Measurement of Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR) and Extracellular Acidification Rate (ECAR) in Culture Cells for Assessment of the Energy Metabolism

Mammalian cells generate ATP by mitochondrial (oxidative phosphorylation) and non-mitochondrial (glycolysis) metabolism. Cancer cells are known to reprogram their metabolism using different strategies to meet energetic and anabolic needs (Koppenol et al., 2011; Zheng, 2012). Additionally, each cancer tissue has its own individual metabolic features. Mitochondria not only play a key role in energy metabolism but also in cell cycle regulation of cells. Therefore, mitochondria have emerged as a potential target for anticancer therapy since they are structurally and functionally different from their non-cancerous counterparts (D'Souza et al., 2011). We detail a protocol for measurement of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) measurements in living cells, utilizing the Seahorse XF24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer (Figure 1). The Seahorse XF24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer continuously measures oxygen concentration and proton flux in the cell supernatant over time (Wu et al., 2007). These measurements are converted in OCR and ECAR values and enable a direct quantification of mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis. With this protocol, we sought to assess basal mitochondrial function and mitochondrial stress of three different cancer cell lines in response to the cytotoxic test lead compound mensacarcin in order to investigate its mechanism of action. Cells were plated in XF24 cell culture plates and maintained for 24 h. Prior to analysis, the culture media was replaced with unbuffered DMEM pH 7.4 and cells were then allowed to equilibrate in a non-CO2 incubator immediately before metabolic flux analysis using the Seahorse XF to allow for precise measurements of Milli-pH unit changes. OCR and ECAR were measured under basal conditions and after injection of compounds through drug injection ports. With the described protocol we assess the basic energy metabolism profiles of the three cell lines as well as key parameters of mitochondrial function in response to our test compound and by sequential addition of mitochondria perturbing agents oligomycin, FCCP and rotenone/antimycin A. [GRAPHICS]

Outlining the Hidden Curriculum: Perspectives on Successfully Navigating Scientific Conferences

Scientific conferences and meetings are valuable opportunities for researchers to network, communicate, and develop knowledge. For early career scientists, conferences can also be intimidating, confusing, and overwhelming, especially without having adequate preparation or experience. In this Perspective, we provide advice based on previous experiences navigating scientific meetings and conferences. These guidelines outline parts of the hidden curriculum around preparing for and attending meetings, navigating conference sessions, networking with other scientists, and participating in social activities while upholding a recommended code of conduct

Expression of a Structural Protein of the Mycovirus FgV-ch9 Negatively Affects the Transcript Level of a Novel Symptom Alleviation Factor and Causes Virus Infection-Like Symptoms in Fusarium graminearum

Infections of fungi by mycoviruses are often symptomless but sometimes also fatal, as they perturb sporulation, growth, and, if applicable, virulence of the fungal host. Hypovirulence-inducing mycoviruses, therefore, represent a powerful means to defeat fungal epidemics on crop plants. Infection with Fusarium graminearum virus China 9 (FgV-ch9), a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) chrysovirus- like mycovirus, debilitates Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of fusarium head blight. In search for potential symptom alleviation or aggravation factors in F. graminearum, we consecutively infected a custom-made F. graminearum mutant collection with FgV-ch9 and found a mutant with constantly elevated expression of a gene coding for a putative mRNA-binding protein that did not show any disease symptoms despite harboring large amounts of virus. Deletion of this gene, named virus response 1 (vr1), resulted in phenotypes identical to those observed in the virus-infected wild type with respect to growth, reproduction, and virulence. Similarly, the viral structural protein coded on segment 3 (P3) caused virus infection-like symptoms when expressed in the wild type but not in the vr1 overexpression mutant. Gene expression analysis revealed a drastic downregulation of vr1 in the presence of virus and in mutants expressing P3. We conclude that symptom development and severity correlate with gene expression levels of vr1. This was confirmed by comparative transcriptome analysis, showing a large transcriptional overlap between the virus-infected wild type, the vr1 deletion mutant, and the P3-expressing mutant. Hence, vr1 represents a fundamental host factor for the expression of virus-related symptoms and helps us understand the underlying mechanism of hypovirulence. IMPORTANCE Virus infections of phytopathogenic fungi occasionally impair growth, reproduction, and virulence, a phenomenon referred to as hypovirulence. Hypovirulence-inducing mycoviruses, therefore, represent a powerful means to defeat fungal epidemics on crop plants. However, the poor understanding of the molecular basis of hypovirulence induction limits their application. Using the devastating fungal pathogen on cereal crops, Fusarium graminearum, we identified an mRNA binding protein (named virus response 1, vr1) which is involved in symptom expression. Downregulation of vr1 in the virus-infected fungus and vr1 deletion evoke virus infection-like symptoms, while constitutive expression overrules the cytopathic effects of the virus infection. Intriguingly, the presence of a specific viral structural protein is sufficient to trigger the fungal response, i.e., vr1 downregulation, and symptom development similar to virus infection. The advancements in understanding fungal infection and response may aid biological pest control approaches using mycoviruses or viral proteins to prevent future Fusarium epidemics

