Mitochondrial componentes of the Aspergillus fumigatus: bioenergetics and molecular studies of the nicotinamide dinucleotides carrier

• Grant number: 13/20031-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: February 01, 2014 - January 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Sergio Akira Uyemura
• Grantee: Sergio Akira Uyemura
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprophytic fungus, which has been found in all regions of the World. It is believed that the natural ecological niche is the soil where it grows and survives in decaying plants. In recent years, the fungus A. fumigatus is no longer just a minor saprophytic fungus, to become a major opportunistic pathogen in immunosuppressed patients.In previous studies in our laboratory, we have observed that, in mitochondria of the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, NAD+ also induce the formation of mitochondrial membrane potential, which could be dissipated by FCCP, suggesting the presence of a NAD+/NADH carrier, as described in S. cerevisiae. These same experiments were performed in mitochondria of A. fumigatus and also suggested that the presence of this carrier in it microorganism. The input NAD+/NADH from the cytosol to the mitochondria by different mechanisms has been attributed as a form of resistance of these organisms in hostile conditions. Thus, it would be interesting to understand the role of this transporter in A. fumigatus and its chemotherapeutic potential. (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 LIMA BALICO, LAIS DE LOURDES; SANTOS, EMERSON DE SOUZA; SUZUKI-HATANO, SILVELI; SOUSA, LUCAS OLIVEIRA; CALEIRO SEIXAS AZZOLINI, ANA ELISA; LUCISANO-VALIM, YARA MARIA; DINAMARCO, TAISA MAGNANI; KANNEN, VINICIUS; UYEMURA, SERGIO AKIRA. Heterologous expression of mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide transporter (Ndt1) from Aspergillus fumigatus rescues impaired growth in Delta ndt1 Delta ndt2 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes, v. 49, n. 6, p. 423-435, DEC 2017. (12/15861-9, 13/20031-8)