ml-1 and 0.8 ?g ml-1 the oil was able to cause morphophysiological changes in B. spicifera. The most significant result is the bleaching effect of the melanized conidial apparatus of the test fungi, since the melanin is the virulence factor in human pathogenic fungi. These results showed the strong antifungal properties of N. rtanjensis essential oil, supporting its possible rational use as an alternative source of new antifungal compounds.

scholarly journals In Vitro and In Vivo Activities of Syn2190, a Novel β-Lactamase Inhibitor

1999 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 1895-1900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kouichi Nishida ◽  
Chieko Kunugita ◽  
Tatsuya Uji ◽  
Fusahiro Higashitani ◽  
Akio Hyodo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Morganella Morganii ◽  
Infection Models ◽  
Rate Of Hydrolysis ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Group 1

ABSTRACT Syn2190, a monobactam derivative containing 1,5-dihydroxy-4-pyridone as the C-3 side chain, is a potent inhibitor of group 1 β-lactamase. The concentrations of inhibitor needed to reduce the initial rate of hydrolysis of substrate by 50% for Syn2190 against these enzymes were in the range of 0.002 to 0.01 μM. These values were 220- to 850-fold lower than those of tazobactam. Syn2190 showed in vitro synergy with ceftazidime and cefpirome. This synergy was dependent on the concentration of the inhibitor against group 1 β-lactamase-producing strains, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundii, and Morganella morganii. However, against β-lactamase-derepressed mutants of P. aeruginosa, the MICs of ceftazidime plus Syn2190 were not affected by the amount of β-lactamase, and the values were the same for the parent strains. The MICs at which 50% of isolates are inhibited (MIC50s) of ceftazidime plus Syn2190 were 2- to 16-fold lower than those of ceftazidime alone for ceftazidime-resistant, clinically isolated gram-negative bacteria. Similarly, the MIC50s of cefpirome plus Syn2190 were two- to eightfold lower for cefpirome-resistant clinical isolates. The synergies of Syn2190 plus ceftazidime or cefpirome observed in vitro were also reflected in vivo. Syn2190 improved the efficacies of both cephalosporins in both a murine systemic infection model with cephalosporin-resistant rods and urinary tract infection models with cephalosporin-resistant P. aeruginosa.

scholarly journals Hgc1 Mediates Dynamic Candida albicans-Endothelium Adhesion Events during Circulation

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan Wilson ◽  
Bernhard Hube
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Interaction Model ◽  
Serum Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disseminated Candidiasis ◽  
Human Pathogenic Fungus

ABSTRACT Common iatrogenic procedures can result in translocation of the human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans from mucosal surfaces to the bloodstream. Subsequent disseminated candidiasis and infection of deep-seated organs may occur if the fungus is not eliminated by blood cells. In these cases, fungal cells adhere to the endothelial cells of blood vessels, penetrate through endothelial layers, and invade deeper tissue. In this scenario, endothelial adhesion events must occur during circulation under conditions of physiological blood pressure. To investigate the fungal and host factors which contribute to this essential step of disseminated candidiasis, we have developed an in vitro circulatory C. albicans-endothelium interaction model. We demonstrate that both C. albicans yeast and hyphae can adhere under flow at a pressure similar to capillary blood pressure. Serum factors significantly enhanced the adhesion potential of viable but not killed C. albicans cells to endothelial cells. During circulation, C. albicans cells produced hyphae and the adhesion potential first increased, then decreased with time. We provide evidence that a specific temporal event in the yeast-to-hyphal transition, regulated by the G1 cyclin Hgc1, is critical for C. albicans-endothelium adhesion during circulation.

Total Synthesis and Antibacterial Screening of (±)-6,8-Dihydroxy-3- undecyl-3,4-dihydroisochromen-1-one: A Structural Analogue of Metabolites from Ononis natrix

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-248
Author(s):  
Hummera Rafique ◽  
Aamer Saeed ◽  
Ehsan Ullah Mughal ◽  
Muhammad Naveed Zafar ◽  
Amara Mumtaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Synthesis ◽  
Structural Analog ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Antibacterial Screening ◽  
Maximum Inhibition ◽  
Bacillus Subtilus ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Direct Condensation

Background: (±)-6,8-Dihydroxy-3-undecyl-3,4-dihydroisochromen-1-one is one of the structural analog of several substituted undecylisocoumarins isolated from Ononis natrix (Fabaceae), has been successfully synthesized by direct condensation of homopthalic acid (1) with undecanoyl chloride yields isochromen-1-one (2). Methods: Alkaline hydrolysis of (2) gave the corresponding keto-acid (3), which is then reduced to hydroxy acid (4) then its cyclodehydration was carried out with acetic anhydride to afford 3,4- dihydroisochromen-1-one (5). Followed by demethylation step, the synthesis of target 6,8- dihydroxy-7-methyl-3-undecyl-3,4-dihydroisocoumarin (6) was achieved. Results: In vitro antibacterial screening of all the synthesized compounds were carried out against ten bacterial strains by agar well diffusion method. Conclusion: Newly synthesized molecules exhibited moderate antibacterial activity and maximum inhibition was observed against Bacillus subtilus and Salmonella paratyphi.

