Immunological evidence of a common structure between Paramecium surface antigens and Trypanosoma variant surface glycoproteins

Antigenic Variation in Ciliates: Antigen Structure, Function, Expression

In the past decades, the major focus of antigen variation research has been on parasitic protists. However, antigenic variation occurs also in free-living protists. The antigenic systems of the ciliates Paramecium and Tetrahymena have been studied for more than 100 yr. In spite of different life strategies and distant phylogenetic relationships of free-living ciliates and parasitic protists, their antigenic systems have features in common, such as the presence of repeated protein motifs and multigene families. The function of variable surface antigens in free-living ciliates is still unknown. Up to now no detailed monitoring of antigen expression in free-living ciliates in natural habitats has been performed. Unlike stochastic switching in parasites, antigen expression in ciliates can be directed, e.g. by temperature, which holds great advantages for research on the expression mechanism. Regulated expression of surface antigens occurs in an exclusive way and the responsible mechanism is complex, involving both transcriptional and post-transcriptional features. The involvement of homology-dependent effects has been proposed several times but has not been proved yet.

Posttranscriptional control is a strong factor enabling exclusive expression of surface antigens in Paramecium tetraurelia

Variable antigens are large proteins located on the outer membrane of parasitic but also of free-living protists. Multigene families encoding surface antigens demonstrate an exclusive expression of proteins. The resulting presence of just one protein species on the cell surface is required for surface antigen function; therefore, the molecular mechanism of exclusive expression is of main interest. Regulation of gene expression and mechanisms establishing switching of antigens are hardly understood in any organism. Here we report on the reaction of Paramecium to the artificial knock down of surface antigen 51A expression by bacteria-mediated RNAi. This technique involves the feeding of dsRNA-producing bacteria. We analyzed different fragments of the target gene for dsRNA template regarding their specific knock down efficiency and found great differences. Treatment of Paramecia with RNAi against the 51A antigen demonstrated that although a massive amount of mRNA was present, the protein was not detected on the cell surface. Moreover, a minor abundance of 51D transcripts resulted in an exclusive presence of 51D proteins on the cell surface. This posttranscriptional regulation was confirmed by the transcript ratio (51A/51D) determined by real-time (RT) PCR of single cells. Because we were able to document unexclusive transcription also in wild-type cells our results indicate that this posttranscriptional regulation is a main factor of enabling exclusive gene expression. The comparison of serotype shifts, caused by efficient and inefficient knock down, indicates an involvement of full-length transcripts in regulation of gene expression. Thus, our study gives new insights into the mechanism of exclusive expression on the molecular level: (i) exclusive transcription does not occur, (ii) posttranscriptional regulation is a powerful factor enabling exclusive antigen expression, and (iii) surface antigen mRNA is shown to be involved in this mechanism in a regulating way.

Variety of Serotypes of Paramecium primaurelia: Single Epitopes are Responsible for Immunological Differentiation

Paramecium primaurelia expresses three major types of surface antigens. We report here the identification of the gene for serotype S, which completes the sequence data of expressed serotypes of P. primaurelia. The complete open reading frame of surface antigen S was identified using a novel technique, based upon the presence of conservative regions in the non-coding areas of the multigene family. We were able to isolate the 7194-bp-long open reading frame from the macronuclear DNA for Serotype 156S. The corresponding mRNA was detected in the two serotype S-expressing stocks, 60 and 156, of P. primaurelia, which clarifies that both stocks are using the same S allele. Comparisons of the nucleic acid and the deduced amino-acid sequence showed high identity to surface antigen 51B of P. tetraurelia, sufficient to cause an immunological cross-reaction in vivo. Immunologically relevant epitopes in vivo were identified in the central regions of the genes, constructed of nearly perfect tandem repeats.

Paramecium GPI proteins: variability of expression and localization

In Paramecium primaurelia, the two major classes of cell surface proteins, the surface antigen (SAg) and the surface GPI proteins (SGPs), are linked to the plasma membrane through a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. In the present study, we have characterized the expression of the SGPs in several geographical strains of P. primaurelia and P. tetraurelia at different temperatures, 23 degrees C and 32 degrees C. The identification of the expressed SGPs was performed on purified cilia, by establishing the SGP SDS-PAGE profiles under four different conditions: with or without their anchoring lipid, cleaved with a Bacillus thuringiensis phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), and either in a reduced or in an unreduced state. This screening revealed the existence of specific sets of ciliary SGPs, as a function of temperature and the geographical origin of the strains. The SGPs the most abundant at 23 degrees C and 32 degrees C displayed a rapid turnover. We also looked for the presence of PI-PLC releasable proteins in purified cortices. In addition to the SAg and SGPs, the cortical fraction was shown to contain other PI-PLC releasable proteins, not found in the ciliary fraction, thus localized exclusively in the interciliary region.

Immunolabeling analysis of biosynthetic and degradative pathways of cell surface components (glycocalyx) in Paramecium cells

Biosynthetic and degradative pathways of glycocalyx components are largely unknown in Paramecium and in some related parasitic protozoa. We isolated cell surface (glyco-)proteins, i.e., surface antigens (SAg) and used them in the native (nSAg) or denatured (dSAg) state to produce antibodies (AB) for immunolocalization by confocal imaging and by quantitative immunogold EM-labeling of ultrathin sections or of freeze-fracture replicas. Antibodies against nSAg or dSAg, respectively, yield different labeling densities over individual structures, thus indicating biosynthetic or degradative pathways, respectively. We derive the following biosynthetic way: ER --> Golgi apparatus --> non-regulated/non-dense core vesicle transport --> diffusional spread over non-ciliary (somatic) and ciliary cell membrane. For degradation we show the following pathways: Concentration of nSAg in the cytostome --> nascent digestive vacuole --> mature vacuoles --> release of dSAg at cytoproct, with partial retrieval by "discoidal vesicles". A second internalization pathway proceeds via coated pits ("parasomal sacs") --> early endosomes ("terminal cisternae") --> digestive vacuoles. Dense packing of SAg in the glycocalyx may drive them into the endo-/phagocytic pathway. Still more intriguing is the site of nSAg integration into the cell membrane by unstimulated exocytosis. We consider unconspicuous clear vesicles relevant for nSAg export, probably via sites which most of the time are occupied by coated pits. This could compensate for membrane retrieval by coated pits, while scarcity of smooth profiles at these sites may be explained by the much longer time period required for coated pit formation as compared to exocytosis.

