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Zeeshan M, Rashpa R, Ferguson DJ, Mckeown G, Nugmanova R, Subudhi AK, Beyeler R, Pashley SL, Markus R, Brady D, Roques M, Bottrill AR, Fry AM, Pain A, Vaughan S, Holder AA, Tromer EC, Brochet M, Tewari R. Plasmodium NEK1 coordinates MTOC organisation and kinetochore attachment during rapid mitosis in male gamete formation. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002802. [PMID: 39255311 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2024] [Revised: 09/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitosis is an important process in the cell cycle required for cells to divide. Never in mitosis (NIMA)-like kinases (NEKs) are regulators of mitotic functions in diverse organisms. Plasmodium spp., the causative agent of malaria is a divergent unicellular haploid eukaryote with some unusual features in terms of its mitotic and nuclear division cycle that presumably facilitate proliferation in varied environments. For example, during the sexual stage of male gametogenesis that occurs within the mosquito host, an atypical rapid closed endomitosis is observed. Three rounds of genome replication from 1N to 8N and successive cycles of multiple spindle formation and chromosome segregation occur within 8 min followed by karyokinesis to generate haploid gametes. Our previous Plasmodium berghei kinome screen identified 4 Nek genes, of which 2, NEK2 and NEK4, are required for meiosis. NEK1 is likely to be essential for mitosis in asexual blood stage schizogony in the vertebrate host, but its function during male gametogenesis is unknown. Here, we study NEK1 location and function, using live cell imaging, ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM), and electron microscopy, together with conditional gene knockdown and proteomic approaches. We report spatiotemporal NEK1 location in real-time, coordinated with microtubule organising centre (MTOC) dynamics during the unusual mitoses at various stages of the Plasmodium spp. life cycle. Knockdown studies reveal NEK1 to be an essential component of the MTOC in male cell differentiation, associated with rapid mitosis, spindle formation, and kinetochore attachment. These data suggest that P. berghei NEK1 kinase is an important component of MTOC organisation and essential regulator of chromosome segregation during male gamete formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ravish Rashpa
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David J Ferguson
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford, United Kingdom
- University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - George Mckeown
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Raushan Nugmanova
- Pathogen Genomics Group, Bioscience Program, BESE Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Amit K Subudhi
- Pathogen Genomics Group, Bioscience Program, BESE Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Raphael Beyeler
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sarah L Pashley
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Markus
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Declan Brady
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Magali Roques
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew R Bottrill
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M Fry
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Arnab Pain
- Pathogen Genomics Group, Bioscience Program, BESE Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eelco C Tromer
- Cell Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rita Tewari
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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2
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Cabral G, Moss WJ, Brown KM. Proteomic approaches for protein kinase substrate identification in Apicomplexa. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 259:111633. [PMID: 38821187 PMCID: PMC11194964 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Apicomplexa is a phylum of protist parasites, notable for causing life-threatening diseases including malaria, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, and babesiosis. Apicomplexan pathogenesis is generally a function of lytic replication, dissemination, persistence, host cell modification, and immune subversion. Decades of research have revealed essential roles for apicomplexan protein kinases in establishing infections and promoting pathogenesis. Protein kinases modify their substrates by phosphorylating serine, threonine, tyrosine, or other residues, resulting in rapid functional changes in the target protein. Post-translational modification by phosphorylation can activate or inhibit a substrate, alter its localization, or promote interactions with other proteins or ligands. Deciphering direct kinase substrates is crucial to understand mechanisms of kinase signaling, yet can be challenging due to the transient nature of kinase phosphorylation and potential for downstream indirect phosphorylation events. However, with recent advances in proteomic approaches, our understanding of kinase function in Apicomplexa has improved dramatically. Here, we discuss methods that have been used to identify kinase substrates in apicomplexan parasites, classifying them into three main categories: i) kinase interactome, ii) indirect phosphoproteomics and iii) direct labeling. We briefly discuss each approach, including their advantages and limitations, and highlight representative examples from the Apicomplexa literature. Finally, we conclude each main category by introducing prospective approaches from other fields that would benefit kinase substrate identification in Apicomplexa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Cabral
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - William J Moss
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Kevin M Brown
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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Rashpa R, Smith C, Artavanis-Tsakonas K, Brochet M. A multistage Plasmodium CRL4 WIG1 ubiquitin ligase is critical for the formation of functional microtubule organization centers in microgametocytes. mBio 2024:e0167224. [PMID: 39207167 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01672-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by unicellular eukaryotic parasites of the Plasmodium genus. Protein ubiquitination by E3 ligases is a critical post-translational modification required for various cellular processes during the lifecycle of Plasmodium parasites. However, little is known about the repertoire and function of these enzymes in Plasmodium. Here, we show that Plasmodium expresses a conserved cullin RING E3 ligase (CRL) complex that is functionally related to CRL4 in other eukaryotes. In P. falciparum asexual blood stages, a cullin-4 scaffold interacts with the RING protein RBX1, the adaptor protein DDB1, and a set of putative receptor proteins that may determine substrate specificity for ubiquitination. These receptor proteins contain WD40-repeat domains and include WD-repeat protein important for gametogenesis 1 (WIG1). This CRL4-related complex is also expressed in P. berghei gametocytes, with WIG1 being the only putative receptor detected in both the schizont and gametocyte stages. WIG1 disruption leads to a complete block in microgamete formation. Proteomic analyses indicate that WIG1 disruption alters proteostasis of ciliary proteins and components of the DNA replication machinery during gametocytogenesis. Further analysis by ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM) indicates that WIG1-dependent depletion of ciliary proteins is associated with impaired the formation of the microtubule organization centers that coordinate mitosis with axoneme formation and altered DNA replication during microgametogenesis. This work identifies a CRL4-related ubiquitin ligase in Plasmodium that is critical for the formation of microgametes by regulating proteostasis of ciliary and DNA replication proteins.IMPORTANCEPlasmodium parasites undergo fascinating lifecycles with multiple developmental steps, converting into morphologically distinct forms in both their mammalian and mosquito hosts. Protein ubiquitination by ubiquitin ligases emerges as an important post-translational modification required to control multiple developmental stages in Plasmodium. Here, we identify a cullin RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL) complex expressed in the replicating asexual blood stages and in the gametocyte stages that mediate transmission to the mosquito. WIG1, a putative substrate recognition protein of this ligase complex, is essential for the maturation of microgametocytes into microgametes upon ingestion by a mosquito. More specifically, WIG1 is required for proteostasis of ciliary proteins and components of the DNA replication machinery during gametocytogenesis. This requirement is linked to DNA replication and microtubule organization center formation, both critical to the development of flagellated microgametes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravish Rashpa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cameron Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mathieu Brochet
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Jia X, Wang Y, Wang M, Min H, Fang Z, Lu H, Li J, Cao Y, Bai L, Lu J. The phosphatase inhibitor BVT-948 can be used to efficiently screen functional sexual development proteins in the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024; 26:100563. [PMID: 39153438 PMCID: PMC11378252 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studying and discovering the molecular mechanism of Plasmodium sexual development is crucial for the development of transmission blocking drugs and malaria eradication. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using phosphatase inhibitors as a tool for screening proteins essential for Plasmodium sexual development and to discover proteins affecting the sexual development of malaria parasites. METHODS Differences in protein phosphorylation among Plasmodium gametocytes incubated with BVT-948 under in vitro ookinete culture conditions were evaluated using phosphoproteomic methods. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed to predict the mechanism by which BVT-948 affected gametocyte-ookinete conversion. The functions of 8 putative proteins involved in Plasmodium berghei sexual development were evaluated. Bioinformatic analysis was used to evaluate the possible mechanism of PBANKA_0100800 in gametogenesis and subsequent sexual development. RESULTS The phosphorylation levels of 265 proteins decreased while those of 67 increased after treatment with BVT-948. Seven of the 8 genes selected for phenotype screening play roles in P. berghei sexual development, and 4 of these were associated with gametocytogenesis. PBANKA_0100800 plays essential roles in gametocyte-ookinete conversion and transmission to mosquitoes. CONCLUSIONS Seven proteins identified by screening affect P. berghei sexual development, suggesting that phosphatase inhibitors can be used for functional protein screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xitong Jia
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, China; Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China; Department of Family Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, China
| | - Meilian Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Hui Min
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Zehou Fang
- The Second Clinical College of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Haifeng Lu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Jiao Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China.
| | - Lunhao Bai
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, China.
| | - Jinghan Lu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, China.
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Schwarzer E, Skorokhod O. Post-Translational Modifications of Proteins of Malaria Parasites during the Life Cycle. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6145. [PMID: 38892332 PMCID: PMC11173270 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are essential for regulating protein functions, influencing various fundamental processes in eukaryotes. These include, but are not limited to, cell signaling, protein trafficking, the epigenetic control of gene expression, and control of the cell cycle, as well as cell proliferation, differentiation, and interactions between cells. In this review, we discuss protein PTMs that play a key role in the malaria parasite biology and its pathogenesis. Phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, lipidation and lipoxidation, glycosylation, ubiquitination and sumoylation, nitrosylation and glutathionylation, all of which occur in malarial parasites, are reviewed. We provide information regarding the biological significance of these modifications along all phases of the complex life cycle of Plasmodium spp. Importantly, not only the parasite, but also the host and vector protein PTMs are often crucial for parasite growth and development. In addition to metabolic regulations, protein PTMs can result in epitopes that are able to elicit both innate and adaptive immune responses of the host or vector. We discuss some existing and prospective results from antimalarial drug discovery trials that target various PTM-related processes in the parasite or host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelin Schwarzer
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Oleksii Skorokhod
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina, 13, 10123 Turin, Italy
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Guttery DS, Zeeshan M, Holder AA, Tewari R. The molecular mechanisms driving Plasmodium cell division. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:593-602. [PMID: 38563493 PMCID: PMC11088906 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Malaria, a vector borne disease, is a major global health and socioeconomic problem caused by the apicomplexan protozoan parasite Plasmodium. The parasite alternates between mosquito vector and vertebrate host, with meiosis in the mosquito and proliferative mitotic cell division in both hosts. In the canonical eukaryotic model, cell division is either by open or closed mitosis and karyokinesis is followed by cytokinesis; whereas in Plasmodium closed mitosis is not directly accompanied by concomitant cell division. Key molecular players and regulatory mechanisms of this process have been identified, but the pivotal role of certain protein complexes and the post-translational modifications that modulate their actions are still to be deciphered. Here, we discuss recent evidence for the function of known proteins in Plasmodium cell division and processes that are potential novel targets for therapeutic intervention. We also identify key questions to open new and exciting research to understand divergent Plasmodium cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Guttery
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, U.K
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, U.K
| | - Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, U.K
| | - Anthony A. Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, U.K
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, U.K
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Chan AW, Broncel M, Yifrach E, Haseley NR, Chakladar S, Andree E, Herneisen AL, Shortt E, Treeck M, Lourido S. Analysis of CDPK1 targets identifies a trafficking adaptor complex that regulates microneme exocytosis in Toxoplasma. eLife 2023; 12:RP85654. [PMID: 37933960 PMCID: PMC10629828 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites use Ca2+-regulated exocytosis to secrete essential virulence factors from specialized organelles called micronemes. Ca2+-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are required for microneme exocytosis; however, the molecular events that regulate trafficking and fusion of micronemes with the plasma membrane remain unresolved. Here, we combine sub-minute resolution phosphoproteomics and bio-orthogonal labeling of kinase substrates in Toxoplasma gondii to identify 163 proteins phosphorylated in a CDPK1-dependent manner. In addition to known regulators of secretion, we identify uncharacterized targets with predicted functions across signaling, gene expression, trafficking, metabolism, and ion homeostasis. One of the CDPK1 targets is a putative HOOK activating adaptor. In other eukaryotes, HOOK homologs form the FHF complex with FTS and FHIP to activate dynein-mediated trafficking of endosomes along microtubules. We show the FHF complex is partially conserved in T. gondii, consisting of HOOK, an FTS homolog, and two parasite-specific proteins (TGGT1_306920 and TGGT1_316650). CDPK1 kinase activity and HOOK are required for the rapid apical trafficking of micronemes as parasites initiate motility. Moreover, parasites lacking HOOK or FTS display impaired microneme protein secretion, leading to a block in the invasion of host cells. Taken together, our work provides a comprehensive catalog of CDPK1 targets and reveals how vesicular trafficking has been tuned to support a parasitic lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex W Chan
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Malgorzata Broncel
- Signaling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Eden Yifrach
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
| | - Nicole R Haseley
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
| | | | - Elena Andree
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
| | - Alice L Herneisen
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Emily Shortt
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
| | - Moritz Treeck
- Signaling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
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8
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Zeeshan M, Rea E, Abel S, Vukušić K, Markus R, Brady D, Eze A, Rashpa R, Balestra AC, Bottrill AR, Brochet M, Guttery DS, Tolić IM, Holder AA, Le Roch KG, Tromer EC, Tewari R. Plasmodium ARK2 and EB1 drive unconventional spindle dynamics, during chromosome segregation in sexual transmission stages. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5652. [PMID: 37704606 PMCID: PMC10499817 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41395-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Aurora family of kinases orchestrates chromosome segregation and cytokinesis during cell division, with precise spatiotemporal regulation of its catalytic activities by distinct protein scaffolds. Plasmodium spp., the causative agents of malaria, are unicellular eukaryotes with three unique and highly divergent aurora-related kinases (ARK1-3) that are essential for asexual cellular proliferation but lack most canonical scaffolds/activators. Here we investigate the role of ARK2 during sexual proliferation of the rodent malaria Plasmodium berghei, using a combination of super-resolution microscopy, mass spectrometry, and live-cell fluorescence imaging. We find that ARK2 is primarily located at spindle microtubules in the vicinity of kinetochores during both mitosis and meiosis. Interactomic and co-localisation studies reveal several putative ARK2-associated interactors including the microtubule-interacting protein EB1, together with MISFIT and Myosin-K, but no conserved eukaryotic scaffold proteins. Gene function studies indicate that ARK2 and EB1 are complementary in driving endomitotic division and thereby parasite transmission through the mosquito. This discovery underlines the flexibility of molecular networks to rewire and drive unconventional mechanisms of chromosome segregation in the malaria parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Edward Rea
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Steven Abel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Kruno Vukušić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Robert Markus
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Declan Brady
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Antonius Eze
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Ravish Rashpa
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Andrew R Bottrill
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David S Guttery
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Iva M Tolić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Karine G Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Eelco C Tromer
- Cell Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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Chan AW, Broncel M, Yifrach E, Haseley N, Chakladar S, Andree E, Herneisen AL, Shortt E, Treeck M, Lourido S. Analysis of CDPK1 targets identifies a trafficking adaptor complex that regulates microneme exocytosis in Toxoplasma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.11.523553. [PMID: 36712004 PMCID: PMC9882037 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.11.523553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites use Ca2+-regulated exocytosis to secrete essential virulence factors from specialized organelles called micronemes. Ca2+-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are required for microneme exocytosis; however, the molecular events that regulate trafficking and fusion of micronemes with the plasma membrane remain unresolved. Here, we combine sub-minute resolution phosphoproteomics and bio-orthogonal labeling of kinase substrates in Toxoplasma gondii to identify 163 proteins phosphorylated in a CDPK1-dependent manner. In addition to known regulators of secretion, we identify uncharacterized targets with predicted functions across signaling, gene expression, trafficking, metabolism, and ion homeostasis. One of the CDPK1 targets is a putative HOOK activating adaptor. In other eukaryotes, HOOK homologs form the FHF complex with FTS and FHIP to activate dynein-mediated trafficking of endosomes along microtubules. We show the FHF complex is partially conserved in T. gondii, consisting of HOOK, an FTS homolog, and two parasite-specific proteins (TGGT1_306920 and TGGT1_316650). CDPK1 kinase activity and HOOK are required for the rapid apical trafficking of micronemes as parasites initiate motility. Moreover, parasites lacking HOOK or FTS display impaired microneme protein secretion, leading to a block in the invasion of host cells. Taken together, our work provides a comprehensive catalog of CDPK1 targets and reveals how vesicular trafficking has been tuned to support a parasitic lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex W Chan
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Malgorzata Broncel
- Signaling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Eden Yifrach
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nicole Haseley
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Elena Andree
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alice L Herneisen
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Emily Shortt
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Moritz Treeck
- Signaling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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10
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Ouologuem DT, Dara A, Kone A, Ouattara A, Djimde AA. Plasmodium falciparum Development from Gametocyte to Oocyst: Insight from Functional Studies. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1966. [PMID: 37630530 PMCID: PMC10460021 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11081966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria elimination may never succeed without the implementation of transmission-blocking strategies. The transmission of Plasmodium spp. parasites from the human host to the mosquito vector depends on circulating gametocytes in the peripheral blood of the vertebrate host. Once ingested by the mosquito during blood meals, these sexual forms undergo a series of radical morphological and metabolic changes to survive and progress from the gut to the salivary glands, where they will be waiting to be injected into the vertebrate host. The design of effective transmission-blocking strategies requires a thorough understanding of all the mechanisms that drive the development of gametocytes, gametes, sexual reproduction, and subsequent differentiation within the mosquito. The drastic changes in Plasmodium falciparum shape and function throughout its life cycle rely on the tight regulation of stage-specific gene expression. This review outlines the mechanisms involved in Plasmodium falciparum sexual stage development in both the human and mosquito vector, and zygote to oocyst differentiation. Functional studies unravel mechanisms employed by P. falciparum to orchestrate the expression of stage-specific functional products required to succeed in its complex life cycle, thus providing us with potential targets for developing new therapeutics. These mechanisms are based on studies conducted with various Plasmodium species, including predominantly P. falciparum and the rodent malaria parasites P. berghei. However, the great potential of epigenetics, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and functional genetic studies to improve the understanding of malaria as a disease remains partly untapped because of limitations in studies using human malaria parasites and field isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinkorma T. Ouologuem
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako 1805, Mali
| | - Antoine Dara
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako 1805, Mali
| | - Aminatou Kone
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako 1805, Mali
| | - Amed Ouattara
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Abdoulaye A. Djimde
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako 1805, Mali
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11
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Yang S, Cai M, Huang J, Zhang S, Mo X, Jiang K, Cui H, Yuan J. EB1 decoration of microtubule lattice facilitates spindle-kinetochore lateral attachment in Plasmodium male gametogenesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2864. [PMID: 37208365 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38516-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Faithful chromosome segregation of 8 duplicated haploid genomes into 8 daughter gametes is essential for male gametogenesis and mosquito transmission of Plasmodium. Plasmodium undergoes endomitosis in this multinucleated cell division, which is highly reliant on proper spindle-kinetochore attachment. However, the mechanisms underlying the spindle-kinetochore attachment remain elusive. End-binding proteins (EBs) are conserved microtubule (MT) plus-end binding proteins and play an important role in regulating MT plus-end dynamics. Here, we report that the Plasmodium EB1 is an orthologue distinct from the canonical eukaryotic EB1. Both in vitro and in vivo assays reveal that the Plasmodium EB1 losses MT plus-end tracking but possesses MT-lattice affinity. This MT-binding feature of Plasmodium EB1 is contributed by both CH domain and linker region. EB1-deficient parasites produce male gametocytes that develop to the anucleated male gametes, leading to defective mosquito transmission. EB1 is localized at the nucleoplasm of male gametocytes. During the gametogenesis, EB1 decorates the full-length of spindle MTs and regulates spindle structure. The kinetochores attach to spindle MTs laterally throughout endomitosis and this attachment is EB1-dependent. Consequently, impaired spindle-kinetochore attachment is observed in EB1-deficient parasites. These results indicate that a parasite-specific EB1 with MT-lattice binding affinity fulfills the spindle-kinetochore lateral attachment in male gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Mengya Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Junjie Huang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shengnan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaoli Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Kai Jiang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Huiting Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| | - Jing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
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12
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Rashpa R, Klages N, Schvartz D, Pasquarello C, Brochet M. The Skp1-Cullin1-FBXO1 complex is a pleiotropic regulator required for the formation of gametes and motile forms in Plasmodium berghei. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1312. [PMID: 36898988 PMCID: PMC10006092 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36999-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria-causing parasites of the Plasmodium genus undergo multiple developmental phases in the human and the mosquito hosts, regulated by various post-translational modifications. While ubiquitination by multi-component E3 ligases is key to regulate a wide range of cellular processes in eukaryotes, little is known about its role in Plasmodium. Here we show that Plasmodium berghei expresses a conserved SKP1/Cullin1/FBXO1 (SCFFBXO1) complex showing tightly regulated expression and localisation across multiple developmental stages. It is key to cell division for nuclear segregation during schizogony and centrosome partitioning during microgametogenesis. It is additionally required for parasite-specific processes including gamete egress from the host erythrocyte, as well as integrity of the apical and the inner membrane complexes (IMC) in merozoite and ookinete, two structures essential for the dissemination of these motile stages. Ubiquitinomic surveys reveal a large set of proteins ubiquitinated in a FBXO1-dependent manner including proteins important for egress and IMC organisation. We additionally demonstrate an interplay between FBXO1-dependent ubiquitination and phosphorylation via calcium-dependent protein kinase 1. Altogether we show that Plasmodium SCFFBXO1 plays conserved roles in cell division and is also important for parasite-specific processes in the mammalian and mosquito hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravish Rashpa
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Natacha Klages
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Domitille Schvartz
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Proteomics Core Facility, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Carla Pasquarello
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Proteomics Core Facility, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
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13
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Zeeshan M, Rea E, Abel S, Vukušić K, Markus R, Brady D, Eze A, Rashpa R, Balestra AC, Bottrill AR, Brochet M, Guttery DS, Tolić IM, Holder AA, Le Roch KG, Tromer EC, Tewari R. Plasmodium ARK2-EB1 axis drives the unconventional spindle dynamics, scaffold formation and chromosome segregation of sexual transmission stages. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2539372. [PMID: 36798191 PMCID: PMC9934748 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2539372/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms of cell division are remarkably diverse, suggesting the underlying molecular networks among eukaryotes differ extensively. The Aurora family of kinases orchestrates the process of chromosome segregation and cytokinesis during cell division through precise spatiotemporal regulation of their catalytic activities by distinct scaffolds. Plasmodium spp., the causative agents of malaria, are unicellular eukaryotes that have three divergent aurora-related kinases (ARKs) and lack most canonical scaffolds/activators. The parasite uses unconventional modes of chromosome segregation during endomitosis and meiosis in sexual transmission stages within mosquito host. This includes a rapid threefold genome replication from 1N to 8N with successive cycles of closed mitosis, spindle formation and chromosome segregation within eight minutes (termed male gametogony). Kinome studies had previously suggested likely essential functions for all three Plasmodium ARKs during asexual mitotic cycles; however, little is known about their location, function, or their scaffolding molecules during unconventional sexual proliferative stages. Using a combination of super-resolution microscopy, mass spectrometry, omics and live-cell fluorescence imaging, we set out to investigate the contribution of the atypical Aurora paralog ARK2 to proliferative sexual stages using rodent malaria model Plasmodium berghei. We find that ARK2 primarily localises to the spindle apparatus associated with kinetochores during both mitosis and meiosis. Interactomics and co-localisation studies reveal a unique ARK2 scaffold at the spindle including the microtubule plus end-binding protein EB1 and lacking some other conserved molecules. Gene function studies indicate complementary functions of ARK2 and EB1 in driving endomitotic divisions and thereby parasite transmission. Our discovery of a novel Aurora spindle scaffold underlines the emerging flexibility of molecular networks to rewire and drive unconventional mechanisms of chromosome segregation in the malaria parasite Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Edward Rea
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Steven Abel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, USA
| | - Kruno Vukušić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Robert Markus
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Declan Brady
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Antonius Eze
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ravish Rashpa
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Andrew R. Bottrill
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David S. Guttery
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Iva M. Tolić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anthony A. Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Karine G. Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, USA
| | - Eelco C. Tromer
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Cell Biochemistry, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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14
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Zeeshan M, Rea E, Abel S, Vukušić K, Markus R, Brady D, Eze A, Raspa R, Balestra A, Bottrill AR, Brochet M, Guttery DS, Tolić IM, Holder AA, Roch KGL, Tromer EC, Tewari R. Plasmodium ARK2-EB1 axis drives the unconventional spindle dynamics, scaffold formation and chromosome segregation of sexual transmission stages. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.29.526106. [PMID: 36778504 PMCID: PMC9915484 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.29.526106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms of cell division are remarkably diverse, suggesting the underlying molecular networks among eukaryotes differ extensively. The Aurora family of kinases orchestrates the process of chromosome segregation and cytokinesis during cell division through precise spatiotemporal regulation of their catalytic activities by distinct scaffolds. Plasmodium spp., the causative agents of malaria, are unicellular eukaryotes that have three divergent aurora-related kinases (ARKs) and lack most canonical scaffolds/activators. The parasite uses unconventional modes of chromosome segregation during endomitosis and meiosis in sexual transmission stages within mosquito host. This includes a rapid threefold genome replication from 1N to 8N with successive cycles of closed mitosis, spindle formation and chromosome segregation within eight minutes (termed male gametogony). Kinome studies had previously suggested likely essential functions for all three Plasmodium ARKs during asexual mitotic cycles; however, little is known about their location, function, or their scaffolding molecules during unconventional sexual proliferative stages. Using a combination of super-resolution microscopy, mass spectrometry, and live-cell fluorescence imaging, we set out to investigate the role of the atypical Aurora paralog ARK2 to proliferative sexual stages using rodent malaria model Plasmodium berghei . We find that ARK2 primarily localises to the spindle apparatus in the vicinity of kinetochores during both mitosis and meiosis. Interactomics and co-localisation studies reveal a unique ARK2 scaffold at the spindle including the microtubule plus end-binding protein EB1, lacking conserved Aurora scaffold proteins. Gene function studies indicate complementary functions of ARK2 and EB1 in driving endomitotic divisions and thereby parasite transmission. Our discovery of a novel Aurora kinase spindle scaffold underlines the emerging flexibility of molecular networks to rewire and drive unconventional mechanisms of chromosome segregation in the malaria parasite Plasmodium .
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15
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Liu T, Shilliday F, Cook AD, Zeeshan M, Brady D, Tewari R, Sutherland CJ, Roberts AJ, Moores CA. Mechanochemical tuning of a kinesin motor essential for malaria parasite transmission. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6988. [PMID: 36384964 PMCID: PMC9669022 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34710-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium species cause malaria and kill hundreds of thousands annually. The microtubule-based motor kinesin-8B is required for development of the flagellated Plasmodium male gamete, and its absence completely blocks parasite transmission. To understand the molecular basis of kinesin-8B's essential role, we characterised the in vitro properties of kinesin-8B motor domains from P. berghei and P. falciparum. Both motors drive ATP-dependent microtubule gliding, but also catalyse ATP-dependent microtubule depolymerisation. We determined these motors' microtubule-bound structures using cryo-electron microscopy, which showed very similar modes of microtubule interaction in which Plasmodium-distinct sequences at the microtubule-kinesin interface influence motor function. Intriguingly however, P. berghei kinesin-8B exhibits a non-canonical structural response to ATP analogue binding such that neck linker docking is not induced. Nevertheless, the neck linker region is required for motility and depolymerisation activities of these motors. These data suggest that the mechanochemistry of Plasmodium kinesin-8Bs is functionally tuned to support flagella formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyang Liu
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Fiona Shilliday
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Alexander D Cook
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Declan Brady
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Colin J Sutherland
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Anthony J Roberts
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Carolyn A Moores
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, WC1E 7HX, UK.
