Traynor, Aimee M, Sheridan, Kevin J, Jones, Gary W, Calera, José A and Doyle, Sean (2019) Involvement of Sulfur in the Biosynthesis of Essential Metabolites in Pathogenic Fungi of Animals, particularly Aspergillus spp.: Molecular and Therapeutic Implications. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10 (2859). ISSN 1664-302X
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Abstract
Fungal sulfur uptake is required for incorporation into the sidechains of the amino acids
cysteine and methionine, and is also essential for the biosynthesis of the antioxidant
glutathione (GSH), S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the key source of methyl groups in
cellular transmethylation reactions, and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). Biosynthesis
of redox-active gliotoxin in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus
has been elucidated over the past 10 years. Some fungi which produce gliotoxin-like
molecular species have undergone unexpected molecular rewiring to accommodate
this high-risk biosynthetic process. Specific disruption of gliotoxin biosynthesis, via
deletion of gliK, which encodes a γ-glutamyl cyclotransferase, leads to elevated
intracellular antioxidant, ergothioneine (EGT), levels, and confirms crosstalk between
the biosynthesis of both sulfur-containing moieties. Gliotoxin is ultimately formed by
gliotoxin oxidoreductase GliT-mediated oxidation of dithiol gliotoxin (DTG). In fact, DTG is
a substrate for both GliT and a bis-thiomethyltransferase, GtmA. GtmA converts DTG to
bisdethiobis(methylthio)gliotoxin (BmGT), using 2 mol SAM and resultant SAH must be
re-converted to SAM via the action of the Methyl/Met cycle. In the absence of GliT, DTG
fluxes via GtmA to BmGT, which results in both SAM depletion and SAH overproduction.
Thus, the negative regulation of gliotoxin biosynthesis via GtmA must be counterbalanced by GliT activity to avoid Methyl/Met cycle dysregulation, SAM depletion and
trans consequences on global cellular biochemistry in A. fumigatus. DTG also possesses
potent Zn2+ chelation properties which positions this sulfur-containing metabolite as
a putative component of the Zn2+ homeostasis system within fungi. EGT plays an
essential role in high-level redox homeostasis and its presence requires significant
consideration in future oxidative stress studies in pathogenic filamentous fungi. In certain filamentous fungi, sulfur is additionally indirectly required for the formation of
EGT and the disulfide-bridge containing non-ribosomal peptide, gliotoxin, and related
epipolythiodioxopiperazines. Ultimately, interference with emerging sulfur metabolite
functionality may represent a new strategy for antifungal drug development.
Item Type: | Article |
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Keywords: | Aspergillus; sulfur; ergothioneine; gliotoxin; zinc; |
Academic Unit: | Faculty of Science and Engineering > Biology |
Item ID: | 13859 |
Identification Number: | 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02859 |
Depositing User: | Dr. Sean Doyle |
Date Deposited: | 22 Jan 2021 11:34 |
Journal or Publication Title: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
Publisher: | Frontiers Media |
Refereed: | Yes |
Related URLs: | |
URI: | https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/13859 |
Use Licence: | This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here |
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