Water- and Air-Distributed Conidia Differ in Sterol Content and Cytoplasmic Microviscosity

Leeuwen, M.R. van; Doorn, T.M. van; Golovina, Elena A.; Stark, J. B.; Dijksterhuis, Jan

doi:10.1128/aem.01632-09

Cited by 49 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Germination of these conidia has previously been shown to be blocked by natamycin (9). In the analysis, we focused on the effect of natamycin on transcription of plasma membrane proteins.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polyene antibiotic that inhibits membrane transport proteins

Welscher

Leeuwen

Kruijff

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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The limited therapeutic arsenal and the increase in reports of fungal resistance to multiple antifungal agents have made fungal infections a major therapeutic challenge. The polyene antibiotics are the only group of antifungal antibiotics that directly target the plasma membrane via a specific interaction with the main fungal sterol, ergosterol, often resulting in membrane permeabilization. In contrast to other polyene antibiotics that form pores in the membrane, the mode of action of natamycin has remained obscure but is not related to membrane permeabilization. Here, we demonstrate that natamycin inhibits growth of yeasts and fungi via the immediate inhibition of amino acid and glucose transport across the plasma membrane. This is attributable to ergosterol-specific and reversible inhibition of membrane transport proteins. It is proposed that ergosterol-dependent inhibition of membrane proteins is a general mode of action of all the polyene antibiotics, of which some have been shown additionally to permeabilize the plasma membrane. Our results imply that sterol-protein interactions are fundamentally important for protein function even for those proteins that are not known to reside in sterol-rich domains.

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“…Germination of these conidia has previously been shown to be blocked by natamycin (9). In the analysis, we focused on the effect of natamycin on transcription of plasma membrane proteins.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polyene antibiotic that inhibits membrane transport proteins

Welscher

Leeuwen

Kruijff

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…During this process, also called swelling, the diameter of the spore increases two fold or more. It involves water uptake and a decrease in the micro-viscosity of the cytoplasm (van Leeuwen et al 2010). Moreover, molecules are directed to the cell cortex to enable addition of new plasma membrane and cell wall (Bartnicki-Garcia & Lippman 1977, Momany 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Germination of conidia of Aspergillus niger is accompanied by major changes in RNA profiles

Leeuwen

Krijgsheld

Bleichrodt

et al. 2013

Studies in Mycology

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119

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The transcriptome of conidia of Aspergillus niger was analysed during the first 8 h of germination. Dormant conidia started to grow isotropically two h after inoculation in liquid medium. Isotropic growth changed to polarised growth after 6 h, which coincided with one round of mitosis. Dormant conidia contained transcripts from 4 626 genes. The number of genes with transcripts decreased to 3 557 after 2 h of germination, after which an increase was observed with 4 780 expressed genes 8 h after inoculation. The RNA composition of dormant conidia was substantially different than all the subsequent stages of germination. The correlation coefficient between the RNA profiles of 0 h and 8 h was 0.46. They were between 0.76–0.93 when profiles of 2, 4 and 6 h were compared with that of 8 h. Dormant conidia were characterised by high levels of transcripts of genes involved in the formation of protecting components such as trehalose, mannitol, protective proteins (e.g. heat shock proteins and catalase). Transcripts belonging to the Functional Gene Categories (FunCat) protein synthesis, cell cycle and DNA processing and respiration were over-represented in the up-regulated genes at 2 h, whereas metabolism and cell cycle and DNA processing were over-represented in the up-regulated genes at 4 h. At 6 h and 8 h no functional gene classes were over- or under-represented in the differentially expressed genes. Taken together, it is concluded that the transcriptome of conidia changes dramatically during the first two h and that initiation of protein synthesis and respiration are important during early stages of germination.

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“…Fungi use a diverse and fascinating range of methods to spread their conidia (19). Wind and water currents are common mechanisms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mutually facilitated dispersal between the nonmotile fungus Aspergillus fumigatus and the swarming bacterium Paenibacillus vortex

Ingham

Kalisman

Finkelshtein

et al. 2011

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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In the heterogeneous environment surrounding plant roots (the rhizosphere), microorganisms both compete and cooperate. Here, we show that two very different inhabitants of the rhizosphere, the nonmotile fungus Aspergillus fumigatus and the swarming bacterium Paenibacillus vortex, can facilitate each other's dispersal. A. fumigatus conidia (nonmotile asexual fungal spores) can be transported by P. vortex swarms over distances of at least 30 cm and at rates of up to 10.8 mm h −1. Moreover, conidia can be rescued and transported by P. vortex from niches of adverse growth conditions. Potential benefit to the bacteria may be in crossing otherwise impenetrable barriers in the soil: fungal mycelia seem to act as bridges to allow P. vortex to cross air gaps in agar plates. Transport of conidia was inhibited by proteolytic treatment of conidia or the addition of purified P. vortex flagella, suggesting specific contacts between flagella and proteins on the conidial surface. Conidia were transported by P. vortex into locations where antibiotics inhibited bacteria growth, and therefore, growth and sporulation of A. fumigatus were not limited by bacterial competition. Conidia from other fungi, similar in size to those fungi from A. fumigatus, were not transported as efficiently by P. vortex. Conidia from a range of fungi were not transported by another closely related rhizosphere bacterium, Paenibacillus polymyxa, or the more distantly related Proteus mirabilis, despite both being efficient swarmers.bacterial-fungal interaction | social motility | spore dispersal | microbial transport

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Water- and Air-Distributed Conidia Differ in Sterol Content and Cytoplasmic Microviscosity

Cited by 49 publications

References 9 publications

Polyene antibiotic that inhibits membrane transport proteins

Polyene antibiotic that inhibits membrane transport proteins

Germination of conidia of Aspergillus niger is accompanied by major changes in RNA profiles

Mutually facilitated dispersal between the nonmotile fungus Aspergillus fumigatus and the swarming bacterium Paenibacillus vortex

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