Purification of the temperature-specific surface antigen of Paramecium primaurelia with its glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol membrane anchor

The membrane form of the temperature-specific G surface antigen of Paramecium primaurelia strain 156 has been purified by a novel procedure utilizing solubilization by detergent, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The surface antigen, which was prepared in a nondenatured state containing a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol membrane anchor, migrated as a single band upon electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Following cleavage of the purified surface antigen by a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C from Bacillus thuringiensis, the soluble form was released with the unmasking of a particular glycosidic immunodeterminant called the cross-reacting determinant. The purification protocol described here will now permit further biochemical and biophysical characterization of the nondenatured membrane form of Paramecium surface antigens.

Evidence for glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchoring of Toxoplasma gondii major surface antigens

The four major surface antigens of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites (P43, P35, P30, and P22) were made water soluble by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). These antigens were biosynthetically labeled with 3H-fatty acids, [3H]ethanolamine, and [3H]carbohydrates. Treatment of 3H-fatty-acid-labeled parasite lysates with PI-PLC removed the radioactive label from these antigens. A cross-reacting determinant was exposed on these antigens after PI-PLC treatment.

Evidence for glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchoring of Toxoplasma gondii major surface antigens

The four major surface antigens of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites (P43, P35, P30, and P22) were made water soluble by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). These antigens were biosynthetically labeled with 3H-fatty acids, [3H]ethanolamine, and [3H]carbohydrates. Treatment of 3H-fatty-acid-labeled parasite lysates with PI-PLC removed the radioactive label from these antigens. A cross-reacting determinant was exposed on these antigens after PI-PLC treatment.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol is involved in the membrane attachment of proteins in granules of chromaffin cells

Incubation at 37 degrees C or treatment of granule membranes of chromaffin cells with Staphylococcus aureus phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C converted from an amphiphilic to a hydrophilic form two proteins with molecular masses of 82 and 68 kDa respectively. Their release is time- and enzyme-concentration-dependent. We showed that they were immunoreactive with an anti-(cross-reacting determinant) antibody known to be revealed only after removal of a diacylglycerol anchor. Furthermore, the action of HNO2 suggests the presence of a non-acetylated glucosamine residue in the determinant. This is one of the first reports suggesting that a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor might exist in membranes other than the plasma membrane. We showed that the 68 kDa protein is probably not the subunit of dopamine (3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine) beta-hydroxylase, an enzyme present in granules in both soluble and membrane-associated forms.

A new class of Paramecium surface proteins anchored in the plasma membrane by a glycosylinositol phospholipid. Membrane anchor of Paramecium cross-reacting glycoproteins

Treatment of paramecia with ethanol or Triton X-100 solubilizes a major membrane protein, namely the surface antigen (SAg), and a set of glycopeptides in the range 40-60 kDa, which cross-react with the SAg. We demonstrate that these glycopeptides, called 'cross-reacting glycoproteins' (CRGs), are distinct molecules from the SAg. First, after purification of CRGs from ethanolic extracts of Paramecium primaurelia expressing the 156G SAg, the amino acid composition of a given CRG was found to be different from, and incompatible with, that of the 156G SAg. Secondly, we showed that the CRGs, although not immunologically detectable, are present in fractions containing the myristoylated form of the 156G SAg. The treatment of these fractions by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipases C enables us to reveal the CRGs through the unmasking of two distinct epitopes. One is the 'cross-reacting determinant' (CRD), initially described for the variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs) of Trypanosoma; the other determinant, called 'det-2355', is specific to the SAg and to the CRGs. Our results suggest that (1) phosphatidylinositol is covalently linked to the CRGs and (2) the CRD and the det-2355 are localized in the same region of the CRGs. We propose that the CRGs are a new set of surface proteins anchored in the cell membrane of Paramecium via a glycosylinositol phospholipid, in the same way as the SAgs.

Structural and functional roles of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol in membranes

Glycosylated forms of phosphatidylinositol, which have only recently been described in eukaryotic organisms, are now known to play important roles in biological membrane function. These molecules can serve as the sole means by which particular cell-surface proteins are anchored to the membrane. Lipids with similar structures may also be involved in signal transduction mechanisms for the hormone insulin. The utilization of this novel class of lipid molecules for these two distinct functions suggests new mechanisms for the regulation of proteins in biological membranes.

The membrane-anchor of Paramecium temperature-specific surface antigens is a glycosylinositol phospholipid

The temperature-specific G surface antigen of Paramecium primaurelia strain 156 was biosynthetically labeled by [3H]myristic acid in its membrane-bound form, but not in its soluble form. It could be cleaved by a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C from Trypanosoma brucei or from Bacillus cereus which released its soluble form with the unmasking of a particular glycosidic immunodeterminant called the crossreacting determinant. The Paramecium enzyme, capable of converting its membrane-bound form into the soluble one, was inhibited by a sulphydril reagent in the same way as the trypanosomal lipase. From this evidence we propose that the Paramecium temperature-specific surface antigens are anchored in the plasma membrane via a glycophospholipid, and that an endogenous phospholipase C may be involved in the antigenic variation process.