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16
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Nofal SD, Dominicus C, Broncel M, Katris NJ, Flynn HR, Arrizabalaga G, Botté CY, Invergo BM, Treeck M. A positive feedback loop mediates crosstalk between calcium, cyclic nucleotide and lipid signalling in calcium-induced Toxoplasma gondii egress. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010901. [PMID: 36265000 PMCID: PMC9624417 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fundamental processes that govern the lytic cycle of the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii are regulated by several signalling pathways. However, how these pathways are connected remains largely unknown. Here, we compare the phospho-signalling networks during Toxoplasma egress from its host cell by artificially raising cGMP or calcium levels. We show that both egress inducers trigger indistinguishable signalling responses and provide evidence for a positive feedback loop linking calcium and cyclic nucleotide signalling. Using WT and conditional knockout parasites of the non-essential calcium-dependent protein kinase 3 (CDPK3), which display a delay in calcium inonophore-mediated egress, we explore changes in phosphorylation and lipid signalling in sub-minute timecourses after inducing Ca2+ release. These studies indicate that cAMP and lipid metabolism are central to the feedback loop, which is partly dependent on CDPK3 and allows the parasite to respond faster to inducers of egress. Biochemical analysis of 4 phosphodiesterases (PDEs) identified in our phosphoproteomes establishes PDE2 as a cAMP-specific PDE which regulates Ca2+ induced egress in a CDPK3-independent manner. The other PDEs display dual hydrolytic activity and play no role in Ca2+ induced egress. In summary, we uncover a positive feedback loop that enhances signalling during egress, thereby linking several signalling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie D. Nofal
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Caia Dominicus
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Malgorzata Broncel
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Protein Analysis and Proteomics Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J. Katris
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advance Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Helen R. Flynn
- Protein Analysis and Proteomics Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gustavo Arrizabalaga
- University of Indianapolis, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Cyrille Y. Botté
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advance Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Brandon M. Invergo
- Translational Research Exchange at Exeter, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Moritz Treeck
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
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17
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Guttery DS, Zeeshan M, Ferguson DJP, Holder AA, Tewari R. Division and Transmission: Malaria Parasite Development in the Mosquito. Annu Rev Microbiol 2022; 76:113-134. [PMID: 35609946 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-041320-010046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The malaria parasite life cycle alternates between two hosts: a vertebrate and the female Anopheles mosquito vector. Cell division, proliferation, and invasion are essential for parasite development, transmission, and survival. Most research has focused on Plasmodium development in the vertebrate, which causes disease; however, knowledge of malaria parasite development in the mosquito (the sexual and transmission stages) is now rapidly accumulating, gathered largely through investigation of the rodent malaria model, with Plasmodium berghei. In this review, we discuss the seminal genome-wide screens that have uncovered key regulators of cell proliferation, invasion, and transmission during Plasmodium sexual development. Our focus is on the roles of transcription factors, reversible protein phosphorylation, and molecular motors. We also emphasize the still-unanswered important questions around key pathways in cell division during the vector transmission stages and how they may be targeted in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Guttery
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; ,
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom;
| | - Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; ,
| | - David J P Ferguson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom;
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom;
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; ,
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18
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Dynamics of DNA Replication during Male Gametogenesis in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium Falciparum. Cell Microbiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/2701868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Malaria parasites undergo a single phase of sexual reproduction in their complex lifecycle. It involves specialised, sexually committed cells called gametocytes, which develop rapidly into mature gametes and mate upon entering the mosquito midgut. Gamete development is unique, involving unprecedentedly fast replication to produce male gametes. Within ~15 minutes a male gametocyte replicates its ~23 Mb genome three times to produce 8 genomes, segregates these into newly-assembled flagellated gametes and releases them to seek female gametes. Here, for the first time, we use fluorescent labelling of de novo DNA synthesis to follow this process at the whole-cell and single-molecule levels. We make several novel observations, including characterising the origin recognition complex protein Orc1 for the first time in gametocytes, finding that cytokinesis is uncoupled from DNA replication (implying a lack of cell cycle checkpoints), and that the single-molecule dynamics of DNA replication are entirely different from the dynamics in asexual schizogony.
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19
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Herneisen AL, Li ZH, Chan AW, Moreno SNJ, Lourido S. Temporal and thermal profiling of the Toxoplasma proteome implicates parasite Protein Phosphatase 1 in the regulation of Ca 2+-responsive pathways. eLife 2022; 11:e80336. [PMID: 35976251 PMCID: PMC9436416 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites cause persistent mortality and morbidity worldwide through diseases including malaria, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis. Ca2+ signaling pathways have been repurposed in these eukaryotic pathogens to regulate parasite-specific cellular processes governing the replicative and lytic phases of the infectious cycle, as well as the transition between them. Despite the presence of conserved Ca2+-responsive proteins, little is known about how specific signaling elements interact to impact pathogenesis. We mapped the Ca2+-responsive proteome of the model apicomplexan Taxoplasma gondii via time-resolved phosphoproteomics and thermal proteome profiling. The waves of phosphoregulation following PKG activation and stimulated Ca2+ release corroborate known physiological changes but identify specific proteins operating in these pathways. Thermal profiling of parasite extracts identified many expected Ca2+-responsive proteins, such as parasite Ca2+-dependent protein kinases. Our approach also identified numerous Ca2+-responsive proteins that are not predicted to bind Ca2+, yet are critical components of the parasite signaling network. We characterized protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) as a Ca2+-responsive enzyme that relocalized to the parasite apex upon Ca2+ store release. Conditional depletion of PP1 revealed that the phosphatase regulates Ca2+ uptake to promote parasite motility. PP1 may thus be partly responsible for Ca2+-regulated serine/threonine phosphatase activity in apicomplexan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice L Herneisen
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Zhu-Hong Li
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | - Alex W Chan
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | - Silvia NJ Moreno
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
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20
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Fuad MTI, Shi W, Liao X, Li Y, Sharifuzzaman S, Zhang X, Liu X, Xu Q. Transcriptomic response of intertidal brittle star Ophiothrix exigua to seasonal variation. Mar Genomics 2022; 64:100957. [DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2022.100957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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21
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Zeeshan M, Rashpa R, Ferguson DJP, Abel S, Chahine Z, Brady D, Vaughan S, Moores CA, Le Roch KG, Brochet M, Holder AA, Tewari R. Genome-wide functional analysis reveals key roles for kinesins in the mammalian and mosquito stages of the malaria parasite life cycle. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001704. [PMID: 35900985 PMCID: PMC9333250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinesins are microtubule (MT)-based motors important in cell division, motility, polarity, and intracellular transport in many eukaryotes. However, they are poorly studied in the divergent eukaryotic pathogens Plasmodium spp., the causative agents of malaria, which manifest atypical aspects of cell division and plasticity of morphology throughout the life cycle in both mammalian and mosquito hosts. Here, we describe a genome-wide screen of Plasmodium kinesins, revealing diverse subcellular locations and functions in spindle assembly, axoneme formation, and cell morphology. Surprisingly, only kinesin-13 is essential for growth in the mammalian host while the other 8 kinesins are required during the proliferative and invasive stages of parasite transmission through the mosquito vector. In-depth analyses of kinesin-13 and kinesin-20 revealed functions in MT dynamics during apical cell polarity formation, spindle assembly, and axoneme biogenesis. These findings help us to understand the importance of MT motors and may be exploited to discover new therapeutic interventions against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ravish Rashpa
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David J P Ferguson
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford, United Kingdom
- University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Abel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Zeinab Chahine
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Declan Brady
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Carolyn A Moores
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karine G Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anthony A Holder
- The Francis Crick Institute, Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rita Tewari
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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22
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Gupta P, Venkadesan S, Mohanty D. Pf-Phospho: a machine learning-based phosphorylation sites prediction tool for Plasmodium proteins. Brief Bioinform 2022; 23:6618232. [PMID: 35753700 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though several in silico tools are available for prediction of the phosphorylation sites for mammalian, yeast or plant proteins, currently no software is available for predicting phosphosites for Plasmodium proteins. However, the availability of significant amount of phospho-proteomics data during the last decade and advances in machine learning (ML) algorithms have opened up the opportunities for deciphering phosphorylation patterns of plasmodial system and developing ML-based phosphosite prediction tools for Plasmodium. We have developed Pf-Phospho, an ML-based method for prediction of phosphosites by training Random Forest classifiers using a large data set of 12 096 phosphosites of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium bergei. Of the 12 096 known phosphosites, 75% of sites have been used for training/validation of the classifier, while remaining 25% have been used as completely unseen test data for blind testing. It is encouraging to note that Pf-Phospho can predict the kinase-independent phosphosites with 84% sensitivity, 75% specificity and 78% precision. In addition, it can also predict kinase-specific phosphosites for five plasmodial kinases-PfPKG, Plasmodium falciparum, PfPKA, PfPK7 and PbCDPK4 with high accuracy. Pf-Phospho (http://www.nii.ac.in/pfphospho.html) outperforms other widely used phosphosite prediction tools, which have been trained using mammalian phosphoproteome data. It also has been integrated with other widely used resources such as PlasmoDB, MPMP, Pfam and recently available ML-based predicted structures by AlphaFold2. Currently, Pf-phospho is the only bioinformatics resource available for ML-based prediction of phospho-signaling networks of Plasmodium and is a user-friendly platform for integrative analysis of phospho-signaling along with metabolic and protein-protein interaction networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Gupta
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi - 110067, India
| | | | - Debasisa Mohanty
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi - 110067, India
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23
