51
|
Coceres VM, Alonso AM, Nievas YR, Midlej V, Frontera L, Benchimol M, Johnson PJ, de Miguel N. The C-terminal tail of tetraspanin proteins regulates their intracellular distribution in the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Cell Microbiol 2015; 17:1217-29. [PMID: 25703821 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection. Here, we report the cellular analysis of T.vaginalis tetraspanin family (TvTSPs). This family of membrane proteins has been implicated in cell adhesion, migration and proliferation in vertebrates. We found that the expression of several members of the family is up-regulated upon contact with vaginal ectocervical cells. We demonstrate that most TvTSPs are localized on the surface and intracellular vesicles and that the C-terminal intracellular tails of surface TvTSPs are necessary for proper localization. Analyses of full-length TvTSP8 and a mutant that lacks the C-terminal tail indicates that surface-localized TvTSP8 is involved in parasite aggregation, suggesting a role for this protein in parasite : parasite interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V M Coceres
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnologico Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomus, B7130IWA, Argentina
| | - A M Alonso
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnologico Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomus, B7130IWA, Argentina
| | - Y R Nievas
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnologico Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomus, B7130IWA, Argentina
| | - V Midlej
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - L Frontera
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnologico Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomus, B7130IWA, Argentina
| | - M Benchimol
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Unigranrio, Universidade do Grande Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - P J Johnson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1489, USA
| | - N de Miguel
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnologico Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomus, B7130IWA, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Sinkovics JG. The cell survival pathways of the primordial RNA-DNA complex remain conserved in the extant genomes and may function as proto-oncogenes. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2015; 5:25-43. [PMID: 25883792 PMCID: PMC4397846 DOI: 10.1556/eujmi-d-14-00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignantly transformed (cancer) cells of multicellular hosts, including human cells, operate activated biochemical pathways that recognizably derived from unicellular ancestors. The descendant heat shock proteins of thermophile archaea now chaperon oncoproteins. The ABC cassettes of toxin-producer zooxantella Symbiodinia algae pump out the cytoplasmic toxin molecules; malignantly transformed cells utilize the derivatives of these cassettes to get rid of chemotherapeuticals. High mobility group helix-loop-helix proteins, protein arginine methyltransferases, proliferating cell nuclear antigens, and Ki-67 nuclear proteins, that protect and repair DNA in unicellular life forms, support oncogenes in transformed cells. The cell survival pathways of Wnt-β-catenin, Hedgehog, PI3K, MAPK-ERK, STAT, Ets, JAK, Pak, Myb, achaete scute, circadian rhythms, Bruton kinase and others, which are physiological in uni- and early multicellular eukaryotic life forms, are constitutively encoded in complex oncogenic pathways in selected single cells of advanced multicellular eukaryotic hosts. Oncogenes and oncoproteins in advanced multicellular hosts recreate selected independently living and immortalized unicellular life forms, which are similar to extinct and extant protists. These unicellular life forms are recognized at the clinics as autologous "cancer cells".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J G Sinkovics
- St. Joseph's Hospital Cancer Institute Affiliated with the H. L. Moffitt Comprehensive Cancer Center, Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Medicine, The University of South Florida Tampa, FL USA
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Kusdian G, Gould SB. The biology of Trichomonas vaginalis in the light of urogenital tract infection. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2015; 198:92-9. [PMID: 25677793 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2015.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The human pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic protist. It is a representative of the eukaryotic supergroup Excavata that includes a few other protist parasites such as Leishmania, Trypanosoma and Giardia. T. vaginalis is the agent of trichomoniasis and in the US alone, one in 30 women tests positive for this parasite. The disease is easily treated with metronidazole in most cases, but resistant strains are on the rise. The biology of Trichomonas is remarkable: it includes for example the biggest protist genome currently sequenced, the expression of about 30,000 protein-encoding genes (and thousands of lncRNAs and pseudogenes), anaerobic hydrogenosomes, rapid morphogenesis during infection, the secretion of exosomes, the manipulation of the vaginal microbiota through phagocytosis and a rich strain-dependent diversity. Here we provide an overview of Trichomonas biology with a focus on its relevance for pathogenicity and summarise the most recent advances. With some respect this parasite offers the opportunity to serve as a model system to study certain aspects of cell and genome biology, but tackling the complex biology of T. vaginalis is also important to better understand the effects that accompany infection and direct symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gary Kusdian
- Institute for Molecular Evolution, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sven B Gould
