1
|
Springer AL, Agrawal S, Chang EP. Malate dehydrogenase in parasitic protozoans: roles in metabolism and potential therapeutic applications. Essays Biochem 2024:EBC20230075. [PMID: 38938216 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20230075] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The role of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in the metabolism of various medically significant protozoan parasites is reviewed. MDH is an NADH-dependent oxidoreductase that catalyzes interconversion between oxaloacetate and malate, provides metabolic intermediates for both catabolic and anabolic pathways, and can contribute to NAD+/NADH balance in multiple cellular compartments. MDH is present in nearly all organisms; isoforms of MDH from apicomplexans (Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp.), trypanosomatids (Trypanosoma brucei, T. cruzi) and anaerobic protozoans (Trichomonas vaginalis, Giardia duodenalis) are presented here. Many parasitic species have complex life cycles and depend on the environment of their hosts for carbon sources and other nutrients. Metabolic plasticity is crucial to parasite transition between host environments; thus, the regulation of metabolic processes is an important area to explore for therapeutic intervention. Common themes in protozoan parasite metabolism include emphasis on glycolytic catabolism, substrate-level phosphorylation, non-traditional uses of common pathways like tricarboxylic acid cycle and adapted or reduced mitochondria-like organelles. We describe the roles of MDH isoforms in these pathways, discuss unusual structural or functional features of these isoforms relevant to activity or drug targeting, and review current studies exploring the therapeutic potential of MDH and related genes. These studies show that MDH activity has important roles in many metabolic pathways, and thus in the metabolic transitions of protozoan parasites needed for success as pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Springer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, U.S.A
| | - Swati Agrawal
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA, U.S.A
| | - Eric P Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, New York, NY, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Silva MA, Izidoro MA, Aricó M, Juliano L, Schenkman S. The effect of nutritional and oxidative stress on the metabolome of Trypanosoma cruzi. Mol Microbiol 2024. [PMID: 38814666 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15279] [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: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan, is the causative agent of Chagas disease. The parasite has developed various mechanisms to get through its intricate life cycle and adapt to different evolutionary phases. T. cruzi proliferates in the insect vector's digestive tract as an epimastigote form, encountering fluctuating nutrient availability and oxidative stress caused by the digestion of red blood cells from the mammalian host blood meal. To unravel how the parasite's metabolism adapts to these changing conditions, we conducted an analysis of the chemical species present in epimastigote forms. This involved comparing cultured parasites with those subjected to nutritional deficiency or oxidative stress using untargeted metabolomics. We looked at 21 samples: seven biological copies of parasites that were actively growing, seven samples that were put in a medium without nutrients for 3 h, and seven samples that were treated with glucose oxidase for 30 min to make H2O2 continuously. Importantly, in all conditions, parasite viability was maintained when the samples were collected. Upon nutrient removal, we observed a substantial decrease in amino acids and carbohydrate metabolites, accompanied by the accumulation of fatty acids and steroids, with the predominance of inositol and sphingolipid metabolism, along with a simultaneous decrease in the levels of H2O2. In the presence of H2O2, a significant rise in components of the pentose pathway and specific amino acids such as methionine and serine occurred, along with pathways related to an increase in antioxidant species metabolism such as ribulose 5-phosphate and glyceric acid. Conversely, fatty acid and steroid levels decrease. We found no common increase in metabolites or lipids. In contrast, eight species (succinic acid, glutamic acid, valine, 2-hydroxyisocaproic acid, alanine, indolelactic acid, proline, and lanosterol) were consumed under both stresses. These findings underscore the rapid and distinct enrichment responses in amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates required to cope with each different environmental condition. We concluded that T. cruzi presents a flexible metabolism that rapidly adapts to variable changes in the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michel Augusto Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Mirella Aricó
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Juliano
- Department of Biophysics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sergio Schenkman
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shanmuganathan R, Devanesan S, Oza G, Sharma A. Assessment of antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties of acetone extract of Aerva lanata (L.) by in-vitro approach and bioactive compounds characterization. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 248:118348. [PMID: 38295976 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities efficiency of Aerva lanata plant extracts (aqueous (Aqu-E), acetone (Ace-E), and ethanol (Eth-E)) were investigated in this study. Furthermore, the active molecules exist in the crude extract were characterized by UV-Visible spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses. The preliminary phytochemical study revealed that the Ace-E restrain more phytochemicals like alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinone, tannins, phenolics, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, amino acid, steroids, protein, coumarin, as well as quinine than Aqu-E and Eth-E. Accordingly to this Ace-E showed considerable antimicrobial activity as the follows: for bacteria S. aureus > E. coli > K. pneumoniae > P. aeruginosa > B. subtilis and for fungi T. viride > A.flavus > C. albicans > A.niger at 30 mg ml concentration. Similarly, Ace-E showed considerable antidiabetic (α-amylase: 71.7 % and α-glucosidase: 70.1 %) and moderate anti-inflammatory (59 % and 49.8 %) activities. The spectral and chromatogram studies confirmed that the Ace-E have pharmaceutically valuable bioactive molecules such as (Nbutyl)-octadecane, propynoic acid, neophytadiene, and 5,14-di (N-butyl)-octadecane. These findings suggest that Ace-E from A. lanata can be used to purify additional bioactive substances and conduct individual compound-based biomedical application research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rajasree Shanmuganathan
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam; School of Engineering & Technology, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam.
| | - Sandhanasamy Devanesan
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Goldie Oza
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Electroquímica (CIDETEQ), Parque Tecnológico Querétaro s/n, Sanfandila. Pedro Escobedo, Querétaro 76703, Mexico
| | - Ashutosh Sharma
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Centre of Bioengineering, NatProLab, Plant Innovation Lab, School of Engineering and Sciences, Queretaro 76130, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chmelová Ľ, Záhonová K, Albanaz ATS, Hrebenyk L, Horváth A, Yurchenko V, Škodová-Sveráková I. Distribution and Functional Analysis of Isocitrate Dehydrogenases across Kinetoplastids. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae042. [PMID: 38447055 PMCID: PMC10946238 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae042] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Isocitrate dehydrogenase is an enzyme converting isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate in the canonical tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. There are three different types of isocitrate dehydrogenase documented in eukaryotes. Our study points out the complex evolutionary history of isocitrate dehydrogenases across kinetoplastids, where the common ancestor of Trypanosomatidae and Bodonidae was equipped with two isoforms of the isocitrate dehydrogenase enzyme: the NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 with possibly dual localization in the cytosol and mitochondrion and NADP+-dependent mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase 2. In the extant trypanosomatids, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 is present only in a few species suggesting that it was lost upon separation of Trypanosoma spp. and replaced by the mainly NADP+-dependent cytosolic isocitrate dehydrogenase 3 of bacterial origin in all the derived lineages. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate that the omnipresent isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 has a dual localization in both mitochondrion and cytosol in at least four species that possess only this isoform. The apparent lack of the NAD+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase activity in trypanosomatid mitochondrion provides further support to the existence of the noncanonical TCA cycle across trypanosomatids and the bidirectional activity of isocitrate dehydrogenase 3 when operating with NADP+ cofactor instead of NAD+. This observation can be extended to all 17 species analyzed in this study, except for Leishmania mexicana, which showed only low isocitrate dehydrogenase activity in the cytosol. The variability in isocitrate oxidation capacity among species may reflect the distinct metabolic strategies and needs for reduced cofactors in particular environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ľubomíra Chmelová
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Kristína Záhonová
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czechia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Amanda T S Albanaz
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Liudmyla Hrebenyk
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Anton Horváth
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Ingrid Škodová-Sveráková
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fall F, Mamede L, Vast M, De Tullio P, Hayette MP, Michels PAM, Frédérich M, Govaerts B, Quetin-Leclercq J. First comprehensive untargeted metabolomics study of suramin-treated Trypanosoma brucei: an integrated data analysis workflow from multifactor data modelling to functional analysis. Metabolomics 2024; 20:25. [PMID: 38393408 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-024-02094-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human African trypanosomiasis, commonly known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and transmitted by the tsetse fly. Suramin, a medication with a long history of clinical use, has demonstrated varied modes of action against Trypanosoma brucei. This study employs a comprehensive workflow to investigate the metabolic effects of suramin on T. brucei, utilizing a multimodal metabolomics approach. OBJECTIVES The primary aim of this study is to comprehensively analyze the metabolic impact of suramin on T. brucei using a combined liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) approach. Statistical analyses, encompassing multivariate analysis and pathway enrichment analysis, are applied to elucidate significant variations and metabolic changes resulting from suramin treatment. METHODS A detailed methodology involving the integration of high-resolution data from LC-MS and NMR techniques is presented. The study conducts a thorough analysis of metabolite profiles in both suramin-treated and control T. brucei brucei samples. Statistical techniques, including ANOVA-simultaneous component analysis (ASCA), principal component analysis (PCA), ANOVA 2 analysis, and bootstrap tests, are employed to discern the effects of suramin treatment on the metabolomics outcomes. RESULTS Our investigation reveals substantial differences in metabolic profiles between the control and suramin-treated groups. ASCA and PCA analysis confirm distinct separation between these groups in both MS-negative and NMR analyses. Furthermore, ANOVA 2 analysis and bootstrap tests confirmed the significance of treatment, time, and interaction effects on the metabolomics outcomes. Functional analysis of the data from LC-MS highlighted the impact of treatment on amino-acid, and amino-sugar and nucleotide-sugar metabolism, while time effects were observed on carbon intermediary metabolism (notably glycolysis and di- and tricarboxylic acids of the succinate production pathway and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle). CONCLUSION Through the integration of LC-MS and NMR techniques coupled with advanced statistical analyses, this study identifies distinctive metabolic signatures and pathways associated with suramin treatment in T. brucei. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the pharmacological impact of suramin and have the potential to inform the development of more efficacious therapeutic strategies against African trypanosomiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fanta Fall
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Avenue E. Mounier, B1 72.03, 1200, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Lucia Mamede
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Center of Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Madeline Vast
- Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA/LIDAM), Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Pascal De Tullio
- Clinical Metabolomics Group (CliMe), Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Marie-Pierre Hayette
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège, Domaine Universitaire, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Paul A M Michels
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Michel Frédérich
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Center of Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Bernadette Govaerts
- Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA/LIDAM), Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Joëlle Quetin-Leclercq
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Avenue E. Mounier, B1 72.03, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Silva Dias Vieira C, Pinheiro Aguiar R, de Almeida Nogueira NP, Costa dos Santos Junior G, Paes MC. Glucose metabolism sustains heme-induced Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote growth in vitro. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011725. [PMID: 37948458 PMCID: PMC10664871 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. This parasite alternates between an insect vector and a mammalian host. T. cruzi epimastigotes reside in the insect vector and coexist with the blood components of the vertebrate host. The metabolic profile of T. cruzi has been extensively studied; however, changes in its metabolism in response to signaling molecules present in the vector are poorly understood. Heme acts as a physiological oxidant that triggers intense epimastigote proliferation and upregulates the expression of genes related to glycolysis and aerobic fermentation in vitro. Here, heme-cultured epimastigotes increased D-glucose consumption. In fact, heme-cultured parasites secreted more succinate (the end product of the so-called succinic fermentation) followed by glucose intake. Increased succinate levels reduced the extracellular pH, leading to acidification of the supernatant. However, the acidification and proliferation stimulated by heme was impaired when glycolysis was inhibited. Otherwise, when glucose amount is enhanced in supernatant, heme-cultured parasites increased its growth whereas the glucose depletion caused a delay in proliferation. Heme supplementation increased epimastigote electron transport system-related O2 consumption rates, while glucose addition reduced both the electron transport system-related O2 consumption rates and spare respiratory capacity, indicating a Crabtree-like effect. These results show that glycolysis predominated in heme-cultured epimastigotes over oxidative phosphorylation for energy supply when glucose is present to sustain its high proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, it provided an insight into the parasite biology in the vector environment that supply glucose and the digestion of blood generates free heme that can lead to the growth of T. cruzi epimastigotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Silva Dias Vieira
- Laboratório de Interação Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores—Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG–UERJ–Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ramon Pinheiro Aguiar
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis (IBqM) and National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO)–UFRJ–Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Natalia Pereira de Almeida Nogueira
- Laboratório de Interação Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores—Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG–UERJ–Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia—Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)–Brazil
| | | | - Marcia Cristina Paes