Studies on the mechanism of acute inhibition of thyroglobulin hydrolysis by iodine

1985 ◽  
Vol 108 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nandalal Bagchi ◽  
Birdie Shivers ◽  
Thomas R. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Period 2 ◽  
Iodotyrosine Deiodinase ◽  
Rate Of Hydrolysis ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Excess Iodide ◽  
Sites Of Action ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

Abstract. Iodine in excess is known to acutely inhibit thyroidal secretion. In the present study we have characterized the time course of the iodine effect in vitro and investigated the underlying mechanisms. Labelled thyroid glands were cultured in vitro in medium containing mononitrotyrosine, an inhibitor of iodotyrosine deiodinase. The rate of hydrolysis of labelled thyroglobulin was measured as the proportion of labelled iodotyrosines and iodothyronines recovered at the end of culture and was used as an index of thyroidal secretion. Thyrotrophin (TSH) administered in vivo acutely stimulated the rate of thyroglobulin hydrolysis. Addition of Nal to the culture medium acutely inhibited both basal and TSH-stimulated thyroglobulin hydrolysis. The effect of iodide was demonstrable after 2 h, maximal after 6 h and was not reversible upon removal of iodide. Iodide abolished the dibutyryl cAMP induced stimulation of thyroglobulin hydrolysis. Iodide required organic binding of iodine for its effect but new protein or RNA synthesis was not necessary. The inhibitory effects of iodide and lysosomotrophic agents such as NH4C1 and chloroquin on thyroglobulin hydrolysis were additive suggesting different sites of action. Iodide added in vitro altered the distribution of label in prelabelled thyroglobulin in a way that suggested increased coupling in the thyroglobulin molecule. These data indicate that 1) the iodide effect occurs progressively over a 6 h period, 2) continued presence of iodide is not necessary once the inhibition is established, 3) iodide exerts its action primarily at a post cAMP, prelysosomal site and 4) the effect requires organic binding of iodine, but not new RNA or protein synthesis. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that excess iodide acutely inhibits thyroglobulin hydrolysis by increasing the resistance of thyroglobulin to proteolytic degradation through increased iodination and coupling.

scholarly journals Development of a Mucus Gland Bioreactor in Loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 687
Author(s):  
Tong Zhou ◽  
Bolan Zhou ◽  
Yasong Zhao ◽  
Qing Li ◽  
Guili Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Grass Carp ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Type I ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Paramisgurnus Dabryanus ◽  
Expression Activity ◽  
Transgenic Construct ◽  
Mucus Gland

Most currently available bioreactors have some defects in the expression, activity, or purification of target protein and peptide molecules, whereas the mucus gland of fish can overcome these defects to become a novel bioreactor for the biopharmaceutical industry. In this study, we have evaluated the practicability of developing a mucus gland bioreactor in loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus). A transgenic construct pT2-krt8-IFN1 was obtained by subcloning the promoter of zebrafish keratin 8 gene and the type I interferon (IFN1) cDNA of grass carp into the SB transposon. The IFN1 expressed in CIK cells exhibited an antiviral activity against the replication of GCRV873 and activated two genes downstream of JAK-STAT signaling pathway. A transgenic loach line was then generated by microinjection of the pT2-krt8-IFN1 plasmids and in vitro synthesized capped SB11 mRNA. Southern blots indicated that a single copy of IFN1 gene was stably integrated into the genome of transgenic loach. The expression of grass carp IFN1 in transgenic loaches was detected with RT-PCR and Western blots. About 0.0825 µg of grass carp IFN1 was detected in 20 µL mucus from transgenic loaches. At a viral titer of 1 × 103 PFU/mL, plaque numbers on plates containing mucus from transgenic loaches reduced by 18% in comparison with those of the control, indicating that mucus of IFN1-transgenic loaches exhibited an antiviral activity. Thus, we have successfully created a mucus gland bioreactor that has great potential for the production of various proteins and peptides.

scholarly journals Expression Patterns in Reductive Iron Assimilation and Functional Consequences during Phagocytosis of Lichtheimia corymbifera, an Emerging Cause of Mucormycosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 272
Author(s):  
Felicia Adelina Stanford ◽  
Nina Matthias ◽  
Zoltán Cseresnyés ◽  
Marc Thilo Figge ◽  
Mohamed I. Abdelwahab Hassan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Iron Uptake ◽  
Intracellular Transport ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Iron Depletion ◽  
Iron Assimilation ◽  
Human Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Hyphal Formation ◽  
Yeast Mutants

Iron is an essential micronutrient for most organisms and fungi are no exception. Iron uptake by fungi is facilitated by receptor-mediated internalization of siderophores, heme and reductive iron assimilation (RIA). The RIA employs three protein groups: (i) the ferric reductases (Fre5 proteins), (ii) the multicopper ferroxidases (Fet3) and (iii) the high-affinity iron permeases (Ftr1). Phenotyping under different iron concentrations revealed detrimental effects on spore swelling and hyphal formation under iron depletion, but yeast-like morphology under iron excess. Since access to iron is limited during pathogenesis, pathogens are placed under stress due to nutrient limitations. To combat this, gene duplication and differential gene expression of key iron uptake genes are utilized to acquire iron against the deleterious effects of iron depletion. In the genome of the human pathogenic fungus L. corymbifera, three, four and three copies were identified for FRE5, FTR1 and FET3 genes, respectively. As in other fungi, FET3 and FTR1 are syntenic and co-expressed in L. corymbifera. Expression of FRE5, FTR1 and FET3 genes is highly up-regulated during iron limitation (Fe-), but lower during iron excess (Fe+). Fe- dependent upregulation of gene expression takes place in LcFRE5 II and III, LcFTR1 I and II, as well as LcFET3 I and II suggesting a functional role in pathogenesis. The syntenic LcFTR1 I–LcFET3 I gene pair is co-expressed during germination, whereas LcFTR1 II- LcFET3 II is co-expressed during hyphal proliferation. LcFTR1 I, II and IV were overexpressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to represent high and moderate expression of intracellular transport of Fe3+, respectively. Challenge of macrophages with the yeast mutants revealed no obvious role for LcFTR1 I, but possible functions of LcFTR1 II and IVs in recognition by macrophages. RIA expression pattern was used for a new model of interaction between L. corymbifera and macrophages.

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