Characterization of the putative polysaccharide synthase CpsA and its effects on the virulence of the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus

PLoS One. 2019 Apr 26;14(4):e0216092. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216092. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous opportunistic human pathogen capable of causing a life-threatening disease called invasive aspergillosis, or IA, with an associated 40-90% mortality rate in immunocompromised patients. Of the approximately 250 species known in the genus Aspergillus, A. fumigatus is responsible for up to 90% of IA infections. This study focuses on examining the role of the putative polysaccharide synthase cpsA gene in A. fumigatus virulence. Additionally, we evaluated its role in cellular processes that influence invasion and colonization of host tissue. Importantly, our results support that cpsA is indispensable for virulence in A. fumigatus infection of non-neutropenic hosts. Our study revealed that cpsA affects growth and sporulation in this fungus. Absence of cpsA resulted in a drastic reduction in conidiation, and forced overexpression of cpsA produced partially fluffy colonies with low sporulation levels, suggesting that wild-type cpsA expression levels are required for proper conidiation in this fungus. This study also showed that cpsA is necessary for normal cell wall integrity and composition. Furthermore, both deletion and overexpression of cpsA resulted in a reduction in the ability of A. fumigatus to adhere to surfaces, and caused increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. Interestingly, metabolomics analysis indicated that cpsA affects A. fumigatus secondary metabolism. Forced overexpression of cpsA resulted in a statistically significant difference in the production of fumigaclavine A, fumigaclavine B, fumigaclavine C, verruculogen TR-2, and tryprostatin A.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adhesiveness
  • Animals
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / enzymology*
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / growth & development
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / pathogenicity*
  • Cell Wall / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Glycosyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Metabolomics
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Osmotic Pressure
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Spores, Fungal / physiology
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Glycosyltransferases

Grants and funding

The funding institution for this study was Northern Illinois University. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.