Pilot Monitoring of Lead in Umbilical Cord Blood of Newborns Associated With the Use of Glazed Ceramics from Guanajuato, Mexico.

The use of lead-glazed pottery for cooking and storing food, a widespread practice in Mexico, represents a risk of exposure to lead from the human intrauterine stage. Therefore, a pilot study was carried out by means of the measurement of lead in umbilical cord blood by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) including 69 newborns from the Mexican state capital of Guanajuato, Guanajuato City, where the use of glazed clay is still widespread. Lifestyle and sociodemographic data were collected by interviewing the participating mothers. Hematological parameters and the anthropometry of the newborns and their mothers were analyzed; likewise, the G177C polymorphism in the ALAD gene was genotyped by PCR-RFLP as a marker of genetic vulnerability to lead. The geometric mean of lead in umbilical cord blood was 0.7 µg/dL (< limit of detection = 0.01-28.22). Boys presented higher values than girls (p = 0.03). Only 5.8% of these were above the safety value of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of 3.5 µg/dL. Correlations among lead concentrations, maternal age, weeks of gestation, newborn anthropometry, and hematological parameters were not found; however, the participating mothers who reported using glazed ceramics for cooking or storing food had the highest cord-blood lead concentrations (p = 0.04). Regarding genotyping, 97% had ALAD 1, while 3% had ALAD 1, 2; unfortunately, the sample size did not allow analysis of genetic vulnerability to lead. The preparation and conservation of food in handcrafted clay pottery increased the risk of having cord-blood lead values higher than those recommended by the CDC of 3.5 µg/dL (OR = 5; 95% CI:1.3-23; p = 0.01). Our preliminary results suggest that there continues to be intrauterine exposure to lead in Guanajuato.

The Sporothrix schenckii Gene Encoding for the Ribosomal Protein L6 Has Constitutive and Stable Expression and Works as an Endogenous Control in Gene Expression Analysis.

Sporothrix schenckii is one of the causative agents of sporotrichosis, a worldwide-distributed mycosis that affects humans and other mammals. The interest in basic and clinical features of this organism has significantly increased in the last years, yet little progress in molecular aspects has been reported. Gene expression analysis is a set of powerful tools that helps to assess the cell response to changes in the extracellular environment, the genetic networks controlling metabolic pathways, and the adaptation to different growth conditions. Most of the quantitative methodologies used nowadays require data normalization, and this is achieved measuring the expression of endogenous control genes. Reference genes, whose expression is assumed to suffer minimal changes regardless the cell morphology, the stage of the cell cycle or the presence of harsh extracellular conditions are commonly used as controls in Northern blotting assays, microarrays, and semi-quantitative or quantitative RT-PCR. Since the biology of the organisms is usually species specific, it is difficult to find a reliable group of universal genes that can be used as controls for data normalization in experiments addressing the gene expression, regardless the taxonomic classification of the organism under study. Here, we compared the transcriptional stability of the genes encoding for elongation factor 1A, Tfc1, a protein involved in transcription initiation on Pol III promoters, ribosomal protein L6, histone H2A, ß-actin, ß-tubulin, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, UAF30, the upstream activating factor 30, and the transcription initiation factor TFIID subunit 10, during the fungal growth in different culture media and cell morphologies. Our results indicated that only the gene encoding for the ribosomal protein L6 showed a stable and constant expression. Furthermore, it displayed not transcriptional changes when S. schenckii infected larvae of Galleria mellonella or interacted with immune cells. Therefore, this gene could be used as control for data normalization in expression assays. As a proof of concept, this gene was used to assess the expression of genes encoding for glycosidases involved in the protein N-linked glycosylation pathway, a histidine kinase whose expression is regulated during the fungal dimorphism, and a glycosidase that participates in sucrose assimilation.

Purification and characterization of an extracellular ß-glucosidase from Sporothrix schenckii.

An extracellular ß-glucosidase (E.C. 3.2.1.21), induced by cellulose in the mycelial form of human pathogen fungus Sporothrix schenckii, was purified to homogeneity using hydroxyapatite (HAp) adsorption chromatography in batch and Sephacryl S200-HR size exclusion chromatography. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 197 kDa by size exclusion chromatography with a subunit of 96.8 kDa determined by SDS/PAGE. The ß-glucosidase exhibited optimum catalytic activity at pH 5.5/45 °C and was relatively stable for up to 24 h at 45 °C. Isoelectric focusing displayed an enzyme with a pI value of 4.0. Its activity was inhibited by Fe2+ but not by any other ions or chelating agents. Km and Vmax values of the purified enzyme were 0.012 mm and 2.56 nmol·min-1·mg-1, respectively, using 4-methylumbelliferyl ß-D-glucopyranoside (4-MUG) as the substrate and 44.14 mm and 22.49 nmol·min-1·mg-1 when p-nitrophenyl ß-D-glucopyranoside (p-NPG) was used. The purified ß-glucosidase was active against cellobioside, laminarin, 4-MUG, and p-NPG and slightly active against 4-methylumbelliferyl ß-D-cellobioside and p-nitrophenyl ß-D-cellobioside but did not hydrolyze 4-methylumbelliferyl ß-D-xyloside, 4-methylumbelliferyl ß-D-galactopyranoside nor 4-methylumbelliferyl α-D-glucopyranoside. In addition, the enzyme showed transglycosylation activity when it was incubated along with different oligosaccharides. Whether the transglycosylation and cellulase activities function in vivo as a mechanism involved in the degradation of cellulolytic biomass in the saprophytic stage of S. schenckii remains to be determined.

Purification of Single-Stranded cDNA Based on RNA Degradation Treatment and Adsorption Chromatography.

Analysis of gene expression is a common research tool to study networks controlling gene expression, the role of genes with unknown function, and environmentally induced responses of organisms. Most of the analytical tools used to analyze gene expression rely on accurate cDNA synthesis and quantification to obtain reproducible and quantifiable results. Thus far, most commercial kits for isolation and purification of cDNA target double-stranded molecules, which do not accurately represent the abundance of transcripts. In the present report, we provide a simple and fast method to purify single-stranded cDNA, exhibiting high purity and yield. This method is based on the treatment with RNase H and RNase A after cDNA synthesis, followed by separation in silica spin-columns and ethanol precipitation. In addition, our method avoids the use of DNase I to eliminate genomic DNA from RNA preparations, which improves cDNA yield. As a case report, our method proved to be useful in the purification of single-stranded cDNA from the pathogenic fungus Sporothrix schenckii.

Analysis of Sporothrix schenckii sensu stricto and Sporothrix brasiliensis virulence in Galleria mellonella.

The study of the host-pathogen interaction is essential to understand the mechanisms underlying adhesion, colonization and tissue damage by pathogens. This is usually achieved by performing in vivo studies using small mammals, such as rats, mice and guinea pigs. Nowadays, the mouse models of systemic or subcutaneous infection are the gold standard assays to analyze the virulence of members of the Sporothrix schenckii complex. There are, however, invertebrates that have been recently used as alternative hosts to assess the virulence of both bacteria and fungi, and among them, larvae of Galleria mellonella are popular because they are easy to breed, and require non-specialized facilities to maintain the colony. Here, we assessed the use of G. mellonella larvae to test the virulence of S. schenckii sensu stricto and Sporothrix brasiliensis strains, and found that infection with yeast-like cells, but not with conidia or germlings, reproduces the virulence data generated in the mouse model of infection. Furthermore, with this insect model we could classify the virulence of some strains as low, intermediate or high, in line with the observations in the mammalian model. Therefore, G. mellonella is suitable, and a new alternative, to test virulence of both S. schenckii sensu stricto and S. brasiliensis.

In Vitro Studies of Chromone-Tetrazoles against Pathogenic Protozoa, Bacteria, and Fungi.

In vitro studies to fourteen previously synthesized chromone-tetrazoles and four novel fluorine-containing analogs were conducted against pathogenic protozoan (Entamoeba histolytica), pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus), and human fungal pathogens (Sporothrix schenckii, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis), which have become in a serious health problem, mainly in tropical countries.

SerpinA3g participates in the antiadipogenesis and insulin-resistance induced by tumor necrosis factor-α in 3T3-F442A cells.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a proven modulator of adipose metabolism, but the mechanisms by which this cytokine affects the development and function of adipose tissue have not been fully elucidated to date. Using differential display analysis, in this study, we demonstrate that gene expression of the serine protease inhibitor A3g (SerpinA3g) is specifically induced in 3T3-F442A preadipocytes by TNF-α but not by other adipogenic inhibitors, such as retinoic acid (RA) or transforming growth factor type beta (TGF-ß). The specific induction of SerpinA3g by TNF-α was confirmed by RT-PCR in both preadipose and terminally differentiated 3T3-F442A cells. The knockdown of SerpinA3g using small interfering RNA prevented the antiadipogenesis elicited by TNF-α in 3T3-F442A cells but not the antiadipogenesis induced by RA or TGF-ß. SerpinA3g-silenced 3T3-F442A cells also did not display TNF-α-induced insulin resistance. Our results demonstrate that SerpinA3g is specifically induced by TNF-α in 3T3-F442A cells, regardless of their stage of differentiation, and participates in the antiadipogenesis and insulin resistance induced by this cytokine. Our results suggest that SerpinA3g plays a role in the TNF-α modulation of adipose tissue development and metabolism. Additional studies are warranted regarding the mechanisms mediating adipose SerpinA3g effects.

Analysis of a polygalacturonase gene of Ustilago maydis and characterization of the encoded enzyme.

Ustilago maydis is a pathogenic fungus that produces the corn smut. It is a biotrophic parasite that depends on living plant tissues for its proliferation and development. Polygalacturonases are secreted by pathogens to solubilize the plant cell-wall and are required for pathogen virulence. In this paper, we report the isolation of a U. maydis polygalacturonase gene (Pgu1) and the functional and structural characterization of the encoded enzyme. The U. maydis Pgu1 gene is expressed when the fungus is grown in liquid culture media containing different carbon sources. In plant tissue, the expression increased as a function of incubation time. Pgu1 gene expression was detected during plant infection around 10 days post-infection with U. maydis FB-D12 strain in combination with teliospore formation. Synthesis and secretion of active recombinant PGU1 were achieved using Pichia pastoris, the purified enzyme had a optimum temperature of 34 °C, optimum pH of 4.5, a Km of 57.84 g/L for polygalacturonic acid, and a Vmax of 28.9 µg/min mg. Structural models of PGU1 based on homologous enzymes yielded a typical right-handed ß-helix fold of pectinolytic enzymes classified in the glycosyl hydrolases family 28, and the U. maydis PGU1 is related with endo rather than exo polygalacturonases.

Molecular identification of two strains of Cercospora rodmanii isolated from water hyacinth present in Yuriria lagoon, Guanajuato, Mexico and identification of new hosts for several other strains.

Water hyacinth is a beautiful monocotyledon plant that has been dispersed all over the world by humans. The plant has been present in Mexico since 1907, and many water bodies have become infested with it since then. In 2001, we initiated a survey in Yuriria lagoon in southern Guanajuato state to isolate fungi able to biocontrol the plant. We isolated 25 morphologically distinct fungal cultures, of which two were identified as members of the genus Cercospora. Cercospora species are among the most prevalent and destructive of plant pathogens and can be found on leaves, pedicels, stems, fruits, and bracts. Only two species of Cercospora, Cercospora piaropi, and Cercospora rodmanii, have been described on water hyacinth; however, the classification of these species has been controversial. Several molecular approaches have been used for Cercospora identification, and some candidate genes have been identified for use in Cercospora species determination. Although the nrRNA genes alone do not show sufficient resolution for species determination, histone H3, translation elongation factor1-α, ß-tubulin, actin, and calmodulin have been shown in previous studies to have an adequate number of nucleotide changes to allow species identification. In the present study, we used partial sequences of the histone H3, actin, and calmodulin genes to identify our two isolates as C. rodmanii. Our two strains are not specific to water hyacinth, as they are also pathogenic to beet and sugar beet. Similar host ranges were found for C. rodmanii strains isolated from Tabasco in México, Zambia, and Brazil, however, the specificity for water hyacinth persists in Cercospora piaropi Tharp and C. rodmanii Conway, the latter being the most pathogenic.

Protein glycosylation in Candida.

Candidiasis is a significant cause of invasive human mycosis with associated mortality rates that are equivalent to, or worse than, those cited for most cases of bacterial septicemia. As a result, considerable efforts are being made to understand how the fungus invades host cells and to identify new targets for fungal chemotherapy. This has led to an increasing interest in Candida glycobiology, with an emphasis on the identification of enzymes essential for glycoprotein and adhesion metabolism, and the role of N- and O-linked glycans in host recognition and virulence. Here, we refer to studies dealing with the identification and characterization of enzymes such as dolichol phosphate mannose synthase, dolichol phosphate glucose synthase and processing glycosidases and synthesis, structure and recognition of mannans and discuss recent findings in the context of Candida albicans pathogenesis.

Kex2 protease converts the endoplasmic reticulum alpha1,2-mannosidase of Candida albicans into a soluble cytosolic form.

Cytosolic alpha-mannosidases are glycosyl hydrolases that participate in the catabolism of cytosolic free N-oligosaccharides. Two soluble alpha-mannosidases (E-I and E-II) belonging to glycosyl hydrolases family 47 have been described in Candida albicans. We demonstrate that addition of pepstatin A during the preparation of cell homogenates enriched alpha-mannosidase E-I at the expense of E-II, indicating that the latter is generated by proteolysis during cell disruption. E-I corresponded to a polypeptide of 52 kDa that was associated with mannosidase activity and was recognized by an anti-alpha1,2-mannosidase antibody. The N-mannan core trimming properties of the purified enzyme E-I were consistent with its classification as a family 47 alpha1,2-mannosidase. Differential density-gradient centrifugation of homogenates revealed that alpha1,2-mannosidase E-I was localized to the cytosolic fraction and Golgi-derived vesicles, and that a 65 kDa membrane-bound alpha1,2-mannosidase was present in endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi-derived vesicles. Distribution of alpha-mannosidase activity in a kex2Delta null mutant or in wild-type protoplasts treated with monensin demonstrated that the membrane-bound alpha1,2-mannosidase is processed by Kex2 protease into E-I, recognizing an atypical cleavage site of the precursor. Analysis of cytosolic free N-oligosaccharides revealed that cytosolic alpha1,2-mannosidase E-I trims free Man8GlcNAc2 isomer B into Man7GlcNAc2 isomer B. This is believed to be the first report demonstrating the presence of soluble alpha1,2-mannosidase from the glycosyl hydrolases family 47 in a cytosolic compartment of the cell.

Heterologous expression and biochemical characterization of an alpha1,2-mannosidase encoded by the Candida albicans MNS1 gene.

Protein glycosylation pathways, commonly found in fungal pathogens, offer an attractive new area of study for the discovery of antifungal targets. In particular, these post-translational modifications are required for virulence and proper cell wall assembly in Candida albicans, an opportunistic human pathogen. The C. albicans MNS1 gene is predicted to encode a member of the glycosyl hydrolase family 47, with alpha1,2-mannosidase activity. In order to characterise its activity, we first cloned the C. albicans MNS1 gene into Escherichia coli, then expressed and purified the enzyme. The recombinant Mns1 was capable of converting a Man9GlcNAc2 N-glycan core into Man8GlcNAc2 isomer B, but failed to process a Man5GlcNAc2-Asn N-oligosaccharide. These properties are similar to those displayed by Mns1 purified from C. albicansmembranes and strongly suggest that the enzyme is an alpha1,2-mannosidase that is localised to the endoplasmic reticulum and involved in the processing of N-linked mannans. Polyclonal antibodies specifically raised against recombinant Mns1 also immunoreacted with the soluble alpha1,2-mannosidases E-I and E-II, indicating that Mns1 could share structural similarities with both soluble enzymes. Due to the high degree of similarity between the members of family 47, it is conceivable that these antibodies may recognise alpha1,2-mannosidases in other biological systems as well.

Heterologous expression and biochemical characterization of an alpha 1, 2-mannosidase encoded by the Candida albicans MNS1 gene

Protein glycosylation pathways, commonly found in fungal pathogens, offer an attractive new area of study for the discovery of antifungal targets. In particular, these post-translational modifications are required for virulence and proper cell wall assembly in Candida albicans, an opportunistic human pathogen. The C. albicans MNS1 gene is predicted to encode a member of the glycosyl hydrolase family 47, with 1,2-mannosidase activity. In order to characterise its activity, we first cloned the C. albicans MNS1 gene into Escherichia coli, then expressed and purified the enzyme. The recombinant Mns1 was capable of converting a Man9GlcNAc2 N-glycan core into Man8GlcNAc2 isomer B, but failed to process a Man5GlcNAc2-Asn N-oligosaccharide. These properties are similar to those displayed by Mns1 purified from C. albicansmembranes and strongly suggest that the enzyme is an ±1,2-mannosidase that is localised to the endoplasmic reticulum and involved in the processing of N-linked mannans. Polyclonal antibodies specifically raised against recombinant Mns1 also immunoreacted with the soluble ±1,2-mannosidases E-I and E-II, indicating that Mns1 could share structural similarities with both soluble enzymes. Due to the high degree of similarity between the members of family 47, it is conceivable that these antibodies may recognise ±1,2-mannosidases in other biological systems as well.

Conversion of alpha1,2-mannosidase E-I from Candida albicans to alpha1,2-mannosidase E-II by limited proteolysis.

Previous studies demonstrated the presence in Candida albicans ATCC 26555 of two soluble alpha1,2-mannosidases: E-I and E-II. In contrast, in the C. albicans CAI-4 mutant only E-I was detected and it could be processed by a membrane-bound proteolytic activity from the ATCC 26555 strain, generating an active 43 kDa polypeptide. Here, alpha1,2-mannosidase E-I from strain ATCC 26555 was purified by conventional methods of protein isolation and affinity chromatography in Concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B. Analytical electrophoresis of the purified enzyme revealed two polypeptides of 52 and 23 kDa, the former being responsible for enzyme activity as revealed by zymogram analysis. Time course proteolysis with an aspartyl protease from Aspergillus saitoi, converted alpha1,2-mannosidase E-I into an active polypeptide of 43 kDa which trimmed Man(9)GlcNAc(2), generating Man(8)GlcNAc(2) isomer B and mannose. Trimming was inhibited preferentially by 1-deoxymannojirimycin. Both, the molecular mass and the enzyme properties of the proteolytic product were identical to those described for alpha1,2-mannosidase E-II therefore supporting the notion that E-I is the precursor of E-II.

Endoplasmic reticulum alpha-glycosidases of Candida albicans are required for N glycosylation, cell wall integrity, and normal host-fungus interaction.

The cell surface of Candida albicans is enriched in highly glycosylated mannoproteins that are involved in the interaction with the host tissues. N glycosylation is a posttranslational modification that is initiated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where the Glc(3)Man(9)GlcNAc(2) N-glycan is processed by alpha-glucosidases I and II and alpha1,2-mannosidase to generate Man(8)GlcNAc(2). This N-oligosaccharide is then elaborated in the Golgi to form N-glycans with highly branched outer chains rich in mannose. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, CWH41, ROT2, and MNS1 encode for alpha-glucosidase I, alpha-glucosidase II catalytic subunit, and alpha1,2-mannosidase, respectively. We disrupted the C. albicans CWH41, ROT2, and MNS1 homologs to determine the importance of N-oligosaccharide processing on the N-glycan outer-chain elongation and the host-fungus interaction. Yeast cells of Cacwh41Delta, Carot2Delta, and Camns1Delta null mutants tended to aggregate, displayed reduced growth rates, had a lower content of cell wall phosphomannan and other changes in cell wall composition, underglycosylated beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase, and had a constitutively activated PKC-Mkc1 cell wall integrity pathway. They were also attenuated in virulence in a murine model of systemic infection and stimulated an altered pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine profile from human monocytes. Therefore, N-oligosaccharide processing by ER glycosidases is required for cell wall integrity and for host-fungus interactions.

