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Davie T, Serrat X, Imhof L, Snider J, Štagljar I, Keiser J, Hirano H, Watanabe N, Osada H, Fraser AG. Identification of a family of species-selective complex I inhibitors as potential anthelmintics. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3367. [PMID: 38719808 PMCID: PMC11079024 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47331-3] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are major pathogens infecting over a billion people. There are few classes of anthelmintics and there is an urgent need for new drugs. Many STHs use an unusual form of anaerobic metabolism to survive the hypoxic conditions of the host gut. This requires rhodoquinone (RQ), a quinone electron carrier. RQ is not made or used by vertebrate hosts making it an excellent therapeutic target. Here we screen 480 structural families of natural products to find compounds that kill Caenorhabditis elegans specifically when they require RQ-dependent metabolism. We identify several classes of compounds including a family of species-selective inhibitors of mitochondrial respiratory complex I. These identified complex I inhibitors have a benzimidazole core and we determine key structural requirements for activity by screening 1,280 related compounds. Finally, we show several of these compounds kill adult STHs. We suggest these species-selective complex I inhibitors are potential anthelmintics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Davie
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xènia Serrat
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lea Imhof
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, CH-4000, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jamie Snider
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Igor Štagljar
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mediterranean Institute for Life Sciences, Meštrovićevo Šetalište 45, HR-21000, Split, Croatia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, CH-4000, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hiroyuki Hirano
- Chemical Resource Development Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Nobumoto Watanabe
- Chemical Resource Development Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Osada
- Chemical Resource Development Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), 3-14-23 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 141-0021, Japan
| | - Andrew G Fraser
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, M5S 3E1, Canada.
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Wolstenholme AJ, Andersen EC, Choudhary S, Ebner F, Hartmann S, Holden-Dye L, Kashyap SS, Krücken J, Martin RJ, Midha A, Nejsum P, Neveu C, Robertson AP, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Walker R, Wang J, Whitehead BJ, Williams PDE. Getting around the roundworms: Identifying knowledge gaps and research priorities for the ascarids. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2024; 123:51-123. [PMID: 38448148 PMCID: PMC11143470 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2023.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The ascarids are a large group of parasitic nematodes that infect a wide range of animal species. In humans, they cause neglected diseases of poverty; many animal parasites also cause zoonotic infections in people. Control measures include hygiene and anthelmintic treatments, but they are not always appropriate or effective and this creates a continuing need to search for better ways to reduce the human, welfare and economic costs of these infections. To this end, Le Studium Institute of Advanced Studies organized a two-day conference to identify major gaps in our understanding of ascarid parasites with a view to setting research priorities that would allow for improved control. The participants identified several key areas for future focus, comprising of advances in genomic analysis and the use of model organisms, especially Caenorhabditis elegans, a more thorough appreciation of the complexity of host-parasite (and parasite-parasite) communications, a search for novel anthelmintic drugs and the development of effective vaccines. The participants agreed to try and maintain informal links in the future that could form the basis for collaborative projects, and to co-operate to organize future meetings and workshops to promote ascarid research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian J Wolstenholme
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Université de Tours, ISP, Nouzilly, France.
| | - Erik C Andersen
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shivani Choudhary
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Friederike Ebner
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - Susanne Hartmann
- Institute for Immunology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lindy Holden-Dye
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Sudhanva S Kashyap
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richard J Martin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Ankur Midha
- Institute for Immunology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Nejsum
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Cedric Neveu
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Université de Tours, ISP, Nouzilly, France
| | - Alan P Robertson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | | | - Robert Walker
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Jianbin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | | | - Paul D E Williams
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
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Zhuang XM, Guo ZY, Zhang M, Chen YH, Qi FN, Wang RQ, Zhang L, Zhao PJ, Lu CJ, Zou CG, Ma YC, Xu J, Zhang KQ, Cao YR, Liang LM. Ethanol mediates the interaction between Caenorhabditis elegans and the nematophagous fungus Purpureocillium lavendulum. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0127023. [PMID: 37560934 PMCID: PMC10580998 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01270-23] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurately recognizing pathogens by the host is vital for initiating appropriate immune response against infecting microorganisms. Caenorhabditis elegans has no known receptor to recognize pathogen-associated molecular pattern. However, recent studies showed that nematodes have a strong specificity for transcriptomes infected by different pathogens, indicating that they can identify different pathogenic microorganisms. However, the mechanism(s) for such specificity remains largely unknown. In this study, we showed that the nematophagous fungus Purpureocillium lavendulum can infect the intestinal tract of the nematode C. elegans and the infection led to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the infected intestinal tract, which suppressed fungal growth. Co-transcriptional analysis revealed that fungal genes related to anaerobic respiration and ethanol production were up-regulated during infection. Meanwhile, the ethanol dehydrogenase Sodh-1 in C. elegans was also up-regulated. Together, these results suggested that the infecting fungi encounter hypoxia stress in the nematode gut and that ethanol may play a role in the host-pathogen interaction. Ethanol production in vitro during fungal cultivation in hypoxia conditions was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Direct treatment of C. elegans with ethanol elevated the sodh-1 expression and ROS accumulation while repressing a series of immunity genes that were also repressed during fungal infection. Mutation of sodh-1 in C. elegans blocked ROS accumulation and increased the nematode's susceptibility to fungal infection. Our study revealed a new recognition and antifungal mechanism in C. elegans. The novel mechanism of ethanol-mediated interaction between the fungus and nematode provides new insights into fungal pathogenesis and for developing alternative biocontrol of pathogenic nematodes by nematophagous fungi. IMPORTANCE Nematodes are among the most abundant animals on our planet. Many of them are parasites in animals and plants and cause human and animal health problems as well as agricultural losses. Studying the interaction of nematodes and their microbial pathogens is of great importance for the biocontrol of animal and plant parasitic nematodes. In this study, we found that the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans can recognize its fungal pathogen, the nematophagous fungus Purpureocillium lavendulum, through fungal-produced ethanol. Then the nematode elevated the reactive oxygen species production in the gut to inhibit fungal growth in an ethanol dehydrogenase-dependent manner. With this mechanism, novel biocontrol strategies may be developed targeting the ethanol receptor or metabolic pathway of nematodes. Meanwhile, as a volatile organic compound, ethanol should be taken seriously as a vector molecule in the microbial-host interaction in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Mei Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Zhi-Yi Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yong-Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Feng-Na Qi
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Ren-Qiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Pei-Ji Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Chao-Jun Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Cheng-Gang Zou
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yi-Cheng Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Jianping Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ke-Qin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yan-Ru Cao
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming, China
| | - Lian-Ming Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan and The Key Laboratory for Southwest Microbial Diversity of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
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Sun S, Kanzaki N, Dayi M, Maeda Y, Yoshida A, Tanaka R, Kikuchi T. The compact genome of Caenorhabditis niphades n. sp., isolated from a wood-boring weevil, Niphades variegatus. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:765. [PMID: 36418933 PMCID: PMC9682657 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-09011-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first metazoan genome sequenced, that of Caenorhabditis elegans, has motivated animal genome evolution studies. To date > 50 species from the genus Caenorhabditis have been sequenced, allowing research on genome variation. RESULTS In the present study, we describe a new gonochoristic species, Caenorhabditis niphades n. sp., previously referred as C. sp. 36, isolated from adult weevils (Niphades variegatus), with whom they appear to be tightly associated during its life cycle. Along with a species description, we sequenced the genome of C. niphades n. sp. and produced a chromosome-level assembly. A genome comparison highlighted that C. niphades n. sp. has the smallest genome (59 Mbp) so far sequenced in the Elegans supergroup, despite being closely related to a species with an exceptionally large genome, C. japonica. CONCLUSIONS The compact genome of C. niphades n. sp. can serve as a key resource for comparative evolutionary studies of genome and gene number expansions in Caenorhabditis species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simo Sun
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, 277-8562 Japan ,grid.410849.00000 0001 0657 3887Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Miyazaki, 889-1692 Japan
| | - Natsumi Kanzaki
- grid.417935.d0000 0000 9150 188XKansai Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 68 Nagaikyutaroh, Momoyama, Fushimi, Kyoto, 612-0855 Japan
| | - Mehmet Dayi
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, 277-8562 Japan ,grid.412121.50000 0001 1710 3792Forestry Vocational School, Duzce University, 81620 Duzce, Türkiye
| | - Yasunobu Maeda
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, 277-8562 Japan ,grid.410849.00000 0001 0657 3887Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Miyazaki, 889-1692 Japan
| | - Akemi Yoshida
- grid.410849.00000 0001 0657 3887Genomics and Bioenvironmental Science, Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 889-1692 Japan
| | - Ryusei Tanaka
- grid.410849.00000 0001 0657 3887Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Miyazaki, 889-1692 Japan
| | - Taisei Kikuchi
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, 277-8562 Japan ,grid.410849.00000 0001 0657 3887Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Miyazaki, 889-1692 Japan
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Swart Z, Duong TA, Wingfield BD, Postma A, Slippers B. The relevance of studying insect-nematode interactions for human disease. Pathog Glob Health 2022; 116:140-145. [PMID: 34726122 PMCID: PMC9090338 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2021.1996796] [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] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate-parasitic nematodes cause debilitating, chronic infections in millions of people worldwide. The burden of these so-called 'neglected tropical diseases' is often carried by poorer socioeconomic communities in part because research on parasitic nematodes and their vertebrate hosts is challenging and costly. However, complex biological and pathological processes can be modeled in simpler organisms. Here, we consider how insight into the interactions between entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), their insect hosts and bacterial symbionts may reveal novel treatment targets for parasitic nematode infections. We argue that a combination of approaches that target nematodes, as well as the interaction of pathogens with insect vectors and bacterial symbionts, offer potentially effective, but underexplored opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zorada Swart
- Department of Biochemistry Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Tuan A. Duong
- Department of Biochemistry Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Brenda D. Wingfield
- Department of Biochemistry Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Alisa Postma
- Department of Biochemistry Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Bernard Slippers
- Department of Biochemistry Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa
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Sun WW, Yan XM, Qiao AJ, Zhang YJ, Yang L, Huang HC, Shi HF, Yan BL. Upregulated galectin-1 in Angiostrongylus cantonensis L5 reduces body fat and increases oxidative stress tolerance. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:46. [PMID: 35123560 PMCID: PMC8817484 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05171-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Angiostrongylus cantonensis L5, parasitizing human cerebrospinal fluid, causes eosinophilic meningitis, which is attributed to tissue inflammatory responses caused primarily by the high percentage of eosinophils. Eosinophils are also involved in killing helminths, using the peroxidative oxidation and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generated by dismutation of superoxide produced during respiratory burst. In contrast, helminthic worms have evolved to attenuate eosinophil-mediated tissue inflammatory responses for their survival. In previous study, we demonstrated the extracellular function of Acan-Gal-1 in inducing the apoptosis of macrophages. Here, the intracellular functions of Acan-Gal-1 were investigated, aiming to further reveal the mechanism involved in A. cantonensis L5 worms surviving inflammatory responses in the human central nervous system. Methods In this study, a model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, was used as a surrogate to investigate the intracellular functions of Acan-Gal-1 in protecting the worm from its host’s immune attacks. First, structural characterization of Acan-Gal-1 was analyzed using bioinformatics; second, qRT-PCR was used to monitor the stage specificity of Acan-gal-1 expression in A. cantonensis. Microinjections were performed to detect the tissue specificity of lec-1 expression, the homolog of Acan-gal-1 in C. elegans. Third, microinjection was performed to develop Acan-gal-1::rfp transgenic worms. Then, oxidative stress assay and Oil Red O fat staining were used to determine the functions of Acan-Gal-1 in C. elegans. Results The results of detecting the stage specificity of Acan-gal-1 expression showed that Acan-Gal-1 was upregulated in both L5 and adult worms. Detection of the tissue specificity showed that the homolog of Acan-gal-1 in C. elegans, lec-1 was expressed ubiquitously and mainly localized in cuticle. Investigating the intracellular functions of Acan-Gal-1 in the surrogate C. elegans showed that N2 worms expressing pCe-lec-1::Acan-gal-1::rfp, with lipid deposition reduced, were significantly resistant to oxidative stress; lec-1 mutant worms, where lipid deposition increased, showed susceptible to oxidative stress, and this phenotype could be rescued by expressing pCe-lec-1::Acan-gal-1::rfp. Expressing pCe-lec-1::Acan-gal-1::rfp or lec-1 RNAi in fat-6;fat-7 double-mutant worms, where fat stores were reduced, had no significant effect on the oxidative stress tolerance. Conclusion In C. elegans worms, upregulated Acan-Gal-1 plays a defensive role against damage due to oxidative stress for worm survival by reducing fat deposition. This might indicate the mechanism by which A. cantonensis L5 worms, with upregulated Acan-Gal-1, survive the immune attack of eosinophils in the human central nervous system. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05171-4.
