Divergence in surface protein exposure between reference and clinical-derived Candida glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabratus) strains (CBS138 vs. BG2) – a preliminary proteomic perspective
A comparative characterization of the surface-exposed proteomes (surfaceomes) of CBS138 and BG2 across three biologically relevant growth conditions highlights substantial surfaceome plasticity in C. glabrata and underscores the importance of considering intraspecies diversity when interpreting host–pathogen interactions and fungal virulence pathways.
Abstract
Candida glabrata (currently classified as Nakaseomyces glabratus) is an opportunistic fungal pathogen notable for its intrinsic antifungal tolerance and ability to persist in host environments. Although strain CBS138 has served as the principal model for genetic and functional studies, accumulating evidence indicates substantial intraspecies diversity that may shape virulence, immune interactions and stress adaptation. In particular, the widely used clinical isolate BG2 differs from CBS138 in genome structure, adhesin regulation and macrophage survival, yet the extent to which these differences are reflected at the fungal cell surface remains unknown. Here, we present a comparative characterization of the surface-exposed proteomes (surfaceomes) of CBS138 and BG2 across three biologically relevant growth conditions: YPD-grown yeast-like cells, RPMI-cultured planktonic aggregates and RPMI-formed biofilms. Using trypsin shaving combined with LC–MS/MS, we identified pronounced strain- and condition-dependent differences in surface protein composition, encompassing adhesins, yapsin proteases and selected moonlighting proteins. Whereas CBS138 showed greater representation of adhesion- and interaction-related surface proteins, BG2 preferentially displayed proteins associated with cell-wall architecture and remodelling, consistent with distinct surface-mediated adaptive strategies. Transmission electron microscopy revealed condition-dependent differences in cell-wall thickness in both strains, with BG2 displaying a broader range of values and the highest thickness under biofilm conditions, providing structural context for variation in protease accessibility and surface-protein detectability. Collectively, our findings highlight substantial surfaceome plasticity in C. glabrata and underscore the importance of considering intraspecies diversity when interpreting host–pathogen interactions and fungal virulence pathways.
ABSTRACT Talaromyces marneffei is a thermally dimorphic fungus causing life-threatening systemic mycosis in immunocompromised patients. The emergence of azole-resistant clinical isolates, especially those with reduced susceptibility to voriconazole (VOC) and fluconazole (FLC), presents a critical therapeutic challenge. Although target-gene alterations and efflux-related mechanisms have been reported in pathogenic fungi, the broader molecular basis distinguishing high-minimum-inhibitory concentration (MIC) and low-MIC T. marneffei clinical isolates remains incompletely defined. Here, we performed integrated transcriptomic (RNA-seq), proteomic (DIA-LC-MS/MS), and RT-qPCR analyses comparing four resistant and four susceptible T. marneffei clinical isolates. Differentially expressed genes and proteins were identified, functionally interpreted, and integrated to prioritize resistance-associated molecular candidates. The multi-omics results supported a constitutive, multitiered resistance-associated state involving transport and cell wall processes, redox-detoxification, mitochondrial metabolism, and stress regulatory adaptation. Signals involving coilin, CatA, and other discriminant features contributed to the multi-omics prioritization layer. RT-qPCR supported a 17-gene panel associated with transport, redox-detoxification, mitochondrial metabolism, and stress regulation. Five genes, PMAA_008970, PMAA_058960, PMAA_070510, PMAA_088690, and PMAA_092180, showed statistically significant R/S differences, while the remaining panel members were detectable and trend-supporting within the same functional framework. These findings refine a hierarchical azole-resistance model in T. marneffei and provide a focused candidate panel for future mechanistic validation.
Yanqing Zheng, Gao-Yuan Peng, Xiao-Feng Pang et al.· Antimicrobial Agents and Che...· 0 citations
ABSTRACT Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common, recurrent cause of abnormal vaginal discharge that is associated with an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Despite its clinical significance, the pathogenesis of BV remains incompletely understood, limiting the effectiveness of current interventions. Although the Gardnerella genus has been proposed to play a pivotal role in BV pathogenesis via biofilm initiation, it was initially considered monotypic. This paradigm shifted with the recognition of species heterogeneity within the Gardnerella genus. Here, we examined in vitro biofilm growth and proteomes of a representative isolate from each of three Gardnerella species: G. vaginalis, G. leopoldii, and G. piotii. G. leopoldii and G. piotii formed more robust biofilms compared to G. vaginalis, with higher biomass, suggesting differences in extracellular matrix composition. Proteomic analysis identified significant differences in functional pathways and virulence proteins among the studied isolates. Cysteine synthase (CysK), implicated in cysteine synthesis and potentially possessing secondary functions, was enriched in the more robust G. leopoldii and G. piotii biofilms, suggesting a possible role in biofilm formation. Cytolysins were more abundant in the thinner G. vaginalis biofilms, whereas immune evasion proteins were more abundant in G. leopoldii biofilms. Adhesion and glycogen-degrading proteins varied in type and abundance across species. These findings reveal functional heterogeneity among the tested isolates and provide insight into how certain Gardnerella isolates establish biofilms. Targeting virulence factors identified in this study may offer novel strategies to disrupt Gardnerella biofilm formation to improve management of BV. IMPORTANCE Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a leading cause of abnormal vaginal discharge, associated with high post-treatment recurrence. Gardnerella species play a central role in BV via initiation of polymicrobial biofilms, yet species-specific contributions remain poorly understood. This work demonstrates that tested isolates of G. leopoldii and G. piotii form more robust biofilms compared to G. vaginalis and differentially produce proteins associated with immune evasion, adhesion, and biofilm formation. Certain proteins were enriched in the more robust biofilm producers, suggestive of differences that may contribute to strain-specific biofilm formation. By demonstrating fundamental differences among the studied isolate biofilms, these findings highlight Gardnerella heterogeneity and provide a foundation for future studies aimed at targeting Gardnerella biofilm formation in BV. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a leading cause of abnormal vaginal discharge, associated with high post-treatment recurrence. Gardnerella species play a central role in BV via initiation of polymicrobial biofilms, yet species-specific contributions remain poorly understood. This work demonstrates that tested isolates of G. leopoldii and G. piotii form more robust biofilms compared to G. vaginalis and differentially produce proteins associated with immune evasion, adhesion, and biofilm formation. Certain proteins were enriched in the more robust biofilm producers, suggestive of differences that may contribute to strain-specific biofilm formation. By demonstrating fundamental differences among the studied isolate biofilms, these findings highlight Gardnerella heterogeneity and provide a foundation for future studies aimed at targeting Gardnerella biofilm formation in BV.
