Regulation of chitin synthesis during growth of fungal hyphae: the possible participation of membrane stress

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (S1) ◽  
pp. 114-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham W. Gooday ◽  
David A. Schofield
Keyword(s):  
Turgor Pressure ◽  
Hyphal Growth ◽  
Lateral Wall ◽  
Enzymic Activity ◽  
Chitin Synthase ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Membrane Stress ◽  
Chitin Synthesis ◽  
Branch Site ◽  
Chitin Synthases

Apical hyphal extension involves very localized apical deposition of newly synthesized wall skeletal material, notably chitin. A branch forms where a new localized site of chitin deposition occurs in the lateral wall. Key enzymes involved are the chitin synthases. Their activity must be under tight regulation to achieve the orderly deposition of chitin. There is evidence that inactive chitin synthase is distributed throughout the hyphal plasma membrane and activated at the apex and at an incipient branch site. At these sites, the wall is plastic. We have investigated the hypothesis that physical stressing of the membrane, a consequence of the cell's turgor pressure acting at these weaker points, may locally activate the chitin synthase. Results show that cells that have been subjected to hypoosmotic stress have raised native chitin synthase activities. It is suggested that stressing the membrane may cause a conformational change in chitin synthase molecules in the membrane or changes in the interactions between chitin synthase and associated polypeptides, leading to activation. This process may act along with other regulatory mechanisms discussed here, such as post-translational modification and availability of allosteric effectors, to restrict the enzymic activity to sites where chitin synthesis is required. Key words: chitin synthase, zymogen, turgor pressure, membrane stress, Candida albicans, hyphal growth.

scholarly journals A Chitin Synthase and Its Regulator Protein Are Critical for Chitosan Production and Growth of the Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

2005 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  
pp. 1902-1912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac R. Banks ◽  
Charles A. Specht ◽  
Maureen J. Donlin ◽  
Kimberly J. Gerik ◽  
Stuart M. Levitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Liquid Culture ◽  
Chitin Synthase ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Chitin Synthesis ◽  
Chitin Synthases ◽  
Regulator Protein ◽  
Chitin And Chitosan

ABSTRACT Chitin is an essential component of the cell wall of many fungi. Chitin also can be enzymatically deacetylated to chitosan, a more flexible and soluble polymer. Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that causes cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, particularly in immunocompromised patients. In this work, we show that both chitin and chitosan are present in the cell wall of vegetatively growing C. neoformans yeast cells and that the levels of both rise dramatically as cells grow to higher density in liquid culture. C. neoformans has eight putative chitin synthases, and strains with any one chitin synthase deleted are viable at 30°C. In addition, C. neoformans genes encode three putative regulator proteins, which are homologs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Skt5p. None of these three is essential for viability. However, one of the chitin synthases (Chs3) and one of the regulators (Csr2) are important for growth. Cells with deletions in either CHS3 or CSR2 have several shared phenotypes, including sensitivity to growth at 37°C. The similarity of their phenotypes also suggests that Csr2 specifically regulates chitin synthesis by Chs3. Lastly, both chs3Δ and the csr2Δ mutants are defective in chitosan production, predicting that Chs3-Csr2 complex with chitin deacetylases for conversion of chitin to chitosan. These data suggest that chitin synthesis could be an excellent antifungal target.

scholarly journals Heterologous Expression of an Entamoeba histolytica Chitin Synthase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina L. Van Dellen ◽  
Dorota A. Bulik ◽  
Charles A. Specht ◽  
Phillips W. Robbins ◽  
John C. Samuelson
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Heterologous Expression ◽  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
Cyst Wall ◽  
Lateral Wall ◽  
Chitin Synthase ◽  
Accessory Proteins ◽  
Chitin Synthases

ABSTRACT Chitin in the cyst wall of Entamoeba histolytica is made by two chitin synthases (Chs), one of which is unique (EhCHS-1) and one of which resembles those of insects and nematodes (EhCHS-2). EhCHS-1 is deposited chitin in the lateral wall of transformed Saccharomyces cerevisiae Chs mutants, independent of accessory proteins (Chs4p to Chs7p) required by yeast Chs3p.

scholarly journals Class III Chitin Synthase ChsB of Aspergillus nidulans Localizes at the Sites of Polarized Cell Wall Synthesis and Is Required for Conidial Development

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 945-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuharu Fukuda ◽  
Kazunari Yamada ◽  
Ken Deoka ◽  
Shuichi Yamashita ◽  
Akinori Ohta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Deletion Mutant ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Hyphal Growth ◽  
Chitin Synthase ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Chitin Synthases ◽  
Conidial Development ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT Class III chitin synthases play important roles in tip growth and conidiation in many filamentous fungi. However, little is known about their functions in those processes. To address these issues, we characterized the deletion mutant of a class III chitin synthase-encoding gene of Aspergillus nidulans, chsB, and investigated ChsB localization in the hyphae and conidiophores. Multilayered cell walls and intrahyphal hyphae were observed in the hyphae of the chsB deletion mutant, and wavy septa were also occasionally observed. ChsB tagged with FLAG or enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) localized mainly at the tips of germ tubes, hyphal tips, and forming septa during hyphal growth. EGFP-ChsB predominantly localized at polarized growth sites and between vesicles and metulae, between metulae and phialides, and between phalides and conidia in asexual development. These results strongly suggest that ChsB functions in the formation of normal cell walls of hyphae, as well as in conidiophore and conidia development in A. nidulans.