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Rödelsperger C, Ebbing A, Sharma DR, Okumura M, Sommer RJ, Korswagen HC. Spatial Transcriptomics of Nematodes Identifies Sperm Cells as a Source of Genomic Novelty and Rapid Evolution. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:229-243. [PMID: 32785688 PMCID: PMC8480184 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Divergence of gene function and expression during development can give rise to phenotypic differences at the level of cells, tissues, organs, and ultimately whole organisms. To gain insights into the evolution of gene expression and novel genes at spatial resolution, we compared the spatially resolved transcriptomes of two distantly related nematodes, Caenorhabditis elegans and Pristionchus pacificus, that diverged 60-90 Ma. The spatial transcriptomes of adult worms show little evidence for strong conservation at the level of single genes. Instead, regional expression is largely driven by recent duplication and emergence of novel genes. Estimation of gene ages across anatomical structures revealed an enrichment of novel genes in sperm-related regions. This provides first evidence in nematodes for the "out of testis" hypothesis that has been previously postulated based on studies in Drosophila and mammals. "Out of testis" genes represent a mix of products of pervasive transcription as well as fast evolving members of ancient gene families. Strikingly, numerous novel genes have known functions during meiosis in Caenorhabditis elegans indicating that even universal processes such as meiosis may be targets of rapid evolution. Our study highlights the importance of novel genes in generating phenotypic diversity and explicitly characterizes gene origination in sperm-related regions. Furthermore, it proposes new functions for previously uncharacterized genes and establishes the spatial transcriptome of Pristionchus pacificus as a catalog for future studies on the evolution of gene expression and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Rödelsperger
- Department for Integrative Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annabel Ebbing
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht,
The Netherlands
| | - Devansh Raj Sharma
- Department for Integrative Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Misako Okumura
- Program of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Ralf J Sommer
- Department for Integrative Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hendrik C Korswagen
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht,
The Netherlands
- Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, Utrecht University, Utrecht,
The Netherlands
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Sun WW, Yan XM, Shi Q, Zhang YJ, Huang JT, Huang HC, Shi HF, Yan BL. Downregulated RPS-30 in Angiostrongylus cantonensis L5 plays a defensive role against damage due to oxidative stress. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:617. [PMID: 33298148 PMCID: PMC7724845 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04495-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Eosinophilic meningitis, caused by fifth-stage larvae of the nematode (roundworm) Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is mainly attributed to the contribution of eosinophils to tissue inflammatory responses in helminthic infections. Eosinophils are associated with the killing of helminths via peroxidative oxidation and hydrogen peroxide generated by the dismutation of superoxide produced during respiratory bursts. In contrast, when residing in the host with high level of eosinophils, helminthic worms have evolved to attenuate eosinophil-mediated tissue inflammatory responses for their survival in the hosts. In a previous study we demonstrated that the expression of the A. cantonensis RPS 30 gene (Acan-rps-30) was significantly downregulated in A. cantonensis L5 roundworms residing in cerebrospinal fluid with a high level of eosinophils. Acan-RPS-30 is a protein homologous to the human Fau protein that plays a pro-apoptotic regulatory role and may function in protecting worms from oxidative stress. Methods The isolation and structural characterization of Acan-RPS-30 were performed using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), genome walking and bioinformatics. Quantitative real-time-PCR and microinjection were used to detect the expression patterns of Acan-rps-30. Feeding RNA interference (RNAi) was used to knockdown the apoptosis gene ced-3. Microinjection was performed to construct transgenic worms. An oxidative stress assay was used to determine the functions of Acan-RPS-30. Results Our results showed that Acan-RPS-30 consisted of 130 amino acids. It was grouped into clade V with C. elegans in the phylogenetic analysis. It was expressed ubiquitously in worms and was downregulated in both L5 larvae and adult A. cantonensis. Worms expressing pCe-rps30::Acan-rps-30::rfp, with the refractile “button-like” apoptotic corpses, were susceptible to oxidative stress. Apoptosis genes ced-3 and ced-4 were both upregulated in the transgenic worms. The phenotype susceptible to oxidative stress could be converted with a ced-3 defective mutation and RNAi. rps-30−/− mutant worms were resistant to oxidative stress, with ced-3 and ced-4 both downregulated. The oxidative stress-resistant phenotype could be rescued and inhibited by through the expression of pCe-rps30::Acan-rps-30::rfp in rps-3−/− mutant worms. Conclusion In C. elegans worms, downregulated RPS-30 plays a defensive role against damage due to oxidative stress, facilitating worm survival by regulating downregulated ced-3. This observation may indicate the mechanism by which A. cantonensis L5 worms, with downregulated Acan-RPS-30, survive in the central nervous system of humans from the immune response of eosinophils. Graphic abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Wei Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Xiu-Mei Yan
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qing Shi
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yuan-Jiao Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Jun-Ting Huang
- School of First Clinic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Hui-Cong Huang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, PR China.
| | - Hong-Fei Shi
- Henan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Insects Bio-reactor, China-UK-NYNU-RRes Joint Laboratory of Insect Biology, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, 473061, PR China.
| | - Bao-Long Yan
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, PR China.
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9
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Zhao J, Zhu A, Sun Y, Zhang W, Zhang T, Gao Y, Shan D, Wang S, Li G, Zeng K, Wang Q. Beneficial effects of sappanone A on lifespan and thermotolerance in Caenorhabditis elegans. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 888:173558. [PMID: 32941928 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Sappanone A (SA) is a homoisoflavonoid compound isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L. that selectively binds to inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2, a protein involved in aging. It is unknown if SA has an anti-aging effect and what is it mechanism. This study aimed to investigate the lifespan-extending and health-enhancing effects of SA, and the potential pharmacological mechanism in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The worms were exposed to 0-50 μM SA. The effect on the lifespan was observed, and health status was evaluated by detecting motility, feeding, reproduction, thermotolerance, lipofuscin and ROS accumulation. To explore a possible mechanism, the transcription of the genes of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signalling pathway and heat stress response was detected by RT-qPCR. Moreover, subcellular distribution of green fluorescent protein-labeled DAF-16 was determined, and the interaction between SA and HSP-90 protein was simulated by molecular docking. We found that SA prolonged lifespan in C. elegans and enhanced motility and thermotolerance. The feeding and reproduction were not impacted. The ROS and lipofuscin accumulation was declined. Mechanistic study revealed that the gene expression levels of daf-16 and hsp-90 were up-regulated. Moreover, DAF-16 was translocated into the nucleus. SA was docked into the active pocket of HSP-90 in the simulation. SA (50 μM) can extend lifespan in C. elegans and decelerate aging by regulating the IIS pathway, and daf-16 is specifically important for the regulation of longevity. HSP-90 was involved in the enhancement of thermotolerance. Thus, SA may act as a promising candidate for the development of an anti-aging agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Zhao
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - An Zhu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yuqing Sun
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnostic and Traceability Technologies for Food Poisoning, Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing Center of Preventive Medicine Research, Beijing, 100013, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yadong Gao
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Danping Shan
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Guojun Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnostic and Traceability Technologies for Food Poisoning, Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing Center of Preventive Medicine Research, Beijing, 100013, China; School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Kewu Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China; Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Compatibility Toxicology, Beijing, 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety, Beijing, 100191, China.
