A G-alpha protein mediates the interaction between Aspergillus fumigatus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa during biofilm formation

• Grant number: 24/11166-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Gustavo Henrique Goldman
• Grantee: Gustavo Henrique Goldman
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus establishes biofilm dual interactions in the lungs with the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Screening of 21 A. fumigatus null mutants revealed 7 mutants (two GPCRs, three MAPK receptors, a G-alpha protein, and one histidine kinase receptor) with reduced biofilm formation specifically in the presence of P. aeruginosa. We propose to investigate which genetic determinants are dependent on the G-alpha protein GpaB and the histidine kinase receptor SlnB by using comparative transcriptional profiling and mass spectrometry analysis of secondary metabolites produced these mutants. The main objectives of this project are: (i) transcriptional profiling for the A. fumigatus ”gpaB and ”slnA mutant interaction with P. aeruginosa during early dual biofilm cultures; (ii) Metabolomic profiling for the A. fumigatus wild-type, ”gpaB, and ”slnA mutant interaction with P. aeruginosa during dual biofilm cultures; (iii) to investigate possible interactions between GprG, GprO, and GpaB. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DE CASTRO, PATRICIA ALVES; AKIYAMA, DANIEL YURI; PINZAN, CAMILA FIGUEIREDO; DOS REIS, THAILA FERNANDA; DELBAJE, ENDREWS; ROCHA, PETER; IZIDORO, MARIO AUGUSTO; SCHENKMAN, SERGIO; SUGIMOTO, SHINYA; TAKESHITA, NORIO; et al. Aspergillus fumigatus secondary metabolite pyripyropene is important for the dual biofilm formation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. MBIO, v. 16, n. 4, p. 31-pg., 2025-03-17. (21/12515-1, 21/04977-5, 21/07038-0, 24/11166-1)