The effect of L-DOPA on<i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i>growth and gene expression

Eisenman, Helene C.; Chow, Siu Kei; Tsé, Kenneth K.; McClelland, Erin E.; Casadevall, Arturo

doi:10.4161/viru.2.4.16136

Cited by 50 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Importantly, however, the response to radiation was minimal compared with the response to melanization. In contrast to a previous study using microarray technology (Eisenman et al ., ), we observed that the expression profiles of the melanized and non‐melanized cells are dramatically different, suggesting that adding l ‐DOPA to the growth medium not only results in the production of melanin but also greatly changes the transcriptional landscape of C. neoformans .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcriptomic analysis reveals the relationship of melanization to growth and resistance to gamma radiation in Cryptococcus neoformans

Schultzhaus¹,

Chen

Kim

et al. 2019

Environmental Microbiology

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Summary The pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans produces melanin within its cell wall for infection and resistance against external stresses such as exposure to UV, temperature fluctuations and reactive oxygen species. It has been reported that melanin may also protect cells from ionizing radiation damage, against which C. neoformans is extremely resistant. This has tagged melanin as a potential radioprotective biomaterial. Here, we report the effect of melanin on the transcriptomic response of C. neoformans to gamma radiation. We did not observe a substantial protective effect of melanin against gamma radiation, and the general gene expression patterns in irradiated cells were independent of the presence of melanin. However, melanization itself dramatically altered the C. neoformans transcriptome, primarily by repressing genes involved in respiration and cell growth. We suggest that, in addition to providing a physical and chemical barrier against external stresses, melanin production alters the transcriptional landscape of C. neoformans with the result of increased resistance to uncertain environmental conditions. This observation demonstrates the importance of the melanization process in understanding the stress response of C. neoformans and for understanding fungal physiology.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcriptomic analysis reveals the relationship of melanization to growth and resistance to gamma radiation in Cryptococcus neoformans

Schultzhaus¹,

Chen

Kim

et al. 2019

Environmental Microbiology

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“…Cryptococcus species complex cannot produce melanin pigment without certain exogenous substrates (Casadevall et al, 2003;Eisenman et al, 2011;Garcia-Rivera et al, 2005). Based on this idea, several modified culture media were developed for the rapid identification of Cryptococcus species complex, such as mustard seed, chili pepper, Pinus halepensis seed, Eggplant, benomyl bird seed and blackberry agar (Menezes et al, 2011;Mseddi et al, 2011;Nandhakumar et al, 2006;Pedroso et al, 2007;Pham et al, 2014;Sengul et al, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although isolation and identification of these fungal pathogens from clinical sources is very important for patients, as cryptococcosis is a lifethreatening infection, they are time-consuming and complicated processes. Diagnosis of Cryptococcus species complex from clinical materials is generally based on the observation capsule of yeasts by direct microscopy; culture and biochemical tests are subsequently required for isolation and identification of these fungal pathogens (Negroni, 2012 (Eisenman et al, 2011;Menezes et al, 2011). However, these selective culture media have some limits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Modified Selective Media to Differentiate Cryptococcus Species Complex and its Serotypes using Natural Materials

Park

Kim

et al. 2017

BSL

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The formation of brown colonies due to phenol oxidase activity on classic agar media containing natural material extracts of Helianthus annuus or on medium containing L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine has been used to identify Cryptococcus species complex. In this study, various natural materials were used to develop a modified medium and to identify five major serotypes of Cryptococcus species complex. Serotypes A, D, and A/D were pigmented on medium using Perilla frutescens var. japonica Hara (PerJ agar) after a three-day incubation. Serotypes B and C were pigmented on PerJ agar after four-and five-day incubations, respectively. Growth time and pigmentation of the five serotypes occurred more rapidly on PerJ agar than on the other media. In addition, colony morphology, size, and pigmentation were specific by serotype. In conclusion, PerJ agar should be used in clinic settings to identify Cryptococcus species complex and its serotypes rapidly.

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“…However, affects from growth in blood and serum on the CW are undefined. Within the brain and CNS C. neoformans can utilize L-DOPA as a precursor for CW melanin production [48]. L-DOPA also induces genes that are involved in stress responses, but the overall affects of the CNS on CW structure are not known.…”

Section: Other Host Nichesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal cell wall dynamics and infection site microenvironments: signal integration and infection outcome

Shepardson

Cramer

2013

Current Opinion in Microbiology

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Upon entrance into the host, fungi encounter a myriad of host effector products and microenvironments that they sense and adapt to for survival. Alterations of the structure and composition of the cell wall is a major fungal adaptation mechanism to evade these environments. Here we discuss recent findings of host-microenvironmental induced fungal cell wall changes, including structure, composition, and protein content, and their effects on host immune responses. A take home message from these recent studies is an emerging understanding of how integration of multiple signals, of both fungal and host responses to dynamic infection site microenvironments, determines outcomes of infection. A challenge moving forward is to further understand these mechanisms and harness them for therapeutic benefit.

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The effect of L-DOPA onCryptococcus neoformansgrowth and gene expression

Cited by 50 publications

References 45 publications

Transcriptomic analysis reveals the relationship of melanization to growth and resistance to gamma radiation in Cryptococcus neoformans

Transcriptomic analysis reveals the relationship of melanization to growth and resistance to gamma radiation in Cryptococcus neoformans

Development of Modified Selective Media to Differentiate Cryptococcus Species Complex and its Serotypes using Natural Materials

Fungal cell wall dynamics and infection site microenvironments: signal integration and infection outcome

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