AcuM and AcuK: the global regulators controlling multiple cellular metabolisms in a dimorphic fungusTalaromyces marneffei
Authors: Wangsanut Tanaporn , Amsri Artid , Kalawil Thitisuda , Sukantamala Panwarit , Jeenkeawpieam Juthatip , Andrianopoulos Alex , Pongpom Monsicha 
Published: April 2024

Talaromycosis is a fungal infection caused by an opportunistic dimorphic fungusTalaromyces marneffei. During infection,T. marneffeiresides inside phagosomes of human host macrophages where the fungus encounters nutrient scarcities and host-derived oxidative stressors. Previously, we showed that the deletion ofacuK,a gene encoding Zn(2)Cys(6) transcription factor, caused a decreased ability forT. marneffeito defend against macrophages, as well as a growth impairment inT. marneffeion both low iron-containing medium and gluconeogenic substrate-containing medium. In this study, a paralogous geneacuMwas deleted and characterized. The ΔacuMmutant showed similar defects with the ΔacuKmutant, suggesting their common role in gluconeogenesis and iron homeostasis. Unlike the pathogenic moldAspergillus fumigatus, the ΔacuKand ΔacuMmutants unexpectedly exhibited normal siderophore production and did not show lower expression levels of genes involved in iron uptake and siderophore synthesis. To identify additional target genes of AcuK and AcuM, RNA-sequencing analysis was performed in the ΔacuKand ΔacuMstrains growing in a synthetic dextrose medium with 1% glucose at 25 °C for 36 hours. Downregulated genes in both mutants participated in iron-consuming processes, especially in mitochondrial metabolism and anti-oxidative stress. Importantly, the ΔacuMmutant was sensitive to the oxidative stressors menadione and hydrogen peroxide while the ΔacuKmutant was sensitive to only hydrogen peroxide. The yeast form of both mutants demonstrated a more severe defect in antioxidant properties than the mold form. Moreover, ribosomal and ribosomal biogenesis genes were expressed at significantly lower levels in both mutants, suggesting that AcuK and AcuM could affect the protein translation process inT. marneffei. Our study highlighted the role of AcuK and AcuM as global regulators that control multiple cellular adaptations under various harsh environmental conditions during host infection. These transcription factors could be potentially exploited as therapeutic targets for the treatment of this neglected infectious disease.

AUTHOR SUMMARY

Talaromyces marneffeiinvades host macrophages to establish infection. Major stressors inside the macrophage compartments are nutrient deprivation and oxidative substances. Here, we demonstrated that AcuK and AcuM transcription factors are necessary forT. marneffeito grow under iron and glucose limitation, and to survive oxidative stress and macrophage killing. AcuK and AcuM regulate non-glucose carbon utilization via the transcriptional control of gluconeogenic genes. For iron homeostasis, the two proteins regulate the expression of genes involved in iron-utilization pathways. Lastly, the AcuK and AcuM play a role in oxidative stress response likely by regulating the expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes and alternative respiration enzymes. Thus, AcuK and AcuM control multiple cellular adaptations that allowT. marneffeito cope with major stressors occurring during macrophage infection. Since AcuK and AcuM are critical for cellular metabolism and macrophage engulfment, this new information could lead to a better understanding of host-pathogen interaction and could be ultimately developed into fungal-specific diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents.