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Lu Z, Spänig S, Weth O, Grevelding CG. Males, the Wrongly Neglected Partners of the Biologically Unprecedented Male-Female Interaction of Schistosomes. Front Genet 2019; 10:796. [PMID: 31552097 PMCID: PMC6743411 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes are the only platyhelminths that have evolved separate sexes, and they exhibit a unique reproductive biology because the female's sexual maturation depends on a constant pairing contact with the male. In the female, pairing leads to gonad differentiation, which is associated with substantial morphological changes, and controls among others the expression of gonad-associated genes. In the male, no morphological changes have been observed after pairing, although first data indicated an effect of pairing on gene transcription. Comprehensive transcriptomic approaches have revealed an unexpected high number of genes that are differentially transcribed in the male after pairing. Their identities suggest roles for the male that are not restricted to feeding and enhanced muscular power to transport paired female and, as assumed before, to induce its sexual maturation by one "magic" factor. Instead, a more complex picture emerges in which both partners live in a reciprocal sender-recipient relationship that not only affects the gonads of both genders but may also involve tactile stimuli, transforming growth factor β signaling, nutritional parts, and neuronal processes, including neuropeptides and G protein-coupled receptor signaling. This review provides a summary of transcriptomics including an overview of genes expressed in a pairing-dependent manner in schistosome males. This may stimulate further research in understanding the role of the male as the recipient of the female's signals upon pairing, the male's "capacitation," and its subsequent competence as a sender of information. The latter process finally transforms a sexually immature, autonomous female without completely developed gonads into a sexually mature, partially non-autonomous female with fully differentiated gonads and enormous egg production capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Lu
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Insitute for Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Spänig
- Department of Mathematics & Computer Science, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Weth
- Insitute for Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Liu F, Ding H, Tian J, Zhou C, Yang F, Shao W, Du Y, Hou X, Ren C, Shen J, Liu M. Differential gene expression, including Sjfs800, in Schistosoma japonicum females at pre-pairing, initial pairing and oviposition. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:414. [PMID: 31443730 PMCID: PMC6708146 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3672-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is a prevalent but neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic trematodes of the genus Schistosoma, with the primary disease-causing species being S. haematobium, S. mansoni and S. japonicum. Male–female pairing of schistosomes is necessary for sexual maturity and the production of a large number of eggs, which are primarily responsible for schistosomiasis dissemination and pathology. Methods Here, we used microarray hybridization, bioinformatics, quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization and gene silencing assays to identify genes that play critical roles in S. japonicum reproduction biology, particularly in vitellarium development, a process that affects male–female pairing, sexual maturation and subsequent egg production. Results Microarray hybridization analyses generated a comprehensive set of genes differentially transcribed before and after male–female pairing. Although the transcript profiles of females were similar 16 and 18 days after host infection, marked gene expression changes were observed at 24 days. The 30 most abundantly transcribed genes on day 24 included those associated with vitellarium development. Among these, the gene for female-specific 800 (fs800) was substantially upregulated. Our in situ hybridization results in female S. japonicum indicated that Sjfs800 mRNA was observed only in the vitellarium, localized in mature vitelline cells. Knocking down the Sjfs800 gene in female S. japonicum by approximately 60% reduced the number of mature vitelline cells, decreased rates of pairing and oviposition, and decreased the number of eggs produced in each male–female pairing by about 50%. Conclusions These results indicate that Sjfs800 may play a role in vitellarium development and egg production in S. japonicum and suggest that Sjfs800 regulation may provide a novel approach for the prevention or treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengchun Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaming Tian
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Congyu Zhou
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Shao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinan Du
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Hou
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuiping Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Jijia Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China. .,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
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53
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Caffrey CR, El‐Sakkary N, Mäder P, Krieg R, Becker K, Schlitzer M, Drewry DH, Vennerstrom JL, Grevelding CG. Drug Discovery and Development for Schistosomiasis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/9783527808656.ch8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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54
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Doenhoff MJ, Modha J, Walker AJ. Failure of in vitro-cultured schistosomes to produce eggs: how does the parasite meet its needs for host-derived cytokines such as TGF-β? Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:747-757. [PMID: 31348959 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
When adult schistosome worm pairs are transferred from experimental hosts to in vitro culture they cease producing viable eggs within a few days. Female worms in unisexual infections fail to mature, and when mature adult females are separated from male partners they regress sexually. Worms cultured from the larval stage are also permanently reproductively defective. The cytokine transforming growth factor beta derived from the mammalian host is considered important in stimulating schistosome female worm maturation and maintenance of fecundity. The means by which schistosomes acquire TGF-β have not been elucidated, but direct uptake in vivo seems unlikely as the concentration of free, biologically active cytokine in host blood is very low. Here we review the complexities of schistosome development and male-female interactions, and we speculate about two possibilities on how worms obtain the TGF-β they are assumed to need: (i) worms may have mechanisms to free active cytokine from the latency-inducing complex of proteins in which it is associated, and/or (ii) they may obtain the cytokine from alpha 2-macroglobulin, a blood-borne protease inhibitor to which TGF-β can bind. These ideas are experimentally testable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Doenhoff
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Jay Modha
- Modha Biomedical Ltd, 9B St Cuthberts Avenue, Great Glen, Leicester LE8 9EJ, UK
| | - Anthony J Walker
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2EE, UK
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55
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Haeberlein S, Angrisano A, Quack T, Lu Z, Kellershohn J, Blohm A, Grevelding CG, Hahnel SR. Identification of a new panel of reference genes to study pairing-dependent gene expression in Schistosoma mansoni. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:615-624. [PMID: 31136746 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Facilitated by the Schistosoma mansoni genome project, multiple transcriptomic studies were performed over the last decade to elucidate gene expression patterns among different developmental stages of the complex schistosome life cycle. While these analyses enable the identification of candidate genes with key functions in schistosome biology, a diverse molecular tool set is needed that allows comprehensive functional characterization at the single gene level. This includes the availability of reliable reference genes to confirm changes in the transcription of genes of interest over different biological samples and experimental conditions. In particular, the investigation of one key aspect of schistosome biology, the pairing-dependent gene expression in females and males, requires knowledge on reference genes that are expressed independently of both pairing and of in vitro culture effects. Therefore, the present study focused on the identification of quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR reference genes suitable for the investigation of pairing-dependent gene expression in the S. mansoni male. The "pipeline" we present here is based on qRT-PCR analyses of high biological replication combined with three different statistical analysis tools, BestKeeper, geNorm, and NormFinder. Our approach resulted in a statistically robust ranking of 15 selected reference genes with respect to their transcription stability between pairing-unexperienced and -experienced males. We further tested the top seven candidate genes for their transcription stability during invitro culture of adult S. mansoni. Of these, the two most suitable reference genes were used to investigate the influence of the pairing contact on the transcription of genes of interest, comprising a tyrosine decarboxylase gene Smtdc1, an ebony ortholog Smebony, and the follistatin ortholog Smfst in S. mansoni males. Performing pairing, separation and re-pairing experiments with adult S. mansoni in vitro, our results indicate for the first time that pairing can act as a molecular on/off-switch of specific genes to strictly control their expression in schistosome males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Haeberlein
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Quack
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Zhigang Lu
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany; Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Josina Kellershohn
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ariane Blohm
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Steffen R Hahnel
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
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56
