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Santi AMM, Murta/ SMF. Antioxidant defence system as a rational target for Chagas disease and Leishmaniasis chemotherapy. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e210401. [PMID: 35239945 PMCID: PMC8896756 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760210401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are neglected tropical diseases caused by the protozoan parasites Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp., respectively. They are among the most important parasitic diseases, affecting millions of people worldwide, being a considerable global challenge. However, there is no human vaccine available against T. cruzi and Leishmania infections, and their control is based mainly on chemotherapy. Treatments for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis have multiple limitations, mainly due to the high toxicity of the available drugs, long-term treatment protocols, and the occurrence of drug-resistant parasite strains. In the case of Chagas disease, there is still the problem of low cure rates in the chronic stage of the disease. Therefore, new therapeutic agents and novel targets for drug development are urgently needed. Antioxidant defence in Trypanosomatidae is a potential target for chemotherapy because the organisms present a unique mechanism for trypanothione-dependent detoxification of peroxides, which differs from that found in vertebrates. Cellular thiol redox homeostasis is maintained by the biosynthesis and reduction of trypanothione, involving different enzymes that act in concert. This study provides an overview of the antioxidant defence focusing on iron superoxide dismutase A, tryparedoxin peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase and how the enzymes play an important role in the defence against oxidative stress and their involvement in drug resistance mechanisms in T. cruzi and Leishmania spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Murta Santi
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta/
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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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.
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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.
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3
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Patino LH, Muskus C, Ramírez JD. Transcriptional responses of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis in the presence of trivalent sodium stibogluconate. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:348. [PMID: 31300064 PMCID: PMC6626383 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3603-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the last decade, resistance to antimonials has become a serious problem due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms used by Leishmania parasites to survive under drug pressure is essential, particularly for species of medical-veterinary importance such as L. amazonensis. Methods Here, we used RNA-seq technology to analyse transcriptome profiles and identify global changes in gene expression between antimony-resistant and -sensitive L. amazonensis promastigotes. Results A total of 723 differentially expressed genes were identified between resistant and sensitive lines. Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that genes encoding proteins involved in metabolism (fatty acids) and stress response, as well as those associated with antimony resistance in other Leishmania species, were upregulated in the antimony-resistant line. Most importantly, we observed upregulation of genes encoding autophagy proteins, suggesting that in the presence of trivalent stibogluconate (SbIII) L. amazonensis can activate these genes either as a survival strategy or to induce cell death, as has been observed in other parasites. Conclusions This work identified global transcriptomic changes in an in vitro-adapted strain in response to SbIII. Our results provide relevant information to continue understanding the mechanism used by parasites of the subgenus Leishmania (L. amazonensis) to generate an antimony-resistant phenotype. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3603-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz H Patino
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carlos Muskus
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.
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Chiranjivi AK, Dubey VK. Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase from Leishmania donovani: New insights through biochemical characterization. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 112:1241-1247. [PMID: 29466712 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.02.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLDH) regulates many crucial metabolic pathways as a multi-enzyme complex. Leishmania donovani dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LdDLDH) has two variants present on two different chromosomes with very less sequence similarities. In the current study, we cloned both the variants in pET28a (+) vector and expressed in Rosetta-gami (DE3) E. coli strain. Expressed proteins were finally purified from pellets using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Purified enzymes were biochemically characterized and different kinetic parameters were studied. Both the variants showed maximum activity in pH range of 7.0-8.0 and temperature 50±5°C in the physiological direction. The estimated Km for dihydrolipoamide (DLA) and NAD+ were 2.7±0.48mM and 171.23±11.59μM respectively for variant 1 (LdBPK291950.1). In the case of variant 2 (LdBPK323510.1), Km values for DLA and NAD+ were found to be 829.85±37μM and 226±1.56μM respectively. The variant 2 was more efficient in terms of activity. While both the forms of the enzymes showed diaphorase activity, variant 1 was found to be better. Sequence dissimilarities of both forms were analyzed for biological insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adarsh Kumar Chiranjivi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Vikash Kumar Dubey
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India.
