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Samba-Louaka A, Labruyère E, Matondo M, Locard-Paulet M, Olivo-Marin JC, Guillen N. Encystation and Stress Responses under the Control of Ubiquitin-like Proteins in Pathogenic Amoebae. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2670. [PMID: 38004682 PMCID: PMC10673212 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amoebae found in aquatic and terrestrial environments encompass various pathogenic species, including the parasite Entamoeba histolytica and the free-living Acanthamoeba castellanii. Both microorganisms pose significant threats to public health, capable of inducing life-threatening effects on humans. These amoebae exist in two cellular forms: trophozoites and cysts. The trophozoite stage is the form used for growth and reproduction while the cyst stage is the resistant and disseminating form. Cysts occur after cellular metabolism slowdown due to nutritional deprivation or the appearance of environmental conditions unfavourable to the amoebae's growth and division. The initiation of encystation is accompanied by the activation of stress responses, and scarce data indicate that encystation shares factors and mechanisms identified in stress responses occurring in trophozoites exposed to toxic compounds derived from human immune defence. Although some "omics" analyses have explored how amoebae respond to diverse stresses, these studies remain limited and rarely report post-translational modifications that would provide knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying amoebae-specific stress responses. In this review, we discuss ubiquitin-like proteins associated with encystation and cell survival during oxidative damage. We aim to shed light on the signalling pathways involved in amoebic defence mechanisms, with a focus on their potential clinical implications against pathogenic amoebae, addressing the pressing need for effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ascel Samba-Louaka
- Université de Poitiers, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7267, Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, TSA51106, 86073 Poitiers, France
| | - Elisabeth Labruyère
- Institut Pasteur, Biological Image Analysis Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR3691, Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France; (E.L.); (J.-C.O.-M.)
| | - Mariette Matondo
- Institut Pasteur, Proteomics Core Facility, Mass Spectrometry for Biology Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UAR 2024, Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Marie Locard-Paulet
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 5089, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, 31077 Toulouse, France;
- Infrastructure Nationale de Proteomique ProFI—FR2048, 2048 Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Olivo-Marin
- Institut Pasteur, Biological Image Analysis Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR3691, Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France; (E.L.); (J.-C.O.-M.)
| | - Nancy Guillen
- Institut Pasteur, Biological Image Analysis Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR3691, Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France; (E.L.); (J.-C.O.-M.)
- Institut Pasteur, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique ERL9195, 75015 Paris, France
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A time-resolved multi-omics atlas of Acanthamoeba castellanii encystment. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4104. [PMID: 35835784 PMCID: PMC9283445 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31832-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Encystment is a common stress response of most protists, including free-living amoebae. Cyst formation protects the amoebae from eradication and can increase virulence of the bacteria they harbor. Here, we mapped the global molecular changes that occur in the facultatively pathogenic amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii during the early steps of the poorly understood process of encystment. By performing transcriptomic, proteomic, and phosphoproteomic experiments during encystment, we identified more than 150,000 previously undescribed transcripts and thousands of protein sequences absent from the reference genome. These results provide molecular details to the regulation of expected biological processes, such as cell proliferation shutdown, and reveal new insights such as a rapid phospho-regulation of sites involved in cytoskeleton remodeling and translation regulation. This work constitutes the first time-resolved molecular atlas of an encysting organism and a useful resource for further investigation of amoebae encystment to allow for a better control of pathogenic amoebae.