Biolayer Interferometry Provides a Robust Method for Detecting DNA-Binding Small Molecules in Microbial Extracts

DNA replication is an exceptional point of therapeutic intervention for many cancer types and several small molecules targeting DNA have been developed into clinically used antitumor agents. Many of these molecules are naturally occurring metabolites from plants and microorganisms, such as the widely used chemotherapeutic doxorubicin. While natural product sources contain a vast number of DNA binding small molecules, isolating and identifying these molecules is challenging. Typical screening campaigns utilize time-consuming bioactivity-guided fractionation approaches, which use sequential rounds of cell-based assays to guide the isolation of active compounds. In this study, we explore the use of Biolayer Interferometry (BLI) as a tool for rapidly screening natural products sources for DNA targeting small molecules. We first verified that BLI robustly detected DNA binding using designed GC and AT rich DNA oligonucleotides with known DNA intercalating, groove-, and covalent-binding agents including actinomycin D (1), doxorubicin (2), ethidium bromide (3), propidium iodide (4), Hoechst 33342 (5), netropsin (6), and cisplatin (7). Although binding varied with the properties of the oligonucleotides, measured binding affinities agreed with previously reported values. We next utilized BLI to screen over 100 bacterial extracts from our microbial library for DNA binding activity and found three highly active extracts. Binding-guided isolation was used to isolate the active principle component from each extract, which were identified as echinomycin (8), actinomycin V (9), and chartreusin (10). This biosensor-based DNA binding screen is a novel, low cost, easy to use, and sensitive approach for medium-throughput screening of complex chemical libraries

DataSheet_1_Fungal endophytes from Thalassia testudinum show bioactivity against the seagrass pathogen, Labyrinthula spp..docx

Thalassia testudinum has undergone die-offs in the past century due to seagrass wasting disease caused by Labyrinthula sp. Little is known about how seagrasses resist Labyrinthula infections, but metabolites that inhibit Labyrinthula were previously extracted from seagrass leaves. Furthermore, leaf fungal endophytes from seagrasses possess antipathogenic potential, but their activity against Labyrinthula is unknown. Here, we aimed to identify whether fungal endophytes of T. testudinum can aid in disease defense against Labyrinthula. Through Illumina amplicon sequencing of the leaves’ mycobiome, we identified fungi that are known to produce antimicrobials. We also isolated and extracted organic compounds from endophytes to test their anti-Labyrinthula potential using disk diffusion assays. There were 22 isolates that inhibited Labyrinthula, from which two isolates, Trichoderma sp. P1a and Diaporthe sp. M14, displayed strong inhibition. LC-HRMS/MS analysis determined the likely bioactive compounds of Trichoderma as peptaibols and of Diaporthe as cytosporone B. Cytosporone B was confirmed bioactive against Labyrinthula via disk diffusion assays. While these organisms are low in abundance in the mycobiome, this study demonstrates that seagrass endophytes have the potential to play an important role in defense against Labyrinthula.</p

Unexpected Biotransformation of the HDAC Inhibitor Vorinostat Yields Aniline-Containing Fungal Metabolites

The diversity of genetically encoded small molecules produced by filamentous fungi remains largely unexplored, which makes these fungi an attractive source for the discovery of new compounds. However, accessing their full chemical repertoire under common laboratory culture conditions is a challenge. Epigenetic manipulation of gene expression has become a well-established tool for overcoming this obstacle. Here, we report that perturbation of the endophytic ascomycete <i>Chalara</i> sp. 6661, producer of the isofusidienol class of antibiotics, with the HDAC inhibitor vorinostat resulted in the production of four new modified xanthones. The structures of chalanilines A (<b>1</b>) and B (<b>2</b>) and adenosine-coupled xanthones A (<b>3</b>) and B (<b>4</b>) were determined by extensive NMR spectroscopic analyses, and the bioactivities of <b>1</b>–<b>4</b> were tested in antibiotic and cytotoxicity assays. Incorporation studies with deuterium-labeled vorinostat indicate that the aniline moiety in chalalanine A is derived from vorinostat itself. Our study shows that <i>Chalara</i> sp. is able to metabolize the HDAC inhibitor vorinostat to release aniline. This is a rare report of fungal biotransformation of the popular epigenetic modifier vorinostat into aniline-containing polyketides

Subtle Differences in Symbiont Cell Surface Glycan Profiles Do Not Explain Species-Specific Colonization Rates in a Model Cnidarian-Algal Symbiosis

