Global Analysis of Cell Wall Genes Revealed Putative Virulence Factors in the Dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum

Autor(es)

Martins, Maira P. ^[1] ; Silva, Larissa G. ^[1] ; Rossi, Antonio ^[1] ; Sanches, Pablo R. ^[1] ; Souza, Larissa D. R. ^[1] ; Martinez-Rossi, Nilce M. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Genet, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY; v. 10, SEP 19 2019.
• Citações Web of Science: 2

Resumo

The fungal cell wall is a structure in constant contact with the external environment. It confers shape to the cell and protects it from external threats. During host adaptation, the cell wall structure of fungal pathogens is continuously reshaped by the orchestrated action of numerous genes. These genes respond to environmental stresses and challenging growth conditions, influencing the infective potential of the fungus. Here, we aimed to identify cell wall biosynthesis-related genes that putatively encode virulence factors in Trichophyton rubrum. We used RNA-seq to examine the impact of two drugs, namely undecanoic acid, and acriflavine as well as the effects of the carbon source switching from glucose to keratin on T. rubrum cell wall metabolism. By using functional annotation based on Gene Ontology terms, we identified significantly differentially expressed cell wall-related genes in all stress conditions. We also exposed T. rubrum to osmotic and other cell wall stressors and evaluated the susceptibility and gene modulation in response to stress. The changes in the ambient environment caused continuous cell wall remodeling, forcing the fungus to undergo modulatory restructuring. The influence of the external challenges indicated a highly complex response pattern. The genes that were modulated simultaneously in the three stress conditions highlight potential targets for antifungal development. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 10/15017-8 - Caracterização funcional do fator de transcrição ACE2 do dermatófito Trichophyton rubrum e a sua implicação na interação patógeno/hospedeiro
• Beneficiário: Larissa Gomes da Silva
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 14/03847-7 - Caracterização molecular de mecanismos envolvidos na patogenicidade e sinalização celular em fungos
• Beneficiário: Nilce Maria Martinez-Rossi
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 18/11319-1 - Fatores de transcrição e sinalização celular.
• Beneficiário: Maíra Pompeu Martins
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado