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Lipidomic analysis of extracellular vesicles from the pathogenic phase of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
Milene C Vallejo1, Ernesto S Nakayasu, Larissa V G Longo
1Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Background:
Fungal extracellular vesicles are able to cross the cell wall and transport molecules that help in nutrient acquisition, cell defense, and modulation of the host defense machinery.
Methodology/Principal Findings:
Here we present a detailed lipidomic analysis of extracellular vesicles released by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis at the yeast pathogenic phase. We compared data of two representative isolates, Pb3 and Pb18, which have distinct virulence profiles and phylogenetic background. Vesicle lipids were fractionated into different classes and analyzed by either electrospray ionization- or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We found two species of monohexosylceramide and 33 phospholipid species, including phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylglycerol. Among the phospholipid-bound fatty acids in extracellular vesicles, C181 predominated in Pb3, whereas C18:2 prevailed in Pb18. The prevalent sterol in Pb3 and Pb18 vesicles was brassicasterol, followed by ergosterol and lanosterol. Inter-isolate differences in sterol composition were observed, and also between extracellular vesicles and whole cells.
Conclusions/Significance:
The extensive lipidomic analysis of extracellular vesicles from two P. brasiliensis isolates will help to understand the composition of these fungal components/organelles and will hopefully be useful to study their biogenesis and role in host-pathogen interactions.
Insights
Fungal extracellular vesicles from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis were analyzed for their lipid content. Differences in fatty acid and sterol composition were found between two isolates, offering insights into fungal pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Fungal extracellular vesicles facilitate nutrient acquisition and host immune modulation.
- Understanding vesicle composition is key to fungal-host interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a detailed lipidomic analysis of extracellular vesicles from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.
- To compare lipid profiles between two isolates with different virulence.
Main Methods:
- Lipidomic analysis using electrospray ionization- and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
- Fractionation of vesicle lipids into different classes.
- Analysis of two Paracoccidioides brasiliensis isolates (Pb3 and Pb18).
Main Results:
- Identified two monohexosylceramide and 33 phospholipid species.
- Observed distinct fatty acid profiles (C18:1 vs. C18:2) between Pb3 and Pb18 isolates.
- Brassicasterol was the predominant sterol, with inter-isolate differences noted.
Conclusions:
- This lipidomic data provides a foundation for understanding fungal extracellular vesicle biogenesis.
- Findings contribute to elucidating the role of these vesicles in P. brasiliensis pathogenesis and host interactions.
