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Sun W, Jiang N, Li Q, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Chen R, Feng Y, Sang X, Long S, Chen Q. Calcium-binding protein TgpCaBP regulates calcium storage of the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0066124. [PMID: 39162521 PMCID: PMC11448132 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00661-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, the causative parasite of toxoplasmosis, is an apicomplexan parasite that infects warm-blooded mammals. The ability of the calcium-binding proteins (CBPs) to transport large amounts of Ca2+ appears to be critical for the biological activity of T. gondii. However, the functions of some members of the CBP family have not yet been deciphered. Here, we characterized a putative CBP of T. gondii, TgpCaBP (TGME49_229480), which is composed of four EF-hand motifs with Ca2+-binding capability. TgpCaBP was localized in the cytosol and ER of T. gondii, and parasites lacking the TgpCaBP gene exhibited diminished abilities in cell invasion, intracellular growth, egress, and motility. These phenomena were due to the abnormalities in intracellular Ca2+ efflux and ER Ca2+ storage, and the reduction in motility was associated with a decrease in the discharge of secretory proteins. Therefore, we propose that TgpCaBP is a Ca2+ transporter and signaling molecule involved in Ca2+ regulation and parasitization in the hosts.IMPORTANCECa2+ signaling is essential in the development of T. gondii. In this study, we identified a calcium-binding protein in T. gondii, named TgpCaBP, which actively regulates intracellular Ca2+ levels in the parasite. Deletion of the gene coding for TgpCaBP caused serious deficits in the parasite's ability to maintain a stable intracellular calcium environment, which also impaired the secretory protein discharged from the parasite, and its capacity of gliding motility, cell invasion, intracellular growth, and egress from host cells. In summary, we have identified a novel calcium-binding protein, TgpCaBP, in the zoonotic parasite T. gondii, which is a potential therapeutic target for toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weisong Sun
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Ruminant Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (East), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Ruminant Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (East), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Qilong Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Ruminant Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (East), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Yize Liu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Ruminant Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (East), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Yiwei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Ruminant Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (East), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Ran Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Ruminant Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (East), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Ying Feng
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Ruminant Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (East), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Ruminant Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (East), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Shaojun Long
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qijun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Ruminant Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (East), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
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2
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Dos Santos BM, Pecenin MF, Borges-Pereira L, Springer E, Przyborski JM, Martins-Jr DC, Hashimoto RF, Garcia CRS. The genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP3 reveals spontaneous calcium oscillations at asexual stages of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 260:111650. [PMID: 39151473 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Most protocols used to study the dynamics of calcium (Ca2+) in the malaria parasite are based on dyes, which are invasive and do not allow discrimination between the signal from the host cell and the parasite. To avoid this pitfall, we have generated a parasite line expressing the genetically encoded calcium sensor GCaMP3. The PfGCaMP3 parasite line is an innovative tool for studying spontaneous intracellular Ca2+ oscillations without external markers. Using this parasite line, we demonstrate the occurrence of spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations in the ring, trophozoite, and schizont stages in Plasmodium falciparum. Using the Fourier transform to fluorescence intensity data extracted from different experiments, we observe cytosolic Ca2+ fluctuations. These spontaneous cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations occur in the three intraerythrocytic stages of the parasite, with most oscillations occurring in the ring and trophozoite stages. A control parasite line expressing only a GFP control did not reveal such fluctuations, demonstrating the specificity of the observations. Our results clearly show dynamic, spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations during the asexual stage in P. falciparum, independent from external stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedito M Dos Santos
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Mateus F Pecenin
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Lucas Borges-Pereira
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Eric Springer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus-Liebig University, Gießen 35390, Germany
| | - Jude M Przyborski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus-Liebig University, Gießen 35390, Germany
| | - David C Martins-Jr
- Center of Mathematics, Computing and Cognition, Federal University of ABC, Santo André 09606-045, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo F Hashimoto
- Institute of Mathematics and Statistics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Célia R S Garcia
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil.
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3
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Pance A, Ng BL, Mwikali K, Koutsourakis M, Agu C, Rouhani FJ, Montandon R, Law F, Ponstingl H, Rayner JC. Novel stem cell technologies are powerful tools to understand the impact of human factors on Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1287355. [PMID: 38173794 PMCID: PMC10762799 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1287355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum parasites have a complex life cycle, but the most clinically relevant stage of the disease is the invasion of erythrocytes and the proliferation of the parasite in the blood. The influence of human genetic traits on malaria has been known for a long time, however understanding the role of the proteins involved is hampered by the anuclear nature of erythrocytes that makes them inaccessible to genetic tools. Here we overcome this limitation using stem cells to generate erythroid cells with an in-vitro differentiation protocol and assess parasite invasion with an adaptation of flow cytometry to detect parasite hemozoin. We combine this strategy with reprogramming of patient cells to Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and genome editing to understand the role of key genes and human traits in malaria infection. We show that deletion of basigin ablates invasion while deletion of ATP2B4 has a minor effect and that erythroid cells from reprogrammed patient-derived HbBart α-thalassemia samples poorly support infection. The possibility to obtain patient-secific and genetically modifed erythoid cells offers an unparalleled opportunity to study the role of human genes and polymorphisms in malaria allowing preservation of the genomic background to demonstrate their function and understand their mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Pance
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Bee L. Ng
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kioko Mwikali
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Bioscience Department, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Chukwuma Agu
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ruddy Montandon
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre of Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Frances Law
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Julian C. Rayner
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Basco LK. Cultivation of Asexual Intraerythrocytic Stages of Plasmodium falciparum. Pathogens 2023; 12:900. [PMID: 37513747 PMCID: PMC10384318 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Successfully developed in 1976, the continuous in vitro culture of Plasmodium falciparum has many applications in the field of malaria research. It has become an important experimental model that directly uses a human pathogen responsible for a high prevalence of morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world and is a major source of biological material for immunological, biochemical, molecular, and pharmacological studies. Until present, the basic techniques described by Trager and Jensen and Haynes et al. remain unchanged in many malaria research laboratories. Nonetheless, different factors, including culture media, buffers, serum substitutes and supplements, sources of erythrocytes, and conditions of incubation (especially oxygen concentration), have been modified by different investigators to adapt the original technique in their laboratories or enhance the in vitro growth of the parasites. The possible effects and benefits of these modifications for the continuous cultivation of asexual intraerythrocytic stages of P. falciparum, as well as future challenges in developing a serum-free cultivation system and axenic cultures, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo K Basco
- Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Service de Santé des Armées (SSA), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) Vecteurs-Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), 13005 Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire-Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
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5
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Santos BMD, Przyborski JM, Garcia CRS. Changes in K + Concentration as a Signaling Mechanism in the Apicomplexa Parasites Plasmodium and Toxoplasma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087276. [PMID: 37108438 PMCID: PMC10138558 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
During their life cycle, apicomplexan parasites pass through different microenvironments and encounter a range of ion concentrations. The discovery that the GPCR-like SR25 in Plasmodium falciparum is activated by a shift in potassium concentration indicates that the parasite can take advantage of its development by sensing different ionic concentrations in the external milieu. This pathway involves the activation of phospholipase C and an increase in cytosolic calcium. In the present report, we summarize the information available in the literature regarding the role of potassium ions during parasite development. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms that allow the parasite to cope with ionic potassium changes contributes to our knowledge about the cell cycle of Plasmodium spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedito M Dos Santos
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Jude M Przyborski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus-Liebig University, 35390 Gießen, Germany
| | - Célia R S Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus-Liebig University, 35390 Gießen, Germany
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6
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The enemy within: lipid asymmetry in intracellular parasite-host interactions. Emerg Top Life Sci 2023; 7:67-79. [PMID: 36820809 DOI: 10.1042/etls20220089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic pathogens with an intracellular parasitic lifestyle are shielded from extracellular threats during replication and growth. In addition to many nutrients, parasites scavenge host cell lipids to establish complex membrane structures inside their host cells. To counteract the disturbance of the host cell plasma membrane they have evolved strategies to regulate phospholipid asymmetry. In this review, the function and importance of lipid asymmetry in the interactions of intracellular protozoan parasites with the target and immune cells of the host are highlighted. The malaria parasite Plasmodium infects red blood cells and extensively refurbishes these terminally differentiated cells. Cholesterol depletion and an altered intracellular calcium ion homeostasis can lead to disruption in erythrocyte membrane asymmetry and increased exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS). Binding to the PS receptor on monocytes and macrophages results in phagocytosis and destruction of infected erythrocytes. Leishmania parasites display apoptotic mimicry by actively enhancing PS exposure on their surface to trigger increased infection of macrophages. In extracellular Toxoplasma gondii a P4-type ATPase/CDC50 co-chaperone pair functions as a flippase important for exocytosis of specialised secretory organelles. Identification and functional analysis of parasite lipid-translocating proteins, i.e. flippases, floppases, and scramblases, will be central for the recognition of the molecular mechanisms of parasite/host interactions. Ultimately, a better understanding of parasitic diseases, host immunity, and immune escape by parasites require more research on the dynamics of phospholipid bilayers of parasites and the infected host cell.
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Alves E, Nakaya H, Guimarães E, Garcia CR. Combining IP 3 affinity chromatography and bioinformatics reveals a novel protein-IP 3 binding site on Plasmodium falciparum MDR1 transporter. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2022; 4:100179. [PMID: 36582189 PMCID: PMC9792294 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2022.100179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular Ca2+ mobilization induced by second messenger IP3 controls many cellular events in most of the eukaryotic groups. Despite the increasing evidence of IP3-induced Ca2+ in apicomplexan parasites like Plasmodium, responsible for malaria infection, no protein with potential function as an IP3-receptor has been identified. The use of bioinformatic analyses based on previously known sequences of IP3-receptor failed to identify potential IP3-receptor candidates in any Apicomplexa. In this work, we combine the biochemical approach of an IP3 affinity chromatography column with bioinformatic meta-analyses to identify potential vital membrane proteins that present binding with IP3 in Plasmodium falciparum. Our analyses reveal that PF3D7_0523000, a gene that codes a transport protein associated with multidrug resistance as a potential target for IP3. This work provides a new insight for probing potential candidates for IP3-receptor in Apicomplexa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Alves
- Life Science Department, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helder Nakaya
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,Computational Systems Biology Laboratory, INOVA, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Euzébio Guimarães
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Pharmacy Department, Health Science Center, Natal, Brazil
| | - Célia R.S. Garcia
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,Corresponding author.
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Abstract
Human malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites, remains one of the most important global public health problems, with the World Health Organization reporting more than 240 million cases and 600,000 deaths annually as of 2020 (World malaria report 2021). Our understanding of the biology of these parasites is critical for development of effective therapeutics and prophylactics, including both antimalarials and vaccines. Plasmodium is a protozoan organism that is intracellular for most of its life cycle. However, to complete its complex life cycle and to allow for both amplification and transmission, the parasite must egress out of the host cell in a highly regulated manner. This review discusses the major pathways and proteins involved in the egress events during the Plasmodium life cycle-merozoite and gametocyte egress out of red blood cells, sporozoite egress out of the oocyst, and merozoite egress out of the hepatocyte. The similarities, as well as the differences, between the various egress pathways of the parasite highlight both novel cell biology and potential therapeutic targets to arrest its life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel E Goldberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine; and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA;
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Hoff CC, Azevedo MF, Thurler AB, Maluf SEC, Melo PMS, del Rivero MA, González-Bacerio J, Carmona AK, Budu A, Gazarini ML. Overexpression of Plasmodium falciparum M1 Aminopeptidase Promotes an Increase in Intracellular Proteolysis and Modifies the Asexual Erythrocytic Cycle Development. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111452. [PMID: 34832608 PMCID: PMC8618464 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent of the human malaria parasite, is responsible for high mortality rates worldwide. We studied the M1 alanyl-aminopeptidase of this protozoan (PfA-M1), which is involved in the final stages of hemoglobin cleavage, an essential process for parasite survival. Aiming to help in the rational development of drugs against this target, we developed a new strain of P. falciparum overexpressing PfA-M1 without the signal peptide (overPfA-M1). The overPfA-M1 parasites showed a 2.5-fold increase in proteolytic activity toward the fluorogenic substrate alanyl-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin, in relation to the wild-type group. Inhibition studies showed that overPfA-M1 presented a lower sensitivity against the metalloaminopeptidase inhibitor bestatin and to other recombinant PfA-M1 inhibitors, in comparison with the wild-type strain, indicating that PfA-M1 is a target for the in vitro antimalarial activity of these compounds. Moreover, overPfA-M1 parasites present a decreased in vitro growth, showing a reduced number of merozoites per schizont, and also a decrease in the iRBC area occupied by the parasite in trophozoite and schizont forms when compared to the controls. Interestingly, the transgenic parasite displays an increase in the aminopeptidase activity toward Met-, Ala-, Leu- and Arg-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin. We also investigated the potential role of calmodulin and cysteine proteases in PfA-M1 activity. Taken together, our data show that the overexpression of PfA-M1 in the parasite cytosol can be a suitable tool for the screening of antimalarials in specific high-throughput assays and may be used for the identification of intracellular molecular partners that modulate their activity in P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina C. Hoff
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos 11015-020, Brazil; (C.C.H.); (M.F.A.)
| | - Mauro F. Azevedo
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos 11015-020, Brazil; (C.C.H.); (M.F.A.)
| | - Adriana B. Thurler
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil; (A.B.T.); (S.E.C.M.); (P.M.S.M.); (A.K.C.)
| | - Sarah El Chamy Maluf
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil; (A.B.T.); (S.E.C.M.); (P.M.S.M.); (A.K.C.)
| | - Pollyana M. S. Melo
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil; (A.B.T.); (S.E.C.M.); (P.M.S.M.); (A.K.C.)
| | - Maday Alonso del Rivero
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Vedado, La Habana 10400, Cuba; (M.A.d.R.); (J.G.-B.)
| | - Jorge González-Bacerio
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Vedado, La Habana 10400, Cuba; (M.A.d.R.); (J.G.-B.)
| | - Adriana K. Carmona
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil; (A.B.T.); (S.E.C.M.); (P.M.S.M.); (A.K.C.)
| | - Alexandre Budu
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil; (A.B.T.); (S.E.C.M.); (P.M.S.M.); (A.K.C.)
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (M.L.G.)
| | - Marcos L. Gazarini
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos 11015-020, Brazil; (C.C.H.); (M.F.A.)
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (M.L.G.)
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10
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Sharma M, Choudhury H, Roy R, Michaels SA, Ojo KK, Bansal A. CDPKs: The critical decoders of calcium signal at various stages of malaria parasite development. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:5092-5107. [PMID: 34589185 PMCID: PMC8453137 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.08.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium ions are used as important signals during various physiological processes. In malaria parasites, Plasmodium spp., calcium dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) have acquired the unique ability to sense and transduce calcium signals at various critical steps during the lifecycle, either through phosphorylation of downstream substrates or mediating formation of high molecular weight protein complexes. Calcium signaling cascades establish important crosstalk events with signaling pathways mediated by other secondary messengers such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). CDPKs play critical roles at various important physiological steps during parasite development in vertebrates and mosquitoes. They are also important for transmission of the parasite between the two hosts. Combined with the fact that CDPKs are not present in humans, they continue to be pursued as important targets for development of anti-malarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Sharma
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Himashree Choudhury
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Rajarshi Roy
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Samantha A. Michaels
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
| | - Kayode K. Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
| | - Abhisheka Bansal
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
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11
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de Oliveira LS, Alborghetti MR, Carneiro RG, Bastos IMD, Amino R, Grellier P, Charneau S. Calcium in the Backstage of Malaria Parasite Biology. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:708834. [PMID: 34395314 PMCID: PMC8355824 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.708834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The calcium ion (Ca2+) is a ubiquitous second messenger involved in key biological processes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In Plasmodium species, Ca2+ signaling plays a central role in the parasite life cycle. It has been associated with parasite development, fertilization, locomotion, and host cell infection. Despite the lack of a canonical inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate receptor gene in the Plasmodium genome, pharmacological evidence indicates that inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate triggers Ca2+ mobilization from the endoplasmic reticulum. Other structures such as acidocalcisomes, food vacuole and mitochondria are proposed to act as supplementary intracellular Ca2+ reservoirs. Several Ca2+-binding proteins (CaBPs) trigger downstream signaling. Other proteins with no EF-hand motifs, but apparently involved with CaBPs, are depicted as playing an important role in the erythrocyte invasion and egress. It is also proposed that a cross-talk among kinases, which are not members of the family of Ca2+-dependent protein kinases, such as protein kinases G, A and B, play additional roles mediated indirectly by Ca2+ regulation. This statement may be extended for proteins directly related to invasion or egress, such as SUB1, ERC, IMC1I, IMC1g, GAP45 and EBA175. In this review, we update our understanding of aspects of Ca2+-mediated signaling correlated to the developmental stages of the malaria parasite life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Silva de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Protein Chemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
- UMR 7245 MCAM, Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Micro-organismes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Équipe Parasites et Protistes Libres, Paris, France
| | - Marcos Rodrigo Alborghetti
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Protein Chemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Renata Garcia Carneiro
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Protein Chemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Izabela Marques Dourado Bastos
- Laboratory of Host-Pathogen Interaction, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Rogerio Amino
- Unité Infection et Immunité Paludéennes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Grellier
- UMR 7245 MCAM, Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Micro-organismes, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Équipe Parasites et Protistes Libres, Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Charneau
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Protein Chemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
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Broichhagen J, Kilian N. Chemical Biology Tools To Investigate Malaria Parasites. Chembiochem 2021; 22:2219-2236. [PMID: 33570245 PMCID: PMC8360121 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases like malaria tropica have been shaping human evolution and history since the beginning of mankind. After infection, the response of the human host ranges from asymptomatic to severe and may culminate in death. Therefore, proper examination of the parasite's biology is pivotal to deciphering unique molecular, biochemical and cell biological processes, which in turn ensure the identification of treatment strategies, such as potent drug targets and vaccine candidates. However, implementing molecular biology methods for genetic manipulation proves to be difficult for many parasite model organisms. The development of fast and straightforward applicable alternatives, for instance small-molecule probes from the field of chemical biology, is essential. In this review, we will recapitulate the highlights of previous molecular and chemical biology approaches that have already created insight and understanding of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We discuss current developments from the field of chemical biology and explore how their application could advance research into this parasite in the future. We anticipate that the described approaches will help to close knowledge gaps in the biology of P. falciparum and we hope that researchers will be inspired to use these methods to gain knowledge - with the aim of ending this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Broichhagen
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP)Robert-Roessle-Strasse 1013125BerlinGermany
| | - Nicole Kilian
- Centre for Infectious DiseasesParasitologyHeidelberg University HospitalIm Neuenheimer Feld 32469120HeidelbergGermany
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Fraser M, Jing W, Bröer S, Kurth F, Sander LE, Matuschewski K, Maier AG. Breakdown in membrane asymmetry regulation leads to monocyte recognition of P. falciparum-infected red blood cells. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009259. [PMID: 33600495 PMCID: PMC7891792 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum relies on lipids to survive; this makes its lipid metabolism an attractive drug target. The lipid phosphatidylserine (PS) is usually confined to the inner leaflet of the red blood cell membrane (RBC) bilayer; however, some studies suggest that infection with the intracellular parasite results in the presence of this lipid in the RBC membrane outer leaflet, where it could act as a recognition signal to phagocytes. Here, we used fluorescent lipid analogues and probes to investigate the enzymatic reactions responsible for maintaining asymmetry between membrane leaflets, and found that in parasitised RBCs the maintenance of membrane asymmetry was partly disrupted, and PS was increased in the outer leaflet. We examined the underlying causes for the differences between uninfected and infected RBCs using fluorescent dyes and probes, and found that calcium levels increased in the infected RBC cytoplasm, whereas membrane cholesterol was depleted from the erythrocyte plasma membrane. We explored the resulting effect of PS exposure on enhanced phagocytosis by monocytes, and show that infected RBCs must expend energy to limit phagocyte recognition, and provide experimental evidence that PS exposure contributes to phagocytic recognition of P. falciparum-infected RBCs. Together, these findings underscore the pivotal role for PS exposure on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes for in vivo interactions with the host immune system, and provide a rationale for targeted antimalarial drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merryn Fraser
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Weidong Jing
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Stefan Bröer
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Florian Kurth
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leif-Erik Sander
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai Matuschewski
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander G. Maier
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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El Chamy Maluf S, Icimoto MY, Melo PMS, Budu A, Coimbra R, Gazarini ML, Carmona AK. Human plasma plasminogen internalization route in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Malar J 2020; 19:302. [PMID: 32847585 PMCID: PMC7449074 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03377-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The intra-erythrocytic development of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum depends on the uptake of a number of essential nutrients from the host cell and blood plasma. It is widely recognized that the parasite imports low molecular weight solutes from the plasma and the consumption of these nutrients by P. falciparum has been extensively analysed. However, although it was already shown that the parasite also imports functional proteins from the vertebrate host, the internalization route through the different infected erythrocyte membranes has not yet been elucidated. In order to further understand the uptake mechanism, the study examined the trafficking of human plasminogen from the extracellular medium into P. falciparum-infected red blood cells. Methods Plasmodium falciparum clone 3D7 was cultured in standard HEPES-buffered RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 0.5% AlbuMAX. Exogenous human plasminogen was added to the P. falciparum culture and the uptake of this protein by the parasites was analysed by electron microscopy and Western blotting. Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry were performed to investigate possible protein interactions that may assist plasminogen import into infected erythrocytes. The effect of pharmacological inhibitors of different cellular physiological processes in plasminogen uptake was also tested. Results It was observed that plasminogen was selectively internalized by P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes, with localization in plasma membrane erythrocyte and parasite’s cytosol. The protein was not detected in parasitic food vacuole and haemoglobin-containing vesicles. Furthermore, in erythrocyte cytoplasm, plasminogen was associated with the parasite-derived membranous structures tubovesicular network (TVN) and Maurer’s clefts. Several proteins were identified in immunoprecipitation assay and may be involved in the delivery of plasminogen across the P. falciparum multiple compartments. Conclusion The findings here reported reveal new features regarding the acquisition of plasma proteins of the host by P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes, a mechanism that involves the exomembrane system, which is distinct from the haemoglobin uptake, clarifying a route that may be potentially targeted for inhibition studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah El Chamy Maluf
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, 7°andar, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, 04039032, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Yudi Icimoto
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, 7°andar, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, 04039032, Brazil
| | - Pollyana Maria Saud Melo
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, 7°andar, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, 04039032, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Budu
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, 7°andar, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, 04039032, Brazil
| | - Rita Coimbra
- Centro de Microscopia Eletrônica (CEME), Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 862, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos Leoni Gazarini
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Silva Jardim 136, Lab. 329, 3°andar, Vila Mathias, Santos, São Paulo, 11015020, Brazil.