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Torini JR, de Freitas Fernandes A, Balasco Serrão VH, Romanello L, Bird LE, Nettleship JE, Owens RJ, Brandão-Neto J, Zeraik AE, DeMarco R, D'Muniz Pereira H. Characterization of a Schistosoma mansoni NDPK expressed in sexual and digestive organs. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 231:111187. [PMID: 31103556 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDPKs) are crucial to keep the high triphosphate nucleotide levels in the biological process. The enzymatic mechanism has been extensively described; however, the structural characteristics and kinetic parameters have never been fully determined. In Schistosoma mansoni, NDPK (SmNDPK) is directly involved in the pyrimidine and purine salvage pathways, being essential for nucleotide metabolism. The SmNDPK enzymatic activity is the highest of the known purine metabolisms when compared to the mammalian NDPKs, suggesting the importance of this enzyme in the worm metabolism. Here, we report the recombinant expression of SmNDPK that resulted in 1.7 and 1.9 Å apo-form structure in different space-groups, as well as the 2.1 Å SmNDPK.ADP complex. The binding and kinetic assays reveal the ATP-dependence for enzyme activation. Moreover, in situ hybridization showed that SmNDPK transcripts are found in reproductive organs and in the esophagus gland of adult worms, which can be intrinsically related with the oviposition and digestive processes. These results will help us fully understand the crucial participation of this enzyme in Schistosoma mansoni and its importance for the pathology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Roberta Torini
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano de Freitas Fernandes
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Vitor Hugo Balasco Serrão
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil; Department of Medicine Pathobiology, University of Toronto, M5S 1A8, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Larissa Romanello
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Louise E Bird
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Joanne E Nettleship
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Raymond J Owens
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - José Brandão-Neto
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Ana Eliza Zeraik
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo DeMarco
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Humberto D'Muniz Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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57
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Wang J, Chen R, Collins JJ. Systematically improved in vitro culture conditions reveal new insights into the reproductive biology of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000254. [PMID: 31067225 PMCID: PMC6505934 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes infect over 200 million people. The prodigious egg output of these parasites is the sole driver of pathology due to infection, yet our understanding of sexual reproduction by schistosomes is limited because normal egg production is not sustained for more than a few days in vitro. Here, we describe culture conditions that support schistosome sexual development and sustained egg production in vitro. Female schistosomes rely on continuous pairing with male worms to fuel the maturation of their reproductive organs. Exploiting these new culture conditions, we explore the process of male-stimulated female maturation and demonstrate that physical contact with a male worm, and not insemination, is sufficient to induce female development and the production of viable parthenogenetic haploid embryos. We further report the characterization of a nuclear receptor (NR), which we call Vitellogenic Factor 1 (VF1), that is essential for female sexual development following pairing with a male worm. Taken together, these results provide a platform to study the fascinating sexual biology of these parasites on a molecular level, illuminating new strategies to control schistosome egg production. Schistosomes infect over 200 million people worldwide. This paper describes culture conditions that support sexual development and sustained egg production of the human parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni in vitro, providing new insights into its reproductive biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jipeng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - James J Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
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58
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Yu J, Yu Y, Li Q, Chen M, Shen H, Zhang R, Song M, Hu W. Comprehensive analysis of miRNA profiles reveals the role of Schistosoma japonicum miRNAs at different developmental stages. Vet Res 2019; 50:23. [PMID: 30947738 PMCID: PMC6449929 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-019-0642-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is an important zoonotic disease affecting up to 40 kinds of animals and 250 million people. It has been reported that the miRNAs play a role in the metabolism, differentiation, development and reproduction in many organisms. However, the roles of miRNAs regulating the development, maturation and production in schistosome in both females and males remains unclear. Here we present the dynamic transcriptome analysis of all 79 known Schistosoma japonicum miRNAs from pairing to production, including 14 days post-infection (dpi), 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 dpi female and male, by small RNA sequencing. The miRNA expression profiles showed time-related characteristics in male and female from paring to production, which could be clustered into three patterns, characterized by pairing stage highly expressed (cluster 1), maturating stage highly expressed (cluster 2), and egg producing stage highly expressed (cluster 3). The enrichment of miRNA cluster targeted genes in female and male were distinctly different. Network analysis of miRNAs and their target regulation showed that cluster 1 had 15 miRNAs involved in the regulation of interaction, communication, immune response in female–male and parasite–host. The other 11 miRNAs were involved in gender differentiation and the meiotic cell cycle process. In cluster 2, 11 miRNAs were involved in development and sexual maturation. In cluster 3, 45 miRNAs possibly regulate metabolism and synthesis of the substance for egg production. Analysis of the miRNA regulation network would contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism in S. japonicum development and egg production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Ying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Muxin Chen
- Joint Research Laboratory of Genetics and Ecology on Parasite-host Interaction, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention & Fudan University, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology Ministry of Health, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Haimo Shen
- Joint Research Laboratory of Genetics and Ecology on Parasite-host Interaction, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention & Fudan University, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology Ministry of Health, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - RuiXiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Mingxin Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China. .,Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Zoonosis, Harbin, 150030, China.
| | - Wei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China. .,Joint Research Laboratory of Genetics and Ecology on Parasite-host Interaction, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention & Fudan University, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology Ministry of Health, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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Kellershohn J, Thomas L, Hahnel SR, Grünweller A, Hartmann RK, Hardt M, Vilcinskas A, Grevelding CG, Haeberlein S. Insects in anthelminthics research: Lady beetle-derived harmonine affects survival, reproduction and stem cell proliferation of Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007240. [PMID: 30870428 PMCID: PMC6436750 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural products have moved into the spotlight as possible sources for new drugs in the treatment of helminth infections including schistosomiasis. Surprisingly, insect-derived compounds have largely been neglected so far in the search for novel anthelminthics, despite the generally recognized high potential of insect biotechnology for drug discovery. This motivated us to assess the antischistosomal capacity of harmonine, an antimicrobial alkaloid from the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis that raised high interest in insect biotechnology in recent years. We observed remarkably pleiotropic effects of harmonine on physiological, cellular, and molecular processes in adult male and female Schistosoma mansoni at concentrations as low as 5 μM in vitro. This included tegumental damage, gut dilatation, dysplasia of gonads, a complete stop of egg production at 10 μM, and increased production of abnormally shaped eggs at 5 μM. Motility was reduced with an EC50 of 8.8 μM and lethal effects occurred at 10–20 μM within 3 days of culture. Enzyme inhibition assays revealed acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as one potential target of harmonine. To assess possible effects on stem cells, which represent attractive anthelminthic targets, we developed a novel in silico 3D reconstruction of gonads based on confocal laser scanning microscopy of worms after EdU incorporation to allow for quantification of proliferating stem cells per organ. Harmonine significantly reduced the number of proliferating stem cells in testes, ovaries, and also the number of proliferating parenchymal neoblasts. This was further supported by a downregulated expression of the stem cell markers nanos-1 and nanos-2 in harmonine-treated worms revealed by quantitative real-time PCR. Our data demonstrate a multifaceted antischistosomal activity of the lady beetle-derived compound harmonine, and suggest AChE and stem cell genes as possible targets. Harmonine is the first animal-derived alkaloid detected to have antischistosomal capacity. This study highlights the potential of exploiting insects as a source for the discovery of anthelminthics. Natural compounds represent one of the richest sources for the discovery of new active compounds against diseases such as cancer or infections, including helminth infections that cause the highest disease burden in tropical countries. Surprisingly, insects have been almost completely neglected with respect to anthelminthics discovery although they represent the most species-rich class of animals known on earth, producing a wide spectrum of compounds with biological activities. In insect biotechnology, the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis raised high interest being a rich source of antimicrobial compounds such as the alkaloid harmonine. Harmonine is thought to act as a chemical weapon keeping otherwise detrimental microsporidia in the beetle under control. Testing the antiparasitic potential of harmonine against adult Schistosoma mansoni, one of the most harmful helminths worldwide, resulted in multifaceted negative effects. The compound damaged tissues essential for survival and reproduction of schistosomes (tegument, intestine, gonads) and also affected stem-cell proliferation. Furthermore, we obtained first evidence for acetylcholinesterase as one potential molecular target, which was partially inhibited by harmonine. This is the first time to proof a direct effect of a defined insect-derived compound on a helminth parasite, a finding that will encourage further studies to explore insects as sources of novel anthelminthics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josina Kellershohn
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Laura Thomas
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Steffen R. Hahnel
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Arnold Grünweller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Roland K. Hartmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Martin Hardt
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg—Imaging Unit, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Simone Haeberlein
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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60
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Kadesch P, Quack T, Gerbig S, Grevelding CG, Spengler B. Lipid Topography in Schistosoma mansoni Cryosections, Revealed by Microembedding and High-Resolution Atmospheric-Pressure Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) Mass Spectrometry Imaging. Anal Chem 2019; 91:4520-4528. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b05440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patrik Kadesch
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Thomas Quack
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, BFS, Schubertstrasse 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Gerbig
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Christoph G. Grevelding
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, BFS, Schubertstrasse 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Spengler
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Form and Function in the Digenea. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1154:3-20. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-18616-6_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Olson PD, Zarowiecki M, James K, Baillie A, Bartl G, Burchell P, Chellappoo A, Jarero F, Tan LY, Holroyd N, Berriman M. Genome-wide transcriptome profiling and spatial expression analyses identify signals and switches of development in tapeworms. EvoDevo 2018; 9:21. [PMID: 30455861 PMCID: PMC6225667 DOI: 10.1186/s13227-018-0110-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tapeworms are agents of neglected tropical diseases responsible for significant health problems and economic loss. They also exhibit adaptations to a parasitic lifestyle that confound comparisons of their development with other animals. Identifying the genetic factors regulating their complex ontogeny is essential to understanding unique aspects of their biology and for advancing novel therapeutics. Here we use RNA sequencing to identify up-regulated signalling components, transcription factors and post-transcriptional/translational regulators (genes of interest, GOI) in the transcriptomes of Larvae and different regions of segmented worms in the tapeworm Hymenolepis microstoma and combine this with spatial gene expression analyses of a selection of genes. RESULTS RNA-seq reads collectively mapped to 90% of the > 12,000 gene models in the H. microstoma v.2 genome assembly, demonstrating that the transcriptome profiles captured a high percentage of predicted genes. Contrasts made between the transcriptomes of Larvae and whole, adult worms, and between the Scolex-Neck, mature strobila and gravid strobila, resulted in 4.5-30% of the genes determined to be differentially expressed. Among these, we identified 190 unique GOI up-regulated in one or more contrasts, including a large range of zinc finger, homeobox and other transcription factors, components of Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog and TGF-β/BMP signalling, and post-transcriptional regulators (e.g. Boule, Pumilio). Heatmap clusterings based on overall expression and on select groups of genes representing 'signals' and 'switches' showed that expression in the Scolex-Neck region is more similar to that of Larvae than to the mature or gravid regions of the adult worm, which was further reflected in large overlap of up-regulated GOI. CONCLUSIONS Spatial expression analyses in Larvae and adult worms corroborated inferences made from quantitative RNA-seq data and in most cases indicated consistency with canonical roles of the genes in other animals, including free-living flatworms. Recapitulation of developmental factors up-regulated during larval metamorphosis suggests that strobilar growth involves many of the same underlying gene regulatory networks despite the significant disparity in developmental outcomes. The majority of genes identified were investigated in tapeworms for the first time, setting the stage for advancing our understanding of developmental genetics in an important group of flatworm parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D. Olson
- Division of Parasites and Vectors, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | - Magdalena Zarowiecki
- Division of Parasites and Vectors, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA UK
| | - Katherine James
- Division of Parasites and Vectors, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | - Andrew Baillie
- Division of Parasites and Vectors, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | - Georgie Bartl
- Division of Parasites and Vectors, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | - Phil Burchell
- Division of Parasites and Vectors, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | - Azita Chellappoo
- Division of Parasites and Vectors, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | - Francesca Jarero
- Division of Parasites and Vectors, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | - Li Ying Tan
- Division of Parasites and Vectors, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | - Nancy Holroyd
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA UK
| | - Matt Berriman
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA UK
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63
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Vasconcelos EJR, Mesel VC, daSilva LF, Pires DS, Lavezzo GM, Pereira ASA, Amaral MS, Verjovski-Almeida S. Atlas of Schistosoma mansoni long non-coding RNAs and their expression correlation to protein-coding genes. DATABASE-THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL DATABASES AND CURATION 2018; 2018:5051101. [PMID: 29992321 PMCID: PMC6041749 DOI: 10.1093/database/bay068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely discovered in several organisms with the help of high-throughput RNA sequencing. LncRNAs are over 200 nt-long transcripts that do not have protein-coding (PC) potential, having been reported in model organisms to act mainly on the overall control of PC gene expression. Little is known about the functionality of lncRNAs in evolutionarily ancient non-model metazoan organisms, like Schistosoma mansoni, the parasite that causes schistosomiasis, one of the most prevalent infectious-parasitic diseases worldwide. In a recent transcriptomics effort, we identified thousands of S. mansoni lncRNAs predicted to be functional along the course of parasite development. Here, we present an online catalog of each of the S. mansoni lncRNAs whose expression is correlated to PC genes along the parasite life-cycle, which can be conveniently browsed and downloaded through a new web resource http://verjolab.usp.br. We also provide access now to navigation on the co-expression networks disclosed in our previous publication, where we correlated mRNAs and lncRNAs transcriptional patterns across five life-cycle stages/forms, pinpointing biological processes where lncRNAs might act upon. Database URL: http://verjolab.usp.br
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Affiliation(s)
- Elton J R Vasconcelos
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766-1854, USA
| | - Vinícius C Mesel
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas F daSilva
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - David S Pires
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Guilherme M Lavezzo
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriana S A Pereira
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Murilo S Amaral
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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64
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Giri BR, Li H, Chen Y, Cheng G. Preliminary evaluation of neoblast-like stem cell factor and transcript expression profiles in Schistosoma japonicum. Acta Trop 2018; 187:57-64. [PMID: 30055172 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Neoblast-like stem cell factors and transcripts are essential for cell proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation. Recent studies have demonstrated that nanos, sox, and vasa-like transcription factors are associated with neoblast-like stem cells in Schistosoma mansoni and play crucial roles in the regulation of worm development. However, these neoblast-like stem cell factors and transcripts and their expression profiles remain unknown in Schistosoma japonicum. In this study, we identified orthologs of 11 neoblast-like stem cell factors and transcripts in S. japonicum using bioinformatics and confirmed them by PCR. The expression profiles of neoblast-like stem cell factors and transcripts revealed that some of them were highly expressed in certain stages. Sex-based expression analysis revealed that nanos, polo-like kinase, PCNA, cyclin B, and H2A showed significantly higher expression in female worms, whereas ago and bruli showed higher expression in male worms. In addition, we noted that ago, bruli, and pp32 exhibited higher expression in the testes, while nanos, polo-like kinase, cyclin B, H2A, and H2B showed notable higher expression in both isolated ovaries and testes. Our preliminary results are expected to provide important information about the regulatory roles of these stem cell factors in parasite development and sexual maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Ranjan Giri
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, 200241, Shanghai, China
| | - Huimin Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, 200241, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongjun Chen
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, 200241, Shanghai, China
| | - Guofeng Cheng
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, 200241, Shanghai, China.
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65
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Pereira ASA, Amaral MS, Vasconcelos EJR, Pires DS, Asif H, daSilva LF, Morales-Vicente DA, Carneiro VC, Angeli CB, Palmisano G, Fantappie MR, Pierce RJ, Setubal JC, Verjovski-Almeida S. Inhibition of histone methyltransferase EZH2 in Schistosoma mansoni in vitro by GSK343 reduces egg laying and decreases the expression of genes implicated in DNA replication and noncoding RNA metabolism. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006873. [PMID: 30365505 PMCID: PMC6221359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The possibility of emergence of praziquantel-resistant Schistosoma parasites and the lack of other effective drugs demand the discovery of new schistosomicidal agents. In this context the study of compounds that target histone-modifying enzymes is extremely promising. Our aim was to investigate the effect of inhibition of EZH2, a histone methyltransferase that is involved in chromatin remodeling processes and gene expression control; we tested different developmental forms of Schistosoma mansoni using GKS343, a selective inhibitor of EZH2 in human cells. Methodology/Principal findings Adult male and female worms and schistosomula were treated with different concentrations of GSK343 for up to two days in vitro. Western blotting showed a decrease in the H3K27me3 histone mark in all three developmental forms. Motility, mortality, pairing and egg laying were employed as schistosomicidal parameters for adult worms. Schistosomula viability was evaluated with propidium iodide staining and ATP quantification. Adult worms showed decreased motility when exposed to GSK343. Also, an approximate 40% reduction of egg laying by GSK343-treated females was observed when compared with controls (0.1% DMSO). Scanning electron microscopy showed the formation of bulges and bubbles throughout the dorsal region of GSK343-treated adult worms. In schistosomula the body was extremely contracted with the presence of numerous folds, and growth was markedly slowed. RNA-seq was applied to identify the metabolic pathways affected by GSK343 sublethal doses. GSK343-treated adult worms showed significantly altered expression of genes related to transmembrane transport, cellular homeostasis and egg development. In females, genes related to DNA replication and noncoding RNA metabolism processes were downregulated. Schistosomula showed altered expression of genes related to cell adhesion and membrane synthesis pathways. Conclusions/Significance The results indicated that GSK343 presents in vitro activities against S. mansoni, and the characterization of EZH2 as a new potential molecular target establishes EZH2 inhibitors as part of a promising new group of compounds that could be used for the development of schistosomicidal agents. Schistosomiasis is a chronic and debilitating disease caused by a trematode of the genus Schistosoma. The current strategy for the control of the disease involves treatment with praziquantel, the only available drug. The development of new drugs is therefore a top priority. Drugs that inhibit histone modifying enzymes have been used in cancer, altering gene expression, replication, repair and DNA recombination. Schistosoma parasites have some characteristics similar to malignant tumors, such as intense cell division and high levels of metabolic activity. Here we evaluate in Schistosoma mansoni the effect of GSK343, an inhibitor of the histone methyltransferase EZH2 that had been shown to arrest or reduce the growth of human cancer cells. We show that GSK343 causes damage to the parasite tegument and reduces egg laying in vitro, concomitant with a decrease in levels of H3K27me3, the histone mark put in place by EZH2. RNA-seq and proteomic analyses of treated parasites showed changes in the expression of hundreds of genes involved in important metabolic processes. In females, a marked decrease was observed in the expression of genes related to processes such as DNA replication and noncoding RNA metabolism. In conclusion, the histone methyltransferase EZH2 seems to be a promising novel drug target against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana S. A. Pereira
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Murilo S. Amaral
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Elton J. R. Vasconcelos
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - David S. Pires
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Huma Asif
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Lucas F. daSilva
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - David A. Morales-Vicente
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Vitor C. Carneiro
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Claudia B. Angeli
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Laboratório de Glicoproteômica, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Laboratório de Glicoproteômica, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcelo R. Fantappie
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Raymond J. Pierce
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, CNRS UMR 8204, Inserm U1019, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Université de Lille, Lille, France
| | - João C. Setubal
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- * E-mail:
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Kincaid-Smith J, Picard MAL, Cosseau C, Boissier J, Severac D, Grunau C, Toulza E. Parent-of-Origin-Dependent Gene Expression in Male and Female Schistosome Parasites. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:840-856. [PMID: 29447366 PMCID: PMC5861417 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes are the causative agents of schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease affecting over 230 million people worldwide. Additionally to their major impact on human health, they are also models of choice in evolutionary biology. These parasitic flatworms are unique among the common hermaphroditic trematodes as they have separate sexes. This so-called “evolutionary scandal” displays a female heterogametic genetic sex-determination system (ZZ males and ZW females), as well as a pronounced adult sexual dimorphism. These phenotypic differences are determined by a shared set of genes in both sexes, potentially leading to intralocus sexual conflicts. To resolve these conflicts in sexually selected traits, molecular mechanisms such as sex-biased gene expression could occur, but parent-of-origin gene expression also provides an alternative. In this work we investigated the latter mechanism, that is, genes expressed preferentially from either the maternal or the paternal allele, in Schistosoma mansoni species. To this end, transcriptomes from male and female hybrid adults obtained by strain crosses were sequenced. Strain-specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers allowed us to discriminate the parental origin, while reciprocal crosses helped to differentiate parental expression from strain-specific expression. We identified genes containing SNPs expressed in a parent-of-origin manner consistent with paternal and maternal imprints. Although the majority of the SNPs was identified in mitochondrial and Z-specific loci, the remaining SNPs found in male and female transcriptomes were situated in genes that have the potential to explain sexual differences in schistosome parasites. Furthermore, we identified and validated four new Z-specific scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Kincaid-Smith
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Marion A L Picard
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Céline Cosseau
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Jérôme Boissier
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Dany Severac
- MGX, BioCampus Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Christoph Grunau
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Eve Toulza
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
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67
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Marchant JS, Harding WW, Chan JD. Structure-activity profiling of alkaloid natural product pharmacophores against a Schistosoma serotonin receptor. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2018; 8:550-558. [PMID: 30297303 PMCID: PMC6287472 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) is an important regulator of numerous aspects of flatworm biology, ranging from neuromuscular function to sexual maturation and egg laying. In the parasitic blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, 5-HT targets several G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), one of which has been demonstrated to couple to cAMP and regulate parasite movement. This receptor, Sm.5HTRL, has been successfully co-expressed in mammalian cells alongside a luminescent cAMP-biosensor, enabling pharmacological profiling for candidate anti-schistosomal drugs. Here, we have utilized this assay to perform structure-activity investigations of 143 compounds containing previously identified alkaloid natural product pharmacophores (tryptamines, aporphines and protoberberines) shown to regulate Sm.5HTRL. These experiments mapped regions of the tryptamine pharmacophore amenable and intolerant to substitution, highlighting differences relative to orthologous mammalian 5-HT receptors. Potent Sm.5HTRL antagonists were identified, and the efficacy of these compounds were evaluated against live adult parasites cultured ex vivo. Such structure-activity profiling, characterizing the effect of various modifications to these core ring systems on Sm.5HTRL responses, provides greater understanding of pharmacophores selective for this target to aid future drug development efforts. Various alkaloids were screened against a schistosome serotonin receptor, Sm.5HTRL. Compounds with a tryptamine core displayed agonist activity at Sm.5HTRL. Aporphine and protoberberine compounds displayed antagonist activity at Sm.5HTRL. Compound activity at Sm.5HTRL is broadly mirrored by motility effects on adult worms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 533226, USA
| | - Wayne W Harding
- Chemistry Department, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10065, USA; Ph.D. Program in Chemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA; Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - John D Chan
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 533226, USA.
