Giardia lamblia: Evaluation of the in vitro effects of nocodazole and colchicine on trophozoites

Tubulin as a potential molecular target for resveratrol in Giardia lamblia trophozoites, in vitro and in silico approaches

Giardia lamblia is a globally distributed protozoan parasite that causes intestinal disease. Recently, there is an increase in refractory cases of giardiasis to chemotherapeutic agents, and drugs available cause side effects that may limit its use or cause therapeutic non-compliance. Therefore, search for alternative and less harmful drugs to treat giardiasis is an important task. In this sense, resveratrol (RSV) is a polyphenol with a wide range of pharmacological effects such as antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic and antioxidant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of RSV on Giardia lamblia trophozoites in vitro and in silico, focusing on tubulin affectation, a major protein of the Giardia cytoskeleton which participates in relevant processes for cell survival. In vitro determinations showed that RSV inhibits parasite growth and adherence, causes morphological changes, and induces apoptosis-like cell death through tubulin alterations demonstrated by immunolocalization and Western blot assays. Bioinformatic analysis by molecular docking suggested that RSV binds to Giardia tubulin interface heterodimer, sharing binding residues to those reported with depolymerization inhibitors. These findings suggest that RSV affects microtubular dynamics and make it an interesting compound to study for its safety and antigiardiasic potential.

Dynamic ventral disc contraction is necessary for Giardia attachment and host pathology

Giardia lamblia is a common parasitic protist that infects the small intestine and causes giardiasis, resulting in diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and malabsorption. Giardiasis leads to cellular damage, including loss of microvilli, disruption of tight junctions, impaired barrier function, enzyme inhibition, malabsorption, and apoptosis. In the host, motile Giardia trophozoites attach to the duodenal microvilli using a unique microtubule organelle called the ventral disc. Despite early observations of disc-shaped depressions in microvilli after parasite detachment, little is known about disc-mediated attachment mechanisms and there little direct evidence showing that parasite attachment causes cellular damage. However, advancements in in vitro organoid models of infection and genetic tools have opened new possibilities for studying molecular mechanisms of attachment and the impact of attachment on the host. Through high-resolution live imaging and a novel disc mutant, we provide direct evidence for disc contraction during attachment, resolving the long-standing controversy of its existence. Specifically, we identify three types of disc movements that characterize contraction, which in combination result in a decrease in disc diameter and volume. Additionally, we investigate the consequences of attachment and disc contractility using an attachment mutant that has abnormal disc architecture. In a human organoid model, we demonstrate that this mutant has a limited ability to break down the epithelial barrier as compared to wild type. Based on this direct evidence, we propose a model of attachment that incorporates disc contraction to generates the forces required for the observed "grasping" of trophozoites on the host epithelium. Overall, this work highlights the importance of disc contractility in establishing and maintaining parasite attachment, leading to intestinal barrier breakdown.

Ultrastructural Alterations of the Human Pathogen Giardia intestinalis after Drug Treatment

This review presents the main cell characteristics altered after in vitro incubation of the parasite with commercial drugs used to treat the disease caused by Giardia intestinalis. This important intestinal parasite primarily causes diarrhea in children. Metronidazole and albendazole are the primary compounds used in therapy against Giardia intestinalis. However, they provoke significant side effects, and some strains have developed resistance to metronidazole. Benzimidazole carbamates, such as albendazole and mebendazole, have shown the best activity against Giardia. Despite their in vitro efficacy, clinical treatment with benzimidazoles has yielded conflicting results, demonstrating lower cure rates. Recently, nitazoxanide has been suggested as an alternative to these drugs. Therefore, to enhance the quality of chemotherapy against this parasite, it is important to invest in developing other compounds that can interfere with key steps of metabolic pathways or cell structures and organelles. For example, Giardia exhibits a unique cell structure called the ventral disc, which is crucial for host adhesion and pathogenicity. Thus, drugs that can disrupt the adhesion process hold promise for future therapy against Giardia. Additionally, this review discusses new drugs and strategies that can be employed, as well as suggestions for developing novel drugs to control the infection caused by this parasite.

Unusual Cell Structures and Organelles in Giardia intestinalis and Trichomonas vaginalis Are Potential Drug Targets

This review presents the main cell organelles and structures of two important protist parasites, Giardia intestinalis, and Trichomonas vaginalis; many are unusual and are not found in other eukaryotic cells, thus could be good candidates for new drug targets aimed at improvement of the chemotherapy of diseases caused by these eukaryotic protists. For example, in Giardia, the ventral disc is a specific structure to this parasite and is fundamental for the adhesion and pathogenicity to the host. In Trichomonas, the hydrogenosome, a double membrane-bounded organelle that produces ATP, also can be a good target. Other structures include mitosomes, ribosomes, and proteasomes. Metronidazole is the most frequent compound used to kill many anaerobic organisms, including Giardia and Trichomonas. It enters the cell by passive diffusion and needs to find a highly reductive environment to be reduced to the nitro radicals to be active. However, it provokes several side effects, and some strains present metronidazole resistance. Therefore, to improve the quality of the chemotherapy against parasitic protozoa is important to invest in the development of highly specific compounds that interfere with key steps of essential metabolic pathways or in the functional macromolecular complexes which are most often associated with cell structures and organelles.