| | - Adriana Karaoglanovic Carmona
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, 7°andar, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, 04039032, Brazil.
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Borges-Pereira L, Thomas SJ, Dos Anjos E Silva AL, Bartlett PJ, Thomas AP, Garcia CRS. The genetic Ca 2+ sensor GCaMP3 reveals multiple Ca 2+ stores differentially coupled to Ca 2+ entry in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:14998-15012. [PMID: 32848018 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytosolic Ca2+ regulates multiple steps in the host-cell invasion, growth, proliferation, and egress of blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum, yet our understanding of Ca2+ signaling in this endemic malaria parasite is incomplete. By using a newly generated transgenic line of P. falciparum (PfGCaMP3) that expresses constitutively the genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator GCaMP3, we have investigated the dynamics of Ca2+ release and influx elicited by inhibitors of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase pumps, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), and thapsigargin (Thg). Here we show that in isolated trophozoite phase parasites: (i) both CPA and Thg release Ca2+ from intracellular stores in P. falciparum parasites; (ii) Thg is able to induce Ca2+ release from an intracellular compartment insensitive to CPA; (iii) only Thg is able to activate Ca2+ influx from extracellular media, through a mechanism resembling store-operated Ca2+ entry, typical of mammalian cells; and (iv) the Thg-sensitive Ca2+ pool is unaffected by collapsing the mitochondria membrane potential with the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone or the release of acidic Ca2+ stores with nigericin. These data suggest the presence of two Ca2+ pools in P. falciparum with differential sensitivity to the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase pump inhibitors, and only the release of the Thg-sensitive Ca2+ store induces Ca2+ influx. Activation of the store-operated Ca2+ entry-like Ca2+ influx may be relevant for controlling processes such as parasite invasion, egress, and development mediated by kinases, phosphatases, and proteases that rely on Ca2+ levels for their activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Borges-Pereira
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Samantha J Thomas
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Paula J Bartlett
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Andrew P Thomas
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
| | - Célia R S Garcia
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil.
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Abstract
Malaria has been the pre-eminent cause of early mortality in many parts of the world throughout much of the last five thousand years and, as a result, it is the strongest force for selective pressure on the human genome yet described. Around one third of the variability in the risk of severe and complicated malaria is now explained by additive host genetic effects. Many individual variants have been identified that are associated with malaria protection, but the most important all relate to the structure or function of red blood cells. They include the classical polymorphisms that cause sickle cell trait, α-thalassaemia, G6PD deficiency, and the major red cell blood group variants. More recently however, with improving technology and experimental design, others have been identified that include the Dantu blood group variant, polymorphisms in the red cell membrane protein ATP2B4, and several variants related to the immune response. Characterising how these genes confer their effects could eventually inform novel therapeutic approaches to combat malaria. Nevertheless, all together, only a small proportion of the heritable component of malaria resistance can be explained by the variants described so far, underscoring its complex genetic architecture and the need for continued research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia N Kariuki
- Department of Epidemiology, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.
| | - Thomas N Williams
- Department of Epidemiology, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, UK.
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Abstract
Liposomes are clinically approved supramolecular drug delivery platforms due to their ability to enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of encapsulated therapeutic agents. A key point for advancing liposomal drug delivery would be to control the timing and location of cargo release to maximize drug potency and minimize side effects. Toward this end, triggered release approaches have been developed that exploit either pathophysiological stimuli (passive release) including pH or external stimuli (active release) such as light. Here, we present a novel approach for triggering release of contents from liposomes driven by increased calcium at target sites, which plays an important role in biology related to certain diseases. In this chapter, we provide detailed experimental procedures for this project, including synthesis of calcium-responsive lipid switch 1, evaluation of dye release properties and selectivity via fluorescence-based release assays as well as studies of morphology changes during release process by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM).
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Hegedűs L, Zámbó B, Pászty K, Padányi R, Varga K, Penniston JT, Enyedi Á. Molecular Diversity of Plasma Membrane Ca2+ Transporting ATPases: Their Function Under Normal and Pathological Conditions. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1131:93-129. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-12457-1_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Linzke M, Yan SLR, Tárnok A, Ulrich H, Groves MR, Wrenger C. Live and Let Dye: Visualizing the Cellular Compartments of the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Cytometry A 2019; 97:694-705. [PMID: 31738009 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.23927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases worldwide and it is caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium spp. Parasite visualization is an important tool for the correct detection of malarial cases but also to understand its biology. Advances in visualization techniques promote new insights into the complex life cycle and biology of Plasmodium parasites. Live cell imaging by fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry are the foundation of the visualization technique for malaria research. In this review, we present an overview of possibilities in live cell imaging of the malaria parasite. We discuss some of the state-of-the-art techniques to visualize organelles and processes of the parasite and discuss limitation and advantages of each technique. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen Linzke
- Unit for Drug Discovery, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 1374, São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Sun Liu Rei Yan
- Unit for Drug Discovery, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 1374, São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Attila Tárnok
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, D-04107, Härtelstraße 16-18, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Henning Ulrich
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 748, São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Matthew R Groves
- Structural Biology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9713AV, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Carsten Wrenger
- Unit for Drug Discovery, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 1374, São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
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Damena D, Denis A, Golassa L, Chimusa ER. Genome-wide association studies of severe P. falciparum malaria susceptibility: progress, pitfalls and prospects. BMC Med Genomics 2019; 12:120. [PMID: 31409341 PMCID: PMC6693204 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-019-0564-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND P. falciparum malaria has been recognized as one of the prominent evolutionary selective forces of human genome that led to the emergence of multiple host protective alleles. A comprehensive understanding of the genetic bases of severe malaria susceptibility and resistance can potentially pave ways to the development of new therapeutics and vaccines. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have recently been implemented in malaria endemic areas and identified a number of novel association genetic variants. However, there are several open questions around heritability, epistatic interactions, genetic correlations and associated molecular pathways among others. Here, we assess the progress and pitfalls of severe malaria susceptibility GWASs and discuss the biology of the novel variants. RESULTS We obtained all severe malaria susceptibility GWASs published thus far and accessed GWAS dataset of Gambian populations from European Phenome Genome Archive (EGA) through the MalariaGen consortium standard data access protocols. We noticed that, while some of the well-known variants including HbS and ABO blood group were replicated across endemic populations, only few novel variants were convincingly identified and their biological functions remain to be understood. We estimated SNP-heritability of severe malaria at 20.1% in Gambian populations and showed how advanced statistical genetic analytic methods can potentially be implemented in malaria susceptibility studies to provide useful functional insights. CONCLUSIONS The ultimate goal of malaria susceptibility study is to discover a novel causal biological pathway that provide protections against severe malaria; a fundamental step towards translational medicine such as development of vaccine and new therapeutics. Beyond singe locus analysis, the future direction of malaria susceptibility requires a paradigm shift from single -omics to multi-stage and multi-dimensional integrative functional studies that combines multiple data types from the human host, the parasite, the mosquitoes and the environment. The current biotechnological and statistical advances may eventually lead to the feasibility of systems biology studies and revolutionize malaria research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delesa Damena
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700 South Africa
| | - Awany Denis
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700 South Africa
| | - Lemu Golassa
- Aklilu Lema Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, PO box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Emile R. Chimusa
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700 South Africa
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Lauri N, Bazzi Z, Alvarez CL, Leal Denis MF, Schachter J, Herlax V, Ostuni MA, Schwarzbaum PJ. ATPe Dynamics in Protozoan Parasites. Adapt or Perish. Genes (Basel) 2018; 10:E16. [PMID: 30591699 PMCID: PMC6356682 DOI: 10.3390/genes10010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In most animals, transient increases of extracellular ATP (ATPe) are used for physiological signaling or as a danger signal in pathological conditions. ATPe dynamics are controlled by ATP release from viable cells and cell lysis, ATPe degradation and interconversion by ecto-nucleotidases, and interaction of ATPe and byproducts with cell surface purinergic receptors and purine salvage mechanisms. Infection by protozoan parasites may alter at least one of the mechanisms controlling ATPe concentration. Protozoan parasites display their own set of proteins directly altering ATPe dynamics, or control the activity of host proteins. Parasite dependent activation of ATPe conduits of the host may promote infection and systemic responses that are beneficial or detrimental to the parasite. For instance, activation of organic solute permeability at the host membrane can support the elevated metabolism of the parasite. On the other hand ecto-nucleotidases of protozoan parasites, by promoting ATPe degradation and purine/pyrimidine salvage, may be involved in parasite growth, infectivity, and virulence. In this review, we will describe the complex dynamics of ATPe regulation in the context of protozoan parasite⁻host interactions. Particular focus will be given to features of parasite membrane proteins strongly controlling ATPe dynamics. This includes evolutionary, genetic and cellular mechanisms, as well as structural-functional relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Lauri
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and Physicochemistry (IQUIFIB) "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini", Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Junín 956 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Department of Biological Chemistry, Chair of Biological Chemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Junín 956 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Zaher Bazzi
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and Physicochemistry (IQUIFIB) "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini", Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Junín 956 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Cora L Alvarez
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and Physicochemistry (IQUIFIB) "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini", Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Junín 956 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Department of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, University of Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes, Buenos Aires 2160, Argentina.
| | - María F Leal Denis
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and Physicochemistry (IQUIFIB) "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini", Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Junín 956 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Chair of Analytical Chemistry and Physicochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Junín 956 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Julieta Schachter
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and Physicochemistry (IQUIFIB) "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini", Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Junín 956 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Vanesa Herlax
- Biochemistry Research Institute of La Plata (INIBIOLP) "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner", Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of La Plata, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Av. 60 y Av. 120 La Plata, Argentina.
- National University of La Plata, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Av. 60 y Av. 120 La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Mariano A Ostuni
- UMR-S1134, Integrated Biology of Red Blood Cells, INSERM, Paris Diderot University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, University of La Réunion, University of Antilles, F-75015 Paris, France.
- National Institute of Blood Transfusion (INTS), Laboratory of Excellence GR-Ex, F-75015 Paris, France.
| | - Pablo J Schwarzbaum
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and Physicochemistry (IQUIFIB) "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini", Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Junín 956 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Department of Biological Chemistry, Chair of Biological Chemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Junín 956 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Plasmodium falciparum histidine triad protein and calmodulin modulates calcium homeostasis and intracellular proteolysis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 503:722-728. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.06.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Ndila CM, Uyoga S, Macharia AW, Nyutu G, Peshu N, Ojal J, Shebe M, Awuondo KO, Mturi N, Tsofa B, Sepúlveda N, Clark TG, Band G, Clarke G, Rowlands K, Hubbart C, Jeffreys A, Kariuki S, Marsh K, Mackinnon M, Maitland K, Kwiatkowski DP, Rockett KA, Williams TN, Abathina A, Abubakar I, Achidi E, Agbenyega T, Aiyegbo M, Akoto A, Allen A, Allen S, Amenga-Etego L, Amodu F, Amodu O, Anchang-Kimbi J, Ansah N, Ansah P, Ansong D, Antwi S, Anyorigiya T, Apinjoh T, Asafo-Agyei E, Asoala V, Atuguba F, Auburn S, Bah A, Bamba K, Bancone G, Band G, Barnwell D, Barry A, Bauni E, Besingi R, Bojang K, Bougouma E, Bull S, Busby G, Camara A, Camara L, Campino S, Carter R, Carucci D, Casals-Pascual C, Ceesay N, Ceesay P, Chau T, Chuong L, Clark T, Clarke G, Cole-Ceesay R, Conway D, Cook K, Cook O, Cornelius V, Corran P, Correa S, Cox S, Craik R, Danso B, Davis T, Day N, Deloukas P, Dembele A, deVries J, Dewasurendra R, Diakite M, Diarra E, Dibba Y, Diss A, Djimdé A, Dolo A, Doumbo O, Doyle A, Drakeley C, Drury E, Duffy P, Dunstan S, Ebonyi A, Elhassan A, Elhassan I, Elzein A, Enimil A, Esangbedo P, Evans J, Evans J, Farrar J, Fernando D, Fitzpatrick K, Fullah J, Garcia J, Ghansah A, Gottleib M, Green A, Hart L, Hennsman M, Hien T, Hieu N, Hilton E, Hodgson A, Horstmann R, Hubbart C, Hughes C, Hussein A, Hutton R, Ibrahim M, Ishengoma D, Jaiteh J, Jallow M, Jallow M, Jammeh K, Jasseh M, Jeffreys A, Jobarteh A, Johnson K, Joseph S, Jyothi D, Kachala D, Kamuya D, Kanyi H, Karunajeewa H, Karunaweera N, Keita M, Kerasidou A, Khan A, Kivinen K, Kokwaro G, Konate A, Konate S, Koram K, Kwiatkowski D, Laman M, Le S, Leffler E, Lemnge M, Lin E, Ly A, Macharia A, MacInnis B, Mai N, Makani J, Malangone C, Mangano V, Manjurano A, Manneh L, Manning L, Manske M, Marsh K, Marsh V, Maslen G, Maxwell C, Mbunwe E, McCreight M, Mead D, Mendy A, Mendy A, Mensah N, Michon P, Miles A, Miotto O, Modiano D, Mohamed H, Molloy S, Molyneux M, Molyneux S, Moore M, Moyes C, Mtei F, Mtove G, Mueller I, Mugri R, Munthali A, Mutabingwa T, Nadjm B, Ndi A, Ndila C, Newton C, Niangaly A, Njie H, Njie J, Njie M, Njie M, Njie S, Njiragoma L, Nkrumah F, Ntunthama N, Nyika A, Nyirongo V, O'Brien J, Obu H, Oduro A, Ofori A, Olaniyan S, Olaosebikan R, Oluoch T, Omotade O, Oni O, Onykwelu E, Opi D, Orimadegun A, O'Riordan S, Ouedraogo I, Oyola S, Parker M, Pearson R, Pensulo P, Peshu N, Phiri A, Phu N, Pinder M, Pirinen M, Plowe C, Potter C, Poudiougou B, Puijalon O, Quyen N, Ragoussis I, Ragoussis J, Rasheed O, Reeder J, Reyburn H, Riley E, Risley P, Rockett K, Rodford J, Rogers J, Rogers W, Rowlands K, Ruano-Rubio V, Sabally-Ceesay K, Sadiq A, Saidy-Khan M, Saine H, Sakuntabhai A, Sall A, Sambian D, Sambou I, SanJoaquin M, Sepúlveda N, Shah S, Shelton J, Siba P, Silva N, Simmons C, Simpore J, Singhasivanon P, Sinh D, Sirima S, Sirugo G, Sisay-Joof F, Sissoko S, Small K, Somaskantharajah E, Spencer C, Stalker J, Stevens M, Suriyaphol P, Sylverken J, Taal B, Tall A, Taylor T, Teo Y, Thai C, Thera M, Titanji V, Toure O, Troye-Blomberg M, Usen S, Uyoga S, Vanderwal A, Wangai H, Watson R, Williams T, Wilson M, Wrigley R, Yafi C, Yamoah L. Human candidate gene polymorphisms and risk of severe malaria in children in Kilifi, Kenya: a case-control association study. Lancet Haematol 2018; 5:e333-e345. [PMID: 30033078 PMCID: PMC6069675 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3026(18)30107-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human genetic factors are important determinants of malaria risk. We investigated associations between multiple candidate polymorphisms-many related to the structure or function of red blood cells-and risk for severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria and its specific phenotypes, including cerebral malaria, severe malaria anaemia, and respiratory distress. METHODS We did a case-control study in Kilifi County, Kenya. We recruited as cases children presenting with severe malaria to the high-dependency ward of Kilifi County Hospital. We included as controls infants born in the local community between Aug 1, 2006, and Sept 30, 2010, who were part of a genetics study. We tested for associations between a range of candidate malaria-protective genes and risk for severe malaria and its specific phenotypes. We used a permutation approach to account for multiple comparisons between polymorphisms and severe malaria. We judged p values less than 0·005 significant for the primary analysis of the association between candidate genes and severe malaria. FINDINGS Between June 11, 1995, and June 12, 2008, 2244 children with severe malaria were recruited to the study, and 3949 infants were included as controls. Overall, 263 (12%) of 2244 children with severe malaria died in hospital, including 196 (16%) of 1233 with cerebral malaria. We investigated 121 polymorphisms in 70 candidate severe malaria-associated genes. We found significant associations between risk for severe malaria overall and polymorphisms in 15 genes or locations, of which most were related to red blood cells: ABO, ATP2B4, ARL14, CD40LG, FREM3, INPP4B, G6PD, HBA (both HBA1 and HBA2), HBB, IL10, LPHN2 (also known as ADGRL2), LOC727982, RPS6KL1, CAND1, and GNAS. Combined, these genetic associations accounted for 5·2% of the variance in risk for developing severe malaria among individuals in the general population. We confirmed established associations between severe malaria and sickle-cell trait (odds ratio [OR] 0·15, 95% CI 0·11-0·20; p=2·61 × 10-58), blood group O (0·74, 0·66-0·82; p=6·26 × 10-8), and -α3·7-thalassaemia (0·83, 0·76-0·90; p=2·06 × 10-6). We also found strong associations between overall risk of severe malaria and polymorphisms in both ATP2B4 (OR 0·76, 95% CI 0·63-0·92; p=0·001) and FREM3 (0·64, 0·53-0·79; p=3·18 × 10-14). The association with FREM3 could be accounted for by linkage disequilibrium with a complex structural mutation within the glycophorin gene region (comprising GYPA, GYPB, and GYPE) that encodes for the rare Dantu blood group antigen. Heterozygosity for Dantu was associated with risk for severe malaria (OR 0·57, 95% CI 0·49-0·68; p=3·22 × 10-11), as was homozygosity (0·26, 0·11-0·62; p=0·002). INTERPRETATION Both ATP2B4 and the Dantu blood group antigen are associated with the structure and function of red blood cells. ATP2B4 codes for plasma membrane calcium-transporting ATPase 4 (the major calcium pump on red blood cells) and the glycophorins are ligands for parasites to invade red blood cells. Future work should aim at uncovering the mechanisms by which these polymorphisms can result in severe malaria protection and investigate the implications of these associations for wider health. FUNDING Wellcome Trust, UK Medical Research Council, European Union, and Foundation for the National Institutes of Health as part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Grand Challenges in Global Health Initiative.
