Lipidomic Analysis of Extracellular Vesicles from the Pathogenic Phase of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Author(s)

Vallejo, Milene C. ^[1] ; Nakayasu, Ernesto S. ^[2] ; Longo, Larissa V. G. ^[1] ; Ganiko, Luciane ^[2] ; Lopes, Felipe G. ^[2] ; Matsuo, Alisson L. ^[1] ; Almeida, Igor C. ^[2] ; Puccia, Rosana ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, UNIFESP, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Texas El Paso, Dept Biol Sci, Border Biomed Res Ctr, El Paso, TX 79968 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 7, n. 6, p. e39463, 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 42

Abstract

Background: Fungal extracellular vesicles are able to cross the cell wall and transport molecules that help in nutrient acquisition, cell defense, and modulation of the host defense machinery. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here we present a detailed lipidomic analysis of extracellular vesicles released by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis at the yeast pathogenic phase. We compared data of two representative isolates, Pb3 and Pb18, which have distinct virulence profiles and phylogenetic background. Vesicle lipids were fractionated into different classes and analyzed by either electrospray ionization- or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We found two species of monohexosylceramide and 33 phospholipid species, including phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylglycerol. Among the phospholipid-bound fatty acids in extracellular vesicles, C181 predominated in Pb3, whereas C18:2 prevailed in Pb18. The prevalent sterol in Pb3 and Pb18 vesicles was brassicasterol, followed by ergosterol and lanosterol. Inter-isolate differences in sterol composition were observed, and also between extracellular vesicles and whole cells. Conclusions/Significance: The extensive lipidomic analysis of extracellular vesicles from two P. brasiliensis isolates will help to understand the composition of these fungal components/organelles and will hopefully be useful to study their biogenesis and role in host-pathogen interactions. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/04757-8 - Structural and functional characterization of vesicular structures exported by the pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
• Grantee: Milene Carmes Vallejo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 06/05095-6 - Analysis of exported vesicular structures and of secreted molecules by the pathogenic fungi Paracoccidioides brasiliensis e Cryptococcus neoformans
• Grantee: Rosana Puccia
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants