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Zhou BH, Ding HY, Yang JY, Chai J, Guo HW, Tian EJ. Diclazuril-induced expression of CDK-related kinase 2 in the second-generation merozoites of Eimeria tenella. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2023; 255:111575. [PMID: 37302489 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2023.111575] [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] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Diclazuril is a classic anticoccidial drug. The key molecules of diclazuril in anticoccidial action allows target screening for the development of anticoccidial drugs. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) are prominent target proteins in apicomplexan parasites. In this study, a diclazuril anticoccidiosis animal model was established, and the transcription and translation levels of the CDK-related kinase 2 of Eimeria tenella (EtCRK2) were detected. mRNA and protein expression levels of EtCRK2 decreased in the infected/diclazuril group compared with those in the infected/control group. In addition, immunofluorescence analysis showed that EtCRK2 was localised in the cytoplasm of the merozoites. The fluorescence intensity of EtCRK2 in the infected/diclazuril group was significantly weaker than that in the infected/control group. The anticoccidial drug diclazuril against E.tenella affects the expression pattern of EtCRK2 molecule, and EtCRK2 is a potential target for new drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bian-Hua Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, Henan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hai-Yan Ding
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Yun Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Chai
- School of information technology and urban construction, Luoyang Vocational and Technical College, Keji Avenue 6, Yibin District, Luoyang 471934, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Wei Guo
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Longzi Hubei Road 6, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Er-Jie Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, Henan, People's Republic of China
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Tomasina R, González FC, Francia ME. Structural and Functional Insights into the Microtubule Organizing Centers of Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2503. [PMID: 34946106 PMCID: PMC8705618 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) perform critical cellular tasks by nucleating, stabilizing, and anchoring microtubule's minus ends. These capacities impact tremendously a wide array of cellular functions ranging from ascribing cell shape to orchestrating cell division and generating motile structures, among others. The phylum Apicomplexa comprises over 6000 single-celled obligate intracellular parasitic species. Many of the apicomplexan are well known pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii and the Plasmodium species, causative agents of toxoplasmosis and malaria, respectively. Microtubule organization in these parasites is critical for organizing the cortical cytoskeleton, enabling host cell penetration and the positioning of large organelles, driving cell division and directing the formation of flagella in sexual life stages. Apicomplexans are a prime example of MTOC diversity displaying multiple functional and structural MTOCs combinations within a single species. This diversity can only be fully understood in light of each organism's specific MT nucleation requirements and their evolutionary history. Insight into apicomplexan MTOCs had traditionally been limited to classical ultrastructural work by transmission electron microscopy. However, in the past few years, a large body of molecular insight has emerged. In this work we describe the latest insights into nuclear MTOC biology in two major human and animal disease causing Apicomplexans: Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramiro Tomasina
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Biology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay; (R.T.); (F.C.G.)
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Fabiana C. González
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Biology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay; (R.T.); (F.C.G.)
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Maria E. Francia
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Biology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay; (R.T.); (F.C.G.)
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
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3
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Gubbels MJ, Coppens I, Zarringhalam K, Duraisingh MT, Engelberg K. The Modular Circuitry of Apicomplexan Cell Division Plasticity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:670049. [PMID: 33912479 PMCID: PMC8072463 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.670049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The close-knit group of apicomplexan parasites displays a wide variety of cell division modes, which differ between parasites as well as between different life stages within a single parasite species. The beginning and endpoint of the asexual replication cycles is a 'zoite' harboring the defining apical organelles required for host cell invasion. However, the number of zoites produced per division round varies dramatically and can unfold in several different ways. This plasticity of the cell division cycle originates from a combination of hard-wired developmental programs modulated by environmental triggers. Although the environmental triggers and sensors differ between species and developmental stages, widely conserved secondary messengers mediate the signal transduction pathways. These environmental and genetic input integrate in division-mode specific chromosome organization and chromatin modifications that set the stage for each division mode. Cell cycle progression is conveyed by a smorgasbord of positively and negatively acting transcription factors, often acting in concert with epigenetic reader complexes, that can vary dramatically between species as well as division modes. A unique set of cell cycle regulators with spatially distinct localization patterns insert discrete check points which permit individual control and can uncouple general cell cycle progression from nuclear amplification. Clusters of expressed genes are grouped into four functional modules seen in all division modes: 1. mother cytoskeleton disassembly; 2. DNA replication and segregation (D&S); 3. karyokinesis; 4. zoite assembly. A plug-and-play strategy results in the variety of extant division modes. The timing of mother cytoskeleton disassembly is hard-wired at the species level for asexual division modes: it is either the first step, or it is the last step. In the former scenario zoite assembly occurs at the plasma membrane (external budding), and in the latter scenario zoites are assembled in the cytoplasm (internal budding). The number of times each other module is repeated can vary regardless of this first decision, and defines the modes of cell division: schizogony, binary fission, endodyogeny, endopolygeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Jan Gubbels
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kourosh Zarringhalam
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Manoj T. Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Klemens Engelberg
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
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Němec V, Hylsová M, Maier L, Flegel J, Sievers S, Ziegler S, Schröder M, Berger B, Chaikuad A, Valčíková B, Uldrijan S, Drápela S, Souček K, Waldmann H, Knapp S, Paruch K. Furo[3,2‐b]pyridine: A Privileged Scaffold for Highly Selective Kinase Inhibitors and Effective Modulators of the Hedgehog Pathway. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201810312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Václav Němec
- Department of Chemistry, CZ-OpenscreenMasaryk University Kamenice 5 Brno 625 00 Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research CentreSt. Anne's University Hospital Pekařská 53 Brno 656 91 Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Hylsová
- Department of Chemistry, CZ-OpenscreenMasaryk University Kamenice 5 Brno 625 00 Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research CentreSt. Anne's University Hospital Pekařská 53 Brno 656 91 Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Maier
- Department of Chemistry, CZ-OpenscreenMasaryk University Kamenice 5 Brno 625 00 Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research CentreSt. Anne's University Hospital Pekařská 53 Brno 656 91 Czech Republic
| | - Jana Flegel
- Max-Planck-Institute für Molekulare PhysiologieAbteilung Chemische Biologie Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Sonja Sievers
- Max-Planck-Institute für Molekulare PhysiologieAbteilung Chemische Biologie Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Slava Ziegler
- Max-Planck-Institute für Molekulare PhysiologieAbteilung Chemische Biologie Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Martin Schröder
- Institute for Pharmaceutical ChemistryStructural Genomics ConsortiumJohann Wolfgang Goethe-University Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15 60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Benedict‐Tilman Berger
- Institute for Pharmaceutical ChemistryStructural Genomics ConsortiumJohann Wolfgang Goethe-University Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15 60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Institute for Pharmaceutical ChemistryStructural Genomics ConsortiumJohann Wolfgang Goethe-University Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15 60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Barbora Valčíková
- International Clinical Research CentreSt. Anne's University Hospital Pekařská 53 Brno 656 91 Czech Republic
- Department of BiologyFaculty of MedicineMasaryk University Kamenice 5 Brno 625 00 Czech Republic
| | - Stjepan Uldrijan
- International Clinical Research CentreSt. Anne's University Hospital Pekařská 53 Brno 656 91 Czech Republic
- Department of BiologyFaculty of MedicineMasaryk University Kamenice 5 Brno 625 00 Czech Republic
| | - Stanislav Drápela
- International Clinical Research CentreSt. Anne's University Hospital Pekařská 53 Brno 656 91 Czech Republic
- Department of CytokineticsInstitute of Biophysics CAS Královopolská 135 Brno 612 65 Czech Republic
| | - Karel Souček
- International Clinical Research CentreSt. Anne's University Hospital Pekařská 53 Brno 656 91 Czech Republic
- Department of CytokineticsInstitute of Biophysics CAS Královopolská 135 Brno 612 65 Czech Republic
| | - Herbert Waldmann
- Max-Planck-Institute für Molekulare PhysiologieAbteilung Chemische Biologie Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute for Pharmaceutical ChemistryStructural Genomics ConsortiumJohann Wolfgang Goethe-University Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15 60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Kamil Paruch
- Department of Chemistry, CZ-OpenscreenMasaryk University Kamenice 5 Brno 625 00 Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research CentreSt. Anne's University Hospital Pekařská 53 Brno 656 91 Czech Republic
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5
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Němec V, Hylsová M, Maier L, Flegel J, Sievers S, Ziegler S, Schröder M, Berger BT, Chaikuad A, Valčíková B, Uldrijan S, Drápela S, Souček K, Waldmann H, Knapp S, Paruch K. Furo[3,2-b]pyridine: A Privileged Scaffold for Highly Selective Kinase Inhibitors and Effective Modulators of the Hedgehog Pathway. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 58:1062-1066. [PMID: 30569600 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201810312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Reported is the identification of the furo[3,2-b]pyridine core as a novel scaffold for potent and highly selective inhibitors of cdc-like kinases (CLKs) and efficient modulators of the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Initially, a diverse target compound set was prepared by synthetic sequences based on chemoselective metal-mediated couplings, including assembly of the furo[3,2-b]pyridine scaffold by copper-mediated oxidative cyclization. Optimization of the subseries containing 3,5-disubstituted furo[3,2-b]pyridines afforded potent, cell-active, and highly selective inhibitors of CLKs. Profiling of the kinase-inactive subset of 3,5,7-trisubstituted furo[3,2-b]pyridines revealed sub-micromolar modulators of the Hedgehog pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Václav Němec
- Department of Chemistry, CZ-Openscreen, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekařská 53, Brno, 656 91, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Hylsová
- Department of Chemistry, CZ-Openscreen, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekařská 53, Brno, 656 91, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Maier
- Department of Chemistry, CZ-Openscreen, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekařská 53, Brno, 656 91, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Flegel
- Max-Planck-Institute für Molekulare Physiologie, Abteilung Chemische Biologie, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Sonja Sievers
- Max-Planck-Institute für Molekulare Physiologie, Abteilung Chemische Biologie, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Slava Ziegler
- Max-Planck-Institute für Molekulare Physiologie, Abteilung Chemische Biologie, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Martin Schröder
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Structural Genomics Consortium, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Benedict-Tilman Berger
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Structural Genomics Consortium, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Structural Genomics Consortium, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Barbora Valčíková
- International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekařská 53, Brno, 656 91, Czech Republic.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Stjepan Uldrijan
- International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekařská 53, Brno, 656 91, Czech Republic.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Stanislav Drápela
- International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekařská 53, Brno, 656 91, Czech Republic.,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Královopolská 135, Brno, 612 65, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Souček
- International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekařská 53, Brno, 656 91, Czech Republic.,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Královopolská 135, Brno, 612 65, Czech Republic
| | - Herbert Waldmann
- Max-Planck-Institute für Molekulare Physiologie, Abteilung Chemische Biologie, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Structural Genomics Consortium, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Kamil Paruch
- Department of Chemistry, CZ-Openscreen, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekařská 53, Brno, 656 91, Czech Republic
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6