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Chakraborty S, Roy S, Mistry HU, Murthy S, George N, Bhandari V, Sharma P. Potential Sabotage of Host Cell Physiology by Apicomplexan Parasites for Their Survival Benefits. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1261. [PMID: 29081773 PMCID: PMC5645534 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Babesia, and Theileria are the major apicomplexan parasites affecting humans or animals worldwide. These pathogens represent an excellent example of host manipulators who can overturn host signaling pathways for their survival. They infect different types of host cells and take charge of the host machinery to gain nutrients and prevent itself from host attack. The mechanisms by which these pathogens modulate the host signaling pathways are well studied for Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, and Theileria, except for limited studies on Babesia. Theileria is a unique pathogen taking into account the way it modulates host cell transformation, resulting in its clonal expansion. These parasites majorly modulate similar host signaling pathways, however, the disease outcome and effect is different among them. In this review, we discuss the approaches of these apicomplexan to manipulate the host–parasite clearance pathways during infection, invasion, survival, and egress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonti Roy
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB-DBT), Hyderabad, India
| | - Hiral Uday Mistry
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB-DBT), Hyderabad, India
| | - Shweta Murthy
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB-DBT), Hyderabad, India
| | - Neena George
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB-DBT), Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Paresh Sharma
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB-DBT), Hyderabad, India
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25
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Andreev IM. Emerging evidence for potential role of Ca 2+-ATPase-mediated calcium accumulation in symbiosomes of infected root nodule cells. FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY : FPB 2017; 44:955-960. [PMID: 32480623 DOI: 10.1071/fp17042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Symbiosomes are organelle-like compartments responsible for nitrogen fixation in infected nodule cells of legumes, which are formed as a result of symbiotic association of soil bacteria rhizobia with certain plant root cells. They are virtually the only source of reduced nitrogen in the Earth's biosphere, and consequently, are of great importance. It has been proven that the functioning of symbiosomes depends to a large extent on the transport of various metabolites and ions - most likely including Ca2+ - across the symbiosome membrane (SM). Although it has been well established that this cation is involved in the regulation of a broad spectrum of processes in cells of living organisms, its role in the functioning of symbiosomes remains obscure. This is despite available data indicating both its transport through the SM and accumulation within these compartments. This review summarises the results obtained in the course of studies on the given aspects of calcium behaviour in symbiosomes, and on this basis gives a possible explanation of the proper functional role in them of Ca2+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor M Andreev
- Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Botanicheskaya st. 35, Moscow 127276, Russia. Email
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26
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LaFavers KA, Márquez Nogueras KM, Coppens I, Moreno SN, Arrizabalaga G. A novel dense granule protein, GRA41, regulates timing of egress and calcium sensitivity in Toxoplasma gondii. Cell Microbiol 2017; 19:10.1111/cmi.12749. [PMID: 28436089 PMCID: PMC5787377 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite with high seroprevalence in humans. Repeated lytic cycles of invasion, replication, and egress drive both the propagation and the virulence of this parasite. Key steps in this cycle, including invasion and egress, depend on tightly regulated calcium fluxes and, although many of the calcium-dependent effectors have been identified, the factors that detect and regulate the calcium fluxes are mostly unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we used a forward genetic approach to isolate mutants resistant to extracellular exposure to the calcium ionophore A23187. Through whole genome sequencing and complementation, we have determined that a nonsense mutation in a previously uncharacterised protein is responsible for the ionophore resistance of one of the mutants. The complete loss of this protein recapitulates the resistance phenotype and importantly shows defects in calcium regulation and in the timing of egress. The affected protein, GRA41, localises to the dense granules and is secreted into the parasitophorous vacuole where it associates with the tubulovesicular network. Our findings support a connection between the tubulovesicular network and ion homeostasis within the parasite, and thus a novel role for the vacuole of this important pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaice A. LaFavers
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine
| | | | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Microbiology and Immunology, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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27
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Song YF, Hogstrand C, Wei CC, Wu K, Pan YX, Luo Z. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and cAMP/PKA pathway mediated Zn-induced hepatic lipolysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 228:256-264. [PMID: 28549333 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The present study was performed to determine the effect of Zn exposure influencing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, explore the underlying molecular mechanism of Zn-induced hepatic lipolysis in a fish species of significance for aquaculture, yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. We found that waterborne Zn exposure evoked ER stress and unfolded protein response (UPR), and activated cAMP/PKA pathway, and up-regulated hepatic lipolysis. The increase in ER stress and lipolysis were associated with activation of cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Zn also induced an increase in intracellular Ca2+ level, which could be partially prevented by dantrolene (RyR receptor inhibitor) and 2-APB (IP3 receptor inhibitor), demonstrating that the disturbed Ca2+ homeostasis in ER contributed to ER stress and dysregulation of lipolysis. Inhibition of ER stress by PBA attenuated UPR, inhibited the activation of cAMP/PKA pathway and resulted in down-regulation of lipolysis. Inhibition of protein kinase RNA-activated-like ER kinase (PERK) by GSK2656157 and inositol-requiring enzyme (IRE) by STF-083010 differentially influenced Zn-induced changes of lipid metabolism, indicating that PERK and IRE pathways played different regulatory roles in Zn-induced lipolysis. Inhibition of PKA by H89 blocked the Zn-induced activation of cAMP/PKA pathway with a concomitant inhibition of ER stress-mediated lipolysis. Taken together, our findings highlight the importance of the ER stress-cAMP/PKA axis in Zn-induced lipolysis, which provides new insights into Zn toxicology in fish and probably in other vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Feng Song
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Christer Hogstrand
- Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Division, School of Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Chuan-Chuan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Kun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ya-Xiong Pan
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Zhi Luo
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Health Production of Fisheries in Hunan Province, Changde 415000, China.
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28
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Moraes MS, Budu A, Singh MK, Borges-Pereira L, Levano-Garcia J, Currà C, Picci L, Pace T, Ponzi M, Pozzan T, Garcia CRS. Plasmodium falciparum GPCR-like receptor SR25 mediates extracellular K + sensing coupled to Ca 2+ signaling and stress survival. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9545. [PMID: 28842684 PMCID: PMC5573319 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09959-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is exposed, during its development, to major changes of ionic composition in its surrounding medium. We demonstrate that the P. falciparum serpentine-like receptor PfSR25 is a monovalent cation sensor capable of modulating Ca2+ signaling in the parasites. Changing from high (140 mM) to low (5.4 mM) KCl concentration triggers [Ca2+]cyt increase in isolated parasites and this Ca2+ rise is blocked either by phospholipase C (PLC) inhibition or by depleting the parasite’s internal Ca2+ pools. This response persists even in the absence of free extracellular Ca2+ and cannot be elicited by addition of Na+, Mg2+ or Ca2+. However, when the PfSR25 gene was deleted, no effect on [Ca2+]cyt was observed in response to changing KCl concentration in the knocked out (PfSR25−) parasite. Finally, we also demonstrate that: i) PfSR25 plays a role in parasite volume regulation, as hyperosmotic stress induces a significant decrease in parasite volume in wild type (wt), but not in PfSR25− parasites; ii) parasites lacking PfSR25 show decreased parasitemia and metacaspase gene expression on exposure to the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and iii), compared to PfSR25− parasites, wt parasites showed a better survival in albumax-deprived condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam S Moraes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil.,Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Budu
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil.,Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Maneesh K Singh
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil.,Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Lucas Borges-Pereira
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil.,Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Julio Levano-Garcia
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Chiara Currà
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil.,Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, N. Plastira 100, GR 700 13, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Leonardo Picci
- Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, 0161, Roma, Italy
| | - Tomasino Pace
- Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, 0161, Roma, Italy
| | - Marta Ponzi
- Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, 0161, Roma, Italy
| | - Tullio Pozzan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Institute of Neuroscience, Padova, Unit, National Research Council, Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Célia R S Garcia
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil.
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PfCDPK1 mediated signaling in erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum. Nat Commun 2017; 8:63. [PMID: 28680058 PMCID: PMC5498596 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00053-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium Dependent Protein Kinases are key effectors of calcium signaling in malaria parasite. PfCDPK1 is critical for asexual development of Plasmodium falciparum, but its precise function and substrates remain largely unknown. Using a conditional knockdown strategy, we here establish that this kinase is critical for the invasion of host erythrocytes. Furthermore, using a multidisciplinary approach involving comparative phosphoproteomics we gain insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms. We identify substrates of PfCDPK1, which includes proteins of Inner Membrane Complex and glideosome-actomyosin motor assembly. Interestingly, PfCDPK1 phosphorylates PfPKA regulatory subunit (PfPKA-R) and regulates PfPKA activity in the parasite, which may be relevant for the process of invasion. This study delineates the signaling network of PfCDPK1 and sheds light on mechanisms via which it regulates invasion.Calcium dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1) plays an important role in asexual development of Plasmodium falciparum. Using phosphoproteomics and conditional knockdown of CDPK1, the authors here identify CDPK1 substrates and a cross-talk between CDPK1 and PKA, and show the role of CDPK1 in parasite invasion.
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30
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Gelabert P, Olalde I, de-Dios T, Civit S, Lalueza-Fox C. Malaria was a weak selective force in ancient Europeans. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1377. [PMID: 28469196 PMCID: PMC5431260 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01534-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, is thought to be one of the strongest selective forces that has shaped the genome of modern humans and was endemic in Europe until recent times. Due to its eradication around mid-twentieth century, the potential selective history of malaria in European populations is largely unknown. Here, we screen 224 ancient European genomes from the Upper Palaeolithic to the post-Roman period for 22 malaria-resistant alleles in twelve genes described in the literature. None of the most specific mutations for malaria resistance, like those at G6PD, HBB or Duffy blood group, have been detected among the available samples, while many other malaria-resistant alleles existed well before the advent of agriculture. We detected statistically significant differences between ancient and modern populations for the ATP2B4, FCGR2B and ABO genes and we found evidence of selection at IL-10 and ATP2B4 genes. However it is unclear whether malaria is the causative agent, because these genes are also involved in other immunological challenges. These results suggest that the selective force represented by malaria was relatively weak in Europe, a fact that could be associated to a recent historical introduction of the severe malaria pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Gelabert
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iñigo Olalde
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toni de-Dios
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Civit
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carles Lalueza-Fox
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
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31
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Zámbó B, Várady G, Padányi R, Szabó E, Németh A, Langó T, Enyedi Á, Sarkadi B. Decreased calcium pump expression in human erythrocytes is connected to a minor haplotype in the ATP2B4 gene. Cell Calcium 2017; 65:73-79. [PMID: 28216081 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPases are key calcium exporter proteins in most tissues, and PMCA4b is the main calcium transporter in the human red blood cells (RBCs). In order to assess the expression level of PMCA4b, we have developed a flow cytometry and specific antibody binding method to quantitatively detect this protein in the erythrocyte membrane. Interestingly, we found several healthy volunteers showing significantly reduced expression of RBC-PMCA4b. Western blot analysis of isolated RBC membranes confirmed this observation, and indicated that there are no compensatory alterations in other PMCA isoforms. In addition, reduced PMCA4b levels correlated with a lower calcium extrusion capacity in these erythrocytes. When exploring the potential genetic background of the reduced PMCA4b levels, we found no missense mutations in the ATP2B4 coding regions, while a formerly unrecognized minor haplotype in the predicted second promoter region closely correlated with lower erythrocyte PMCA4b protein levels. In recent GWA studies, SNPs in this ATP2B4 haplotype have been linked to reduced mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations (MCHC), and to protection against malaria infection. Our data suggest that an altered regulation of gene expression is responsible for the reduced RBC-PMCA4b levels that is probably linked to the development of human disease-related phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boglárka Zámbó
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Magyar Tudosok krt. 2, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - György Várady
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Magyar Tudosok krt. 2, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Rita Padányi
- 2nd Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Ulloi ut 26., Budapest, 1085, Hungary
| | - Edit Szabó
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Magyar Tudosok krt. 2, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Adrienn Németh
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Magyar Tudosok krt. 2, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Tamás Langó
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Magyar Tudosok krt. 2, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Enyedi
- 2nd Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Ulloi ut 26., Budapest, 1085, Hungary; Molecular Oncology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Ulloi ut 26., Budapest, 1085, Hungary
| | - Balázs Sarkadi
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Magyar Tudosok krt. 2, Budapest, 1117, Hungary; MTA-SE Molecular Biophysics Research Group, Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Tuzolto u. 37-43., Budapest, 1094, Hungary.
