Review
Cell Biology
Aleksei Innokentev, Tomotake Kanki
Summary: Mitophagy is a selective autophagy process that degrades damaged mitochondria to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. Recent studies have elucidated the molecular mechanisms and physiological roles of mitophagy in yeast and mammalian cells.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Liu, Koji Okamoto
Summary: Mitophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process that selectively degrades mitochondria via autophagy, and is intricately regulated through transcriptional induction and post-translational modifications of Atg32 in yeast.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENERAL SUBJECTS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Kentaro Furukawa, Aleksei Innokentev, Tomotake Kanki
Summary: This study reveals the roles of the Far complex in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, the formation of a subcomplex between Ppg1 and Far11, and the importance of the association and dissociation between the Far complex and Atg32 in regulating mitophagy.
Review
Cell Biology
Ingrid Bhatia-Kissova, Nadine Camougrand
Summary: Mitophagy, the selective degradation of mitochondria by autophagy, is crucial for cellular homeostasis. Studies on yeasts have revealed important insights into the molecular mechanisms and role of the Atg32 receptor in mitophagy, showing distinct physiological roles compared to mammals. Different tools for studying mitophagy are also discussed in this review.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ramona Schuster, Koji Okamoto
Summary: This review summarizes the mechanism of mitophagy in yeast and discusses its relationship with mitochondrial dynamics and the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENERAL SUBJECTS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Tomoyuki Fukuda, Kentaro Furukawa, Tatsuro Maruyama, Nobuo N. Noda, Tomotake Kanki
Summary: Mitophagy is a selective form of autophagy that targets dysfunctional or superfluous mitochondria for degradation. Our recent study has identified Atg44 as a mitochondrial fission factor that generates mitochondrial fragments suitable for phagophore engulfment. We propose the term mitofissin to refer to Atg44 and its homologous proteins that might participate in diverse cellular processes.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Tomoyuki Fukuda, Tomotake Kanki
Summary: Mitophagy is a selective form of autophagy that degrades damaged or unnecessary mitochondria through double-membranous structures called phagophores. Atg43 has been identified as a mitophagy receptor in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, playing a role in stabilizing phagophore expansion on mitochondria by interacting with Atg8. This suggests that Atg43 may have acquired its mitophagic function through convergent evolution, as it shares no sequence similarity with mitophagy receptors in other organisms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mitsutaka Kubota, Koji Okamoto
Summary: The study demonstrates that the NatA complex promotes mitophagy through facilitating the phosphorylation of Atg32 independently of Atg32-Atg11 interactions. Loss of NatA leads to altered Atg32 phosphorylation, and overphosphorylation of Atg32 can partially restore mitophagy in NatA-deficient cells. These findings suggest that NatA-mediated protein N-terminal acetylation plays a role in Atg32 expression and phosphorylation to drive mitophagy.
JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mitsutaka Kubota, Koji Okamoto
Summary: This passage describes the importance of mitophagy and the role of the N-terminal acetyltransferase A complex in mitophagy in yeast cells, promoting mitophagy through phosphorylation of Atg32. Furthermore, it suggests that NatA functions to drive mitophagy through the expression and phosphorylation of Atg32.
JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lea P. Wilhelm, Juan Zapata-Munoz, Beatriz Villarejo-Zori, Stephanie Pellegrin, Catarina Martins Freire, Ashley M. Toye, Patricia Boya, Ian G. Ganley
Summary: This study reveals that both mitophagy and pexophagy are activated upon iron chelation in a BNIP3L/NIX-dependent manner. The NIX protein, known as a mitophagy receptor, is also found to localize to peroxisomes and drive pexophagy independently.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mingming Tong, Toshiro Saito, Peiyong Zhai, Shin-Ichi Oka, Wataru Mizushima, Michinari Nakamura, Shohei Ikeda, Akihiro Shirakabe, Junichi Sadoshima
Summary: The study found that during the chronic phase of obesity-associated cardiomyopathy, mitophagy is activated even after conventional autophagy is downregulated, serving as an essential mitochondrial quality control mechanism to protect the heart.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mariasole Perrone, Simone Patergnani, Tommaso Di Mambro, Laura Palumbo, Mariusz R. Wieckowski, Carlotta Giorgi, Paolo Pinton
Summary: Maintenance of mitochondrial quality is crucial for cellular homeostasis. Mitophagy, the selective elimination of dysfunctional mitochondria, plays a significant role in various diseases, including carcinogenesis, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular pathologies. The relationship between calcium homeostasis and mitophagy is still a topic of debate.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomoyuki Fukuda, Kentaro Furukawa, Tatsuro Maruyama, Shun-ichi Yamashita, Daisuke Noshiro, Chihong Song, Yuta Ogasawara, Kentaro Okuyama, Jahangir Md Alam, Manabu Hayatsu, Tetsu Saigusa, Keiichi Inoue, Kazuho Ikeda, Akira Takai, Lin Chen, Vikramjit Lahiri, Yasushi Okada, Shinsuke Shibata, Kazuyoshi Murata, Daniel J. Klionsky, Nobuo N. Noda, Tomotake Kanki
Summary: Mitophagy is important for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis by selectively degrading mitochondria. In this study, a new mitochondrial fission factor called Atg44, also referred to as mitofissin, was identified in yeast as essential for mitophagy. Mitofissin deficiency resulted in recognition of mitochondria as cargo by the mitophagy machinery, but a lack of mitochondrial fission prevented engulfment by the autophagosome precursor. It was shown that mitofissin directly binds to lipid membranes and promotes membrane fission, suggesting that it plays a direct role in driving mitochondrial fission required for mitophagy.
