Molecular characterization of a receptor coupled to a g protein (GPCR) of Aspergillus fumigatus

• Grant number: 19/10727-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2019
• End date: June 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Gustavo Henrique Goldman
• Grantee: Ailton Pereira da Costa Filho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/07870-9 - The influence of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) on the expression of genetic determinants important for Aspergillus fumigatus virulence, AP.TEM

Abstract

Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic fungus of potential lethality. Due to the small size of their conidia, the lungs are easily hit. Amid the favorable temperature, the fungus germinates and can cause damage to the host. Immunosuppressed individuals are potential hosts since the immune system is not able to eliminate it in the early stages of infection and become victims of aspergillosis. Through signal transduction pathways, opportunistic fungi such as A. fumigatus perceive the environment, modulate their metabolism in order to evade the host's immune system. GPCRs are examples of signal transduction pathways with at least 15 probable GPCRs identified in A. fumigatus, which have already been identified as likely receptors for pheromones and cAMP and carbon and nitrogen sensors. Recently our laboratory characterized GprM as a modulator of the MpkA and MpkB pathway, pathways that may evidence mechanisms of virulence of A. fumigatus. It has been observed that GprM interferes in the production of DHN-melanin, responsible for preventing the immune system from recognizing the fungus and triggering an immune response. Therefore, elucidating how GprM influences the pathway of MAP kinases and the clusters of genes involved in the synthesis of DHN-melanin will provide insight into the virulence mechanisms of Aspergillus fumigatus, which may benefit immunocompromised patients. (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)

DA COSTA FILHO, AILTON PEREIRA; PEREIRA BRANCINI, GUILHERME THOMAZ; DE CASTRO, PATRICIA ALVES; VALERO, CLARA; FERREIRA FILHO, JAIRE ALVES; SILVA, LILIAN PEREIRA; ROCHA, MARINA CAMPOS; MALAVAZI, IRAN; DE MORAES PONTES, JOAO GUILHERME; FILL, TAICIA; et al. Aspergillus fumigatus G-Protein Coupled Receptors GprM and GprJ Are Important for the Regulation of the Cell Wall Integrity Pathway, Secondary Metabolite Production, and Virulence. MBIO, v. 11, n. 5, SEP-OCT 2020. (16/07870-9, 18/10962-8, 18/25217-6, 19/11929-7, 17/14159-2, 16/12948-7, 18/00715-3, 19/10727-1, 19/06359-7, 16/21392-2)

ZUVANOV, LUIZA; BASSO GARCIA, ANA LETYCIA; CORRER, FERNANDO HENRIQUE; BIZARRIA JR, RODOLFO; DA COSTA FILHO, AILTON PEREIRA; DA COSTA, ALISSON HAYASI; THOMAZ, ANDREA T.; MENDES PINHEIRO, ANA LUCIA; RIANO-PACHON, DIEGO MAURICIO; WINCK, FLAVIA VISCHI; et al. he experience of teaching introductory programming skills to bioscientists in Brazi. PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY, v. 17, n. 11, NOV 2021. (17/21983-3, 19/10727-1, 15/03541-8, 20/02084-0, 19/24412-2, 17/10373-0, 19/07526-4, 20/04437-8)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

COSTA FILHO, Ailton Pereira da. Molecular characterization of a receptor coupled to a G protein (GPCR) of Aspergillus fumigatus. 2021. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.