51
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Cohen JD, Sundaram MV. C. elegans Apical Extracellular Matrices Shape Epithelia. J Dev Biol 2020; 8:E23. [PMID: 33036165 PMCID: PMC7712855 DOI: 10.3390/jdb8040023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Apical extracellular matrices (aECMs) coat exposed surfaces of epithelia to shape developing tissues and protect them from environmental insults. Despite their widespread importance for human health, aECMs are poorly understood compared to basal and stromal ECMs. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans contains a variety of distinct aECMs, some of which share many of the same types of components (lipids, lipoproteins, collagens, zona pellucida domain proteins, chondroitin glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans) with mammalian aECMs. These aECMs include the eggshell, a glycocalyx-like pre-cuticle, both collagenous and chitin-based cuticles, and other understudied aECMs of internal epithelia. C. elegans allows rapid genetic manipulations and live imaging of fluorescently-tagged aECM components, and is therefore providing new insights into aECM structure, trafficking, assembly, and functions in tissue shaping.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meera V. Sundaram
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine 415 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6145, USA;
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52
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Meeuse MWM, Hauser YP, Morales Moya LJ, Hendriks G, Eglinger J, Bogaarts G, Tsiairis C, Großhans H. Developmental function and state transitions of a gene expression oscillator in Caenorhabditis elegans. Mol Syst Biol 2020; 16:e9498. [PMID: 32687264 PMCID: PMC7370751 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20209498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression oscillators can structure biological events temporally and spatially. Different biological functions benefit from distinct oscillator properties. Thus, finite developmental processes rely on oscillators that start and stop at specific times, a poorly understood behavior. Here, we have characterized a massive gene expression oscillator comprising > 3,700 genes in Caenorhabditis elegans larvae. We report that oscillations initiate in embryos, arrest transiently after hatching and in response to perturbation, and cease in adults. Experimental observation of the transitions between oscillatory and non-oscillatory states at high temporal resolution reveals an oscillator operating near a Saddle Node on Invariant Cycle (SNIC) bifurcation. These findings constrain the architecture and mathematical models that can represent this oscillator. They also reveal that oscillator arrests occur reproducibly in a specific phase. Since we find oscillations to be coupled to developmental processes, including molting, this characteristic of SNIC bifurcations endows the oscillator with the potential to halt larval development at defined intervals, and thereby execute a developmental checkpoint function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milou WM Meeuse
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Yannick P Hauser
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | | | - Gert‐Jan Hendriks
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Jan Eglinger
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
| | | | - Charisios Tsiairis
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
| | - Helge Großhans
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
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53
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Jasmer DP, Rosa BA, Tyagi R, Bulman CA, Beerntsen B, Urban JF, Sakanari J, Mitreva M. De novo identification of toxicants that cause irreparable damage to parasitic nematode intestinal cells. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007942. [PMID: 32453724 PMCID: PMC7274465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Efforts to identify new drugs for therapeutic and preventive treatments against parasitic nematodes have gained increasing interest with expanding pathogen omics databases and drug databases from which new anthelmintic compounds might be identified. Here, a novel approach focused on integrating a pan-Nematoda multi-omics data targeted to a specific nematode organ system (the intestinal tract) with evidence-based filtering and chemogenomic screening was undertaken. Based on de novo computational target prioritization of the 3,564 conserved intestine genes in A. suum, exocytosis was identified as a high priority pathway, and predicted inhibitors of exocytosis were tested using the large roundworm (Ascaris suum larval stages), a filarial worm (Brugia pahangi adult and L3), a whipworm (Trichuris muris adult), and the non-parasitic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. 10 of 13 inhibitors were found to cause rapid immotility in A. suum L3 larvae, and five inhibitors were effective against the three phylogenetically diverse parasitic nematode species, indicating potential for a broad spectrum anthelmintics. Several distinct pathologic phenotypes were resolved related to molting, motility, or intestinal cell and tissue damage using conventional and novel histologic methods. Pathologic profiles characteristic for each inhibitor will guide future research to uncover mechanisms of the anthelmintic effects and improve on drug designs. This progress firmly validates the focus on intestinal cell biology as a useful resource to develop novel anthelmintic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas P Jasmer
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Bruce A Rosa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Rahul Tyagi