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.

scholarly journals Characterization of the mbsA Gene Encoding a Putative APSES Transcription Factor in Aspergillus fumigatus

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3777
Author(s):  
Yong-Ho Choi ◽  
Sang-Cheol Jun ◽  
Min-Woo Lee ◽  
Jae-Hyuk Yu ◽  
Kwang-Soo Shin
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Hyphal Growth ◽  
Spore Wall ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Chitin Synthesis ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Growth Development ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogenic

The APSES family proteins are transcription factors (TFs) with a basic helix-loop-helix domain, known to regulate growth, development, secondary metabolism, and other biological processes in Aspergillus species. In the genome of the human opportunistic pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, five genes predicted to encode APSES TFs are present. Here, we report the characterization of one of these genes, called mbsA (Afu7g05620). The deletion (Δ) of mbsA resulted in significantly decreased hyphal growth and asexual sporulation (conidiation), and lowered mRNA levels of the key conidiation genes abaA, brlA, and wetA. Moreover, ΔmbsA resulted in reduced spore germination rates, elevated sensitivity toward Nikkomycin Z, and significantly lowered transcripts levels of genes associated with chitin synthesis. The mbsA deletion also resulted in significantly reduced levels of proteins and transcripts of genes associated with the SakA MAP kinase pathway. Importantly, the cell wall hydrophobicity and architecture of the ΔmbsA asexual spores (conidia) were altered, notably lacking the rodlet layer on the surface of the ΔmbsA conidium. Comparative transcriptomic analyses revealed that the ΔmbsA mutant showed higher mRNA levels of gliotoxin (GT) biosynthetic genes, which was corroborated by elevated levels of GT production in the mutant. While the ΔmbsA mutant produced higher amount of GT, ΔmbsA strains showed reduced virulence in the murine model, likely due to the defective spore integrity. In summary, the putative APSES TF MbsA plays a multiple role in governing growth, development, spore wall architecture, GT production, and virulence, which may be associated with the attenuated SakA signaling pathway.

scholarly journals Cell Wall-Related Bionumbers and Bioestimates of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frans M. Klis ◽  
Chris G. de Koster ◽  
Stanley Brul
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Cell Size ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Turgor Pressure ◽  
Hyphal Growth ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point

ABSTRACTBionumbers and bioestimates are valuable tools in biological research. Here we focus on cell wall-related bionumbers and bioestimates of the budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaeand the polymorphic, pathogenic fungusCandida albicans. We discuss the linear relationship between cell size and cell ploidy, the correlation between cell size and specific growth rate, the effect of turgor pressure on cell size, and the reason why using fixed cells for measuring cellular dimensions can result in serious underestimation ofin vivovalues. We further consider the evidence that individual buds and hyphae grow linearly and that exponential growth of the population results from regular formation of new daughter cells and regular hyphal branching. Our calculations show that hyphal growth allowsC. albicansto cover much larger distances per unit of time than the yeast mode of growth and that this is accompanied by strongly increased surface expansion rates. We therefore predict that the transcript levels of genes involved in wall formation increase during hyphal growth. Interestingly, wall proteins and polysaccharides seem barely, if at all, subject to turnover and replacement. A general lesson is how strongly most bionumbers and bioestimates depend on environmental conditions and genetic background, thus reemphasizing the importance of well-defined and carefully chosen culture conditions and experimental approaches. Finally, we propose that the numbers and estimates described here offer a solid starting point for similar studies of other cell compartments and other yeast species.

scholarly journals Chs1p and Chs3p, two proteins involved in chitin synthesis, populate a compartment of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae endocytic pathway.

1996 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 1909-1919 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Ziman ◽  
J S Chuang ◽  
R W Schekman
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Endocytic Pathway ◽  
Chitin Synthase ◽  
Cell Fractionation ◽  
Cell Wall Polysaccharide ◽  
Chitin Synthesis ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Steady State Levels ◽  
Membrane Bound

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the synthesis of chitin, a cell-wall polysaccharide, is temporally and spatially regulated with respect to the cell cycle and morphogenesis. Using immunological reagents, we found that steady-state levels of Chs1p and Chs3p, two chitin synthase enzymes, did not fluctuate during the cell cycle, indicating that they are not simply regulated by synthesis and degradation. Previous cell fractionation studies demonstrated that chitin synthase I activity (CSI) exists in a plasma membrane form and in intracellular membrane-bound particles called chitosomes. Chitosomes were proposed to act as a reservoir for regulated transport of chitin synthase enzymes to the division septum. We found that Chs1p and Chs3p resided partly in chitosomes and that this distribution was not cell cycle regulated. Pulse-chase cell fractionation experiments showed that chitosome production was blocked in an endocytosis mutant (end4-1), indicating that endocytosis is required for the formation or maintenance of chitosomes. Additionally, Ste2p, internalized by ligand-induced endocytosis, cofractionated with chitosomes, suggesting that these membrane proteins populate the same endosomal compartment. However, in contrast to Ste2p, Chs1p and Chs3p were not rapidly degraded, thus raising the possibility that the temporal and spatial regulation of chitin synthesis is mediated by the mobilization of an endosomal pool of chitin synthase enzymes.

scholarly journals Neev, a novel long non-coding RNA, is expressed in chaetoblasts during regeneration of Eisenia fetida

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surendra Singh Patel ◽  
Sanyami Zunjarrao ◽  
Beena Pillai
Keyword(s):  
Eisenia Fetida ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Ventral Side ◽  
Chitin Synthase ◽  
Chitin Synthesis ◽  
Mirna Sponge ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Temporal Expression Pattern ◽  
Long Non Coding Rna

AbstractEisenia fetida, the common vermicomposting earthworm, shows robust regeneration of posterior segments removed by amputation. During the period of regeneration, the newly formed tissue initially contains only undifferentiated cells but subsequently differentiates into a variety of cell types including muscle, nerve and vasculature. Transcriptomics analysis, reported previously, provided a number of candidate non-coding RNAs that were induced during regeneration. We found that one such long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is expressed in the skin, only at the base of newly formed chaetae. The spatial organization and precise arrangement of the regenerating chaetae and the cells expressing the lncRNA on the ventral side clearly support a model wherein the regenerating tissue contains a zone of growth and cell division at the tip and a zone of differentiation at the site of amputation. The temporal expression pattern of the lncRNA, christened Neev, closely resembled the pattern of chitin synthase genes, implicated in chaetae formation. We found that the lncRNA harbours 49 sites for binding a set of four miRNAs while the Chitin Synthase 8 mRNA comprises 478 sites. The over-representation of shared miRNA sites suggests that lncRNA Neev may act as a miRNA sponge to transiently de-repress chitin synthase 8 during formation of new chaetae in the regenerating segments of Eisenia fetida.Summary statementThe earthworm, Eisenia fetida, regenerates posterior segments following amputation. The transcriptome of the regenerating worm revealed a novel lncRNA, expressed only at the base of regenerating chaetae. We propose that this lncRNA is a miRNA sponge that modulates chitin synthesis.

scholarly journals Proliferation of Intrahyphal Hyphae Caused by Disruption ofcsmA, Which Encodes a Class V Chitin Synthase with a Myosin Motor-Like Domain in Aspergillus nidulans

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (12) ◽  
pp. 3721-3729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Horiuchi ◽  
Makoto Fujiwara ◽  
Shuichi Yamashita ◽  
Akinori Ohta ◽  
Masamichi Takagi
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Hyphal Growth ◽  
Chitin Synthase ◽  
Calcofluor White ◽  
Class V ◽  
Myosin Motor ◽  
Fungal Morphogenesis ◽  
Novel Protein

ABSTRACT We have found that the Aspergillus nidulans csmA gene encodes a novel protein which consists of an N-terminal myosin motor-like domain and a C-terminal chitin synthase domain (M. Fujiwara, H. Horiuchi, A. Ohta, and M. Takagi, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 236:75–78, 1997). To clarify the roles of csmA in fungal morphogenesis, we constructed csmA null mutants. The growth rate of the mutant colonies was almost the same as that of the wild-type strain, but hyphal growth was severely inhibited when a chitin-binding reagent, Calcofluor white or Congo red, was added to the medium. Moreover, morphological abnormalities in tip growth and septum formation were identified microscopically. Proliferation of intracellular new hyphae, called intrahyphal hyphae, which behaved as intrinsic hyphae, was the most striking phenotypic feature among them. These phenotypes were not suppressed when the only chitin synthase domain of csmA was expressed under the control of thealcA promoter, whereas they were suppressed when the intact form of csmA was expressed. Therefore, it was concluded that the product of csmA (CsmA) has important roles in polarized cell wall synthesis and maintenance of cell wall integrity and that the myosin motor-like domain is indispensable for these functions.

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