- Institute for Molecular Evolution, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Hirt RP, Alsmark C, Embley TM. Lateral gene transfers and the origins of the eukaryote proteome: a view from microbial parasites. Curr Opin Microbiol 2014; 23:155-62. [PMID: 25483352 PMCID: PMC4728198 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2014.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Revised: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Our knowledge of the extent and functional impact of lateral gene transfer (LGT) from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, outside of endosymbiosis, is still rather limited. Here we review the recent literature, focusing mainly on microbial parasites, indicating that LGT from diverse prokaryotes has played a significant role in the evolution of a number of lineages, and by extension throughout eukaryotic evolution. As might be expected, taxonomic biases for donor prokaryotes indicate that shared habitat is a major factor driving transfers. The LGTs identified predominantly affect enzymes from metabolic pathways, but over a third of LGT are genes for putative proteins of unknown function. Finally, we discuss the difficulties in analysing LGT among eukaryotes and suggest that high-throughput methodologies integrating different approaches are needed to achieve a more global understanding of the importance of LGT in eukaryotic evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Hirt
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
| | - Cecilia Alsmark
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, S-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Virology, Immunobiology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - T Martin Embley
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
55
|
Edwards T, Burke P, Smalley H, Hobbs G. Trichomonas vaginalis: Clinical relevance, pathogenicity and diagnosis. Crit Rev Microbiol 2014; 42:406-17. [PMID: 25383648 DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2014.958050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is the etiological agent of trichomoniasis, the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Trichomoniasis is a widespread, global health concern and occurring at an increasing rate. Infections of the female genital tract can cause a range of symptoms, including vaginitis and cervicitis, while infections in males are generally asymptomatic. The relatively mild symptoms, and lack of evidence for any serious sequelae, have historically led to this disease being under diagnosed, and under researched. However, growing evidence that T. vaginalis infection is associated with other disease states with high morbidity in both men and women has increased the efforts to diagnose and treat patients harboring this parasite. The pathology of trichomoniasis results from damage to the host epithelia, caused by a variety of processes during infection and recent work has highlighted the complex interactions between the parasite and host, commensal microbiome and accompanying symbionts. The commercial release of a number of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) has added to the available diagnostic options. Immunoassay based Point of Care testing is currently available, and a recent initial evaluation of a NAAT Point of Care system has given promising results, which would enable testing and treatment in a single visit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Edwards
- a Liverpool John Moores University, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences , Byrom Street , Liverpool , UK
| | - Patricia Burke
- a Liverpool John Moores University, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences , Byrom Street , Liverpool , UK
| | - Helen Smalley
- a Liverpool John Moores University, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences , Byrom Street , Liverpool , UK
| | - Glyn Hobbs
- a Liverpool John Moores University, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences , Byrom Street , Liverpool , UK
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Woehle C, Kusdian G, Radine C, Graur D, Landan G, Gould SB. The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis expresses thousands of pseudogenes and long non-coding RNAs independently from functional neighbouring genes. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:906. [PMID: 25326207 PMCID: PMC4223856 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The human pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis is a parabasalian flagellate that is estimated to infect 3% of the world’s population annually. With a 160 megabase genome and up to 60,000 genes residing in six chromosomes, the parasite has the largest genome among sequenced protists. Although it is thought that the genome size and unusual large coding capacity is owed to genome duplication events, the exact reason and its consequences are less well studied. Results Among transcriptome data we found thousands of instances, in which reads mapped onto genomic loci not annotated as genes, some reaching up to several kilobases in length. At first sight these appear to represent long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), however, about half of these lncRNAs have significant sequence similarities to genomic loci annotated as protein-coding genes. This provides evidence for the transcription of hundreds of pseudogenes in the parasite. Conventional lncRNAs and pseudogenes are expressed in Trichomonas through their own transcription start sites and independently from flanking genes in Trichomonas. Expression of several representative lncRNAs was verified through reverse-transcriptase PCR in different T. vaginalis strains and case studies exclude the use of alternative start codons or stop codon suppression for the genes analysed. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that T. vaginalis expresses thousands of intergenic loci, including numerous transcribed pseudogenes. In contrast to yeast these are expressed independently from neighbouring genes. Our results furthermore illustrate the effect genome duplication events can have on the transcriptome of a protist. The parasite’s genome is in a steady state of changing and we hypothesize that the numerous lncRNAs could offer a large pool for potential innovation from which novel proteins or regulatory RNA units could evolve. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-906) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sven B Gould