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Wang PP, Jiang X, Zhu L, Zhou D, Hong M, He L, Chen L, Yao S, Zhao Y, Chen G, Wang C, Cui L, Cao Y, Zhu X. A G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Modulates Gametogenesis via PKG-Mediated Signaling Cascade in Plasmodium berghei. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0015022. [PMID: 35404079 PMCID: PMC9045217 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00150-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gametogenesis is essential for malaria parasite transmission, but the molecular mechanism of this process remains to be refined. Here, we identified a G-protein-coupled receptor 180 (GPR180) that plays a critical role in signal transduction during gametogenesis in Plasmodium. The P. berghei GPR180 was predominantly expressed in gametocytes and ookinetes and associated with the plasma membrane in female gametes and ookinetes. Knockout of pbgpr180 (Δpbgpr180) had no noticeable effect on blood-stage development but impaired gamete formation and reduced transmission of the parasites to mosquitoes. Transcriptome analysis revealed that a large proportion of the dysregulated genes in the Δpbgpr180 gametocytes had assigned functions in cyclic nucleotide signal transduction. In the Δpbgpr180 gametocytes, the intracellular cGMP level was significantly reduced, and the cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization showed a delay and a reduction in the magnitude during gametocyte activation. These results suggest that PbGPR180 functions upstream of the cGMP-protein kinase G-Ca2+ signaling pathway. In line with this functional prediction, the PbGPR180 protein was found to interact with several transmembrane transporter proteins and the small GTPase Rab6 in activated gametocytes. Allele replacement of pbgpr180 with the P. vivax ortholog pvgpr180 showed equal competence of the transgenic parasite in sexual development, suggesting functional conservation of this gene in Plasmodium spp. Furthermore, an anti-PbGPR180 monoclonal antibody and the anti-PvGPR180 serum possessed robust transmission-blocking activities. These results indicate that GPR180 is involved in signal transduction during gametogenesis in malaria parasites and is a promising target for blocking parasite transmission. IMPORTANCE Environmental changes from humans to mosquitoes activate gametogenesis of the malaria parasite, an obligative process for parasite transmission, but how the signals are relayed remains poorly understood. Here, we show the identification of a Plasmodium G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR180, and the characterization of its function in gametogenesis. In P. berghei, GPR180 is dispensable for asexual development and gametocytogenesis, but its deletion impairs gametogenesis and reduces transmission to mosquitoes. GPR180 appears to function upstream of the cGMP-protein kinase G-Ca2+ signaling pathway and is required for the maximum activity of this pathway. Genetic complementation shows that the GPR180 ortholog from the human malaria parasite P. vivax was fully functional in P. berghei, indicating functional conservation of GPR180 in Plasmodium spp. With predominant expression and membrane association of GPR180 in sexual stages, GPR180 is a promising target for blocking transmission, and antibodies against GPR180 possess robust transmission-blocking activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-peng Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xuefeng Jiang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Liying Zhu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Zhou
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mingyang Hong
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lu He
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lumeng Chen
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shijie Yao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guang Chen
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Taizhou University Hospital, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Chengqi Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaotong Zhu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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24
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Rex DB, Patil AH, Modi PK, Kandiyil MK, Kasaragod S, Pinto SM, Tanneru N, Sijwali PS, Prasad TSK. Dissecting Plasmodium yoelii Pathobiology: Proteomic Approaches for Decoding Novel Translational and Post-Translational Modifications. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:8246-8257. [PMID: 35309442 PMCID: PMC8928344 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c03892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a vector-borne disease. It is caused by Plasmodium parasites. Plasmodium yoelii is a rodent model parasite, primarily used for studying parasite development in liver cells and vectors. To better understand parasite biology, we carried out a high-throughput-based proteomic analysis of P. yoelii. From the same mass spectrometry (MS)/MS data set, we also captured several post-translational modified peptides by following a bioinformatics analysis without any prior enrichment. Further, we carried out a proteogenomic analysis, which resulted in improvements to some of the existing gene models along with the identification of several novel genes. Analysis of proteome and post-translational modifications (PTMs) together resulted in the identification of 3124 proteins. The identified PTMs were found to be enriched in mitochondrial metabolic pathways. Subsequent bioinformatics analysis provided an insight into proteins associated with metabolic regulatory mechanisms. Among these, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and the isoprenoid synthesis pathway are found to be essential for parasite survival and drug resistance. The proteogenomic analysis discovered 43 novel protein-coding genes. The availability of an in-depth proteomic landscape of a malaria pathogen model will likely facilitate further molecular-level investigations on pre-erythrocytic stages of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devasahayam
Arokia Balaya Rex
- Center
for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India
| | - Arun H. Patil
- Center
for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India
| | - Prashant Kumar Modi
- Center
for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India
| | - Mrudula Kinarulla Kandiyil
- Center
for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India
| | - Sandeep Kasaragod
- Center
for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India
| | - Sneha M. Pinto
- Center
for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India
| | - Nandita Tanneru
- CSIR-Centre
for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
| | - Puran Singh Sijwali
- CSIR-Centre
for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
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25
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N-terminal phosphorylation regulates the activity of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 from Plasmodium falciparum. Biochem J 2022; 479:337-356. [PMID: 35023554 PMCID: PMC8883495 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
As the decline of malaria cases stalled over the last five years, novel targets in Plasmodium falciparum are necessary for the development of new drugs. Glycogen Synthase Kinase (PfGSK3) has been identified as a potential target, since its selective inhibitors were shown to disrupt the parasitès life cycle. In the uncanonical N-terminal region of the parasite enzyme, we identified several autophosphorylation sites and probed their role in activity regulation of PfGSK3. By combining molecular modeling with experimental small-angle X-ray scattering data, we show that increased PfGSK3 activity is promoted by conformational changes in the PfGSK3 N-terminus, triggered by N-terminal phosphorylation. Our work provides novel insights into the structure and regulation of the malarial PfGSK3.
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26
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Rashpa R, Brochet M. Expansion microscopy of Plasmodium gametocytes reveals the molecular architecture of a bipartite microtubule organisation centre coordinating mitosis with axoneme assembly. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010223. [PMID: 35077503 PMCID: PMC8789139 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission of malaria-causing parasites to mosquitoes relies on the production of gametocyte stages and their development into gametes. These stages display various microtubule cytoskeletons and the architecture of the corresponding microtubule organisation centres (MTOC) remains elusive. Combining ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM) with bulk proteome labelling, we first reconstructed in 3D the subpellicular microtubule network which confers cell rigidity to Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. Upon activation, as the microgametocyte undergoes three rounds of endomitosis, it also assembles axonemes to form eight flagellated microgametes. U-ExM combined with Pan-ExM further revealed the molecular architecture of the bipartite MTOC coordinating mitosis with axoneme formation. This MTOC spans the nuclear membrane linking cytoplasmic basal bodies to intranuclear bodies by proteinaceous filaments. In P. berghei, the eight basal bodies are concomitantly de novo assembled in a SAS6- and SAS4-dependent manner from a deuterosome-like structure, where centrin, γ-tubulin, SAS4 and SAS6 form distinct subdomains. Basal bodies display a fusion of the proximal and central cores where centrin and SAS6 are surrounded by a SAS4-toroid in the lumen of the microtubule wall. Sequential nucleation of axonemes and mitotic spindles is associated with a dynamic movement of γ-tubulin from the basal bodies to the intranuclear bodies. This dynamic architecture relies on two non-canonical regulators, the calcium-dependent protein kinase 4 and the serine/arginine-protein kinase 1. Altogether, these results provide insights into the molecular organisation of a bipartite MTOC that may reflect a functional transition of a basal body to coordinate axoneme assembly with mitosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravish Rashpa
- University of Geneva, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- University of Geneva, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
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27
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Sharma M, Choudhury H, Roy R, Michaels SA, Ojo KK, Bansal A. CDPKs: The critical decoders of calcium signal at various stages of malaria parasite development. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:5092-5107. [PMID: 34589185 PMCID: PMC8453137 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.08.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium ions are used as important signals during various physiological processes. In malaria parasites, Plasmodium spp., calcium dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) have acquired the unique ability to sense and transduce calcium signals at various critical steps during the lifecycle, either through phosphorylation of downstream substrates or mediating formation of high molecular weight protein complexes. Calcium signaling cascades establish important crosstalk events with signaling pathways mediated by other secondary messengers such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). CDPKs play critical roles at various important physiological steps during parasite development in vertebrates and mosquitoes. They are also important for transmission of the parasite between the two hosts. Combined with the fact that CDPKs are not present in humans, they continue to be pursued as important targets for development of anti-malarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Sharma
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Himashree Choudhury
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Rajarshi Roy
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Samantha A. Michaels
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
| | - Kayode K. Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
| | - Abhisheka Bansal
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
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28
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Johnson N, Philip N. Beyond phosphorylation: Putative roles of post-translational modifications in Plasmodium sexual stages. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2021; 245:111406. [PMID: 34324911 PMCID: PMC8505795 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) allow proteins to regulate their structure, localisation and function in response to cell intrinsic and environmental signals. The diversity and number of modifications on proteins increase the complexity of cellular proteomes by orders of magnitude. Several proteomic and molecular studies have revealed an abundance of PTMs in malaria parasite proteome, where mediators of PTMs play crucial roles in parasite pathogenesis and transmission. In this article, we discuss recent findings in asexual stages of ten diverse PTMs and investigate whether these proteins are expressed in sexual stages. We discovered 25-50 % of proteins exhibiting post-translational modifications in asexual stages are also expressed in sexual stage gametocytes. Moreover we analyse the function of the modified proteins shared with the gametocyte proteome and try to encourage the scientific community to investigate the roles of diverse PTMs beyond phosphorylation in sexual stages which could not only reveal unique aspects of parasite biology, but also uncover new avenues for transmission blocking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nila Johnson
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Nisha Philip
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK.
