The State of the Art in Transcriptomics and Proteomics of Clinically Relevant Sporothrix Species

J Fungi (Basel). 2023 Jul 27;9(8):790. doi: 10.3390/jof9080790.

Abstract

Proteomics provide a robust approach to profile and quantify proteins within cells, organs, or tissues, providing comprehensive insights about the dynamics of cellular processes, modifications, and interactions. Similarly, understanding the transcriptome is essential to decipher functional elements of the genome, unraveling the mechanisms of disease development and the molecular constituents of cells and tissues. Some thermodimorphic fungi of the genus Sporothrix cause sporotrichosis, a subcutaneous mycosis of worldwide relevance. The transcriptome and proteome of the main Sporothrix species of clinical interest can elucidate the mechanisms underlying pathogenesis and host interactions. Studies of these techniques can contribute to the advancement of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. A literature review was carried out, addressing all articles based on proteomics using mass spectrometry and transcriptomics of Sporothrix spp. Twenty-one studies were eligible for this review. The main findings include proteins and genes involved in dimorphism, cell differentiation, thermotolerance, virulence, immune evasion, metabolism, cell adhesion, cell transport, and biosynthesis. With the spread and emergence of sporotrichosis in different countries, ongoing research efforts and new discoveries are welcome to advance knowledge about this mycosis and its agents.

Keywords: Sporothrix; Sporotrichosis; mass spectrometry; proteome; proteomics; transcriptome; transcriptomics.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

This research was partially funded by Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) (E-26/201.401/2021). R.M.Z.-O. is supported in part by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq 308315/2021-9) and Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ E-26/200.381/2023). C.M.d.A.S. received funding from the National Institute of Science and Technology of Host-Pathogen Interaction (NICT-HPI). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.