Analysis of the effect of atorvastatin on the growth of Aspergillus fumigatus

ABSTRACT: The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is the cause of a variety of pulmonary infections (chronic pulmonary aspergillosis) and life-threatening systemic infection that can infect a variety of different organs (invasive aspergillosis). A. fumigatus is widely distributed in the environment and produces large numbers of small conidia that are inhaled daily. A rapid immune response eliminates these in the immunocompetent host but in cases of pulmonary disease or immunosuppression conidia can quickly germinate and grow in the body. Statins interfere with biosynthesis of cholesterol and are therefore used in treatment of hypercholesterolemia. There is increasing evidence for the potential use of statins in preventing and treating fungal infections. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of statins on A fumigatus and to characterize the proteomic alterations occurring in A. fumigatus in response to statin. Pre-growth of A fumigatus in the presence of statin resulted in lower levels of ergosterol. Cells also showed increased permeability as measured by elevated amino acid and protein leakage. Gliotoxin release increased about nine fold in atorvastatin treated cells. Proteomic analysis revealed differential abundance of proteins involved in oxidative stress response such as glutathione S-transferase family protein (8.43 fold increase) and heat shock protein Hsp30/Hsp42 (2.02 fold increase). Protein related to secondary metabolite biosynthesis like nonribosomal peptide synthetase fmpE (3.06 increase) and 3- Aflatoxin B1-aldehyde reductase GliO-like (-2.86 fold decrease) These results indicate that statins have the ability to reduce the growth of A. fumigatus.

INSTRUMENT(S): Q Exactive

ORGANISM(S): Neosartorya Fumigata (aspergillus Fumigatus)

SUBMITTER: Gerard Sheehan  

LAB HEAD: Prof Kevin Kavanagh

PROVIDER: PXD015254 | Pride | 2021-09-08

REPOSITORIES: Pride