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Rogerio KR, Carvalho LJM, Domingues LHP, Neves BJ, Moreira Filho JT, Castro RN, Bianco Júnior C, Daniel-Ribeiro CT, Andrade CH, Graebin CS. Synthesis and molecular modelling studies of pyrimidinones and pyrrolo[3,4-d]-pyrimidinodiones as new antiplasmodial compounds. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2018; 113:e170452. [PMID: 29924131 PMCID: PMC6001580 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760170452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria is responsible for 429,000 deaths per year worldwide, and more than 200 million cases were reported in 2015. Increasing parasite resistance has imposed restrictions to the currently available antimalarial drugs. Thus, the search for new, effective and safe antimalarial drugs is crucial. Heterocyclic compounds, such as dihydropyrimidinones (DHPM), synthesised via the Biginelli multicomponent reaction, as well as bicyclic compounds synthesised from DHPMs, have emerged as potential antimalarial candidates in the last few years. METHODS Thirty compounds were synthesised employing the Biginelli multicomponent reaction and subsequent one-pot substitution/cyclisation protocol; the compounds were then evaluated in vitro against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites (W2 strain). Drug cytotoxicity in baseline kidney African Green Monkey cells (BGM) was also evaluated. The most active in vitro compounds were evaluated against P. berghei parasites in mice. Additionally, we performed an in silico target fishing approach with the most active compounds, aiming to shed some light into the mechanism at a molecular level. RESULTS The synthetic route chosen was effective, leading to products with high purity and yields ranging from 10-84%. Three out of the 30 compounds tested were identified as active against the parasite and presented low toxicity. The in silico study suggested that among all the molecular targets identified by our target fishing approach, Protein Kinase 3 (PK5) and Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β (GSK-3β) are the most likely molecular targets for the synthesised compounds. CONCLUSIONS We were able to easily obtain a collection of heterocyclic compounds with in vitro anti-P. falciparum activity that can be used as scaffolds for the design and development of new antiplasmodial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamilla Rodrigues Rogerio
- Laboratório de Diversidade Molecular e Química Medicinal, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Leonardo J M Carvalho
- Laboratório de Pesquisas em Malária, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Luiza Helena Pinto Domingues
- Laboratório de Diversidade Molecular e Química Medicinal, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Bruno Junior Neves
- Laboratório de Planejamento de Fármacos e Modelagem Molecular, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - José Teófilo Moreira Filho
- Laboratório de Planejamento de Fármacos e Modelagem Molecular, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - Rosane Nora Castro
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Cesare Bianco Júnior
- Laboratório de Pesquisas em Malária, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Claudio Tadeu Daniel-Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Pesquisas em Malária, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- Laboratório de Planejamento de Fármacos e Modelagem Molecular, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - Cedric Stephan Graebin
- Laboratório de Diversidade Molecular e Química Medicinal, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
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Tight Regulation of Srs2 Helicase Activity Is Crucial for Proper Functioning of DNA Repair Mechanisms. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2018. [PMID: 29531123 PMCID: PMC5940153 DOI: 10.1534/g3.118.200181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Proper DNA damage repair is one of the most vital and fundamental functions of every cell. Several different repair mechanisms exist to deal with various types of DNA damage, in various stages of the cell cycle and under different conditions. Homologous recombination is one of the most important repair mechanisms in all organisms. Srs2, a regulator of homologous recombination, is a DNA helicase involved in DNA repair, cell cycle progression and genome integrity. Srs2 can remove Rad51 from ssDNA, and is thought to inhibit unscheduled recombination. However, Srs2 has to be precisely regulated, as failure to do so is toxic and can lead to cell death. We noticed that a very slight elevation of the levels of Srs2 (by addition of a single extra copy of the SRS2 gene) leads to hyper-sensitivity of yeast cells to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS, a DNA damaging agent). This effect is seen in haploid, but not in diploid, cells. We analyzed the mechanism that controls haploid/diploid sensitivity and arrived to the conclusion that the sensitivity requires the activity of RAD59 and RDH54, whose expression in diploid cells is repressed. We carried out a mutational analysis of Srs2 to determine the regions of the protein required for the sensitization to genotoxins. Interestingly, Srs2 needs the HR machinery and its helicase activity for its toxicity, but does not need to dismantle Rad51. Our work underscores the tight regulation that is required on the levels of Srs2 activity, and the fact that Srs2 helicase activity plays a more central role in DNA repair than the ability of Srs2 to dismantle Rad51 filaments.
