Characterization of novel extracellular proteases produced by Acanthamoeba castellanii after contact with human corneal epithelial cells and their relevance to pathogenesis.

Background: Proteases produced by Acanthamoeba spp. play an important role in their virulence and may be the key to understanding Acanthamoeba pathogenesis; thus, increasing attention has been directed towards these proteins. The present study aimed to investigate the lytic factors produced by Acanthamoeba castellanii during the first hours of in vitro co-culture with human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs).

Assessing cytotoxicity: comparison of common cell viability assays.

Background: models for studying interactions between and host cells are crucial for understanding the pathomechanism of and assessing differences between strains and cell types. The virulence of strains is usually assessed and monitored by using cell cytotoxicity assays. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the most widely used cytotoxicity assays for their suitability to assess cytopathogenicity.

A Proteomic Approach for the Quantification of Posttranslational Protein Lysine Acetylation in Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is a normal component of the human microflora that colonizes mucosal/epithelial surfaces and the gastrointestinal tract as a commensal organism. However, in an immunocompromised host, it can cause life-threatening infections of high mortality and morbidity. Virulence as well as antifungal drug resistance of C.

Comparative Transcriptomics Reveal Possible Mechanisms of Amphotericin B Resistance in Candida auris.

Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant human fungal pathogen often refractory to treatment by all classes of antifungal drugs. Amphotericin B (AmB) is a fungicidal drug that, despite its toxic side effects, remains a drug of choice for the treatment of drug-resistant fungal infections, including those caused by C. auris.

The Two-Component Response Regulator Ssk1 and the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Hog1 Control Antifungal Drug Resistance and Cell Wall Architecture of Candida auris.

is an emerging multidrug-resistant human fungal pathogen refractory to treatment by several classes of antifungal drugs. Unlike other species, can adhere to human skin for prolonged periods of time, allowing for efficient skin-to-skin transmission in the hospital environments. However, molecular mechanisms underlying pronounced multidrug resistance and adhesion traits are poorly understood.

Molecular characterization of Histomonas meleagridis exoproteome with emphasis on protease secretion and parasite-bacteria interaction.

The exoproteome of parasitic protists constitutes extracellular proteins that play a fundamental role in host-parasite interactions. Lytic factors, especially secreted proteases, are capable of modulating tissue invasion, thereby aggravating host susceptibility. Despite the important role of exoproteins during infection, the exoproteomic data on Histomonas meleagridis are non-existent.

Establishment of a de novo Reference Transcriptome of Histomonas meleagridis Reveals Basic Insights About Biological Functions and Potential Pathogenic Mechanisms of the Parasite.

The protozoan flagellate Histomonas meleagridis is the causative agent of histomonosis in poultry. In turkeys, high mortality might be noticed whereas in chickens the disease is less severe despite production losses. Discovered over a century ago, molecular data on this parasite are scarce and genetic studies are in its infancy.