- Laboratório de Interação Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores—Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG–UERJ–Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia—Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)–Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Smith JT, Tylec B, Naguleswaran A, Roditi I, Read LK. Developmental dynamics of mitochondrial mRNA abundance and editing reveal roles for temperature and the differentiation-repressive kinase RDK1 in cytochrome oxidase subunit II mRNA editing. mBio 2023; 14:e0185423. [PMID: 37795988 PMCID: PMC10653865 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01854-23] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Trypanosoma brucei is the unicellular parasite that causes African sleeping sickness and nagana disease in livestock. The parasite has a complex life cycle consisting of several developmental forms in the human and tsetse fly insect vector. Both the mammalian and insect hosts provide different nutritional environments, so T. brucei must adapt its metabolism to promote its survival and to complete its life cycle. As T. brucei is transmitted from the human host to the fly, the parasite must regulate its mitochondrial gene expression through a process called uridine insertion/deletion editing to achieve mRNAs capable of being translated into functional respiratory chain proteins required for energy production in the insect host. Therefore, it is essential to understand the mechanisms by which T. brucei regulates mitochondrial gene expression during transmission from the mammalian host to the insect vector.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph T. Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Brianna Tylec
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | | | - Isabel Roditi
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Laurie K. Read
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Taleva G, Husová M, Panicucci B, Hierro-Yap C, Pineda E, Biran M, Moos M, Šimek P, Butter F, Bringaud F, Zíková A. Mitochondrion of the Trypanosoma brucei long slender bloodstream form is capable of ATP production by substrate-level phosphorylation. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011699. [PMID: 37819951 PMCID: PMC10593219 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The long slender bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei maintains its essential mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) through the proton-pumping activity of the FoF1-ATP synthase operating in the reverse mode. The ATP that drives this hydrolytic reaction has long been thought to be generated by glycolysis and imported from the cytosol via an ATP/ADP carrier (AAC). Indeed, we demonstrate that AAC is the only carrier that can import ATP into the mitochondrial matrix to power the hydrolytic activity of the FoF1-ATP synthase. However, contrary to expectations, the deletion of AAC has no effect on parasite growth, virulence or levels of ΔΨm. This suggests that ATP is produced by substrate-level phosphorylation pathways in the mitochondrion. Therefore, we knocked out the succinyl-CoA synthetase (SCS) gene, a key mitochondrial enzyme that produces ATP through substrate-level phosphorylation in this parasite. Its absence resulted in changes to the metabolic landscape of the parasite, lowered virulence, and reduced mitochondrial ATP content. Strikingly, these SCS mutant parasites become more dependent on AAC as demonstrated by a 25-fold increase in their sensitivity to the AAC inhibitor, carboxyatractyloside. Since the parasites were able to adapt to the loss of SCS in culture, we also analyzed the more immediate phenotypes that manifest when SCS expression is rapidly suppressed by RNAi. Importantly, when performed under nutrient-limited conditions mimicking various host environments, SCS depletion strongly affected parasite growth and levels of ΔΨm. In totality, the data establish that the long slender bloodstream form mitochondrion is capable of generating ATP via substrate-level phosphorylation pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gergana Taleva
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Ceske Budejovice, Czech republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech republic
| | - Michaela Husová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Ceske Budejovice, Czech republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech republic
| | - Brian Panicucci
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Ceske Budejovice, Czech republic
| | - Carolina Hierro-Yap
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Ceske Budejovice, Czech republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech republic
| | - Erika Pineda
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité (MFP), Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Marc Biran
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Résonance Magnétique des Systèmes Biologiques (CRMSB), Bordeaux, France
| | - Martin Moos
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre CAS, Ceske Budejovice, Czech republic
| | - Petr Šimek
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre CAS, Ceske Budejovice, Czech republic
| | - Falk Butter
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Frédéric Bringaud
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité (MFP), Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Alena Zíková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Ceske Budejovice, Czech republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech republic
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pardo-Rodriguez D, Lasso P, Santamaría-Torres M, Cala MP, Puerta CJ, Méndez Arteaga JJ, Robles J, Cuervo C. Clethra fimbriata hexanic extract triggers alteration in the energy metabolism in epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1206074. [PMID: 37818099 PMCID: PMC10561390 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1206074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in American countries and an estimated 8 million people worldwide are chronically infected. Currently, only two drugs are available for therapeutic use against T. cruzi and their use is controversial due to several disadvantages associated with side effects and low compliance with treatment. Therefore, there is a need to search for new tripanocidal agents. Natural products have been considered a potential innovative source of effective and selective agents for drug development to treat T. cruzi infection. Recently, our research group showed that hexanic extract from Clethra fimbriata (CFHEX) exhibits anti-parasitic activity against all stages of T. cruzi parasite, being apoptosis the main cell death mechanism in both epimastigotes and trypomastigotes stages. With the aim of deepening the understanding of the mechanisms of death induced by CFHEX, the metabolic alterations elicited after treatment using a multiplatform metabolomics analysis (RP/HILIC-LC-QTOF-MS and GC-QTOF-MS) were performed. A total of 154 altered compounds were found significant in the treated parasites corresponding to amino acids (Arginine, threonine, cysteine, methionine, glycine, valine, proline, isoleucine, alanine, leucine, glutamic acid, and serine), fatty acids (stearic acid), glycerophospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine), sulfur compounds (trypanothione) and carboxylic acids (pyruvate and phosphoenolpyruvate). The most affected metabolic pathways were mainly related to energy metabolism, which was found to be decrease during the evaluated treatment time. Further, exogenous compounds of the triterpene type (betulinic, ursolic and pomolic acid) previously described in C. fimbriata were found inside the treated parasites. Our findings suggest that triterpene-type compounds may contribute to the activity of CFHEX by altering essential processes in the parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pardo-Rodriguez
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Fitoquímica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Productos Naturales, Universidad del Tolima, Tolima, Colombia
- Metabolomics Core Facility—MetCore, Vice-Presidency for Research, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mary Santamaría-Torres
- Metabolomics Core Facility—MetCore, Vice-Presidency for Research, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mónica P. Cala
- Metabolomics Core Facility—MetCore, Vice-Presidency for Research, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J. Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Jorge Robles
- Grupo de Fitoquímica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Menezes AP, Murillo AM, de Castro CG, Bellini NK, Tosi LRO, Thiemann OH, Elias MC, Silber AM, da Cunha JPC. Navigating the boundaries between metabolism and epigenetics in trypanosomes. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:682-695. [PMID: 37349193 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.05.010] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic marks enable cells to acquire new biological features that favor their adaptation to environmental changes. These marks are chemical modifications on chromatin-associated proteins and nucleic acids that lead to changes in the chromatin landscape and may eventually affect gene expression. The chemical tags of these epigenetic marks are comprised of intermediate cellular metabolites. The number of discovered associations between metabolism and epigenetics has increased, revealing how environment influences gene regulation and phenotype diversity. This connection is relevant to all organisms but underappreciated in digenetic parasites, which must adapt to different environments as they progress through their life cycles. This review speculates and proposes associations between epigenetics and metabolism in trypanosomes, which are protozoan parasites that cause human and livestock diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Menezes
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular - Instituto Butantan, São Paulo-SP, Brazil; Centro de Toxinas, Resposta Imune e Sinalização Celular (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Milena Murillo
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tryps - LabTryps, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Gachet de Castro
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular - Instituto Butantan, São Paulo-SP, Brazil; Centro de Toxinas, Resposta Imune e Sinalização Celular (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natalia Karla Bellini
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular - Instituto Butantan, São Paulo-SP, Brazil; Centro de Toxinas, Resposta Imune e Sinalização Celular (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Maria Carolina Elias
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular - Instituto Butantan, São Paulo-SP, Brazil; Centro de Toxinas, Resposta Imune e Sinalização Celular (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ariel Mariano Silber
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tryps - LabTryps, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
