151
|
Janetka JW, Hopper AT, Yang Z, Barks J, Dhason MS, Wang Q, Sibley LD. Optimizing Pyrazolopyrimidine Inhibitors of Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase 1 for Treatment of Acute and Chronic Toxoplasmosis. J Med Chem 2020; 63:6144-6163. [PMID: 32420739 PMCID: PMC7325724 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Calcium dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1) is an essential Ser/Thr kinase that controls invasion and egress by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The Gly gatekeeper of CDPK1 makes it exquisitely sensitive to inhibition by small molecule 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4-amine (PP) compounds that are bulky ATP mimetics. Here we rationally designed, synthesized, and tested a series of novel PP analogs that were evaluated for inhibition of CDPK1 enzyme activity in vitro and parasite growth in cell culture. Optimal substitution on the PP scaffold included 2-pyridyl ethers directed into the hydrophobic pocket and small carbocyclic rings accessing the ribose-binding pocket. Further optimization of the series led to identification of the lead compound 3a that displayed excellent potency, selectivity, safety profile, and efficacy in vivo. The results of these studies provide a foundation for further work to optimize CDPK1 inhibitors for the treatment of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James W. Janetka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. MO 63110
| | | | - Ziping Yang
- Vyera Pharmaceuticals, 600 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10016
| | - Jennifer Barks
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. MO 63110
| | - Mary Savari Dhason
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. MO 63110
| | - Qiuling Wang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. MO 63110
| | - L. David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. MO 63110
| |
Collapse
|
152
|
Gubbels MJ, Keroack CD, Dangoudoubiyam S, Worliczek HL, Paul AS, Bauwens C, Elsworth B, Engelberg K, Howe DK, Coppens I, Duraisingh MT. Fussing About Fission: Defining Variety Among Mainstream and Exotic Apicomplexan Cell Division Modes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:269. [PMID: 32582569 PMCID: PMC7289922 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular reproduction defines life, yet our textbook-level understanding of cell division is limited to a small number of model organisms centered around humans. The horizon on cell division variants is expanded here by advancing insights on the fascinating cell division modes found in the Apicomplexa, a key group of protozoan parasites. The Apicomplexa display remarkable variation in offspring number, whether karyokinesis follows each S/M-phase or not, and whether daughter cells bud in the cytoplasm or bud from the cortex. We find that the terminology used to describe the various manifestations of asexual apicomplexan cell division emphasizes either the number of offspring or site of budding, which are not directly comparable features and has led to confusion in the literature. Division modes have been primarily studied in two human pathogenic Apicomplexa, malaria-causing Plasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, a major cause of opportunistic infections. Plasmodium spp. divide asexually by schizogony, producing multiple daughters per division round through a cortical budding process, though at several life-cycle nuclear amplifications stages, are not followed by karyokinesis. T. gondii divides by endodyogeny producing two internally budding daughters per division round. Here we add to this diversity in replication mechanisms by considering the cattle parasite Babesia bigemina and the pig parasite Cystoisospora suis. B. bigemina produces two daughters per division round by a “binary fission” mechanism whereas C. suis produces daughters through both endodyogeny and multiple internal budding known as endopolygeny. In addition, we provide new data from the causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), Sarcocystis neurona, which also undergoes endopolygeny but differs from C. suis by maintaining a single multiploid nucleus. Overall, we operationally define two principally different division modes: internal budding found in cyst-forming Coccidia (comprising endodyogeny and two forms of endopolygeny) and external budding found in the other parasites studied (comprising the two forms of schizogony, binary fission and multiple fission). Progressive insights into the principles defining the molecular and cellular requirements for internal vs. external budding, as well as variations encountered in sexual stages are discussed. The evolutionary pressures and mechanisms underlying apicomplexan cell division diversification carries relevance across Eukaryota.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Jan Gubbels
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Caroline D Keroack
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam
- Department of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Hanna L Worliczek
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States.,Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aditya S Paul
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ciara Bauwens
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Brendan Elsworth
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States.,School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Klemens Engelberg
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Daniel K Howe
- Department of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
153
|
Wang X, Qian P, Cui H, Yao L, Yuan J. A protein palmitoylation cascade regulates microtubule cytoskeleton integrity in Plasmodium. EMBO J 2020; 39:e104168. [PMID: 32395856 PMCID: PMC7327484 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019104168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphogenesis of many protozoans depends on a polarized establishment of cytoskeletal structures. In malaria-causing parasites, this can be observed when a round zygote develops into an elongated motile ookinete within the mosquito stomach. This morphogenesis is mediated by the pellicle cytoskeletal structures, including the inner membrane complex (IMC) and the underlying subpellicular microtubules (SPMs). How the parasite maintains the IMC-SPM connection and establishes a dome-like structure of SPM to support cell elongation is unclear. Here, we show that palmitoylation of N-terminal cysteines of two IMC proteins (ISP1/ISP3) regulates the IMC localization of ISP1/ISP3 and zygote-to-ookinete differentiation. Palmitoylation of ISP1/ISP3 is catalyzed by an IMC-residing palmitoyl-S-acyl-transferase (PAT) DHHC2. Surprisingly, DHHC2 undergoes self-palmitoylation at C-terminal cysteines via its PAT activity, which controls DHHC2 localization in IMC after zygote formation. IMC-anchored ISP1 and ISP3 interact with microtubule component β-tubulin, serving as tethers to maintain the proper structure of SPM during zygote elongation. This study identifies the first PAT-substrate pair in malaria parasites and uncovers a protein palmitoylation cascade regulating microtubule cytoskeleton.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Pengge Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Huiting Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Luming Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| |
Collapse
|
154
|
Tosetti N, Dos Santos Pacheco N, Bertiaux E, Maco B, Bournonville L, Hamel V, Guichard P, Soldati-Favre D. Essential function of the alveolin network in the subpellicular microtubules and conoid assembly in Toxoplasma gondii. eLife 2020; 9:56635. [PMID: 32379047 PMCID: PMC7228768 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The coccidian subgroup of Apicomplexa possesses an apical complex harboring a conoid, made of unique tubulin polymer fibers. This enigmatic organelle extrudes in extracellular invasive parasites and is associated to the apical polar ring (APR). The APR serves as microtubule-organizing center for the 22 subpellicular microtubules (SPMTs) that are linked to a patchwork of flattened vesicles, via an intricate network composed of alveolins. Here, we capitalize on ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM) to localize the Toxoplasma gondii Apical Cap protein 9 (AC9) and its partner AC10, identified by BioID, to the alveolin network and intercalated between the SPMTs. Parasites conditionally depleted in AC9 or AC10 replicate normally but are defective in microneme secretion and fail to invade and egress from infected cells. Electron microscopy revealed that the mature parasite mutants are conoidless, while U-ExM highlighted the disorganization of the SPMTs which likely results in the catastrophic loss of APR and conoid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Tosetti
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Dos Santos Pacheco
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eloïse Bertiaux
- Department of Cell Biology, Sciences III, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bohumil Maco
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lorène Bournonville
- Department of Cell Biology, Sciences III, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Virginie Hamel
- Department of Cell Biology, Sciences III, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Paul Guichard
- Department of Cell Biology, Sciences III, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
155
|
Meinnel T, Dian C, Giglione C. Myristoylation, an Ancient Protein Modification Mirroring Eukaryogenesis and Evolution. Trends Biochem Sci 2020; 45:619-632. [PMID: 32305250 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
N-myristoylation (MYR) is a crucial fatty acylation catalyzed by N-myristoyltransferases (NMTs) that is likely to have appeared over 2 billion years ago. Proteome-wide approaches have now delivered an exhaustive list of substrates undergoing MYR across approximately 2% of any proteome, with constituents, several unexpected, associated with different membrane compartments. A set of <10 proteins conserved in eukaryotes probably represents the original set of N-myristoylated targets, marking major changes occurring throughout eukaryogenesis. Recent findings have revealed unexpected mechanisms and reactivity, suggesting competition with other acylations that are likely to influence cellular homeostasis and the steady state of the modification landscape. Here, we review recent advances in NMT catalysis, substrate specificity, and MYR proteomics, and discuss concepts regarding MYR during evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Meinnel
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Cyril Dian
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Carmela Giglione
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| |
Collapse
|
156
|
Boisard J, Florent I. Why the -omic future of Apicomplexa should include gregarines. Biol Cell 2020; 112:173-185. [PMID: 32176937 DOI: 10.1111/boc.202000006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Gregarines, a polyphyletic group of apicomplexan parasites infecting mostly non-vertebrates hosts, remains poorly known at taxonomic, phylogenetic and genomic levels. However, it represents an essential group for understanding evolutionary history and adaptive capacities of apicomplexan parasites to the remarkable diversity of their hosts. Because they have a mostly extracellular lifestyle, gregarines have developed other cellular developmental forms and host-parasite interactions, compared with their much better studied apicomplexan cousins, intracellular parasites of vertebrates (Hemosporidia, Coccidia, Cryptosporidia). This review highlights the promises offered by the molecular exploration of gregarines, that have been until now left on the side of the road of the comparative -omic exploration of apicomplexan parasites. Elucidating molecular bases for both their ultrastructural, functional and behavioural similarities and differences, compared with those of the typical apicomplexan models, is expected to provide entirely novel clues on the adaptive capacities developed by Apicomplexa over evolution. A challenge remains to identify which gregarines should be explored in priority, as recent metadata from open and host-associated environments have confirmed how underestimated is our current view on true gregarine biodiversity. It is now time to turn to gregarines to widen the currently highly skewed view we have of adaptive mechanisms developed by Apicomplexa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Boisard
- Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245), Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Paris, Cedex 05, France.,Structure et instabilité des génomes (STRING UMR 7196 CNRS / INSERM U1154), Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, Cedex 05, France
| | - Isabelle Florent
- Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245), Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Paris, Cedex 05, France
| |
Collapse
|
157
|
|
158
|
Trivedi DV, Nag S, Spudich A, Ruppel KM, Spudich JA. The Myosin Family of Mechanoenzymes: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Approaches. Annu Rev Biochem 2020; 89:667-693. [PMID: 32169021 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biochem-011520-105234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Myosins are among the most fascinating enzymes in biology. As extremely allosteric chemomechanical molecular machines, myosins are involved in myriad pivotal cellular functions and are frequently sites of mutations leading to disease phenotypes. Human β-cardiac myosin has proved to be an excellent target for small-molecule therapeutics for heart muscle diseases, and, as we describe here, other myosin family members are likely to be potentially unique targets for treating other diseases as well. The first part of this review focuses on how myosins convert the chemical energy of ATP hydrolysis into mechanical movement, followed by a description of existing therapeutic approaches to target human β-cardiac myosin. The next section focuses on the possibility of targeting nonmuscle members of the human myosin family for several diseases. We end the review by describing the roles of myosin in parasites and the therapeutic potential of targeting them to block parasitic invasion of their hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darshan V Trivedi
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA; , , .,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Suman Nag
- MyoKardia Inc., Brisbane, California 94005, USA;
| | - Annamma Spudich
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560-097, India;
| | - Kathleen M Ruppel
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA; , , .,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA.,Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - James A Spudich
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA; , , .,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| |
Collapse
|
159
|
Horta MF, Andrade LO, Martins-Duarte ÉS, Castro-Gomes T. Cell invasion by intracellular parasites - the many roads to infection. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:133/4/jcs232488. [PMID: 32079731 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.232488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular parasites from the genera Toxoplasma, Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, Leishmania and from the phylum Microsporidia are, respectively, the causative agents of toxoplasmosis, malaria, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and microsporidiosis, illnesses that kill millions of people around the globe. Crossing the host cell plasma membrane (PM) is an obstacle these parasites must overcome to establish themselves intracellularly and so cause diseases. The mechanisms of cell invasion are quite diverse and include (1) formation of moving junctions that drive parasites into host cells, as for the protozoans Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp., (2) subversion of endocytic pathways used by the host cell to repair PM, as for Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania, (3) induction of phagocytosis as for Leishmania or (4) endocytosis of parasites induced by specialized structures, such as the polar tubes present in microsporidian species. Understanding the early steps of cell entry is essential for the development of vaccines and drugs for the prevention or treatment of these diseases, and thus enormous research efforts have been made to unveil their underlying biological mechanisms. This Review will focus on these mechanisms and the factors involved, with an emphasis on the recent insights into the cell biology of invasion by these pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fátima Horta
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Luciana Oliveira Andrade
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Érica Santos Martins-Duarte
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Thiago Castro-Gomes
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
160
|
Albuquerque-Wendt A, Jacot D, Dos Santos Pacheco N, Seegers C, Zarnovican P, Buettner FFR, Bakker H, Soldati-Favre D, Routier FH. C-Mannosylation of Toxoplasma gondii proteins promotes attachment to host cells and parasite virulence. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:1066-1076. [PMID: 31862733 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
C-Mannosylation is a common modification of thrombospondin type 1 repeats present in metazoans and recently identified also in apicomplexan parasites. This glycosylation is mediated by enzymes of the DPY19 family that transfer α-mannoses to tryptophan residues in the sequence WX 2WX 2C, which is part of the structurally essential tryptophan ladder. Here, deletion of the dpy19 gene in the parasite Toxoplasma gondii abolished C-mannosyltransferase activity and reduced levels of the micronemal protein MIC2. The loss of C-mannosyltransferase activity was associated with weakened parasite adhesion to host cells and with reduced parasite motility, host cell invasion, and parasite egress. Interestingly, the C-mannosyltransferase-deficient Δdpy19 parasites were strongly attenuated in virulence and induced protective immunity in mice. This parasite attenuation could not simply be explained by the decreased MIC2 level and strongly suggests that absence of C-mannosyltransferase activity leads to an insufficient level of additional proteins. In summary, our results indicate that T. gondii C-mannosyltransferase DPY19 is not essential for parasite survival, but is important for adhesion, motility, and virulence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Damien Jacot
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Carla Seegers
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry OE4340, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Patricia Zarnovican
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry OE4340, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Falk F R Buettner
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry OE4340, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Hans Bakker
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry OE4340, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Françoise H Routier
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry OE4340, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
161
|
Costa Mendonça-Natividade F, Ricci-Azevedo R, Roque-Barreira MC. MIC4 from Toxoplasma gondii: A Lectin Acting as a Toll-Like Receptor Agonist. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2132:379-389. [PMID: 32306345 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0430-4_37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tachyzoites, which are infective forms of Toxoplasma gondii, use their actinomyosin system to move over surfaces and invade host cells. Central to this process is the regulated release of micronemes organelles contents. The microneme protein 4 (MIC4) has the property to recognize galactosides residues linked to glycoproteins on the host cell surface. This property allows that MIC4 binds to TLR2- and TLR4 N-linked glycans and promote the activation of cell innate immune cells and secretion of inflammatory cytokines, acting on resistance against the parasite. Obtention of MIC4 from T. gondii requires several purification steps, is time-consuming and provides low yield. Therefore, this section details the protocol for prokaryotic expression, production, and purification of recombinant MIC4 (rMIC4) and for experimental assays to confirm its biological activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Costa Mendonça-Natividade
- Laboratory of Immunochemistry and Glycobiology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael Ricci-Azevedo
- Laboratory of Immunochemistry and Glycobiology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Roque-Barreira
- Laboratory of Immunochemistry and Glycobiology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
162
|
Frénal K, Krishnan A, Soldati-Favre D. The Actomyosin Systems in Apicomplexa. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1239:331-354. [PMID: 32451865 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-38062-5_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The phylum of Apicomplexa groups obligate intracellular parasites that exhibit unique classes of unconventional myosin motors. These parasites also encode a limited repertoire of actins, actin-like proteins, actin-binding proteins and nucleators of filamentous actin (F-actin) that display atypical properties. In the last decade, significant progress has been made to visualize F-actin and to unravel the functional contribution of actomyosin systems in the biology of Toxoplasma and Plasmodium, the most genetically-tractable members of the phylum. In addition to assigning specific roles to each myosin, recent biochemical and structural studies have begun to uncover mechanistic insights into myosin function at the atomic level. In several instances, the myosin light chains associated with the myosin heavy chains have been identified, helping to understand the composition of the motor complexes and their mode of regulation. Moreover, the considerable advance in proteomic methodologies and especially in assignment of posttranslational modifications is offering a new dimension to our understanding of the regulation of actin dynamics and myosin function. Remarkably, the actomyosin system contributes to three major processes in Toxoplasma gondii: (i) organelle trafficking, positioning and inheritance, (ii) basal pole constriction and intravacuolar cell-cell communication and (iii) motility, invasion, and egress from infected cells. In this chapter, we summarize how the actomyosin system harnesses these key events to ensure successful completion of the parasite life cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karine Frénal
- Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, University of Bordeaux and CNRS, Bordeaux Cedex, France. .,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Aarti Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
163
|
Albuquerque-Wendt A, Jacot D, Dos Santos Pacheco N, Seegers C, Zarnovican P, Buettner FF, Bakker H, Soldati-Favre D, Routier FH. C-Mannosylation of Toxoplasma gondii proteins promotes attachment to host cells and parasite virulence. J Biol Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(17)49916-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
|
164
|
Merino F, Pospich S, Raunser S. Towards a structural understanding of the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 102:51-64. [PMID: 31836290 PMCID: PMC7221352 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Actin filaments (F-actin) are a key component of eukaryotic cells. Whether serving as a scaffold for myosin or using their polymerization to push onto cellular components, their function is always related to force generation. To control and fine-tune force production, cells have a large array of actin-binding proteins (ABPs) dedicated to control every aspect of actin polymerization, filament localization, and their overall mechanical properties. Although great advances have been made in our biochemical understanding of the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton, the structural basis of this process is still being deciphered. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of this process. We outline how ABPs control the nucleation and disassembly, and how these processes are affected by the nucleotide state of the filaments. In addition, we highlight recent advances in the understanding of actomyosin force generation, and describe recent advances brought forward by the developments of electron cryomicroscopy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Merino
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Sabrina Pospich
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Stefan Raunser
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
165
|
Del Rosario M, Periz J, Pavlou G, Lyth O, Latorre‐Barragan F, Das S, Pall GS, Stortz JF, Lemgruber L, Whitelaw JA, Baum J, Tardieux I, Meissner M. Apicomplexan F-actin is required for efficient nuclear entry during host cell invasion. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:e48896. [PMID: 31584242 PMCID: PMC6893294 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201948896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp. invade host cells by injecting a protein complex into the membrane of the targeted cell that bridges the two cells through the assembly of a ring-like junction. This circular junction stretches while the parasites apply a traction force to pass through, a step that typically concurs with transient constriction of the parasite body. Here we analyse F-actin dynamics during host cell invasion. Super-resolution microscopy and real-time imaging highlighted an F-actin pool at the apex of pre-invading parasite, an F-actin ring at the junction area during invasion but also networks of perinuclear and posteriorly localised F-actin. Mutant parasites with dysfunctional acto-myosin showed significant decrease of junctional and perinuclear F-actin and are coincidently affected in nuclear passage through the junction. We propose that the F-actin machinery eases nuclear passage by stabilising the junction and pushing the nucleus through the constriction. Our analysis suggests that the junction opposes resistance to the passage of the parasite's nucleus and provides the first evidence for a dual contribution of actin-forces during host cell invasion by apicomplexan parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Del Rosario
- Wellcome Centre For Integrative ParasitologyInstitute of InfectionImmunity & Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Javier Periz
- Wellcome Centre For Integrative ParasitologyInstitute of InfectionImmunity & Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Georgios Pavlou
- Institute for Advanced BiosciencesCNRS, UMR5309, INSERM U1209Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Oliver Lyth
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Fernanda Latorre‐Barragan
- Wellcome Centre For Integrative ParasitologyInstitute of InfectionImmunity & Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Faculty of Science, Food Engineering and BiotechnologyTechnical University of AmbatoAmbatoEcuador
| | - Sujaan Das
- Wellcome Centre For Integrative ParasitologyInstitute of InfectionImmunity & Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Gurman S Pall
- Wellcome Centre For Integrative ParasitologyInstitute of InfectionImmunity & Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Johannes Felix Stortz
- Wellcome Centre For Integrative ParasitologyInstitute of InfectionImmunity & Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Leandro Lemgruber