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da Costa KM, Valente RC, Salustiano EJ, Gentile LB, Freire-de-Lima L, Mendonça-Previato L, Previato JO. Functional Characterization of ABCC Proteins from Trypanosoma cruzi and Their Involvement with Thiol Transport. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:205. [PMID: 29491856 PMCID: PMC5817095 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi and affects 8 million people worldwide. The main chemotherapy is based on benznidazole. The efficacy in the treatment depends on factors such as the parasite strain, which may present different sensitivity to treatment. In this context, the expression of ABC transporters has been related to chemotherapy failure. ABC transporters share a well-conserved ABC domain, responsible for ATP binding and hydrolysis, whose the energy released is coupled to transport of molecules through membranes. The most known ABC transporters are ABCB1 and ABCC1, involved in the multidrug resistance phenotype in cancer, given their participation in cellular detoxification. In T. cruzi, 27 ABC genes were identified in the genome. Nonetheless, only four ABC genes were characterized: ABCA3, involved in vesicular trafficking; ABCG1, overexpressed in strains naturally resistant to benznidazole, and P-glycoprotein 1 and 2, whose participation in drug resistance is controversial. Considering P-glycoprotein genes are related to ABCC subfamily in T. cruzi according to the demonstration using BLASTP alignment, we evaluated both ABCB1-like and ABCC-like activities in epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of the Y strain. The transport activities were evaluated by the efflux of the fluorescent dyes Rhodamine 123 and Carboxyfluorescein in a flow cytometer. Results indicated that there was no ABCB1-like activity in both T. cruzi forms. Conversely, results demonstrated ABCC-like activity in both epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi. This activity was inhibited by ABCC transport modulators (probenecid, indomethacin, and MK-571), by ATP-depleting agents (sodium azide and iodoacetic acid) and by the thiol-depleting agent N-ethylmaleimide. Additionally, the presence of ABCC-like activity was supported by direct inhibition of the thiol-conjugated compound efflux with indomethacin, characteristic of ABCC subfamily members. Taken together, the results provide the first description of native ABCC-like activity in T. cruzi epimastigote and trypomastigote forms, indicating that the study of the biological role for that thiol transporter is crucial to reveal new molecular mechanisms for therapeutic approaches in the Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli Monteiro da Costa
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Raphael C Valente
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eduardo J Salustiano
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana B Gentile
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Freire-de-Lima
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucia Mendonça-Previato
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José O Previato
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Franco J, Scarone L, Comini MA. Drugs and Drug Resistance in African and American Trypanosomiasis. ANNUAL REPORTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.armc.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Dias L, Peloso EF, Leme AFP, Carnielli CM, Pereira CN, Werneck CC, Guerrero S, Gadelha FR. Trypanosoma cruzi tryparedoxin II interacts with different peroxiredoxins under physiological and oxidative stress conditions. Exp Parasitol 2017; 184:1-10. [PMID: 29162347 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, has to cope with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species during its life cycle in order to ensure its survival and infection. The parasite detoxifies these species through a series of pathways centered on trypanothione that depend on glutathione or low molecular mass dithiol proteins such as tryparedoxins. These proteins transfer reducing equivalents to peroxidases, including mitochondrial and cytosolic peroxiredoxins, TcMPx and TcCPx, respectively. In T. cruzi two tryparedoxins have been identified, TXNI and TXNII with different intracellular locations. TXNI is a cytosolic protein while TXNII due to a C-terminal hydrophobic tail is anchored in the outer membrane of the mitochondrion, endoplasmic reticulum and glycosomes. TXNs have been suggested to be involved in a majority of biological processes ranging from redox mechanisms to protein translation. Herein, a comparison of the TXNII interactomes under physiological and oxidative stress conditions was examined. Under physiological conditions, apart from the proteins with unknown biological process annotation, the majority of the identified proteins are related to cell redox homeostasis and biosynthetic processes, while under oxidative stress conditions, are involved in stress response, cell redox homeostasis, arginine biosynthesis and microtubule based process. Interestingly, although TXNII interacts with both peroxiredoxins under physiological conditions, upon oxidative stress, TcMPx interaction prevails. The relevance of the interactions is discussed opening a new perspective of TXNII functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Dias
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - E F Peloso
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - A F P Leme
- Associação Brasileira de Tecnologia de Luz Sincrotron, Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C M Carnielli
- Associação Brasileira de Tecnologia de Luz Sincrotron, Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C N Pereira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C C Werneck
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - S Guerrero
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas (CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Litoral), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - F R Gadelha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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González L, García-Huertas P, Triana-Chávez O, García GA, Murta SMF, Mejía-Jaramillo AM. Aldo-keto reductase and alcohol dehydrogenase contribute to benznidazole natural resistance in Trypanosoma cruzi. Mol Microbiol 2017; 106:704-718. [PMID: 28884498 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The improvement of Chagas disease treatment is focused not only on the development of new drugs but also in understanding mechanisms of action and resistance to drugs conventionally used. Thus, some strategies aim to detect specific changes in proteins between sensitive and resistant parasites and to evaluate the role played in these processes by functional genomics. In this work, we used a natural Trypanosoma cruzi population resistant to benznidazole, which has clones with different susceptibilities to this drug without alterations in the NTR I gene. Using 2DE-gel electrophoresis, the aldo-keto reductase and the alcohol dehydrogenase proteins were found up regulated in the natural resistant clone and therefore their possible role in the resistance to benznidazole and glyoxal was investigated. Both genes were overexpressed in a drug sensitive T. cruzi clone and the biological changes in response to these compounds were evaluated. The results showed that the overexpression of these proteins enhances resistance to benznidazole and glyoxal in T. cruzi. Moreover, a decrease in mitochondrial and cell membrane damage was observed, accompanied by a drop in the intracellular concentration of reactive oxygen species after treatment. Our results suggest that these proteins are involved in the mechanism of action of benznidazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura González