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Abstract
Some hours after invading the erythrocytes of its human host, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum induces an increase in the permeability of the erythrocyte membrane to monovalent ions. The resulting net influx of Na(+) and net efflux of K(+), down their respective concentration gradients, converts the erythrocyte cytosol from an initially high-K(+), low-Na(+) solution to a high-Na(+), low-K(+) solution. The intraerythrocytic parasite itself exerts tight control over its internal Na(+), K(+), Cl(-), and Ca(2+) concentrations and its intracellular pH through the combined actions of a range of membrane transport proteins. The molecular mechanisms underpinning ion regulation in the parasite are receiving increasing attention, not least because PfATP4, a P-type ATPase postulated to be involved in Na(+) regulation, has emerged as a potential antimalarial drug target, susceptible to inhibition by a wide range of chemically unrelated compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiaran Kirk
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia;
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Song YF, Huang C, Shi X, Pan YX, Liu X, Luo Z. Endoplasmic reticulum stress and dysregulation of calcium homeostasis mediate Cu-induced alteration in hepatic lipid metabolism of javelin goby Synechogobius hasta. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2016; 175:20-29. [PMID: 26991751 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Cu exposure on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and Ca(2+) homeostasis, and also explore the underlying mechanism of the ER stress and Ca(2+) homeostasis in the Cu-induced change of hepatic lipid metabolism in javelin goby Synechogobius hasta. To this end, four experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, the full-length cDNA sequences of two ER molecular chaperones [glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and calreticulin (CRT)] and three ER stress sensors [PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), inositol requiring enzyme (IRE)-1α, and activating transcription factor (ATF)-6α] cDNAs were firstly characterized from S. hasta. The predicted amino acid sequences for the S. hasta GRP78, CRT, PERK, IRE-1α and ATF-6α revealed that the proteins contained all of the structural features characteristic in other species. mRNAs of the five genes were expressed in various tissues, but their mRNA levels varied among tissues. In experiment 2, S. hasta were exposed to four waterborne Cu concentrations (control, 19μg/l, 38μg/l, and 57μg/l, respectively) for 60days. Cu exposure evoked ER stress in liver of S. hasta in a time- and concentration-course change. In experiment 3, specific inhibitors, 2-aminoethyldiphenyl borate (2-APB) and dantrolene, were used to explore whether Ca(2+) release from ER was involved in the Cu-induced ER stress change. Dantrolene and 2-APB prevented Cu-induced intracellular Ca(2+) elevation, which demonstrated the release of Ca(2+) from the ER was mediated by both RyR and IP3R. In experiment 4, a chemical chaperone, 4-phenyl butyric acid (4-PBA), was used to demonstrate whether Cu-induced alteration in lipid metabolism was suppressed through the attenuation of ER stress. Cu exposure evoked ER stress and sterol-regulator element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) activation in hepatocytes of S. hasta, resulting in dysregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism. 4-PBA attenuated the Cu-induced elevation of mRNA expression of ER stress-related genes. For the first time, our study cloned GRP78, CRT, PERK, IRE-1α and ATF-6α genes in S. hasta and demonstrated their differential expression among tissues. Moreover, the study demonstrated the molecular mechanism by which ER stress might underlie the change of lipid metabolism induced by Cu in S. hasta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Feng Song
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Chao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ya-Xiong Pan
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Postgraduate Research Base, Panjin Guanghe Fishery Co. Ltd., Panjin 124200, China
| | - Zhi Luo
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Health Production of Fisheries in Hunan Province, Changde 415000, China.
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El Chamy Maluf S, Dal Mas C, Oliveira EB, Melo PM, Carmona AK, Gazarini ML, Hayashi MAF. Inhibition of malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum development by crotamine, a cell penetrating peptide from the snake venom. Peptides 2016; 78:11-6. [PMID: 26806200 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
We show here that crotamine, a polypeptide from the South American rattlesnake venom with cell penetrating and selective anti-fungal and anti-tumoral properties, presents a potent anti-plasmodial activity in culture. Crotamine inhibits the development of the Plasmodium falciparum parasites in a dose-dependent manner [IC50 value of 1.87 μM], and confocal microscopy analysis showed a selective internalization of fluorescent-labeled crotamine into P. falciparum infected erythrocytes, with no detectable fluorescence in uninfected healthy erythrocytes. In addition, similarly to the crotamine cytotoxic effects, the mechanism underlying the anti-plasmodial activity may involve the disruption of parasite acidic compartments H(+) homeostasis. In fact, crotamine promoted a reduction of parasites organelle fluorescence loaded with the lysosomotropic fluorochrome acridine orange, in the same way as previously observed mammalian tumoral cells. Taken together, we show for the first time crotamine not only compromised the metabolism of the P. falciparum, but this toxin also inhibited the parasite growth. Therefore, we suggest this snake polypeptide as a promising lead molecule for the development of potential new molecules, namely peptidomimetics, with selectivity for infected erythrocytes and ability to inhibit the malaria infection by its natural affinity for acid vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- S El Chamy Maluf
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C Dal Mas
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - E B Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade de São Paulo (USP-RP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - P M Melo
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A K Carmona
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M L Gazarini
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, SP, Brazil.
| | - M A F Hayashi
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
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Pandey K, Ferreira PE, Ishikawa T, Nagai T, Kaneko O, Yahata K. Ca(2+) monitoring in Plasmodium falciparum using the yellow cameleon-Nano biosensor. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23454. [PMID: 27006284 PMCID: PMC4804237 DOI: 10.1038/srep23454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium (Ca(2+))-mediated signaling is a conserved mechanism in eukaryotes, including the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Due to its small size (<10 μm) measurement of intracellular Ca(2+) in Plasmodium is technically challenging, and thus Ca(2+) regulation in this human pathogen is not well understood. Here we analyze Ca(2+) homeostasis via a new approach using transgenic P. falciparum expressing the Ca(2+) sensor yellow cameleon (YC)-Nano. We found that cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration is maintained at low levels only during the intraerythrocytic trophozoite stage (30 nM), and is increased in the other blood stages (>300 nM). We determined that the mammalian SERCA inhibitor thapsigargin and antimalarial dihydroartemisinin did not perturb SERCA activity. The change of the cytosolic Ca(2+) level in P. falciparum was additionally detectable by flow cytometry. Thus, we propose that the developed YC-Nano-based system is useful to study Ca(2+) signaling in P. falciparum and is applicable for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kishor Pandey
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), GPO Box: 3323, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Pedro E. Ferreira
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- School of Biological Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Takeshi Ishikawa
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Takeharu Nagai
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan
| | - Osamu Kaneko
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Kazuhide Yahata
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
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Sidik SM, Hortua Triana MA, Paul AS, El Bakkouri M, Hackett CG, Tran F, Westwood NJ, Hui R, Zuercher WJ, Duraisingh MT, Moreno SNJ, Lourido S. Using a Genetically Encoded Sensor to Identify Inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii Ca2+ Signaling. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:9566-80. [PMID: 26933036 PMCID: PMC4850295 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.703546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The life cycles of apicomplexan parasites progress in accordance with fluxes in cytosolic Ca2+. Such fluxes are necessary for events like motility and egress from host cells. We used genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators (GCaMPs) to develop a cell-based phenotypic screen for compounds that modulate Ca2+ signaling in the model apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii. In doing so, we took advantage of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor zaprinast, which we show acts in part through cGMP-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase G; PKG) to raise levels of cytosolic Ca2+. We define the pool of Ca2+ regulated by PKG to be a neutral store distinct from the endoplasmic reticulum. Screening a library of 823 ATP mimetics, we identify both inhibitors and enhancers of Ca2+ signaling. Two such compounds constitute novel PKG inhibitors and prevent zaprinast from increasing cytosolic Ca2+. The enhancers identified are capable of releasing intracellular Ca2+ stores independently of zaprinast or PKG. One of these enhancers blocks parasite egress and invasion and shows strong antiparasitic activity against T. gondii. The same compound inhibits invasion of the most lethal malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Inhibition of Ca2+-related phenotypes in these two apicomplexan parasites suggests that depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores by the enhancer may be an effective antiparasitic strategy. These results establish a powerful new strategy for identifying compounds that modulate the essential parasite signaling pathways regulated by Ca2+, underscoring the importance of these pathways and the therapeutic potential of their inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saima M Sidik
- From the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
| | - Miryam A Hortua Triana
- the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Aditya S Paul
- the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Majida El Bakkouri
- the Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Caroline G Hackett
- From the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
| | - Fanny Tran
- the School of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews and EaStCHEM, North Haugh, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, Scotland, United Kingdom, and
| | - Nicholas J Westwood
- the School of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews and EaStCHEM, North Haugh, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, Scotland, United Kingdom, and
| | - Raymond Hui
- the Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - William J Zuercher
- the Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Silvia N J Moreno
- the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- From the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142,
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Song YF, Luo Z, Zhang LH, Hogstrand C, Pan YX. Endoplasmic reticulum stress and disturbed calcium homeostasis are involved in copper-induced alteration in hepatic lipid metabolism in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 144:2443-2453. [PMID: 26615493 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Cu exposure on ER stress and Ca(2+) homeostasis, and explore the underlying mechanism of the ER stress and disturbed Ca(2+) homeostasis in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. To this end, three experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, P. fulvidraco were exposed to three waterborne Cu concentrations for 56 days. Waterborne Cu exposure evoked ER stress and SREBP-1c activation and resulted in dysregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism in liver of P. fulvidraco in a time-dependent manner. In experiment 2, specific inhibitors 2-APB (IP3 receptor inhibitor) and dantrolene (RyR receptor inhibitor) were used to explore whether Ca(2+) release from ER was involved in the Cu-induced ER stress change. Dantrolene and 2-APB prevented Cu-induced intracellular Ca(2+) elevation, demonstrating that the release of Ca(2+) from the ER, mediated by both RyR and IP3R, contributed to dysregulation of lipid metabolism. In experiment 3, a chemical chaperone (PBA) was used to demonstrate whether Cu-induced alteration in lipid metabolism was suppressed through the attenuation of ER stress. PBA attenuated the Cu-induced elevation of mRNA expression of SREBP-1c, SCAP, ACC, FAS, GRP78/BiP, GRP94, CRT, eIF2α and XBP-1, and alleviated the Cu-induced downregulation of Insig-1. Based on these observations, these results reveal a link between ER stress and the change of lipid metabolism induced by Cu, which will help to understand the Cu-induced toxicity on cellular and molecular level, and provide some novel insights into the regulation of lipid metabolism in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Feng Song
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, PR China; China and Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovative Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, PR China
| | - Zhi Luo
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, PR China; China and Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovative Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, PR China.