Purification of soluble alpha1,2-mannosidase from Candida albicans CAI-4.

A soluble alpha-mannosidase from Candida albicans CAI-4 was purified by conventional methods of protein isolation. Analytical electrophoresis of the purified preparation revealed two polypeptides of 52 and 27 kDa, the former being responsible for enzyme activity. The purified, 52 kDa enzyme trimmed Man9GlcNAc2, producing Man8GlcNAc2 isomer B and mannose, and was inhibited preferentially by 1-deoxymannojirimycin. These properties are consistent with an endoplasmic reticulum-resident alpha1,2-mannosidase of the glycosyl hydrolase family 47. Moreover, a proteolytic activity responsible for converting the 52 kDa alpha-mannosidase into a polypeptide of 43 kDa retaining full enzyme activity, was demonstrated in membranes of ATCC 26555, but not in CAI-4 strain.

BLR-1 and BLR-2, key regulatory elements of photoconidiation and mycelial growth in Trichoderma atroviride.

In fungi, phototropism, the induction of carotenogenesis and reproductive structures, and resetting of the circadian rhythm are controlled by blue light. Trichoderma atroviride, a fungus used in biological control, sporulates in a synchronized manner following a brief pulse of blue light. Due to its apparent simplicity, this response was chosen for pursuing photoreceptor isolation. Two genes were cloned, blue-light regulators 1 and 2 (blr-1 and blr-2), similar to the Neurospora crassa white-collar 1 and 2, respectively. The BLR-1 protein has all the characteristics of a blue-light photoreceptor, whereas the structure of the deduced BLR-2 protein suggests that it interacts with BLR-1 through PAS domains to form a complex. Disruption of the corresponding genes demonstrated that they are essential for blue-light-induced conidiation. blr-1 and blr-2 were also shown to be essential for the light-induced expression of the photolyase-encoding gene (phr-1). Mechanical injury of mycelia was found to trigger conidiation of T. atroviride, a response not described previously. This response was not altered in the mutants. A novel effect of both red and blue light on mycelial growth was found involving another light receptor, which is compensated by the BLR proteins.

Hydrolysis of Man9GlcNAc2 and Man8GlcNAc2 oligosaccharides by a purified alpha-mannosidase from Candida albicans.

A soluble alpha-mannosidase from Candida albicans was purified to homogeneity by sequential size exclusion, ion exchange, and affinity chromatographies in columns of Sepharose CL6B, DEAE Bio-Gel A, and Concanavalin A Sepharose 4B, respectively. Analytical electrophoresis of the purified preparation in 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gels stained with Coomassie blue revealed a single polypeptide of 43 kDa that was responsible for enzyme activity. The purified enzyme primarily trimmed Man(9)GlcNAc(2) to produce Man(8)GlcNAc(2) isomer B and mannose as a function of time of incubation up to 12 h at 37 degrees C. Prolonged incubation with the enzyme resulted in the accumulation after 24 h of other oligosaccharides corresponding to Man(7)GlcNAc(2) and probably Man(6)GlcNAc(2). These two products were also observed when Man(8)GlcNAc(2) isomer B instead of Man(9)GlcNAc(2) was used as substrate. Other oligosaccharides, such as Man(6)GlcNAc(2)-Asn, Man(5)GlcNAc(2)-Asn, and the alpha1,3- and alpha1,6-linked mannobiosides, were not hydrolyzed at all. These properties are consistent with an alpha1,2-mannosidase that may represent a new member of the glycosylhydrolase family 47.