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29
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Protein phosphatase 1 regulates atypical mitotic and meiotic division in Plasmodium sexual stages. Commun Biol 2021; 4:760. [PMID: 34145386 PMCID: PMC8213788 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02273-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PP1 is a conserved eukaryotic serine/threonine phosphatase that regulates many aspects of mitosis and meiosis, often working in concert with other phosphatases, such as CDC14 and CDC25. The proliferative stages of the malaria parasite life cycle include sexual development within the mosquito vector, with male gamete formation characterized by an atypical rapid mitosis, consisting of three rounds of DNA synthesis, successive spindle formation with clustered kinetochores, and a meiotic stage during zygote to ookinete development following fertilization. It is unclear how PP1 is involved in these unusual processes. Using real-time live-cell and ultrastructural imaging, conditional gene knockdown, RNA-seq and proteomic approaches, we show that Plasmodium PP1 is implicated in both mitotic exit and, potentially, establishing cell polarity during zygote development in the mosquito midgut, suggesting that small molecule inhibitors of PP1 should be explored for blocking parasite transmission.
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30
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Simon CS, Stürmer VS, Guizetti J. How Many Is Enough? - Challenges of Multinucleated Cell Division in Malaria Parasites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:658616. [PMID: 34026661 PMCID: PMC8137892 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.658616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulating the number of progeny generated by replicative cell cycles is critical for any organism to best adapt to its environment. Classically, the decision whether to divide further is made after cell division is completed by cytokinesis and can be triggered by intrinsic or extrinsic factors. Contrarily, cell cycles of some species, such as the malaria-causing parasites, go through multinucleated cell stages. Hence, their number of progeny is determined prior to the completion of cell division. This should fundamentally affect how the process is regulated and raises questions about advantages and challenges of multinucleation in eukaryotes. Throughout their life cycle Plasmodium spp. parasites undergo four phases of extensive proliferation, which differ over three orders of magnitude in the amount of daughter cells that are produced by a single progenitor. Even during the asexual blood stage proliferation parasites can produce very variable numbers of progeny within one replicative cycle. Here, we review the few factors that have been shown to affect those numbers. We further provide a comparative quantification of merozoite numbers in several P. knowlesi and P. falciparum parasite strains, and we discuss the general processes that may regulate progeny number in the context of host-parasite interactions. Finally, we provide a perspective of the critical knowledge gaps hindering our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this exciting and atypical mode of parasite multiplication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julien Guizetti
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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31
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Müller K, Silvie O, Mollenkopf HJ, Matuschewski K. Pleiotropic Roles for the Plasmodium berghei RNA Binding Protein UIS12 in Transmission and Oocyst Maturation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:624945. [PMID: 33747980 PMCID: PMC7973279 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.624945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Colonization of the mosquito host by Plasmodium parasites is achieved by sexually differentiated gametocytes. Gametocytogenesis, gamete formation and fertilization are tightly regulated processes, and translational repression is a major regulatory mechanism for stage conversion. Here, we present a characterization of a Plasmodium berghei RNA binding protein, UIS12, that contains two conserved eukaryotic RNA recognition motifs (RRM). Targeted gene deletion resulted in viable parasites that replicate normally during blood infection, but form fewer gametocytes. Upon transmission to Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes, both numbers and size of midgut-associated oocysts were reduced and their development stopped at an early time point. As a consequence, no salivary gland sporozoites were formed indicative of a complete life cycle arrest in the mosquito vector. Comparative transcript profiling in mutant and wild-type infected red blood cells revealed a decrease in transcript abundance of mRNAs coding for signature gamete-, ookinete-, and oocyst-specific proteins in uis12(-) parasites. Together, our findings indicate multiple roles for UIS12 in regulation of gene expression after blood infection in good agreement with the pleiotropic defects that terminate successful sporogony and onward transmission to a new vertebrate host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Müller
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.,Parasitology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olivier Silvie
- Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, INSERM, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Hans-Joachim Mollenkopf
- Core Facility Microarray/Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai Matuschewski
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.,Parasitology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
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32
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Balestra AC, Koussis K, Klages N, Howell SA, Flynn HR, Bantscheff M, Pasquarello C, Perrin AJ, Brusini L, Arboit P, Sanz O, Castaño LPB, Withers-Martinez C, Hainard A, Ghidelli-Disse S, Snijders AP, Baker DA, Blackman MJ, Brochet M. Ca 2+ signals critical for egress and gametogenesis in malaria parasites depend on a multipass membrane protein that interacts with PKG. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/13/eabe5396. [PMID: 33762339 PMCID: PMC7990342 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe5396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Calcium signaling regulated by the cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) controls key life cycle transitions in the malaria parasite. However, how calcium is mobilized from intracellular stores in the absence of canonical calcium channels in Plasmodium is unknown. Here, we identify a multipass membrane protein, ICM1, with homology to transporters and calcium channels that is tightly associated with PKG in both asexual blood stages and transmission stages. Phosphoproteomic analyses reveal multiple ICM1 phosphorylation events dependent on PKG activity. Stage-specific depletion of Plasmodium berghei ICM1 prevents gametogenesis due to a block in intracellular calcium mobilization, while conditional loss of Plasmodium falciparum ICM1 is detrimental for the parasite resulting in severely reduced calcium mobilization, defective egress, and lack of invasion. Our findings suggest that ICM1 is a key missing link in transducing PKG-dependent signals and provide previously unknown insights into atypical calcium homeostasis in malaria parasites essential for pathology and disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélia C Balestra
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Konstantinos Koussis
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK.
| | - Natacha Klages
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Steven A Howell
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Helen R Flynn
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Marcus Bantscheff
- Cellzome GmbH, Molecular Discovery Research, GlaxoSmithKline, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carla Pasquarello
- Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Abigail J Perrin
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Lorenzo Brusini
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patrizia Arboit
- Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Olalla Sanz
- Diseases of the Developing World Global Health Pharma Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, 28760 Tres Cantos, Spain
| | | | | | - Alexandre Hainard
- Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Ghidelli-Disse
- Cellzome GmbH, Molecular Discovery Research, GlaxoSmithKline, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - David A Baker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK.
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
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33
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Comparative proteomic analysis of kinesin-8B deficient Plasmodium berghei during gametogenesis. J Proteomics 2021; 236:104118. [PMID: 33486016 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium blood stages, responsible for human to vector transmission, termed gametocytes, are the precursor cells that develop into gametes in the mosquito. Male gametogenesis works as a bottleneck for the parasite life cycle, where, during a peculiar and rapid exflagellation, a male gametocyte produces 8 intracellular axonemes that generate by budding 8 motile gametes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of gametogenesis is key to design strategies for controlling malaria transmission. In the rodent P. berghei, the microtubule-based motor kinesin-8B (PbKIN8B) is essential for flagellum assembly during male gametogenesis and its gene disruption impacts on completion of the parasitic life cycle. In efforts to improve our knowledge about male gametogenesis, we performed an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic comparison of P. berghei mutants with disrupted kinesin-8B gene (ΔPbkin8B) and wild type parasites. During the 15 min of gametogenesis, ΔPbkin8B parasites exhibited important motor protein dysregulation that suggests an essential role of PbKIN8B for the correct interaction or integration of axonemal proteins within the growing axoneme. The energy metabolism of ΔPbkin8B mutants was further affected, as well as the response to stress proteins, protein synthesis, as well as chromatin organisation and DNA processes, although endomitoses seemed to occur. SIGNIFICANCE: Malaria continues to be a global scourge, mainly in subtropical and tropical areas. The disease is caused by parasites from the Plasmodium genus. Plasmodium life cycle alternates between female Anopheles mosquitoes and vertebrate hosts through bites. Gametocytes are the parasite blood forms responsible for transmission from vertebrates to vectors. Inside the mosquito midgut, after stimulation, male and female gametocytes transform into gametes resulting in fertilization. During male gametogenesis, one gametocyte generates eight intracytoplasmic axonemes that generate, by budding, flagellated motile gametes involving a process termed exflagellation. Sexual development has a central role in ensuring malaria transmission. However, molecular data on male gametogenesis and particularly on intracytoplasmic axoneme assembly are still lacking. Since rodent malaria parasites permit the combination of in vivo and in vitro experiments and reverse genetic studies, our group investigated the molecular events in rodent P. berghei gametogenesis. The P. berghei motor ATPase kinesin-8B is proposed as an important component for male gametogenesis. We generated Pbkin8B gene-disrupted gametocytes (ΔPbkin8B) that were morphologically similar to the wild- type (WT) parasites. However, in mutants, male gametogenesis is impaired, male gametocytes are disabled in their ability to assemble axonemes and to exflagellate to release gametes, reducing fertilization drastically. Using a comparative quantitative proteomic analysis, we associated the nonfunctional axoneme of the mutants with the abnormal differential expression of proteins essential to axoneme organisation and stability. We also observed a differential dysregulation of proteins involved in protein biosynthesis and degradation, chromatin organisation and DNA processes in ΔPbkin8B parasites, although DNA condensation, mitotic spindle formation and endomitoses seem to occur. This is the first functional proteomic study of a kinesin gene-disrupted Plasmodium parasite providing new insights into Plasmodium male gametogenesis.