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas-BCEI, Universidad de Antioquia, UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Paola García-Huertas
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas-BCEI, Universidad de Antioquia, UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Omar Triana-Chávez
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas-BCEI, Universidad de Antioquia, UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Gabriela Andrea García
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben"- ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Ana M Mejía-Jaramillo
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas-BCEI, Universidad de Antioquia, UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
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9
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García-Huertas P, Mejía-Jaramillo AM, González L, Triana-Chávez O. Transcriptome and Functional Genomics Reveal the Participation of Adenine Phosphoribosyltransferase inTrypanosoma cruziResistance to Benznidazole. J Cell Biochem 2017; 118:1936-1945. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paola García-Huertas
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas-BCEI; Universidad de Antioquia; UdeA Medellín Colombia
| | - Ana María Mejía-Jaramillo
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas-BCEI; Universidad de Antioquia; UdeA Medellín Colombia
| | - Laura González
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas-BCEI; Universidad de Antioquia; UdeA Medellín Colombia
| | - Omar Triana-Chávez
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas-BCEI; Universidad de Antioquia; UdeA Medellín Colombia
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Differential expression on mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase (mTcTXNPx) in Trypanosoma cruzi after ferrocenyl diamine hydrochlorides treatments. Braz J Infect Dis 2017; 21:125-132. [PMID: 27918890 PMCID: PMC9427605 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to benznidazole in certain strains of Trypanosoma cruzi may be caused by the increased production of enzymes that act on the oxidative metabolism, such as mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase which catalyses the reduction of peroxides. This work presents cytotoxicity assays performed with ferrocenyl diamine hydrochlorides in six different strains of T. cruzi epimastigote forms (Y, Bolivia, SI1, SI8, QMII, and SIGR3). The last four strains have been recently isolated from triatominae and mammalian host (domestic cat). The expression of mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase was analyzed by the Western blotting technique using polyclonal antibody anti mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase obtained from a rabbit immunized with the mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase recombinant protein. All the tested ferrocenyl diamine hydrochlorides were more cytotoxic than benznidazole. The expression of the 25.5 kDa polypeptide of mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase did not increase in strains that were more resistant to the ferrocenyl compounds (SI8 and SIGR3). In addition, a 58 kDa polypeptide was also recognized in all strains. Ferrocenyl diamine hydrochlorides showed trypanocidal activity and the expression of 25.5 kDa mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase is not necessarily increased in some T. cruzi strains. Most likely, other mechanisms, in addition to the over expression of this antioxidative enzyme, should be involved in the escape of parasites from cytotoxic oxidant agents.
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11
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dos Santos PF, Moreira DS, Baba EH, Volpe CM, Ruiz JC, Romanha AJ, Murta SM. Molecular characterization of lipoamide dehydrogenase gene in Trypanosoma cruzi populations susceptible and resistant to benznidazole. Exp Parasitol 2016; 170:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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12
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Putative Role of the Aldo-Keto Reductase from Trypanosoma cruzi in Benznidazole Metabolism. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:2664-70. [PMID: 26856844 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02185-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Benznidazole (Bz), the drug used for treatment of Chagas' disease (caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi), is activated by a parasitic NADH-dependent type I nitroreductase (NTR I). However, several studies have shown that other enzymes are involved. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the aldo-keto reductase from T. cruzi (TcAKR), a NADPH-dependent oxido-reductase previously described by our group, uses Bz as the substrate. We demonstrated that both recombinant and native TcAKR enzymes reduce Bz by using NADPH, but not NADH, as a cofactor. TcAKR-overexpressing epimastigotes showed higher NADPH-dependent Bz reductase activity and a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for Bz 1.8-fold higher than that of the controls, suggesting that TcAKR is involved in Bz detoxification instead of activation. To understand the role of TcAKR in Bz metabolism, we studied TcAKR expression and NADPH/NADH-dependent Bz reductase activities in two T. cruzi strains with differential susceptibility to Bz: CL Brener and Nicaragua. Taking into account the results obtained with TcAKR-overexpressing epimastigotes, we expected the more resistant strain, Nicaragua, to have higher TcAKR levels than CL Brener. However, the results were the opposite. CL Brener showed 2-fold higher TcAKR expression and 5.7-fold higher NADPH-Bz reduction than the Nicaragua strain. In addition, NADH-dependent Bz reductase activity, characteristic of NTR I, was also higher in CL Brener than in Nicaragua. We conclude that although TcAKR uses Bz as the substrate, TcAKR activity is not a determinant of Bz resistance in wild-type strains and may be overcome by other enzymes involved in Bz activation, such as NADPH- and NADH-dependent reductases.