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10
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Teterina AA, Willis JH, Phillips PC. Chromosome-Level Assembly of the Caenorhabditis remanei Genome Reveals Conserved Patterns of Nematode Genome Organization. Genetics 2020; 214:769-780. [PMID: 32111628 PMCID: PMC7153949 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.303018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is one of the key model systems in biology, including possessing the first fully assembled animal genome. Whereas C. elegans is a self-reproducing hermaphrodite with fairly limited within-population variation, its relative C. remanei is an outcrossing species with much more extensive genetic variation, making it an ideal parallel model system for evolutionary genetic investigations. Here, we greatly improve on previous assemblies by generating a chromosome-level assembly of the entire C. remanei genome (124.8 Mb of total size) using long-read sequencing and chromatin conformation capture data. Like other fully assembled genomes in the genus, we find that the C. remanei genome displays a high degree of synteny with C. elegans despite multiple within-chromosome rearrangements. Both genomes have high gene density in central regions of chromosomes relative to chromosome ends and the opposite pattern for the accumulation of repetitive elements. C. elegans and C. remanei also show similar patterns of interchromosome interactions, with the central regions of chromosomes appearing to interact with one another more than the distal ends. The new C. remanei genome presented here greatly augments the use of the Caenorhabditis as a platform for comparative genomics and serves as a basis for molecular population genetics within this highly diverse species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia A Teterina
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403
- Center of Parasitology, A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117071, Russia
| | - John H Willis
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403
| | - Patrick C Phillips
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403
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11
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Morales-Yanez FJ, Sariego I, Vincke C, Hassanzadeh-Ghassabeh G, Polman K, Muyldermans S. An innovative approach in the detection of Toxocara canis excretory/secretory antigens using specific nanobodies. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:635-645. [PMID: 31150611 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Human toxocariasis is a zoonosis resulting from the migration of larval stages of the dog parasite Toxocara canis into the human paratenic host. Despite its well-known limitations, serology remains the most important tool to diagnose the disease. Our objective was to employ camelid single domain antibody fragments also known as nanobodies (Nbs) for a specific and sensitive detection of Toxocara canis excretory/secretory (TES) antigens. From an alpaca immune Nb library, we retrieved different Nbs with specificity for TES antigens. Based on ELISA experiments, these Nbs did not show any cross-reactivity with Ascaris lumbricoides, Ascaris suum, Pseudoterranova decipiens, Anisakis simplex and Angiostrongylus cantonensis larval antigens. Western blot and immunocapturing revealed that Nbs 1TCE39, 1TCE52 and 2TCE49 recognise shared epitopes on different components of TES antigen. The presence of disulphide bonds in the target antigen seems to be essential for recognition of the epitopes by these three Nbs. Three separate sandwich ELISA formats, using monovalent and bivalent Nbs, were assessed to maximise the detection of TES antigens in solution. The combination of biotinylated, bivalent Nb 2TCE49 on a streptavidin pre-coated plate to capture TES antigens, and Nb 1TCE39 chemically coupled to horseradish peroxidase for detection of the captured TES antigens, yielded the most sensitive ELISA with a limit of detection of 0.650 ng/ml of TES antigen, spiked in serum. Moreover, the assay was able to detect TES antigens in sera from mice, taken 3 days after the animals were experimentally infected with T. canis. The specific characteristics of Nbs make this ELISA not only a promising tool for the detection of TES antigens in clinical samples, but also for a detailed structural and functional study of TES antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Morales-Yanez
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Medical Helminthology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Idalia Sariego
- Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kourí", Havana, Cuba
| | - Cécile Vincke
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Katja Polman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Medical Helminthology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Health Sciences, Section Infectious Diseases, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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12
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Paschinger K, Yan S, Wilson IBH. N-glycomic Complexity in Anatomical Simplicity: Caenorhabditis elegans as a Non-model Nematode? Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:9. [PMID: 30915340 PMCID: PMC6422873 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans is a genetically well-studied model nematode or "worm"; however, its N-glycomic complexity is actually baffling and still not completely unraveled. Some features of its N-glycans are, to date, unique and include bisecting galactose and up to five fucose residues associated with the asparagine-linked Man2-3GlcNAc2 core; the substitutions include galactosylation of fucose, fucosylation of galactose and methylation of mannose or fucose residues as well as phosphorylcholine on antennal (non-reducing) N-acetylglucosamine. Only some of these modifications are shared with various other nematodes, while others have yet to be detected in any other species. Thus, C. elegans can be used as a model for some aspects of N-glycan function, but its glycome is far from identical to those of other organisms and is actually far from simple. Possibly the challenges of its native environment, which differ from those of parasitic or necromenic species, led to an anatomically simple worm possessing a complex glycome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shi Yan
- Institut für Parasitologie, Veterinärmedizinische Universität, Wien, Austria
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13
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Wang DW, Xu CL, Ding SW, Huang X, Cheng X, Zhang C, Chen C, Xie H. Identification and function of FAR protein family genes from a transcriptome analysis of Aphelenchoides besseyi. Bioinformatics 2018; 34:2936-2943. [DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bty209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Wei Wang
- Laboratory of Plant Nematology and Research Center of Nematodes of Plant Quarantine, Department of Plant Pathology/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chun-Ling Xu
- Laboratory of Plant Nematology and Research Center of Nematodes of Plant Quarantine, Department of Plant Pathology/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shan-Wen Ding
- Laboratory of Plant Nematology and Research Center of Nematodes of Plant Quarantine, Department of Plant Pathology/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Huang
- Laboratory of Plant Nematology and Research Center of Nematodes of Plant Quarantine, Department of Plant Pathology/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Institute of Genetic Engineering, Department of biochemistry, College of Basic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chun Chen
- Laboratory of Plant Nematology and Research Center of Nematodes of Plant Quarantine, Department of Plant Pathology/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui Xie
- Laboratory of Plant Nematology and Research Center of Nematodes of Plant Quarantine, Department of Plant Pathology/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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14
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Lee MR, Canales-Aguirre CB, Nuñez D, Pérez K, Hernández CE, Brante A. The identification of sympatric cryptic free-living nematode species in the Antarctic intertidal. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186140. [PMID: 28982192 PMCID: PMC5629031 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The diversity of free-living nematodes in the beaches of two Antarctic islands, King George and Deception islands was investigated. We used morphological and molecular (LSU, and two fragments of SSU sequences) approaches to evaluate 236 nematodes. Specimens were assigned to at least genera using morphology and were assessed for the presence of cryptic speciation. The following genera were identified: Halomonhystera, Litoditis, Enoploides, Chromadorita, Theristus, Oncholaimus, Viscosia, Gammanema, Bathylaimus, Choanolaimus, and Paracanthonchus; along with specimens from the families Anticomidae and Linhomoeidae. Cryptic speciation was identified within the genera Halomonhystera and Litoditis. All of the cryptic species identified live sympatrically. The two cryptic species of Halomonhystera exhibited no significant morphological differences. However, Litoditis species 2 was significantly larger than Litoditis species 1. The utility of molecular data in confirming the identifications of some of the morphologically more challenging families of nematodes was demonstrated. In terms of which molecular sequences to use for the identification of free-living nematodes, the SSU sequences were more variable than the LSU sequences, and thus provided more resolution in the identification of cryptic speciation. Finally, despite the considerable amount of time and effort required to put together genetic and morphological data, the resulting advance in our understanding of diversity and ecology of free-living marine nematodes, makes that effort worthwhile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. Lee
- Centro i~mar, Universidad de Los Lagos, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | | | - Daniela Nuñez
- Centro i~mar, Universidad de Los Lagos, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - Karla Pérez
- Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Católica de la Santísima de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Crisitan E. Hernández
- Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva and Filoinformática, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Antonio Brante
- Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Católica de la Santísima de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Ambientes Sustentables (CIBAS), Universidad Católica de la Santísima de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
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15
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Wang C, Li F, Zhang Z, Yang X, Ahmad AA, Li X, Du A, Hu M. Recent Research Progress in China on Haemonchus contortus. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1509. [PMID: 28883809 PMCID: PMC5574212 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Haemonchus contortus is one of the most important parasites of ruminants with worldwide distribution that can bring huge economic losses to the breeding industry of cattle, sheep, and goats. In recent 20 years, studies on H. contortus in China mainly focused on the epidemiology, population genetics, anthelmintic resistance, structural and functional studies of important genes regulating the development of this parasite, interaction between parasite molecules and host cells and vaccine development against haemonchosis, and achieved good progress. However, there is no systematic review about the studies by Chinese researchers on H. contortus in China. The purpose of this review is to bring together the findings from the studies on H. contortus in China in order to obtain the knowledge gained from the recent studies in China and provide foundation for identifying future research directions to establish novel diagnostic methods, discover new drug targets and vaccine candidates for use in preventing and controlling H. contortus in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunqun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Zongze Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Xin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Awais A. Ahmad
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Xiangrui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjing, China
| | - Aifang Du
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhou, China
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
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16
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Angiostrongylus cantonensis daf-2 regulates dauer, longevity and stress in Caenorhabditis elegans. Vet Parasitol 2017; 240:1-10. [PMID: 28576337 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The insulin-like signaling (IIS) pathway is considered to be significant in regulating fat metabolism, dauer formation, stress response and longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans. "Dauer hypothesis" indicates that similar IIS transduction mechanism regulates dauer development in free-living nematode C. elegans and the development of infective third-stage larvae (iL3) in parasitic nematodes, and this is bolstered by a few researches on structures and functions of the homologous genes in the IIS pathway cloned from several parasitic nematodes. In this study, we identified the insulin-like receptor encoding gene, Acan-daf-2, from the parasitic nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis, and determined the genomic structures, transcripts and functions far more thorough in longevity, stress resistance and dauer formation. The sequence of Acan-DAF-2, consisting of 1413 amino acids, contained all of the characteristic domains of insulin-like receptors from other taxa. The expression patterns of Acan-daf-2 in the C. elegans surrogate system showed that pAcan-daf-2:gfp was only expressed in intestine, compared with the orthologue in C. elegans, Ce-daf-2 in both intestine and neurons. In addition to the similar genomic organization to Ce-daf-2, Acan-DAF-2 could also negatively regulate Ce-DAF-16A through nuclear/cytosolic translocation and partially restore the C. elegans daf-2(e1370) mutation in longevity, dauer formation and stress resistance. These findings provided further evidence of the functional conservation of DAF-2 between parasitic nematodes and the free-living nematode C. elegans, and might be significant in understanding the developmental biology of nematode parasites, particularly in the infective process and the host-specificity.
