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A link between urease and polyamine metabolism in Cryptococcus neoformans.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Toplis, B; Bosch, C; Stander, M; Taylor, M; Perfect, JR; Botha, A
Published in: Microb Pathog
September 2021

The urease enzyme of Cryptococcus neoformans is linked to different metabolic pathways within the yeast cell, several of which are involved in polyamine metabolism. Cryptococcal biogenic amine production is, however, largely unexplored and is yet to be investigated in relation to urease. The aim of this study was therefore to explore and compare polyamine metabolism in wild-type, urease-negative and urease-reconstituted strains of C. neoformans. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that agmatine and spermidine were the major extra- and intracellular polyamines of C. neoformans and significant differences were observed between 26 and 37 °C. In addition, compared to the wild-type, the relative percentages of extracellular putrescine and spermidine were found to be lower and agmatine higher in cultures of the urease-deficient mutant. The inverse was true for intracellular spermidine and agmatine. Cyclohexylamine was a more potent polyamine inhibitor compared to DL-α-difluoromethylornithine and inhibitory effects were more pronounced at 37 °C than at 26 °C. At both temperatures, the urease-deficient mutant was less susceptible to cyclohexylamine treatment compared to the wild-type. For both inhibitors, growth inhibition was alleviated with polyamine supplementation. This study has provided novel insight into the polyamine metabolism of C. neoformans, highlighting the involvement of urease in biogenic amine production.

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Published In

Microb Pathog

DOI

EISSN

1096-1208

Publication Date

September 2021

Volume

158

Start / End Page

105076

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Urease
  • Spermidine
  • Putrescine
  • Polyamines
  • Microbiology
  • Cryptococcus neoformans
  • 3207 Medical microbiology
  • 3204 Immunology
  • 3107 Microbiology
  • 1108 Medical Microbiology
 

Citation

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Toplis, B., Bosch, C., Stander, M., Taylor, M., Perfect, J. R., & Botha, A. (2021). A link between urease and polyamine metabolism in Cryptococcus neoformans. Microb Pathog, 158, 105076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105076
Toplis, Barbra, Caylin Bosch, Marietjie Stander, Malcolm Taylor, John R. Perfect, and Alfred Botha. “A link between urease and polyamine metabolism in Cryptococcus neoformans.Microb Pathog 158 (September 2021): 105076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105076.
Toplis B, Bosch C, Stander M, Taylor M, Perfect JR, Botha A. A link between urease and polyamine metabolism in Cryptococcus neoformans. Microb Pathog. 2021 Sep;158:105076.
Toplis, Barbra, et al. “A link between urease and polyamine metabolism in Cryptococcus neoformans.Microb Pathog, vol. 158, Sept. 2021, p. 105076. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105076.
Toplis B, Bosch C, Stander M, Taylor M, Perfect JR, Botha A. A link between urease and polyamine metabolism in Cryptococcus neoformans. Microb Pathog. 2021 Sep;158:105076.
Journal cover image

Published In

Microb Pathog

DOI

EISSN

1096-1208

Publication Date

September 2021

Volume

158

Start / End Page

105076

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Urease
  • Spermidine
  • Putrescine
  • Polyamines
  • Microbiology
  • Cryptococcus neoformans
  • 3207 Medical microbiology
  • 3204 Immunology
  • 3107 Microbiology
  • 1108 Medical Microbiology