- Wellcome Centre For Integrative ParasitologyInstitute of InfectionImmunity & Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | | | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Isabelle Tardieux
- Institute for Advanced BiosciencesCNRS, UMR5309, INSERM U1209Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Markus Meissner
- Wellcome Centre For Integrative ParasitologyInstitute of InfectionImmunity & Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Experimental ParasitologyDepartment for Veterinary SciencesLudwig‐Maximilians‐University Munich MunichGermany
| |
Collapse
|
166
|
Bandini G, Albuquerque-Wendt A, Hegermann J, Samuelson J, Routier FH. Protein O- and C-Glycosylation pathways in Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum. Parasitology 2019; 146:1755-1766. [PMID: 30773146 PMCID: PMC6939170 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182019000040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites are amongst the most prevalent and morbidity-causing pathogens worldwide. They are responsible for severe diseases in humans and livestock and are thus of great public health and economic importance. Until the sequencing of apicomplexan genomes at the beginning of this century, the occurrence of N- and O-glycoproteins in these parasites was much debated. The synthesis of rudimentary and divergent N-glycans due to lineage-specific gene loss is now well established and has been recently reviewed. Here, we will focus on recent studies that clarified classical O-glycosylation pathways and described new nucleocytosolic glycosylations in Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agents of toxoplasmosis. We will also review the glycosylation of proteins containing thrombospondin type 1 repeats by O-fucosylation and C-mannosylation, newly discovered in Toxoplasma and the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The functional significance of these post-translational modifications has only started to emerge, but the evidence points towards roles for these protein glycosylation pathways in tissue cyst wall rigidity and persistence in the host, oxygen sensing, and stability of proteins involved in host invasion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Bandini
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University, Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Andreia Albuquerque-Wendt
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry OE4340, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Hegermann
- Hannover Medical School, Electron Microscopy Facility OE8840, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - John Samuelson
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University, Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Françoise H. Routier
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry OE4340, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
167
|
Yin D, Jiang N, Zhang Y, Wang D, Sang X, Feng Y, Chen R, Wang X, Yang N, Chen Q. Global Lysine Crotonylation and 2-Hydroxyisobutyrylation in Phenotypically Different Toxoplasma gondii Parasites. Mol Cell Proteomics 2019; 18:2207-2224. [PMID: 31488510 PMCID: PMC6823851 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra119.001611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a unicellular protozoan parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa. The parasite repeatedly goes through a cycle of invasion, division and induction of host cell rupture, which is an obligatory process for proliferation inside warm-blooded animals. It is known that the biology of the parasite is controlled by a variety of mechanisms ranging from genomic to epigenetic to transcriptional regulation. In this study, we investigated the global protein posttranslational lysine crotonylation and 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation of two T. gondii strains, RH and ME49, which represent distinct phenotypes for proliferation and pathogenicity in the host. Proteins with differential expression and modification patterns associated with parasite phenotypes were identified. Many proteins in T. gondii were crotonylated and 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated, and they were localized in diverse subcellular compartments involved in a wide variety of cellular functions such as motility, host invasion, metabolism and epigenetic gene regulation. These findings suggest that lysine crotonylation and 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation are ubiquitous throughout the T. gondii proteome, regulating critical functions of the modified proteins. These data provide a basis for identifying important proteins associated with parasite development and pathogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deqi Yin
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Dawei Wang
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sang
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Ying Feng
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Rang Chen
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- College of Basic Education, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Na Yang
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Qijun Chen
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
168
|
Hunt A, Russell MRG, Wagener J, Kent R, Carmeille R, Peddie CJ, Collinson L, Heaslip A, Ward GE, Treeck M. Differential requirements for cyclase-associated protein (CAP) in actin-dependent processes of Toxoplasma gondii. eLife 2019; 8:e50598. [PMID: 31577230 PMCID: PMC6785269 DOI: 10.7554/elife.50598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii contains a limited subset of actin binding proteins. Here we show that the putative actin regulator cyclase-associated protein (CAP) is present in two different isoforms and its deletion leads to significant defects in some but not all actin dependent processes. We observe defects in cell-cell communication, daughter cell orientation and the juxtanuclear accumulation of actin, but only modest defects in synchronicity of division and no defect in the replication of the apicoplast. 3D electron microscopy reveals that loss of CAP results in a defect in formation of a normal central residual body, but parasites remain connected within the vacuole. This dissociates synchronicity of division and parasite rosetting and reveals that establishment and maintenance of the residual body may be more complex than previously thought. These results highlight the different spatial requirements for F-actin regulation in Toxoplasma which appear to be achieved by partially overlapping functions of actin regulators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Hunt
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Jeanette Wagener
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Robyn Kent
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of Vermont Larner College of MedicineBurlingtonUnited States
| | - Romain Carmeille
- Department of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of ConnecticutStorrsUnited States
| | - Christopher J Peddie
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Lucy Collinson
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Aoife Heaslip
- Department of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of ConnecticutStorrsUnited States
| | - Gary E Ward
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of Vermont Larner College of MedicineBurlingtonUnited States
| | - Moritz Treeck
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
169
|
Currà C, Kehrer J, Lemgruber L, Silva PAGC, Bertuccini L, Superti F, Pace T, Ponzi M, Frischknecht F, Siden-Kiamos I, Mair GR. Malaria transmission through the mosquito requires the function of the OMD protein. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222226. [PMID: 31553751 PMCID: PMC6760768 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ookinetes, one of the motile and invasive forms of the malaria parasite, rely on gliding motility in order to establish an infection in the mosquito host. Here we characterize the protein PBANKA_0407300 which is conserved in the Plasmodium genus but lacks significant similarity to proteins of other eukaryotes. It is expressed in gametocytes and throughout the invasive mosquito stages of P. berghei, but is absent from asexual blood stages. Mutants lacking the protein developed morphologically normal ookinetes that were devoid of productive motility although some stretching movement could be detected. We therefore named the protein Ookinete Motility Deficient (OMD). Several key factors known to be involved in motility however were normally expressed and localized in the mutant. Importantly, the mutant failed to establish an infection in the mosquito which resulted in a total malaria transmission blockade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Currà
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, FORTH, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Jessica Kehrer
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Leandro Lemgruber
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Lucia Bertuccini
- Core Facilities, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
- National Center for Innovative Technologies in Public Health, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiana Superti
- Core Facilities, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
- National Center for Innovative Technologies in Public Health, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Tomasino Pace
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Ponzi
- Core Facilities, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Inga Siden-Kiamos
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, FORTH, Heraklion, Greece
- * E-mail: , (GRM); (IS-K)
| | - Gunnar R. Mair
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
- Instituto Medicina Molecular, Lisbon, Portugal
- Iowa State University, Biomedical Sciences, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail: , (GRM); (IS-K)
| |
Collapse
|
170
|
Periz J, Del Rosario M, McStea A, Gras S, Loney C, Wang L, Martin-Fernandez ML, Meissner M. A highly dynamic F-actin network regulates transport and recycling of micronemes in Toxoplasma gondii vacuoles. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4183. [PMID: 31519913 PMCID: PMC6744512 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12136-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii replicates in an unusual process, described as internal budding. Multiple dausghter parasites are formed sequentially within a single mother cell, requiring replication and distribution of essential organelles such as micronemes. These organelles are thought to be formed de novo in the developing daughter cells. Using dual labelling of a microneme protein MIC2 and super-resolution microscopy, we show that micronemes are recycled from the mother to the forming daughter parasites using a highly dynamic F-actin network. While this recycling pathway is F-actin dependent, de novo synthesis of micronemes appears to be F-actin independent. The F-actin network connects individual parasites, supports long, multidirectional vesicular transport, and regulates transport, density and localisation of micronemal vesicles. The residual body acts as a storage and sorting station for these organelles. Our data describe an F-actin dependent mechanism in apicomplexans for transport and recycling of maternal organelles during intracellular development. Replication of Toxoplasma gondii requires replication and distribution of essential organelles such as micronemes. Here, Periz et al. show that micronemes are recycled from the mother to the forming daughter cells using a highly dynamic F-actin network that supports multidirectional vesicle transport.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Periz
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Mario Del Rosario
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alexandra McStea
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell Science & Technology Facilities Council, Harwell Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Simon Gras
- Experimental Parasitology, Department for Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Colin Loney
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Sir Michael Stoker Building, Garscube Campus, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lin Wang
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell Science & Technology Facilities Council, Harwell Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Marisa L Martin-Fernandez
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell Science & Technology Facilities Council, Harwell Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Markus Meissner
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. .,Experimental Parasitology, Department for Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
171
|
Tokunaga N, Nozaki M, Tachibana M, Baba M, Matsuoka K, Tsuboi T, Torii M, Ishino T. Expression and Localization Profiles of Rhoptry Proteins in Plasmodium berghei Sporozoites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:316. [PMID: 31552198 PMCID: PMC6746830 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In the Plasmodium lifecycle two infectious stages of parasites, merozoites, and sporozoites, efficiently infect mammalian host cells, erythrocytes, and hepatocytes, respectively. The apical structure of merozoites and sporozoites contains rhoptry and microneme secretory organelles, which are conserved with other infective forms of apicomplexan parasites. During merozoite invasion of erythrocytes, some rhoptry proteins are secreted to form a tight junction between the parasite and target cell, while others are discharged to maintain subsequent infection inside the parasitophorous vacuole. It has been questioned whether the invasion mechanisms mediated by rhoptry proteins are also involved in sporozoite invasion of two distinct target cells, mosquito salivary glands and mammalian hepatocytes. Recently we demonstrated that rhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2), which is crucial for tight junction formation in merozoites, is also important for sporozoite invasion of both target cells. With the aim of comprehensively describing the mechanisms of sporozoite invasion, the expression and localization profiles of rhoptry proteins were investigated in Plasmodium berghei sporozoites. Of 12 genes representing merozoite rhoptry molecules, nine are transcribed in oocyst-derived sporozoites at a similar or higher level compared to those in blood-stage schizonts. Immuno-electron microscopy demonstrates that eight proteins, namely RON2, RON4, RON5, ASP/RON1, RALP1, RON3, RAP1, and RAMA, localize to rhoptries in sporozoites. It is noteworthy that most rhoptry neck proteins in merozoites are localized throughout rhoptries in sporozoites. This study demonstrates that most rhoptry proteins, except components of the high-molecular mass rhoptry protein complex, are commonly expressed in merozoites and sporozoites in Plasmodium spp., which suggests that components of the invasion mechanisms are basically conserved between infective forms independently of their target cells. Combined with sporozoite-stage specific gene silencing strategies, the contribution of rhoptry proteins in invasion mechanisms can be described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naohito Tokunaga
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Mamoru Nozaki
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Mayumi Tachibana
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Minami Baba
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Matsuoka
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Motomi Torii
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ishino
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
172
|
Suarez C, Lentini G, Ramaswamy R, Maynadier M, Aquilini E, Berry-Sterkers L, Cipriano M, Chen AL, Bradley P, Striepen B, Boulanger MJ, Lebrun M. A lipid-binding protein mediates rhoptry discharge and invasion in Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii parasites. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4041. [PMID: 31492901 PMCID: PMC6731292 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11979-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the Apicomplexa phylum, including Plasmodium and Toxoplasma, have two types of secretory organelles (micronemes and rhoptries) whose sequential release is essential for invasion and the intracellular lifestyle of these eukaryotes. During invasion, rhoptries inject an array of invasion and virulence factors into the cytoplasm of the host cell, but the molecular mechanism mediating rhoptry exocytosis is unknown. Here we identify a set of parasite specific proteins, termed rhoptry apical surface proteins (RASP) that cap the extremity of the rhoptry. Depletion of RASP2 results in loss of rhoptry secretion and completely blocks parasite invasion and therefore parasite proliferation in both Toxoplasma and Plasmodium. Recombinant RASP2 binds charged lipids and likely contributes to assembling the machinery that docks/primes the rhoptry to the plasma membrane prior to fusion. This study provides important mechanistic insight into a parasite specific exocytic pathway, essential for the establishment of infection. Plasmodium and Toxoplasma parasites rely on rhoptry exocytosis for invasion, but the underlying mechanism is not known. Here, Suarez et al. characterize rhoptry apical surface proteins (RASP) that localize to the rhoptry cap and bind charged lipids, and are essential for rhoptry secretion and invasion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Suarez
- UMR 5235 CNRS, Université de Montpellier, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | - Gaëlle Lentini
- UMR 5235 CNRS, Université de Montpellier, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | - Raghavendran Ramaswamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3P6, Canada
| | | | - Eleonora Aquilini
- UMR 5235 CNRS, Université de Montpellier, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Michael Cipriano
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Allan L Chen
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peter Bradley
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Boris Striepen
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Martin J Boulanger
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3P6, Canada
| | - Maryse Lebrun
- UMR 5235 CNRS, Université de Montpellier, 34095, Montpellier, France.
| |
Collapse
|
173
|
Anas M, Kumari V, Gupta N, Dube A, Kumar N. Protein quality control machinery in intracellular protozoan parasites: hopes and challenges for therapeutic targeting. Cell Stress Chaperones 2019; 24:891-904. [PMID: 31228085 PMCID: PMC6717229 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-019-01016-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracellular protozoan parasites have evolved an efficient protein quality control (PQC) network comprising protein folding and degradation machineries that protect the parasite's proteome from environmental perturbations and threats posed by host immune surveillance. Interestingly, the components of PQC machinery in parasites have acquired sequence insertions which may provide additional interaction interfaces and diversify the repertoire of their biological roles. However, the auxiliary functions of PQC machinery remain poorly explored in parasite. A comprehensive understanding of this critical machinery may help to identify robust biological targets for new drugs against acute or latent and drug-resistant infections. Here, we review the dynamic roles of PQC machinery in creating a safe haven for parasite survival in hostile environments, serving as a metabolic sensor to trigger transformation into phenotypically distinct stages, acting as a lynchpin for trafficking of parasite cargo across host membrane for immune evasion and serving as an evolutionary capacitor to buffer mutations and drug-induced proteotoxicity. Versatile roles of PQC machinery open avenues for exploration of new drug targets for anti-parasitic intervention and design of strategies for identification of potential biomarkers for point-of-care diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Anas
- Department of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226031, India
| | - Varsha Kumari
- Department of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226031, India
| | - Niharika Gupta
- Department of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226031, India
| | - Anuradha Dube
- Department of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226031, India
| | - Niti Kumar
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Delhi, India.
| |
Collapse
|
174
|
González LM, Estrada K, Grande R, Jiménez-Jacinto V, Vega-Alvarado L, Sevilla E, de la Barrera J, Cuesta I, Zaballos Á, Bautista JM, Lobo CA, Sánchez-Flores A, Montero E. Comparative and functional genomics of the protozoan parasite Babesia divergens highlighting the invasion and egress processes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007680. [PMID: 31425518 PMCID: PMC6715253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is considered an emerging disease because its incidence has significantly increased in the last 30 years, providing evidence of the expanding range of this rare but potentially life-threatening zoonotic disease. Babesia divergens is a causative agent of babesiosis in humans and cattle in Europe. The recently sequenced genome of B. divergens revealed over 3,741 protein coding-genes and the 10.7-Mb high-quality draft become the first reference tool to study the genome structure of B. divergens. Now, by exploiting this sequence data and using new computational tools and assembly strategies, we have significantly improved the quality of the B. divergens genome. The new assembly shows better continuity and has a higher correspondence to B. bovis chromosomes. Moreover, we present a differential expression analysis using RNA sequencing of the two different stages of the asexual lifecycle of B. divergens: the free merozoite capable of invading erythrocytes and the intraerythrocytic parasite stage that remains within the erythrocyte until egress. Comparison of mRNA levels of both stages identified 1,441 differentially expressed genes. From these, around half were upregulated and the other half downregulated in the intraerythrocytic stage. Orthogonal validation by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR confirmed the differential expression. A moderately increased expression level of genes, putatively involved in the invasion and egress processes, were revealed in the intraerythrocytic stage compared with the free merozoite. On the basis of these results and in the absence of molecular models of invasion and egress for B. divergens, we have proposed the identified genes as putative molecular players in the invasion and egress processes. Our results contribute to an understanding of key parasitic strategies and pathogenesis and could be a valuable genomic resource to exploit for the design of diagnostic methods, drugs and vaccines to improve the control of babesiosis. Babesiosis has long been recognized as an economically important disease of cattle, but only in the last 40 years has Babesia been recognized as an important pathogen in humans. Babesiosis in humans is caused by one of several species (B. microti, B. divergens, B. duncani and B. venatorum). The complete Babesia lifecycle requires two hosts, the ixodid ticks and a vertebrate host. It is the parasite's ability to first recognize and then invade host erythrocytes that is central to the pathogenesis of babesiosis. Once inside the cell, the parasite begins a cycle of maturation and growth, resulting in merozoites that egress from the red blood cells (RBCs) and seek new, uninfected RBCs to invade, perpetuating the infection. To better understand this asexual lifecycle, the authors focused on the parasite genome and transcriptome of the asexual erythrocytic forms of B. divergens. Through this functional and comparative genomic approach, the authors have identified genes putatively involved in invasion, gliding motility, moving junction formation and egress, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of these processes necessary for B. divergens to survive and propagate during its life cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Miguel González
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, ISCIII Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Karel Estrada
- Unidad Universitaria de Secuenciación Masiva y Bioinformática, Instituto de Biotecnología, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Ricardo Grande
- Unidad Universitaria de Secuenciación Masiva y Bioinformática, Instituto de Biotecnología, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Verónica Jiménez-Jacinto
- Unidad Universitaria de Secuenciación Masiva y Bioinformática, Instituto de Biotecnología, Cuernavaca, México
| | | | - Elena Sevilla
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, ISCIII Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge de la Barrera
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Área de Unidades Centrales Científico-Técnicas, ISCIII, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Cuesta
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Área de Unidades Centrales Científico-Técnicas, ISCIII, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Zaballos
- Unidad de Genómica, Área de Unidades Centrales Científico-Técnicas, ISCIII, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Manuel Bautista
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cheryl A. Lobo
- Blood Borne Parasites, LFKRI, New York Blood Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Alejandro Sánchez-Flores
- Unidad Universitaria de Secuenciación Masiva y Bioinformática, Instituto de Biotecnología, Cuernavaca, México
- * E-mail: (ASF); (EM)
| | - Estrella Montero
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, ISCIII Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail: (ASF); (EM)
| |
Collapse
|
175
|
Hillier C, Pardo M, Yu L, Bushell E, Sanderson T, Metcalf T, Herd C, Anar B, Rayner JC, Billker O, Choudhary JS. Landscape of the Plasmodium Interactome Reveals Both Conserved and Species-Specific Functionality. Cell Rep 2019; 28:1635-1647.e5. [PMID: 31390575 PMCID: PMC6693557 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria represents a major global health issue, and the identification of new intervention targets remains an urgent priority. This search is hampered by more than one-third of the genes of malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites being uncharacterized. We report a large-scale protein interaction network in Plasmodium schizonts, generated by combining blue native-polyacrylamide electrophoresis with quantitative mass spectrometry and machine learning. This integrative approach, spanning 3 species, identifies >20,000 putative protein interactions, organized into 600 protein clusters. We validate selected interactions, assigning functions in chromatin regulation to previously unannotated proteins and suggesting a role for an EELM2 domain-containing protein and a putative microrchidia protein as mechanistic links between AP2-domain transcription factors and epigenetic regulation. Our interactome represents a high-confidence map of the native organization of core cellular processes in Plasmodium parasites. The network reveals putative functions for uncharacterized proteins, provides mechanistic and structural insight, and uncovers potential alternative therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles Hillier
- Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mercedes Pardo
- Functional Proteomics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK.
