Cloning and characterization of a putative calcium-transporting ATPase gene from Schistosoma mansoni

Functional characterization of the Ca2+-ATPase SMA1 from Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosoma mansoni is a parasite that causes bilharzia, a neglected tropical disease affecting hundreds of millions of people each year worldwide. In 2012, S. mansoni had been identified as the only invertebrate possessing two SERCA-type Ca2+-ATPases, SMA1 and SMA2. However, our analysis of recent genomic data shows that the presence of two SERCA pumps is rather frequent in parasitic flatworms. To understand the reasons of this redundancy in S. mansoni, we compared SMA1 and SMA2 at different levels. In terms of sequence and organization, the genes SMA1 and SMA2 are similar, suggesting that they might be the result of a duplication event. At the protein level, SMA1 and SMA2 only slightly differ in length and in the sequence of the nucleotide-binding domain. To get functional information on SMA1, we produced it in an active form in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as previously done for SMA2. Using phosphorylation assays from ATP, we demonstrated that like SMA2, SMA1 bound calcium in a cooperative mode with an apparent affinity in the micromolar range. We also showed that SMA1 and SMA2 had close sensitivities to cyclopiazonic acid but different sensitivities to thapsigargin, two specific inhibitors of SERCA pumps. On the basis of transcriptomic data available in GeneDB, we hypothesize that SMA1 is a housekeeping Ca2+-ATPase, whereas SMA2 might be required in particular striated-like muscles like those present the tail of the cercariae, the infecting form of the parasite.

Cloning, characterization, and expression patterns of three sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase isoforms from pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata)

A large amount of calcium is required for mollusk biomineralization. Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) is a well-known protein with the function of sustaining the calcium homeostasis. How does it possibly function in the process of pearl oyster biomineralization? Three SERCA isoforms, namely PSERA, PSERB, and PSERC were cloned from the pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata. The cDNAs of the three isoforms were isolated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. PSERA consisted of 3568 bp encoding 1007 amino acids, PSERB included 3953 bp encoding 1024 amino acids, and PSERC comprised of 3450 bp encoding 1000 amino acids. The three isoforms showed high homology (65%-87%) with SERCAs from other species. Consistent with the results from other invertebrates, Southern blot analysis revealed that the three isoforms originated from a single gene that was also related to SERCA1, SERCA2, and SERCA3 of vertebrates. The splicing mechanism of the three isoforms was similar to that of isoforms of vertebrate SERCA3. Semiquantitative RT-PCR was carried out to study the expression patterns of the three isoforms. The results showed that PSERB was ubiquitously expressed in all tested tissues and was a potential "housekeeping" SERCA isoform; PSERA was expressed in the adductor muscle and foot and was likely to be a muscle-specific isoform, and PSERC was expressed in the other tissues except the adductor muscle or foot with the highest expression levels in the gill and mantle, indicating that it was a non-muscle-specific isoform and might be involved in calcium homeostasis during pearl oyster biomineralization.

Ca2+ signalling, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and praziquantel in flatworm neuromusculature

Transient changes in calcium (Ca2+) levels regulate a wide variety of cellular processes, and cells employ both intracellular and extracellular sources of Ca2+ for signalling. Praziquantel, the drug of choice against schistosomiasis, disrupts Ca2+ homeostasis in adult worms. This review will focus on voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, which regulate levels of intracellular Ca2+ by coupling membrane depolarization to entry of extracellular Ca2+. Ca2+ channels are members of the ion channel superfamily and represent essential components of neurons, muscles and other excitable cells. Ca2+ channels are membrane protein complexes in which the pore-forming alpha1 subunit is modulated by auxiliary subunits such as beta and alpha2delta. Schistosomes express two Ca2+ channel beta subunit subtypes: a conventional subtype similar to beta subunits found in other vertebrates and invertebrates and a novel variant subtype with unusual structural and functional properties. The variant schistosome beta subunit confers praziquantel sensitivity to an otherwise praziquantel-insensitive mammalian Ca2+ channel, implicating it as a mediator of praziquantel action.