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Phuphisut O, Ajawatanawong P, Limpanont Y, Reamtong O, Nuamtanong S, Ampawong S, Chaimon S, Dekumyoy P, Watthanakulpanich D, Swierczewski BE, Adisakwattana P. Transcriptomic analysis of male and female Schistosoma mekongi adult worms. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:504. [PMID: 30201055 PMCID: PMC6131826 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3086-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosoma mekongi is one of five major causative agents of human schistosomiasis and is endemic to communities along the Mekong River in southern Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) and northern Cambodia. Sporadic cases of schistosomiasis have been reported in travelers and immigrants who have visited endemic areas. Schistosoma mekongi biology and molecular biology is poorly understood, and few S. mekongi gene and transcript sequences are available in public databases. Results Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) of male and female S. mekongi adult worms (a total of three biological replicates for each sex) were analyzed and the results demonstrated that approximately 304.9 and 363.3 million high-quality clean reads with quality Q30 (> 90%) were obtained from male and female adult worms, respectively. A total of 119,604 contigs were assembled with an average length of 1273 nt and an N50 of 2017 nt. From the contigs, 20,798 annotated protein sequences and 48,256 annotated transcript sequences were obtained using BLASTP and BLASTX searches against the UniProt Trematoda database. A total of 4658 and 3509 transcripts were predominantly expressed in male and female worms, respectively. Male-biased transcripts were mostly involved in structural organization while female-biased transcripts were typically involved in cell differentiation and egg production. Interestingly, pathway enrichment analysis suggested that genes involved in the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway may play important roles in the cellular processes and reproductive systems of S. mekongi worms. Conclusions We present comparative transcriptomic analyses of male and female S. mekongi adult worms, which provide a global view of the S. mekongi transcriptome as well as insights into differentially-expressed genes associated with each sex. This work provides valuable information and sequence resources for future studies of gene function and for ongoing whole genome sequencing efforts in S. mekongi. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3086-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orawan Phuphisut
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pravech Ajawatanawong
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yanin Limpanont
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Onrapak Reamtong
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Supaporn Nuamtanong
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sumate Ampawong
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Salisa Chaimon
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Paron Dekumyoy
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Dorn Watthanakulpanich
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Brett E Swierczewski
- Department of Enteric Diseases, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Torini JR, Romanello L, Batista FAH, Serrão VHB, Faheem M, Zeraik AE, Bird L, Nettleship J, Reddivari Y, Owens R, DeMarco R, Borges JC, Brandão-Neto J, Pereira HD. The molecular structure of Schistosoma mansoni PNP isoform 2 provides insights into the nucleoside selectivity of PNPs. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203532. [PMID: 30192840 PMCID: PMC6128611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purine nucleoside phosphorylases (PNPs) play an important role in the blood fluke parasite Schistosoma mansoni as a key enzyme of the purine salvage pathway. Here we present the structural and kinetic characterization of a new PNP isoform from S. mansoni, SmPNP2. Thermofluorescence screening of different ligands suggested cytidine and cytosine are potential ligands. The binding of cytosine and cytidine were confirmed by isothermal titration calorimetry, with a KD of 27 μM for cytosine, and a KM of 76.3 μM for cytidine. SmPNP2 also displays catalytic activity against inosine and adenosine, making it the first described PNP with robust catalytic activity towards both pyrimidines and purines. Crystal structures of SmPNP2 with different ligands were obtained and comparison of these structures with the previously described S. mansoni PNP (SmPNP1) provided clues for the unique capacity of SmPNP2 to bind pyrimidines. When compared with the structure of SmPNP1, substitutions in the vicinity of SmPNP2 active site alter the architecture of the nucleoside base binding site thus permitting an alternative binding mode for nucleosides, with a 180° rotation from the canonical binding mode. The remarkable plasticity of this binding site enhances our understanding of the correlation between structure and nucleotide selectivity, thus suggesting new ways to analyse PNP activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Roberta Torini
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa Romanello
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Aparecida Heleno Batista
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vitor Hugo Balasco Serrão
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Muhammad Faheem
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Ana Eliza Zeraik
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Louise Bird
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne Nettleship
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yamini Reddivari
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ray Owens
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ricardo DeMarco
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Júlio César Borges
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Brandão-Neto
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Humberto D’Muniz Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Chan JD, Day TA, Marchant JS. Coalescing beneficial host and deleterious antiparasitic actions as an antischistosomal strategy. eLife 2018; 7:35755. [PMID: 30059006 PMCID: PMC6095690 DOI: 10.7554/elife.35755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional approaches for antiparasitic drug discovery center upon discovering selective agents that adversely impact parasites with minimal host side effects. Here, we show that agents with a broad polypharmacology, often considered ‘dirtier’ drugs, can have unique efficacy if they combine deleterious effects on the parasite with beneficial actions in the host. This principle is evidenced through a screen for drugs to treat schistosomiasis, a parasitic flatworm disease that impacts over 230 million people. A target-based screen of a Schistosoma serotoninergic G protein coupled receptor yielded the potent agonist, ergotamine, which disrupted worm movement. In vivo, ergotamine decreased mortality, parasite load and intestinal egg counts but also uniquely reduced organ pathology through engagement of host GPCRs that repressed hepatic stellate cell activation, inflammatory damage and fibrosis. The unique ability of ergotamine to engage both host and parasite GPCRs evidences a future strategy for anthelmintic drug design that coalesces deleterious antiparasitic activity with beneficial host effects. More than 200 million people worldwide are infected with parasitic worms that cause the disease schistosomiasis. Most cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Long-term infections can damage organs, and children who are affected may suffer delayed growth and learning difficulties. Despite its significant health and economic impact, schistosomiasis is still considered a ‘neglected’ tropical disease. This means there has not been adequate investment into developing new treatments or cures. A drug called praziquantel is currently the only treatment for schistosomiasis. However, the drug has unpleasant side effects, cannot cure all infected individuals, and there is a concern that worms may develop resistance to its effects. This means there is an urgent need to develop new therapies. One possible approach would be to develop drugs that interfere with the worm’s ability to move. Chan et al. screened thousands of existing chemicals for interactions with a protein that is known to control how the worms move. A drug called ergotamine, which is currently used to treat migraines, strongly interacted with the protein. Treating infected mice with ergotamine eliminated the parasites and reduced the organ damage caused by the infection. Praziquantel also reduced the number of parasites in the mice but it did not prevent organ damage. The results presented by Chan et al. show that a single drug can interact with targets in both the worm and the animals it infects. Searching for drugs that have this dual effect may help to develop more effective treatments for schistosomiasis and other diseases caused by parasites. Ergotamine itself is unlikely to be used to treat people for schistosomiasis because of the side effects produced when using it repeatedly. However, these findings will help researchers identify and develop safer drugs with similar benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Chan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, United States
| | - Timothy A Day
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, United States
| | - Jonathan S Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
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71
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Picard MAL, Cosseau C, Ferré S, Quack T, Grevelding CG, Couté Y, Vicoso B. Evolution of gene dosage on the Z-chromosome of schistosome parasites. eLife 2018; 7:e35684. [PMID: 30044216 PMCID: PMC6089595 DOI: 10.7554/elife.35684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
XY systems usually show chromosome-wide compensation of X-linked genes, while in many ZW systems, compensation is restricted to a minority of dosage-sensitive genes. Why such differences arose is still unclear. Here, we combine comparative genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics to obtain a complete overview of the evolution of gene dosage on the Z-chromosome of Schistosoma parasites. We compare the Z-chromosome gene content of African (Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium) and Asian (S. japonicum) schistosomes and describe lineage-specific evolutionary strata. We use these to assess gene expression evolution following sex-linkage. The resulting patterns suggest a reduction in expression of Z-linked genes in females, combined with upregulation of the Z in both sexes, in line with the first step of Ohno's classic model of dosage compensation evolution. Quantitative proteomics suggest that post-transcriptional mechanisms do not play a major role in balancing the expression of Z-linked genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Celine Cosseau
- University of Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, University MontpellierPerpignanFrance
| | - Sabrina Ferré
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, Inserm, BIG-BGEGrenobleFrance
| | - Thomas Quack
- Institute for Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center SeltersbergJustus-Liebig-UniversityGiessenGermany
| | - Christoph G Grevelding
- Institute for Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center SeltersbergJustus-Liebig-UniversityGiessenGermany
| | - Yohann Couté
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, Inserm, BIG-BGEGrenobleFrance
| | - Beatriz Vicoso
- Institute of Science and Technology AustriaKlosterneuburgAustria
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Zhao L, Lu Z, He X, Mughal MN, Fang R, Zhou Y, Zhao J, Gasser RB, Grevelding CG, Ye Q, Hu M. Serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) controls growth and reproduction in Schistosoma japonicum. FASEB J 2018; 32:fj201800725R. [PMID: 29879373 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800725r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a human parasitic disease caused by flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. Adult female schistosomes produce numerous eggs that are responsible for the pathogenesis and transmission of the disease, and the maturation of female gonads depends on the permanent pairing of females and males. Signaling protein kinases have been proven to control female gonad differentiation after pairing; however, little is known about the roles of protein phosphatases in the developmental and reproductive biology of schistosomes. Here we explored 3 genes encoding catalytic subunits of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1c) that were structurally and evolutionarily conserved in Schistosoma japonicum. In situ hybridization showed transcripts of 3 Sj-pp1c genes mainly localized in the reproductive organs and tissues. Triple knockdown of Sj-pp1c genes by RNA interference caused stunted growth and decreased pairing stability of worm pairs, as well as a remarkable reduction in cell proliferation activity and defects in reproductive maturation and fecundity. Transcriptomic analysis post-RNA interference suggested that Sj-pp1c genes are involved in controlling worm development and maturation mainly by regulating cell proliferation, eggshell synthesis, nutritional metabolism, cytoskeleton organization, and neural process. Our study provides the first insight into the fundamental contribution of Sj-PP1c to molecular mechanisms underlying the reproductive biology of schistosomes.-Zhao, L., Lu, Z., He, X., Mughal, M. N., Fang, R., Zhou, Y., Zhao, J., Gasser, R. B., Grevelding, C. G., Ye, Q., Hu, M. Serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) controls growth and reproduction in Schistosoma japonicum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhigang Lu
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Xin He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mudassar N Mughal
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanqin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Robin B Gasser
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christoph G Grevelding
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Qing Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Geyer KK, Munshi SE, Vickers M, Squance M, Wilkinson TJ, Berrar D, Chaparro C, Swain MT, Hoffmann KF. The anti-fecundity effect of 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC) on Schistosoma mansoni is linked to dis-regulated transcription, translation and stem cell activities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2018; 8:213-222. [PMID: 29649665 PMCID: PMC6039303 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Uncontrolled host immunological reactions directed against tissue-trapped eggs precipitate a potentially lethal, pathological cascade responsible for schistosomiasis. Blocking schistosome egg production, therefore, presents a strategy for simultaneously reducing immunopathology as well as limiting disease transmission in endemic or emerging areas. We recently demonstrated that the ribonucleoside analogue 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC) inhibited Schistosoma mansoni oviposition, egg maturation and ovarian development. While these anti-fecundity effects were associated with a loss of DNA methylation, other molecular processes affected by 5-AzaC were not examined at the time. By comparing the transcriptomes of 5-AzaC-treated females to controls, we provide evidence that this ribonucleoside analogue also modulates other crucial aspects of schistosome egg-laying biology. For example, S. mansoni gene products associated with amino acid-, carbohydrate-, fatty acid-, nucleotide- and tricarboxylic acid (TCA)- homeostasis are all dysregulated in 5-AzaC treated females. To validate the metabolic pathway most significantly affected by 5-AzaC, amino acid metabolism, nascent protein synthesis was subsequently quantified in adult schistosomes. Here, 5-AzaC inhibited this process by 68% ±16.7% (SEM) in male- and 81% ±4.8% (SEM) in female-schistosomes. Furthermore, the transcriptome data indicated that adult female stem cells were also affected by 5-AzaC. For instance, 40% of transcripts associated with proliferating schistosome cells were significantly down-regulated by 5-AzaC. This finding correlated with a considerable reduction (95%) in the number of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) positive cells found in 5-AzaC-treated females. In addition to protein coding genes, the effect that 5-AzaC had on repetitive element expression was also assessed. Here, 46 repeats were found differentially transcribed between 5-AzaC-treated and control females with long terminal repeat (LTR) and DNA transposon classes being amongst the most significant. This study demonstrates that the anti-fecundity activity of 5-AzaC affects more than just DNA methylation in schistosome parasites. Further characterisation of these processes may reveal novel targets for schistosomiasis control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin K Geyer
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, United Kingdom.
| | - Sabrina E Munshi
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, United Kingdom.
| | - Martin Vickers
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom.
| | - Michael Squance
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, United Kingdom.
| | - Toby J Wilkinson
- The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, United Kingdom.
| | - Daniel Berrar
- Data Science Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
| | - Cristian Chaparro
- University of Perpignan Via Domitia, 58 Avenue Paul Alduy, Bat R, F-66860 Perpignan Cedex, France.
| | - Martin T Swain
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, United Kingdom.
| | - Karl F Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, United Kingdom.
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Dvorak J, Horn M. Serine proteases in schistosomes and other trematodes. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:333-344. [PMID: 29477711 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Trematodes, also known as flukes, are phylogenetically ancient parasitic organisms. Due to their importance as human and veterinary parasites, their proteins have been investigated extensively as drug and vaccine targets. Among those, proteases, as crucial enzymes for parasite survival, are considered candidate molecules for anti-parasitic interventions. Surprisingly however, trematode serine proteases, in comparison with other groups of proteases, are largely neglected. Genes encoding serine proteases have been identified in trematode genomes in significant abundance, but the biological roles and biochemical functions of these proteases are poorly understood. However, increasing volumes of genomic and proteomic studies, and accumulated experimental evidence, indicate that this class of proteases plays a substantial role in host-parasite interactions and parasite survival. Here, we discuss in detail serine proteases at genomic and protein levels, and their known or hypothetical functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Dvorak
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague CZ 165 21, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague CZ 166 10, Czech Republic.
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Hahnel S, Wheeler N, Lu Z, Wangwiwatsin A, McVeigh P, Maule A, Berriman M, Day T, Ribeiro P, Grevelding CG. Tissue-specific transcriptome analyses provide new insights into GPCR signalling in adult Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1006718. [PMID: 29346437 PMCID: PMC5773224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes are blood-dwelling trematodes with global impact on human and animal health. Because medical treatment is currently based on a single drug, praziquantel, there is urgent need for the development of alternative control strategies. The Schistosoma mansoni genome project provides a platform to study and connect the genetic repertoire of schistosomes to specific biological functions essential for successful parasitism. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) form the largest superfamily of transmembrane receptors throughout the Eumetazoan phyla, including platyhelminths. Due to their involvement in diverse biological processes, their pharmacological importance, and proven druggability, GPCRs are promising targets for new anthelmintics. However, to identify candidate receptors, a more detailed understanding of the roles of GPCR signalling in schistosome biology is essential. An updated phylogenetic analysis of the S. mansoni GPCR genome (GPCRome) is presented, facilitated by updated genome data that allowed a more precise annotation of GPCRs. Additionally, we review the current knowledge on GPCR signalling in this parasite and provide new insights into the potential roles of GPCRs in schistosome reproduction based on the findings of a recent tissue-specific transcriptomic study in paired and unpaired S. mansoni. According to the current analysis, GPCRs contribute to gonad-specific functions but also to nongonad, pairing-dependent processes. The latter may regulate gonad-unrelated functions during the multifaceted male-female interaction. Finally, we compare the schistosome GPCRome to that of another parasitic trematode, Fasciola, and discuss the importance of GPCRs to basic and applied research. Phylogenetic analyses display GPCR diversity in free-living and parasitic platyhelminths and suggest diverse functions in schistosomes. Although their roles need to be substantiated by functional studies in the future, the data support the selection of GPCR candidates for basic and applied studies, invigorating the exploitation of this important receptor class for drug discovery against schistosomes but also other trematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Hahnel
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Nic Wheeler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Zhigang Lu
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Arporn Wangwiwatsin
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Paul McVeigh
- The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron Maule
- The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy Day
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Paula Ribeiro
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Signalling pathways in schistosomes: novel targets for control interventions against schistosomiasis. Emerg Top Life Sci 2017; 1:633-639. [PMID: 33525854 DOI: 10.1042/etls20170093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, there has been accumulating evidence showing that signalling pathways are involved in extensive biological and physiological processes in the human blood fluke schistosomes, playing essential roles in environmental sensing, host penetration, growth, development, maturation, embryogenesis, tissue self-renewal and survival. Owing to the likelihood of resistance developing against praziquantel, the only drug currently available that is effective against all the human schistosome species, there is an urgent requirement for an alternative treatment, arguing for continuing research into novel or repurposed anti-schistosomal drugs. An increasing number of anticancer drugs are being developed which block abnormal signalling pathways, a feature that has stimulated interest in developing novel interventions against human schistosomiasis by targeting key cell signalling components. In this review, we discuss the functional characterization of signal transduction pathways in schistosomes and consider current challenges and future perspectives in this important area of research.