| | - Lu Yu
- Functional Proteomics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Ellen Bushell
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Theo Sanderson
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Tom Metcalf
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Colin Herd
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Burcu Anar
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Julian C Rayner
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Oliver Billker
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Jyoti S Choudhary
- Functional Proteomics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
176
|
Zeeshan M, Ferguson DJ, Abel S, Burrrell A, Rea E, Brady D, Daniel E, Delves M, Vaughan S, Holder AA, Le Roch KG, Moores CA, Tewari R. Kinesin-8B controls basal body function and flagellum formation and is key to malaria transmission. Life Sci Alliance 2019; 2:e201900488. [PMID: 31409625 PMCID: PMC6696982 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201900488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic flagella are conserved microtubule-based organelles that drive cell motility. Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, has a single flagellate stage: the male gamete in the mosquito. Three rounds of endomitotic division in male gametocyte together with an unusual mode of flagellum assembly rapidly produce eight motile gametes. These processes are tightly coordinated, but their regulation is poorly understood. To understand this important developmental stage, we studied the function and location of the microtubule-based motor kinesin-8B, using gene-targeting, electron microscopy, and live cell imaging. Deletion of the kinesin-8B gene showed no effect on mitosis but disrupted 9+2 axoneme assembly and flagellum formation during male gamete development and also completely ablated parasite transmission. Live cell imaging showed that kinesin-8B-GFP did not co-localise with kinetochores in the nucleus but instead revealed a dynamic, cytoplasmic localisation with the basal bodies and the assembling axoneme during flagellum formation. We, thus, uncovered an unexpected role for kinesin-8B in parasite flagellum formation that is vital for the parasite life cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - David Jp Ferguson
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Steven Abel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Alana Burrrell
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Edward Rea
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Declan Brady
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Emilie Daniel
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Michael Delves
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel, London, UK
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Karine G Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Carolyn A Moores
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, London, UK
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
177
|
Plasmodium myosin A drives parasite invasion by an atypical force generating mechanism. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3286. [PMID: 31337750 PMCID: PMC6650474 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11120-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites are obligate intracellular protozoa and causative agents of malaria, responsible for half a million deaths each year. The lifecycle progression of the parasite is reliant on cell motility, a process driven by myosin A, an unconventional single-headed class XIV molecular motor. Here we demonstrate that myosin A from Plasmodium falciparum (PfMyoA) is critical for red blood cell invasion. Further, using a combination of X-ray crystallography, kinetics, and in vitro motility assays, we elucidate the non-canonical interactions that drive this motor’s function. We show that PfMyoA motor properties are tuned by heavy chain phosphorylation (Ser19), with unphosphorylated PfMyoA exhibiting enhanced ensemble force generation at the expense of speed. Regulated phosphorylation may therefore optimize PfMyoA for enhanced force generation during parasite invasion or for fast motility during dissemination. The three PfMyoA crystallographic structures presented here provide a blueprint for discovery of specific inhibitors designed to prevent parasite infection. Here, Robert-Paganin et al. show that myosin A from Plasmodium falciparum is critical for red blood cell invasion and that non-canonical interactions and regulated phosphorylation are important for force generation during parasite invasion.
Collapse
|
178
|
Lourido S. Toxoplasma gondii. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:944-945. [PMID: 31345768 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA; Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
179
|
Stortz JF, Del Rosario M, Singer M, Wilkes JM, Meissner M, Das S. Formin-2 drives polymerisation of actin filaments enabling segregation of apicoplasts and cytokinesis in Plasmodium falciparum. eLife 2019; 8:e49030. [PMID: 31322501 PMCID: PMC6688858 DOI: 10.7554/elife.49030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to its role in erythrocyte invasion, Plasmodium falciparum actin is implicated in endocytosis, cytokinesis and inheritance of the chloroplast-like organelle called the apicoplast. Previously, the inability to visualise filamentous actin (F-actin) dynamics had restricted the characterisation of both F-actin and actin regulatory proteins, a limitation we recently overcame for Toxoplasma (Periz et al, 2017). Here, we have expressed and validated actin-binding chromobodies as F-actin-sensors in Plasmodium falciparum and characterised in-vivo actin dynamics. F-actin could be chemically modulated, and genetically disrupted upon conditionally deleting actin-1. In a comparative approach, we demonstrate that Formin-2, a predicted nucleator of F-actin, is responsible for apicoplast inheritance in both Plasmodium and Toxoplasma, and additionally mediates efficient cytokinesis in Plasmodium. Finally, time-averaged local intensity measurements of F-actin in Toxoplasma conditional mutants revealed molecular determinants of spatiotemporally regulated F-actin flow. Together, our data indicate that Formin-2 is the primary F-actin nucleator during apicomplexan intracellular growth, mediating multiple essential functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Felix Stortz
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & InflammationUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Mario Del Rosario
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & InflammationUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Mirko Singer
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Experimental ParasitologyLudwig Maximilian UniversityMunichGermany
| | - Jonathan M Wilkes
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & InflammationUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Markus Meissner
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & InflammationUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Experimental ParasitologyLudwig Maximilian UniversityMunichGermany
| | - Sujaan Das
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & InflammationUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Experimental ParasitologyLudwig Maximilian UniversityMunichGermany
| |
Collapse
|
180
|
Günay-Esiyok Ö, Scheib U, Noll M, Gupta N. An unusual and vital protein with guanylate cyclase and P4-ATPase domains in a pathogenic protist. Life Sci Alliance 2019; 2:2/3/e201900402. [PMID: 31235476 PMCID: PMC6592433 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201900402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii harbors an alveolate-specific guanylate cyclase linked to P-type ATPase motifs, which is an essential actuator of cGMP-dependent gliding motility, egress, and invasion during acute infection. cGMP signaling is one of the master regulators of diverse functions in eukaryotes; however, its architecture and functioning in protozoans remain poorly understood. Herein, we report an exclusive guanylate cyclase coupled with N-terminal P4-ATPase in a common parasitic protist, Toxoplasma gondii. This bulky protein (477-kD), termed TgATPaseP-GC to fairly reflect its envisaged multifunctionality, localizes in the plasma membrane at the apical pole of the parasite, whereas the corresponding cGMP-dependent protein kinase (TgPKG) is distributed in the cytomembranes. TgATPaseP-GC is refractory to genetic deletion, and its CRISPR/Cas9–assisted disruption aborts the lytic cycle of T. gondii. Besides, Cre/loxP–mediated knockdown of TgATPaseP-GC reduced the synthesis of cGMP and inhibited the parasite growth due to impairments in the motility-dependent egress and invasion events. Equally, repression of TgPKG by a similar strategy recapitulated phenotypes of the TgATPaseP-GC–depleted mutant. Notably, despite a temporally restricted function, TgATPaseP-GC is expressed constitutively throughout the lytic cycle, entailing a post-translational regulation of cGMP signaling. Not least, the occurrence of TgATPaseP-GC orthologs in several other alveolates implies a divergent functional repurposing of cGMP signaling in protozoans, and offers an excellent drug target against the parasitic protists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Özlem Günay-Esiyok
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Scheib
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Noll
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nishith Gupta
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
181
|
Gras S, Jimenez-Ruiz E, Klinger CM, Schneider K, Klingl A, Lemgruber L, Meissner M. An endocytic-secretory cycle participates in Toxoplasma gondii in motility. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000060. [PMID: 31233488 PMCID: PMC6611640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites invade host cells in an active process involving their ability to move by gliding motility. While the acto-myosin system of the parasite plays a crucial role in the formation and release of attachment sites during this process, there are still open questions regarding the involvement of other mechanisms in parasite motility. In many eukaryotes, a secretory-endocytic cycle leads to the recycling of receptors (integrins), necessary to form attachment sites, regulation of surface area during motility, and generation of retrograde membrane flow. Here, we demonstrate that endocytosis operates during gliding motility in Toxoplasma gondii and appears to be crucial for the establishment of retrograde membrane flow, because inhibition of endocytosis blocks retrograde flow and motility. We demonstrate that extracellular parasites can efficiently incorporate exogenous material, such as labelled phospholipids, nanogold particles (NGPs), antibodies, and Concanavalin A (ConA). Using labelled phospholipids, we observed that the endocytic and secretory pathways of the parasite converge, and endocytosed lipids are subsequently secreted, demonstrating the operation of an endocytic-secretory cycle. Together our data consolidate previous findings, and we propose an additional model, working in parallel to the acto-myosin motor, that reconciles parasite motility with observations in other eukaryotes: an apicomplexan fountain-flow-model for parasite motility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Gras
- Lehrstuhl für experimentelle Parasitologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, LMU, Tierärztliche Fakultät, München, Germany
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Jimenez-Ruiz
- Lehrstuhl für experimentelle Parasitologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, LMU, Tierärztliche Fakultät, München, Germany
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Christen M. Klinger
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Katja Schneider
- Pflanzliche Entwicklungsbiologie, Biozentrum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Andreas Klingl
- Pflanzliche Entwicklungsbiologie, Biozentrum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Leandro Lemgruber
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Meissner
- Lehrstuhl für experimentelle Parasitologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, LMU, Tierärztliche Fakultät, München, Germany
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
182
|
Yang L, Uboldi AD, Seizova S, Wilde ML, Coffey MJ, Katris NJ, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Kocan M, Bathgate RAD, Stewart RJ, McConville MJ, Thompson PE, Botté CY, Tonkin CJ. An apically located hybrid guanylate cyclase-ATPase is critical for the initiation of Ca 2+ signaling and motility in Toxoplasma gondii. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:8959-8972. [PMID: 30992368 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa actively move through tissue to initiate and perpetuate infection. The regulation of parasite motility relies on cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases, but how these kinases are activated remains unknown. Here, using an array of biochemical and cell biology approaches, we show that the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii expresses a large guanylate cyclase (TgGC) protein, which contains several upstream ATPase transporter-like domains. We show that TgGC has a dynamic localization, being concentrated at the apical tip in extracellular parasites, which then relocates to a more cytosolic distribution during intracellular replication. Conditional TgGC knockdown revealed that this protein is essential for acute-stage tachyzoite growth, as TgGC-deficient parasites were defective in motility, host cell attachment, invasion, and subsequent host cell egress. We show that TgGC is critical for a rapid rise in cytosolic [Ca2+] and for secretion of microneme organelles upon stimulation with a cGMP agonist, but these deficiencies can be bypassed by direct activation of signaling by a Ca2+ ionophore. Furthermore, we found that TgGC is required for transducing changes in extracellular pH and [K+] to activate cytosolic [Ca2+] flux. Together, the results of our work implicate TgGC as a putative signal transducer that activates Ca2+ signaling and motility in Toxoplasma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luning Yang