| | - Li-Han Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, PR China; China and Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovative Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, PR China
| | - Christer Hogstrand
- Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Division, School of Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Ya-Xiong Pan
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, PR China; China and Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovative Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, PR China
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Budu A, Gomes MM, Melo PM, El Chamy Maluf S, Bagnaresi P, Azevedo MF, Carmona AK, Gazarini ML. Calmidazolium evokes high calcium fluctuations in Plasmodium falciparum. Cell Signal 2015; 28:125-135. [PMID: 26689736 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Calcium and calmodulin (CaM) are important players in eukaryote cell signaling. In the present study, by using a knockin approach, we demonstrated the expression and localization of CaM in all erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum. Under extracellular Ca(2+)-free conditions, calmidazolium (CZ), a potent CaM inhibitor, promoted a transient cytosolic calcium ([Ca(2+)]cyt) increase in isolated trophozoites, indicating that CZ mobilizes intracellular sources of calcium. In the same extracellular Ca(2+)-free conditions, the [Ca(2+)]cyt rise elicited by CZ treatment was ~3.5 fold higher when the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium store was previously depleted ruling out the mobilization of calcium from the ER by CZ. The effects of the Ca(2+)/H(+) ionophore ionomycin (ION) and the Na(+)/H(+) ionophore monensin (MON) suggest that the [Ca(2+)]cyt-increasing effect of CZ is driven by the removal of Ca(2+) from at least one Ca(2+)-CaM-related (CaMR) protein as well as by the mobilization of Ca(2+) from intracellular acidic calcium stores. Moreover, we showed that the mitochondrion participates in the sequestration of the cytosolic Ca(2+) elicited by CZ. Finally, the modulation of membrane Ca(2+) channels by CZ and thapsigargin (THG) was demonstrated. The opened channels were blocked by the unspecific calcium channel blocker Co(2+) but not by 2-APB (capacitative calcium entry inhibitor) or nifedipine (L-type Ca(2+) channel inhibitor). Taken together, the results suggested that one CaMR protein is an important modulator of calcium signaling and homeostasis during the Plasmodium intraerythrocytic cell cycle, working as a relevant intracellular Ca(2+) reservoir in the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Budu
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mayrim M Gomes
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Pollyana M Melo
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sarah El Chamy Maluf
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Piero Bagnaresi
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mauro F Azevedo
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriana K Carmona
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Marcos L Gazarini
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil.
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RANI A, AKHTAR S, NAWAZ SK, IRFAN S, AZAM S, ARSHAD M. Electrolyte Disturbance and the Type of Malarial Infection. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 44:1492-7. [PMID: 26744706 PMCID: PMC4703228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electrolytes play an important role in the normal functioning of human body. Electrolyte imbalance and mineral disturbances is the common clinical manifestation in several infectious diseases including malaria. Malaria is a mosquito borne serious infectious disease of the world. Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum are the main agents responsible for malaria in Pakistan. Electrolyte imbalance in malarial infection may lead towards the severity of disease. METHODS The present study analyzed the electrolytes levels (Na, K, Ca and Mg) in malarial patients and healthy individuals. Patients were categorized into two groups, P. falciparum and P. vivax, based on causative species of Plasmodium. Study consisted of 173 individuals, out of which 73 were malarial patients and 100 were normal healthy individuals. RESULTS Concentrations of Na, K, and Ca were low in the blood of malarial patients as compared to healthy individuals (P<0.05). No significant difference for these electrolytes exists between P. falciparum and P. vivax infected groups (P>0.05). The concentration of Mg was changed based on exposure to the type of parasite. In P. falciparum infection, the level of Mg was lower than healthy individuals was (P<0.05). Discordantly, in case of P. vivaxinfection, Mg level was higher than healthy individuals were (P<0.05). No variation was noticed in electrolytes levels due to gender differences (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Variation in Mg levels occurs due to exposure of Plasmodium depending on its type. The levels of Na, K and Ca are also changed due to Plasmodium, regardless of its type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asima RANI
- Dept. of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - Shahnaz AKHTAR
- Dept. of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | | | - Shazia IRFAN
- Dept. of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - Sadia AZAM
- Dept. of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad ARSHAD
- Dept. of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
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40
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Lungato L, Gazarini ML, Paredes-Gamero EJ, Tufik S, D'Almeida V. Paradoxical sleep deprivation impairs mouse survival after infection with malaria parasites. Malar J 2015; 14:183. [PMID: 25927919 PMCID: PMC4416287 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0690-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parasitic diseases like malaria are a major public health problem in many countries and disrupted sleep patterns are an increasingly common part of modern life. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) and sleep rebound (RB) on malarial parasite infection in mice. Methods After PSD, one group was immediately infected with parasites (PSD). The two other PSD rebound groups were allowed to sleep normally for either 24 h (24 h RB) or 48 h (48 h RB). After the recovery periods, mice were inoculated with parasites. Results The PSD group was the most affected by parasites presenting the higher death rate (0.02), higher number of infected cells (p < 0.01), and decrease in body weight (p < 0.04) compared to control and 48 h RB groups. The 24 h RB group was also different from control group in survival (p < 0.03), number of infected cells (p < 0.05) and body weight (p < 0.04). After 48 hours of sleep rebound animals were allowed to restore their response to parasitic infection similar to normal sleep animals. Conclusions These results suggest that PSD is damaging to the immune system and leads to an increased infection severity of malaria parasites; only 48 hours of recovery sleep was sufficient to return the mice infection response to baseline values. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-015-0690-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisandro Lungato
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, 3rd floor, São Paulo, SP, 04024-002, Brazil.
| | - Marcos L Gazarini
- Department of Biosciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Sergio Tufik
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, 3rd floor, São Paulo, SP, 04024-002, Brazil.
| | - Vânia D'Almeida
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, 3rd floor, São Paulo, SP, 04024-002, Brazil.
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Nwamba CO, Ibrahim K. The role of protein conformational switches in pharmacology: its implications in metabolic reprogramming and protein evolution. Cell Biochem Biophys 2014; 68:455-62. [PMID: 24068517 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-013-9748-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Besides pharmacogenomics and drug dynamics, pharmacological properties of a drug could also arise from protein conformational switches. These switches would arise from the following mechanisms: (a) slight shifts away from a protein's native conformation induced by mutation, (b) changes in the protein's environment allowing for structural rearrangements to form hitherto unknown conformations, (c) parsing the protein into foldable polypeptide fragment(s) by either proteolysis of the native structure or (d) perturbation of the native conformation to generate polypeptide fragment(s). These switches are modulated by changes in the protein's matrix properties such as pH, temperature, ligands-their nature, concentration and complexes; micronutrients, oxidant/antioxidant status and metabolic products within the functional environment of the protein. The pharmacological implications of these are discussed in light of polypharmacology arising from protein isomerism, cross-pharmacology, possible decreases in both the expressible and expressed protein population and metabolic reprogramming-and ultimately, how these factors relate to diseases. Further implications include variational drug toxicity and drug response idiosyncrasies. Another important consequence is that the "whole life" history of the individual would play an active role in that individual's response to disease severity and drug response up to that very moment and is prone to variations with changes in pre-disposing factors.
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42
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Roiko MS, Svezhova N, Carruthers VB. Acidification Activates Toxoplasma gondii Motility and Egress by Enhancing Protein Secretion and Cytolytic Activity. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004488. [PMID: 25375818 PMCID: PMC4223073 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic microbes rely on environmental cues to initiate key events during infection such as differentiation, motility, egress and invasion of cells or tissues. Earlier investigations showed that an acidic environment activates motility of the protozoan parasite T. gondii. Conversely, potassium ions, which are abundant in the intracellular milieu that bathes immotile replicating parasites, suppress motility. Since motility is required for efficient parasite cell invasion and egress we sought to better understand its regulation by environmental cues. We found that low pH stimulates motility by triggering Ca2+-dependent secretion of apical micronemes, and that this cue is sufficient to overcome suppression by potassium ions and drive parasite motility, cell invasion and egress. We also discovered that acidification promotes membrane binding and cytolytic activity of perforin-like protein 1 (PLP1), a pore-forming protein required for efficient egress. Agents that neutralize pH reduce the efficiency of PLP1-dependent perforation of host membranes and compromise egress. Finally, although low pH stimulation of microneme secretion promotes cell invasion, it also causes PLP1-dependent damage to host cells, suggesting a mechanism by which neutral extracellular pH subdues PLP1 activity to allow cell invasion without overt damage to the target cell. These findings implicate acidification as a signal to activate microneme secretion and confine cytolytic activity to egress without compromising the viability of the next cell infected. Toxoplasma and related parasites including those that cause malaria are obligate intracellular pathogens that replicate within a specialized compartment termed the parasitophorous vacuole. To infect new host cells these parasites must first escape from the parasitophorous vacuole and other limiting membranes of the currently infected cell. Escape, or egress as it is often called, depends on the timely release of adhesive proteins and lysis factors from secretory organelles called micronemes. Although this secretory event is crucial for egress, the natural environmental cues that trigger microneme secretion remain poorly defined. Here we discover that acidification of the parasitophorous vacuole is sufficient to trigger microneme secretion and promote the activity of a lysis factor called PLP1. We also show that pH-neutralizing drugs inhibit egress and provide evidence of parasitophorous vacuole acidification approximately coinciding with parasite egress from infected host cells. The findings support a working model in which acidification activates microneme dependent motility and lytic activity to execute egress and destruction of infected cells. The results also provide insight into how PLP1 lytic activity is stimulated during egress in an acidic environment and subsequently suppressed by the neutral extracellular environment, thus permitting cell invasion with minimal damage to the next target cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marijo S. Roiko
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Nadezhda Svezhova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Vern B. Carruthers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Silva GNS, Schuck DC, Cruz LN, Moraes MS, Nakabashi M, Gosmann G, Garcia CRS, Gnoatto SCB. Investigation of antimalarial activity, cytotoxicity and action mechanism of piperazine derivatives of betulinic acid. Trop Med Int Health 2014; 20:29-39. [PMID: 25308185 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To semisynthesise piperazine derivatives of betulinic acid to evaluate antimalarial activity, cytotoxicity and action mechanism. METHODS The new derivatives were evaluated against the CQ-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain by flow cytometry (FC) using YOYO-1 as stain. Cytotoxicity of 4a and 4b was performed with HEK293T cells for 24 and 48 h by MTT assay. The capability of compound 4a to modulate Ca(2+) in the trophozoite stage was investigated. The trophozoites were stained with Fluo4-AM and analysed by spectrofluorimetry. Effect on mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was tested for 4a by FC with DiOC6 (3) as stain. For β-haematin assay, 4a was incubated for 24 h with reagents such as haemin, and the fluorescence was measured by FlexStation at an absorbance of 405 nm. RESULTS Antimalarial activity of 4a and 4b was IC50 = 1 and 4 μm, respectively. Compound 4a displayed cytotoxicity with IC50 = 69 and 29 μm for 24 and 48 h, respectively, and 4b was not cytotoxic at the tested concentrations. Addition of 4a leads to an increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) . We have measured ΔΨm after treating parasites with the compound. Data on Figure 4a show that mitochondria were not affected. The action mechanism for 4a, inhibition of β-haematin formation (17%), was lower than CQ treatment (83%; IC50 = 3 mm). CONCLUSION Compound 4a showed excellent antimalarial activity, and its action mechanism is involved in Ca(2+) pathway(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria N S Silva
- Phytochemistry and Organic Synthesis Laboratory, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Plasmodium Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil
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Gomes MM, Budu A, Ventura PDS, Bagnaresi P, Cotrin SS, Cunha RLOR, Carmona AK, Juliano L, Gazarini ML. Specific calpain activity evaluation in Plasmodium parasites. Anal Biochem 2014; 468:22-7. [PMID: 25281458 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2014.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
In the intraerythrocytic trophozoite stages of Plasmodium falciparum, the calcium-dependent cysteine protease calpain (Pf-calpain) has an important role in the parasite calcium modulation and cell development. We established specific conditions to follow by confocal microscopy and spectrofluorimetry measurements the intracellular activity of Pf-calpain in live cells. The catalytic activity was measured using the fluorogenic Z-Phe-Arg-MCA (where Z is carbobenzoxy and MCA is 4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide). The calmodulin inhibitor calmidazolium and the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin were used for modifications in the cytosolic calcium concentrations that persisted in the absence of extracellular calcium. The observed calcium-dependent peptidase activity was greatly inhibited by specific cysteine protease inhibitor E-64 and by the selective calpain inhibitor ALLN (N-acetyl-l-leucyl-l-leucyl-l-norleucinal). Taken together, we observed that intracellular Pf-calpain can be selectively detected and is the main calcium-dependent protease in the intraerythrocytic stages of the parasite. The method described here can be helpful in cell metabolism studies and antimalarial drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayrim M Gomes
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, UNIFESP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Budu
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Piero Bagnaresi
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Simone S Cotrin
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo L O R Cunha
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriana K Carmona
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Juliano
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos L Gazarini
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil.