In vitro selection of Giardia duodenalis for Albendazole resistance identifies a β-tubulin mutation at amino acid E198K

Benzimidazole-2-carbamate (BZ) compounds, including Albendazole (Alb), are one of just two drug classes approved to treat the gastrointestinal protist Giardia duodenalis. Benzimidazoles bind to the tubulin dimer interface overlapping the colchicine binding site (CBS) of β-tubulin, thereby inhibiting microtubule polymerisation and disrupting microtubule networks. These BZ compounds are widely used as anthelmintic, anti-fungal and anti-giardial drugs. However, in helminths and fungi, BZ-resistance is widespread and caused by specific point mutations primarily occurring at F167, E198 and F200 in β-tubulin isoform 1. BZ-resistance in Giardia is reported clinically and readily generated in vitro, with significant implications for Giardia control. In Giardia, BZ mode of action (MOA) and resistance mechanisms are presumed but not proven, and no mutations in β-tubulin have been reported in association with Alb resistance (AlbR). Herein, we undertook detailed in vitro drug-susceptibility screens of 13 BZ compounds and 7 Alb structural analogues in isogenic G. duodenalis isolates selected for AlbR and podophyllotoxin, another β-tubulin inhibitor, as well as explored cross-resistance to structurally unrelated, metronidazole (Mtz). AlbR lines exhibited co-resistance to many structural variants in the BZ-pharmacophore, and cross-resistance to podophyllotoxin. AlbR lines were not cross-resistant to Mtz, but MtzR lines had enhanced survival in Alb. Lastly, Alb analogues with longer thioether substituents had decreased potency against our AlbR lines. In silico modelling indicated the Alb-β-tubulin interaction in Giardia partially overlaps the CBS and corresponds to residues associated with BZ-resistance in helminths and fungi (F167, E198, F200). Sequencing of Giardia β-tubulin identified a single nucleotide polymorphism resulting in a mutation from glutamic acid to lysine at amino acid 198 (E198K). To our knowledge, this is the first β-tubulin mutation reported for protistan BZ-resistance. This study provides insight into BZ mode of action and resistance in Giardia, and presents a potential avenue for a genetic test for clinically resistance isolates.

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In vitro albendazole-resistant Giardia were broadly resistant to benzimidazole-2-carbamates.

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Cross-resistance to structurally unrelated microtubule inhibitors was observed.

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The predicted Giardia benzimidazole binding overlaps the colchicine binding site.

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The E198K β-tubulin mutation was identified in the albendazole-resistant line.

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Metronidazole-resistance may enhance acquisition of albendazole-resistance.

Nek8445, a protein kinase required for microtubule regulation and cytokinesis in Giardia lamblia

Giardia has 198 Nek kinases whereas humans have only 11. Giardia has a complex microtubule cytoskeleton that includes eight flagella and several unique microtubule arrays that are utilized for parasite attachment and facilitation of rapid mitosis and cytokinesis. The need to regulate these structures may explain the parallel expansion of the number of Nek family kinases. Here we use live and fixed cell imaging to uncover the role of Nek8445 in regulating Giardia cell division. We demonstrate that Nek8445 localization is cell cycle regulated and this kinase has a role in regulating overall microtubule organization. Nek8445 depletion results in short flagella, aberrant ventral disk organization, loss of the funis, defective axoneme exit, and altered cell shape. The axoneme exit defect is specific to the caudal axonemes, which exit from the posterior of the cell, and this defect correlates with rounding of the cell posterior and loss of the funis. Our findings implicate a role for the funis in establishing Giardia’s cell shape and guiding axoneme docking. On a broader scale our results support the emerging view that Nek family kinases have a general role in regulating microtubule organization.

Characterisation of the in vitro activity of a Nitazoxanide-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole hybrid molecule against albendazole and nitazoxanide susceptible and resistant strains of Giardia intestinalis and its in vivo giardicidal activity

BACKGROUND

It was previously demonstrated that CMC-20, a nitazoxanide and N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole hybrid molecule, had higher in vitro activity against Giardia intestinalis WB strain than metronidazole and albendazole and similar to nitazoxanide.

OBJETIVES

To evaluate the in vitro activity of CMC-20 against G. intestinalis strains with different susceptibility/resistance to albendazole and nitazoxanide and evaluate its effect on the distribution of parasite cytoskeletal proteins and its in vivo giardicidal activity.

METHODS

CMC-20 activity was tested against two isolates from patients with chronic and acute giardiasis, an experimentally induced albendazole resistant strain and a nitazoxanide resistant clinical isolate. CMC-20 effect on the distribution of parasite cytoskeletal proteins was analysed by indirect immunofluorescence and its activity was evaluated in a murine model of giardiasis.