- From the The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia.,School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China 100006
| | - Alessandro D Uboldi
- From the The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Simona Seizova
- From the The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Mary-Louise Wilde
- From the The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Michael J Coffey
- From the The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Nicholas J Katris
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Martina Kocan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, and
| | - Rebecca J Stewart
- From the The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Malcolm J McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, and
| | - Philip E Thompson
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Cyrille Y Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Christopher J Tonkin
- From the The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia, .,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
183
|
Zhang D, Jiang N, Chen Q. ROP9, MIC3, and SAG2 are heparin-binding proteins in Toxoplasma gondii and involved in host cell attachment and invasion. Acta Trop 2019; 192:22-29. [PMID: 30664845 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.01.001] [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: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligatory intracellular parasite that can infect varieties of warm-blooded animals, including humans and birds. Heparan sulfate (HS) is widely distributed on the eukaryotic cell surface of vertebrates and can inhibit T. gondii invasion. In this study, we investigated the transcription and expression of the level of TgROP9, TgMIC3, and TgSAG2 in T. gondii RH strain, and found that the expression levels of these three proteins in invading parasites were higher compared to those free ranging parasites. The recombinant proteins showed specific binding activity to both heparin and host cell surface. Incubation of these proteins with the host cells could block T. gondiiinvasion. Furthermore, protein-specific antibodies also blocked parasite invasion. Antibodies in the sera of T. gondii infected individuals recognized the recombinant TgROP9, TgMIC3, and TgSAG2, which suggested the exposure of these proteins to human immune system. Mice immunized with the three proteins exhibited protective immunity against lethal challenge. The data collectively suggested that these parasitic proteins may be used as candidate antigens for development of anti-toxoplasmosis vaccine.
Collapse
|
184
|
York A. Signalling to leave. Nat Rev Microbiol 2019; 17:196-197. [DOI: 10.1038/s41579-019-0166-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
185
|
Bhandage AK, Kanatani S, Barragan A. Toxoplasma-Induced Hypermigration of Primary Cortical Microglia Implicates GABAergic Signaling. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:73. [PMID: 30949457 PMCID: PMC6436526 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread obligate intracellular parasite that causes chronic infection and life-threatening acute infection in the central nervous system. Previous work identified Toxoplasma-infected microglia and astrocytes during reactivated infections in mice, indicating an implication of glial cells in acute toxoplasmic encephalitis. However, the mechanisms leading to the spread of Toxoplasma in the brain parenchyma remain unknown. Here, we report that, shortly after invasion by T. gondii tachyzoites, parasitized microglia, but not parasitized astrocytes, undergo rapid morphological changes and exhibit dramatically enhanced migration in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional matrix confinements. Interestingly, primary microglia secreted the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the supernatant as a consequence of T. gondii infection but not upon stimulation with LPS or heat-inactivated T. gondii. Further, microglia transcriptionally expressed components of the GABAergic machinery, including GABA-A receptor subunits, regulatory molecules and voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs). Further, their transcriptional expression was modulated by challenge with T. gondii. Transcriptional analysis indicated that GABA was synthesized via both, the conventional pathway (glutamate decarboxylases GAD65 and GAD67) and a more recently characterized alternative pathway (aldehyde dehydrogenases ALDH2 and ALDH1a1). Pharmacological inhibitors targeting GABA synthesis, GABA-A receptors, GABA-A regulators and VDCC signaling inhibited Toxoplasma-induced hypermotility of microglia. Altogether, we show that primary microglia express a GABAergic machinery and that T. gondii induces hypermigration of microglia in a GABA-dependent fashion. We hypothesize that migratory activation of parasitized microglia by Toxoplasma may promote parasite dissemination in the brain parenchyma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Antonio Barragan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
186
|
Katris NJ, Ke H, McFadden GI, van Dooren GG, Waller RF. Calcium negatively regulates secretion from dense granules in Toxoplasma gondii. Cell Microbiol 2019; 21:e13011. [PMID: 30673152 PMCID: PMC6563121 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites including Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp. manufacture a complex arsenal of secreted proteins used to interact with and manipulate their host environment. These proteins are organised into three principle exocytotic compartment types according to their functions: micronemes for extracellular attachment and motility, rhoptries for host cell penetration, and dense granules for subsequent manipulation of the host intracellular environment. The order and timing of these events during the parasite's invasion cycle dictates when exocytosis from each compartment occurs. Tight control of compartment secretion is, therefore, an integral part of apicomplexan biology. Control of microneme exocytosis is best understood, where cytosolic intermediate molecular messengers cGMP and Ca2+ act as positive signals. The mechanisms for controlling secretion from rhoptries and dense granules, however, are virtually unknown. Here, we present evidence that dense granule exocytosis is negatively regulated by cytosolic Ca2+, and we show that this Ca2+‐mediated response is contingent on the function of calcium‐dependent protein kinases TgCDPK1 and TgCDPK3. Reciprocal control of micronemes and dense granules provides an elegant solution to the mutually exclusive functions of these exocytotic compartments in parasite invasion cycles and further demonstrates the central role that Ca2+ signalling plays in the invasion biology of apicomplexan parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Katris
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Huiling Ke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Geoffrey I McFadden
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Giel G van Dooren
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
187
|
Tosetti N, Dos Santos Pacheco N, Soldati-Favre D, Jacot D. Three F-actin assembly centers regulate organelle inheritance, cell-cell communication and motility in Toxoplasma gondii. eLife 2019; 8:e42669. [PMID: 30753127 PMCID: PMC6372287 DOI: 10.7554/elife.42669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii possesses a limited set of actin-regulatory proteins and relies on only three formins (FRMs) to nucleate and polymerize actin. We combined filamentous actin (F-actin) chromobodies with gene disruption to assign specific populations of actin filaments to individual formins. FRM2 localizes to the apical juxtanuclear region and participates in apicoplast inheritance. Restricted to the residual body, FRM3 maintains the intravacuolar cell-cell communication. Conoidal FRM1 initiates a flux of F-actin crucial for motility, invasion and egress. This flux depends on myosins A and H and is controlled by phosphorylation via PKG (protein kinase G) and CDPK1 (calcium-dependent protein kinase 1) and by methylation via AKMT (apical lysine methyltransferase). This flux is independent of microneme secretion and persists in the absence of the glideosome-associated connector (GAC). This study offers a coherent model of the key players controlling actin polymerization, stressing the importance of well-timed post-translational modifications to power parasite motility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Tosetti
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMUUniversity of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Damien Jacot
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMUUniversity of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
188
|
Flueck C, Drought LG, Jones A, Patel A, Perrin AJ, Walker EM, Nofal SD, Snijders AP, Blackman MJ, Baker DA. Phosphodiesterase beta is the master regulator of cAMP signalling during malaria parasite invasion. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000154. [PMID: 30794532 PMCID: PMC6402698 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic nucleotide signalling is a major regulator of malaria parasite differentiation. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes are known to control cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels in the parasite, but the mechanisms by which cyclic AMP (cAMP) is regulated remain enigmatic. Here, we demonstrate that Plasmodium falciparum phosphodiesterase β (PDEβ) hydrolyses both cAMP and cGMP and is essential for blood stage viability. Conditional gene disruption causes a profound reduction in invasion of erythrocytes and rapid death of those merozoites that invade. We show that this dual phenotype results from elevated cAMP levels and hyperactivation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Phosphoproteomic analysis of PDEβ-null parasites reveals a >2-fold increase in phosphorylation at over 200 phosphosites, more than half of which conform to a PKA substrate consensus sequence. We conclude that PDEβ plays a critical role in governing correct temporal activation of PKA required for erythrocyte invasion, whilst suppressing untimely PKA activation during early intra-erythrocytic development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Flueck
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura G. Drought
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Jones
- Protein Analysis and Proteomics Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Avnish Patel
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Abigail J. Perrin
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eloise M. Walker
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie D. Nofal
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ambrosius P. Snijders
- Protein Analysis and Proteomics Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Blackman
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Baker
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
189
|
Micronemal protein 13 contributes to the optimal growth of Toxoplasma gondii under stress conditions. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:935-944. [PMID: 30635773 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-06197-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous parasitic protozoan infecting humans and a wide variety of animals. Fast-replicating tachyzoites during acute infection and slowly growing bradyzoites during chronic infection are the two basic forms of T. gondii in intermediate hosts. Interconversion between the two contributes to the transmission and pathogenesis of this parasite. Secretory micronemal proteins are thought to mediate interactions with host cells and facilitate parasite invasion, therefore the majority of them are highly expressed in tachyzoites. Micronemal protein 13 (MIC13) is unique in that its expression is low in tachyzoites and is upregulated under bradyzoite-inducing conditions. Previous attempts to disrupt this gene were not successful, implying that it may play critical roles during parasite growth. However, in this study, MIC13 was successfully disrupted in type 1 strain RH and type 2 strain ME49 using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene disruption techniques. Consistent with its low expression in tachyzoites and increased expression under stress or bradyzoite-inducing conditions, MIC13-inactivated mutants displayed normal growth, host cell invasion, intracellular replication, and egress, as well as acute virulence at the tachyzoite stage. However, under stress conditions, such as high pH or oxygen limitation, MIC13-disrupted parasites showed significantly slower growth rates compared to the parental strains, suggesting that it is required for optimal parasite growth under bradyzoite-inducing or stress conditions. This is the first micronemal protein reported to have such expression pattern and function modes, which expands our understanding of the diverse functions of micronemal proteins.