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17
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Xie H, Yuan D, Luo S, Zeng X, Zeng X, He P, Lv Z, Wu Z. Angiostrongylus cantonensis: An optimized cultivation of this parasitic nematode under laboratory conditions. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:2231-2237. [PMID: 28616635 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5526-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis), a parasitic nematode, is the important neurotropic pathogen which causes human angiostrongyliasis. It has a complex life-cycle and severe parasite-host interaction in contrast to free-living nematode. Establishment of a well-suited life-cycle and in vitro cultivation of A. cantonensis in the laboratory will be one of the key techniques to elucidate the mechanism of parasite-host interaction. However, the low survival and growth rate of worms is still to be the problem. We optimized the known life-cycle of A. cantonensis in the laboratory, showing that small in size, easy to breed, and high compatibility of Biomphalaria straminea precede the common snails as an intermediate host of A. cantonensis. Furthermore, the egg hatching rate in Ham's F-12 medium reached approximately 80% using the eggs of mature female adult worms. We also demonstrated that the survival of larvae could be sustained for more than 30 days by in vitro cultivation of L1 larvae in DMEM with mixed antibiotics (100 units/mL of penicillin G potassium, 50 μg/mL of streptomycin sulfate, and 0.5 μg/mL of amphotericin B) and L3, L4, and L5 larvae in Waymouth's medium with 20% fetal calf serum and mixed antibiotics. Infective L1 and L3 larvae kept high infective rate to the snail and rat after cultivation in these media, respectively. It will provide the basis for studying on genetic manipulations for functional genes, new drug screening, and the mechanism of parasite-host interaction of parasitic nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xie
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, Zhongshan Rd. 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control (Sun Yat-sen University), The National Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongjuan Yuan
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, Zhongshan Rd. 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control (Sun Yat-sen University), The National Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China. .,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-Vectors Control, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shiqi Luo
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, Zhongshan Rd. 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control (Sun Yat-sen University), The National Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingda Zeng
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, Zhongshan Rd. 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control (Sun Yat-sen University), The National Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zeng
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, Zhongshan Rd. 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control (Sun Yat-sen University), The National Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping He
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, Zhongshan Rd. 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control (Sun Yat-sen University), The National Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyue Lv
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, Zhongshan Rd. 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control (Sun Yat-sen University), The National Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-Vectors Control, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongdao Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74, Zhongshan Rd. 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control (Sun Yat-sen University), The National Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China. .,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-Vectors Control, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Tsubokawa D, Hatta T, Kikuchi T, Maeda H, Mikami F, Alim MA, Maruyama H, Tsuji N. Venestatin, a Ca ++-binding protein from the parasitic nematode Strongyloides venezuelensis, is involved in the larval migration process. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:501-509. [PMID: 28347664 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The secretory EF-hand Ca++-binding proteins act as calcium signaling molecules for control of cell functions, but those proteins from parasitic helminths are poorly understood. Here, we have identified and characterized an EF-hand Ca++-binding protein from the rodent nematode, Strongyloides venezuelensis, termed 'venestatin', which is highly conserved in Strongyloides spp. Canonical two EF-hand domains and a signal peptide are present in venestatin. A gel mobility shift assay and Ruthenium red staining indicated that the recombinant venestatin possesses binding ability with Ca++ ions. Endogenous venestatin was seemingly localized in the hypodermis and gut of the worms and was found in the excretory-secretory products. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR data showed that venestatin-specific transcript was upregulated in the parasitic stages of S. venezuelensis, and the upregulation occurred promptly after larval invasion through the host's skin, but not in the case of in vitro incubation. Immunization of mice with recombinant venestatin caused a 55% reduction in larval migration to the lungs, and lung hemorrhaging was mild compared with non-immunized groups, suggesting that anti-venestatin sera may interfere with larval migration from skin to lung. Our results suggest that venestatin is secreted from the hypodermis and gut of S. venezuelensis, and has pivotal roles in larval migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daigo Tsubokawa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan; Department of Parasitology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan
| | - Takeshi Hatta
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan; Department of Parasitology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan
| | - Taisei Kikuchi
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara Kiyotake, Miyazaki 899-1692, Japan
| | - Hiroki Maeda
- Department of Parasitology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan; Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Fusako Mikami
- Department of Parasitology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan
| | - M Abdul Alim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Haruhiko Maruyama
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara Kiyotake, Miyazaki 899-1692, Japan
| | - Naotoshi Tsuji
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan; Department of Parasitology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan.
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Gillet FX, Bournaud C, Antonino de Souza Júnior JD, Grossi-de-Sa MF. Plant-parasitic nematodes: towards understanding molecular players in stress responses. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2017; 119:775-789. [PMID: 28087659 PMCID: PMC5378187 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcw260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant-parasitic nematode interactions occur within a vast molecular plant immunity network. Following initial contact with the host plant roots, plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) activate basal immune responses. Defence priming involves the release in the apoplast of toxic molecules derived from reactive species or secondary metabolism. In turn, PPNs must overcome the poisonous and stressful environment at the plant-nematode interface. The ability of PPNs to escape this first line of plant immunity is crucial and will determine its virulence. SCOPE Nematodes trigger crucial regulatory cytoprotective mechanisms, including antioxidant and detoxification pathways. Knowledge of the upstream regulatory components that contribute to both of these pathways in PPNs remains elusive. In this review, we discuss how PPNs probably orchestrate cytoprotection to resist plant immune responses, postulating that it may be derived from ancient molecular mechanisms. The review focuses on two transcription factors, DAF-16 and SKN-1 , which are conserved in the animal kingdom and are central regulators of cell homeostasis and immune function. Both regulate the unfolding protein response and the antioxidant and detoxification pathways. DAF-16 and SKN-1 target a broad spectrum of Caenorhabditis elegans genes coding for numerous protein families present in the secretome of PPNs. Moreover, some regulatory elements of DAF-16 and SKN-1 from C. elegans have already been identified as important genes for PPN infection. CONCLUSION DAF-16 and SKN-1 genes may play a pivotal role in PPNs during parasitism. In the context of their hub status and mode of regulation, we suggest alternative strategies for control of PPNs through RNAi approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- François-Xavier Gillet
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, PqEB Final Av. W/5 Norte, CEP 70·770-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Caroline Bournaud
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, PqEB Final Av. W/5 Norte, CEP 70·770-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Fatima Grossi-de-Sa
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, PqEB Final Av. W/5 Norte, CEP 70·770-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasília-DF, Brazil
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Ding H, Shi H, Shi Y, Guo X, Zheng X, Chen X, Zhou Q, Yang Y, Du A. Characterization and function analysis of a novel gene, Hc-maoc-1, in the parasitic nematode Haemonochus contortus. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:67. [PMID: 28166831 PMCID: PMC5294872 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-1991-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enoyl-CoA hydratase (MAOC) is required for the biosynthesis of the fatty acid-derive side chains of the ascaroside via peroxisome β-oxidation in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The derivative of dideoxy-sugar, ascarylose is used as dauer pheromones or daumones to induce development of the stress-resistant dauer larvae stage. METHODS Hc-maoc-1 gene was obtained by searching the Wellcome Trusts Sanger Institute's H. contortus genomic database. qRT-PCR was performed to analyse the transcriptional levels of Hc-maoc-1 with different developmental stages as templates. IFA was carried out to determine the expression pattern in L3 larvae and micro-injection was used to verify the promoter activity of 5'-flanking region of Hc-maoc-1. Overexpression and RNAi experiments were applied in N2 strain to ascertain the gene function of Hc-maoc-1. RESULTS The full-length cDNA of Hc-maoc-1 was 900 bp in length, which contained eight exons separated by seven introns and possessed the Hotdog domain and the MaoC-like domain, together with several other residues and a hydratase 2 motif. It was transcribed throughout the lifecycle and peaked in the fourth-stage larvae (L4) of H. contortus; however, its transcription level decreased in diapausing L4. The protein expression and location of Hc-MAOC-1 were mainly in the intestine of L3 larvae. Overexpression of Ce-maoc-1 and Hc-maoc-1 in C. elegans showed extended lifespan and increased body size. The protein Ce-MAOC-1 and Hc-MAOC-1 were localized in the intestine with a punctate pattern. In C. elegans, knockdown of Ce-maoc-1 conferred shortened lifespan and body lengths, decreased brood size and increased lipid storage. CONCLUSION Caenorhabditis elegans was used as a model organism to ascertain the function of Hc-maoc-1 in H. contortus. Our results showed the similar characteristics and functions with Ce-maoc-1 and provided evidences of the potential functions of Hc-maoc-1 in biosynthesis of daumones in H. contortus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haojie Ding
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hengzhi Shi
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yu Shi
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xiaolu Guo
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xiuping Zheng
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xueqiu Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Qianjin Zhou
- Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Yi Yang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Aifang Du
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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Structural and functional characterisation of FOXO/Acan-DAF-16 from the parasitic nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Acta Trop 2016; 164:125-136. [PMID: 27619188 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Fork head box transcription factors subfamily O (FoxO) is regarded to be significant in cell-cycle control, cell differentiation, ageing, stress response, apoptosis, tumour formation and DNA damage repair. In the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the FoxO transcription factor is encoded by Ce-daf-16, which is negatively regulated by insulin-like signaling (IIS) and involved in promoting dauer formation through bringing about its hundreds of downstream genes expression. In nematode parasites, orthologues of daf-16 from several species have been identified, with functions in rescue of dauer phenotypes determined in a surrogate system C. elegans. In this study, we identified the FoxO encoding gene, Acan-daf-16, from the parasitic nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis, and determined the genomic structures, transcripts and functions far more thorough in longevity, stress resistance and dauer formation. Acan-daf-16 encodes two proteins, Acan-DAF-16A and Acan-DAF-16B, consisting of 555 and 491 amino acids, respectively. Both isoforms possess the highly conserved fork head domains. Acan-daf-16A and Acan-daf-16B are expressed from distinct promoters. The expression patterns of Acan-daf-16 isoforms in the C. elegans surrogate system showed that p Acan-daf-16a:gfp was expressed in all cells of C. elegans, including the pharynx, and the expression of p Acan-daf-16b:gfp was restricted to the pharynx. In addition to the same genomic organization to the orthologue in C. elegans, Ce-daf-16, both Acan-DAF-16 isoforms could restore the C. elegans daf-16(mg54) mutation in longevity, dauer formation and stress resistance, in spite of the partial complementation of Acan-DAF-16B isoform in longevity. These findings provide further evidence of the functional conservation of DAF-16s between parasitic nematodes and the free-living nematode C. elegans.
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Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a simple metazoan animal that is widely used as a model to understand the genetic control of development. The completely sequenced C. elegans genome contains 22 T-box genes, and they encode factors that show remarkable diversity in sequence, DNA-binding specificity, and function. Only three of the C. elegans T-box factors can be grouped into the conserved subfamilies found in other organisms, while the remaining factors are significantly diverged and unlike those in most other animals. While some of the C. elegans factors can bind canonical T-box binding elements, others bind and regulate target gene expression through distinct sequences. The nine genetically characterized T-box factors have varied functions in development and morphogenesis of muscle, hypodermal tissues, and neurons, as well as in early blastomere fate specification, cell migration, apoptosis, and sex determination, but the functions of most of the C. elegans T-box factors have not yet been extensively characterized. Like T-box factors in other animals, interaction with a Groucho-family corepressor and posttranslational SUMOylation have been shown to affect C. elegans T-box factor activity, and it is likely that additional mechanisms affecting T-box factor activity will be discovered using the effective genetic approaches in this organism.
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Zamanian M, Andersen EC. Prospects and challenges of CRISPR/Cas genome editing for the study and control of neglected vector-borne nematode diseases. FEBS J 2016; 283:3204-21. [PMID: 27300487 PMCID: PMC5053252 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 06/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases caused by parasitic nematodes inflict an immense health and socioeconomic burden throughout much of the developing world. Current estimates indicate that more than two billion people are infected with nematodes, resulting in the loss of 14 million disability-adjusted life years per annum. Although these parasites cause significant mortality, they primarily cause chronic morbidity through a wide range of severe clinical ailments. Treatment options for nematode infections are restricted to a small number of anthelmintic drugs, and the rapid expansion of anthelmintic mass drug administration raises concerns of drug resistance. Preservation of existing drugs is necessary, as well as the development of new treatment options and methods of control. We focus this review on how the democratization of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology can be enlisted to improve our understanding of the biology of nematode parasites and our ability to treat the infections they cause. We will first explore how this robust method of genome manipulation can be used to newly exploit the powerful model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans for parasitology research. We will then discuss potential avenues to develop CRISPR/Cas9 editing protocols in filarial nematodes. Lastly, we will propose potential ways in which CRISPR/Cas9 can be used to engineer gene drives that target the transmission of mosquito-borne filarial nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Zamanian
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonILUSA
| | - Erik C. Andersen
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonILUSA
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Melo CFOR, Esteves CZ, de Oliveira RN, Guerreiro TM, de Oliveira DN, Lima EDO, Miné JC, Allegretti SM, Catharino RR. Early developmental stages of Ascaris lumbricoides featured by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:4107-4114. [PMID: 27412760 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5183-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Ascaris lumbricoides is responsible for a highly disseminated helminth parasitic disease, ascariosis, a relevant parasitosis that responds for great financial burden on the public health system of developing countries. In this work, metabolic fingerprinting using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was employed to identify marker molecules from A. lumbricoides in different development stages. We have identified nine biomarkers, such as pheromones and steroidal prohormones in early stages, among other molecules in late development stages, making up four molecules for fertilized eggs, four marker molecules for first larvae (L1) and one marker molecule for third larvae (L3). Therefore, our findings indicate that this approach is suitable for biochemical characterization of A. lumbricoides development stages. Moreover, the straightforward analytical method employed, with almost no sample preparation from a complex matrix (feces) using high-resolution mass spectrometry, suggests that it is possible to seek for an easier and faster way to study animal molding processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cibele Zanardi Esteves
- Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Tatiane Melina Guerreiro
- Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diogo Noin de Oliveira
- Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Estela de Oliveira Lima
- Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Júlio César Miné
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, State University of Ponta Grossa- UEPG, Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo Ramos Catharino
- Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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25
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A review of methods for nematode identification. J Microbiol Methods 2016; 138:37-49. [PMID: 27262374 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2016.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nematodes are non-segmented roundworms found in soil, aquatic environment, plants, or animals. Either useful or pathogenic, they greatly influence environmental equilibrium, human and animal health, as well as plant production. Knowledge on their taxonomy and biology are key issues to answer the different challenges associated to these organisms. Nowadays, most of the nematode taxonomy remains unknown or unclear. Several approaches are available for parasite identification, from the traditional morphology-based techniques to the sophisticated high-throughput sequencing technologies. All these techniques have advantages or drawbacks depending on the sample origin and the number of nematodes to be processed. This review proposes an overview of all newly available methods available to identify known and/or unknown nematodes with a specific focus on emerging high-throughput molecular techniques.
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Mohandas N, Hu M, Stroehlein AJ, Young ND, Sternberg PW, Lok JB, Gasser RB. Reconstruction of the insulin-like signalling pathway of Haemonchus contortus. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:64. [PMID: 26842675 PMCID: PMC4741068 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1341-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In the present study, we reconstructed the insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 signalling (IIS) pathway for Haemonchus contortus, which is one of the most important eukaryotic pathogens of livestock worldwide and is related to the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods We curated full-length open-reading frames from assembled transcripts, defined the complement of genes that encode proteins involved in this pathway and then investigated the transcription profiles of these genes for all key developmental stages of H. contortus. Results The core components of the IIS pathway are similar to their respective homologs in C. elegans. However, there is considerable variation in the numbers of isoforms between H. contortus and C. elegans and an absence of AKT-2 and DDL-2 homologs from H. contortus. Interestingly, DAF-16 has a single isoform in H. contortus compared with 12 in C. elegans, suggesting novel functional roles in the parasitic nematode. Some IIS proteins, such as DAF-18 and SGK-1, vary in their functional domains, indicating distinct roles from their homologs in C. elegans. Conclusions This study paves the way for the further characterization of key signalling pathways in other socioeconomically important parasites and should help understand the complex mechanisms involved in developmental processes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1341-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namitha Mohandas
- The University of Melbourne, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.
| | - Andreas J Stroehlein
- The University of Melbourne, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Neil D Young
- The University of Melbourne, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Paul W Sternberg
- HHMI, Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
| | - James B Lok
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Robin B Gasser
- The University of Melbourne, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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Molecular characterization of the Haemonchus contortus phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 gene (Hc-pdk-1). Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:65. [PMID: 26842781 PMCID: PMC4741024 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1351-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK-1), which functions downstream of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (AGE-1) and activates protein kinases of the AGC family, plays critical roles in regulating biology processes, such as metabolism, growth, development and survival. In the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, PDK-1 is a key component of the insulin-like signalling pathway, regulating the entry into and exit from dauer (arrested development). Although it is proposed that similar molecular mechanisms control the transition from the free-living to the parasitic stages of nematodes, nothing is known about PDK-1 in Haemonchus contortus, a socioeconomically important gastric nematode of ruminants. Methods Here, we isolated and characterized the pdk-1 gene (Hc-pdk-1) and its inferred product (Hc-PDK-1) from H. contortus. Using in vitro and in vivo methods, we then studied the transcriptional profiles of Hc-pdk-1 and anatomical gene expression patterns of Hc-PDK-1 in different developmental stages of C. elegans. Results In silico analysis of Hc-PDK-1 displayed conserved functional domains, such as protein kinase and pleckstrin homology (PH) domains and two predicted phosphorylation sites (Thr226/Tyr229), which are crucial for the phosphorylation of downstream signalling. The Hc-pdk-1 gene is transcribed in all of the main developmental stages of H. contortus, with its highest transcription in the infective third-stage larvae (iL3) compared with other stages. Transgene constructs, in which respective promoters were fused to the coding sequence for green fluorescent protein (GFP), were used to transform C. elegans, and to localize and compare the expression of Hc-pdk-1 and Ce-pdk-1. The expression of GFP under the control of the Hc-pdk-1 promoter was localized to the intestine, and head and tail neurons, contrasting somewhat the profile for the C. elegans ortholog, which is expressed in pharynx, intestine and head and tail neurons. Conclusions This is the first characterization of pdk-1/PDK-1 from a trichostrongyloid nematode. Taken together, the findings from this study provide a first glimpse of the involvement of Hc-pdk-1 in the insulin-like signalling pathway in H. contortus. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1351-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Ondrovics M, Gasser RB, Joachim A. Recent Advances in Elucidating Nematode Moulting - Prospects of Using Oesophagostomum dentatum as a Model. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2015; 91:233-64. [PMID: 27015950 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
There are major gaps in our knowledge of many molecular biological processes that take place during the development of parasitic nematodes, in spite of the fact that understanding such processes could lead to new ways of treating and controlling parasitic diseases via the disruption of one or more biological pathways in the parasites. Progress in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and bioinformatics now provides unique opportunities to investigate the molecular basis of key developmental processes in parasitic nematodes. The porcine nodule worm, Oesophagostomum dentatum, represents a large order (Strongylida) of socioeconomically important nematodes, and provides a useful platform for exploring molecular developmental processes, particularly given that this nematode can be grown and maintained in culture in vitro for periods longer than most other nematodes of this order. In this article, we focus on the moulting process (ecdysis) in nematodes; review recent advances in our understanding of molecular aspects of moulting in O. dentatum achieved by using integrated proteomic-bioinformatic tools and discuss key implications and future prospects for research in this area, also with respect to developing new anti-nematode interventions and biotechnological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Ondrovics
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anja Joachim
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Abstract
A little over 50 years ago, Sydney Brenner had the foresight to develop the nematode (round worm) Caenorhabditis elegans as a genetic model for understanding questions of developmental biology and neurobiology. Over time, research on C. elegans has expanded to explore a wealth of diverse areas in modern biology including studies of the basic functions and interactions of eukaryotic cells, host-parasite interactions, and evolution. C. elegans has also become an important organism in which to study processes that go awry in human diseases. This primer introduces the organism and the many features that make it an outstanding experimental system, including its small size, rapid life cycle, transparency, and well-annotated genome. We survey the basic anatomical features, common technical approaches, and important discoveries in C. elegans research. Key to studying C. elegans has been the ability to address biological problems genetically, using both forward and reverse genetics, both at the level of the entire organism and at the level of the single, identified cell. These possibilities make C. elegans useful not only in research laboratories, but also in the classroom where it can be used to excite students who actually can see what is happening inside live cells and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann K Corsi
- Biology Department, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064
| | - Bruce Wightman
- Biology Department, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104
| | - Martin Chalfie
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
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Fraga D, Aryal M, Hall JE, Rae E, Snider M. Characterization of the arginine kinase isoforms in Caenorhabditis elegans. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 187:85-101. [PMID: 25981702 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2015.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Phosphagen kinases (PKs) are well-studied enzymes involved in energy homeostasis in a wide range of animal, protozoan, and even some bacterial species. Recent genome efforts have allowed comparative work on the PKs to extend beyond the biochemistry of individual proteins to the comparative cellular physiology and examining of the role of all PK family members in an organism. The sequencing of the Caenorhabditis elegans genome and availability of sophisticated genetic tools within that system affords the opportunity to conduct a detailed physiological analysis of the PKs from a well known invertebrate for comparison with the extensive work conducted on vertebrate systems. As a first step in this effort we have carried out a detailed molecular genetic and biochemical characterization of the PKs in C. elegans. Our results reveal that C. elegans has five PK genes encoding arginine kinases that range in catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM(Arg)) from (3.1±0.6)×10(4) to (9±4)×10(5) M(-1) s(-1). This range is generally within the range seen for arginine kinases from a variety of species. Our molecular genetic and phylogenetic analysis reveals that the gene family has undergone extensive intron loss and gain within the suborder Rhabditina. In addition, within C. elegans we find evidence of gene duplication and loss. The analysis described here for the C. elegans AKs represents one of the most complete biochemical and molecular genetic analysis of a PK family within a genetically tractable invertebrate system and opens up the possibility of conducting detailed physiological comparisons with vertebrate systems using the sophisticated tools available with this model invertebrate system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Fraga
- Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH 44691, United States; Department of Biology, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH 44691, United States.
| | - Manish Aryal
- Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH 44691, United States
| | - Joseph E Hall
- Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH 44691, United States
| | - Evan Rae
- Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH 44691, United States
| | - Mark Snider
- Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH 44691, United States; Department of Chemistry, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH 44691, United States
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Schroeder FC. Modular assembly of primary metabolic building blocks: a chemical language in C. elegans. CHEMISTRY & BIOLOGY 2015; 22:7-16. [PMID: 25484238 PMCID: PMC4304883 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2014.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 10/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The metabolome of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, like that of other model organisms, remained largely uncharacterized until recent studies demonstrated the importance of small molecule-based signaling cascades for many aspects of nematode biology. These studies revealed that nematodes are amazingly skilled chemists: using simple building blocks from primary metabolism and a strategy of modular assembly, nematodes create complex molecular architectures that serve as signaling molecules. These nematode-derived modular metabolites (NDMMs) are based on the dideoxysugars ascarylose and paratose, which serve as scaffolds for the attachment of moieties from lipid, amino acid, neurotransmitter, and nucleoside metabolism. Although preliminary biosynthetic studies have confirmed the primary metabolism origin of some of the building blocks incorporated into NDMMs, the mechanisms that underlie their highly specific assembly are not understood. I argue that identification of new variants of primary metabolism-derived structures that serve important signaling functions in C. elegans and other nematodes provides a strong incentive for a comprehensive reanalysis of metabolism in higher animals, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank C Schroeder
- Boyce Thompson Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Abstract
Fanleaf degeneration is considered the most damaging viral disease of grapevine. The two major nepoviruses involved are Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) and Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) which are respectively and specifically transmitted by the dagger nematodes Xiphinema index and X. diversicaudatum. The methods described below are aimed at detecting four prevalent grapevine Xiphinema species: the vector species previously mentioned and two nonvector species X. vuittenezi and X. italiae.
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Exploring the role of two interacting phosphoinositide 3-kinases of Haemonchus contortus. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:498. [PMID: 25388625 PMCID: PMC4233088 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0498-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are relatively conserved and important intracellular lipid kinases involved in signalling and other biological pathways. In the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the heterodimeric form of PI3K consists of catalytic (AGE-1) and regulatory (AAP-1) subunits. These subunits are key components of the insulin-like signalling pathway and play roles in the regulation of the entry into and exit from dauer. Although, in parasitic nematodes, similar components are proposed to regulate the transition from free-living or arrested stages to parasitic larvae, nothing is known about PI3Ks in relation to the transition of third-stage larvae (L3s) to parasitism in Haemonchus contortus. Methods An integrated molecular approach was used to investigate age-1 and aap-1 of H. contortus (Hc-age-1 and Hc-aap-1) in C. elegans. Results The two genes Hc-age-1 and Hc-aap-1 were transcribed in all life stages, with the highest levels in the egg, infective L3 and adult female of H. contortus. The expression of these genes was localized to the intestine, contrasting the pattern of their orthologues in C. elegans (where they are expressed in both head neurons and the intestine). The yeast two-hybrid analysis demonstrated that the adaptor-binding domain of Hc-AGE-1 interacted strongly with the Hc-AAP-1; however, this complex did not rescue the function of its orthologue in age-1-deficient C. elegans. Conclusions This is the first time that the PI3K-encoding genes have been characterized from a strongylid parasitic nematode. The findings provide insights into the role of the PI3K heterodimer represented by Hc-age-1 and Hc-aap-1 in the developmental biology of H. contortus. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-014-0498-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Landmann F, Foster JM, Michalski ML, Slatko BE, Sullivan W. Co-evolution between an endosymbiont and its nematode host: Wolbachia asymmetric posterior localization and AP polarity establishment. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3096. [PMID: 25165813 PMCID: PMC4148215 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
While bacterial symbionts influence a variety of host cellular responses throughout development, there are no documented instances in which symbionts influence early embryogenesis. Here we demonstrate that Wolbachia, an obligate endosymbiont of the parasitic filarial nematodes, is required for proper anterior-posterior polarity establishment in the filarial nematode B. malayi. Characterization of pre- and post-fertilization events in B. malayi reveals that, unlike C. elegans, the centrosomes are maternally derived and produce a cortical-based microtubule organizing center prior to fertilization. We establish that Wolbachia rely on these cortical microtubules and dynein to concentrate at the posterior cortex. Wolbachia also rely on PAR-1 and PAR-3 polarity cues for normal concentration at the posterior cortex. Finally, we demonstrate that Wolbachia depletion results in distinct anterior-posterior polarity defects. These results provide a striking example of endosymbiont-host co-evolution operating on the core initial developmental event of axis determination. Filarial nematodes are responsible for a number of neglected tropical diseases. The vast majority of these human parasites harbor the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia. Wolbachia are essential for filarial nematode survival and reproduction, and thus are a promising anti-filarial drug target. Understanding the molecular and cellular basis of Wolbachia-nematode interactions will facilitate the development of a new class of drugs that specifically disrupt these interactions. Here we focus on Wolbachia segregation patterns and interactions with the host cytoskeleton during early embryogenesis. Our studies indicate that centrosomes are maternally inherited in filarial nematodes resulting in a posterior microtubule-organizing center of maternal origin, unique to filarial nematodes. This microtubule-organizing center facilitates the concentration of Wolbachia at the posterior pole. We find that the microtubule motor dynein is required for the proper posterior Wolbachia localization. In addition, we demonstrate that Wolbachia rely on polarity signals in the egg for their preferential localization at the posterior pole. Conversely, Wolbachia are required for normal embryonic axis determination and Wolbachia removal leads to distinct anterior-posterior embryonic polarity defects. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a bacterial endosymbiont required for normal host embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic Landmann
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, Sinsheimer Labs, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
- Centre de Recherche de Biochimie Macromoléculaire, CNRS, Montpellier, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Jeremy M. Foster
- Molecular Parasitology, New England Biolabs, Ipswich, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Michelle L. Michalski
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Barton E. Slatko
- Molecular Parasitology, New England Biolabs, Ipswich, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - William Sullivan
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, Sinsheimer Labs, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
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Armstrong SD, Babayan SA, Lhermitte-Vallarino N, Gray N, Xia D, Martin C, Kumar S, Taylor DW, Blaxter ML, Wastling JM, Makepeace BL. Comparative analysis of the secretome from a model filarial nematode (Litomosoides sigmodontis) reveals maximal diversity in gravid female parasites. Mol Cell Proteomics 2014; 13:2527-44. [PMID: 24958169 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m114.038539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Filarial nematodes (superfamily Filarioidea) are responsible for an annual global health burden of ∼6.3 million disability-adjusted life-years, which represents the greatest single component of morbidity attributable to helminths affecting humans. No vaccine exists for the major filarial diseases, lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis; in part because research on protective immunity against filariae has been constrained by the inability of the human-parasitic species to complete their lifecycles in laboratory mice. However, the rodent filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis has become a popular experimental model, as BALB/c mice are fully permissive for its development and reproduction. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of excretory-secretory products from L. sigmodontis across five lifecycle stages and identifications of host proteins associated with first-stage larvae (microfilariae) in the blood. Applying intensity-based quantification, we determined the abundance of 302 unique excretory-secretory proteins, of which 64.6% were present in quantifiable amounts only from gravid adult female nematodes. This lifecycle stage, together with immature microfilariae, released four proteins that have not previously been evaluated as vaccine candidates: a predicted 28.5 kDa filaria-specific protein, a zonadhesin and SCO-spondin-like protein, a vitellogenin, and a protein containing six metridin-like ShK toxin domains. Female nematodes also released two proteins derived from the obligate Wolbachia symbiont. Notably, excretory-secretory products from all parasite stages contained several uncharacterized members of the transthyretin-like protein family. Furthermore, biotin labeling revealed that redox proteins and enzymes involved in purinergic signaling were enriched on the adult nematode cuticle. Comparison of the L. sigmodontis adult secretome with that of the human-infective filarial nematode Brugia malayi (reported previously in three independent published studies) identified differences that suggest a considerable underlying diversity of potential immunomodulators. The molecules identified in L. sigmodontis excretory-secretory products show promise not only for vaccination against filarial infections, but for the amelioration of allergy and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart D Armstrong
- From the ‡Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK
| | - Simon A Babayan
- §Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution and Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK
| | | | - Nick Gray
- §Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution and Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK
| | - Dong Xia
- From the ‡Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK
| | - Coralie Martin
- ¶UMR 7245 MCAM CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75231 Paris, France
| | - Sujai Kumar
- §Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution and Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK
| | - David W Taylor
- ‖Division of Pathway Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK
| | - Mark L Blaxter
- §Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution and Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK
| | - Jonathan M Wastling
- From the ‡Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; **The National Institute for Health Research, Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK
| | - Benjamin L Makepeace
- From the ‡Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK;
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Li F, Lok JB, Gasser RB, Korhonen PK, Sandeman MR, Shi D, Zhou R, Li X, Zhou Y, Zhao J, Hu M. Hc-daf-2 encodes an insulin-like receptor kinase in the barber's pole worm, Haemonchus contortus, and restores partial dauer regulation. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:485-96. [PMID: 24727120 PMCID: PMC4516220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Infective L3s (iL3s) of parasitic nematodes share common behavioural, morphological and developmental characteristics with the developmentally arrested (dauer) larvae of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. It is proposed that similar molecular mechanisms regulate entry into or exit from the dauer stage in C. elegans, and the transition from free-living to parasitic forms of parasitic nematodes. In C. elegans, one of the key factors regulating the dauer transition is the insulin-like receptor (designated Ce-DAF-2) encoded by the gene Ce-daf-2. However, nothing is known about DAF-2 homologues in most parasitic nematodes. Here, using a PCR-based approach, we identified and characterised a gene (Hc-daf-2) and its inferred product (Hc-DAF-2) in Haemonchus contortus (a socioeconomically important parasitic nematode of ruminants). The sequence of Hc-DAF-2 displays significant sequence homology to insulin receptors (IR) in both vertebrates and invertebrates, and contains conserved structural domains. A sequence encoding an important proteolytic motif (RKRR) identified in the predicted peptide sequence of Hc-DAF-2 is consistent with that of the human IR, suggesting that it is involved in the formation of the IR complex. The Hc-daf-2 gene was transcribed in all life stages of H. contortus, with a significant up-regulation in the iL3 compared with other stages. To compare patterns of expression between Hc-daf-2 and Ce-daf-2, reporter constructs fusing the Ce-daf-2 or Hc-daf-2 promoter to sequence encoding GFP were microinjected into the N2 strain of C. elegans, and transgenic lines were established and examined. Both genes showed similar patterns of expression in amphidial (head) neurons, which relate to sensation and signal transduction. Further study by heterologous genetic complementation in a daf-2-deficient strain of C. elegans (CB1370) showed partial rescue of function by Hc-daf-2. Taken together, these findings provide a first insight into the roles of Hc-daf-2/Hc-DAF-2 in the biology and development of H. contortus, particularly in the transition to parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Facai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 1 Shizishan Street, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
| | - James B Lok
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Corner of Flemington Road and Park Drive, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 16-18 Kaiserswerther Street, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Pasi K Korhonen
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Corner of Flemington Road and Park Drive, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Mark R Sandeman
- School of Applied Sciences and Engineering, Monash University, Northways Road, Churchill, Victoria 3842, Australia
| | - Deshi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 1 Shizishan Street, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 1 Shizishan Street, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Xiangrui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanqin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 1 Shizishan Street, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Junlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 1 Shizishan Street, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 1 Shizishan Street, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China.
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Enhancing a search for traditional medicinal plants with anthelmintic action by using wild type and stress reporter Caenorhabditis elegans strains as screening tools. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:291-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Wang Y, Alam T, Hill-Harfe K, Lopez AJ, Leung CK, Iribarne D, Bruggeman B, Miyamoto MM, Harfe BD, Choe KP. Phylogenetic, expression, and functional analyses of anoctamin homologs in Caenorhabditis elegans. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2013; 305:R1376-89. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00303.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Ca2+-activated Cl− channels (CaCCs) are critical to processes such as epithelial transport, membrane excitability, and signal transduction. Anoctamin, or TMEM16, is a family of 10 mammalian transmembrane proteins, 2 of which were recently shown to function as CaCCs. The functions of other family members have not been firmly established, and almost nothing is known about anoctamins in invertebrates. Therefore, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of anoctamins across the animal kingdom and examined the expression and function of anoctamins in the genetically tractable nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Phylogenetic analyses support five anoctamin clades that are at least as old as the deuterostome/protosome ancestor. This includes a branch containing two Drosophila paralogs that group with mammalian ANO1 and ANO2, the two best characterized CaCCs. We identify two anoctamins in C. elegans (ANOH-1 and ANOH-2) that are also present in basal metazoans. The anoh-1 promoter is active in amphid sensory neurons that detect external chemical and nociceptive cues. Within amphid neurons, ANOH-1::GFP fusion protein is enriched within sensory cilia. RNA interference silencing of anoh-1 reduced avoidance of steep osmotic gradients without disrupting amphid cilia development, chemotaxis, or withdrawal from noxious stimuli, suggesting that ANOH-1 functions in a sensory mode-specific manner. The anoh-2 promoter is active in mechanoreceptive neurons and the spermatheca, but loss of anoh-2 had no effect on motility or brood size. Our study indicates that at least five anoctamin duplicates are evolutionarily ancient and suggests that sensory signaling may be a basal function of the anoctamin protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Tashrique Alam
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | | | | | - Chi K. Leung
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Daniela Iribarne
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and
| | - Bradley Bruggeman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and
| | | | - Brian D. Harfe
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Keith P. Choe
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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Lee SG, Jez JM. Evolution of structure and mechanistic divergence in di-domain methyltransferases from nematode phosphocholine biosynthesis. Structure 2013; 21:1778-87. [PMID: 24012478 PMCID: PMC3797223 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2013.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Revised: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The phosphobase methylation pathway is the major route for supplying phosphocholine to phospholipid biosynthesis in plants, nematodes, and Plasmodium. In this pathway, phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PMT) catalyzes the sequential methylation of phosphoethanolamine to phosphocholine. In the PMT, one domain (MT1) catalyzes methylation of phosphoethanolamine to phosphomonomethylethanolamine and a second domain (MT2) completes the synthesis of phosphocholine. The X-ray crystal structures of the di-domain PMT from the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus (HcPMT1 and HcPMT2) reveal that the catalytic domains of these proteins are structurally distinct and allow for selective methylation of phosphobase substrates using different active site architectures. These structures also reveal changes leading to loss of function in the vestigial domains of the nematode PMT. Divergence of function in the two nematode PMTs provides two distinct antiparasitic inhibitor targets within the same essential metabolic pathway. The PMTs from nematodes, plants, and Plasmodium also highlight adaptable metabolic modularity in evolutionarily diverse organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soon Goo Lee
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1137, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Joseph M. Jez
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1137, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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Toubarro D, Avila MM, Hao Y, Balasubramanian N, Jing Y, Montiel R, Faria TQ, Brito RM, Simões N. A serpin released by an entomopathogen impairs clot formation in insect defense system. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69161. [PMID: 23874900 PMCID: PMC3712955 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Steinernema carpocapsae is an entomopathogenic nematode widely used for the control of insect pests due to its virulence, which is mainly attributed to the ability the parasitic stage has to overcome insect defences. To identify the mechanisms underlying such a characteristic, we studied a novel serpin-like inhibitor (sc-srp-6) that was detected in a transcriptome analysis. Recombinant Sc-SRP-6 produced in Escherichia coli had a native fold of serpins belonging to the α-1-peptidase family and exhibited inhibitory activity against trypsin and α-chymotrypsin with Ki of 0.42×10−7 M and 1.22×10−7 M, respectively. Functional analysis revealed that Sc-SRP-6 inhibits insect digestive enzymes, thus preventing the hydrolysis of ingested particles. Moreover, Sc-SRP-6 impaired the formation of hard clots at the injury site, a major insect defence mechanism against invasive pathogens. Sc-SRP-6 does not prevent the formation of clot fibres and the activation of prophenoloxidases but impairs the incorporation of the melanin into the clot. Binding assays showed a complex formation between Sc-SRP-6 and three proteins in the hemolymph of lepidopteran required for clotting, apolipophorin, hexamerin and trypsin-like, although the catalytic inhibition occurred exclusively in trypsin-like. This data allowed the conclusion that Sc-SRP-6 promotes nematode virulence by inhibiting insect gut juices and by impairing immune clot reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duarte Toubarro
- Centro Investigação Recursos Naturais do Centro de Biotecnologia dos Açores, Associate Laboratory of Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Department of Biology, University of Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Mónica M. Avila
- Centro Investigação Recursos Naturais do Centro de Biotecnologia dos Açores, Associate Laboratory of Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Department of Biology, University of Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - YouJin Hao
- Centro Investigação Recursos Naturais do Centro de Biotecnologia dos Açores, Associate Laboratory of Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Department of Biology, University of Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Natesan Balasubramanian
- Centro Investigação Recursos Naturais do Centro de Biotecnologia dos Açores, Associate Laboratory of Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Department of Biology, University of Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Yingjun Jing
- Centro Investigação Recursos Naturais do Centro de Biotecnologia dos Açores, Associate Laboratory of Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Department of Biology, University of Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Rafael Montiel
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Tiago Q. Faria
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui M. Brito
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nelson Simões
- Centro Investigação Recursos Naturais do Centro de Biotecnologia dos Açores, Associate Laboratory of Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Department of Biology, University of Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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Orts DJB, Peigneur S, Madio B, Cassoli JS, Montandon GG, Pimenta AMC, Bicudo JEPW, Freitas JC, Zaharenko AJ, Tytgat J. Biochemical and electrophysiological characterization of two sea anemone type 1 potassium toxins from a geographically distant population of Bunodosoma caissarum. Mar Drugs 2013; 11:655-79. [PMID: 23466933 PMCID: PMC3705364 DOI: 10.3390/md11030655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2012] [Revised: 01/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sea anemone (Cnidaria, Anthozoa) venom is an important source of bioactive compounds used as tools to study the pharmacology and structure-function of voltage-gated K+ channels (KV). These neurotoxins can be divided into four different types, according to their structure and mode of action. In this work, for the first time, two toxins were purified from the venom of Bunodosoma caissarum population from Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, Brazil. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis reveals that BcsTx1 and BcsTx2 are the newest members of the sea anemone type 1 potassium channel toxins. Their functional characterization was performed by means of a wide electrophysiological screening on 12 different subtypes of KV channels (KV1.1-KV1.6; KV2.1; KV3.1; KV4.2; KV4.3; hERG and Shaker IR). BcsTx1 shows a high affinity for rKv1.2 over rKv1.6, hKv1.3, Shaker IR and rKv1.1, while Bcstx2 potently blocked rKv1.6 over hKv1.3, rKv1.1, Shaker IR and rKv1.2. Furthermore, we also report for the first time a venom composition and biological activity comparison between two geographically distant populations of sea anemones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego J. B. Orts
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil; E-Mails: (D.J.B.O.); (B.M.); (J.E.P.W.B.); (J.C.F.)
- Center of Marine Biology, University of São Paulo, São Sebastião, SP, 11600-000, Brazil
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Laboratory of Toxicology, University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, Herestraat 49, P.O. Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; E-Mail:
| | - Bruno Madio
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil; E-Mails: (D.J.B.O.); (B.M.); (J.E.P.W.B.); (J.C.F.)
| | - Juliana S. Cassoli
- Laboratory of Venoms and Animals Toxins, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil; E-Mails: (J.S.C.); (G.G.M.); (A.M.C.P.)
| | - Gabriela G. Montandon
- Laboratory of Venoms and Animals Toxins, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil; E-Mails: (J.S.C.); (G.G.M.); (A.M.C.P.)
| | - Adriano M. C. Pimenta
- Laboratory of Venoms and Animals Toxins, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil; E-Mails: (J.S.C.); (G.G.M.); (A.M.C.P.)
| | - José E. P. W. Bicudo
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil; E-Mails: (D.J.B.O.); (B.M.); (J.E.P.W.B.); (J.C.F.)
| | - José C. Freitas
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil; E-Mails: (D.J.B.O.); (B.M.); (J.E.P.W.B.); (J.C.F.)
| | - André J. Zaharenko
- Laboratorio de Genetica, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Laboratory of Toxicology, University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, Herestraat 49, P.O. Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; E-Mail:
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Dillman AR, Minor PJ, Sternberg PW. Origin and evolution of dishevelled. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2013; 3:251-62. [PMID: 23390601 PMCID: PMC3564985 DOI: 10.1534/g3.112.005314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 12/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Dishevelled (Dsh or Dvl) is an important signaling protein, playing a key role in Wnt signaling and relaying cellular information for several developmental pathways. Dsh is highly conserved among metazoans and has expanded into a multigene family in most bilaterian lineages, including vertebrates, planarians, and nematodes. These orthologs, where explored, are known to have considerable overlap in function, but evidence for functional specialization continues to mount. We performed a comparative analysis of Dsh across animals to explore protein architecture and identify conserved and divergent features that could provide insight into functional specialization with an emphasis on invertebrates, especially nematodes. We find evidence of dynamic evolution of Dsh, particularly among nematodes, with taxa varying in ortholog number from one to three. We identify a new domain specific to some nematode lineages and find an unexpected nuclear localization signal conserved in many Dsh orthologs. Our findings raise questions of protein evolution in general and provide clues as to how animals have dealt with the complex intricacies of having a protein, such as Dsh, act as a central messenger hub connected to many different and vitally important pathways. We discuss our findings in the context of functional specialization and bring many testable hypotheses to light.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul W. Sternberg
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125
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Menon R, Gasser RB, Mitreva M, Ranganathan S. An analysis of the transcriptome of Teladorsagia circumcincta: its biological and biotechnological implications. BMC Genomics 2012; 13 Suppl 7:S10. [PMID: 23282110 PMCID: PMC3521389 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-13-s7-s10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Teladorsagia circumcincta (order Strongylida) is an economically important parasitic nematode of small ruminants (including sheep and goats) in temperate climatic regions of the world. Improved insights into the molecular biology of this parasite could underpin alternative methods required to control this and related parasites, in order to circumvent major problems associated with anthelmintic resistance. The aims of the present study were to define the transcriptome of the adult stage of T. circumcincta and to infer the main pathways linked to molecules known to be expressed in this nematode. Since sheep develop acquired immunity against T. circumcincta, there is some potential for the development of a vaccine against this parasite. Hence, we infer excretory/secretory molecules for T. circumcincta as possible immunogens and vaccine candidates. RESULTS A total of 407,357 ESTs were assembled yielding 39,852 putative gene sequences. Conceptual translation predicted 24,013 proteins, which were then subjected to detailed annotation which included pathway mapping of predicted proteins (including 112 excreted/secreted [ES] and 226 transmembrane peptides), domain analysis and GO annotation was carried out using InterProScan along with BLAST2GO. Further analysis was carried out for secretory signal peptides using SignalP and non-classical sec pathway using SecretomeP tools. For ES proteins, key pathways, including Fc epsilon RI, T cell receptor, and chemokine signalling as well as leukocyte transendothelial migration were inferred to be linked to immune responses, along with other pathways related to neurodegenerative diseases and infectious diseases, which warrant detailed future studies. KAAS could identify new and updated pathways like phagosome and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum. Domain analysis for the assembled dataset revealed families of serine, cysteine and proteinase inhibitors which might represent targets for parasite intervention. InterProScan could identify GO terms pertaining to the extracellular region. Some of the important domain families identified included the SCP-like extracellular proteins which belong to the pathogenesis-related proteins (PRPs) superfamily along with C-type lectin, saposin-like proteins. The 'extracellular region' that corresponds to allergen V5/Tpx-1 related, considered important in parasite-host interactions, was also identified. Six cysteine motif (SXC1) proteins, transthyretin proteins, C-type lectins, activation-associated secreted proteins (ASPs), which could represent potential candidates for developing novel anthelmintics or vaccines were few other important findings. Of these, SXC1, protein kinase domain-containing protein, trypsin family protein, trypsin-like protease family member (TRY-1), putative major allergen and putative lipid binding protein were identified which have not been reported in the published T. circumcincta proteomics analysis. Detailed analysis of 6,058 raw EST sequences from dbEST revealed 315 putatively secreted proteins. Amongst them, C-type single domain activation associated secreted protein ASP3 precursor, activation-associated secreted proteins (ASP-like protein), cathepsin B-like cysteine protease, cathepsin L cysteine protease, cysteine protease, TransThyretin-Related and Venom-Allergen-like proteins were the key findings. CONCLUSIONS We have annotated a large dataset ESTs of T. circumcincta and undertaken detailed comparative bioinformatics analyses. The results provide a comprehensive insight into the molecular biology of this parasite and disease manifestation which provides potential focal point for future research. We identified a number of pathways responsible for immune response. This type of large-scale computational scanning could be coupled with proteomic and metabolomic studies of this parasite leading to novel therapeutic intervention and disease control strategies. We have also successfully affirmed the use of bioinformatics tools, for the study of ESTs, which could now serve as a benchmark for the development of new computational EST analysis pipelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjeeta Menon
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
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Choe KP, Leung CK, Miyamoto MM. Unique structure and regulation of the nematode detoxification gene regulator, SKN-1: implications to understanding and controlling drug resistance. Drug Metab Rev 2012; 44:209-23. [PMID: 22656429 PMCID: PMC3398467 DOI: 10.3109/03602532.2012.684799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Nematodes parasitize an alarming number of people and agricultural animals globally and cause debilitating morbidity and mortality. Anthelmintics have been the primary tools used to control parasitic nematodes for the past several decades, but drug resistance is becoming a major obstacle. Xenobiotic detoxification pathways defend against drugs and other foreign chemicals in diverse organisms, and evidence is accumulating that they play a role in mediating resistance to anthelmintics in nematodes. Related antioxidation pathways may also provide filarial parasites with protection against host free-radical-mediated immune responses. Upstream regulatory pathways have received almost no attention in nematode parasites, despite their potential to coregulate multiple detoxification and antioxidation genes. The nuclear eurythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) transcription factor mediates inducible detoxification and antioxidation defenses in mammals, and recent studies have demonstrated that it promotes multidrug resistance in some human tumors. Recent studies in the free-living model nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, have defined the homologous transcription factor, SKN-1, as a master regulator of detoxification and antioxidation genes. Despite similar functions, SKN-1 and NRF2 have important differences in structure and regulatory pathways. Protein alignment and phylogenetic analyses indicate that these differences are shared among many nematodes, making SKN-1 a candidate for specifically targeting nematode detoxification and antioxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith P Choe
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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Stoltzfus JD, Massey HC, Nolan TJ, Griffith SD, Lok JB. Strongyloides stercoralis age-1: a potential regulator of infective larval development in a parasitic nematode. PLoS One 2012; 7:e38587. [PMID: 22701676 PMCID: PMC3368883 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2012] [Accepted: 05/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Infective third-stage larvae (L3i) of the human parasite Strongyloides stercoralis share many morphological, developmental, and behavioral attributes with Caenorhabditis elegans dauer larvae. The ‘dauer hypothesis’ predicts that the same molecular genetic mechanisms control both dauer larval development in C. elegans and L3i morphogenesis in S. stercoralis. In C. elegans, the phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI3) kinase catalytic subunit AGE-1 functions in the insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway to regulate formation of dauer larvae. Here we identify and characterize Ss-age-1, the S. stercoralis homolog of the gene encoding C. elegans AGE-1. Our analysis of the Ss-age-1 genomic region revealed three exons encoding a predicted protein of 1,209 amino acids, which clustered with C. elegans AGE-1 in phylogenetic analysis. We examined temporal patterns of expression in the S. stercoralis life cycle by reverse transcription quantitative PCR and observed low levels of Ss-age-1 transcripts in all stages. To compare anatomical patterns of expression between the two species, we used Ss-age-1 or Ce-age-1 promoter::enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter constructs expressed in transgenic animals for each species. We observed conservation of expression in amphidial neurons, which play a critical role in developmental regulation of both dauer larvae and L3i. Application of the PI3 kinase inhibitor LY294002 suppressed L3i in vitro activation in a dose-dependent fashion, with 100 µM resulting in a 90% decrease (odds ratio: 0.10, 95% confidence interval: 0.08–0.13) in the odds of resumption of feeding for treated L3i in comparison to the control. Together, these data support the hypothesis that Ss-age-1 regulates the development of S. stercoralis L3i via an IIS pathway in a manner similar to that observed in C. elegans dauer larvae. Understanding the mechanisms by which infective larvae are formed and activated may lead to novel control measures and treatments for strongyloidiasis and other soil-transmitted helminthiases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D. Stoltzfus
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Holman C. Massey
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Thomas J. Nolan
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Sandra D. Griffith
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - James B. Lok
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Tuteja R, Ansari A, Anita, Suthar MK, Saxena JK. Genome wide computational analysis of Brugia malayi helicases: A comparison with human host. Gene X 2012; 499:202-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Revised: 02/01/2012] [Accepted: 02/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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FELTHAM DL, CHAPLAIN MAJ, YOUNG IM, CRAWFORD JW. A MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF A MINIMAL MODEL OF NEMATODE MIGRATION IN SOIL. J BIOL SYST 2012. [DOI: 10.1142/s0218339002000251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A minimal model of nematode migration through soil in response to a chemical gradient is presented. We consider Fickian, fractal and porous-media type diffusion of the nematodes, for which the steady-state nematode distributions are found to compare favourably with experimental observations. Analytical results for Fickian nematode diffusion are presented, which are appropriate for the small- and large-time evolution of a nematode distribution. Numerical integrations allow us to compare the three types of nematode diffusion, to provide numerical validation of our analytical results, and to investigate the dependence of the results of our model upon certain key parameters. We conclude with a summary of results and a call for further experimental work.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. L. FELTHAM
- The SIMBIOS Center, Department of Mathematics, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, Scotland, UK
| | - M. A. J. CHAPLAIN
- The SIMBIOS Center, Department of Mathematics, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, Scotland, UK
| | - I. M. YOUNG
- The SIMBIOS Center, University of Abertay Dundee, Dundee DD1 1HG, Scotland, UK
| | - J. W. CRAWFORD
- The SIMBIOS Center, University of Abertay Dundee, Dundee DD1 1HG, Scotland, UK
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Choe A, von Reuss SH, Kogan D, Gasser RB, Platzer EG, Schroeder FC, Sternberg PW. Ascaroside signaling is widely conserved among nematodes. Curr Biol 2012; 22:772-80. [PMID: 22503501 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2012.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2011] [Revised: 02/16/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nematodes are among the most successful animals on earth and include important human pathogens, yet little is known about nematode pheromone systems. A group of small molecules called ascarosides has been found to mediate mate finding, aggregation, and developmental diapause in Caenorhabditis elegans, but it is unknown whether ascaroside signaling exists outside of the genus Caenorhabditis. RESULTS To determine whether ascarosides are used as signaling molecules by other nematode species, we performed a mass spectrometry-based screen for ascarosides in secretions from a variety of both free-living and parasitic (plant, insect, and animal) nematodes. We found that most of the species analyzed, including nematodes from several different clades, produce species-specific ascaroside mixtures. In some cases, ascaroside biosynthesis patterns appear to correlate with phylogeny, whereas in other cases, biosynthesis seems to correlate with lifestyle and ecological niche. We further show that ascarosides mediate distinct nematode behaviors, such as retention, avoidance, and long-range attraction, and that different nematode species respond to distinct, but overlapping, sets of ascarosides. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that nematodes utilize a conserved family of signaling molecules despite having evolved to occupy diverse ecologies. Their structural features and level of conservation are evocative of bacterial quorum sensing, where acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) are both produced and sensed by many species of gram-negative bacteria. The identification of species-specific ascaroside profiles may enable pheromone-based approaches to interfere with reproduction and survival of parasitic nematodes, which are responsible for significant agricultural losses and many human diseases worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Choe
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Biology Division, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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Peeters L, Janssen T, De Haes W, Beets I, Meelkop E, Grant W, Schoofs L. A pharmacological study of NLP-12 neuropeptide signaling in free-living and parasitic nematodes. Peptides 2012; 34:82-7. [PMID: 22019590 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2011] [Revised: 10/06/2011] [Accepted: 10/06/2011] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
NLP-12a and b have been identified as cholecystokinin/sulfakinin-like neuropeptides in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. They are suggested to play an important role in the regulation of digestive enzyme secretion and fat storage. This study reports on the identification and characterization of an NLP-12-like peptide precursor gene in the rat parasitic nematode Strongyloides ratti. The S. ratti NLP-12 peptides are able to activate both C. elegans CKR-2 receptor isoforms in a dose-dependent way with affinities in the same nanomolar range as the native C. elegans NLP-12 peptides. The C-terminal RPLQFamide sequence motif of the NLP-12 peptides is perfectly conserved between free-living and parasitic nematodes. Based on systemic amino acid replacements the Arg-, Leu- and Phe- residues appear to be critical for high-affinity receptor binding. Finally, a SAR analysis revealed the essential pharmacophore in C. elegans NLP-12b to be the pentapeptide RPLQFamide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Peeters
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Lab, K.U.Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Leuven, Belgium.
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