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Peloso EF, Dias L, Queiroz RML, Leme AFPP, Pereira CN, Carnielli CM, Werneck CC, Sousa MV, Ricart CAO, Gadelha FR. Trypanosoma cruzi mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase is located throughout the cell and its pull down provides one step towards the understanding of its mechanism of action. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2015; 1864:1-10. [PMID: 26527457 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi depends on the effectiveness of redox metabolism to survive and ensure infection in the host. Homeostasis of redox metabolism in T. cruzi is achieved by the actions of several proteins that differ in many aspects from host proteins. Although extensive research has been performed examining hydroperoxide cytosolic antioxidant defense centered on trypanothione, the mechanisms of mitochondrial antioxidant defense are not yet known. The aim of this study was to elucidate the partners of TcMPx antioxidant pathway and to determine the influence of the cellular context (physiological versus oxidative stress). Through co-precipitation coupled with a mass spectrometry approach, a variety of proteins were detected under physiological and oxidative stress conditions. Interestingly, functional category analysis of the proteins identified under physiological conditions showed that they were involved in the stress response, oxidoreduction, thiol transfer, and metabolic processes; this profile is distinct under oxidative stress conditions likely due to structural alterations. Our findings help to elucidate the reactions involving TcMPx and most importantly also reveal that this protein is present throughout the cell and that its interaction partners change following oxidative stress exposure. The involvement and significance of the proteins found to interact with TcMPx and other possible functions for this protein are discussed widening our knowledge regarding T. cruzi mitochondrial antioxidant defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- E F Peloso
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - L Dias
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - R M L Queiroz
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Química de Proteínas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - A F P Paes Leme
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C N Pereira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C M Carnielli
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C C Werneck
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - M V Sousa
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Química de Proteínas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - C A O Ricart
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Química de Proteínas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - F R Gadelha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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Serna C, Lara JA, Rodrigues SP, Marques AF, Almeida IC, Maldonado RA. A synthetic peptide from Trypanosoma cruzi mucin-like associated surface protein as candidate for a vaccine against Chagas disease. Vaccine 2014; 32:3525-32. [PMID: 24793944 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is responsible for producing significant morbidity and mortality throughout Latin America. The disease has recently become a public health concern to nonendemic regions like the U.S. and Europe. Currently there are no fully effective drugs or vaccine available to treat the disease. The mucin-associated surface proteins (MASPs) are glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored glycoproteins encoded by a multigene family with hundreds of members. MASPs are among the most abundant antigens found on the surface of the infective trypomastigote stage of T. cruzi, thus representing an attractive target for vaccine development. Here we used immunoinformatics to select a 20-mer peptide with several predicted overlapping B-cell, MHC-I, and MHC-II epitopes, from a MASP family member expressed on mammal-dwelling stages of T. cruzi. The synthetic MASP peptide conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (MASPpep-KLH) was tested in presence or not of an adjuvant (alum, Al) as a vaccine candidate in the C3H/HeNsd murine model of T. cruzi infection. In considerable contrast to the control groups receiving placebo, Al, or KLH alone or the group immunized with MASPpep-KLH/Al, the group immunized with MASPpep-KLH showed 86% survival rate after challenge with a highly lethal dose of trypomastigotes. As evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, MASPpep-KLH-immunized animals had much lower parasite load in the heart, liver, and spleen than control animals. Moreover, protected animals produced trypanolytic, protective antibodies, and a cytokine profile conducive to resistance against parasite infection. Finally, in vivo depletion of either CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells indicated that the latter are critical for protection in mice immunized with MASPpep-KLH. In summary, this new peptide-based vaccine with overlapping B- and T-cell epitopes is able to control T. cruzi infection in mice by priming both humoral and cellular immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carylinda Serna
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Joshua A Lara
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Silas P Rodrigues
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Alexandre F Marques
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States; Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Igor C Almeida
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States.
| | - Rosa A Maldonado
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States.
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Campos MCO, Castro-Pinto DB, Ribeiro GA, Berredo-Pinho MM, Gomes LHF, da Silva Bellieny MS, Goulart CM, Echevarria A, Leon LL. P-glycoprotein efflux pump plays an important role in Trypanosoma cruzi drug resistance. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:2341-51. [PMID: 23572046 PMCID: PMC3663987 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3398-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance in protozoan parasites has been associated with the P-glycoprotein (Pgp), an energy-dependent efflux pump that transports substances across the membrane. Interestingly, the genes TcPGP1 and TcPGP2 have been described in Trypanosoma cruzi, although the function of these genes has not been fully elucidated. The main goal of this work was to investigate Pgp efflux pump activity and expression in T. cruzi lines submitted to in vitro induced resistance to the compounds 4-N-(2-methoxy styryl)-thiosemicarbazone (2-Meotio) and benznidazole (Bz) and to verify the stability of the resistant phenotypes during the parasite life cycle. We observed that the EC50 values for the treatment of epimastigotes with 2-Meotio or Bz were increased at least 4.7-fold in resistant lines, and this phenotype was maintained in metacyclic trypomastigotes, cell-derived trypomastigotes, and intracellular amastigotes. However, in epimastigotes, 2-Meotio resistance is reversible, but Bz resistance is irreversible. When compared with the parental line, the resistant lines exhibited higher Pgp efflux activity, reversion of the resistant phenotypes in the presence of Pgp inhibitors, cross-resistance with Pgp modulators, higher basal Pgp ATPase activity, and overexpression of the genes TcPGP1 and TcPGP2. In conclusion, the resistance induced in T. cruzi by the compounds 2-Meotio and Bz is maintained during the entire parasite life cycle. Furthermore, our data suggest the participation of the Pgp efflux pump in T. cruzi drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mônica Caroline Oliveira Campos
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, IOC, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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16
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dos Santos PF, Ruiz JC, Soares RPP, Moreira DS, Rezende AM, Folador EL, Oliveira G, Romanha AJ, Murta SMF. Molecular characterization of the hexose transporter gene in benznidazole resistant and susceptible populations of Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasit Vectors 2012; 5:161. [PMID: 22871258 PMCID: PMC3431256 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2012] [Accepted: 08/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hexose transporters (HT) are membrane proteins involved in the uptake of energy-supplying glucose and other hexoses into the cell. Previous studies employing the Differential Display technique have shown that the transcription level of the HT gene from T. cruzi (TcrHT) is higher in an in vitro-induced benznidazole (BZ)-resistant population of the parasite (17 LER) than in its susceptible counterpart (17 WTS). METHODS In the present study, TcrHT has been characterized in populations and strains of T. cruzi that are resistant or susceptible to BZ. We investigated the copy number and chromosomal location of the gene, the levels of TcrHT mRNA and of TcrHT activity, and the phylogenetic relationship between TcrHT and HTs from other organisms. RESULTS In silico analyses revealed that 15 sequences of the TcrHT gene are present in the T. cruzi genome, considering both CL Brener haplotypes. Southern blot analyses confirmed that the gene is present as a multicopy tandem array and indicated a nucleotide sequence polymorphism associated to T. cruzi group I or II. Karyotype analyses revealed that TcrHT is located in two chromosomal bands varying in size from 1.85 to 2.6 Mb depending on the strain of T. cruzi. The sequence of amino acids in the HT from T. cruzi is closely related to the HT sequences of Leishmania species according to phylogenetic analysis. Northern blot and quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed that TcrHT transcripts are 2.6-fold higher in the resistant 17 LER population than in the susceptible 17 WTS. Interestingly, the hexose transporter activity was 40% lower in the 17 LER population than in all other T. cruzi samples analyzed. This phenotype was detected only in the in vitro-induced BZ resistant population, but not in the in vivo-selected or naturally BZ resistant T. cruzi samples. Sequencing analysis revealed that the amino acid sequences of the TcrHT from 17WTS and 17LER populations are identical. This result suggests that the difference in glucose transport between 17WTS and 17LER populations is not due to point mutations, but probably due to lower protein expression level. CONCLUSION The BZ resistant population 17 LER presents a decrease in glucose uptake in response to drug pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula F dos Santos
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou/FIOCRUZ, Avenida Augusto de Lima 1715, Belo Horizonte, 30190-002, MG, Brazil
| | - Jerônimo C Ruiz
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou/FIOCRUZ, Avenida Augusto de Lima 1715, Belo Horizonte, 30190-002, MG, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo P P Soares
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou/FIOCRUZ, Avenida Augusto de Lima 1715, Belo Horizonte, 30190-002, MG, Brazil
| | - Douglas S Moreira
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou/FIOCRUZ, Avenida Augusto de Lima 1715, Belo Horizonte, 30190-002, MG, Brazil
| | - Antônio M Rezende