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Christina A Bulman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Brenda Beerntsen
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Joseph F Urban
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Northeast Area, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasite Diseases Laboratory and Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Diet Genomics and Immunology Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Judy Sakanari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Makedonka Mitreva
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America.,McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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54
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Teething during sleep: Ultrastructural analysis of pharyngeal muscle and cuticular grinder during the molt in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233059. [PMID: 32433687 PMCID: PMC7239488 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex extracellular structures exist throughout phylogeny, but the dynamics of their formation and dissolution are often opaque. One example is the pharyngeal grinder of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, an extracellular structure that ruptures bacteria during feeding. During each larval transition stage, called lethargus, the grinder is replaced with one of a larger size. Here, we characterize at the ultrastructural level the deconstruction of the larval grinder and the construction of the adult grinder during the fourth larval stage (L4)-to-adult transition. Early in L4 lethargus, pharyngeal muscle cells trans-differentiate from contractile to secretory cells, as evidenced by the appearance of clear and dense core vesicles and disruptions in sarcomere organization. This is followed, within minutes, by the dissolution of the L4 grinder and the formation and maturation of the adult grinder. Components of the nascent adult grinder are deposited basally, and are separated from the dissolving larval grinder by a visible apical layer. The complete grinder is a lamellated extracellular matrix comprised of five layers. Following grinder formation, pharyngeal muscle cells regain ultrastructural contractile properties, and muscle contractions resume. Our findings add to our understanding of how complex extracellular structures assemble and dissemble.
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55
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Sepúlveda-Crespo D, Reguera RM, Rojo-Vázquez F, Balaña-Fouce R, Martínez-Valladares M. Drug discovery technologies: Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for anthelmintic therapeutics. Med Res Rev 2020; 40:1715-1753. [PMID: 32166776 DOI: 10.1002/med.21668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Helminthiasis is one of the gravest problems worldwide. There is a growing concern on less available anthelmintics and the emergence of resistance creating a major threat to human and livestock health resources. Novel and broad-spectrum anthelmintics are urgently needed. The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans could address this issue through automated high-throughput technologies for the screening of large chemical libraries. This review discusses the strong advantages and limitations for using C elegans as a screening method for anthelmintic drug discovery. C elegans is the best model available for the validation of novel effective drugs in treating most, if not all, helminth infections, and for the elucidation the mode of action of anthelmintic candidates. This review also focuses on available technologies in the discovery of anthelmintics published over the last 15 years with particular attention to high-throughput technologies over conventional screens. On the other hand, this review highlights how combinatorial and nanomedicine strategies could prolong the use of anthelmintics and control resistance problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sepúlveda-Crespo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Rosa M Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Francisco Rojo-Vázquez
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - María Martínez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
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56
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Joseph BB, Wang Y, Edeen P, Lažetić V, Grant BD, Fay DS. Control of clathrin-mediated endocytosis by NIMA family kinases. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008633. [PMID: 32069276 PMCID: PMC7048319 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocytosis, the process by which cells internalize plasma membrane and associated cargo, is regulated extensively by posttranslational modifications. Previous studies suggested the potential involvement of scores of protein kinases in endocytic control, of which only a few have been validated in vivo. Here we show that the conserved NIMA-related kinases NEKL-2/NEK8/9 and NEKL-3/NEK6/7 (the NEKLs) control clathrin-mediated endocytosis in C. elegans. Loss of NEKL-2 or NEKL-3 activities leads to penetrant larval molting defects and to the abnormal localization of trafficking markers in arrested larvae. Using an auxin-based degron system, we also find that depletion of NEKLs in adult-stage C. elegans leads to gross clathrin mislocalization and to a dramatic reduction in clathrin mobility at the apical membrane. Using a non-biased genetic screen to identify suppressors of nekl molting defects, we identified several components and regulators of AP2, the major clathrin adapter complex