F1Fo-ATP synthase subunit determines lethal infection in pathogenic fungi

ABSTRACT: Fungal infections, especially for candidiasis and aspergillosis, claim an unacceptably high fatality. However, the determining mechanism that promote fungal lethal infections are still elusive. The energy ATP necessary for fungal cell growth and function is synthesized mainly through oxidative phosphorylation, whose key enzyme is F1Fo-ATP synthase. Nonetheless, it remians unknown how this enzyme affects fungal pathogenicity. Here we show that F1Fo-ATP synthase subunit deletion completely abrogates C. albicans lethal infection rather than leading to remarkable intracellular ATP concentration and growth defect. Mechanically, subunit deletion reduces PFK1 activity via interrupting PFK1 phosphorylation to trigger its conformational change, decreases downstream FBP level, blocks Ras1-dependent and -independent cAMP-PKA pathway, and curtails virulence factors. Based on these findings, we engineer a small molecule compound aimed at subunit that effectively protects mice from succumbing to invasive candidiasis. In summary, our findings reveal that F1Fo-ATP synthase δ subunit determines the lethal infection of pathogenic fungi and represents a potential new therapeutic target.

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Candida Albicans (yeast)

TISSUE(S): Whole Body

SUBMITTER: Shuixiu Li  

LAB HEAD: Hong Zhang

PROVIDER: PXD024729 | Pride | 2021-09-16

REPOSITORIES: Pride