FINDINGS CMC-20

showed broad activity against susceptible and resistant strains to albendazole and nitaxozanide. It affected the parasite microtubule reservoir and triggered the parasite encystation. In this process, alpha-7.2 giardin co-localised with CWP-1 protein. CMC-20 reduced the infection time and cyst load in feces of G. muris infected mice similar to albendazole.

MAIN CONCLUSIONS

The in vitro and in vivo giardicidal activity of CMC-20 suggests its potential use in the treatment of giardiasis.

Microtubule organelles in Giardia

Giardia lamblia is a widespread parasitic protist with a complex MT cytoskeleton that is critical for motility, attachment, mitosis and cell division, and transitions between its two life cycle stages-the infectious cyst and flagellated trophozoite. Giardia trophozoites have both highly dynamic and highly stable MT organelles, including the ventral disc, eight flagella, the median body and the funis. The ventral disc, an elaborate MT organelle, is essential for the parasite's attachment to the intestinal villi to avoid peristalsis. Giardia's four flagellar pairs enable swimming motility and may also promote attachment. They are maintained at different equilibrium lengths and are distinguished by their long cytoplasmic regions and novel extra-axonemal structures. The functions of the median body and funis, MT organelles unique to Giardia, remain less understood. In addition to conserved MT-associated proteins, the genome is enriched in ankyrins, NEKs, and novel hypothetical proteins that also associate with the MT cytoskeleton. High-resolution ultrastructural imaging and a current inventory of more than 300 proteins associated with Giardia's MT cytoskeleton lay the groundwork for future mechanistic analyses of parasite attachment to the host, motility, cell division, and encystation/excystation. Giardia's unique MT organelles exemplify the capacity of MT polymers to generate intricate structures that are diverse in both form and function. Thus, beyond its relevance to pathogenesis, the study of Giardia's MT cytoskeleton informs basic cytoskeletal biology and cellular evolution. With the availability of new molecular genetic tools to disrupt gene function, we anticipate a new era of cytoskeletal discovery in Giardia.

'Disc-o-Fever': Getting Down with Giardia's Groovy Microtubule Organelle

Protists have evolved a myriad of highly specialized cytoskeletal organelles that expand known functional capacities of microtubule (MT) polymers. One such innovation - the ventral disc - is a cup-shaped MT organelle that the parasite Giardia uses to attach to the small intestine of its host. The molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of suction-based forces by overall conformational changes of the disc remain unclear. The elaborate disc architecture is defined by novel proteins and complexes that decorate almost all disc MT protofilaments, and vary in composition and conformation along the length of the MTs. Future genetic, biochemical, and functional analyses of disc-associated proteins will be central toward understanding not only disc architecture and assembly, but also the overall disc conformational dynamics that promote attachment.

Curcumin alters the cytoskeleton and microtubule organization on trophozoites of Giardia lamblia

Giardia lamblia is a worldwide protozoan responsible for a significant number of intestinal infections. There are several drugs for the treatment of giardiasis, but they often cause side effects. Curcumin, a component of turmeric, has antigiardial activity; however, the molecular target and mechanism of antiproliferative activity are not clear. The effects of curcumin on cellular microtubules have been widely investigated. Since tubulin is the most abundant protein in the cytoskeleton of Giardia, to elucidate whether curcumin has activity against the microtubules of this parasite, we treated trophozoites with curcumin and the cells were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Curcumin inhibited Giardia proliferation and adhesion in a time-concentration-dependent mode. The higher inhibitory concentrations of curcumin (3 and 15μM) disrupted the cytoskeletal structures of trophozoites; the damage was evident on the ventral disk, flagella and in the caudal region, also the membrane was affected. The immunofluorescence images showed altered distribution of tubulin staining on ventral disk and flagella. Additionally, we found that curcumin caused a clear reduction of tubulin expression. By docking analysis and molecular dynamics we showed that curcumin has a high probability to bind at the interface of the tubulin dimer close to the vinblastine binding site. All the data presented indicate that curcumin may inhibit Giardia proliferation by perturbing microtubules.

Albendazole induces oxidative stress and DNA damage in the parasitic protozoan Giardia duodenalis