Elinor Shvartsman, Chris Grant, Peter McQueen et al.· Journal of Bacteriology· 0 citations
An integrated omics study provides foundational insights into the endophytic potential and genomic distinctiveness of AwOcstreb1, isolated from halophytic rice, and opens new avenues for exploring A. welwitschiae for sustainable agriculture and fungal biology.
Nishat Tamanna, Md Nafis Ul Alam, Arifa Akhter Airin et al.· Microbial Genomics· 0 citations
The spoilage bacterium Aeromonas veronii poses increasing risks to the safety of edible bivalves, yet the regulatory mechanisms of its key spoilage factors remain largely unknown. In this study, a foodborne pathogen A. veronii GL2 was isolated from edible Hyriopsis cumingii and its genomic sequencing was conducted, in which the mRNA level of metalloprotease-encoded gene htpX was significantly upregulated under thermal processing. A htpX-defected mutant (ΔhtpX) was then constructed to investigate its role in virulence and spoilage potentials. Although htpX deficiency did not affect growth or proteolytic activity, it remarkably impaired biofilm formation, hemolytic activity and stress tolerance. In the hemolymph model of H. cumingii, ΔhtpX exhibited lower survival rates in supernatant and decreased cytotoxicity toward hemocytes. Further detection of virulence demonstrated that ΔhtpX exhibited an 18.5-fold higher LD50 value than GL2, and reduced bacterial loads in edible portions (foot, adductor muscle). Besides, the spoilage potentials of ΔhtpX were markedly attenuated, in which decreased bacterial proliferation further suppressed the levels of TCA-soluble peptide, TVB-N and pH. In conclusion, these results reveal htpX as a novel determinant linking protein quality control to spoilage and virulence in A. veronii, and provide a novel target for developing control strategies against A. veronii contamination in aquatic products.
Xiaoqi Tang, Guihong He, De-Sheng Wang et al.· Food microbiology· 0 citations
This study provides genome- and spatially resolved views of dominant SCB in holothurians and offers evolutionary insights into host-interface diversification in the deep-sea holothurian body wall.
Cutibacterium acnes
represents one of the predominant bacterial taxa colonizing human skin. Its impact on host physiology is strongly phylotype-dependent: certain phylotypes are associated with the initiation and progression of acnes lesions, whereas others contribute to the stability and homeostasis of the cutaneous microbiota. Moreover, phylotype II
C. acnes
has been increasingly implicated in the etiology of chronic prostatitis, suggesting a broader pathogenic potential. The growing incidence of antimicrobial resistance in
C. acnes
underscores the need to identify novel antigenic determinants and molecular candidates for next-generation vaccine strategies. Notably,
C. acnes
, like many Gram-positive bacteria, produces extracellular vesicles (EVs) that function as carriers of enzymes, metabolites, immunogenic components and lipid structures.
In the present study, four glycolipids (GL1–GL4) isolated from distinct
C. acnes
phylotypes were subjected to comprehensive structural characterization using GLC-MS, MALDI-TOF MS and NMR spectroscopy. These GL1-GL4 compounds are glycoglycerolipids composed of one or two glucose residues, a glycerol moiety and different numbers of fatty acid residues (mainly 15:0–18:0). The presence of GL1 within EVs fractions obtained from four
C. acnes
phylotypes has been confirmed. Subsequently, the effects of EVs and the glycolipids GL1 and GL3 on the viability of human prostate epithelial and fibroblast cell lines were assessed. None of the tested preparations exhibited significant cytotoxicity. However, EVs derived from phylotypes IA1 and II elicited markedly elevated release of IL-6 and TNF-α, demonstrating their substantial pro-inflammatory capacity and supporting their potential role in host-pathogen interactions.
Anna Chudzik, Marzena Ciesielska, M. Kaszowska et al.· BMC Microbiology· 0 citations
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