acting at the plasma membrane. Strikingly, reduced AP2 activity rescues both nekl mutant molting defects as well as associated trafficking phenotypes, whereas increased levels of active AP2 exacerbate nekl defects. Moreover, in a unique example of mutual suppression, NEKL inhibition alleviates defects associated with reduced AP2 activity, attesting to the tight link between NEKL and AP2 functions. We also show that NEKLs are required for the clustering and internalization of membrane cargo required for molting. Notably, we find that human NEKs can rescue molting and trafficking defects in nekl mutant worms, suggesting that the control of intracellular trafficking is an evolutionarily conserved function of NEK family kinases. In order to function properly, cells must continually import materials from the outside. This process, termed endocytosis, is necessary for the uptake of nutrients and for interpreting signals coming from the external environment or from within the body. These signals are critical during animal development but also affect many types of cell behaviors throughout life. In our current work, we show that several highly conserved proteins in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, NEKL-2 and NEKL-3, regulate endocytosis. The human counterparts of NEKL-2 and NEKL-3 have been implicated in cardiovascular and renal diseases as well as many types of cancers. However, their specific functions within cells is incompletely understood and very little is known about their role in endocytosis or how this role might impact disease processes. Here we use several complementary approaches to characterize the specific functions of C. elegans NEKL-2 and NEKL-3 in endocytosis and show that their human counterparts likely have very similar functions. This work paves the way to a better understanding of fundamental biological processes and to determining the cellular functions of proteins connected to human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braveen B. Joseph
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Phil Edeen
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Vladimir Lažetić
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Barth D. Grant
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - David S. Fay
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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57
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Miao R, Li M, Zhang Q, Yang C, Wang X. An ECM-to-Nucleus Signaling Pathway Activates Lysosomes for C. elegans Larval Development. Dev Cell 2020; 52:21-37.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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58
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Hodgkin J. Nematode Autotomy Requires Molting and Entails Tissue Healing without Obvious Regeneration. J Dev Biol 2019; 7:jdb7040021. [PMID: 31771156 PMCID: PMC6955759 DOI: 10.3390/jdb7040021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autotomy in C. elegans, which results in the severing of the body into two fragments, has been observed as a response to late larval worm-star formation after exposure to a bacterial surface pathogen. It was found that autotomy can occur in both hermaphroditic and gonochoristic nematode species, and during either the L3 or the L4 molt. Severing was hypothesized to be driven by a ‘balloon-twisting’ mechanism during molting but was found to be independent of lethargus-associated flipping. Extensive healing and apparent tissue fusion were seen at the site of scission. No obvious regeneration of lost body parts was seen in either L4 or adult truncated worms. A variety of mutants defective in processes of cell death, healing, regeneration, responses to damage, stress or pathogens were found to be competent to autotomize. Mutants specifically defective in autotomy have yet to be found. Autotomy may represent a modification of the essential normal process of molting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Hodgkin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
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59
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Ren HN, Liu RD, Song YY, Zhuo TX, Guo KX, Zhang Y, Jiang P, Wang ZQ, Cui J. Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis of molting-related proteins of Trichinella spiralis intestinal infective larvae. Vet Res 2019; 50:70. [PMID: 31547875 PMCID: PMC6757440 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-019-0689-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Molting is a key step for body-size expansion and environmental adaptation of parasitic nematodes, and it is extremely important for Trichinella spiralis growth and development, but the molting mechanism is not fully understood. In this work, label-free LC-MS/MS was used to determine the proteome differences between T. spiralis muscle larvae (ML) at the encapsulated stage and intestinal infective larvae (IIL) at the molting stage. The results showed that a total of 2885 T. spiralis proteins were identified, 323 of which were differentially expressed. These proteins were involved in cuticle structural elements, regulation of cuticle synthesis, remodeling and degradation, and hormonal regulation of molting. These differential proteins were also involved in diverse intracellular pathways, such as fatty acid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, and mucin type O-glycan biosynthesis. qPCR results showed that five T. spiralis genes (cuticle collagen 14, putative DOMON domain-containing protein, glutamine synthetase, cathepsin F and NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase) had significantly higher transcriptional levels in 10 h IIL than ML (P < 0.05), which were similar to their protein expression levels, suggesting that they might be T. spiralis molting-related genes. Identification and characterization of T. spiralis molting-related proteins will be helpful for developing vaccines and new drugs against the early enteral stage of T. spiralis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Nan Ren
