Specialisation events of fungal metacommunities exposed to a persistent organic pollutant are suggestive of augmented pathogenic potential

Martins, Celso; Varela, Adélia; Leclercq, Céline C.; Núñez, Óscar; Větrovský, Tomáš; Renaut, Jenny; Baldrián, Petr; Pereira, Cristina Silva

doi:10.1186/s40168-018-0589-y

Cited by 20 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Detected levels of PAHs were associated with changes in abundances of microbial genes encoding various metabolic functions (Fig. 6d), consistent with a recent study demonstrating alterations in the proteome of soil microbiota following pollutant exposure [50]. Interestingly, genes involved in the metabolism of amino acids and vitamins, which may be important in the maintenance of healthy scalps [33], showed negative correlations with exposure levels of some PAHs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Changes of the human skin microbiota upon chronic exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants

Leung¹,

Tong²,

Bastien³

et al. 2020

Microbiome

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Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of environmental and public health concerns and contribute to adverse skin attributes such as premature skin aging and pigmentary disorder. However, little information is available on the potential roles of chronic urban PAH pollutant exposure on the cutaneous microbiota. Given the roles of the skin microbiota have on healthy and undesirable skin phenotypes and the relationships between PAHs and skin properties, we hypothesize that exposure of PAHs may be associated with changes in the cutaneous microbiota. In this study, the skin microbiota of over two hundred Chinese individuals from two cities in China with varying exposure levels of PAHs were characterized by bacterial and fungal amplicon and shotgun metagenomics sequencing. Results: Skin site and city were strong parameters in changing microbial communities and their assembly processes. Reductions of bacterial-fungal microbial network structural integrity and stability were associated with skin conditions (acne and dandruff). Multivariate analysis revealed associations between abundances of Propionibacterium and Malassezia with host properties and pollutant exposure levels. Shannon diversity increase was correlated to exposure levels of PAHs in a dose-dependent manner. Shotgun metagenomics analysis of samples (n = 32) from individuals of the lowest and highest exposure levels of PAHs further highlighted associations between the PAHs quantified and decrease in abundances of skin commensals and increase in oral bacteria. Functional analysis identified associations between levels of PAHs and abundance of microbial genes of metabolic and other pathways with potential importance in host-microbe interactions as well as degradation of aromatic compounds. Conclusions: The results in this study demonstrated the changes in composition and functional capacities of the cutaneous microbiota associated with chronic exposure levels of PAHs. Findings from this study will aid the development of strategies to harness the microbiota in protecting the skin against pollutants.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Changes of the human skin microbiota upon chronic exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants

Leung¹,

Tong²,

Bastien³

et al. 2020

Microbiome

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“…In addition, a link between catabolism of hydrocarbons and fungal virulence, suggested for human fungal pathogens [ 43 ], was demonstrated in plant pathogenic fungi. For instance, Martins et al [ 44 ] reported an increase in the pathogenic potential in human of some fungi upon exposure to aromatic chlorinated compounds. In plants, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum metabolizes salicylate, a key antifungal defense component of the host [ 45 ] and the virulence of Botrytis cinerea on grape is correlated at least in part with its ability to metabolize stilbene-type phytoalexins [ 46 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lignin-Modifying Enzymes in Scedosporium Species

Bouchara

Giraud

2023

JoF

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Scedosporium species are usually soil saprophytes but some members of the genus such as S. apiospermum and S. aurantiacum have been regularly reported as causing human respiratory infections, particularly in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Because of their low sensitivity to almost all available antifungal drugs, a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of these fungi is mandatory. Likewise, identification of the origin of the contamination of patients with CF may be helpful to propose prophylactic measures. In this aim, environmental studies were conducted demonstrating that Scedosporium species are abundant in human-made environments and associated with nutrient-rich substrates. Although their natural habitat remains unknown, there is accumulated evidence to consider them as wood-decaying fungi. This study aimed to demonstrate the ability of these fungi to utilize lignocellulose compounds, especially lignin, as a carbon source. First, the lignolytic properties of Scedosporium species were confirmed by cultural methods, and biochemical assays suggested the involvement of peroxidases and oxidases as lignin-modifying enzymes. Scedosporium genomes were then screened using tBLASTn searches. Fifteen candidate genes were identified, including four peroxidase and seven oxidase genes, and some of them were shown, by real-time PCR experiments, to be overexpressed in lignin-containing medium, thus confirming their involvement in lignin degradation.

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“…Adaptation of Scedosporium species to extreme environments, as well as their thermotolerance and their melanized spores, may predispose these fungi toward pathogenesis favoring their survival in growth factor and nutrient-limited microenvironment encountered in the host tissues. Recently, it was demonstrated that the exposure to an aromatic chlorinated compound and its degradation induce an increased pathogenic potential of fungal communities, which in turn may increase the dispersal of airborne opportunistic pathogens (Martins et al, 2018). As already mentioned, a link between pathogeny and degradation of aromatic compounds has been suggested, but regarding fungi, it was actually demonstrated only for phytopathogenic ones.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lower Funneling Pathways in Scedosporium Species

Ravenel¹,

Bouchara²,

Giraud³

2021

Front. Microbiol.

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Lignin, a natural polyaromatic macromolecule, represents an essential component of the lignocellulose biomass. Due to its complexity, the natural degradation of this molecule by microorganisms still remains largely misunderstood. Extracellular oxidative degradation is followed by intracellular metabolic degradation of conserved aromatic intermediate compounds (protocatechuate, catechol, hydroxyquinol, and gentisic acid) that are used as carbon and energy sources. The lower funneling pathways are characterized by the opening of the aromatic ring of these molecules through dioxygenases, leading to degradation products that finally enter into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. In order to better understand the adaptation mechanisms of Scedosporium species to their environment, these specific catabolism pathways were studied. Genes encoding ring-cleaving dioxygenases were identified in Scedosporium genomes by sequence homology, and a bioinformatic analysis of the organization of the corresponding gene clusters was performed. In addition, these predictions were confirmed by evaluation of the expression level of the genes of the gentisic acid cluster. When the fungus was cultivated in the presence of lignin or gentisic acid as sole carbon source, experiments revealed that the genes of the gentisic acid cluster were markedly overexpressed in the two Scedosporium species analyzed (Scedosporium apiospermum and Scedosporium aurantiacum). Only the gene encoding a membrane transporter was not overexpressed in the gentisic acid-containing medium. Together, these data suggest the involvement of the lower funneling pathways in Scedosporium adaptation to their environment.

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Specialisation events of fungal metacommunities exposed to a persistent organic pollutant are suggestive of augmented pathogenic potential

Cited by 20 publications

References 44 publications

Changes of the human skin microbiota upon chronic exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants

Changes of the human skin microbiota upon chronic exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants

Lignin-Modifying Enzymes in Scedosporium Species

Lower Funneling Pathways in Scedosporium Species

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