Collapse
|
190
|
Khurana S, Coffey MJ, John A, Uboldi AD, Huynh MH, Stewart RJ, Carruthers VB, Tonkin CJ, Goddard-Borger ED, Scott NE. Protein O-fucosyltransferase 2-mediated O-glycosylation of the adhesin MIC2 is dispensable for Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite infection. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:1541-1553. [PMID: 30514763 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous, obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasite that causes congenital birth defects, disease in immunocompromised individuals, and blindness. Protein glycosylation plays an important role in the infectivity and evasion of immune responses of many eukaryotic parasites and is also of great relevance to vaccine design. Here we demonstrate that micronemal protein 2 (MIC2), a motility-associated adhesin of T. gondii, has highly glycosylated thrombospondin repeat (TSR) domains. Using affinity-purified MIC2 and MS/MS analysis along with enzymatic digestion assays, we observed that at least seven C-linked and three O-linked glycosylation sites exist within MIC2, with >95% occupancy at these O-glycosylation sites. We found that addition of O-glycans to MIC2 is mediated by a protein O-fucosyltransferase 2 homolog (TgPOFUT2) encoded by the TGGT1_273550 gene. Even though POFUT2 homologs are important for stabilizing motility-associated adhesins and for host infection in other apicomplexan parasites, loss of TgPOFUT2 in T. gondii had only a modest impact on MIC2 levels and the wider parasite proteome. Consistent with this, both plaque formation and tachyzoite invasion were broadly similar in the presence or absence of TgPOFUT2. These findings indicate that TgPOFUT2 O-glycosylates MIC2 and that this glycan, in contrast to previous findings in another study, is dispensable in T. gondii tachyzoites and for T. gondii infectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Khurana
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Michael J Coffey
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Alan John
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Alessandro D Uboldi
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - My-Hang Huynh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Rebecca J Stewart
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Vern B Carruthers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Christopher J Tonkin
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Ethan D Goddard-Borger
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Nichollas E Scott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
191
|
Dual-Family Peptidylprolyl Isomerases (Immunophilins) of Select Monocellular Organisms. Biomolecules 2018; 8:biom8040148. [PMID: 30445770 PMCID: PMC6316441 DOI: 10.3390/biom8040148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The dual-family peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerases (immunophilins) represent a naturally occurring chimera of the classical FK506-binding protein (FKBP) and cyclophilin (CYN), connected by a flexible linker. They are found exclusively in monocellular organisms. The modular builds of these molecules represent two distinct types: CYN-(linker)-FKBP and FKBP-3TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat)-CYN. Abbreviated respectively as CFBP and FCBP, the two classes also exhibit distinct organism preference, the CFBP being found in prokaryotes, and the FCBP in eukaryotes. This review summarizes the mystery of these unique class of prolyl isomerases, focusing on their host organisms, potential physiological role, and likely routes of evolution.
Collapse
|
192
|
Goodenough U, Roth R, Kariyawasam T, He A, Lee JH. Epiplasts: Membrane Skeletons and Epiplastin Proteins in Euglenids, Glaucophytes, Cryptophytes, Ciliates, Dinoflagellates, and Apicomplexans. mBio 2018; 9:e02020-18. [PMID: 30377285 PMCID: PMC6212826 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02020-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals and amoebae assemble actin/spectrin-based plasma membrane skeletons, forming what is often called the cell cortex, whereas euglenids and alveolates (ciliates, dinoflagellates, and apicomplexans) have been shown to assemble a thin, viscoelastic, actin/spectrin-free membrane skeleton, here called the epiplast. Epiplasts include a class of proteins, here called the epiplastins, with a head/medial/tail domain organization, whose medial domains have been characterized in previous studies by their low-complexity amino acid composition. We have identified two additional features of the medial domains: a strong enrichment of acid/base amino acid dyads and a predicted β-strand/random coil secondary structure. These features have served to identify members in two additional unicellular eukaryotic radiations-the glaucophytes and cryptophytes-as well as additional members in the alveolates and euglenids. We have analyzed the amino acid composition and domain structure of 219 epiplastin sequences and have used quick-freeze deep-etch electron microscopy to visualize the epiplasts of glaucophytes and cryptophytes. We define epiplastins as proteins encoded in organisms that assemble epiplasts, but epiplastin-like proteins, of unknown function, are also encoded in Insecta, Basidiomycetes, and Caulobacter genomes. We discuss the diverse cellular traits that are supported by epiplasts and propose evolutionary scenarios that are consonant with their distribution in extant eukaryotes.IMPORTANCE Membrane skeletons associate with the inner surface of the plasma membrane to provide support for the fragile lipid bilayer and an elastic framework for the cell itself. Several radiations, including animals, organize such skeletons using actin/spectrin proteins, but four major radiations of eukaryotic unicellular organisms, including disease-causing parasites such as Plasmodium, have been known to construct an alternative and essential skeleton (the epiplast) using a class of proteins that we term epiplastins. We have identified epiplastins in two additional radiations and present images of their epiplasts using electron microscopy. We analyze the sequences and secondary structure of 219 epiplastins and present an in-depth overview and analysis of their known and posited roles in cellular organization and parasite infection. An understanding of epiplast assembly may suggest therapeutic approaches to combat infectious agents such as Plasmodium as well as approaches to the engineering of useful viscoelastic biofilms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Goodenough
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Robyn Roth
- Center for Cellular Imaging, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Thamali Kariyawasam
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amelia He
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jae-Hyeok Lee
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
193
|
Structural and mechanistic insights into the function of the unconventional class XIV myosin MyoA from Toxoplasma gondii. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E10548-E10555. [PMID: 30348763 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1811167115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality on a global scale. Central to the virulence of these pathogens are the phylum-specific, unconventional class XIV myosins that power the essential processes of parasite motility and host cell invasion. Notably, class XIV myosins differ from human myosins in key functional regions, yet they are capable of fast movement along actin filaments with kinetics rivaling previously studied myosins. Toward establishing a detailed molecular mechanism of class XIV motility, we determined the 2.6-Å resolution crystal structure of the Toxoplasma gondii MyoA (TgMyoA) motor domain. Structural analysis reveals intriguing strategies for force transduction and chemomechanical coupling that rely on a divergent SH1/SH2 region, the class-defining "HYAG"-site polymorphism, and the actin-binding surface. In vitro motility assays and hydrogen-deuterium exchange coupled with MS further reveal the mechanistic underpinnings of phosphorylation-dependent modulation of TgMyoA motility whereby localized regions of increased stability and order correlate with enhanced motility. Analysis of solvent-accessible pockets reveals striking differences between apicomplexan class XIV and human myosins. Extending these analyses to high-confidence homology models of Plasmodium and Cryptosporidium MyoA motor domains supports the intriguing potential of designing class-specific, yet broadly active, apicomplexan myosin inhibitors. The successful expression of the functional TgMyoA complex combined with our crystal structure of the motor domain provides a strong foundation in support of detailed structure-function studies and enables the development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting these devastating global pathogens.
