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Nitrogen, Iron and Zinc Acquisition: Key Nutrients to Aspergillus fumigatus Virulence

Uxue Perez-Cuesta1, Xabier Guruceaga1, Saioa Cendon-Sanchez1

  • 1Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain.

Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Aspergillus fumigatus utilizes extensive metabolic pathways for nutrient acquisition, with nitrogen, iron, and zinc metabolism genes significantly impacting its virulence. Further research into these fungal nutrition genes could reveal new therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • * Aspergillus fumigatus is a common soil fungus and opportunistic pathogen.
  • * Its metabolic capabilities are crucial for nutrient acquisition and survival.
  • * A growing number of fungal nutrition genes are linked to virulence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To review nutrient sensing, uptake, and regulation in Aspergillus fumigatus.
  • * To explore the connections between nutrient metabolism pathways and virulence.
  • * To identify potential therapeutic and diagnostic targets.

Main Methods:

  • * Literature review of genes involved in nitrogen, iron, and zinc metabolism.
  • * Analysis of the association between these metabolic pathways and virulence.
  • * Examination of current knowledge gaps regarding gene function in virulence.

Main Results:

  • * Nitrogen, iron, and zinc metabolism genes are highly relevant to Aspergillus fumigatus virulence (78% implicated).
  • * Detailed pathways for sensing, uptake, and regulation of these nutrients are described.
  • * Only 40% of reviewed genes have been experimentally assessed for virulence roles.

Conclusions:

  • * Nutrient acquisition pathways are critical for Aspergillus fumigatus virulence.
  • * Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding the virulence function of many nutrient metabolism genes.
  • * Unexplored genes represent potential targets for novel antifungal therapies and diagnostics.
Keywords:
Aspergillus fumigatusironmetalsnitrogennitrogen metabolite repressionnutrient acquisitionprimary metabolismsiderophorestranscription factorszinc

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