| | - Julia Pinheiro Chagas da Cunha
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular - Instituto Butantan, São Paulo-SP, Brazil; Centro de Toxinas, Resposta Imune e Sinalização Celular (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nascimento JF, Souza ROO, Alencar MB, Marsiccobetre S, Murillo AM, Damasceno FS, Girard RBMM, Marchese L, Luévano-Martinez LA, Achjian RW, Haanstra JR, Michels PAM, Silber AM. How much (ATP) does it cost to build a trypanosome? A theoretical study on the quantity of ATP needed to maintain and duplicate a bloodstream-form Trypanosoma brucei cell. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011522. [PMID: 37498954 PMCID: PMC10409291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
ATP hydrolysis is required for the synthesis, transport and polymerization of monomers for macromolecules as well as for the assembly of the latter into cellular structures. Other cellular processes not directly related to synthesis of biomass, such as maintenance of membrane potential and cellular shape, also require ATP. The unicellular flagellated parasite Trypanosoma brucei has a complex digenetic life cycle. The primary energy source for this parasite in its bloodstream form (BSF) is glucose, which is abundant in the host's bloodstream. Here, we made a detailed estimation of the energy budget during the BSF cell cycle. As glycolysis is the source of most produced ATP, we calculated that a single parasite produces 6.0 x 1011 molecules of ATP/cell cycle. Total biomass production (which involves biomass maintenance and duplication) accounts for ~63% of the total energy budget, while the total biomass duplication accounts for the remaining ~37% of the ATP consumption, with in both cases translation being the most expensive process. These values allowed us to estimate a theoretical YATP of 10.1 (g biomass)/mole ATP and a theoretical [Formula: see text] of 28.6 (g biomass)/mole ATP. Flagellar motility, variant surface glycoprotein recycling, transport and maintenance of transmembrane potential account for less than 30% of the consumed ATP. Finally, there is still ~5.5% available in the budget that is being used for other cellular processes of as yet unknown cost. These data put a new perspective on the assumptions about the relative energetic weight of the processes a BSF trypanosome undergoes during its cell cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janaina F. Nascimento
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodolpho O. O. Souza
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mayke B. Alencar
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Marsiccobetre
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana M. Murillo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flávia S. Damasceno
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Richard B. M. M. Girard
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia Marchese
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis A. Luévano-Martinez
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renan W. Achjian
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jurgen R. Haanstra
- Systems Biology Lab, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul A. M. Michels
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ariel M. Silber
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yadav S, Bharti S, Mathur P. GlucoKinaseDB: A comprehensive, curated resource of glucokinase modulators for clinical and molecular research. Comput Biol Chem 2023; 103:107818. [PMID: 36680885 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2023.107818] [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: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Glucokinase (GK), an isoform of hexokinase expressed predominantly in liver, pancreas and hypothalamus is crucial to blood glucose management. It is a critical component of the glucose-sensing mechanism of the pancreatic islet cells and glycogen regulation in hepatocytes. GK modulators such as allosteric GKAs (glucokinase activators) and GK-GKRP (glucokinase regulatory protein) disruptors have found potential applications as safer antihyperglycemics. Recent studies have also demonstrated the potential of GK modulators as antiparasitic agents. Researchers targeting GK often undertake the time-consuming task of independently collecting and compiling modulator information due to the lack of any dedicated single-platform resource. Towards this, in the present study we demonstrate the design and development of GlucoKinaseDB (GKDB), a comprehensive, curated, online resource of GK modulators. GKDB contains experimentally derived structural and bioactivity information of 1723 modulators along with their detailed molecular descriptors. The web-interface is user-friendly with features such as in-browser visualization, advanced search queries, cross-links to other databases and original reference etc. The bioactivity and descriptor data can be downloaded in bulk (for entire database) or for individual modulators. The 3D structures are also downloadable in multiple formats. GKDB employs a PHP-based web design with Bootstrap styling and a MySQL database backend. GKDB can be utilized for clinical and molecular research via development of pharmacophore hypotheses, QSAR/QSPR models, predictive machine learning models etc. GKDB is freely accessible online at https://glucokinasedb.in.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Yadav
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Samuel Bharti
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Puniti Mathur
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Osorio-Méndez JF, Téllez GA, Zapata-López D, Echeverry S, Castaño JC. Sequence analysis of SWEET transporters from trypanosomatids and evaluation of its expression in Trypanosoma cruzi. Exp Parasitol 2023; 248:108496. [PMID: 36878387 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is an obligate parasite that uses glucose as one of the main resources to maintain its survival and proliferation. In eukaryotic cells glucose transport across membranes is mediated by facilitated transport through a variety of transporters. Herein, genes from the recently described SWEET family of carbohydrate transporters were identified in trypanosomatid parasites, including the medically important species T. cruzi and Leishmania spp. The identified genes have sequences with the typical attributes of known SWEET transporters. The expression of TcSWEET, the gene for the SWEET transporter found in the T. cruzi genome, was evidenced by immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal serum raised against peptides selected from the deduced TcSWEET protein sequence. In Western blot analysis, this α-TcSWEET serum detected proteins within the theoretical molecular mass for TcSWEET (25.8 kDa) in total epimastigote lysates, suggesting its expression at this parasite stage. Additionally, this serum stained epimastigotes at localizations consistent with the cell body and the flagellum. Together, these data suggests that SWEET transporters may contribute to glucose transport in trypanosomatid parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Felipe Osorio-Méndez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Biología Molecular, Programa de Medicina, Corporación Universitaria Empresarial Alexander von Humboldt, Armenia, Colombia.
| | - Germán Alberto Téllez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Biología Molecular, Programa de Medicina, Corporación Universitaria Empresarial Alexander von Humboldt, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Daniela Zapata-López
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Biología Molecular, Programa de Medicina, Corporación Universitaria Empresarial Alexander von Humboldt, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Sebastián Echeverry
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Biología Molecular, Programa de Medicina, Corporación Universitaria Empresarial Alexander von Humboldt, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Jhon Carlos Castaño
- Grupo de Inmunología Molecular (Gymol), Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Quindío, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Moreira RS, Calomeno NA, das Neves GB, do Nascimento LFN, Filho VB, Wagner G, Miletti LC. Trypanosoma evansi secretome carries potential biomarkers for Surra diagnosis. J Proteomics 2023; 272:104789. [PMID: 36464092 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2022.104789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma evansi is a parasite that is phylogenetically close to Trypanosoma brucei and is the causative agent of a disease known as surra. Surra is responsible for a high mortality rate in livestock and large economic losses in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. This work aimed to analyze in vitro secreted proteins from T. evansi and identify potential treatment and diagnostic biomarkers for surra diagnosis. Two groups were used. In one group the parasites were purified using a DEAE-Cellulose column and maintained in a secretion medium while in the other group the parasites were not purified. Each group was further divided to be maintained at either 37 °C or 27 °C. We identified 246 proteins through mass spectrometry and found that the temperature appears to modulate protein secretion. We found minimal variations in the protein pools from pure and non-purified sets. We observed an emphasis on proteins associated to vesicles, glycolysis, and cellular homeostasis through the enrichment of GO. Also, we found that most secretome proteins share homologous proteins with T. b. brucei, T. b. gambiense, T. vivax, T. equiperdum, and T. b. rhodesiense secretome but unique T. evansi epitopes with potential biomarkers for surra diagnosis were detected. SIGNIFICANCE: Trypanosoma evansi is a parasite of African origin that is phylogenetically close to Trypanosoma brucei. As with other trypanosomatids and blood parasites, its infection causes non-pathognomonic symptoms, which makes its diagnosis difficult. One great problem is the fact that no diagnostic test differentiates between Trypanosoma equiperdum and T. evansi, which is a problem in South America and Asia, and Africa. Thus, it is urgent to study the biochemistry of the parasite to discover proteins that can be used for differential diagnosis or be possible therapeutic targets. In addition, the study of the secretome can point out proteins that are used by the parasite in its interactions with the host, helping to understand the progression of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renato Simões Moreira
- Laboratório de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, SC 88520-000, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Santa Catarina (IFSC), Campus Gaspar, R. Adriano Kormann, 510 - Bela Vista, Gaspar, SC 89111-009, Brazil
