ABSTRACT: Membrane proteome-wide response to the antifungal drug clotrimazole in Candida glabrata: role of the transcription factor CgPdr1 and the Drug:H+ Antiporters CgTpo1_1 and CgTpo1_2
Project description:Membrane proteome-wide response to the antifungal drug clotrimazole in Candida glabrata: role of the transcription factor CgPdr1 and the Drug:H+ Antiporters CgTpo1_1 and CgTpo1_2
Project description:We used whole transcriptome profiling (RNA-seq) to analyze the effects of Cu availability on the transcriptomic response of Candida albicans to the azole antifungal drug fluconazole. This study provides a framework for understanding how two treatments work in concert to generate unique impacts on stress response mechanisms of pathogenic fungi.
Project description:The leucine CUG codon was reassigned to serine in the fungal pathogen Candida albicans. To clarify the biological role of this tuneable codon ambiguity on drug resistance, we evolved C. albicans strains that were engineered to mistranslate the CUG codon at constitutively elevated levels, in the presence and absence of the antifungal drug fluconazole. Elevated levels of mistranslation resulted in the rapid acquisition of resistance to fluconazole.
Project description:The structure and composition of the cell walls of different Candida species alone and in response to the antifungal drug, caspofungin, were investigated. The observed differences were used to evaluate how changes at the fungal cell surface affect interactions with macrophages.
Project description:New antifungal drugs are urgently needed due to the currently limited selection, the emergence of drug resistance, and the toxicity of several commonly used drugs. To identify drug leads, we screened small molecules using a Saccharomyces reporter bioassay in which the yeast heterologously expresses Hik1, a group III hybrid histidine kinase (HHK) from Magnaporthe grisea. Group III HHKs are integral in fungal cell physiology, and highly conserved throughout this kingdom; they are absent in mammals, making them an attractive drug target. Our screen identified compounds 13 and 33, which showed robust activity against numerous fungal genera including Candida, Cryptococcus and molds such as Aspergillus and Rhizopus. Drug-resistant Candida from patients were also highly susceptible to compounds 13 and 33. While the compounds do not act directly on HHKs, microarray analysis showed that compound 13 induced transcripts associated with oxidative stress, and compound 33, transcripts linked with heavy metal stress. Both compounds were highly active against Candida biofilm, in vitro and in vivo, and exerted synergy with fluconazole, which was inactive alone. Thus, we identified potent, broad-spectrum antifungal drug leads from a small molecule screen using a high-throughput, yeast reporter bioassay. Two-color experimental design testing the effects of 2 antifungal compounds (13 and 33) after 0, 20, 40 60 min. In the referred publication, the t=20, 40, 60 data was normalized against the t=0 data
Project description:The systemic infections by peptogenous fungi member of the genera Candida and Aspergillus represent a serious threat for public health. During previous research we have successfully identified a family of compounds active against different Candida spp. including strains resistant to antifungal drugs currently on the market. We have further refined our knowledge on this field by identifying a possible molecular target that could justify the activity of these compounds. The research of the mode of action of the compounds object of this manuscript was supported also by fluorescent microscopy of labeled derivatives. Transcriptional data indicates that one of the macrocyclic antifungal induces a drug response involving ATP binding cassette transporters. Moreover the data show that the macrocyclic antifungal decrease expression of cell wall biosynthesis genes. Moreover, the quality of the compounds and their potential was tested in vivo revealing a promising profile in particular against fungal infection caused by resistant strains
Project description:The fungal pathogen Candida albicans and other pathogens of the CTG clade reassigned the leucine CUG codon to serine and tolerate highly variable levels of both serine and leucine at CUG positions in response to environmental cues. Previous studies found that increased leucine misincorporation levels enhance resistance to drugs but the underlying mechanisms are not known. To clarify the biological role of this tuneable codon ambiguity, we evolved C. albicans strains engineered to mistranslate CUG at elevated levels, in the presence and absence of the antifungal drug fluconazole
Project description:The fungal pathogen Candida albicans and other pathogens of the CTG clade reassigned the leucine CUG codon to serine and tolerate highly variable levels of both serine and leucine at CUG positions in response to environmental cues. Previous studies found that increased leucine misincorporation levels enhance resistance to drugs but the underlying mechanisms are not known. To clarify the biological role of this tuneable codon ambiguity, we evolved C. albicans strains engineered to mistranslate CUG at elevated levels, in the presence and absence of the antifungal drug fluconazole
Project description:The systemic infections by peptogenous fungi member of the genera Candida and Aspergillus represent a serious threat for public health. During previous research we have successfully identified a family of compounds active against different Candida spp. including strains resistant to antifungal drugs currently on the market. We have further refined our knowledge on this field by identifying a possible molecular target that could justify the activity of these compounds. The research of the mode of action of the compounds object of this manuscript was supported also by fluorescent microscopy of labeled derivatives. Transcriptional data indicates that one of the macrocyclic antifungal induces a drug response involving ATP binding cassette transporters. Moreover the data show that the macrocyclic antifungal decrease expression of cell wall biosynthesis genes. Moreover, the quality of the compounds and their potential was tested in vivo revealing a promising profile in particular against fungal infection caused by resistant strains Gene expression was measured in Candida albians CAF2-1 exposed to the macrocyclic compound FR59 at 3 µM at two time points (15 min and 45 min), The one-color system was used. Three independent experiments were performed using non-exposed cells, 15 min and 45 min exposed cells.
Project description:New antifungal drugs are urgently needed due to the currently limited selection, the emergence of drug resistance, and the toxicity of several commonly used drugs. To identify drug leads, we screened small molecules using a Saccharomyces reporter bioassay in which the yeast heterologously expresses Hik1, a group III hybrid histidine kinase (HHK) from Magnaporthe grisea. Group III HHKs are integral in fungal cell physiology, and highly conserved throughout this kingdom; they are absent in mammals, making them an attractive drug target. Our screen identified compounds 13 and 33, which showed robust activity against numerous fungal genera including Candida, Cryptococcus and molds such as Aspergillus and Rhizopus. Drug-resistant Candida from patients were also highly susceptible to compounds 13 and 33. While the compounds do not act directly on HHKs, microarray analysis showed that compound 13 induced transcripts associated with oxidative stress, and compound 33, transcripts linked with heavy metal stress. Both compounds were highly active against Candida biofilm, in vitro and in vivo, and exerted synergy with fluconazole, which was inactive alone. Thus, we identified potent, broad-spectrum antifungal drug leads from a small molecule screen using a high-throughput, yeast reporter bioassay.