Molecular dynamics of resistance and persistence of Aspergillus fumigatus
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Aberdeen
Department Name: Institute of Medical Sciences
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an environmental fungus that causes a spectrum of diseases that are very difficult to manage because, despite the available treatments, eradication of the fungus is rarely achieved. We hypothesize that A. fumigatus is adapts to its (micro)environment thus allowing its persistence in the host. One indicator of adaptation is the development of resistance of A. fumigatus to the azole compounds used in antifungal therapy. The acquisition of resistance may come with a fitness cost to the fungus as it adapts to grow only in the presence of the azole. Discontinuation of azole therapy may therefore be an unrecognized, but important, stress factor to the fungus, which causes compensatory mutations to occur to compensate for loss of fitness. These isolates may regain their virulence yet retain the azole-resistant phenotype.
We aim to investigate the dynamics of new and known mutations in A. fumigatus in order to:
1. Uncover the factors that facilitate the early development of adaptation and resistance to azoles.
2. Uncover other stress factors that promote persistence of the fungus.
The project will involve whole genome sequencing and analysis of 13 unique isolates of A. fumigatus collected from a single individual over a 2 year period that exhibit differing azole-susceptibility, colony morphology and growth characteristics. To correlate mutations to specific phenotypes a unique and effective approach of classical genetic tools (sexual crossing and segregation analyses) will be used. Candidate azole-resistance mechanisms will thus be identified and validated using recombination experiments. Mutations associated with phenotypic fitness changes will be correlated to specific pathways and/or phenotypes. In this way we will identify new leads as to the cause of resistance and the mutations that compensate for fitness costs and underpin the development of the azole-resistant phenotype.
Our research will provide important new mechanistic insights that will help us understand azole-resistance and inform novel strategies to prevent and overcome fungal persistence and adaptation. These insights will extend beyond the human setting as Aspergillus diseases affects both plants (crops) and animals and environmental resistance selection is a main concern in agriculture at the moment.
We aim to investigate the dynamics of new and known mutations in A. fumigatus in order to:
1. Uncover the factors that facilitate the early development of adaptation and resistance to azoles.
2. Uncover other stress factors that promote persistence of the fungus.
The project will involve whole genome sequencing and analysis of 13 unique isolates of A. fumigatus collected from a single individual over a 2 year period that exhibit differing azole-susceptibility, colony morphology and growth characteristics. To correlate mutations to specific phenotypes a unique and effective approach of classical genetic tools (sexual crossing and segregation analyses) will be used. Candidate azole-resistance mechanisms will thus be identified and validated using recombination experiments. Mutations associated with phenotypic fitness changes will be correlated to specific pathways and/or phenotypes. In this way we will identify new leads as to the cause of resistance and the mutations that compensate for fitness costs and underpin the development of the azole-resistant phenotype.
Our research will provide important new mechanistic insights that will help us understand azole-resistance and inform novel strategies to prevent and overcome fungal persistence and adaptation. These insights will extend beyond the human setting as Aspergillus diseases affects both plants (crops) and animals and environmental resistance selection is a main concern in agriculture at the moment.
Organisations
Publications
Ballard E
(2018)
In-host microevolution of Aspergillus fumigatus: A phenotypic and genotypic analysis.
in Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B
Ballard E
(2019)
Recreation of in-host acquired single nucleotide polymorphisms by CRISPR-Cas9 reveals an uncharacterised gene playing a role in Aspergillus fumigatus azole resistance via a non-cyp51A mediated resistance mechanism.
in Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M010996/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
1654598 | Studentship | BB/M010996/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2019 |
Description | We have gained an inisght into the in-host adaptation of Aspergillus fumigatus- which can hopefully be used to inform treatment regimens down the line. We have also now been the first people to perform CRISPR-Cas9 based advanced genome editing in clinical isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus, to identify new genes related to antifungal drug resistance. |
Exploitation Route | This information is mostly descriptive so can be taken further. We have one publication from this study so far. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087184518300252 |
Sectors | Healthcare |