The control of Giardia duodenalis infections is carried out mainly by drugs, among these albendazole (ABZ) is commonly used. Although the cytotoxic effect of ABZ usually involves binding to β-tubulin, it has been suggested that oxidative stress may also play a role in its parasiticidal mechanism. In this work the effect of ABZ in Giardia clones that are susceptible or resistant to different concentrations (1.35, 8, and 250 μM) of this drug was analyzed. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were induced by ABZ in susceptible clones and this was associated with a decrease in growth that was alleviated by cysteine supplementation. Remarkably, ABZ-resistant clones exhibited partial cross-resistance to H₂O_2, whereas a Giardia H₂O₂-resistant strain can grow in the presence of ABZ. Lipid oxidation and protein carbonylation in ABZ-treated parasites did not show significant differences as compared to untreated parasites; however, ABZ induced the formation of 8OHdG adducts and DNA degradation, indicating nucleic acid oxidative damage. This was supported by observations of histone H2AX phosphorylation in ABZ-susceptible trophozoites treated with 250 μM ABZ. Flow cytometry analysis showed that ABZ partially arrested cell cycle in drug-susceptible clones at G2/M phase at the expense of cells in G1 phase. Also, ABZ treatment resulted in phosphatidylserine exposure on the parasite surface, an event related to apoptosis. All together these data suggest that ROS induced by ABZ affect Giardia genetic material through oxidative stress mechanisms and subsequent induction of apoptotic-like events.

A reduced VWA domain-containing proteasomal ubiquitin receptor of Giardia lamblia localizes to the flagellar pore regions in microtubule-dependent manner

Background

Giardia lamblia switches its lifecycle between trophozoite and cyst forms and the proteasome plays a pivotal role in this switching event. Compared to most model eukaryotes, the proteasome of this parasite has already been documented to have certain variations. This study was undertaken to characterize the ubiquitin receptor, GlRpn10, of the 19S regulatory particle of the Giardia proteasome and determine its cellular localization in trophozoites, encysting trophozoites and cysts.

Method

Sequence alignment and domain architecture analyses were performed to characterize GlRpn10. In vitro ubiquitin binding assay, functional complementation and biochemical studies verified the protein’s ability to function as ubiquitin receptor in the context of the yeast proteasome. Immunofluorescence localization was performed with antibody against GlRpn10 to determine its distribution in trophozoites, encysting trophozoites and cysts. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to monitor the expression pattern of GlRpn10 during encystation.

Result

GlRpn10 contained a functional ubiquitin interacting motif, which was capable of binding to ubiquitin. Although it contained a truncated VWA domain, it was still capable of partially complementing the function of the yeast Rpn10 orthologue. Apart from localizing to the nucleus and cytosol, GlRpn10 was also present at flagellar pores of trophozoites and this localization was microtubule-dependent. Although there was no change in the cellular levels of GlRpn10 during encystation, its selective distribution at the flagellar pores was absent.

Conclusion

GlRpn10 contains a noncanonical VWA domain that is partially functional in yeast. Besides the expected nuclear and cytosolic distribution, the protein displays microtubule-dependent flagellar pore localization in trophozoites. While the protein remained in the nucleus and cytosol in encysting trophozoites, it could no longer be detected at the flagellar pores. This absence at the flagellar pore regions in encysting trophozoites is likely to involve redistribution of the protein, rather than decreased gene expression or selective protein degradation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0737-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Novel structural components of the ventral disc and lateral crest in Giardia intestinalis

Giardia intestinalis is a ubiquitous parasitic protist that is the causative agent of giardiasis, one of the most common protozoan diarrheal diseases in the world. Giardia trophozoites attach to the intestinal epithelium using a specialized and elaborate microtubule structure, the ventral disc. Surrounding the ventral disc is a less characterized putatively contractile structure, the lateral crest, which forms a continuous perimeter seal with the substrate. A better understanding of ventral disc and lateral crest structure, conformational dynamics, and biogenesis is critical for understanding the mechanism of giardial attachment to the host. To determine the components comprising the ventral disc and lateral crest, we used shotgun proteomics to identify proteins in a preparation of isolated ventral discs. Candidate disc-associated proteins, or DAPs, were GFP-tagged using a ligation-independent high-throughput cloning method. Based on disc localization, we identified eighteen novel DAPs, which more than doubles the number of known disc-associated proteins. Ten of the novel DAPs are associated with the lateral crest or outer edge of the disc, and are the first confirmed components of this structure. Using Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) with representative novel DAP::GFP strains we found that the newly identified DAPs tested did not recover after photobleaching and are therefore structural components of the ventral disc or lateral crest. Functional analyses of the novel DAPs will be central toward understanding the mechanism of ventral disc-mediated attachment and the mechanism of disc biogenesis during cell division. Since attachment of Giardia to the intestine via the ventral disc is essential for pathogenesis, it is possible that some proteins comprising the disc could be potential drug targets if their loss or disruption interfered with disc biogenesis or function, preventing attachment.