Collapse
|
194
|
Pivovarova Y, Liu J, Lesigang J, Koldyka O, Rauschmeier R, Hu K, Dong G. Structure of a Novel Dimeric SET Domain Methyltransferase that Regulates Cell Motility. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:4209-4229. [PMID: 30148980 PMCID: PMC7141177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) were initially associated with transcriptional control through their methylation of histones and other nuclear proteins, but have since been found to regulate many other cellular activities. The apical complex lysine (K) methyltransferase (AKMT) of the human parasite Toxoplasma gondii was recently shown to play a critical role in regulating cellular motility. Here we report a 2.1-Å resolution crystal structure of the conserved and functional C-terminal portion (aa289-709) of T. gondii AKMT. AKMT dimerizes via a unique intermolecular interface mediated by the C-terminal tetratricopeptide repeat-like domain together with a specific zinc-binding motif that is absent from all other KMTs. Disruption of AKMT dimerization impaired both its enzyme activity and parasite egress from infected host cells in vivo. Structural comparisons reveal that AKMT is related to the KMTs in the SMYD family, with, however, a number of distinct structural features in addition to the unusual dimerization interface. These features are conserved among the apicomplexan parasites and their free-living relatives, but not found in any known KMTs in animals. AKMT therefore is the founding member of a new subclass of KMT that has important implications for the evolution of the apicomplexans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Pivovarova
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Johannes Lesigang
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Rene Rauschmeier
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ke Hu
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
| | - Gang Dong
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
195
|
Uboldi AD, Wilde ML, McRae EA, Stewart RJ, Dagley LF, Yang L, Katris NJ, Hapuarachchi SV, Coffey MJ, Lehane AM, Botte CY, Waller RF, Webb AI, McConville MJ, Tonkin CJ. Protein kinase A negatively regulates Ca2+ signalling in Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Biol 2018; 16:e2005642. [PMID: 30208022 PMCID: PMC6152992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2005642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The phylum Apicomplexa comprises a group of obligate intracellular parasites that alternate between intracellular replicating stages and actively motile extracellular forms that move through tissue. Parasite cytosolic Ca2+ signalling activates motility, but how this is switched off after invasion is complete to allow for replication to begin is not understood. Here, we show that the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A catalytic subunit 1 (PKAc1) of Toxoplasma is responsible for suppression of Ca2+ signalling upon host cell invasion. We demonstrate that PKAc1 is sequestered to the parasite periphery by dual acylation of PKA regulatory subunit 1 (PKAr1). Upon genetic depletion of PKAc1 we show that newly invaded parasites exit host cells shortly thereafter, in a perforin-like protein 1 (PLP-1)-dependent fashion. Furthermore, we demonstrate that loss of PKAc1 prevents rapid down-regulation of cytosolic [Ca2+] levels shortly after invasion. We also provide evidence that loss of PKAc1 sensitises parasites to cyclic GMP (cGMP)-induced Ca2+ signalling, thus demonstrating a functional link between cAMP and these other signalling modalities. Together, this work provides a new paradigm in understanding how Toxoplasma and related apicomplexan parasites regulate infectivity. Central to pathogenesis and infectivity of Toxoplasma and related parasites is their ability to move through tissue, invade host cells, and establish a replicative niche. Ca2+-dependent signalling pathways are important for activating motility, host cell invasion, and egress, yet how this signalling is turned off after invasion is unclear. Here, we show that a cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) is essential for rapid suppression of Ca2+ signalling upon completion of host cell invasion. Parasites lacking this kinase rapidly invoke an egress program to re-exit host cells, thus preventing the establishment of a stable infection. This finding therefore highlights the first factor required for Toxoplasma (and any related apicomplexan parasite) to switch from invasive to the replicative forms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro D. Uboldi
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Mary-Louise Wilde
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Emi A. McRae
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Rebecca J. Stewart
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Laura F. Dagley
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Luning Yang
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Nicholas J. Katris
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Michael J. Coffey
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Adele M. Lehane
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, A.C.T., Australia
| | - Cyrille Y. Botte
- Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Ross F. Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew I. Webb
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Malcolm J. McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Christopher J. Tonkin
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
196
|
Gao H, Yang Z, Wang X, Qian P, Hong R, Chen X, Su XZ, Cui H, Yuan J. ISP1-Anchored Polarization of GCβ/CDC50A Complex Initiates Malaria Ookinete Gliding Motility. Curr Biol 2018; 28:2763-2776.e6. [PMID: 30146157 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.06.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ookinete gliding motility is essential for penetration of the mosquito midgut wall and transmission of malaria parasites. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling has been implicated in ookinete gliding. However, the upstream mechanism of how the parasites activate cGMP signaling and thus initiate ookinete gliding remains unknown. Using real-time imaging to visualize Plasmodium yoelii guanylate cyclase β (GCβ), we show that cytoplasmic GCβ translocates and polarizes to the parasite plasma membrane at "ookinete extrados site" (OES) during zygote-to-ookinete differentiation. The polarization of enzymatic active GCβ at OES initiates gliding of matured ookinete. Both the P4-ATPase-like domain and guanylate cyclase domain are required for GCβ polarization and ookinete gliding. CDC50A, a co-factor of P4-ATPase, binds to and stabilizes GCβ during ookinete development. Screening of inner membrane complex proteins identifies ISP1 as a key molecule that anchors GCβ/CDC50A complex at the OES of mature ookinetes. This study defines a spatial-temporal mechanism for the initiation of ookinete gliding, where GCβ polarization likely elevates local cGMP levels and activates cGMP-dependent protein kinase signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zhenke Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Pengge Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Renjie Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xin-Zhuan Su
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Huiting Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.
| |
Collapse
|
197
|
Caldas LA, de Souza W. A Window to Toxoplasma gondii Egress. Pathogens 2018; 7:pathogens7030069. [PMID: 30110938 PMCID: PMC6161258 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens7030069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Toxoplasma gondii cellular cycle has been widely studied in many lifecycle stages; however, the egress event still is poorly understood even though different types of molecules were shown to be involved. Assuming that there is no purpose or intentionality in biological phenomena, there is no such question as “Why does the parasite leaves the host cell”, but “Under what conditions and how?”. In this review we aimed to summarize current knowledge concerning T. gondii egress physiology (signalling pathways), structures, and route.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucio Ayres Caldas
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
- Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
- Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
198
|
Hortua Triana MA, Márquez-Nogueras KM, Vella SA, Moreno SNJ. Calcium signaling and the lytic cycle of the Apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2018; 1865:1846-1856. [PMID: 30992126 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii has a complex life cycle involving different hosts and is dependent on fast responses, as the parasite reacts to changing environmental conditions. T. gondii causes disease by lysing the host cells that it infects and it does this by reiterating its lytic cycle, which consists of host cell invasion, replication inside the host cell, and egress causing host cell lysis. Calcium ion (Ca2+) signaling triggers activation of molecules involved in the stimulation and enhancement of each step of the parasite lytic cycle. Ca2+ signaling is essential for the cellular and developmental changes that support T. gondii parasitism. The characterization of the molecular players and pathways directly activated by Ca2+ signaling in Toxoplasma is sketchy and incomplete. The evolutionary distance between Toxoplasma and other eukaryotic model systems makes the comparison sometimes not informative. The advent of new genomic information and new genetic tools applicable for studying Toxoplasma biology is rapidly changing this scenario. The Toxoplasma genome reveals the presence of many genes potentially involved in Ca2+ signaling, even though the role of most of them is not known. The use of Genetically Encoded Calcium Indicators (GECIs) has allowed studies on the role of novel calcium-related proteins on egress, an essential step for the virulence and dissemination of Toxoplasma. In addition, the discovery of new Ca2+ players is generating novel targets for drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tools and a better understanding of the biology of these parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephen A Vella
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Silvia N J Moreno
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
199
|
Chang L, Dykes EJ, Li J, Moreno SNJ, Hortua Triana MA. Characterization of Two EF-hand Domain-containing Proteins from Toxoplasma gondii. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2018; 66:343-353. [PMID: 30063275 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The universal role of calcium (Ca2+ ) as a second messenger in cells depends on a large number of Ca2+ -binding proteins (CBP), which are able to bind Ca2+ through specific domains. Many CBPs share a type of Ca2+ -binding domain known as the EF-hand. The EF-hand motif has been well studied and consists of a helix-loop-helix structural domain with specific amino acids in the loop region that interact with Ca2+ . In Toxoplasma gondii a large number of genes (approximately 68) are predicted to have at least one EF-hand motif. The majority of these genes have not been characterized. We report the characterization of two EF-hand motif-containing proteins, TgGT1_216620 and TgGT1_280480, which localize to the plasma membrane and to the rhoptry bulb, respectively. Genetic disruption of these genes by CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) resulted in mutant parasite clones (Δtg216620 and Δtg280480) that grew at a slower rate than control cells. Ca2+ measurements showed that Δtg216620 cells did not respond to extracellular Ca2+ as the parental controls while Δtg280480 cells appeared to respond as the parental cells. Our hypothesis is that TgGT1_216620 is important for Ca2+ influx while TgGT1_280480 may be playing a different role in the rhoptries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Le Chang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.,Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602
| | - Eric J Dykes
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602
| | - Jianhua Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Silvia N J Moreno
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602.,Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602
| | | |
Collapse
|
200
|
Glushakova S, Beck JR, Garten M, Busse BL, Nasamu AS, Tenkova-Heuser T, Heuser J, Goldberg DE, Zimmerberg J. Rounding precedes rupture and breakdown of vacuolar membranes minutes before malaria parasite egress from erythrocytes. Cell Microbiol 2018; 20:e12868. [PMID: 29900649 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Because Plasmodium falciparum replicates inside of a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) within a human erythrocyte, parasite egress requires the rupture of two limiting membranes. Parasite Ca2+ , kinases, and proteases contribute to efficient egress; their coordination in space and time is not known. Here, the kinetics of parasite egress were linked to specific steps with specific compartment markers, using live-cell microscopy of parasites expressing PV-targeted fluorescent proteins, and specific egress inhibitors. Several minutes before egress, under control of parasite [Ca2+ ]i , the PV began rounding. Then after ~1.5 min, under control of PfPKG and SUB1, there was abrupt rupture of the PV membrane and release of vacuolar contents. Over the next ~6 min, there was progressive vacuolar membrane deterioration simultaneous with erythrocyte membrane distortion, lasting until the final minute of the egress programme when newly formed parasites mobilised and erythrocyte membranes permeabilised and then ruptured-a dramatic finale to the parasite cycle of replication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Glushakova
- Section on Integrative Biophysics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Josh R Beck
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Matthias Garten
- Section on Integrative Biophysics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Brad L Busse
- Section on Integrative Biophysics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Armiyaw S Nasamu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Tatyana Tenkova-Heuser
- Section on Integrative Biophysics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - John Heuser
- Section on Integrative Biophysics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Daniel E Goldberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Joshua Zimmerberg
- Section on Integrative Biophysics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|