The first use of CRISPR-Cas9 combined with plant bacteria to transform pathogenic fungi

In 2009, amicroorganism called Candida auris appeared out of thin air
.

This fungus caused a deadly epidemic in hospitals and other nursing facilities, and quickly aroused the alarm of scientists all over the world because it evaded traditional medicines for treating fungal infections
.

Since then, in order to better understand this fungus and better control it, people have launched a race

A new study published by the University of Michigan in the journal Nature Communications marks an important step in understanding the biology of C.

auris, studying its transformation from a round yeast morphology For the genetics behind the ability to be more hair-like and filamentous

Dr.

Teresa O'Meara, Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Michigan School of Medicine, said: “Almost all fungal pathogens, from valley fever to yeast infections, have morphological changes and seem to combine toxic processes with changes in form

It is worth noting that this fungus is now found on all inhabited continents, and different variants and forms have appeared in different parts of the world
.

Determining the genes behind these variants is the key to determining how shape and disease are related

Darian Santana, a doctoral student in the O'Meara laboratory and the first author of the paper, said: "In this field, everyone knows that it is difficult to genetically manipulate this organism
.

I think many researchers avoid using it or spend a lot of time.

He and O'Meara developed their own genetic tools using DNA-based CRISPR-Cas9 technology and a bacteria that normally infects plants
.

The research team also used the bacteria's ability to infect fungi by inserting DNA into the genome of C.
auris
.

Screening transgenic cells with different morphologies or structures can provide clues as to which genes are controlling it

O'Meara said: "These genes are not only important for morphology, but also for toxicity and drug resistance
.

" Their work is an important proof of the concept of C.

She added: “What you learn in one strain may not be applicable to another strain, so it is important to be able to perform genetic manipulations in fungi of different backgrounds
.

”

Next, O'Meara and Santana hope to discover the genetic factors behind C.
auris being able to spread so well in hospitals and other surfaces
.

"Once a patient is found to be infected, the infection prevention measures will scrub the entire room
.

Generally speaking, you will find that Candida is everywhere-nurse's lanyard, temperature probe, bedding, etc
.
.
Removal is a fairly extensive process.
, This enhanced transmission capacity seems to be unique to Candida," Santana said
.

10.
1038/s41467-021-27545-5