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34
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Brochet M, Balestra AC, Brusini L. cGMP homeostasis in malaria parasites-The key to perceiving and integrating environmental changes during transmission to the mosquito. Mol Microbiol 2020; 115:829-838. [PMID: 33112460 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Malaria-causing parasites are transmitted from humans to mosquitoes when developmentally arrested gametocytes are taken up by a female Anopheles during a blood meal. The changes in environment from human to mosquito activate gametogenesis, including a drop in temperature, a rise in pH, and a mosquito-derived molecule, xanthurenic acid. Signaling receptors have not been identified in malaria parasites but mounting evidence indicates that cGMP homeostasis is key to sensing extracellular cues in gametocytes. Low levels of cGMP maintained by phosphodiesterases prevent precocious activation of gametocytes in the human blood. Upon ingestion, initiation of gametogenesis depends on the activation of a hybrid guanylyl cyclase/P4-ATPase. Elevated cGMP levels lead to the rapid mobilization of intracellular calcium that relies upon the activation of both cGMP-dependent protein kinase and phosphoinositide phospholipase C. Once calcium is released, a cascade of phosphorylation events mediated by calcium-dependent protein kinases and phosphatases regulates the cellular processes required for gamete formation. cGMP signaling also triggers timely egress from the host cell at other life cycle stages of malaria parasites and in Toxoplasma gondii, a related apicomplexan parasite. This suggests that cGMP signaling is a versatile platform transducing external cues into calcium signals at important decision points in the life cycle of apicomplexan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Brochet
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Aurélia C Balestra
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lorenzo Brusini
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Govindasamy K, Bhanot P. Overlapping and distinct roles of CDPK family members in the pre-erythrocytic stages of the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium berghei. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008131. [PMID: 32866196 PMCID: PMC7485973 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasion of hepatocytes by Plasmodium sporozoites initiates the pre-erythrocytic step of a malaria infection. Subsequent development of the parasite within hepatocytes and exit from them is essential for starting the disease-causing erythrocytic cycle. Identification of signaling pathways that operate in pre-erythrocytic stages provides insight into a critical step of infection and potential targets for chemoprotection from malaria. We demonstrate that P. berghei homologs of Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase 1 (CDPK1), CDPK4 and CDPK5 play overlapping but distinct roles in sporozoite invasion and parasite egress from hepatocytes. All three kinases are expressed in sporozoites. All three are required for optimal motility of sporozoites and consequently their invasion of hepatocytes. Increased cGMP can compensate for the functional loss of CDPK1 and CDPK5 during sporozoite invasion but cannot overcome loss of CDPK4. CDPK1 and CDPK5 expression is downregulated after sporozoite invasion. CDPK5 reappears in a subset of late stage liver stages and is present in all merosomes. Chemical inhibition of CDPK4 and depletion of CDPK5 in liver stages implicate these kinases in the formation and/or release of merosomes from mature liver stages. Furthermore, depletion of CDPK5 in merosomes significantly delays initiation of the erythrocytic cycle without affecting infectivity of hepatic merozoites. These data suggest that CDPK5 may be required for the rupture of merosomes. Our work provides evidence that sporozoite invasion requires CDPK1 and CDPK5, and suggests that CDPK5 participates in the release of hepatic merozoites. The malaria-parasite Plasmodium begins its mammalian cycle by infecting hepatocytes in the liver. A single parasite differentiates into tens of thousands of hepatic merozoites which exit the host cell in vesicles called merosomes. Hepatic merozoites initiate the first round of erythrocytic infection that eventually causes disease. We show that optimal invasion of liver cells by Plasmodium requires the action of three closely-related parasite kinases, CDPK1, 4 and 5. Loss of any of the three enzymes in the parasite significantly reduces infection of liver cells. Furthermore, CDPK5 is likely required for release of hepatic merozoites from merosomes and therefore for initiation of the erythrocytic cycle. A better understanding of how these kinases function could lead to drugs that prevent malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavitha Govindasamy
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Purnima Bhanot
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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36
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Balestra AC, Zeeshan M, Rea E, Pasquarello C, Brusini L, Mourier T, Subudhi AK, Klages N, Arboit P, Pandey R, Brady D, Vaughan S, Holder AA, Pain A, Ferguson DJP, Hainard A, Tewari R, Brochet M. A divergent cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase complex controls the atypical replication of a malaria parasite during gametogony and transmission. eLife 2020; 9:e56474. [PMID: 32568069 PMCID: PMC7308089 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell cycle transitions are generally triggered by variation in the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) bound to cyclins. Malaria-causing parasites have a life cycle with unique cell-division cycles, and a repertoire of divergent CDKs and cyclins of poorly understood function and interdependency. We show that Plasmodium berghei CDK-related kinase 5 (CRK5), is a critical regulator of atypical mitosis in the gametogony and is required for mosquito transmission. It phosphorylates canonical CDK motifs of components in the pre-replicative complex and is essential for DNA replication. During a replicative cycle, CRK5 stably interacts with a single Plasmodium-specific cyclin (SOC2), although we obtained no evidence of SOC2 cycling by transcription, translation or degradation. Our results provide evidence that during Plasmodium male gametogony, this divergent cyclin/CDK pair fills the functional space of other eukaryotic cell-cycle kinases controlling DNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Zeeshan
- University of Nottingham, School of Life SciencesNottinghamUnited Kingdom
| | - Edward Rea
- University of Nottingham, School of Life SciencesNottinghamUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Lorenzo Brusini
- University of Geneva, Faculty of MedicineGenevaSwitzerland
- University of Nottingham, School of Life SciencesNottinghamUnited Kingdom
| | - Tobias Mourier
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Amit Kumar Subudhi
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Natacha Klages
- University of Geneva, Faculty of MedicineGenevaSwitzerland
| | | | - Rajan Pandey
- University of Nottingham, School of Life SciencesNottinghamUnited Kingdom
| | - Declan Brady
- University of Nottingham, School of Life SciencesNottinghamUnited Kingdom
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Anthony A Holder
- The Francis Crick Institute, Malaria Parasitology LaboratoryLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Arnab Pain
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - David JP Ferguson
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxfordUnited Kingdom
- University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory ScienceOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Rita Tewari
- University of Nottingham, School of Life SciencesNottinghamUnited Kingdom
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37
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Andreadaki M, Pace T, Grasso F, Siden‐Kiamos I, Mochi S, Picci L, Bertuccini L, Ponzi M, Currà C. Plasmodium berghei
Gamete Egress Protein is required for fertility of both genders. Microbiologyopen 2020; 9:e1038. [PMID: 32352241 PMCID: PMC7349110 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Male and female Plasmodium gametocytes ingested by the Anopheles mosquitoes during a blood meal egress from the red blood cells by rupturing the two surrounding membranes, the parasitophorous vacuole and the red blood cell membranes. Proteins of the so‐called osmiophilic bodies, (OBs), secretory organelles resident in the cytoplasm, are important players in this process. Once gametes emerge, the female is ready to be fertilized while the male develops into motile flagellar gametes. Here, we describe the function(s) of PBANKA_1115200, which we named Gamete Egress Protein (GEP), a protein specific to malaria parasites. GEP is restricted to gametocytes, expressed in gametocytes of both genders and partly localizes to the OBs. A mutant lacking the protein shows aberrant rupture of the two surrounding membranes, while OBs discharge is delayed but not aborted. Moreover, we identified a second function of GEP during exflagellation since the axonemes of the male flagellar gametes were not motile. Genetic crossing experiments reveal that both genders are unable to establish infections in mosquitoes and thus the lack of GEP leads to a complete block in Plasmodium transmission from mice to mosquitoes. The combination of our results reveals essential and pleiotropic functions of GEP in Plasmodium gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Andreadaki
- FORTH Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Heraklion Greece
| | - Tomasino Pace
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive Istituto Superiore di Sanità Roma Italy
| | - Felicia Grasso
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive Istituto Superiore di Sanità Roma Italy
| | - Inga Siden‐Kiamos
- FORTH Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Heraklion Greece
| | - Stefania Mochi
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive Istituto Superiore di Sanità Roma Italy
| | - Leonardo Picci
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive Istituto Superiore di Sanità Roma Italy
| | | | - Marta Ponzi
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive Istituto Superiore di Sanità Roma Italy
| | - Chiara Currà
- FORTH Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Heraklion Greece
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Ishizaki T, Chaiyawong N, Hakimi H, Asada M, Tachibana M, Ishino T, Yahata K, Kaneko O. A novel Plasmodium yoelii pseudokinase, PypPK1, is involved in erythrocyte invasion and exflagellation center formation. Parasitol Int 2020; 76:102056. [PMID: 31953169 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Malaria parasites proliferate by repeated invasion of and multiplication within erythrocytes in the vertebrate host. Sexually committed intraerythrocytic parasites undergo sexual stage differentiation to become gametocytes. After ingestion by the mosquito, male and female gametocytes egress from erythrocytes and fertilize within the mosquito midgut. A complex signaling pathway likely responds to environmental events to trigger gametogenesis and regulate fertilization; however, such knowledge remains limited for malaria parasites. Several pseudokinases are highly transcribed at the gametocyte stage and are possible multi-functional regulators controlling critical steps of the life cycle. Here we characterized one pseudokinase, termed PypPK1, in Plasmodium yoelii that is highly expressed in schizonts and male gametocytes. Immunofluorescence assays for parasites expressing Myc-tagged PypPK1 confirmed that PypPK1 protein is expressed in schizonts and sexual stage parasites. Transgenic ΔpPK1 parasites, in which the PypPK1 gene locus was deleted by the CRISPR/Cas9 method, showed significant growth defect and reduced virulence in mice. In the blood stage, ΔpPK1 parasites were able to egress from erythrocytes similar to wild type parasites; however, erythrocyte invasion efficacy was significantly reduced. During sexual stage development, no clear changes were seen in male and female gametocytemias as well as gametocyte egress from erythrocytes; but, the number of exflagellation centers and oocysts were significantly reduced in ΔpPK1 parasites. Taken together, PypPK1 has an important role for both erythrocyte invasion and exflagellation center formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Ishizaki
- Program for Nurturing Global Leaders in Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.
| | - Nattawat Chaiyawong
- Program for Nurturing Global Leaders in Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.
| | - Hassan Hakimi
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.
| | - Masahito Asada
- Program for Nurturing Global Leaders in Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.
| | - Mayumi Tachibana
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
| | - Tomoko Ishino
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
| | - Kazuhide Yahata
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.
| | - Osamu Kaneko
- Program for Nurturing Global Leaders in Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.