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Ruo Dan Liu
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yan Yan Song
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Tong Xu Zhuo
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Kai Xia Guo
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Peng Jiang
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Zhong Quan Wang
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
| | - Jing Cui
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
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60
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Nguyen LT, Kurz T, Preston S, Brueckmann H, Lungerich B, Herath HMPD, Koehler AV, Wang T, Skálová L, Jabbar A, Gasser RB. Phenotypic screening of the 'Kurz-box' of chemicals identifies two compounds (BLK127 and HBK4) with anthelmintic activity in vitro against parasitic larval stages of Haemonchus contortus. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:191. [PMID: 31039802 PMCID: PMC6492431 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3426-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Due to anthelmintic resistance problems, there is a need to discover and develop new drugs for the treatment and control of economically important and pathogenic nematodes of livestock animals. With this focus in mind, we screened 236 compounds from a library (called the ‘Kurz-box’) representing chemically diverse classes such as heterocyclic compounds (e.g. thiazoles, pyrroles, quinolines, pyrimidines, benzo[1,4]diazepines), hydoxamic acid-based metalloenzyme inhibitors, peptidomimetics (bis- and tris-pyrimidoneamides, alkoxyamides) and various intermediates on Haemonchus contortus, one of the most important parasitic nematodes of ruminants. Methods In the present study, we tested these compounds, and measured the inhibition of larval motility and development of exsheathed third-stage (xL3) and fourth-stage (L4) larvae of H. contortus using an optimised, whole-organism phenotypic screening assay. Results Of the 236 compounds, we identified two active compounds (called BLK127 and HBK4) that induced marked phenotypic changes in the worm in vitro. Compound BLK127 induced an ‘eviscerated’ phenotype in the xL3 stage and also inhibited L4 development. Compound HBK4 exerted a ‘curved’ phenotype in both xL3s and L4s. Conclusions The findings from this study provide a basis for future work on the chemical optimisation of these compounds, on assessing the activity of optimised compounds on adult stages of H. contortus both in vitro and in vivo (in the host animal) and against other parasitic worms of veterinary and medical importance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3426-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh Thuy Nguyen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemical Sciences, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Thomas Kurz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sarah Preston
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University, Ballarat, VIC, Australia
| | - Hjoerdis Brueckmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Beate Lungerich
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - H M P Dilrukshi Herath
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anson V Koehler
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lenka Skálová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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61
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Perry C, Scanlan J, Robin C. Mining insect genomes for functionally affiliated genes. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 31:114-122. [PMID: 31109664 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Several hundred insect genome assemblies are already publicly available, and this total grows on a weekly basis. A major challenge now confronting insect science is how best to use genomic data to improve our understanding of insect biology. We consider a framework for genome analysis based on functional affiliation, that is, groups of genes involved in the same biological process or pathway, and explore how such an approach furthers our understanding of several aspects of insect phenotype. We anticipate that this approach will prove useful for future research across the breadth of insect studies, whatever organism or trait it involves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn Perry
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Jack Scanlan
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Charles Robin
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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62