Role of calcium influx through voltage-operated calcium channels and of calcium mobilization in the physiology of Schistosoma mansoni muscle contractions

We tested the hypothesis that voltage-operated Ca2+ channels mediate an extracellular Ca2+ influx in muscle fibres from the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni and, along with Ca2+ mobilization from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, contribute to muscle contraction. Indeed, whole-cell voltage clamp revealed voltage-gated inward currents carried by divalent ions with a peak current elicited by steps to +20 mV (from a holding potential of -70 mV). Depolarization of the fibres by elevated extracellular K+ elicited contractions that were completely dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and inhibited by nicardipine (half inhibition at 4.1 microM). However these contractions were not very sensitive to other classical blockers of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, indicating that the schistosome muscle channels have an atypical pharmacology when compared to their mammalian counterparts. Futhermore, the contraction induced by 5 mM caffeine was inhibited after depletion of the sarcoplasmic reticulum either with thapsigargin (10 microM) or ryanodine (10 microM). These data suggest that voltage-operated Ca2+ channels do contribute to S. mansoni contraction as does the mobilization of stored Ca2+, despite the small volume of sarcoplasmic reticulum in schistosome smooth muscles.

In vitro and in silico analysis of signal peptides from the human blood fluke,Schistosoma mansoni

Proteins secreted by and anchored on the surfaces of parasites are in intimate contact with host tissues. The transcriptome of infective cercariae of the blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, was screened using signal sequence trap to isolate cDNAs encoding predicted proteins with an N-terminal signal peptide. Twenty cDNA fragments were identified, most of which contained predicted signal peptides or transmembrane regions, including a novel putative seven-transmembrane receptor and a membrane-associated mitogen-activated protein kinase. The developmental expression pattern within different life-cycle stages ranged from ubiquitous to a transcript that was highly upregulated in the cercaria. A bioinformatics-based comparison of 100 signal peptides from each of schistosomes, humans, a parasitic nematode and Escherichia coli showed that differences in the sequence composition of signal peptides, notably the residues flanking the predicted cleavage site, might account for the negative bias exhibited in the processing of schistosome signal peptides in mammalian cells.

Pharmacological characterisation of neuropeptide F (NPF)-induced effects on the motility of Mesocestoides corti (syn. Mesocestoides vogae) larvae

Neuropeptide F is the most abundant neuropeptide in parasitic flatworms and is analogous to vertebrate neuropeptide Y. This paper examines the effects of neuropeptide F on tetrathyridia of the cestode Mesocestoides vogae and provides preliminary data on the signalling mechanisms employed. Neuropeptide F (>/=10 microM) had profound excitatory effects on larval motility in vitro. The effects were insensitive to high concentrations (1 mM) of the anaesthetic procaine hydrochloride suggesting extraneuronal sites of action. Neuropeptide F activity was not significantly blocked by a FMRFamide-related peptide analog (GNFFRdFamide) that was found to inhibit GNFFRFamide-induced excitation indicating the occurrence of distinct neuropeptide F and FMRFamide-related peptide receptors. Larval treatment with guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) trilithium salt prior to the addition of neuropeptide F completely abolished the excitatory effects indicating the involvement of G-proteins and a G-protein coupled receptor in neuropeptide F activity. Addition of guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) following neuropeptide F had limited inhibitory effects consistent with the activation of a signalling cascade by the neuropeptide. With respect to Ca(2+) involvement in neuropeptide F-induced excitation of M. vogae larvae, the L-type Ca(2+)-channel blockers verapamil and nifedipine both abolished neuropeptide F activity as did high Mg(+) concentrations and drugs which blocked sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-activated Ca(2+)-channels (ryanodine) and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pumps (cyclopiazonic acid). Therefore, both extracellular and intracellular Ca(2+) is important for neuropeptide F excitation in M. vogae. With respect to second messengers, the protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine chloride and the adenylate cyclase inhibitor MDL-2330A both abolished neuropeptide F-induced excitation. The involvement of a signalling pathway that involves protein kinase C was further supported by the fact that phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, known to directly activate protein kinase C, had direct excitatory effects on larval motility. Although neuropeptide F is structurally analogous to neuropeptide Y, its mode-of-action in flatworms appears quite distinct from the common signalling mechanism seen in vertebrates.

Molecular physiology of the SERCA and SPCA pumps

Intracellular Ca(2+)-transport ATPases exert a pivotal role in the endoplasmic reticulum and in the compartments of the cellular secretory pathway by maintaining a sufficiently high lumenal Ca(2+) (and Mn(2+)) concentration in these compartments required for an impressive number of vastly different cell functions. At the same time this lumenal Ca(2+) represents a store of releasable activator Ca(2+) controlling an equally impressive number of cytosolic functions. This review mainly focuses on the different Ca(2+)-transport ATPases found in the intracellular compartments of mainly animal non-muscle cells: the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) pumps. Although it is not our intention to treat the ATPases of the specialized sarcoplasmic reticulum in depth, we can hardly ignore the SERCA1 pump of fast-twitch skeletal muscle since its structure and function is by far the best understood and it can serve as a guide to understand the other members of the family. In a second part of this review we describe the relatively novel family of secretory pathway Ca(2+)/Mn(2+) ATPases (SPCA), which in eukaryotic cells are primarily found in the Golgi compartment.

Control of calcium homeostasis in Schistosoma mansoni

Calcium signalling is fundamental for muscular contractility of Schistosoma mansoni. We have previously described the presence of transport ATPases (Na+,K+-ATPase and (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase) and calcium channels (ryanodine receptors - RyR) involved in control of calcium homeostasis in this worm. Here we briefly review the main technics (ATPase activity, binding with specific radioligands, fluxes of 45Ca2+ and whole worm contractions) and results obtained in order to compare the distribution patterns of these proteins: thapsigargin-sensitive (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase activity and RyR co-purified in P1 and P4 fractions mainly, which is compatible with a sarcoplasmic reticulum localization, while basal ATPase (along with Na+,K+-ATPase) and thapsigargin-resistant (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase have a distinct distribution, indicative of their plasma membrane localization. Finally we attempt to integrate these contributions with data from other groups in order to propose the first synoptic model for control of calcium homeostasis in S. mansoni.

Cloning and characterization of a muscle isoform of a Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit (SNaK1) from Schistosoma mansoni

A cDNA encoding a Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit homologue, designated SNaK1, was isolated from an adult cDNA library of Schistosoma mansoni. The 3.8 kb DNA contained a 3021 bp open reading frame potentially encoding a 1,007 amino acid protein that had an Mr of 111,817 and a pl of 5.48. Homology searches for SNaK1 revealed approximately 70% sequence identity with a variety of Na, K-ATPases from evolutionarily diverse organisms. SNaK1 is predicted to contain 10 transmembrane regions typical of this protein family as well as other conserved domains, such as the phosphorylation site and ATP binding domain. Antibodies raised against an amino terminal peptide detected the protein in membrane preparations of eggs, cercariae and adult males and females, suggesting a general role for SNaK1. The mobility of the protein differed in various life-stages suggestive of post-transcriptional or post-translational modification. Immunolocalization of SNaK1 in sections of adult worms using epifluorescence and electron microscopy, revealed antibody labelling in the subtegumental and peripheral layers. Strong staining was discernible in the peripheral muscle band indicating that SNaK1 plays a central role in muscle contraction in adult parasites and may be the primary target of ouabain action. Staining was also detected in the secretory bodies in sections of ducts in this region and over the RER of the presumed gastrodermis. Immunogold labelling was also localized over neuronal vesicles in axons associated with the peripheral muscle layer.

Schistosoma mansoni: molecular characterization of a tegumental Ca-ATPase (SMA3)

A cDNA encoding a Ca-ATPase homologue, designated SMA3, was isolated from an adult cDNA library of Schistosoma mansoni. The full-length cloned DNA contains a 3105-bp open reading frame that potentially encodes a 1035-amino-acid protein with a M(r) of 113,729 and a pl of 6.48. Homology searches for SMA3 reveal high sequence identity with a variety of Ca-ATPases from evolutionarily diverse organisms. SMA3 is predicted to contain 10 transmembrane regions typical of this protein family as well as other conserved domains, such as the phosphorylation site and FITC binding domain. The greatest sequence identity (40-50%) is found to those Ca-ATPases belonging to the secretory pathway subclass. Identification of the 5' end of the SMA3 cDNA by RACE analysis reveals the presence of a 36-base spliced leader RNA, suggesting that the SMA3 pre-mRNA is processed by trans-splicing. Northern analysis reveals a single dominant transcript of 5 kb in adult RNA preparations. Antibodies raised against an amino terminal peptide detect the protein in the adult tegument, suggesting that SMA3 functions to help control Ca homeostasis within the tegument and may play a role in signal transduction at the host parasite interface.

Lack of DNA methylation in Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosoma mansoni genomic DNA from male and female adult worms was subjected to restriction by the isoschizomeric endonucleases HpaII and MspI, which display different sensitivities with respect to cytosine methylation. The digested DNA was hybridized with 13 S. mansoni probes. Southern blot analysis showed that there were no observable differences in the restriction patterns of the two isoschizomers and that the patterns were identical in male and female parasites. Adenine methylation was also ruled out since no differences were observed with DpnI, Sau3A1, or MboI restriction enzymes. The methylation-dependent restriction endonuclease McrBC, which cleaves DNA containing methylcytosine and will not cleave unmethylated DNA, did not digest S. mansoni genomic DNA. These results demonstrate that the genome of adult S. mansoni is not methylated.

Identification and functional expression of the plasma membrane calcium ATPase gene family from Caenorhabditis elegans

Calcium-pumping ATPases are an essential component of the intracellular calcium homeostasis system and have been characterized in a large variety of species and cell types. In mammalian genomes, these proteins are encoded by gene families whose individual members feature complex tissue-specific expression and alternative splicing. In the search for a less complex system that is more amenable to genetic manipulation, we have identified a family of three genes (mca-1, mca-2, and mca-3) encoding putative calcium ATPases in the Caenorhabditis elegans Genome Project data and completed their transcript structure. In this work, we report the cloning and functional expression of the mca-1 gene, which encodes a calcium-stimulated ATPase whose features resemble those of the plasma membrane calcium adenosine triphosphatase family of mammalian cells and appears to be regulated by a multipartite promoter.

Schistosoma mansoni Ca2+-ATPase SMA2 restores viability to yeast Ca2+-ATPase-deficient strains and functions in calcineurin-mediated Ca2+ tolerance

The sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum of animal cells contains an ATP-powered Ca2+ pump that belongs to the P-type family of membrane-bound cation-translocating enzymes. In Schistosoma mansoni, the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) is encoded by the SMA1 and SMA2 genes. A full-length SMA2 cDNA clone was isolated, sequenced, and expressed into a yeast Ca2+-ATPase-deficient strain requiring plasmid-borne rabbit SERCA1a for viability. The S. mansoni Ca2+-ATPase supports growth of mutant cells lacking SERCA1a, indicating functional expression in yeast and a role in calcium sequestration. Subcellular fractionation showed that the SMA2 ATPase is localized in yeast internal membranes. SMA2 expression was found to be associated with thapsigargin-sensitive, Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity. The activity increased 2-fold upon calcineurin inactivation, which correlates with in vivo stimulated contribution of SMA2 in calcium tolerance. These results suggest that calcineurin controls calcium homeostasis by inhibiting Ca2+-ATPase activity in an internal compartment.

Molecular characterization of a sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase gene from Paramecium tetraurelia and localization of its gene product to sub-plasmalemmal calcium stores

A cDNA encoding the gene for a sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum-type Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) was isolated from a cDNA library of Paramecium tetraurelia by using degenerated primers according to conserved domains of SERCA-type ATPases. The identified nucleotide sequence (PtSERCA) is 3114 nucleotides in length with an open reading frame of 1037 amino acids. An intron of only 22 nucleotides occurs. Homology searches for the deduced amino acid sequence revealed 38-49% similarity to SERCA-type ATPases from organisms ranging from protozoans to mammals, with no more similarity to some parasitic protozoa of the same phylum. The calculated molecular mass of the encoded protein is 114.7 kDa. It contains the typical 10 transmembrane domains of SERCA-type ATPases and other conserved domains, such as the phosphorylation site and the ATP binding site. However, there are no binding sites for phospholamban and thapsigargin present in the PtSERCA. Antibodies raised against a cytoplasmic loop peptide between the phosphorylation site and the ATP binding site recognize on Western blots a protein of 106 kDa, exclusively in the fraction of sub-plasmalemmal calcium stores ('alveolar sacs'). In immunofluorescence studies the antibodies show labelling exclusively in the cell cortex of permeabilized cells in a pattern characteristic of the arrangement of alveolar sacs. When alveolar sacs where tested for phosphoenzyme-intermediate formation a phosphoprotein of the same molecular mass (106 kDa) could be identified.

cDNA cloning and predicted primary structure of scallop sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase of the scallop cross-striated adductor muscle was purified with deoxycholate and digested with lysyl endopeptidase for sequencing of the digested fragments. Overlapping cDNA clones of the ATPase were isolated by screening the cDNA library with an RT-PCR product as a hybridization probe, which encodes the partial amino acid sequence of the ATPase. The predicted amino acid sequence of the ATPase contained all the partial sequences determined with the proteolytic fragments and consisted of the 993 residues with approximately 70% overall sequence similarity to those of the SR ATPases from rabbit fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles. An outline of the structure of the scallop ATPase molecule is predicted to mainly consist of ten transmembrane and five 'stalk' domains with two large cytoplasmic regions as observed with the rabbit ATPase molecules. The sequence relationship between scallop and other sarco/endoplasmic reticulum-type Ca(2+)-ATPases is discussed.