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Zhao L, He X, Grevelding CG, Ye Q, Li Y, Gasser RB, Dissous C, Mughal MN, Zhou YQ, Zhao JL, Hu M. The RIO protein kinase-encoding gene Sj-riok-2 is involved in key reproductive processes in Schistosoma japonicum. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:604. [PMID: 29233188 PMCID: PMC5727939 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2524-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases worldwide and is caused by parasitic trematodes of the genus Schistosoma. The pathogenesis of schistosomiasis is caused by eggs whose production is the consequence of the pairing of schistosomes and the subsequent sexual maturation of the female. Previous studies have demonstrated that protein kinases are involved in processes leading to the male-induced differentiation of the female gonads, ovary and vitellarium. Right open reading frame protein kinase 2 (RIOK-2) is a member of the atypical kinase family and shown in other organisms to be responsible for ribosomal RNA biogenesis and cell-cycle progression, as well as involves in nematode development. However, nothing is known about its functions in any trematode including schistosome. Methods We isolated and characterized the riok-2 gene from S. japonicum, and detected the transcriptional profiles of Sj-riok-2 by using real-time PCR and in situ hybridization. RNAi-mediated knockdown of Sj-riok-2 was performed, mitotic activities were detected by EdU incorporation assay and morphological changes on organs were observed by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Results In silico analyses of the amino acid sequence of Sj-RIOK-2 revealed typical features of this class of kinases including a winged helix (wHTH) domain and a RIO kinase domain. Sj-riok-2 is transcribed in different developmental stages of S. japonicum, with a higher abundance in adult females and eggs. Localization studies showed that Sj-riok-2 was mainly transcribed in female reproductive organs. Experiments with adult schistosomes in vitro demonstrated that the transcriptional level of Sj-riok-2 was affected by pairing. Knocking down Sj-riok-2 by RNAi reduced cell proliferation in the vitellarium and caused the increased amount of mature oocytes in ovary and an accumulation of eggs within the uterus. Conclusions Sj-riok-2 is involved in the reproductive development and maturation of female S. japonicum. Our findings provide first evidence for a pairing-dependent role of Sj-riok-2 in the reproductive development and maturation of female S. japonicum. Thus this study contributes to the understanding of molecular processes controlling reproduction in schistosomes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-017-2524-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Qing Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Colette Dissous
- CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille Inserm, University Lille, Lille, France
| | - Mudassar N Mughal
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Qin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Long Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
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A gene expression atlas of adult Schistosoma mansoni and their gonads. Sci Data 2017; 4:170118. [PMID: 28829433 PMCID: PMC5566097 DOI: 10.1038/sdata.2017.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-Seq has proven excellence in providing information about the regulation and transcript levels of genes. We used this method for profiling genes in the flatworm Schistosoma mansoni. This parasite causes schistosomiasis, an infectious disease of global importance for human and animals. The pathology of schistosomiasis is associated with the eggs, which are synthesized as a final consequence of male and female adults pairing. The male induces processes in the female that lead to the full development of its gonads as a prerequisite for egg production. Unpaired females remain sexually immature. Based on an organ-isolation method we obtained gonad tissue for RNA extraction from paired and unpaired schistosomes, with whole adults included as controls. From a total of 23 samples, we used high-throughput cDNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) on the Illumina platform to profile gene expression between genders and tissues, with and without pairing influence. The data obtained provide a wealth of information on the reproduction biology of schistosomes and a rich resource for exploitation through basic and applied research activities.
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Gold D, Alian M, Domb A, Karawani Y, Jbarien M, Chollet J, Haynes RK, Wong HN, Buchholz V, Greiner A, Golenser J. Elimination of Schistosoma mansoni in infected mice by slow release of artemisone. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2017; 7:241-247. [PMID: 28511056 PMCID: PMC5430492 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The current treatment of schistosomiasis is based on the anti-helminthic drug praziquantel (PZQ). PZQ affects only the adult stages of schistosomes. In addition, resistance to PZQ is emerging. We suggest a drug, which could serve as a potential alternative or complement to PZQ, and as a means of treating infections at earlier, pre-granuloma stage. Derivatives of the peroxidic antimalarial drug artemisinin have been indicated as alternatives, because both plasmodia and schistosomes are blood-feeding parasites. The mechanism of action of artemisinins is related to oxidative effects of the artemisinins on intracellular reductants leading to formation of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species. We used artemisone, which has improved pharmacokinetics and anti-plasmodial activity, and reduced toxicity compared to other artemisinins in clinical use against malaria. We infected adult mice by subcutaneous injection of S. mansoni cercariae (about 200) and treated them at various times post infection by the following methods: i. artemisone suspension administered by gavage (400-450 mg/kg); ii. subcutaneous injection of a gel containing a known concentration of artemisone (115-120 mg/kg); iii. subcutaneous insertion of the drug incorporated in a solid polymer (56-60 mg/kg); iv. intraperitoneal injection of the drug solubilized in DMSO (115-120 mg/kg). Drug administration in polymers was performed to enable slow release of the artemisone that was verified in vivo and in vitro bioassays using drug-sensitive malaria parasites. We found superior strong anti-schistosome effects up to a total reduction of worm number, mainly following repetitive treatments with the drug absorbed in the polymers (73.1% and 95.9% reduction in mice treated with artemisone in gel 7 and 14, and 21, 28 and 35 days post infection, respectively). The results indicate that artemisone has a potent anti-schistosome activity. Its main importance in this context is its effectiveness in treating hosts harboring juvenile schistosomes, before egg-deposition and induction of deleterious immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gold
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Mohammed Alian
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Avraham Domb
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yara Karawani
- The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem-Hadassah Medical School, Israel
| | - Maysa Jbarien
- The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem-Hadassah Medical School, Israel
| | - Jacques Chollet
- Swiss Tropical Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Richard K Haynes
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Ho Ning Wong
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Viola Buchholz
- Macromolecular Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Andreas Greiner
- Macromolecular Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Jacob Golenser
- The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem-Hadassah Medical School, Israel.
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80
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Rouhana L, Tasaki J, Saberi A, Newmark PA. Genetic dissection of the planarian reproductive system through characterization of Schmidtea mediterranea CPEB homologs. Dev Biol 2017; 426:43-55. [PMID: 28434803 PMCID: PMC5544531 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Cytoplasmic polyadenylation is a mechanism of mRNA regulation prevalent in metazoan germ cells; it is largely dependent on Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Element Binding proteins (CPEBs). Two CPEB homologs were identified in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. Smed-CPEB1 is expressed in ovaries and yolk glands of sexually mature planarians, and required for oocyte and yolk gland development. In contrast, Smed-CPEB2 is expressed in the testes and the central nervous system; its function is required for spermatogenesis as well as non-autonomously for development of ovaries and accessory reproductive organs. Transcriptome analysis of CPEB knockdown animals uncovered a comprehensive collection of molecular markers for reproductive structures in S. mediterranea, including ovaries, testes, yolk glands, and the copulatory apparatus. Analysis by RNA interference revealed contributions for a dozen of these genes during oogenesis, spermatogenesis, or capsule formation. We also present evidence suggesting that Smed-CPEB2 promotes translation of Neuropeptide Y-8, a prohormone required for planarian sexual maturation. These findings provide mechanistic insight into potentially conserved processes of germ cell development, as well as events involved in capsule deposition by flatworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Labib Rouhana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 601 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| | - Junichi Tasaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
| | - Amir Saberi
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 601 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Phillip A Newmark
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 601 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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81
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Zeraik AE, Balasco Serrão VH, Romanello L, Torini JR, Cassago A, DeMarco R, Pereira HD. Schistosoma mansoni displays an adenine phosphoribosyltransferase preferentially expressed in mature female gonads and vitelaria. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2017; 214:82-86. [PMID: 28392476 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni depends upon the purine salvage pathway to obtain purine nucleotides; therefore, enzymes from this pathway are essential for parasite survival. Here, we focused on the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) enzyme, which catalyzes the condensation reaction between adenine and PRPP (5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate) to produce AMP and PPi. Kinetic experiments using the heterologously expressed protein of one APRT isoform from S. mansoni indicate that it is catalytically active, and whole-mount in situ hybridization studies indicate that the transcripts of this protein are concentrated in the posterior region of the ovary and vitellaria of female adult worms. Moreover, a phylogenetic analysis has shown that APRT exists in multiple copies originating from gene duplications at the base of the Schistosoma genus. Other enzymes from the purine and pyrimidine salvage pathways have also been found to present multiple copies in schistosomes, suggesting that evolutionary pressure to diversify these genes' families may be related to a specialized role in parasite reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Eliza Zeraik
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, São Paulo University, São Carlos, SP 13563-120, Brazil.
| | | | - Larissa Romanello
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, São Paulo University, São Carlos, SP 13563-120, Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre Cassago
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory, LNNano/CNPEM, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Ricardo DeMarco
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, São Paulo University, São Carlos, SP 13563-120, Brazil
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82
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Cosseau C, Wolkenhauer O, Padalino G, Geyer KK, Hoffmann KF, Grunau C. (Epi)genetic Inheritance in Schistosoma mansoni: A Systems Approach. Trends Parasitol 2017; 33:285-294. [PMID: 28040375 PMCID: PMC6125318 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The G×E concept, in which genotype × environment interactions bring about the phenotype, is widely used to describe biological phenomena. We propose to extend the initial notion of the concept, replacing G by 'inheritance system'. This system, comprised of both genome and epigenome components, collectively interacts with the environment to shape the development of a phenotype. In the case of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, responsible for intestinal bilharzia, the phenotypic trait that is most relevant to global health is infection success. Taking a systems biology view we show how genetic and epigenetic interactions result in ephemeral, but also heritable, phenotypic variations that are important for infection success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Cosseau
- University Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Olaf Wolkenhauer
- Dept of Systems Biology & Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, D-18051 Rostock, Germany; Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Gilda Padalino
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Room 3-31, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Kathrin K Geyer
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Room 3-31, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Karl F Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Room 3-31, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Christoph Grunau
- University Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France.