Giardia flagellar motility is not directly required to maintain attachment to surfaces

Giardia trophozoites attach to the intestinal microvilli (or inert surfaces) using an undefined “suction-based” mechanism, and remain attached during cell division to avoid peristalsis. Flagellar motility is a key factor in Giardia's pathogenesis and colonization of the host small intestine. Specifically, the beating of the ventral flagella, one of four pairs of motile flagella, has been proposed to generate a hydrodynamic force that results in suction-based attachment via the adjacent ventral disc. We aimed to test this prevailing “hydrodynamic model” of attachment mediated by flagellar motility. We defined four distinct stages of attachment by assessing surface contacts of the trophozoite with the substrate during attachment using TIRF microscopy (TIRFM). The lateral crest of the ventral disc forms a continuous perimeter seal with the substrate, a cytological indication that trophozoites are fully attached. Using trophozoites with two types of molecularly engineered defects in flagellar beating, we determined that neither ventral flagellar beating, nor any flagellar beating, is necessary for the maintenance of attachment. Following a morpholino-based knockdown of PF16, a central pair protein, both the beating and morphology of flagella were defective, but trophozoites could still initiate proper surface contacts as seen using TIRFM and could maintain attachment in several biophysical assays. Trophozoites with impaired motility were able to attach as well as motile cells. We also generated a strain with defects in the ventral flagellar waveform by overexpressing a dominant negative form of alpha2-annexin::GFP (D122A, D275A). This dominant negative alpha2-annexin strain could initiate attachment and had only a slight decrease in the ability to withstand normal and shear forces. The time needed for attachment did increase in trophozoites with overall defective flagellar beating, however. Thus while not directly required for attachment, flagellar motility is important for positioning and orienting trophozoites prior to attachment. Drugs affecting flagellar motility may result in lower levels of attachment by indirectly limiting the number of parasites that can position the ventral disc properly against a surface and against peristaltic flow.

Giardia is a widespread, single-celled, intestinal parasite that infects millions of people and animals each year. Colonization of the small intestine is a critical part of Giardia's life cycle in any host. This colonization is initiated when cells attach to the intestinal wall via a specialized suction cup-like structure, the ventral disc. In the host, Giardia moves by beating four pairs of flagella; movement of the ventral pair has been implicated in attachment. This study shows that the beating of the flagella is not important for attachment, but rather for positioning Giardia close to the intestinal wall prior to attachment, and thus disproves the commonly held model of giardial attachment. This work implies that drugs targeting Giardia motility could prevent or slow attachment, leading to lower rates of infection.

Mining the Giardia genome and proteome for conserved and unique basal body proteins

Giardia lamblia is a flagellated protozoan parasite and a major cause of diarrhoea in humans. Its microtubular cytoskeleton mediates trophozoite motility, attachment and cytokinesis, and is characterised by an attachment disk and eight flagella that are each nucleated in a basal body. To date, only 10 giardial basal body proteins have been identified, including universal signalling proteins that are important for regulating mitosis or differentiation. In this study, we have exploited bioinformatics and proteomic approaches to identify new Giardia basal body proteins and confocal microscopy to confirm their localisation in interphase trophozoites. This approach identified 75 homologs of conserved basal body proteins in the genome including 65 not previously known to be associated with Giardia basal bodies. Thirteen proteins were confirmed to co-localise with centrin to the Giardia basal bodies. We also demonstrate that most basal body proteins localise to additional cytoskeletal structures in interphase trophozoites. This might help to explain the roles of the four pairs of flagella and Giardia-specific organelles in motility and differentiation. A deeper understanding of the composition of the Giardia basal bodies will contribute insights into the complex signalling pathways that regulate its unique cytoskeleton and the biological divergence of these conserved organelles.

An image-based assay for high throughput screening of Giardia lamblia

Giardia lamblia is a protozoan parasite that causes widespread gastrointestinal illness. Drugs to treat giardiasis are limited, but efforts to discover new anti-giardial compounds are constrained by the lack of a facile system for cell culture and inhibitor testing. We achieved robust and reproducible growth of G. lamblia in 384-well tissue culture plates in a modified TYI-S-33 medium. A high throughput assay for the screening of potential anti-giardial compounds was developed utilizing the WB strain of G. lamblia and automated optical detection of parasites after growth with tested inhibitors. We screened a library of 1600 known bioactive molecules and identified 12 compounds that inhibited growth of G. lamblia at low- or sub-micromolar concentrations. Our high throughput assay should facilitate evaluation of available chemical libraries for novel drugs to treat giardiasis.

Actin cables and the exocyst form two independent morphogenesis pathways in the fission yeast

In fission yeast, long-range transport and vesicle tethering by the exocyst are individually dispensable but together essential for cell morphogenesis. Both pathways function downstream of Cdc42. The exocyst localizes to growing cell tips independently of the cytoskeleton and instead depends on PIP₂.

Cell morphogenesis depends on polarized exocytosis. One widely held model posits that long-range transport and exocyst-dependent tethering of exocytic vesicles at the plasma membrane sequentially drive this process. Here, we describe that disruption of either actin-based long-range transport and microtubules or the exocyst did not abolish polarized growth in rod-shaped fission yeast cells. However, disruption of both actin cables and exocyst led to isotropic growth. Exocytic vesicles localized to cell tips in single mutants but were dispersed in double mutants. In contrast, a marker for active Cdc42, a major polarity landmark, localized to discreet cortical sites even in double mutants. Localization and photobleaching studies show that the exocyst subunits Sec6 and Sec8 localize to cell tips largely independently of the actin cytoskeleton, but in a cdc42 and phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂)–dependent manner. Thus in fission yeast long-range cytoskeletal transport and PIP₂-dependent exocyst represent parallel morphogenetic modules downstream of Cdc42, raising the possibility of similar mechanisms in other cell types.