| | - Nathália Anderson Calomeno
- Laboratório de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, SC 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Gabriella Bassi das Neves
- Laboratório de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, SC 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Luiz Flávio Nepomuceno do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, SC 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Vilmar Benetti Filho
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus João David Ferreira Lima, Setor F, Bloco A, Sala 318, Caixa postal 476, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88040-970, Brazil
| | - Glauber Wagner
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus João David Ferreira Lima, Setor F, Bloco A, Sala 318, Caixa postal 476, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88040-970, Brazil
| | - Luiz Claudio Miletti
- Laboratório de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, SC 88520-000, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ballesteros-Casallas A, Quiroga C, Ortiz C, Benítez D, Denis PA, Figueroa D, Salas CO, Bertrand J, Tapia RA, Sánchez P, Miscione GP, Comini MA, Paulino M. Mode of action of p-quinone derivatives with trypanocidal activity studied by experimental and in silico models. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 246:114926. [PMID: 36508970 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114926] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Quinones are attractive pharmacological scaffolds for developing new agents for the treatment of different transmissible and non-transmissible human diseases due to their capacity to alter the cell redox homeostasis. The bioactivity and potential mode of action of 19 p-quinone derivatives fused to different aromatic rings (carbo or heterocycles) and harboring distinct substituents were investigated in infective Trypanosoma brucei brucei. All the compounds, except for a furanequinone (EC50=38 μM), proved to be similarly or even more potent (EC50 = 0.5-5.5 μM) than the clinical drug nifurtimox (EC50 = 5.3 μM). Three furanequinones and one thiazolequinone displayed a higher selectivity than nifurtimox. Two of these selective hits resulted potent inhibitors of T. cruzi proliferation (EC50=0.8-1.1 μM) but proved inactive against Leishmania infantum amastigotes. Most of the p-quinones induced a rapid and marked intracellular oxidation in T. b. brucei. DFT calculations on the oxidized quinone (Q), semiquinone (Q•-) and hydroquinone (QH2) suggest that all quinones have negative ΔG for the formation of Q•-. Qualitative and quantitative structure-activity relationship analyses in two or three dimensions of different electronic and biophysical descriptors of quinones and their corresponding bioactivities (killing potency and oxidative capacity) were performed. Charge distribution over the quinone ring carbons of Q and Q.- and the frontier orbitals energies of SUMO (Q.-) and LUMO (Q) correlate with their oxidative and trypanocidal activity. QSAR analysis also highlighted that both bromine substitution in the p-quinone ring and a bulky phenyl group attached to the furane and thiazole rings (which generates a negative charge due to the π electron system polarized by the nearby heteroatoms) are favorable for activity. By combining experimental and in silico procedures, this study disclosed important information about p-quinones that may help to rationally tune their electronic properties and biological activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andres Ballesteros-Casallas
- COBO, Computational Bio-Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Carrera 1 18A-12, Bogotá, 111711, Colombia; Bioinformatics Center, DETEMA Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de la República, General Flores 2124, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
| | - Cristina Quiroga
- Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
| | - Cecilia Ortiz
- Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
| | - Diego Benítez
- Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
| | - Pablo A Denis
- Computational Nanotechnology, DETEMA Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de la República, General Flores 2124, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
| | - David Figueroa
- COBO, Computational Bio-Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Carrera 1 18A-12, Bogotá, 111711, Colombia
| | - Cristian O Salas
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, 6094411, Chile
| | - Jeanluc Bertrand
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, 6094411, Chile
| | - Ricardo A Tapia
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, 6094411, Chile
| | - Patricio Sánchez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, 6094411, Chile
| | - Gian Pietro Miscione
- COBO, Computational Bio-Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Carrera 1 18A-12, Bogotá, 111711, Colombia.
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay.
| | - Margot Paulino
- Bioinformatics Center, DETEMA Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de la República, General Flores 2124, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Nare Z, Moses T, Burgess K, Schnaufer A, Walkinshaw MD, Michels PAM. Metabolic insights into phosphofructokinase inhibition in bloodstream-form trypanosomes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1129791. [PMID: 36864883 PMCID: PMC9971811 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1129791] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously, we reported the development of novel small molecules that are potent inhibitors of the glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase (PFK) of Trypanosoma brucei and related protists responsible for serious diseases in humans and domestic animals. Cultured bloodstream-form trypanosomes, which are fully reliant on glycolysis for their ATP production, are rapidly killed at submicromolar concentrations of these compounds, which have no effect on the activity of human PFKs and human cells. Single-day oral dosing cures stage 1 human trypanosomiasis in an animal model. Here we analyze changes in the metabolome of cultured trypanosomes during the first hour after addition of a selected PFK inhibitor, CTCB405. The ATP level of T. brucei drops quickly followed by a partial increase. Already within the first five minutes after dosing, an increase is observed in the amount of fructose 6-phosphate, the metabolite just upstream of the PFK reaction, while intracellular levels of the downstream glycolytic metabolites phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate show an increase and decrease, respectively. Intriguingly, a decrease in the level of O-acetylcarnitine and an increase in the amount of L-carnitine were observed. Likely explanations for these metabolomic changes are provided based on existing knowledge of the trypanosome's compartmentalized metabolic network and kinetic properties of its enzymes. Other major changes in the metabolome concerned glycerophospholipids, however, there was no consistent pattern of increase or decrease upon treatment. CTCB405 treatment caused less prominent changes in the metabolome of bloodstream-form Trypanosoma congolense, a ruminant parasite. This agrees with the fact that it has a more elaborate glucose catabolic network with a considerably lower glucose consumption rate than bloodstream-form T. brucei.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zandile Nare
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Tessa Moses
- EdinOmics, RRID:SCR_021838, Centre for Engineering Biology, School of Biological Sciences, CH Waddington Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Karl Burgess
- EdinOmics, RRID:SCR_021838, Centre for Engineering Biology, School of Biological Sciences, CH Waddington Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, CH Waddington Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Achim Schnaufer
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Malcolm D. Walkinshaw
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Michael Swann Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A. M. Michels
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Michael Swann Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Paul A. M. Michels,
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Structure-based design, synthesis and evaluation of a novel family of PEX5-PEX14 interaction inhibitors against Trypanosoma. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114778. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
18
|
Etheridge RD. Protozoan phagotrophy from predators to parasites: An overview of the enigmatic cytostome-cytopharynx complex of Trypanosoma cruzi. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12896. [PMID: 35175673 PMCID: PMC11110969 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Eating is fundamental and from this basic principle, living organisms have evolved innumerable strategies to capture energy and nutrients from their environment. As part of the world's aquatic ecosystems, the expansive family of heterotrophic protozoans uses self-generated currents to funnel prokaryotic prey into an ancient, yet highly enigmatic, oral apparatus known as the cytostome-cytopharynx complex prior to digestion. Despite its near ubiquitous presence in protozoans, little is known mechanistically about how this feeding organelle functions. Intriguingly, one class of these flagellated phagotrophic predators known as the kinetoplastids gave rise to a lineage of obligate parasitic protozoa, the trypanosomatids, that can infect a wide variety of organisms ranging from plants to humans. One parasitic species of humans, Trypanosoma cruzi, has retained this ancestral organelle much like its free-living relatives and continues to use it as its primary mode of endocytosis. In this review, we will highlight foundational observations made regarding the cytostome-cytopharynx complex and examine some of the most pressing questions regarding the mechanistic basis for its function. We propose that T. cruzi has the potential to serve as an excellent model system to dissect the enigmatic process of protozoal phagotrophy and thus enhance our overall understanding of fundamental eukaryotic biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Drew Etheridge
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Andrade-Alviárez D, Bonive-Boscan AD, Cáceres AJ, Quiñones W, Gualdrón-López M, Ginger ML, Michels PAM. Delineating transitions during the evolution of specialised peroxisomes: Glycosome formation in kinetoplastid and diplonemid protists. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:979269. [PMID: 36172271 PMCID: PMC9512073 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.979269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