Article
Cell Biology
Sylwia M. Kacprzak, Olivier Van Aken
Summary: This study reveals that carbon starvation induced by dark-incubation, natural senescence, and specific mitochondrial stresses are key triggers of mitophagy in plants.
Review
Cell Biology
Petra Teresak, Ana Lapao, Nemanja Subic, Patricia Boya, Zvulun Elazar, Anne Simonsen
Summary: Mitochondria are essential for cellular homeostasis, with mitophagy being a prominent mechanism to maintain a healthy mitochondrial pool. While the PINK1-PRKN pathway is well-studied for mitophagy, there are also alternative pathways involving different proteins and lipids. The significance of PRKN-independent mitophagy pathways in various physiological and pathophysiological processes highlights the need for further research into their regulation and interactions.
Article
Microbiology
Muneyoshi Kimura, Yuki Asano-Mori, Takashi Sakoh, Masahiro Abe, Keigo Ueno, Yasutaka Hoshino, Shigeki Nakamura, Takashi Umeyama, Satoshi Yamagoe, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Masaru Baba, Chikako Okada, Sho Ogura, Takashi Mitsuki, Kyosuke Yamaguchi, Mitsuhiro Yuasa, Daisuke Kaji, Kosei Kageyama, Aya Nishida, Yuki Taya, Kazuya Ishiwata, Shinsuke Takagi, Hisashi Yamamoto, Go Yamamoto, Naoyuki Uchida, Atsushi Wake, Shuichi Taniguchi, Hideki Araoka
Summary: Limited data are available on breakthrough fungemia in patients with hematological disorders. This study reviewed cases of breakthrough fungemia among adult patients with hematological diseases between 2008 and 2019. The results demonstrate the clinical characteristics and mortality factors associated with breakthrough fungemia in this patient population.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Hazim O. Khalifa, Vit Hubka, Akira Watanabe, Minoru Nagi, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Takashi Yaguchi, Katsuhiko Kamei
Summary: This study evaluated the prevalence of antifungal resistance, genetic mechanisms associated with resistance, and genotyping of Candida krusei. The results showed that most isolates were susceptible to most drugs, but a small portion showed resistance. Overexpression of ABC1 gene and FKS1 HS1 mutations were the main mechanisms of resistance. Genotyping confirmed the existence of two main subpopulations.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ryosuke Yamamuro, Muneyoshi Kimura, Yuki Asano-Mori, Masahiro Abe, Shigeki Nakamura, Takashi Umeyama, Satoshi Yamagoe, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Sho Ogura, Takashi Sakoh, Takashi Mitsuki, Kyosuke Yamaguchi, Mitsuhiro Yuasa, Daisuke Kaji, Kosei Kageyama, Aya Nishida, Yuki Taya, Kazuya Ishiwata, Shinsuke Takagi, Hisashi Yamamoto, Go Yamamoto, Naoyuki Uchida, Atsushi Wake, Shuichi Taniguchi, Hideki Araoka
Summary: There are limited studies on the clinical course of rare/cryptic species-induced invasive aspergillosis (IA) in allo-HSCT recipients. In this retrospective study, it was found that more than half of the proven IA cases were caused by rare/cryptic species. Surgical treatment could be an important option for the management of IA caused by these rare/cryptic species.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Takuro Koshikawa, Masahiro Abe, Minoru Nagi, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Hiromu Takemura
Summary: This study investigates the biofilm-forming capabilities of Candida species under different oxygen conditions. The results show that C. albicans favors aerobic conditions to form biofilms, while C. tropicalis demonstrates higher biofilm formation ability and promotes hyphal growth under microaerobic conditions.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Marie Yamashita, Mahoko Ikeda, Ito Kato, Yuki Ohama, Mizuo Ando, Masako Ikemura, Daisuke Jubishi, Yoshiaki Kanno, Koh Okamoto, Takashi Umeyama, Shigeki Nakamura, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Shu Okugawa, Kyoji Moriya
Summary: Prototheca wickerhamii infection in the pharyngeal mucosa of a 53-year-old immunocompetent female was reported. The initial misdiagnosis as cryptococcosis was corrected after DNA sequencing identified P. wickerhamii. The infection did not worsen during antifungal treatment.