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Sharon M, Regev-Rudzki N. Cell communication and protein degradation: All in one parasitic package. J Extracell Vesicles 2021; 10:e12116. [PMID: 34257846 PMCID: PMC8256287 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michal Sharon
- Department of Bimolecular Sciences Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot Israel
| | - Neta Regev-Rudzki
- Department of Bimolecular Sciences Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot Israel
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Rasheed AK, Siddiqui R, Ahmed SMK, Gabriel S, Jalal MZ, John A, Khan NA. hBN Nanoparticle-Assisted Rapid Thermal Cycling for the Detection of Acanthamoeba. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9100824. [PMID: 33036480 PMCID: PMC7601326 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9100824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba are widely distributed in the environment and are known to cause blinding keratitis and brain infections with greater than 90% mortality rate. Currently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a highly sensitive and promising technique in Acanthamoeba detection. Remarkably, the rate of heating-cooling and convective heat transfer of the PCR tube is limited by low thermal conductivity of the reagents mixture. The addition of nanoparticles to the reaction has been an interesting approach that could augment the thermal conductivity of the mixture and subsequently enhance heat transfer through the PCR tube. Here, we have developed hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoparticle-based PCR assay for the rapid detection of Acanthamoeba to amplify DNA from low amoeba cell density. As low as 1 × 10-4 wt % was determined as the optimum concentration of hBN nanoparticles, which increased Acanthamoeba DNA yield up to ~16%. Further, it was able to reduce PCR temperature that led to a ~2.0-fold increase in Acanthamoeba DNA yield at an improved PCR specificity at 46.2 °C low annealing temperature. hBN nanoparticles further reduced standard PCR step time by 10 min and cycles by eight; thus, enhancing Acanthamoeba detection rapidly. Enhancement of Acanthamoeba PCR DNA yield is possibly due to the high adsorption affinity of hBN nanoparticles to purine (Guanine-G) due to the higher thermal conductivity achieved in the PCR mixture due to the addition of hBN. Although further research is needed to demonstrate these findings in clinical application, we propose that the interfacial layers, Brownian motion, and percolation network contribute to the enhanced thermal conductivity effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Khaliq Rasheed
- Department of New Energy Science and Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia Campus, Bandar Sunsuria, Sepang 43900, Malaysia;
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah 26666, UAE;
| | - Salma Mohammed Kabir Ahmed
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (S.M.K.A.); (S.G.)
| | - Shobana Gabriel
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (S.M.K.A.); (S.G.)
| | - Mohammed Zayan Jalal
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak 53100, Malaysia;
| | - Akbar John
- Institute of Oceanography and Maritime Studies, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan 25200, Malaysia;
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah 26666, UAE;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +971-6515-4752
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Guzmán-Téllez P, Martínez-Valencia D, Silva-Olivares A, Del Ángel RM, Serrano-Luna J, Shibayama M. Naegleria fowleri and Naegleria gruberi 20S proteasome: identification and characterization. Eur J Cell Biol 2020; 99:151085. [PMID: 32646643 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2020.151085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Naegleria are ubiquitous free-living amoebae and are characterized by the presence of three phases in their biological cycle: trophozoite, cyst and flagellate. Of this genus, only Naegleria fowleri has been reported as pathogenic to humans. The proteasome is a multi-catalytic complex and is considered to be the most important structure responsible for the degradation of intracellular proteins. This structure is related to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and, in pathogenic microorganisms, to the modulation of their virulence. Until now, the proteasome and its function have not been described for the Naegleria genus. In the current study, using bioinformatic analysis, protein sequences homologous to those reported for the subunits of the 20S proteasome in other organisms were found, and virtual modelling was used to determine their three-dimensional structure. The presence of structural and catalytic subunits of the 20S proteasome was detected by Western and dot blot assays. Its localization was observed by immunofluorescence microscopy to be mainly in the cytoplasm, and a leading role of the chymotrypsin-like catalytic activity was determined using fluorogenic peptidase assays and specific proteasome inhibitors. Finally, the role of the 20S proteasome in the proliferation and differentiation of Naegleria genus trophozoites was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Guzmán-Téllez
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Diana Martínez-Valencia
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Angélica Silva-Olivares
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosa M Del Ángel
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jesús Serrano-Luna
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Mineko Shibayama
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico.