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Giganti D, Bouillon A, Tawk L, Robert F, Martinez M, Crublet E, Weber P, Girard-Blanc C, Petres S, Haouz A, Hernandez JF, Mercereau-Puijalon O, Alzari PM, Barale JC. A novel Plasmodium-specific prodomain fold regulates the malaria drug target SUB1 subtilase. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4833. [PMID: 25204226 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium subtilase SUB1 plays a pivotal role during the egress of malaria parasites from host hepatocytes and erythrocytes. Here we report the crystal structure of full-length SUB1 from the human-infecting parasite Plasmodium vivax, revealing a bacterial-like catalytic domain in complex with a Plasmodium-specific prodomain. The latter displays a novel architecture with an amino-terminal insertion that functions as a 'belt', embracing the catalytic domain to further stabilize the quaternary structure of the pre-protease, and undergoes calcium-dependent autoprocessing during subsequent activation. Although dispensable for recombinant enzymatic activity, the SUB1 'belt' could not be deleted in Plasmodium berghei, suggesting an essential role of this domain for parasite development in vivo. The SUB1 structure not only provides a valuable platform to develop new anti-malarial candidates against this promising drug target, but also defines the Plasmodium-specific 'belt' domain as a key calcium-dependent regulator of SUB1 during parasite egress from host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Giganti
- 1] Institut Pasteur, Unité de Microbiologie Structurale, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, F-75015 Paris, France [2] CNRS UMR 3528, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Anthony Bouillon
- 1] Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Moléculaires des Parasites, Département de Parasitologie et de Mycologie, F-75015 Paris, France [2] CNRS URA 2581, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Lina Tawk
- 1] Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Moléculaires des Parasites, Département de Parasitologie et de Mycologie, F-75015 Paris, France [2] CNRS URA 2581, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Fabienne Robert
- 1] Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Moléculaires des Parasites, Département de Parasitologie et de Mycologie, F-75015 Paris, France [2] CNRS URA 2581, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Mariano Martinez
- 1] Institut Pasteur, Unité de Microbiologie Structurale, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, F-75015 Paris, France [2] CNRS UMR 3528, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Elodie Crublet
- Institut Pasteur, Proteopole &CNRS UMR 3528, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Patrick Weber
- Institut Pasteur, Proteopole &CNRS UMR 3528, F-75015 Paris, France
| | | | - Stéphane Petres
- Institut Pasteur, Proteopole &CNRS UMR 3528, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Ahmed Haouz
- Institut Pasteur, Proteopole &CNRS UMR 3528, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Jean-François Hernandez
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, UMR5247, CNRS, Universités Montpellier 1 &2, 15 avenue Charles Flahault, 34093 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Odile Mercereau-Puijalon
- 1] Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Moléculaires des Parasites, Département de Parasitologie et de Mycologie, F-75015 Paris, France [2] CNRS URA 2581, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Pedro M Alzari
- 1] Institut Pasteur, Unité de Microbiologie Structurale, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, F-75015 Paris, France [2] CNRS UMR 3528, F-75015 Paris, France [3] Institut Pasteur, Proteopole &CNRS UMR 3528, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Barale
- 1] Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Moléculaires des Parasites, Département de Parasitologie et de Mycologie, F-75015 Paris, France [2] CNRS URA 2581, F-75015 Paris, France
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The malaria parasite egress protease SUB1 is a calcium-dependent redox switch subtilisin. Nat Commun 2014; 5:3726. [PMID: 24785947 PMCID: PMC4024747 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite that replicates within an intraerythrocytic parasitophorous vacuole. Release (egress) of malaria merozoites from the host erythrocyte is a highly regulated and calcium-dependent event that is critical for disease progression. Minutes before egress, an essential parasite serine protease called SUB1 is discharged into the parasitophorous vacuole, where it proteolytically processes a subset of parasite proteins that play indispensable roles in egress and invasion. Here we report the first crystallographic structure of Plasmodium falciparum SUB1 at 2.25 Å, in complex with its cognate prodomain. The structure highlights the basis of the calcium dependence of SUB1, as well as its unusual requirement for interactions with substrate residues on both prime and non-prime sides of the scissile bond. Importantly, the structure also reveals the presence of a solvent-exposed redox-sensitive disulphide bridge, unique among the subtilisin family, that likely acts as a regulator of protease activity in the parasite.
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Cheemadan S, Ramadoss R, Bozdech Z. Role of calcium signaling in the transcriptional regulation of the apicoplast genome of Plasmodium falciparum. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:869401. [PMID: 24877144 PMCID: PMC4022301 DOI: 10.1155/2014/869401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Revised: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Calcium is a universal second messenger that plays an important role in regulatory processes in eukaryotic cells. To understand calcium-dependent signaling in malaria parasites, we analyzed transcriptional responses of Plasmodium falciparum to two calcium ionophores (A23187 and ionomycin) that cause redistribution of intracellular calcium within the cytoplasm. While ionomycin induced a specific transcriptional response defined by up- or downregulation of a narrow set of genes, A23187 caused a developmental arrest in the schizont stage. In addition, we observed a dramatic decrease of mRNA levels of the transcripts encoded by the apicoplast genome during the exposure of P. falciparum to both calcium ionophores. Neither of the ionophores caused any disruptions to the DNA replication or the overall apicoplast morphology. This suggests that the mRNA downregulation reflects direct inhibition of the apicoplast gene transcription. Next, we identify a nuclear encoded protein with a calcium binding domain (EF-hand) that is localized to the apicoplast. Overexpression of this protein (termed PfACBP1) in P. falciparum cells mediates an increased resistance to the ionophores which suggests its role in calcium-dependent signaling within the apicoplast. Our data indicate that the P. falciparum apicoplast requires calcium-dependent signaling that involves a novel protein PfACBP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabna Cheemadan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551
| | - Ramya Ramadoss
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551
| | - Zbynek Bozdech
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551
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Abstract
As it grows and replicates within the erythrocytes of its host the malaria parasite takes up nutrients from the extracellular medium, exports metabolites and maintains a tight control over its internal ionic composition. These functions are achieved via membrane transport proteins, integral membrane proteins that mediate the passage of solutes across the various membranes that separate the biochemical machinery of the parasite from the extracellular environment. Proteins of this type play a key role in antimalarial drug resistance, as well as being candidate drug targets in their own right. This review provides an overview of recent work on the membrane transport biology of the malaria parasite-infected erythrocyte, encompassing both the parasite-induced changes in the membrane transport properties of the host erythrocyte and the cell physiology of the intracellular parasite itself.
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Krishna S, Pulcini S, Moore CM, Teo BHY, Staines HM. Pumped up: reflections on PfATP6 as the target for artemisinins. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2014; 35:4-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Nwamba CO, Chilaka FC, Moosavi-Movahedi AA. Cation modulation of hemoglobin interaction with sodium n-dodecyl sulfate (SDS). III: Calcium interaction with R- and mixed spin states of hemoglobin S at pH 5.0: the musical chair paradox. Cell Biochem Biophys 2013; 67:547-55. [PMID: 23456537 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-013-9540-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the interaction of Ca(2+) (0-500 µM) and a membrane mimic (0.60 mM SDS) with both the R- and mixed spin states hemoglobin S (HbS) as a function of time. These interactions were carried out at pH 5.0. We aim at ascertaining if there is or are differences in the UV-Visible spectra of such interactions to account for the dynamics of calcium ion concentrations [Ca(2+)] in initiating structures which may ultimately suggest HbS polymerization and or resistance to Plasmodium attack. From our results, we conclude that (a) simultaneous interaction of 40 µM Ca(2+) and 0.60 mM SDS with the R state protein would promote structural formations that can "lock up" the protein for nucleation on the membranes and or become cytotoxic to the parasite; (b) simultaneous R state HbS-SDS or R state HbS-Ca(2+) would lead to enhanced hemin formation and less deoxyHb species. This condition is unlikely to precipitate polymerization in the HbS but the resulting hemin would poison the parasite; (c) the mixed spin state HbS-SDS and 40 µM Ca(2+) interaction yields more toxic products to that of the interaction of the mixed spin HbS-SDS with 500 µM Ca(2+) thus suggesting why the 40 µM Ca(2+) is important in parasite Hb proteolysis; and (d) pronounced structural changes on interaction with SDS and Ca(2+) are more in the R state to the mixed spin state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles O Nwamba
- Department of Chemistry, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Dr. MS 2343, Moscow, ID, 83844-2343, USA,
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