Glucosylceramide synthesis inhibition affects cell cycle progression, membrane trafficking, and stage differentiation in Giardia lamblia

Synthesis of glucosylceramide via glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) is a crucial event in higher eukaryotes, both for the production of complex glycosphingolipids and for regulating cellular levels of ceramide, a potent antiproliferative second messenger. In this study, we explored the dependence of the early branching eukaryote Giardia lamblia on GCS activity. Biochemical analyses revealed that the parasite has a GCS located in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes that is active in proliferating and encysting trophozoites. Pharmacological inhibition of GCS induced aberrant cell division, characterized by arrest of cytokinesis, incomplete cleavage furrow formation, and consequent block of replication. Importantly, we showed that increased ceramide levels were responsible for the cytokinesis arrest. In addition, GCS inhibition resulted in prominent ultrastructural abnormalities, including accumulation of cytosolic vesicles, enlarged lysosomes, and clathrin disorganization. Moreover, anterograde trafficking of the encystations-specific protein CWP1 was severely compromised and resulted in inhibition of stage differentiation. Our results reveal novel aspects of lipid metabolism in G. lamblia and specifically highlight the vital role of GCS in regulating cell cycle progression, membrane trafficking events, and stage differentiation in this parasite. In addition, we identified ceramide as a potent bioactive molecule, underscoring the universal conservation of ceramide signaling in eukaryotes.

Imaging and analysis of the microtubule cytoskeleton in giardia

Giardia intestinalis, a common parasitic protist, possesses a complex microtubule cytoskeleton critical for cellular function and transitioning between the cyst and trophozoite life cycle stages. The giardial microtubule cytoskeleton is comprised of highly dynamic and stable structures. Novel microtubule structures include the ventral disc that is essential for the parasite's attachment to the intestinal villi to avoid peristalsis. The completed Giardia genome combined with new molecular genetic tools and live imaging will aid in the characterization and analysis of cytoskeletal dynamics in Giardia. Fundamental areas of giardial cytoskeletal biology remain to be explored and knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of cytoskeletal functioning is needed to better understand Giardia's unique biology and pathogenesis.

Giardia lamblia: a report of drug effects under cell differentiation

The Giardia lamblia life cycle is characterized by two phases during which two major cell differentiation processes take place: encystation and excystation. During encystation, the trophozoites transform into cysts, the resistance form. Once ingested by a susceptible host, the cysts are stimulated to excyst in the stomach, and the excysted trophozoites adhere to the epithelium of the upper small intestine. Our work analyses the effects of four benzimidazole derivatives during Giardia differentiation into cysts and evaluates the excystation efficiency of water resistant cysts. Albendazole (AB) showed the most significant results by inhibiting encystation about 30% and a decreasing rate of excystation efficiency. The ultrastructural organization of the cyst adhesive disk was notably affected by AB treatment. Although other benzimidazoles showed some effect on encystation, they were not able to inhibit the excystation process. It is known that the benzimidazoles affect the cytoskeleton of many organisms but how it interferes in Giardia differentiation processes is our main focus. The importance of studying Giardia's differentiation under drug action is reinforced by the following arguments: (1) Cysts eliminated by hosts undergoing treatment could still be potentially infective; (2) once the host has been treated, it would be desirable that the shedding of cysts into the environment is avoided; (3) the prevention of Giardia dissemination is a question of extreme importance mainly in underdeveloped countries, where poor sanitary conditions are related to high rates of giardiasis. This report concerns the importance of keeping the environment free from infective cysts and on Giardia's drug resistance and differentiating abilities.

Identification of growth inhibiting compounds in a Giardia lamblia high-throughput screen

Giardia lamblia is one of the most common eukaryotic pathogens and is classified by the CDC as a category B agent of bioterrorism. In a departure from more traditional research focused on specific pathways or molecules, we have developed a high-throughput assay for screening libraries of small compounds for inhibitors and enhancers of trophozoite multiplication. Following a 24-h period of culture in 384-well plates in the presence of compounds, trophozoites were fixed, stained and enumerated. Quadruplicate screening of 1520 compounds from two libraries of known bioactives detected numerous inhibitory compounds. Based on a stringent cut-off of 5 standard deviations from the plate mean, 50 compounds (3.3%) were inhibitory. The activity of 3 compounds was confirmed in conventional culture. Although not meeting the threshold, one compound (indirubin) was identified as an agonist of trophozoite proliferation. Demonstrating the potential of high-throughput screening for rapidly finding new compounds which perturb G. lamblia multiplication, most of the hits identified by high-throughput screening do not appear to have been tested previously for their ability to affect G. lamblia trophozoites. High-throughput screening of bioactive compounds will open new avenues to a system-wide analysis of pathways affecting G. lamblia proliferation, and eventually to other phases of the life cycle.

