Host Defense Mechanisms Induce Genome Instability Leading to Rapid Evolution in an Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen. 2022

Amanda C Smith, and Levi T Morran, and Meleah A Hickman
PhD program in Genetic and Molecular Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgiagrid.189967.8.

The ability to generate genetic variation facilitates rapid adaptation in stressful environments. The opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans frequently undergoes large-scale genomic changes, including aneuploidy and loss of heterozygosity (LOH), following exposure to host environments. However, the specific host factors inducing C. albicans genome instability remain largely unknown. Here, we leveraged the genetic tractability of nematode hosts to investigate whether innate immune components, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), induced host-associated C. albicans genome instability. C. albicans associated with immunocompetent hosts carried multiple large-scale genomic changes, including LOH and whole-chromosomal and segmental aneuploidies. In contrast, C. albicans associated with immunocompromised hosts deficient in AMPs or ROS production had reduced LOH frequencies and fewer, if any, additional genomic changes. To evaluate whether extensive host-induced genomic changes had long-term consequences for C. albicans adaptation, we experimentally evolved C. albicans in either immunocompetent or immunocompromised hosts and selected for increased virulence. C. albicans evolved in immunocompetent hosts rapidly increased virulence, but C. albicans evolved in immunocompromised hosts did not. Taken together, this work suggests that host-produced ROS and AMPs induces genotypic plasticity in C. albicans which facilitates rapid evolution.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002176 Candida albicans A unicellular budding fungus which is the principal pathogenic species causing CANDIDIASIS (moniliasis). Candida albicans var. stellatoidea,Candida stellatoidea,Dematium albicans,Monilia albicans,Myceloblastanon albicans,Mycotorula albicans,Parasaccharomyces albicans,Procandida albicans,Procandida stellatoidea,Saccharomyces albicans,Syringospora albicans
D003674 Defense Mechanisms Unconscious process used by an individual or a group of individuals in order to cope with impulses, feelings or ideas which are not acceptable at their conscious level; various types include reaction formation, projection and self reversal. Mechanisms, Defense
D014774 Virulence The degree of pathogenicity within a group or species of microorganisms or viruses as indicated by case fatality rates and/or the ability of the organism to invade the tissues of the host. The pathogenic capacity of an organism is determined by its VIRULENCE FACTORS. Pathogenicity
D017382 Reactive Oxygen Species Molecules or ions formed by the incomplete one-electron reduction of oxygen. These reactive oxygen intermediates include SINGLET OXYGEN; SUPEROXIDES; PEROXIDES; HYDROXYL RADICAL; and HYPOCHLOROUS ACID. They contribute to the microbicidal activity of PHAGOCYTES, regulation of SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION and GENE EXPRESSION, and the oxidative damage to NUCLEIC ACIDS; PROTEINS; and LIPIDS. Active Oxygen Species,Oxygen Radical,Oxygen Radicals,Pro-Oxidant,Reactive Oxygen Intermediates,Active Oxygen,Oxygen Species, Reactive,Pro-Oxidants,Oxygen, Active,Pro Oxidant,Pro Oxidants,Radical, Oxygen
D042822 Genomic Instability An increased tendency of the GENOME to acquire MUTATIONS when various processes involved in maintaining and replicating the genome are dysfunctional. Genome Instability,Genome Stability,Genomic Stability,Genome Instabilities,Genome Stabilities,Genomic Instabilities,Genomic Stabilities,Instabilities, Genome,Instabilities, Genomic,Instability, Genome,Instability, Genomic,Stabilities, Genome,Stabilities, Genomic,Stability, Genome,Stability, Genomic

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