One peculiarity of protists belonging to classes Kinetoplastea and Diplonemea within the phylum Euglenozoa is compartmentalisation of most glycolytic enzymes within peroxisomes that are hence called glycosomes. This pathway is not sequestered in peroxisomes of the third Euglenozoan class, Euglenida. Previous analysis of well-studied kinetoplastids, the ‘TriTryps’ parasites Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp., identified within glycosomes other metabolic processes usually not present in peroxisomes. In addition, trypanosomatid peroxins, i.e. proteins involved in biogenesis of these organelles, are divergent from human and yeast orthologues. In recent years, genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes for a variety of euglenozoans have become available. Here, we track the possible evolution of glycosomes by querying these databases, as well as the genome of Naegleria gruberi, a non-euglenozoan, which belongs to the same protist supergroup Discoba. We searched for orthologues of TriTryps proteins involved in glycosomal metabolism and biogenesis. Predicted cellular location(s) of each metabolic enzyme identified was inferred from presence or absence of peroxisomal-targeting signals. Combined with a survey of relevant literature, we refine extensively our previously postulated hypothesis about glycosome evolution. The data agree glycolysis was compartmentalised in a common ancestor of the kinetoplastids and diplonemids, yet additionally indicates most other processes found in glycosomes of extant trypanosomatids, but not in peroxisomes of other eukaryotes were either sequestered in this ancestor or shortly after separation of the two lineages. In contrast, peroxin divergence is evident in all euglenozoans. Following their gain of pathway complexity, subsequent evolution of peroxisome/glycosome function is complex. We hypothesize compartmentalisation in glycosomes of glycolytic enzymes, their cofactors and subsequently other metabolic enzymes provided selective advantage to kinetoplastids and diplonemids during their evolution in changing marine environments. We contend two specific properties derived from the ancestral peroxisomes were key: existence of nonselective pores for small solutes and the possibility of high turnover by pexophagy. Critically, such pores and pexophagy are characterised in extant trypanosomatids. Increasing amenability of free-living kinetoplastids and recently isolated diplonemids to experimental study means our hypothesis and interpretation of bioinformatic data are suited to experimental interrogation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Andrade-Alviárez
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
| | - Alejandro D. Bonive-Boscan
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
| | - Ana J. Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
| | - Wilfredo Quiñones
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
| | | | - Michael L. Ginger
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A. M. Michels
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution and Centre for Translational and Chemical Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Paul A. M. Michels,
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Steverding D, do Nascimento LG, Perez-Castillo Y, de Sousa DP. Gallic Acid Alkyl Esters: Trypanocidal and Leishmanicidal Activity, and Target Identification via Modeling Studies. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27185876. [PMID: 36144611 PMCID: PMC9501172 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27185876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Eight gallic acid alkyl esters (1−8) were synthesized via Fischer esterification and evaluated for their trypanocidal and leishmanicidal activity using bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei and promastigotes of Leishmania major. The general cytotoxicity of the esters was evaluated with human HL-60 cells. The compounds displayed moderate to good trypanocidal but zero to low leishmanicidal activity. Gallic acid esters with alkyl chains of three or four carbon atoms in linear arrangement (propyl (4), butyl (5), and isopentyl (6)) were found to be the most trypanocidal compounds with 50% growth inhibition values of ~3 μM. On the other hand, HL-60 cells were less susceptible to the compounds, thus, resulting in moderate selectivity indices (ratio of cytotoxic to trypanocidal activity) of >20 for the esters 4−6. Modeling studies combining molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the trypanocidal mechanism of action of gallic acid alkyl esters could be related to the inhibition of the T. brucei alternative oxidase. This suggestion is supported by the observation that trypanosomes became immobile within minutes when incubated with the esters in the presence of glycerol as the sole substrate. These results indicate that gallic acid alkyl esters are interesting compounds to be considered for further antitrypanosomal drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dietmar Steverding
- Bob Champion Research and Education Building, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
- Correspondence: (D.S.); (D.P.d.S.)
| | - Lázaro Gomes do Nascimento
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
| | - Yunierkis Perez-Castillo
- Bio-Cheminformatics Research Group, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito 170516, Ecuador
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Área de Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito 170516, Ecuador
| | - Damião Pergentino de Sousa
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
- Correspondence: (D.S.); (D.P.d.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Mesa JM, Comini MA, Dibello E, Gamenara D. Organocatalytic synthesis and anti‐trypanosomal activity evaluation of L‐pentofuranose‐mimetic iminosugars. European J Org Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202200636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Manuel Mesa
- Universidad de la Republica Uruguay Organic chemistry department Gral. Flores 2124 11800 Montevideo URUGUAY
| | - Marcelo Alberto Comini
- Institut Pasteur Montevideo Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes Mataojo 2020 11400 Montevideo URUGUAY
| | - Estefania Dibello
- Universidad de la República Uruguay Departamento de Química Orgánica Gral. Flores 21 24 11800 Montevideo URUGUAY
| | - Daniela Gamenara
- Universidad de la Republica Facultad de Quimica Organic Chemistry Department Gral. Flores 2124 11800 Montevideo URUGUAY
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Scattolini A, Lavatelli A, Vacchina P, Lambruschi DA, Mansilla MC, Uttaro AD. Functional characterization of the first lipoyl-relay pathway from a parasitic protozoan. Mol Microbiol 2022; 117:1352-1365. [PMID: 35484915 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14913] [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: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Lipoic acid (LA) is a sulfur-containing cofactor covalently attached to key enzymes of central metabolism in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. LA can be acquired by scavenging, mediated by a lipoate ligase, or de novo synthesized by a pathway requiring an octanoyltransferase and a lipoate synthase. A more complex pathway, referred to as "lipoyl-relay", requires two additional proteins, GcvH, the glycine cleavage system H subunit, and an amidotransferase. This route was described so far in Bacillus subtilis and related Gram positive bacteria, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Homo sapiens and Caenorhabditis elegans. Using collections of S. cerevisiae and B. subtilis mutants, defective in LA metabolism, we gathered evidence that allow us to propose for the first time that lipoyl-relay pathways are also present in parasitic protozoa. By a reverse genetic approach, we assigned octanoyltransferase and amidotransferase activity to the products of Tb927.11.9390 (TblipT) and Tb927.8.630 (TblipL) genes of Trypanosoma brucei, respectively. The B. subtilis model allowed us to identify the parasite amidotransferase as the target of lipoate analogues like 8-bromo octanoic acid, explaining the complete loss of protein lipoylation and growth impairment caused by this compound in T. cruzi. This model could be instrumental for the screening of selective and more efficient chemotherapies against trypanosomiases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Albertina Scattolini
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas.,Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Ocampo y Esmeralda, Predio CONICET (S2000FHQ) Rosario, Argentina
| | - Antonela Lavatelli
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas.,Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics
| | - Paola Vacchina
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
| | - Daniel A Lambruschi
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
| | - María C Mansilla
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas.,Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Ocampo y Esmeralda, Predio CONICET (S2000FHQ) Rosario, Argentina
| | - Antonio D Uttaro
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas.,Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Ocampo y Esmeralda, Predio CONICET (S2000FHQ) Rosario, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zíková A. Mitochondrial adaptations throughout the Trypanosoma brucei life cycle. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12911. [PMID: 35325490 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The unicellular parasite Trypanosoma brucei has a digenetic life cycle that alternates between a mammalian host and an insect vector. During programmed development, this extracellular parasite encounters strikingly different environments that determine its energy metabolism. Functioning as a bioenergetic, biosynthetic, and signaling center, the single mitochondrion of T. brucei is drastically remodeled to support the dynamic cellular demands of the parasite. This manuscript will provide an up-to-date overview of how the distinct T. brucei developmental stages differ in their mitochondrial metabolic and bioenergetic pathways, with a focus on the electron transport chain, proline oxidation, TCA cycle, acetate production, and ATP generation. Although mitochondrial metabolic rewiring has always been simply viewed as a consequence of the differentiation process, the possibility that certain mitochondrial activities reinforce parasite differentiation will be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alena Zíková
- Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Fall F, Mamede L, Schioppa L, Ledoux A, De Tullio P, Michels P, Frédérich M, Quetin-Leclercq J. Trypanosoma brucei: Metabolomics for analysis of cellular metabolism and drug discovery. Metabolomics 2022; 18:20. [PMID: 35305174 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-022-01880-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma brucei is the causative agent of Human African Trypanosomiasis (also known as sleeping sickness), a disease causing serious neurological disorders and fatal if left untreated. Due to its lethal pathogenicity, a variety of treatments have been developed over the years, but which have some important limitations such as acute toxicity and parasite resistance. Metabolomics is an innovative tool used to better understand the parasite's cellular metabolism, and identify new potential targets, modes of action and resistance mechanisms. The metabolomic approach is mainly associated with robust analytical techniques, such as NMR and Mass Spectrometry. Applying these tools to the trypanosome parasite is, thus, useful for providing new insights into the sleeping sickness pathology and guidance towards innovative treatments. AIM OF REVIEW The present review aims to comprehensively describe the T. brucei biology and identify targets for new or commercialized antitrypanosomal drugs. Recent metabolomic applications to provide a deeper knowledge about the mechanisms of action of drugs or potential drugs against T. brucei are highlighted. Additionally, the advantages of metabolomics, alone or combined with other methods, are discussed. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW Compared to other parasites, only few studies employing metabolomics have to date been reported on Trypanosoma brucei. Published metabolic studies, treatments and modes of action are discussed. The main interest is to evaluate the metabolomics contribution to the understanding of T. brucei's metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fanta Fall
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Avenue E. Mounier B1 72.03, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Lucia Mamede
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Center of Interdisciplinary Research On Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Laura Schioppa
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Avenue E. Mounier B1 72.03, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Allison Ledoux
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Center of Interdisciplinary Research On Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Pascal De Tullio
- Metabolomics Group, Center of Interdisciplinary Research On Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Paul Michels
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution (CIIE) and Centre for Translational and Chemical Biology (CTCB), School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Michel Frédérich
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Center of Interdisciplinary Research On Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Joëlle Quetin-Leclercq
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Avenue E. Mounier B1 72.03, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
De-Simone SG, Bourguignon SC, Gonçalves PS, Lechuga GC, Provance DW. Metabolic Alteration of Trypanosoma cruzi during Differentiation of Epimastigote to Trypomastigote Forms. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020268. [PMID: 35215210 PMCID: PMC8879499 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020268] [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: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular parasites such as Trypanosoma cruzi need to acquire valuable carbon sources from the host cell to replicate. Here, we investigated the energetic metabolism of T. cruzi during metacyclogenesis through the determination of enzymatic activities and quantification by HPLC of glycolytic and Krebs cycle short-chain carboxylic acids. Altered concentrations in pyruvate, acetate, succinate, and glycerate were measured during the growth of epimastigote in the complex medium BHI and their differentiation to trypomastigotes in the chemically defined medium, TAU3AAG. These alterations should represent significant differential metabolic modifications utilized by either form to generate energy. This paper is the first work dealing with the intracellular organic acid concentration measurement in T. cruzi parasites. Although it confirms the previous assumption of the importance of carbohydrate metabolism, it yields an essential improvement in T. cruzi metabolism knowledge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore G. De-Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), FIOCRUZ, National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Populations Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil;
- Correspondence:
| | - Saulo C. Bourguignon
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Priscila S. Gonçalves
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), FIOCRUZ, National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Populations Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Guilherme C. Lechuga
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), FIOCRUZ, National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Populations Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - David W. Provance
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), FIOCRUZ, National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Populations Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Michels PAM, Gualdrón-López M. Biogenesis and metabolic homeostasis of trypanosomatid glycosomes: new insights and new questions. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12897. [PMID: 35175680 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Kinetoplastea and Diplonemea possess peroxisome-related organelles that, uniquely, contain most of the enzymes of the glycolytic pathway and are hence called glycosomes. Enzymes of several other core metabolic pathways have also been located in glycosomes, in addition to some characteristic peroxisomal systems such as pathways of lipid metabolism. A considerable amount of research has been performed on glycosomes of trypanosomes since their discovery four decades ago. Not only the role of the glycosomal enzyme systems in the overall cell metabolism appeared to be unique, but the organelles display also remarkable features regarding their biogenesis and structural properties. These features are similar to those of the well-studied peroxisomes of mammalian and plant cells and yeasts yet exhibit also differences reflecting the large evolutionary distance between these protists and the representatives of other major eukaryotic lineages. Despite all research performed, many questions remain about various properties and the biological roles of glycosomes and peroxisomes. Here we review the current knowledge about glycosomes, often comparing it with information about peroxisomes. Furthermore, we highlight particularly many questions that remain about the biogenesis, and the heterogeneity in structure and content of these enigmatic organelles, and the properties of their boundary membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul A M Michels
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution and Centre for Translational and Chemical Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Melisa Gualdrón-López
- Instituto Salud Global, Hospital Clinic-Universitat de Barcelona, and Institute for Health Sciences Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
A novel high-content phenotypic screen to identify inhibitors of mitochondrial DNA maintenance in trypanosomes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 66:e0198021. [PMID: 34871097 PMCID: PMC8846439 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01980-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastid parasites cause diverse neglected diseases in humans and livestock, with an urgent need for new treatments. The survival of kinetoplastids depends on their uniquely structured mitochondrial genome (kDNA), the eponymous kinetoplast. Here, we report the development of a high-content screen for pharmacologically induced kDNA loss, based on specific staining of parasites and automated image analysis. As proof of concept, we screened a diverse set of ∼14,000 small molecules and exemplify a validated hit as a novel kDNA-targeting compound.
Collapse
|
28
|
Trypanosoma brucei Tim50 Possesses PAP Activity and Plays a Critical Role in Cell Cycle Regulation and Parasite Infectivity. mBio 2021; 12:e0159221. [PMID: 34517757 PMCID: PMC8546626 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01592-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei, the infective agent for African trypanosomiasis, possesses a homologue of the translocase of the mitochondrial inner membrane 50 (TbTim50). It has a pair of characteristic phosphatase signature motifs, DXDX(T/V). Here, we demonstrated that, besides its protein phosphatase activity, the recombinant TbTim50 binds and hydrolyzes phosphatidic acid in a concentration-dependent manner. Mutations of D242 and D244, but not of D345and D347, to alanine abolished these activities. In silico structural homology models identified the putative binding interfaces that may accommodate different phosphosubstrates. Interestingly, TbTim50 depletion in the bloodstream form (BF) of T. brucei reduced cardiolipin (CL) levels and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ). TbTim50 knockdown (KD) also reduced the population of G2/M phase and increased that of G1 phase cells; inhibited segregation and caused overreplication of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA), and reduced BF cell growth. Depletion of TbTim50 increased the levels of AMPK phosphorylation, and parasite morphology was changed with upregulation of expression of a few stumpy marker genes. Importantly, we observed that TbTim50-depleted parasites were unable to establish infection in mice. Proteomics analysis showed reductions in levels of the translation factors, flagellar transport proteins, and many proteasomal subunits, including those of the mitochondrial heat shock locus ATPase (HslVU), which is known to play a role in regulation of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) replication. Reduction of the level of HslV in TbTim50 KD cells was further validated by immunoblot analysis. Together, our results showed that TbTim50 is essential for mitochondrial function, regulation of kDNA replication, and the cell cycle in the BF. Therefore, TbTim50 is an important target for structure-based drug design to combat African trypanosomiasis.