ANNALS OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND ANTIMICROBIALS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Author Name Is Multiple Tagging
Summary: Filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus fumigatus, form multicellular hyphae that are difficult to monitor quantitatively in liquid cultures. In this study, we successfully developed a method to quantitatively monitor hyphal growth in A. fumigatus by measuring optical density. This method can be used to establish a standard for hyphal quantification and to screen for novel antifungal agents against Aspergillus species.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shinya Yamamoto, Mahoko Ikeda, Yuki Ohama, Tomohiro Sunouchi, Yasutaka Hoshino, Hiroshi Ito, Marie Yamashita, Yoshiaki Kanno, Koh Okamoto, Satoshi Yamagoe, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Shu Okugawa, Jun Fujishiro, Kyoji Moriya
Summary: This case report presents a bloodstream infection of Aureobasidium melanigenum in a patient with long-term catheter use. The identification of A. melanigenum proved challenging through routine microbiological testing. The patient recovered with antifungal therapy and catheter removal.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sota Sadamoto, Yurika Mitsui, Yasuhiro Nihonyanagi, Kazuki Amemiya, Minoru Shinozaki, Somay Yamagata Murayama, Masahiro Abe, Takashi Umeyama, Naobumi Tochigi, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Kazutoshi Shibuya
Summary: Invasive fungal infections have high mortality rates in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and are often confirmed postmortem. Use of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples is crucial for identifying fungi when autopsy confirmation is challenging. PCR, along with histopathological diagnosis, is valuable for precise identification, but has limitations in autopsy FFPE samples.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shigeru Kohno, Koichi Izumikawa, Takahiro Takazono, Taiga Miyazaki, Minoru Yoshida, Katsuhiko Kamei, Kenji Ogawa, Shuichi Taniguchi, Koichi Akashi, Kazuhiro Tateda, Hiroshi Mukae, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Fumito Okada, Yoshinobu Kanda, Hiroshi Kakeya, Junko Suzuki, Shun-ichi Kimura, Mitsukazu Kishida, Miyuki Matsuda, Yoshihito Niki
Summary: The study showed that isavuconazole demonstrated good efficacy and safety in treating Japanese patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and cryptococcosis, which are currently not indicated for the drug.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yoshio Takesue, Yuki Hanai, Kazutaka Oda, Yukihiro Hamada, Takashi Ueda, Toshihiko Mayumi, Kazuaki Matsumoto, Satoshi Fujii, Yoshiko Takahashi, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Toshimi Kimura
Summary: Increased adverse effects of Voriconazole, an antifungal drug, are observed in Asians due to the high rate of poor metabolizers. This therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) guideline provides recommendations according to ethnic group.
CLINICAL THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yuto Suga, Noriyuki Watanabe, Kaima Suzuki, Sachie Koyama, Yoshitada Taji, Hiroto Hirano, Takahiro Hayashi, Masahiro Abe, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Yasutaka Baba, Hiroki Kurita, Kotaro Mitsutake, Yasuhiro Ebihara
Summary: Herein, we present a case of otitis externa caused by Malassezia slooffiae complicated with mastoiditis. The patient had fever and severe otorrhea, and was diagnosed with otitis media and mastoiditis based on clinical manifestations and imaging findings. The infection was successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Keigo Ueno, Soichiro Tsuge, Kiminori Shimizu, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki
Summary: Cryptococcosis is a potentially lethal fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complexes. Currently, there is no commercially available prophylactic vaccine and the protective immunity is still under investigation. Whole-cell vaccines, including modified highly immunostimulating strains, have shown effectiveness in prolonging life and suppressing fungal burden in mice, and cross-reactivity to other fungal pathogens. These findings provide valuable insights for vaccine development. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of whole-cell vaccines against cryptococcosis.
MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Naobumi Tochigi, Sota Sadamoto, Shinji Oura, Yasuko Kurose, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Kazutoshi Shibuya
Summary: The study aimed to develop an AI-based histological diagnostic system for automated identification of mucormycosis and aspergillosis. By analyzing the angle of independent hyphae and tortuosity of each hypha, the system successfully distinguished between the two diseases.
MEDICAL MYCOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Mycology
Madoka Tateno, Takashi Umeyama, Tatsuya Inukai, Shogo Takatsuka, Yasutaka Hoshino, Satoshi Yamagoe, Somay Yamagata Murayama, Keiko Ishino, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki
Summary: In this study, the researchers successfully introduced the A. fumigatus cyp51A gene into A. lentulus using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, and found that Cyp51A is involved in the azole resistance of A. lentulus. This finding may contribute to the understanding of the resistance mechanism and the development of new antifungal drugs.
MEDICAL MYCOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)