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Proteomic Comparison between Hyphae and Spores Reveals Pathogenicity of Mucor Irregularis

Meijie Zhang1,2, Xiaowei Zhou2,3,4, Yuhan Zhang2,3,4

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.

Journal of Proteome Research
|July 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Mucor irregularis spores and hyphae have distinct adaptations. Researchers identified key proteins like NCS6 and NAT10 involved in spore dormancy and hyphal invasion, offering potential therapeutic targets for mucormycosis.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Proteomics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Mucormycosis is a serious fungal infection caused by Mucorales.
  • Mucor irregularis presents distinct hyphal and spore forms with unknown pathogenic differences.
  • Understanding morphotype-specific adaptations is crucial for managing mucormycosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct the first proteomic analysis comparing hyphal and spore morphotypes of Mucor irregularis.
  • To identify proteins and pathways responsible for phase-specific adaptations.
  • To uncover potential therapeutic targets for Mucor irregularis infections.

Main Methods:

  • Tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics was employed for comparative analysis.
  • ProteomeXchange accession number PXD055430 was used for data deposition.
  • Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed.
  • Protein-protein interaction networks were constructed.

Main Results:

  • Identified tRNA sulfur modification (NCS6) crucial for spore dormancy.
  • Discovered adenylate kinase 1 involvement in energy metabolism during spore germination.
  • Found COQ3-dependent mitochondrial function essential for spore germination.
  • Highlighted NAT10 in spores and RhoGEF GTPases in hyphae as key players.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first proteomic insights into Mucor irregularis morphotype differentiation.
  • Distinct molecular machinery underlies spore dormancy (e.g., NCS6) and hyphal invasion (e.g., RhoGEF GTPases).
  • NAT10 and RhoGEF GTPases represent promising therapeutic targets for mucormycosis treatment.
Keywords:
Mucor irregularismucormycosispathogenicityproteomic analysisvirulence

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