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83
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Gelmedin V, Morel M, Hahnel S, Cailliau K, Dissous C, Grevelding CG. Evidence for Integrin - Venus Kinase Receptor 1 Alliance in the Ovary of Schistosoma mansoni Females Controlling Cell Survival. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006147. [PMID: 28114363 PMCID: PMC5289644 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In metazoan integrin signaling is an important process of mediating extracellular and intracellular communication processes. This can be achieved by cooperation of integrins with growth factor receptors (GFRs). Schistosoma mansoni is a helminth parasite inducing schistosomiasis, an infectious disease of worldwide significance for humans and animals. First studies on schistosome integrins revealed their role in reproductive processes, being involved in spermatogenesis and oogenesis. With respect to the roles of eggs for maintaining the parasite´s life cycle and for inducing the pathology of schistosomiasis, elucidating reproductive processes is of high importance. Here we studied the interaction of the integrin receptor Smβ-Int1 with the venus kinase receptor SmVKR1 in S. mansoni. To this end we cloned and characterized SmILK, SmPINCH, and SmNck2, three putative bridging molecules for their role in mediating Smβ-Int1/SmVKR1 cooperation. Phylogenetic analyses showed that these molecules form clusters that are specific for parasitic platyhelminths as it was shown for integrins before. Transcripts of all genes colocalized in the ovary. In Xenopus oocytes germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) was only induced if all members were simultaneously expressed. Coimmunoprecipitation results suggest that a Smβ-Int1-SmILK-SmPINCH-SmNck2-SmVKR1 complex can be formed leading to the phosphorylation and activation of SmVKR1. These results indicate that SmVKR1 can be activated in a ligand-independent manner by receptor-complex interaction. RNAi and inhibitor studies to knock-down SmILK as a representative complex member concurrently revealed effects on the extracellular matrix surrounding the ovary and oocyte localization within the ovary, oocyte survival, and egg production. By TUNEL assays, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), Caspase-3 assay, and transcript profiling of the pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family members BAK/BAX we obtained first evidence for roles of this signaling complex in mediating cell death in immature and primary oocytes. These results suggest that the Smβ-Int1/SmVKR1 signaling complex is important for differentiation and survival in oocytes of paired schistosomes. Parasites of the genus Schistosoma cause schistosomiasis, a life-threatening infectious disease for humans and animals worldwide. Among the remarkable biological features of schistosomes is the differentiation of the female gonads which is controlled by pairing with the male and a prerequisite for egg production. Eggs, however, are not only important for the maintenance of the life-cycle; they also cause the pathological consequences of schistosomiasis. Part of the eggs gets trapped in host tissues such as liver and spleen and trigger inflammatory processes, finally leading to liver cirrhosis. Research activities of the last decade have indicated that different families of cellular and receptor-type kinases but also integrins contribute to the control of mitogenic activity and differentiation the female goands. In this context an unusual class of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) has been identified, the venus kinase receptors (SmVKRs). By biochemical and molecular approaches we demonstrate that SmVKR1 activation can be achieved by cooperation with a signaling complex consisting of the beta integrin receptor Smβ-Int1 and the bridging molecules SmILK, SmPINCH, SmNck2. Besides unravelling a novel way of SmVKR1 activation, we provide evidence that this complex controls the differentiation status of oocytes by regulating cell death-associated processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Gelmedin
- Institute for Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Marion Morel
- CIIL – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille Inserm U1019 - CNRS UMR 8204, University Lille, Lille, France
| | - Steffen Hahnel
- Institute for Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Katia Cailliau
- UGSF - Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, CNRS UMR 8576, University Lille, Lille, France
| | - Colette Dissous
- CIIL – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille Inserm U1019 - CNRS UMR 8204, University Lille, Lille, France
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84
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Buro C, Burmeister C, Quack T, Grevelding CG. Identification and first characterization of SmEps8, a potential interaction partner of SmTK3 and SER transcribed in the gonads of Schistosoma mansoni. Exp Parasitol 2016; 180:55-63. [PMID: 28017636 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Revised: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In eukaryotes the roles of protein kinases (PKs) regulating important biological processes such as growth and differentiation are well known. Molecular, biochemical, and physiological analyses trying to unravel principles of schistosome development have substantiated the importance for PKs also in this parasite. Amongst others the role of SmTK3 was studied, one of the first cellular PKs characterized from Schistosoma mansoni. Its function was demonstrated in mitogenic and differentiation processes in the gonads. Furthermore, first insights were obtained for the downstream part of a signal transduction cascade SmTK3 is involved in, which includes the diaphanous homolog SmDia. Here we attempted to further unravel the SmTK3 signaling cascade by searching for upstream interaction partners. Using yeast three-hybrid (Y3H) analyses we detected the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway substrate 8 of S. mansoni (SmEps8) as the most interesting candidate. By detailed interaction analyses we showed a contribution of the Src homology (SH) domains SH2 and SH3 of SmTK3 to binding, with a clear bias towards SH2. Compared to full-length SmEps8, binding was enhanced when only its 5' part including the phosphotyrosine binding domain (PTB) was used for interaction analyses including the SH2 domain of SmTK3, although phosphorylation seemed not to play a decisive role for binding. RT-PCR analyses and in situ hybridization experiments demonstrated similar transcription patterns of SmTK3 and SmEPS8, which co-localize in the reproductive organs. Furthermore, first evidence was obtained for SmEps8 interaction and colocalization with SER, one of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) homologs detected in S. mansoni. The results of this study provide first evidence for a SER-SmEps8-SmTK3-SmDia signal transduction pathway controlling differentiation processes in the gonads of S. mansoni.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Buro
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany
| | - C Burmeister
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany
| | - T Quack
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany
| | - C G Grevelding
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany.
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85
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Huang Y, Li W, Lu W, Xiong C, Yang Y, Yan H, Liu KC, Cao P. Cloning and in vitro characterization of a Schistosoma japonicum aquaglyceroporin that functions in osmoregulation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35030. [PMID: 27733755 PMCID: PMC5062077 DOI: 10.1038/srep35030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As one of the three major human pathogens that cause schistosomiasis, Schistosoma japonicum is the only one that is endemic in China. Despite great progress on schistosomiasis control over the past 50 years in China, S. japonicum transmission still occurs in certain endemic regions, which causes significant public health problems and enormous economic losses. During different life stages, parasites are able to survive dramatic osmolality changes between its vector, fresh water, and mammal host. However, the molecular mechanism of parasite osmoregulation remains unknown. To address this challenging question, we report the first cloning of an S. japonicum aquaglyceroporin (SjAQP) from an isolate from Jiangsu province, China. Expressing SjAQP in Xenopus oocytes facilitated the permeation of water, glycerol, and urea. The water permeability of SjAQP was inhibited by 1 mM HgCl2, 3 mM tetraethylammonium, 1 mM ZnCl2, and 1 mM CuSO4. SjAQP was constitutively expressed throughout the S. japonicum life cycle, including in the egg, miracidia, cercaria, and adult stages. The highest expression was detected during the infective cercaria stage. Our results suggest that SjAQP plays a role in osmoregulation throughout the S. japonicum life cycle, especially during cercariae transformation, which enables parasites to survive osmotic challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzheng Huang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210028, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210028, China
| | - Wei Li
- Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, key Laboratory on Technology for Parasitic Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214064, China
| | - Wuguang Lu
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210028, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210028, China
| | - Chunrong Xiong
- Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, key Laboratory on Technology for Parasitic Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214064, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210028, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210028, China
| | - Huaijiang Yan
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210028, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210028, China
| | - Kun Connie Liu
- Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Dept. Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Peng Cao
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210028, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210028, China
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