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Jiao Y, Preston S, Garcia-Bustos JF, Baell JB, Ventura S, Le T, McNamara N, Nguyen N, Botteon A, Skinner C, Danne J, Ellis S, Koehler AV, Wang T, Chang BCH, Hofmann A, Jabbar A, Gasser RB. Tetrahydroquinoxalines induce a lethal evisceration phenotype in Haemonchus contortus in vitro. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2018; 9:59-71. [PMID: 30690282 PMCID: PMC6357688 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the anthelmintic activity of a human tyrosine kinase inhibitor, AG-1295, and 14 related tetrahydroquinoxaline analogues against Haemonchus contortus was explored. These compounds were screened against parasitic larvae - exsheathed third-stage (xL3) and fourth-stage (L4) - using a whole-organism screening assay. All compounds were shown to have inhibitory effects on larval motility, development and growth, and induced evisceration through the excretory pore in xL3s. The estimated IC50 values ranged from 3.5 to 52.0 μM for inhibition of larval motility or development. Cytotoxicity IC50 against human MCF10A cells was generally higher than 50 μM. Microscopic studies revealed that this eviscerated (Evi) phenotype occurs rapidly (<20 min) and relates to a protrusion of internal tissues and organs (evisceration) through the excretory pore in xL3s; severe pathological damage in L4s as well as a suppression of larval growth in both stages were also observed. Using a relatively low concentration (12.5 μM) of compound m10, it was established that the inhibitor has to be present for a relatively short time (between 30 h and 42 h) during in vitro development from xL3 to L4, to induce the Evi phenotype. Increasing external osmotic pressure prevented evisceration and moulting, and xL3s remained unaffected by the test compound. These results point to a mode of action involving a dysregulation of morphogenetic processes during a critical time-frame, in agreement with the expected behaviour of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and suggest potential for development of this compound class as nematocidal drugs. Tetrahydroquinoxalines kill Haemonchus contortus larvae in vitro. Compounds induce a lethal evisceration phenotype (Evi). The Evi phenotype is associated with the timing of ecdysis. These compounds might be developable as nematocidal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqing Jiao
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah Preston
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jose F Garcia-Bustos
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jonathan B Baell
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Sabatino Ventura
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thuy Le
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole McNamara
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Antony Botteon
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cameron Skinner
- Centre for Advanced Histology and Microscopy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jill Danne
- Centre for Advanced Histology and Microscopy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah Ellis
- Centre for Advanced Histology and Microscopy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anson V Koehler
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tao Wang
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bill C H Chang
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Yourgene Bioscience, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Koziol U. Precursors of neuropeptides and peptide hormones in the genomes of tardigrades. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 267:116-127. [PMID: 29935140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Tardigrades are a key group for understanding the evolution of the Ecdysozoa, a large clade of molting animals that also includes arthropods and nematodes. However, little is known about most aspects of their basic biology. Neuropeptide and peptide hormone signaling has been extensively studied in arthropods and nematodes (particularly regarding their roles in molting in arthropods), but very little is known about neuropeptide signaling in other ecdysozoans. In this work, different strategies were used to search for neuropeptide and peptide hormone precursors in the genomes of the tardigrades Hypsibius dujardini and Ramazzottius varieornatus. In general, there is a remarkable similarity in the complement of neuropeptides and their sequences between tardigrades and arthropods. The precursors found in tardigrades included homologs of achatin, allatostatins A, B and C, allatotropin, calcitonin, CCHamide, CCRFa, corazonin, crustacean cardioactive peptide, diuretic hormone 31, diuretic hormone 44, ecdysis triggering hormone, eclosion hormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), GSEFLamide, insulin-like peptides, ion transport peptide, kinin, neuropeptide F, orcokinin, pigment dispersing hormone, proctolin, pyrokinin, RYamide, short neuropeptide F, sulfakinin, tachykinin, trissin and vasopressin. In most cases, homologs of known cognate receptors for each neuropeptide family could only be identified when the precursors were also present in the genome, further supporting their identification. Some neuropeptide precursor genes have undergone several duplications in tardigrades, including allatostatin A and C, corazonin, GnRH, eclosion hormone, sulfakinin and trissin. Furthermore, four novel families of candidate neuropeptide precursors were identified (two of which could also be found in several arthropods). To the best of my knowledge, this work represents the first genome-wide search for neuropeptide precursors in any ecdysozoan species outside arthropods and nematodes, and is a necessary first step towards understanding neuropeptide function in tardigrades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uriel Koziol
