Abstract
Most of the phosphatases of human fungal pathogens Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis have never been experimentally characterised, although dephosphorylation reactions are central to many biological processes. PHO15 genes of these yeasts have been annotated as the sequences encoding 4-nitrophenyl phosphatase, on the basis of homology to PHO13 gene from the bakers’ yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To examine the real function of these potential phosphatases from Candida spp., CaPho15p and CpPho15p were prepared using expression in Escherichia coli and characterised. They share the hallmark motifs of the haloacid dehalogenase superfamily, readily hydrolyse 4-nitrophenyl phosphate at pH 8–8.3 and require divalent cations (Mg2+, Mn2+ or Co2+) as cofactors. CaPho15p and CpPho15p did not dephosphorylate phosphopeptides, but rather hydrolysed molecules related to carbohydrate metabolism. The preferred substrate for the both phosphatases was 2-phosphoglycolate. Among the other molecules tested, CaPho15 showed preference for glyceraldehyde phosphate and ß-glycerol phosphate, while CpPho15 dephosphorylated mainly 1,3-dihydroxyacetone phosphate. This type of substrate specificity indicates that CaPho15 and CpPho15 may be a part of metabolic repair system of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis.
Highlights
The yeasts Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis are among the most clinically relevant Candida species that represent a serious threat to individuals, whose immune system has been weakened, mucosal barriers damaged or whose natural microflora has been disturbed
Among the other molecules tested, CaPho15 showed preference for glyceraldehyde phosphate and ß-glycerol phosphate, while CpPho15 dephosphorylated mainly 1,3-dihydroxyacetone phosphate. This type of substrate specificity indicates that CaPho15 and CpPho15 may be a part of metabolic repair system of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis
Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis are among causative agents of nosocomial bloodstream infections that spread through indwelling medical devices or through the hands of health care personnel (Guinea 2014; Pfaller and Castanheira 2016)
Summary
The yeasts Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis are among the most clinically relevant Candida species that represent a serious threat to individuals, whose immune system has been weakened, mucosal barriers damaged or whose natural microflora has been disturbed. Advanced medical treatment such as chemotherapy, organ transplantation or wide use of antibiotics significantly improved survival rates for critically ill patients. The number of patients at risk has increased and infections caused by pathogenic Candida species have become a serious public health problem (Pfaller and Castanheira 2016). Disseminated invasive candidiasis, which affects normally sterile body fluids and tissues, is often refractory to treatment and is associated with high mortality rates (Berman 2012; Bilir et al 2015). Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis are among causative agents of nosocomial bloodstream infections that spread through indwelling medical devices or through the hands of health care personnel (Guinea 2014; Pfaller and Castanheira 2016)
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