Cell cycle synchrony in Giardia intestinalis cultures achieved by using nocodazole and aphidicolin

Giardia intestinalis is a ubiquitous intestinal protozoan parasite and has been proposed to represent the earliest diverging lineage of extant eukaryotes. Despite the importance of Giardia as a model organism, research on Giardia has been hampered by an inability to achieve cell cycle synchrony for in vitro cultures. This report details successful methods for attaining cell cycle synchrony in Giardia cultures. The research presented here demonstrates reversible cell cycle arrest in G(1)/S and G(2)/M with aphidicolin and nocodazole, respectively. Following synchronization, cells were able to recover completely from drug treatment and remained viable and maintained synchronous growth for 6 h. These techniques were used to synchronize Giardia cultures to increase the percentages of mitotic spindles in the cultures. This method of synchronization will enhance our ability to study cell cycle-dependent processes in G. intestinalis.

Giardiasis: a pharmacotherapy review

Giardia lamblia, the cause of human giardiasis, is among the most common intestinal protozoa worldwide. Human infection may range from asymptomatic shedding of giardial cysts to symptomatic giardiasis, being responsible for abdominal cramps, nausea, acute or chronic diarrhoea, with malabsorption and failure of children to thrive. At present, treatment options include the nitroimidazoles derivatives; especially metronidazole, which has been the mainstay of treatment for decades and is still widely used. The increasing number of reports of refractory cases with this group of drugs and other antigiardial agents, has raised concern and led to a search for other compounds, some of which have arisen due to the introduction of drugs initially addressed to other diseases. The present article examines some of the most important points of antigiardial pharmacotherapy available at present and the future prospects of development of new agents.

Kinesin-13 regulates flagellar, interphase, and mitotic microtubule dynamics in Giardia intestinalis

Microtubule depolymerization dynamics in the spindle are regulated by kinesin-13, a nonprocessive kinesin motor protein that depolymerizes microtubules at the plus and minus ends. Here we show that a single kinesin-13 homolog regulates flagellar length dynamics, as well as other interphase and mitotic dynamics in Giardia intestinalis, a widespread parasitic diplomonad protist. Both green fluorescent protein-tagged kinesin-13 and EB1 (a plus-end tracking protein) localize to the plus ends of mitotic and interphase microtubules, including a novel localization to the eight flagellar tips, cytoplasmic anterior axonemes, and the median body. The ectopic expression of a kinesin-13 (S280N) rigor mutant construct caused significant elongation of the eight flagella with significant decreases in the median body volume and resulted in mitotic defects. Notably, drugs that disrupt normal interphase and mitotic microtubule dynamics also affected flagellar length in Giardia. Our study extends recent work on interphase and mitotic kinesin-13 functioning in metazoans to include a role in regulating flagellar length dynamics. We suggest that kinesin-13 universally regulates both mitotic and interphase microtubule dynamics in diverse microbial eukaryotes and propose that axonemal microtubules are subject to the same regulation of microtubule dynamics as other dynamic microtubule arrays. Finally, the present study represents the first use of a dominant-negative strategy to disrupt normal protein function in Giardia and provides important insights into giardial microtubule dynamics with relevance to the development of antigiardial compounds that target critical functions of kinesins in the giardial life cycle.

The evaluation of a semiautomated computer method to determine the effects of DMSO on Giardia lamblia–intestinal cell interaction

In this work, we describe a semiautomated computer method to evaluate the activity of a common drug solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), on in vitro Giardia lamblia-host cell interaction. To compare the number of intestinal cells (IEC-6) and the adhered trophozoites over a specific area in control and treated coculture, a computer routine was created. Using video-light microscopy and digital image-processing tools, the operator was able to count the number of epithelial cells or parasites when they were still lying on the slide surface and without the need to detach them from the substrate for counting with a hemocytometer or other counting devices. Using this strategy, we calculated the total cell number per area and verified the effects of different concentrations of DMSO on G. lamblia-intestinal cell interaction and on the IEC-6 culture. At concentrations of 0.2% and 1%, this solvent produced a fragmentation on the monolayer of epithelial cells. However, DMSO did not affect the attachment of G. lamblia. In the course of these experiments, we compared the semiautomated method to the manual counting method and found that the first one generated smaller standard deviations (SD) than the second.