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Matthews H, Duffy CW, Merrick CJ. Checks and balances? DNA replication and the cell cycle in Plasmodium. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:216. [PMID: 29587837 PMCID: PMC5872521 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2800-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
It is over 100 years since the life-cycle of the malaria parasite Plasmodium was discovered, yet its intricacies remain incompletely understood - a knowledge gap that may prove crucial for our efforts to control the disease. Phenotypic screens have partially filled the void in the antimalarial drug market, but as compound libraries eventually become exhausted, new medicines will only come from directed drug development based on a better understanding of fundamental parasite biology. This review focusses on the unusual cell cycles of Plasmodium, which may present a rich source of novel drug targets as well as a topic of fundamental biological interest. Plasmodium does not grow by conventional binary fission, but rather by several syncytial modes of replication including schizogony and sporogony. Here, we collate what is known about the various cell cycle events and their regulators throughout the Plasmodium life-cycle, highlighting the differences between Plasmodium, model organisms and other apicomplexan parasites and identifying areas where further study is required. The possibility of DNA replication and the cell cycle as a drug target is also explored. Finally the use of existing tools, emerging technologies, their limitations and future directions to elucidate the peculiarities of the Plasmodium cell cycle are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Matthews
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST55BG, Keele, UK
| | - Craig W Duffy
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST55BG, Keele, UK
| | - Catherine J Merrick
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST55BG, Keele, UK.
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Dmowski M, Fijałkowska IJ. Diverse roles of Dpb2, the non-catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase ε. Curr Genet 2017; 63:983-987. [PMID: 28516230 PMCID: PMC5668336 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-017-0706-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Timely progression of living cells through the cell cycle is precisely regulated. This involves a series of phosphorylation events which are regulated by various cyclins, activated in coordination with the cell cycle progression. Phosphorylated proteins govern cell growth, division as well as duplication of the genetic material and transcriptional activation of genes involved in these processes. A subset of these tightly regulated genes, which depend on the MBF transcription factor and are mainly involved in DNA replication and cell division, is transiently activated at the transition from G1 to S phase. A Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant in the Dpb2 non-catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase ε (Polε) demonstrates abnormalities in transcription of MBF-dependent genes even in normal growth conditions. It is, therefore, tempting to speculate that Dpb2 which, as described previously, participates in the early stages of DNA replication initiation, has an impact on the regulation of replication-related genes expression with possible implications for genomic stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Dmowski
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Iwona J Fijałkowska
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
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10
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Deshmukh AS, Mitra P, Maruthi M. Cdk7 mediates RPB1-driven mRNA synthesis in Toxoplasma gondii. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35288. [PMID: 27759017 PMCID: PMC5069487 DOI: 10.1038/srep35288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 in conjunction with CyclinH and Mat1 activates cell cycle CDKs and is a part of the general transcription factor TFIIH. Role of Cdk7 is well characterized in model eukaryotes however its relevance in protozoan parasites has not been investigated. This important regulator of key processes warrants closer examination particularly in this parasite given its unique cell cycle progression and flexible mode of replication. We report functional characterization of TgCdk7 and its partners TgCyclinH and TgMat1. Recombinant Cdk7 displays kinase activity upon binding its cyclin partner and this activity is further enhanced in presence of Mat1. The activated kinase phosphorylates C-terminal domain of TgRPB1 suggesting its role in parasite transcription. Therefore, the function of Cdk7 in CTD phosphorylation and RPB1 mediated transcription was investigated using Cdk7 inhibitor. Unphosphorylated CTD binds promoter DNA while phosphorylation by Cdk7 triggers its dissociation from DNA with implications for transcription initiation. Inhibition of Cdk7 in the parasite led to strong reduction in Serine 5 phosphorylation of TgRPB1-CTD at the promoters of constitutively expressed actin1 and sag1 genes with concomitant reduction of both nascent RNA synthesis and 5′-capped transcripts. Therefore, we provide compelling evidence for crucial role of TgCdk7 kinase activity in mRNA synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pallabi Mitra
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Mulaka Maruthi
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
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