Anti-inflammatory drugs selectively target sporangium development in Mucor

It is known that acetylsalicylic acid, an anti-inflammatory and anti-mitochondrial drug, targets structure development and functions of yeasts depending on elevated levels of mitochondrial activity. Using antibody probes, we previously reported that sporangia of Mucor circinelloides also contain increased mitochondrial activity, yielding high levels of 3-hydroxyoxylipins. This was, however, not found in Mortierella alpina (subgenus Mortierella). In this study we report that acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) also targets sporangium development of Mucor circinelloides selectively, while hyphae with lower levels of mitochondrial activity are more resistant. Similar results were obtained when the anti-inflammatory compounds benzoic acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, and salicylic acid were tested. The anti-inflammatory drugs exerted similar effects on this dimorphic fungus as found under oxygen-limited conditions. Interestingly, sporangium development of Mortierella alpina was found not to be selectively targeted by these drugs. Mortierella alpina, which could not exhibit dimorphic growth under oxygen-limited conditions, was also more sensitive to the anti-inflammatory drugs when compared with Mucor circinelloides. These results prompt further research to assess the applicability of these antimitochondrial antifungals to protect plants and animals against Mucur infections.