Deletion of the Stress Response Gene DDR48 From Histoplasma capsulatum Increases Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress, Increases Susceptibility to Antifungals, and Decreases Fitness In Macrophages

Authors

Logan T. Blancett, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Kauri A. Runge, University of Southern Mississippi
Gabriella M. Reyes, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Lauren A. Kennedy, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Sydney C. Jackson, University of Southern Mississippi
Sarah E. Scheuermann, University of Southern Mississippi
Mallory B. Harmon, University of Southern Mississippi
Jamease C. Williams, University of Southern Mississippi
Glenmore Shearer, University of Southern MississippiFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-18-2021

Department

Biological Sciences

School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Abstract

The stress response gene DDR48 has been characterized in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans to be involved in combating various cellular stressors, from oxidative agents to antifungal compounds. Surprisingly, the biological function of DDR48 has yet to be identified, though it is likely an important part of the stress response. To gain insight into its function, we characterized DDR48 in the dimorphic fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum. Transcriptional analyses showed preferential expression of DDR48 in the mycelial phase. Induction of DDR48 in Histoplasma yeasts developed after treatment with various cellular stress compounds. We generated a ddr48∆ deletion mutant to further characterize DDR48 function. Loss of DDR48 alters the transcriptional profile of the oxidative stress response and membrane synthesis pathways. Treatment with ROS or antifungal compounds reduced survival of ddr48∆ yeasts compared to controls, consistent with an aberrant cellular stress response. In addition, we infected RAW 264.7 macrophages with DDR48-expressing and ddr48∆ yeasts and observed a 50% decrease in recovery of ddr48∆ yeasts compared to wild-type yeasts. Loss of DDR48 function results in numerous negative effects in Histoplasma yeasts, highlighting its role as a key player in the global sensing and response to cellular stress by fungi.

Comments

© Journal of Fungi

Publication Title

Journal of Fungi

Volume

7

Issue

11

Recommended Citation

Blancett, L., Runge, K., Reyes, G., Kennedy, L., Jackson, S., Scheuermann, S., Harmon, M., Williams, J., Shearer, G. (2021). Deletion of the Stress Response Gene DDR48 From Histoplasma capsulatum Increases Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress, Increases Susceptibility to Antifungals, and Decreases Fitness In Macrophages. Journal of Fungi, 7(11).
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/19446