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, CP11400 Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Schumann I, Kenny N, Hui J, Hering L, Mayer G. Halloween genes in panarthropods and the evolution of the early moulting pathway in Ecdysozoa. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:180888. [PMID: 30839709 PMCID: PMC6170570 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Moulting is a characteristic feature of Ecdysozoa-the clade of moulting animals that includes the hyperdiverse arthropods and less speciose groups, such as onychophorans, tardigrades and nematodes. Moulting has been best analysed in arthropods, specifically in insects and crustaceans, in which a complex neuroendocrine system acts at the genomic level and initiates the transcription of genes responsible for moulting. The key moulting hormones, ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone, are subsequently synthesized from cholesterol ingested with food. Their biosynthesis is regulated by the Rieske-domain protein Neverland and cytochrome P450 enzymes encoded by the so-called 'Halloween' genes. Ecdysone is then released into the haemolymph and modified into 20-hydroxyecdysone, which binds to the nuclear receptor EcR/USP and initiates transcription of the Early genes. As little is known about the moulting pathway of other ecdysozoans, we examined the occurrence of genes involved in ecdysteroid biosynthesis and the early moulting cascade across ecdysozoan subgroups. Genomic and transcriptomic searches revealed no Halloween genes in cycloneuralians, whereas only shadow (CYP315A1) is present in onychophorans and tardigrades, suggesting that the Halloween genes evolved stepwise in panarthropods. These findings imply that the genes which were responsible for the ecdysteroid biosynthesis in the last common ancestor of Ecdysozoa are currently unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabell Schumann
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
- Molecular Evolution and Animal Systematics, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nathan Kenny
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, Center of Soybean Research, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jerome Hui
- School of Life Sciences, Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, Center of Soybean Research, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lars Hering
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
| | - Georg Mayer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
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Lažetić V, Joseph BB, Bernazzani SM, Fay DS. Actin organization and endocytic trafficking are controlled by a network linking NIMA-related kinases to the CDC-42-SID-3/ACK1 pathway. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007313. [PMID: 29608564 PMCID: PMC5897031 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Molting is an essential process in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans during which the epidermal apical extracellular matrix, termed the cuticle, is detached and replaced at each larval stage. The conserved NIMA-related kinases NEKL-2/NEK8/NEK9 and NEKL-3/NEK6/NEK7, together with their ankyrin repeat partners, MLT-2/ANKS6, MLT-3/ANKS3, and MLT-4/INVS, are essential for normal molting. In nekl and mlt mutants, the old larval cuticle fails to be completely shed, leading to entrapment and growth arrest. To better understand the molecular and cellular functions of NEKLs during molting, we isolated genetic suppressors of nekl molting-defective mutants. Using two independent approaches, we identified CDC-42, a conserved Rho-family GTPase, and its effector protein kinase, SID-3/ACK1. Notably, CDC42 and ACK1 regulate actin dynamics in mammals, and actin reorganization within the worm epidermis has been proposed to be important for the molting process. Inhibition of NEKL-MLT activities led to strong defects in the distribution of actin and failure to form molting-specific apical actin bundles. Importantly, this phenotype was reverted following cdc-42 or sid-3 inhibition. In addition, repression of CDC-42 or SID-3 also suppressed nekl-associated defects in trafficking, a process that requires actin assembly and disassembly. Expression analyses indicated that components of the NEKL-MLT network colocalize with both actin and CDC-42 in specific regions of the epidermis. Moreover, NEKL-MLT components were required for the normal subcellular localization of CDC-42 in the epidermis as well as wild-type levels of CDC-42 activation. Taken together, our findings indicate that the NEKL-MLT network regulates actin through CDC-42 and its effector SID-3. Interestingly, we also observed that downregulation of CDC-42 in a wild-type background leads to molting defects, suggesting that there is a fine balance between NEKL-MLT and CDC-42-SID-3 activities in the epidermis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Lažetić
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
| | - Braveen B. Joseph
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
| | - Sarina M. Bernazzani
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
| | - David S. Fay
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is the simplest animal model organism to work with. Substantial knowledge and tools have accumulated over 50 years of C. elegans research. The use of C. elegans relating to parasitic nematodes from a basic biology standpoint or an applied perspective has increased in recent years. The wealth of information gained on the model organism, the use of the powerful approaches and technologies that have advanced C. elegans research to parasitic nematodes and the enormous success of the omics fields have contributed to bridge the divide between C. elegans and parasite nematode researchers. We review key fields, such as genomics, drug discovery and genetics, where C. elegans and nematode parasite research have convened. We advocate the use of C. elegans as a model to study helminth metabolism, a neglected area ready to advance. How emerging technologies being used in C. elegans can pave the way for parasitic nematode research is discussed.
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