Evolutionary divergent clusters of transcribed extinct truncated retroposons drive low mRNA expression and developmental regulation in the protozoan Leishmania.

Background: The Leishmania genome harbors formerly active short interspersed degenerated retroposons (SIDERs) representing the largest family of repetitive elements among trypanosomatids. Their substantial expansion in Leishmania is a strong predictor of important biological functions. In this study, we combined multilevel bioinformatic predictions with high-throughput genomic and transcriptomic analyses to gain novel insights into the diversified roles retroposons of the SIDER2 subfamily play in Leishmania genome evolution and expression.

Comprehensive characterization of extracellular vesicles produced by environmental (Neff) and clinical (T4) strains of .

We conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from two strains, Neff (environmental) and T4 (clinical). Morphological analysis via transmission electron microscopy revealed slightly larger Neff EVs (average = 194.5 nm) compared to more polydisperse T4 EVs (average = 168.

Density-based lipoprotein depletion improves extracellular vesicle isolation and functional analysis.

Background: Blood plasma is the main source of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in clinical studies aiming to identify biomarkers and to investigate pathophysiological processes, especially regarding EV roles in inflammation and thrombosis. However, EV isolation from plasma has faced the fundamental issue of lipoprotein contamination, representing an important bias since lipoproteins are highly abundant and modulate cell signaling, metabolism, and thromboinflammation.

Objectives: Here, we aimed to isolate plasma EVs after depleting lipoproteins, thereby improving sample purity and EV thromboinflammatory analysis.

TcZC3HTTP, a regulatory element that contributes to cell proliferation.

Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression is a critical process for adapting to and surviving , a parasite with a complex life cycle. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are key players in this regulation, forming ribonucleoprotein complexes (messenger ribonucleoproteins) and RNA granules that control transcript stability, localization, degradation, and translation modulation. Understanding the specific roles of individual RBPs is crucial for unraveling the details of this regulatory network.

The characterization of RNA-binding proteins and RNA metabolism-related proteins in fungal extracellular vesicles.

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are essential for regulating RNA metabolism, stability, and translation within cells. Recent studies have shown that RBPs are not restricted to intracellular functions and can be found in extracellular vesicles (EVs) in different mammalian cells. EVs released by fungi contain a variety of proteins involved in RNA metabolism.

Modulation of Outer Membrane Vesicle Protein Cargo under Antibiotic Treatment.

is a nosocomial pathogen and an important propagator of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains. Like other Gram-negative bacteria, they secrete outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that distribute virulence and resistance factors. Here, we subjected a .

Modulation of Virulence Factors during Differentiation.

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by . This protozoan developed several mechanisms to infect, propagate, and survive in different hosts. The specific expression of proteins is responsible for morphological and metabolic changes in different parasite stages along the parasite life cycle.

Caspofungin Affects Extracellular Vesicle Production and Cargo in .

Antifungal resistance has become more frequent, either due to the emergence of naturally resistant species or the development of mechanisms that lead to resistance in previously susceptible species. Among these fungal species of global threat, stands out for commonly being highly resistant to antifungal drugs, and some isolates are pan-resistant. The rate of mortality linked to infections varies from 28% to 78%.

Selective Loading and Variations in the miRNA Profile of Extracellular Vesicles from Endothelial-like Cells Cultivated under Normoxia and Hypoxia.

Endothelial-like cells may be obtained from CD133 mononuclear cells isolated from human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) and expanded using endothelial-inducing medium (E-CD133 cells). Their use in regenerative medicine has been explored by the potential not only to form vessels but also by the secretion of bioactive elements. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are prominent messengers of this paracrine activity, transporting bioactive molecules that may guide cellular response under different conditions.

The RNA Content of Fungal Extracellular Vesicles: At the "Cutting-Edge" of Pathophysiology Regulation.