Mutualisms between cnidarian hosts and dinoflagellate endosymbionts are foundational to coral reef ecosystems. These symbioses are often re-established every generation with high specificity, but gaps remain in our understanding of the cellular mechanisms that control symbiont recognition and uptake dynamics. Here, we tested whether differences in glycan profiles among different symbiont species account for the different rates at which they initially colonize aposymbiotic polyps of the model sea anemone Aiptasia (Exaiptasia pallida). First, we used a lectin array to characterize the glycan profiles of colonizing Symbiodinium minutum (ITS2 type B1) and noncolonizing Symbiodinium pilosum (ITS2 type A2), finding subtle differences in the binding of lectins Euonymus europaeus lectin (EEL) and Urtica dioica agglutinin lectin (UDA) that distinguish between high-mannoside and hybrid-type protein linked glycans. Next, we enzymatically cleaved glycans from the surfaces of S. minutum cultures and followed their recovery using flow cytometry, establishing a 48–72 h glycan turnover rate for this species. Finally, we exposed aposymbiotic host polyps to cultured S. minutum cells masked by EEL or UDA lectins for 48 h, then measured cell densities the following day. We found no effect of glycan masking on symbiont density, providing further support to the hypothesis that glycan-lectin interactions are more important for post-phagocytic persistence of specific symbionts than they are for initial uptake. We also identified several methodological and biological factors that may limit the utility of studying glycan masking in the Aiptasia system

Chemical, Bioactivity, and Biosynthetic Screening of Epiphytic Fungus Zasmidium pseudotsugae

We report the first secondary metabolite, 8,8′-bijuglone, obtained from pure cultures of the slow growing Douglas fir- (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) foliage-associated fungus Zasmidium pseudotsugae. The quinone was characterized using extensive LC/MS and NMR-based spectroscopic methods. 8,8′-Bijuglone exhibited moderate antibiotic activity against Gram-positive pathogens and weak cytotoxic activity in the NCI-60 cell line panel and in our in-house human colon carcinoma (HCT-116) cell line. An analysis of the fungal genome sequence to assess its metabolic potential was implemented using the bioinformatic tool antiSMASH. In total, 36 putative biosynthetic gene clusters were found with a majority encoding for polyketides (17), followed by non-ribosomal peptides (14), terpenes (2), ribosomal peptides (1), and compounds with mixed biosynthetic origin (2). This study demonstrates that foliage associated fungi of conifers produce antimicrobial metabolites and suggests this guild of fungi may present a rich source of novel molecules.Forestry, Faculty ofNon UBCForest and Conservation Sciences, Department ofReviewedFacult

Novel bacterial metabolite merochlorin A demonstrates in vitro activity against multi-drug resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

BackgroundWe evaluated the in vitro activity of a merochlorin A, a novel compound with a unique carbon skeleton, against a spectrum of clinically relevant bacterial pathogens and against previously characterized clinical and laboratory Staphylococcus aureus isolates with resistance to numerous antibiotics.MethodsMerochlorin A was isolated and purified from a marine-derived actinomycete strain CNH189. Susceptibility testing for merochlorin A was performed against previously characterized human pathogens using broth microdilution and agar dilution methods. Cytotoxicity was assayed in tissue culture assays at 24 and 72 hours against human HeLa and mouse sarcoma L929 cell lines.ResultsThe structure of as new antibiotic, merochlorin A, was assigned by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. Merochlorin A demonstrated in vitro activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including Clostridium dificile, but not against Gram negative bacteria. In S. aureus, susceptibility was not affected by ribosomal mutations conferring linezolid resistance, mutations in dlt or mprF conferring resistance to daptomycin, accessory gene regulator knockout mutations, or the development of the vancomycin-intermediate resistant phenotype. Merochlorin A demonstrated rapid bactericidal activity against MRSA. Activity was lost in the presence of 20% serum.ConclusionsThe unique meroterpenoid, merochlorin A demonstrated excellent in vitro activity against S. aureus and C. dificile and did not show cross-resistance to contemporary antibiotics against Gram positive organisms. The activity was, however, markedly reduced in 20% human serum. Future directions for this compound may include evaluation for topical use, coating biomedical devices, or the pursuit of chemically modified derivatives of this compound that retain activity in the presence of serum

Computation-guided scaffold exploration of 2E,6E-1,10-trans/cis-eunicellanes.

Eunicellane diterpenoids are a unique family of natural products containing a foundational 6/10-bicyclic framework and can be divided into two main classes, cis and trans, based on the configurations of their ring fusion at C1 and C10. Previous studies on two bacterial diterpene synthases, Bnd4 and AlbS, revealed that these enzymes form cis- and trans-eunicellane skeletons, respectively. Although the structures of these diterpenes only differed in their configuration at a single position, C1, they displayed distinct chemical and thermal reactivities. Here, we used a combination of quantum chemical calculations and chemical transformations to probe their intrinsic properties, which result in protonation-initiated cyclization, Cope rearrangement, and atropisomerism. Finally, we exploited the reactivity of the trans-eunicellane skeleton to generate a series of 6/6/6 gersemiane-type diterpenes via electrophilic cyclization