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Gut bacteria of Cuora amboinensis (turtle) produce broad-spectrum antibacterial molecules. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17012. [PMID: 31740685 PMCID: PMC6861250 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52738-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to human health, hence there is an urgent need to discover antibacterial molecule(s). Previously, we hypothesized that microbial gut flora of animals are a potential source of antibacterial molecules. Among various animals, Cuora amboinensis (turtle) represents an important reptile species living in diverse ecological environments and feed on organic waste and terrestrial organisms and have been used in folk medicine. The purpose of this study was to mine turtle’s gut bacteria for potential antibacterial molecule(s). Several bacteria were isolated from the turtle gut and their conditioned media were prepared. Conditioned media showed potent antibacterial activity against several Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus pyogenes and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (neuropathogenic Escherichia coli K1, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica and Klebsiella pneumoniae) pathogenic bacteria. Conditioned media-mediated bactericidal activity was heat-resistant when treated at 95°C for 10 min. By measuring Lactate dehydrogenase release, the results showed that conditioned media had no effect on human cell viability. Tandem Mass Spectrometric analysis revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites, i.e., a series of known as well as novel N-acyl-homoserine lactones, several homologues of 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinolines, and rhamnolipids, which are the signature metabolites of Pseudomonas species. These findings are significant and provide the basis for rational development of therapeutic interventions against bacterial infections.
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Quantitative proteomic analysis and functional characterization of Acanthamoeba castellanii exosome-like vesicles. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:467. [PMID: 31597577 PMCID: PMC6784334 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3725-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pathogenic protozoans use extracellular vesicles (EVs) for intercellular communication and host manipulation. Acanthamoeba castellanii is a free-living protozoan that may cause severe keratitis and fatal granulomatous encephalitis. Although several secreted molecules have been shown to play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba, the functions and components of parasite-derived EVs are far from understood. Methods Purified EVs from A. castellanii were confirmed by electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The functional roles of parasite-derived EVs in the cytotoxicity to and immune response of host cells were examined. The protein composition in EVs from A. castellanii was identified and quantified by LC-MS/MS analysis. Results EVs from A. castellanii fused with rat glioma C6 cells. The parasite-derived EVs induced an immune response from human THP-1 cells and a cytotoxic effect in C6 cells. Quantitative proteomic analysis identified a total of 130 proteins in EVs. Among the identified proteins, hydrolases (50.2%) and oxidoreductases (31.7%) were the largest protein families in EVs. Furthermore, aminopeptidase activities were confirmed in EVs from A. castellanii. Conclusions The proteomic profiling and functional characterization of EVs from A. castellanii provide an in-depth understanding of the molecules packaged into EVs and their potential mechanisms mediating the pathogenesis of this parasite.
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Gut Bacteria of Water Monitor Lizard ( Varanus salvator) Are a Potential Source of Antibacterial Compound(s). Antibiotics (Basel) 2019; 8:antibiotics8040164. [PMID: 31554316 PMCID: PMC6963368 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics8040164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
For the past few decades, there has been limited progress in the development of novel antibacterials. Previously, we postulated that the gut microbiota of animals residing in polluted environments are a forthcoming supply of antibacterials. Among various species, the water monitor lizard is an interesting species that feeds on organic waste and the carcass of wild animals. Gut microbiota of the water monitor lizard were sequestered, identified and cultivated in RPMI-1640 to produce conditioned medium (CM). Next, the antimicrobial properties of CM were evaluated versus a selection of Gram-negative (Escherichia coli K1, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and Gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus). CM were partially characterized by heat inactivation at 95°C for 10 min and tested against P. aeruginosa and S. pyogenes. CM were also tested against immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells lines. The results demonstrated that gut microbiota isolated from water monitor lizard produced molecules with remarkable bactericidal activities. To determine the identity of the active molecules, CM were subjected to Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Several molecules were identified belonging to the classes of flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, polyhydroxy alkaloids, polyacetylenes, bisphenols, amides, oxylipin and pyrazine derivatives with known broad-spectrum antimicrobial, anti-tumour, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic attributes. Furthermore, the detailed analysis of these molecules could lead us to develop effective therapeutic antibacterials.
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Bunsuwansakul C, Mahboob T, Hounkong K, Laohaprapanon S, Chitapornpan S, Jawjit S, Yasiri A, Barusrux S, Bunluepuech K, Sawangjaroen N, Salibay CC, Kaewjai C, de Lourdes Pereira M, Nissapatorn V. Acanthamoeba in Southeast Asia - Overview and Challenges. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2019; 57:341-357. [PMID: 31533401 PMCID: PMC6753290 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.4.341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba, one of free-living amoebae (FLA), remains a high risk of direct contact with this protozoan parasite which is ubiquitous in nature and man-made environment. This pathogenic FLA can cause sight-threatening amoebic keratitis (AK) and fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) though these cases may not commonly be reported in our clinical settings. Acanthamoeba has been detected from different environmental sources namely; soil, water, hot-spring, swimming pool, air-conditioner, or contact lens storage cases. The identification of Acanthamoeba is based on morphological appearance and molecular techniques using PCR and DNA sequencing for clinico-epidemiological purposes. Recent treatments have long been ineffective against Acanthamoeba cyst, novel anti-Acanthamoeba agents have therefore been extensively investigated. There are efforts to utilize synthetic chemicals, lead compounds from medicinal plant extracts, and animal products to combat Acanthamoeba infection. Applied nanotechnology, an advanced technology, has shown to enhance the anti-Acanthamoeba activity in the encapsulated nanoparticles leading to new therapeutic options. This review attempts to provide an overview of the available data and studies on the occurrence of pathogenic Acanthamoeba among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members with the aim of identifying some potential contributing factors such as distribution, demographic profile of the patients, possible source of the parasite, mode of transmission and treatment. Further, this review attempts to provide future direction for prevention and control of the Acanthamoeba infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chooseel Bunsuwansakul
- School of Allied Health, Southeast Asia Water Team (SEA Water Team) and World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Tooba Mahboob
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kruawan Hounkong
- Department of Microbiology, Princess of Naradhiwas University, Narathiwat, Thailand
| | | | | | - Siriuma Jawjit
- School of Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Atipat Yasiri
- Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Sahapat Barusrux
- School of Allied Health, Southeast Asia Water Team (SEA Water Team) and World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Kingkan Bunluepuech
- School of Allied Health, Southeast Asia Water Team (SEA Water Team) and World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | | | - Cristina C. Salibay
- College of Science and Computer Studies, De La Salle University-Dasmarinas, Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Philippines
| | - Chalermpon Kaewjai
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Maria de Lourdes Pereira
- Department of Medical Sciences & CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Veeranoot Nissapatorn
- School of Allied Health, Southeast Asia Water Team (SEA Water Team) and World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
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Circular RNAs in Vascular Functions and Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1087:287-297. [PMID: 30259375 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-1426-1_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Vascular disease is one of the top five causes of death and affects a variety of other diseases, such as heart, nervous system, and metabolic disorders. Vascular dysfunction is a hallmark of ischemia, cancer, and inflammatory diseases and can accelerate the progression of diseases. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new type of noncoding RNAs with covalent bond ring structure, which have been reported to be abnormally expressed in many human diseases. circRNAs regulate gene expression through the sponging of microRNAs (miRNAs) and can also be used as disease biomarkers. Here we will summarize the functions of circRNAs in vascular diseases, including vascular dysfunction, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus-related retinal vascular dysfunction, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, carotid atherosclerotic disease, hepatic vascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma, aortic aneurysm, coronary artery disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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Gabriel S, Khan NA, Siddiqui R. Occurrence of free-living amoebae (Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia, Naegleria) in water samples in Peninsular Malaysia. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2019; 17:160-171. [PMID: 30758312 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2018.