Clathrin-dependent pathways and the cytoskeleton network are involved in ceramide endocytosis by a parasitic protozoan, Giardia lamblia

Although identified as an early-diverged protozoan, Giardia lamblia shares many similarities with higher eukaryotic cells, including an internal membrane system and cytoskeleton, as well as secretory pathways. However, unlike many other eukaryotes, Giardia does not synthesize lipids de novo, but rather depends on exogenous sources for both energy production and organelle or membrane biogenesis. It is not known how lipid molecules are taken up by this parasite and if endocytic pathways are involved in this process. In this investigation, we tested the hypothesis that highly regulated and selective lipid transport machinery is present in Giardia and necessary for the efficient internalization and intracellular targeting of ceramide molecules, the major sphingolipid precursor. Using metabolic and pathway inhibitors, we demonstrate that ceramide is internalized through endocytic pathways and is primarily targeted into perinuclear/endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Further investigations suggested that Giardia uses both clathrin-dependent pathways and the actin cytoskeleton for ceramide uptake, as well as microtubule filaments for intracellular localization and targeting. We speculate that this parasitic protozoan has evolved cytoskeletal and clathrin-dependent endocytic mechanisms for importing ceramide molecules from the cell exterior for the synthesis of membranes and vesicles during growth and differentiation.

A randomized, controlled, open-label trial of a single day of mebendazole versus a single dose of tinidazole in the treatment of giardiasis in children

BACKGROUND

Giardia duodenalis is the most commonly detected parasite in the intestinal tract of humans and 5-nitroimidazole compounds, quinacrine and furazolidone have been used against giardiasis. However, cases refractory to treatment with these drugs are becoming more common worldwide.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and safety of mebendazole versus tinidazole in the treatment of giardiasis.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

122 children (aged 5 to 15 years) of both sexes with confirmed Giardia duodenalis cysts or trophozoites in their stool samples were randomly separated into two groups of 61 individuals. Each group received either mebendazole 200 mg three times for 1 day or tinidazole 50 mg/kg in a single dose. The evaluation of the efficacy was based on parasitological response. Parents or legal guardians of each child were asked to provide three fecal samples on days 3, 5, and 7 after treatment completion. A child was considered to be cured if no Giardia trophozoites or cysts were found in any of the three post-treatment fecal specimens evaluated by direct wet mounts and/or after Ritchie concentration techniques.

RESULTS

The frequency of cure was higher for tinidazole (81.97%) than for mebendazole (63.93%); the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Transient abdominal pain was more common in children treated with mebendazole (p < 0.05), whereas loss of appetite, bitter taste, headache, vomiting, and nausea were more common in the tinidazole-treated group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Three doses of mebendazole, in a single day, are inferior to a single dose tinidazole in the treatment of giardiasis.

In vitro effects of thiazolides on Giardia lamblia WB clone C6 cultured axenically and in coculture with Caco2 cells

The thiazolides represent a novel class of anti-infective drugs, with the nitrothiazole nitazoxanide [2-acetolyloxy-N-(5-nitro 2-thiazolyl) benzamide] (NTZ) as the parent compound. NTZ exhibits a broad spectrum of activities against a wide variety of helminths, protozoa, and enteric bacteria infecting animals and humans. In vivo, NTZ is rapidly deacetylated to tizoxanide (TIZ), which exhibits similar activities. We have here comparatively investigated the in vitro effects of NTZ, TIZ, a number of other modified thiazolides, and metronidazole (MTZ) on Giardia lamblia trophozoites grown under axenic culture conditions and in coculture with the human cancer colon cell line Caco2. The modifications of the thiazolides included, on one hand, the replacement of the nitro group on the thiazole ring with a bromide, and, on the other hand, the differential positioning of methyl groups on the benzene ring. Of seven compounds with a bromo instead of a nitro group, only one, RM4820, showed moderate inhibition of Giardia proliferation in axenic culture, but not in coculture with Caco2 cells, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 18.8 microM; in comparison, NTZ and tizoxanide had IC50s of 2.4 microM, and MTZ had an IC50 of 7.8 microM. Moreover, the methylation or carboxylation of the benzene ring at position 3 resulted in a significant decrease of activity, and methylation at position 5 completely abrogated the antiparasitic effect of the nitrothiazole compound. Trophozoites treated with NTZ showed distinct lesions on the ventral disk as soon as 2 to 3 h after treatment, whereas treatment with metronidazole resulted in severe damage to the dorsal surface membrane at later time points.

Giardia lamblia behavior under cytochalasins treatment

Giardia lamblia, a flagellated protist, is the parasite most commonly found in the intestinal tract of humans and other mammals causing a disease known as giardiasis. This parasite presents several cytoskeletal structures whose major components are microtubules, namely: the ventral adhesive disk, eight flagella axonemes, the median body, and funis. However, the cytoskeletal filamentous structures are poorly understood, and therefore, less studied. In the present work, we used actin-interacting drugs such as cytochalasin B and D to investigate their effects on Giardia ultrastructure. Axenically grown G. lamblia trophozoites were treated with these drugs and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It was observed that trophozoites became completely misshapen, detached from the glass surface, and failed to complete cell division. The main alterations observed included: (1) disk fragmentation, (2) presence of large vacuoles, (3) alterations in flagella number and flagella internalization, (4) blocked cytokinesis but not the karyokinesis, and (5) presence of membrane undulations and blebs. These findings are discussed.