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou/FIOCRUZ, Avenida Augusto de Lima 1715, Belo Horizonte, 30190-002, MG, Brazil
| | - Edson L Folador
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou/FIOCRUZ, Avenida Augusto de Lima 1715, Belo Horizonte, 30190-002, MG, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Oliveira
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou/FIOCRUZ, Avenida Augusto de Lima 1715, Belo Horizonte, 30190-002, MG, Brazil
- Centro de Excelência em Bioinformática, FIOCRUZ, Rua Araguari 741, Belo Horizonte, 30190-110, MG, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-910, MG, Brazil
| | - Alvaro J Romanha
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou/FIOCRUZ, Avenida Augusto de Lima 1715, Belo Horizonte, 30190-002, MG, Brazil
| | - Silvane MF Murta
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou/FIOCRUZ, Avenida Augusto de Lima 1715, Belo Horizonte, 30190-002, MG, Brazil
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17
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Sensibilidad al benzonidazol de cepas de Trypanosoma cruzi sugiere la circulación de cepas naturalmente resistentes en Colombia. BIOMEDICA 2012. [DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.v32i2.458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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18
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Nogueira FB, Rodrigues JFA, Correa MMS, Ruiz JC, Romanha AJ, Murta SMF. The level of ascorbate peroxidase is enhanced in benznidazole-resistant populations of Trypanosoma cruzi and its expression is modulated by stress generated by hydrogen peroxide. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2012; 107:494-502. [DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762012000400009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Barboza NR, Cardoso J, de Paula Lima CV, Soares MJ, Gradia DF, Hangai NS, Bahia MT, de Lana M, Krieger MA, Guerra de Sá R. Expression profile and subcellular localization of HslV, the proteasome related protease from Trypanosoma cruzi. Exp Parasitol 2011; 130:171-7. [PMID: 22085770 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2010] [Revised: 10/11/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a rare example of an eukaryote that has genes for two threonine proteases: HslVU complex and 20S proteasome. HslVU is an ATP-dependent protease consisting of two multimeric components: the HslU ATPase and the HslV peptidase. In this study, we expressed and obtained specific antibodies to HslU and HslV recombinant proteins and demonstrated the interaction between HslU/HslV by coimmunoprecipitation. To evaluate the intracellular distribution of HslV in T. cruzi we used an immunofluorescence assay and ultrastructural localization by transmission electron microscopy. Both techniques demonstrated that HslV was localized in the kinetoplast of epimastigotes. We also analyzed the HslV/20S proteasome co-expression in Y, Berenice 62 (Be-62) and Berenice 78 (Be-78) T. cruzi strains. Our results showed that HslV and 20S proteasome are differently expressed in these strains. To investigate whether a proteasome inhibitor could modulate HslV and proteasome expressions, epimastigotes from T. cruzi were grown in the presence of PSI, a classical proteasome inhibitor. This result showed that while the level of expression of HslV/20S proteasome is not affected in Be-78 strain, in Y and Be-62 strains the presence of PSI induced a significantly increase in Hslv/20S proteasome expression. Together, these results suggest the coexistence of the protease HslVU and 20S proteasome in T. cruzi, reinforcing the hypothesis that non-lysosomal degradation pathways have an important role in T. cruzi biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Rocha Barboza
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas & NUPEB, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológica, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Morro do Cruzeiro, 35400-000 Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
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20
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Activation of benznidazole by trypanosomal type I nitroreductases results in glyoxal formation. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2011; 56:115-23. [PMID: 22037852 DOI: 10.1128/aac.05135-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Benznidazole, a 2-nitroimidazole, is the front-line treatment used against American trypanosomiasis, a parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Despite nearly 40 years of use, the trypanocidal activity of this prodrug is not fully understood. It has been proposed that benznidazole activation leads to the formation of reductive metabolites that can cause a series of deleterious effects, including DNA damage and thiol depletion. Here, we show that the key step in benznidazole activation involves an NADH-dependent trypanosomal type I nitroreductase. This catalyzes an oxygen-insensitive reaction with the interaction of enzyme, reductant, and prodrug occurring through a ping-pong mechanism. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis of the resultant metabolites identified 4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxyimidazole as the major product of a reductive pathway proceeding through hydroxylamine and hydroxy intermediates. The breakdown of this product released the reactive dialdehyde glyoxal, which, in the presence of guanosine, generated guanosine-glyoxal adducts. These experiments indicate that the reduction of benznidazole by type I nitroreductase activity leads to the formation of highly reactive metabolites and that the expression of this enzyme is key to the trypanocidal properties displayed by the prodrug.
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21
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The Role of Heme and Reactive Oxygen Species in Proliferation and Survival of Trypanosoma cruzi. J Parasitol Res 2011; 2011:174614. [PMID: 22007287 PMCID: PMC3191734 DOI: 10.1155/2011/174614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan responsible for Chagas disease, has a complex life cycle comprehending two distinct hosts and a series of morphological and functional transformations. Hemoglobin degradation inside the insect vector releases high amounts of heme, and this molecule is known to exert a number of physiological functions. Moreover, the absence of its complete biosynthetic pathway in T. cruzi indicates heme as an essential molecule for this trypanosomatid survival. Within the hosts, T. cruzi has to cope with sudden environmental changes especially in the redox status and heme is able to increase the basal production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which can be also produced as byproducts of the parasite aerobic metabolism. In this regard, ROS sensing is likely to be an important mechanism for the adaptation and interaction of these organisms with their hosts. In this paper we discuss the main features of heme and ROS susceptibility in T. cruzi biology.
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22
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Mejía-Jaramillo AM, Fernández GJ, Palacio L, Triana-Chávez O. Gene expression study using real-time PCR identifies an NTR gene as a major marker of resistance to benzonidazole in Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasit Vectors 2011; 4:169. [PMID: 21892937 PMCID: PMC3185274 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Accepted: 09/05/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease is a neglected illness, with limited treatments, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Two drugs are prescribed to treat the disease, nifurtimox and benznidazole, which have been previously reported to have limited efficacy and the appearance of resistance by T. cruzi. Acquisition of drug-resistant phenotypes is a complex physiological process based on single or multiple changes of the genes involved, probably in its mechanisms of action. Results The differential genes expression of a sensitive Trypanosoma cruzi strain and its induced in vitro benznidazole-resistant phenotypes was studied. The stepwise increasing concentration of BZ in the parental strain generated five different resistant populations assessed by the IC50 ranging from 10.49 to 93.7 μM. The resistant populations maintained their phenotype when the BZ was depleted from the culture for many passages. Additionally, the benznidazole-resistant phenotypes presented a cross-resistance to nifurtimox but not to G418 sulfate. On the other hand, four of the five phenotypes resistant to different concentrations of drugs had different expression levels for the 12 genes evaluated by real-time PCR. However, in the most resistant phenotype (TcR5x), the levels of mRNA from these 12 genes and seven more were similar to the parental strain but not for NTR and OYE genes, which were down-regulated and over-expressed, respectively. The number of copies for these two genes was evaluated for the parental strain and the TcR5x phenotype, revealing that the NTR gene had lost a copy in this last phenotype. No changes were found in the enzyme activity of CPR and SOD in the most resistant population. Finally, there was no variability of genetic profiles among all the parasite populations evaluated by performing low-stringency single-specific primer PCR (LSSP-PCR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA RAPD techniques, indicating that no clonal selection or drastic genetic changes had occurred for the exposure to BZ. Conclusion Here, we propose NTR as the major marker of the appearance of resistance to BZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Mejía-Jaramillo
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas-BCEI-SIU, Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Roldán A, Comini MA, Crispo M, Krauth-Siegel RL. Lipoamide dehydrogenase is essential for both bloodstream and procyclic Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Microbiol 2011; 81:623-39. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2011.07721.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Abstract
The protozoan parasitesTrypanosoma bruceiandTrypanosoma cruziare the causative agents of African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease, respectively. These are debilitating infections that exert a considerable health burden on some of the poorest people on the planet. Treatment of trypanosome infections is dependent on a small number of drugs that have limited efficacy and can cause severe side effects. Here, we review the properties of these drugs and describe new findings on their modes of action and the mechanisms by which resistance can arise. We further outline how a greater understanding of parasite biology is being exploited in the search for novel chemotherapeutic agents. This effort is being facilitated by new research networks that involve academic and biotechnology/pharmaceutical organisations, supported by public–private partnerships, and are bringing a new dynamism and purpose to the search for trypanocidal agents.