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
Hypoxia inhibits the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and leaves glycolysis as the primary metabolic pathway responsible for converting glucose into usable energy. However, the mechanisms that compensate for this loss in energy production due to TCA cycle inactivation remain poorly understood. Glycolysis enzymes are typically diffuse and soluble in the cytoplasm under normoxic conditions. In contrast, recent studies have revealed dynamic compartmentalization of glycolysis enzymes in response to hypoxic stress in yeast, C. elegans and mammalian cells. These messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) structures, termed glycolytic (G) bodies in yeast, lack membrane enclosure and display properties of phase-separated biomolecular condensates. Disruption of condensate formation correlates with defects such as impaired synaptic function in C. elegans neurons and decreased glucose flux in yeast. Concentrating glycolysis enzymes into condensates may lead to their functioning as 'metabolons' that enhance rates of glucose utilization for increased energy production. Besides condensates, glycolysis enzymes functionally associate in other organisms and specific tissues through protein-protein interactions and membrane association. However, as discussed in this Review, the functional consequences of coalescing glycolytic machinery are only just beginning to be revealed. Through ongoing studies, we anticipate the physiological importance of metabolic regulation mediated by the compartmentalization of glycolysis enzymes will continue to emerge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory G Fuller
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - John K Kim
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Gomes MT, Paes-Vieira L, Gomes-Vieira AL, Cosentino-Gomes D, da Silva APP, Giarola NLL, Da Silva D, Sola-Penna M, Galina A, Meyer-Fernandes JR. 3-Bromopyruvate: A new strategy for inhibition of glycolytic enzymes in Leishmania amazonensis. Exp Parasitol 2021; 229:108154. [PMID: 34481863 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108154] [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: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The compound 3-bromopyruvate (3-BrPA) is well-known and studies from several researchers have demonstrated its involvement in tumorigenesis. It is an analogue of pyruvic acid that inhibits ATP synthesis by inhibiting enzymes from the glycolytic pathway and oxidative phosphorylation. In this work, we investigated the effect of 3-BrPA on energy metabolism of L. amazonensis. In order to verify the effect of 3-BrPA on L. amazonensis glycolysis, we measured the activity level of three glycolytic enzymes located at different points of the pathway: (i) glucose kinases, step 1, (ii) glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), step 6, and (iii) enolase, step 9. 3-BrPA, in a dose-dependent manner, significantly reduced the activity levels of all the enzymes. In addition, 3-BrPA treatment led to a reduction in the levels of phosphofruto-1-kinase (PFK) protein, suggesting that the mode of action of 3-BrPA involves the downregulation of some glycolytic enzymes. Measurement of ATP levels in promastigotes of L. amazonensis showed a significant reduction in ATP generation. The O2 consumption was also significantly inhibited in promastigotes, confirming the energy depletion effect of 3-BrPA. When 3-BrPA was added to the cells at the beginning of growth cycle, it significantly inhibited L. amazonensis proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the ability to infect macrophages was reduced by approximately 50% when promastigotes were treated with 3-BrPA. Taken together, these studies corroborate with previous reports which suggest 3-BrPA as a potential drug against pathogenic microorganisms that are reliant on glucose catabolism for ATP supply.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Teixeira Gomes
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Lisvane Paes-Vieira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - André Luiz Gomes-Vieira
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Daniela Cosentino-Gomes
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Pereira da Silva
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Naira Ligia Lima Giarola
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Daniel Da Silva
- Laboratório de Enzimologia e Controle do Metabolismo, Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mauro Sola-Penna
- Laboratório de Enzimologia e Controle do Metabolismo, Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Antonio Galina
- Laboratorio de Bioenergética e Fisiologia Mitocondrial, Programa de Bioquímica e Biofísica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Medica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Chaudhuri M, Tripathi A, Gonzalez FS. Diverse Functions of Tim50, a Component of the Mitochondrial Inner Membrane Protein Translocase. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7779. [PMID: 34360547 PMCID: PMC8346121 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are essential in eukaryotes. Besides producing 80% of total cellular ATP, mitochondria are involved in various cellular functions such as apoptosis, inflammation, innate immunity, stress tolerance, and Ca2+ homeostasis. Mitochondria are also the site for many critical metabolic pathways and are integrated into the signaling network to maintain cellular homeostasis under stress. Mitochondria require hundreds of proteins to perform all these functions. Since the mitochondrial genome only encodes a handful of proteins, most mitochondrial proteins are imported from the cytosol via receptor/translocase complexes on the mitochondrial outer and inner membranes known as TOMs and TIMs. Many of the subunits of these protein complexes are essential for cell survival in model yeast and other unicellular eukaryotes. Defects in the mitochondrial import machineries are also associated with various metabolic, developmental, and neurodegenerative disorders in multicellular organisms. In addition to their canonical functions, these protein translocases also help maintain mitochondrial structure and dynamics, lipid metabolism, and stress response. This review focuses on the role of Tim50, the receptor component of one of the TIM complexes, in different cellular functions, with an emphasis on the Tim50 homologue in parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minu Chaudhuri
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (A.T.); (F.S.G.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Ralton JE, Sernee MF, McConville MJ. Evolution and function of carbohydrate reserve biosynthesis in parasitic protists. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:988-1001. [PMID: 34266735 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.06.005] [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: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Nearly all eukaryotic cells synthesize carbohydrate reserves, such as glycogen, starch, or low-molecular-weight oligosaccharides. However, a number of parasitic protists have lost this capacity while others have lost, and subsequently evolved, entirely new pathways. Recent studies suggest that retention, loss, or acquisition of these pathways in different protists is intimately linked to their lifestyle. In particular, parasites with carbohydrate reserves often establish long-lived chronic infections and/or produce environmental cysts, whereas loss of these pathways is associated with parasites that have highly proliferative and metabolically active life-cycle stages. The evolution of mannogen biosynthesis in Leishmania and related parasites indicates that these pathways have played a role in defining the host range and niches occupied by some protists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie E Ralton
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - M Fleur Sernee
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Malcolm J McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Maran SR, Fleck K, Monteiro-Teles NM, Isebe T, Walrad P, Jeffers V, Cestari I, Vasconcelos EJR, Moretti N. Protein acetylation in the critical biological processes in protozoan parasites. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:815-830. [PMID: 33994102 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Protein lysine acetylation has emerged as a major regulatory post-translational modification in different organisms, present not only on histone proteins affecting chromatin structure and gene expression but also on nonhistone proteins involved in several cellular processes. The same scenario was observed in protozoan parasites after the description of their acetylomes, indicating that acetylation might regulate crucial biological processes in these parasites. The demonstration that glycolytic enzymes are regulated by acetylation in protozoans shows that this modification might regulate several other processes implicated in parasite survival and adaptation during the life cycle, opening the chance to explore the regulatory acetylation machinery of these parasites as drug targets for new treatment development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suellen Rodrigues Maran
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Patógenos (LBMP) - Departamento Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia - Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Krista Fleck
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | | | - Tony Isebe
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pegine Walrad
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Victoria Jeffers
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Igor Cestari
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Nilmar Moretti
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Patógenos (LBMP) - Departamento Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia - Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|