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39
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Depoix D, Marques SR, Ferguson DJP, Chaouch S, Duguet T, Sinden RE, Grellier P, Kohl L. Vital role for
Plasmodium berghei
Kinesin8B in axoneme assembly during male gamete formation and mosquito transmission. Cell Microbiol 2019; 22:e13121. [DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Depoix
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
| | | | - David JP Ferguson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Soraya Chaouch
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
| | - Thomas Duguet
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
- Institute of Parasitology, Macdonald Campus McGill University 21, 111 Lakeshore road Sainte‐Anne‐de‐Bellevue QC Canada
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences Imperial College of London London UK
| | - Philippe Grellier
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
| | - Linda Kohl
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
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40
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Essential role of GEXP15, a specific Protein Phosphatase type 1 partner, in Plasmodium berghei in asexual erythrocytic proliferation and transmission. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007973. [PMID: 31348803 PMCID: PMC6685639 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The essential and distinct functions of Protein Phosphatase type 1 (PP1) catalytic subunit in eukaryotes are exclusively achieved through its interaction with a myriad of regulatory partners. In this work, we report the molecular and functional characterization of Gametocyte EXported Protein 15 (GEXP15), a Plasmodium specific protein, as a regulator of PP1. In vitro interaction studies demonstrated that GEXP15 physically interacts with PP1 through the RVxF binding motif in P. berghei. Functional assays showed that GEXP15 was able to increase PP1 activity and the mutation of the RVxF motif completely abolished this regulation. Immunoprecipitation assays of tagged GEXP15 or PP1 in P. berghei followed by immunoblot or mass spectrometry analyses confirmed their interaction and showed that they are present both in schizont and gametocyte stages in shared protein complexes involved in the spliceosome and proteasome pathways and known to play essential role in parasite development. Phenotypic analysis of viable GEXP15 deficient P. berghei blood parasites showed that they were unable to develop lethal infection in BALB/c mice or to establish experimental cerebral malaria in C57BL/6 mice. Further, although deficient parasites produced gametocytes they did not produce any oocysts/sporozoites indicating a high fitness cost in the mosquito. Global proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses of GEXP15 deficient schizonts revealed a profound defect with a significant decrease in the abundance and an impact on phosphorylation status of proteins involved in regulation of gene expression or invasion. Moreover, depletion of GEXP15 seemed to impact mainly the abundance of some specific proteins of female gametocytes. Our study provides the first insight into the contribution of a PP1 regulator to Plasmodium virulence and suggests that GEXP15 affects both the asexual and sexual life cycle. In the absence of an effective vaccine and the emerging resistance to artemisinin combination therapy, malaria is still a significant threat to human health. Increasing our understanding of the specific mechanisms of the biology of Plasmodium is essential to propose new strategies to control this infection. Here, we demonstrated that GEXP15, a specific protein in Plasmodium, was able to interact with the Protein Phosphatase 1 and regulate its activity. We showed that both proteins are implicated in common protein complexes involved in the mRNA splicing and proteasome pathways. We reported that the deletion of GEXP15 leads to a loss of parasite virulence during asexual stages and a total abolishment of the capacity of deficient parasites to develop in the mosquito. We also found that this deletion affects both protein phosphorylation status and significantly decreases the expression of essential proteins in schizont and gametocyte stages. This study characterizes for the first time a novel molecular pathway through the control of PP1 by an essential and specific Plasmodium regulator, which may contribute to the discovery of new therapeutic targets to control malaria.
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41
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Bradley D, Beltrao P. Evolution of protein kinase substrate recognition at the active site. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000341. [PMID: 31233486 PMCID: PMC6611643 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinases catalyse the phosphorylation of target proteins, controlling most cellular processes. The specificity of serine/threonine kinases is partly determined by interactions with a few residues near the phospho-acceptor residue, forming the so-called kinase-substrate motif. Kinases have been extensively duplicated throughout evolution, but little is known about when in time new target motifs have arisen. Here, we show that sequence variation occurring early in the evolution of kinases is dominated by changes in specificity-determining residues. We then analysed kinase specificity models, based on known target sites, observing that specificity has remained mostly unchanged for recent kinase duplications. Finally, analysis of phosphorylation data from a taxonomically broad set of 48 eukaryotic species indicates that most phosphorylation motifs are broadly distributed in eukaryotes but are not present in prokaryotes. Overall, our results suggest that the set of eukaryotes kinase motifs present today was acquired around the time of the eukaryotic last common ancestor and that early expansions of the protein kinase fold rapidly explored the space of possible target motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Bradley
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Pedro Beltrao
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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42
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Conserved phosphorylation hotspots in eukaryotic protein domain families. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1977. [PMID: 31036831 PMCID: PMC6488607 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09952-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation is the best characterized post-translational modification that regulates almost all cellular processes through diverse mechanisms such as changing protein conformations, interactions, and localization. While the inventory for phosphorylation sites across different species has rapidly expanded, their functional role remains poorly investigated. Here, we combine 537,321 phosphosites from 40 eukaryotic species to identify highly conserved phosphorylation hotspot regions within domain families. Mapping these regions onto structural data reveals that they are often found at interfaces, near catalytic residues and tend to harbor functionally important phosphosites. Notably, functional studies of a phospho-deficient mutant in the C-terminal hotspot region within the ribosomal S11 domain in the yeast ribosomal protein uS11 shows impaired growth and defective cytoplasmic 20S pre-rRNA processing at 16 °C and 20 °C. Altogether, our study identifies phosphorylation hotspots for 162 protein domains suggestive of an ancient role for the control of diverse eukaryotic domain families. Protein phosphorylation has various regulatory functions. Here, the authors map 241 phosphorylation hotspot regions across 40 eukaryotic species, showing that they are enriched at interfaces and near catalytic residues, and enable the discovery of functionally important phospho-sites.
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43
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Swearingen KE, Lindner SE. Plasmodium Parasites Viewed through Proteomics. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:945-960. [PMID: 30146456 PMCID: PMC6204299 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Early sequencing efforts that produced the genomes of several species of malaria parasites (Plasmodium genus) propelled transcriptomic and proteomic efforts. In this review, we focus upon some of the exciting proteomic advances from studies of Plasmodium parasites over approximately the past decade. With improvements to both instrumentation and data-processing capabilities, long-standing questions about the forms and functions of these important pathogens are rapidly being answered. In particular, global and subcellular proteomics, quantitative proteomics, and the detection of post-translational modifications have all revealed important features of the parasite's regulatory mechanisms. Finally, we provide our perspectives on future applications of proteomics to Plasmodium research, as well as suggestions for further improvement through standardization of data deposition, analysis, and accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian E Swearingen
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Scott E Lindner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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44
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Matthews H, Duffy CW, Merrick CJ. Checks and balances? DNA replication and the cell cycle in Plasmodium. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:216. [PMID: 29587837 PMCID: PMC5872521 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2800-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
It is over 100 years since the life-cycle of the malaria parasite Plasmodium was discovered, yet its intricacies remain incompletely understood - a knowledge gap that may prove crucial for our efforts to control the disease. Phenotypic screens have partially filled the void in the antimalarial drug market, but as compound libraries eventually become exhausted, new medicines will only come from directed drug development based on a better understanding of fundamental parasite biology. This review focusses on the unusual cell cycles of Plasmodium, which may present a rich source of novel drug targets as well as a topic of fundamental biological interest. Plasmodium does not grow by conventional binary fission, but rather by several syncytial modes of replication including schizogony and sporogony. Here, we collate what is known about the various cell cycle events and their regulators throughout the Plasmodium life-cycle, highlighting the differences between Plasmodium, model organisms and other apicomplexan parasites and identifying areas where further study is required. The possibility of DNA replication and the cell cycle as a drug target is also explored. Finally the use of existing tools, emerging technologies, their limitations and future directions to elucidate the peculiarities of the Plasmodium cell cycle are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Matthews
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST55BG, Keele, UK
| | - Craig W Duffy
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST55BG, Keele, UK
| | - Catherine J Merrick
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST55BG, Keele, UK.
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