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Britto CC. Usefulness of PCR-based assays to assess drug efficacy in Chagas disease chemotherapy: value and limitations. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2009; 104 Suppl 1:122-35. [DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762009000900018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2009] [Accepted: 06/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Campos FM, Liarte DB, Mortara RA, Romanha AJ, Murta SM. Characterization of a gene encoding alcohol dehydrogenase in benznidazole-susceptible and -resistant populations of Trypanosoma cruzi. Acta Trop 2009; 111:56-63. [PMID: 19426664 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2009.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2008] [Revised: 01/29/2009] [Accepted: 02/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) are a class of oxidoreductases that catalyse the reversible oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. In the human parasite Trypanosoma cruzi the TcADH gene was identified through microarray analysis as having reduced transcription in an in vitro induced benznidazole (BZ)-resistant population. In the present study, we have extended these results by characterizing the TcADH gene from 11 strains of T. cruzi that were either susceptible or naturally resistant to benznidazole and nifurtimox or had in vivo selected or in vitro induced resistance to BZ. Sequence comparisons showed that TcADH was more similar to prokaryotic ADHs than to orthologs identified Leishmania spp. Immunolocalisation using confocal microscopy revealed that TcADH is present in the kinetoplast region and along the parasite body, consistent with the mitochondrial localization predicted by sequence analysis. Northern blots showed a 1.9kb transcript with similar signal intensity in all T. cruzi samples analysed, except for the in vitro selected resistant population, where transcript levels were 2-fold lower. These findings were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. In Western blot analysis, anti-TcADH polyclonal antisera recognised a 42kDa protein in all T. cruzi strains tested. The level of expression of this polypeptide was approximately 2-fold lower in the in vitro induced benznidazole-resistant strain, than in the susceptible parental strain. The chromosomal location of the TcADH gene was variable, but was not associated with the zymodeme or with the drug resistance phenotype. The data presented here show that the TcADH enzyme has a decreased level of expression in the in vitro induced BZ-resistant T. cruzi population, a situation that has not been observed in the in vivo selected BZ-resistant and naturally resistant strains.
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Sauvage V, Aubert D, Escotte-Binet S, Villena I. The role of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins in protozoan parasites. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2009; 167:81-94. [PMID: 19464325 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2009.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2009] [Revised: 05/11/2009] [Accepted: 05/12/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily is one of the largest protein families with representatives in all kingdoms of life. Members of this superfamily are involved in a wide variety of transport processes with substrates ranging from small ions to relatively large polypeptides and polysaccharides, but also in cellular processes such as DNA repair, translation or regulation of gene expression. For many years, the role of ABC proteins was mainly investigated for their implication in drug resistance. However, recent studies focused rather on their physiological functions for the parasite. In this review, we present an overview of ABC proteins in major protozoan parasites including Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium and Entamoeba species. We will also discuss the role of characterized ABC transporters in the biology of the parasite and in drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Sauvage
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, EA 3800, IFR 53, UFR Médecine, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51095 Reims Cedex, France
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Molecular characterization of cytosolic and mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase in Trypanosoma cruzi populations susceptible and resistant to benznidazole. Parasitol Res 2008; 104:835-44. [PMID: 19018566 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-1264-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2008] [Accepted: 11/03/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Antioxidant defense in Trypanosomatids has been indicated as a potential target for chemotherapy. Tryparedoxin peroxidase (TXNPx) participates in this defense by metabolizing hydrogen peroxide to water molecules. In this work, genes encoding both cytosolic (cTcTXNPx) and mitochondrial (mTcTXNPx) TXNPx were characterized in 15 benznidazole-susceptible and resistant Trypanosoma cruzi strains. Northern blot and real-time RT-PCR analyses revealed that the levels of cTcTXNPx and mTcTXNPx mRNA were two-fold higher in the in-vitro-induced resistant 17 LER T. cruzi population than its drug-susceptible counterpart 17 WTS. The mRNA levels for both genes were similar among the other T. cruzi samples studied. No amplification of these genes was observed in the parasite genome. In silico analyses indicated that cTcTXNPx and mTcTXNPx genes present eight and two copies, respectively, dispersed in the parasite genome. By western blot analysis, anti-cTcTXNPx and anti-mTcTXNPx polyclonal antibodies recognized a 23- and 25-kDa peptide, respectively, in all T. cruzi samples analyzed. The expression levels of these native proteins were similar for all samples except 17 LER, which displayed two-fold greater expression. In addition, the oxidized mTcTXNPx protein (50 kDa) demonstrated 5.5-fold greater expression in the 17 LER population than 17 WTS. Our findings demonstrate increased expression of the cytosolic and mitochondrial TcTXNPx in the T. cruzi population with in-vitro-induced resistance to benznidazole.
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