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of free-living amoebae (FLA) in Peninsular Malaysia and to compare different methodologies to detect them from water samples. Water samples were collected from tap water, recreational places, water dispensers, filtered water, etc. and tested for FLA using both cultivation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) via plating assays and centrifugation methods. Amoebae DNA was extracted using Instagene matrix and PCR was performed using genus-specific primers. Of 250 samples, 142 (56.8%) samples were positive for presence of amoebae, while 108 (43.2%) were negative. Recreational water showed higher prevalence of amoebae than tap water. PCR for the plating assays revealed the presence of Acanthamoeba in 91 (64%) samples and Naegleria in 99 (70%) of samples analysed. All samples tested were negative for B. mandrillaris. In contrast, the centrifugation method was less effective in detecting amoebae as only one sample revealed the presence of Acanthamoeba and 52 (29%) samples were positive for Naegleria. PCR assays were specific and sensitive, detecting as few as 10 cells. These findings show the vast distribution and presence of FLA in all 11 states of Peninsular Malaysia. Further studies could determine the possible presence of pathogenic species and strains of free-living amoebae in public water supplies in Malaysia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shobana Gabriel
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia E-mail:
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia E-mail:
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia E-mail:
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12
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Development of nanoparticle-assisted PCR assay in the rapid detection of brain-eating amoebae. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:1801-1811. [PMID: 29675682 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5864-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Brain-eating amoebae (Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, Naegleria fowleri) have gained increasing attention owing to their capacity to produce severe human and animal infections involving the brain. Early detection is a pre-requisite in successful prognosis. Here, we developed a nanoPCR assay for the rapid detection of brain-eating amoebae using various nanoparticles. Graphene oxide, copper and alumina nanoparticles used in this study were characterized using Raman spectroscopy measurements through excitation with a He-Ne laser, while powder X-ray diffraction patterns were taken on a PANanalytical, X'Pert HighScore diffractometer and the morphology of the materials was confirmed using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Using nanoparticle-assisted PCR, the results revealed that graphene oxide, copper oxide and alumina nanoparticles significantly enhanced PCR efficiency in the detection of pathogenic free-living amoebae using genus-specific probes. The optimal concentration of graphene oxide, copper oxide and alumina nanoparticles for Acanthamoeba spp. was determined at 0.4, 0.04 and 0.4 μg per mL respectively. For B. mandrillaris, the optimal concentration was determined at 0.4 μg per mL for graphene oxide, copper oxide and alumina nanoparticles, and for Naegleria, the optimal concentration was 0.04, 4.0 and 0.04 μg per mL respectively. Moreover, combinations of these nanoparticles proved to further enhance PCR efficiency. The addition of metal oxide nanoparticles leads to excellent surface effect, while thermal conductivity property of the nanoparticles enhances PCR productivity. These findings suggest that nanoPCR assay has tremendous potential in the clinical diagnosis of parasitic infections as well as for studying epidemiology and pathology and environmental monitoring of other microbes.
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Bibo-Verdugo B, Jiang Z, Caffrey CR, O'Donoghue AJ. Targeting proteasomes in infectious organisms to combat disease. FEBS J 2017; 284:1503-1517. [PMID: 28122162 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Proteasomes are multisubunit, energy-dependent, proteolytic complexes that play an essential role in intracellular protein turnover. They are present in eukaryotes, archaea, and in some actinobacteria species. Inhibition of proteasome activity has emerged as a powerful strategy for anticancer therapy and three drugs have been approved for treatment of multiple myeloma. These compounds react covalently with a threonine residue located in the active site of a proteasome subunit to block protein degradation. Proteasomes in pathogenic organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Plasmodium falciparum also have a nucleophilic threonine residue in the proteasome active site and are therefore sensitive to these anticancer drugs. This review summarizes efforts to validate the proteasome in pathogenic organisms as a therapeutic target. We describe several strategies that have been used to develop inhibitors with increased potency and selectivity for the pathogen proteasome relative to the human proteasome. In addition, we highlight a cell-based chemical screening approach that identified a potent, allosteric inhibitor of proteasomes found in Leishmania and Trypanosoma species. Finally, we discuss the development of proteasome inhibitors as anti-infective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betsaida Bibo-Verdugo
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zhenze Jiang
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Chemistry & Biochemistry Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anthony J O'Donoghue
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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