- Institute of Molecular Evolution, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Salvador-Membreve DMC, Jacinto SD, Rivera WL. Trichomonas vaginalis induces cytopathic effect on human lung alveolar basal carcinoma epithelial cell line A549. Exp Parasitol 2014; 147:33-40. [PMID: 25307688 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2014] [Revised: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis, the causative agent of trichomoniasis is generally known to inhabit the genitourinary tract. However, several case reports with supporting molecular and immunological identifications have documented its occurrence in the respiratory tract of neonates and adults. In addition, the reports have documented that its occurrence is associated with respiratory failures. The medical significance or consequence of this association is unclear. Thus, to establish the possible outcome from the interaction of T. vaginalis with lung cells, the cytopathic effects of the parasites were evaluated using monolayer cultures of the human lung alveolar basal carcinoma epithelial cell line A549. The possible effect of association of T. vaginalis with A549 epithelial cells was analyzed using phase-contrast, scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide), crystal-violet and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling) assays were conducted for cytotoxicity testing. The results demonstrate that T. vaginalis: (1) adheres to A549 epithelial cells, suggesting a density-dependent parasite-cell association; (2) adherence on A549 is through flagella, membrane and axostyle; (3) causes cell detachment and cytotoxicity (50-72.4%) to A549 and this effect is a function of parasite density; and (4) induces apoptosis in A549 about 20% after 6 h of incubation. These observations indicate that T. vaginalis causes cytopathic effects on A549 cell. To date, this is the first report showing a possible interaction of T. vaginalis with the lung cells using A549 monolayer cultures. Further studies are recommended to completely elucidate this association.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonia D Jacinto
- Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
| | - Windell L Rivera
- Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; Molecular Protozoology Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines.
| |
Collapse
|
58
|
Maritz JM, Land KM, Carlton JM, Hirt RP. What is the importance of zoonotic trichomonads for human health? Trends Parasitol 2014; 30:333-41. [PMID: 24951156 PMCID: PMC7106558 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2014.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonads represent emerging species of medical and veterinary importance. Clinical and molecular evidence suggest a zoonotic potential for trichomonads. Close relationship between avian and human trichomonads revealed in outbreaks.
Trichomonads are common parasites of many vertebrate and invertebrate species, with four species classically recognized as human parasites: Dientamoeba fragilis, Pentatrichomonas hominis, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Trichomonas tenax. The latter two species are considered human-specific; by contrast, D. fragilis and P. hominis have been isolated from domestic and farm mammals, demonstrating a wide host range and potential zoonotic origin. Several new studies have highlighted the zoonotic dimension of trichomonads. First, species typically known to infect birds and domestic mammals have been identified in human clinical samples. Second, several phylogenetic analyses have identified animal-derived trichomonads as close sister taxa of the two human-specific species. It is our opinion, therefore, that these observations prompt further investigation into the importance of zoonotic trichomonads for human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Maritz
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Kirkwood M Land
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA
| | - Jane M Carlton
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Robert P Hirt
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
59
|
Scanlan PD, Stensvold CR. Blastocystis: getting to grips with our guileful guest. Trends Parasitol 2013; 29:523-9. [PMID: 24080063 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2013.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystis, a common single-celled intestinal parasite of humans and animals, continues to puzzle clinical microbiologists, gastroenterologists, and general practitioners who are still unsure of the clinical significance of the organism. Here we consider some less well-addressed areas of Blastocystis research, which, facilitated by recent technological advances, could potentially turn out to be significant pathways to knowledge. First and foremost we discuss new trends in Blastocystis research, including the 'omics' perspectives, and then highlight some aspects of Blastocystis research in the context of host coevolution, its potential as a biomarker of intestinal functionality, and its relationship to other components of the human intestinal microbiota.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pauline D Scanlan
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | | |
Collapse
|
60
|
Land KM, Wrischnik LA. Basic biology ofTrichomonas vaginalis:current explorations and future directions. Sex Transm Infect 2013; 89:416-7. [DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
|