The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in interkingdom communication is widely accepted, and their role in intraspecies communication has been strengthened by recent research. Based on the regulation promoted by EV-associated molecules, the interactions between host and pathogens can reveal different pathways that ultimately affect infection outcomes. As a great part of the regulation is ascribable to RNA contained in EVs, many studies have focused on profiling RNAs in fungal and host EVs, tracking their accumulation during infection, and identifying potential target genes.

Isolation of Extracellular Vesicles from Candida auris.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are structures released by a variety of cells from all kingdoms of life. EVs are typically involved in communication between tissues and organs, between distinct organisms, or inside microbial communities. The plasticity of these structures is reflected in the range of biological effects they are able to induce or inhibit.

Identification of four compounds from the Pharmakon library with antifungal activity against Candida auris and species of Cryptococcus.

Unlabelled: There is an urgent need to develop novel antifungals. In this study, we screened 1600 compounds for antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida auris. We evaluated 4 promising compounds against 24 additional isolates of Cr.

Screening of the Pandemic Response Box Reveals an Association between Antifungal Effects of MMV1593537 and the Cell Wall of , , and .

There is an urgent unmet need for novel antifungals. In this study, we searched for novel antifungal activities in the Pandemic Response Box, a collection of 400 structurally diverse compounds in various phases of drug discovery. We identified five molecules which could control the growth of Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus deuterogattii, and the emerging global threat Candida auris.

Extracellular Vesicles Regulate Biofilm Formation and Yeast-to-Hypha Differentiation in Candida albicans.

In this study, we investigated the influence of fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) during biofilm formation and morphogenesis in Candida albicans. Using crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we demonstrated that C. albicans EVs inhibited biofilm formation .

Fungal Extracellular Vesicles Are Involved in Intraspecies Intracellular Communication.

Fungal infections are associated with high mortality rates in humans. The risk of fungal diseases creates the urgent need to broaden the knowledge base regarding their pathophysiology. In this sense, the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been described to convey biological information and participate in the fungus-host interaction process.

Lessons Learned from Studying Histoplasma capsulatum Extracellular Vesicles.

Histoplasma capsulatum is a major endemic mycosis. Our laboratories have demonstrated that H. capsulatum produces extracellular vesicles (EV) that are loaded with diverse compounds that influence virulence.

Biogenesis of Fungal Extracellular Vesicles: What Do We Know?

So far, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been described in 15 genera of fungi. They carry molecules that contribute to the interaction of fungal cells with the host. Although the number of studies on fungal EVs has increased, the mechanisms involved in their biogenesis are still poorly understood.

Cellular and Extracellular Vesicle RNA Analysis in the Global Threat Fungus .

Emerging and reemerging pathogens are a worldwide concern, and it is predicted that these microbes will cause severe outbreaks. Candida auris affects people with weakened immune systems, particularly those who are hospitalized or are in health care facilities. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer structures released by organisms from all domains of life.

Re-emergence of Gamma-like-II and emergence of Gamma-S:E661D SARS-CoV-2 lineages in the south of Brazil after the 2021 outbreak.

Background: We report a genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating in Paraná, southern Brazil, from March 2020 to April 2021. Our analysis, based on 333 genomes, revealed that the first variants detected in the state of Paraná in March 2020 were the B.1.

Transcriptional and translational landscape of in response to caspofungin.

has emerged as a serious worldwide threat by causing opportunistic infections that are frequently resistant to one or more conventional antifungal medications resulting in high mortality rates. Against this backdrop, health warnings around the world have focused efforts on understanding fungal biology and effective prevention and treatment approaches to combat this fungus. To date, there is little information about the differentially expressed genes when this fungus is treated with conventional antifungals, and caspofungin is a standard echinocandin deployed in the therapy against .

Comparative Molecular and Immunoregulatory Analysis of Extracellular Vesicles from Candida albicans and Candida auris.

Candida auris is a recently described multidrug-resistant pathogenic fungus that is increasingly responsible for health care-associated outbreaks across the world. Bloodstream infections of this fungus cause death in up to 70% of cases. Aggravating this scenario, the disease-promoting mechanisms of C.