Molecular analysis of a P-type ATPase from Cryptosporidium parvum

Eukaryotic P-type ATPases use energy to drive the transport of cations across membranes. A complete P-ATPase gene (CpATPase1) has been isolated from Cryptosporidium parvum, one of the opportunistic pathogens in AIDS patients. The complete gene encodes 1528 amino acids, predicting a protein of 169 kDa. A hydropathy profile of the protein suggested there are eight transmembrane domains (TM). Expression of the gene was confirmed both by Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR. A fragment of the gene has been expressed as a 49 kDa GST-fusion protein. This protein was used to produce rabbit antiserum and fluorescent labeling has localized the protein to the sporozoite apical and perinuclear regions. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis show a 160 kDa major protein, close to the predicted size. The protein shares greatest overall identity and similarity to a putative organellar Ca2+ P-ATPase described for Plasmodium falciparum. Unlike P. falciparum, but consistent with all genes so far isolated from C. parvum, the gene contains no introns. The Ca2+ P-ATPases from these two Apicomplexa are large and do not have motifs predicting calmodulin-binding.

Molecular characterization of a sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca+2 ATPase gene from Trichomonas vaginalis

DNA fragments homologous to P-type cation translocating ATPase genes were identified in Trichomonas vaginalis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The genomic locus corresponding to one PCR fragment, TVCA1, contains a 3,055 base-pair open reading frame encoding a 108,162 dalton protein composed of 981 amino acids. TVCA1 lacks introns, is present in a single copy, and is expressed as a 3.1 kb transcript with short 5' and 3' untranslated regions. Separate primer extension experiments map the 5' end of the TVCA1 transcript to 12 and 16 nucleotide bases (nt) upstream of the methionine initiation codon. The message polyadenylation site is located 62 nt downstream of the protein termination codon at a CA dinucleotide. The TVCA1 protein sequence shares 57-58% similarity with rabbit, schistosome, trypanosome and malarial sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum calcium (SERCA) pumps, and significantly lower similarity with plasma membrane calcium pumps and cation translocating ATPases of other ion specificities. Structural and functional domains identified in P-type ATPases as well as 61/68 residues specifically implicated in SERCA pump activity are conserved in TVCA1. However, TVCA1 lacks binding sites for phospholamban regulation, thapsigargin inhibition and the calmodulin dependent protein kinase site phosphorylation present in other SERCA pumps.

PMR1, a Ca2+-ATPase in yeast Golgi, has properties distinct from sarco/endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane calcium pumps

PMR1, a P-type ATPase cloned from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was previously localized to the Golgi, and shown to be required for normal secretory processes (Antebi, A., and Fink, G.R. (1992) Mol. Biol. Cell 3, 633-654). We provide biochemical evidence that PMR1 is a Ca2+-transporting ATPase in the Golgi, a hitherto unusual location for a Ca2+ pump. As a starting point for structure-function analysis using a mutagenic approach, we used the strong and inducible heat shock promoter to direct high level expression of PMR1 from a multicopy plasmid. Yeast lysates were separated on sucrose density gradients, and fractions assayed for organellar markers. PMR1 is found in fractions containing the Golgi marker guanosine diphosphatase, and is associated with an ATP-dependent, protonophore-insensitive 45Ca2+ uptake activity. This activity is virtually abolished in the absence of the expression plasmid. Furthermore, replacement of the active site aspartate within the phosphorylation domain had the expected effect of abolishing Ca2+ transport activity entirely. Interestingly, the mutant enzymes (Asp-371 --> Glu and Asp-371 --> Asn) demonstrated proper targeting to the Golgi, unlike analogous mutations in the related yeast H+-ATPase. Detailed characterization of calcium transport by PMR1 showed that sensitivity to inhibitors (vanadate, thapsigargin, and cyclopiazonic acid) and affinity for substrates (MgATP and Ca2+) were different from the previously characterized sarco/endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPases. PMR1 therefore represents a new and distinct P-type Ca2+-ATPase. Because close homologs of PMR1 have been cloned from rat and other organisms, we suggest that Ca2+-ATPases in the Golgi will form a discrete subgroup that are important for functioning of the secretory pathway.

Identification and phylogenetic classification of eleven putative P-type calcium transport ATPase genes in the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Calcium is an essential second messenger in yeast metabolism and physiology. So far, only four genes coding for calcium translocating ATPases had been discovered in yeast. The recent completion of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome allowed us to identify six new putative Ca(++)-ATPases encoding genes. Protein sequence homology analysis and phylogenetic classification of all putative Ca(++)-ATPase gene products from the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe reveal three clusters of homologous proteins. Two of them comprises seven proteins which might belong to a new class of P-type ATPases of unknown subcellular location and of unknown physiological function.