Xinreng Mo, Xiangtai Yu, Hao Cui, Kang Xiong, Shan Yang, Chang Su, Yang Lu
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Candida glabrata is an important and increasingly common pathogen of humans, particularly in immunocompromised hosts. Despite this, little is known about how this fungus causes disease. Here, we applied RNA sequencing and an in vivo invasive infection model to identify the attributes that allow this organism to infect hosts. Fungal transcriptomes show a dramatic increase in the expression of Fus3 and Kss1, two mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), during invasive infection. We further demonstrate that they are both highly induced under a combination of serum and high CO2 conditions. Deletion of both FUS3 and KSS1, but neither gene alone, results in a reduced fungal burden in organs, as well as in the gastrointestinal tract in the DSS (Dextran Sulfate Sodium)-induced colitis model. Similarly, the defect in persistence in macrophages and attenuated adhesion to epithelial cells are observed when FUS3 and KSS1 are both disrupted. The fus3 kss1 double mutant also displays defects in the induction of virulence attributes such as genes required for iron acquisition and adhesion and in the anti-fungal drug tolerance. The putative downstream transcription factors Ste12 (1), Ste12 (2), Tec1, and Tec2 are found to be involved in the regulation of these virulence attributes. Collectively, our study indicates that an evolutionary conserved MAPK pathway, which regulates mating and filamentous growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is critical for C. glabrata pathogenicity.
Importance: The MAPK signaling pathway, mediated by closely related kinases Fus3 and Kss1, is crucial for controlling mating and filamentous growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but this pathway does not significantly impact hyphal development and pathogenicity in Candida albicans, a commensal-pathogenic fungus of humans. Furthermore, deletion of Cpk1, the ortholog of Fus3 in pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, has no effect on virulence. Here, we demonstrate that the MAPK pathway is crucial for the pathogenicity of Candida glabrata, a fungus that causes approximately one-third of cases of hematogenously disseminated candidiasis in the United States. This pathway regulates multiple virulence attributes including the induction of iron acquisition genes and adhesins, as well as persistence in macrophages and organs. Our work provides insights into C. glabrata pathogenesis and highlights an example in which regulatory rewiring of a conserved pathway confers a virulent phenotype in a pathogen.
期刊介绍:
mSphere™ is a multi-disciplinary open-access journal that will focus on rapid publication of fundamental contributions to our understanding of microbiology. Its scope will reflect the immense range of fields within the microbial sciences, creating new opportunities for researchers to share findings that are transforming our understanding of human health and disease, ecosystems, neuroscience, agriculture, energy production, climate change, evolution, biogeochemical cycling, and food and drug production. Submissions will be encouraged of all high-quality work that makes fundamental contributions to our understanding of microbiology. mSphere™ will provide streamlined decisions, while carrying on ASM''s tradition for rigorous peer review.