1
|
Gomez J, Coll M, Guarise C, Cifuente D, Masone D, Tello PF, Piñeyro MD, Robello C, Reta G, Sosa MÁ, Barrera P. New insights into the pro-oxidant mechanism of dehydroleucodine on Trypanosoma cruzi. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18875. [PMID: 39143185 PMCID: PMC11324952 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69201-0] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is one of the most important neglected diseases in Latin America. The limited use of the current nitro-derivative-based chemotherapy highlights the need for alternative drugs and the identification of their molecular targets. In this study, we investigated the trypanocidal effect of the sesquiterpene lactone dehydroleucodine (DhL) and its derivatives, focusing on the antioxidative defense of the parasites. DhL and two derivatives, at lesser extent, displayed antiproliferative effect on the parasites. This effect was blocked by the reducing agent glutathione (GSH). Treated parasites exhibited increased intracellular ROS concentration and trypanothione synthetase activity, accompanied by mitochondrial swelling. Although molecular dynamics studies predicted that GSH would not interact with DhL, 1H-NMR analysis confirmed that GSH could protect parasites by interacting with the lactone. When parasites overexpressing mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase were incubated with DhL, its effect was attenuated. Overexpression of cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase also provided some protection against DhL. These findings suggest that DhL induces oxidative imbalance in T. cruzi, offering new insights into potential drug targets against this parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gomez
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología, IHEM-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Mauro Coll
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología, IHEM-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Carla Guarise
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología, IHEM-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Diego Cifuente
- Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Instituto de Investigación en Tecnología Química, INTEQUI-CONICET., Universidad Nacional de San Luis, 5700, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Diego Masone
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología, IHEM-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería, UNCuyo, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Paula Faral- Tello
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Biology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, 11400, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Dolores Piñeyro
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno-UBM, Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo, 11400, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La República, 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Robello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno-UBM, Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo, 11400, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La República, 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Guillermo Reta
- Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Instituto de Investigación en Tecnología Química, INTEQUI-CONICET., Universidad Nacional de San Luis, 5700, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Miguel Ángel Sosa
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología, IHEM-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, UNCuyo, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Patricia Barrera
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología, IHEM-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), 5500, Mendoza, Argentina.
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, UNCuyo, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gonzalez LN, Cabeza MS, Robello C, Guerrero SA, Iglesias AA, Arias DG. Biochemical characterization of GAF domain of free-R-methionine sulfoxide reductase from Trypanosoma cruzi. Biochimie 2023; 213:190-204. [PMID: 37423556 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causal agent of Chagas Disease and is a unicellular parasite that infects a wide variety of mammalian hosts. The parasite exhibits auxotrophy by L-Met; consequently, it must be acquired from the extracellular environment of the host, either mammalian or invertebrate. Methionine (Met) oxidation produces a racemic mixture (R and S forms) of methionine sulfoxide (MetSO). Reduction of L-MetSO (free or protein-bound) to L-Met is catalyzed by methionine sulfoxide reductases (MSRs). Bioinformatics analyses identified the coding sequence for a free-R-MSR (fRMSR) enzyme in the genome of T. cruzi Dm28c. Structurally, this enzyme is a modular protein with a putative N-terminal GAF domain linked to a C-terminal TIP41 motif. We performed detailed biochemical and kinetic characterization of the GAF domain of fRMSR in combination with mutant versions of specific cysteine residues, namely, Cys12, Cys98, Cys108, and Cys132. The isolated recombinant GAF domain and full-length fRMSR exhibited specific catalytic activity for the reduction of free L-Met(R)SO (non-protein bound), using tryparedoxins as reducing partners. We demonstrated that this process involves two Cys residues, Cys98 and Cys132. Cys132 is the essential catalytic residue on which a sulfenic acid intermediate is formed. Cys98 is the resolutive Cys, which forms a disulfide bond with Cys132 as a catalytic step. Overall, our results provide new insights into redox metabolism in T. cruzi, contributing to previous knowledge of L-Met metabolism in this parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lihue N Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular - Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Bioquímica Básica de Macromoléculas. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Matías S Cabeza
- Laboratorio de Micología y Diagnóstico Molecular. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Carlos Robello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno/UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay; Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sergio A Guerrero
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular - Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Alberto A Iglesias
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular - Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Bioquímica Básica de Macromoléculas. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Diego G Arias
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular - Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Bioquímica Básica de Macromoléculas. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
San Francisco J, Astudillo C, Vega JL, Catalán A, Gutiérrez B, Araya JE, Zailberger A, Marina A, García C, Sanchez N, Osuna A, Vilchez S, Ramírez MI, Macedo J, Feijoli VS, Palmisano G, González J. Trypanosoma cruzi pathogenicity involves virulence factor expression and upregulation of bioenergetic and biosynthetic pathways. Virulence 2022; 13:1827-1848. [PMID: 36284085 PMCID: PMC9601562 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2132776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular repertoire of Trypanosoma cruzi effects its virulence and impacts the clinical course of the resulting Chagas disease. This study aimed to determine the mechanism underlying the pathogenicity of T. cruzi. Two T. cruzi cell lines (C8C3hvir and C8C3lvir), obtained from the clone H510 C8C3 and exhibiting different virulence phenotypes, were used to evaluate the parasite's infectivity in mice. The organ parasite load was analysed by qPCR. The proteomes of both T. cruzi cell lines were compared using nLC-MS/MS. Cruzipain (Czp), complement regulatory protein (CRP), trans-sialidase (TS), Tc-85, and sialylated epitope expression levels were evaluated by immunoblotting. High-virulence C8C3hvir was highly infectious in mice and demonstrated three to five times higher infectivity in mouse myocardial cells than low-virulence C8C3lvir. qPCR revealed higher parasite loads in organs of acute as well as chronically C8C3hvir-infected mice than in those of C8C3lvir-infected mice. Comparative quantitative proteomics revealed that 390 of 1547 identified proteins were differentially regulated in C8C3hvir with respect to C8C3lvir. Amongst these, 174 proteins were upregulated in C8C3hvir and 216 were downregulated in C8C3lvir. The upregulated proteins in C8C3hvir were associated with the tricarboxylic acid cycle, ribosomal proteins, and redoxins. Higher levels of Czp, CRP, TS, Tc-85, and sialylated epitopes were expressed in C8C3hvir than in C8C3lvir. Thus, T. cruzi virulence may be related to virulence factor expression as well as upregulation of bioenergetic and biosynthetic pathways proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan San Francisco
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Constanza Astudillo
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - José Luis Vega
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile,Laboratory of Gap Junction Proteins and Parasitic Disease, Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile,Research Center in Immunology and Biomedical Biotechnology of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Alejandro Catalán
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Bessy Gutiérrez
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Jorge E Araya
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | | | - Anabel Marina
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos García
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria Sanchez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Susana Vilchez
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Marcel I Ramírez
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Sistemática de Trypanosomatides, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz, Parana, Brazil
| | - Janaina Macedo
- Department of Parasitology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jorge González
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile,Research Center in Immunology and Biomedical Biotechnology of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile,Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Sistemática de Trypanosomatides, Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Antofagasta, Chile,CONTACT Jorge González
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sasoni N, Hartman MD, García-Effron G, Guerrero SA, Iglesias AA, Arias DG. Functional characterization of monothiol and dithiol glutaredoxins from Leptospira interrogans. Biochimie 2022; 197:144-159. [PMID: 35217125 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Thiol redox proteins and low molecular mass thiols have essential functions in maintaining cellular redox balance in almost all living organisms. In the pathogenic bacterium Leptospira interrogans, several redox components have been described, namely, typical 2-Cys peroxiredoxin, a functional thioredoxin system, glutathione synthesis pathway, and methionine sulfoxide reductases. However, until now, information about proteins linked to GSH metabolism has not been reported in this pathogen. Glutaredoxins (Grxs) are GSH-dependent oxidoreductases that regulate and maintain the cellular redox state together with thioredoxins. This work deals with recombinant production at a high purity level, biochemical characterization, and detailed kinetic and structural study of the two Grxs (Lin1CGrx and Lin2CGrx) identified in L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni strain Fiocruz L1-130. Both recombinant LinGrxs exhibited the classical in vitro GSH-dependent 2-hydroxyethyl disulfide and dehydroascorbate reductase activity. Strikingly, we found that Lin2CGrx could serve as a substrate of methionine sulfoxide reductases A1 and B from L. interrogans. Distinctively, only recombinant Lin1CGrx contained a [2Fe2S] cluster confirming a homodimeric structure. The functionality of both LinGrxs was assessed by yeast complementation in null grx mutants, and both isoforms were able to rescue the mutant phenotype. Finally, our data suggest that protein glutathionylation as a post-translational modification process is present in L. interrogans. As a whole, our results support the occurrence of two new redox actors linked to GSH metabolism and iron homeostasis in L. interrogans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Sasoni
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Laboratorio de Micología y Diagnóstico Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje El Pozo, Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Matías D Hartman
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Bioquímica Básica de Macromoléculas. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Guillermo García-Effron
- Laboratorio de Micología y Diagnóstico Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje El Pozo, Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Sergio A Guerrero
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Alberto A Iglesias
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Bioquímica Básica de Macromoléculas. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Diego G Arias
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Bioquímica Básica de Macromoléculas. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Piñeyro MD, Arias D, Parodi-Talice A, Guerrero S, Robello C. Trypanothione Metabolism as Drug Target for Trypanosomatids. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1834-1846. [PMID: 33308115 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201211115329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas Disease, African sleeping sickness, and leishmaniasis are neglected diseases caused by pathogenic trypanosomatid parasites, which have a considerable impact on morbidity and mortality in poor countries. The available drugs used as treatment have high toxicity, limited access, and can cause parasite drug resistance. Long-term treatments, added to their high toxicity, result in patients that give up therapy. Trypanosomatids presents a unique trypanothione based redox system, which is responsible for maintaining the redox balance. Therefore, inhibition of these essential and exclusive parasite's metabolic pathways, absent from the mammalian host, could lead to the development of more efficient and safe drugs. The system contains different redox cascades, where trypanothione and tryparedoxins play together a central role in transferring reduced power to different enzymes, such as 2-Cys peroxiredoxins, non-selenium glutathione peroxidases, ascorbate peroxidases, glutaredoxins and methionine sulfoxide reductases, through NADPH as a source of electrons. There is sufficient evidence that this complex system is essential for parasite survival and infection. In this review, we explore what is known in terms of essentiality, kinetic and structural data, and the development of inhibitors of enzymes from this trypanothione-based redox system. The recent advances and limitations in the development of lead inhibitory compounds targeting these enzymes have been discussed. The combination of molecular biology, bioinformatics, genomics, and structural biology is fundamental since the knowledge of unique features of the trypanothione-dependent system will provide tools for rational drug design in order to develop better treatments for these diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Diego Arias
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia del Litoral y Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas, CONICET-UNL, Santa F, Argentina
| | | | - Sergio Guerrero
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia del Litoral y Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas, CONICET-UNL, Santa F, Argentina
| | - Carlos Robello
- Unidad de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Maldonado E, Rojas DA, Morales S, Miralles V, Solari A. Dual and Opposite Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in Chagas Disease: Beneficial on the Pathogen and Harmful on the Host. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:8867701. [PMID: 33376582 PMCID: PMC7746463 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8867701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease, which affects an estimate of 6-7 million people worldwide. Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which is a eukaryotic flagellate unicellular organism. At the primary infection sites, these parasites are phagocytized by macrophages, which produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to the infection with T. cruzi. The ROS produce damage to the host tissues; however, macrophage-produced ROS is also used as a signal for T. cruzi proliferation. At the later stages of infection, mitochondrial ROS is produced by the infected cardiomyocytes that contribute to the oxidative damage, which persists at the chronic stage of the disease. The oxidative damage leads to a functional impairment of the heart. In this review article, we will discuss the mechanisms by which T. cruzi is able to deal with the oxidative stress and how this helps the parasite growth at the acute phase of infection and how the oxidative stress affects the cardiomyopathy at the chronic stage of the Chagas disease. We will describe the mechanisms used by the parasite to deal with ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) through the trypanothione and the mechanisms used to repair the damaged DNA. Also, a description of the events produced by ROS at the acute and chronic stages of the disease is presented. Lastly, we discuss the benefits of ROS for T. cruzi growth and proliferation and the possible mechanisms involved in this phenomenon. Hypothesis is put forward to explain the molecular mechanisms by which ROS triggers parasite growth and proliferation and how ROS is able to produce a long persisting damage on cardiomyocytes even in the absence of the parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edio Maldonado
- Programa Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego A. Rojas
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastian Morales
- Programa Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Vicente Miralles
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Aldo Solari
- Programa Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Arias DG, Cabeza MS, Echarren ML, Faral-Tello P, Iglesias AA, Robello C, Guerrero SA. On the functionality of a methionine sulfoxide reductase B from Trypanosoma cruzi. Free Radic Biol Med 2020; 158:96-114. [PMID: 32682073 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methionine is an amino acid susceptible to be oxidized to give a racemic mixture of R and S forms of methionine sulfoxide (MetSO). This posttranslational modification has been reported to occur in vivo under either normal or stress conditions. The reduction of MetSO to methionine is catalyzed by methionine sulfoxide reductases (MSRs), thiol-dependent enzymes present in almost all organisms. These enzymes can reduce specifically one or another of the isomers of MetSO (free and protein-bound). This redox modification could change the structure and function of many proteins, either concerned in redox or other metabolic pathways. The study of antioxidant systems in Trypanosoma cruzi has been mainly focused on the involvement of trypanothione, a specific redox component for these organisms. Though, little information is available concerning mechanisms for repairing oxidized methionine residues in proteins, which would be relevant for the survival of these pathogens in the different stages of their life cycle. METHODS We report an in vitro functional and in vivo cellular characterization of methionine sulfoxide reductase B (MSRB, specific for protein-bound MetSO R-enantiomer) from T. cruzi strain Dm28c. RESULTS MSRB exhibited both cytosolic and mitochondrial localization in epimastigote cells. From assays involving parasites overexpressing MSRB, we observed the contribution of this protein to increase the general resistance against oxidative damage, the infectivity of trypomastigote cells, and intracellular replication of the amastigote stage. Also, we report that epimastigotes overexpressing MSRB exhibit inhibition of the metacyclogenesis process; this suggesting the involvement of the proteins as negative modulators in this cellular differentiation. CONCLUSIONS AND GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE This report contributes to novel insights concerning redox metabolism in T. cruzi. Results herein presented support the importance of enzymatic steps involved in the metabolism of L-Met and in repairing oxidized macromolecules in this parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego G Arias
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular - Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Matías S Cabeza
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular - Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - María L Echarren
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular - Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Paula Faral-Tello
- Laboratorio de Interacción Hospedero-Patógeno, UBM, Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alberto A Iglesias
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular - Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Carlos Robello
- Laboratorio de Interacción Hospedero-Patógeno, UBM, Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay; Departamento de Bioquímica - Facultad de Medicina - Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sergio A Guerrero
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular - Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Suman SS, Kumar A, Singh AK, Amit A, Topno RK, Pandey K, Das VNR, Das P, Ali V, Bimal S. Dendritic cell engineered cTXN as new vaccine prospect against L. donovani. Cytokine 2020; 145:155208. [PMID: 32736961 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs), as antigen-presenting cells, can reportedly be infected withLeishmaniaparasites and hence provide a better option to trigger T-cell primary immune responses and immunological memory. We consistently primed DCs during culture with purified recombinant cytosolic tryparedoxin (rcTXN) and then evaluated the vaccine prospect of presentation of rcTXN against VL in BALB/c mice. We reported earlier the immunogenic properties of cTXN antigen derived fromL. donovani when anti-cTXN antibody was detected in the sera of kala-azar patients. It was observed that cTXN antigen, when used as an immunogen with murine DCs acting as a vehicle, was able to induce complete protection against VL in an infected group of immunized mice. This vaccination triggered splenic macrophages to produce more IL-12 and GM-CSF, and restricted IL-10 release to a minimum in an immunized group of infected animals. Concomitant changes in T-cell responses against cTXN antigen were also noticed, which increased the release of protective cytokine-like IFN-γ under the influence of NF-κβ in the indicated vaccinated group of animals. All cTXN-DCs-vaccinated BALB/c mice survived during the experimental period of 120 days. The results obtained in our study suggest that DCs primed with cTXN can be used as a vaccine prospect for the control of visceral leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shashi S Suman
- Department of Immunology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 800007, India
| | - Akhilesh Kumar
- Department of Immunology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 800007, India
| | - Ashish K Singh
- Department of Immunology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 800007, India
| | - Ajay Amit
- Department of Forensic Science, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur (C.G.) 495009, India
| | - R K Topno
- Department of Epidemiology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 800007, India
| | - K Pandey
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 800007, India
| | - V N R Das
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 800007, India
| | - P Das
- Department of Molecular Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 800007, India
| | - Vahab Ali
- Department of Biochemistry, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 800007, India
| | - Sanjiva Bimal
- Department of Immunology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 800007, India.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Talevi A, Carrillo C, Comini M. The Thiol-polyamine Metabolism of Trypanosoma cruzi: Molecular Targets and Drug Repurposing Strategies. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:6614-6635. [PMID: 30259812 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180926151059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chagas´ disease continues to be a challenging and neglected public health problem in many American countries. The etiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, develops intracellularly in the mammalian host, which hinders treatment efficacy. Progress in the knowledge of parasite biology and host-pathogen interaction has not been paralleled by the development of novel, safe and effective therapeutic options. It is then urgent to seek for novel therapeutic candidates and to implement drug discovery strategies that may accelerate the discovery process. The most appealing targets for pharmacological intervention are those essential for the pathogen and, whenever possible, absent or significantly different from the host homolog. The thiol-polyamine metabolism of T. cruzi offers interesting candidates for a rational design of selective drugs. In this respect, here we critically review the state of the art of the thiolpolyamine metabolism of T. cruzi and the pharmacological potential of its components. On the other hand, drug repurposing emerged as a valid strategy to identify new biological activities for drugs in clinical use, while significantly shortening the long time and high cost associated with de novo drug discovery approaches. Thus, we also discuss the different drug repurposing strategies available with a special emphasis in their applications to the identification of drug candidates targeting essential components of the thiol-polyamine metabolism of T. cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Talevi
- Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences, University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Carolina Carrillo
- Instituto de Ciencias y Tecnología Dr. César Milstein (ICT Milstein) - CONICET. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Comini
- Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mesías AC, Garg NJ, Zago MP. Redox Balance Keepers and Possible Cell Functions Managed by Redox Homeostasis in Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:435. [PMID: 31921709 PMCID: PMC6932984 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The toxicity of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species appears to be merely the tip of the iceberg in the world of redox homeostasis. Now, oxidative stress can be seen as a two-sided process; at high concentrations, it causes damage to biomolecules, and thus, trypanosomes have evolved a strong antioxidant defense system to cope with these stressors. At low concentrations, oxidants are essential for cell signaling, and in fact, the oxidants/antioxidants balance may be able to trigger different cell fates. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the current knowledge of the oxidant environment experienced by T. cruzi along the different phases of its life cycle, and the molecular tools exploited by this pathogen to deal with oxidative stress, for better or worse. Further, we discuss the possible redox-regulated processes that could be governed by this oxidative context. Most of the current research has addressed the importance of the trypanosomes' antioxidant network based on its detox activity of harmful species; however, new efforts are necessary to highlight other functions of this network and the mechanisms underlying the fine regulation of the defense machinery, as this represents a master key to hinder crucial pathogen functions. Understanding the relevance of this balance keeper program in parasite biology will give us new perspectives to delineate improved treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Mesías
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Nisha J Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - M Paola Zago
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Osorio-Méndez JF, Cevallos AM. Discovery and Genetic Validation of Chemotherapeutic Targets for Chagas' Disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 8:439. [PMID: 30666299 PMCID: PMC6330712 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop new treatments for Chagas' disease. To identify drug targets, it is important to understand the basic biology of Trypanosoma cruzi, in particular with respect to the biological pathways or proteins that are essential for its survival within the host. This review provides a streamlined approach for identifying drug targets using freely available chemogenetic databases and outlines the relevant characteristics of an ideal chemotherapeutic target. Among those are their essentiality, druggability, availability of structural information, and selectivity. At the moment only 16 genes have been found as essential by gene disruption in T. cruzi. At the TDR Targets database, a chemogenomics resource for neglected diseases, information about published structures for these genes was only found for three of these genes, and annotation of validated inhibitors was found in two. These inhibitors have activity against the parasitic stages present in the host. We then analyzed three of the pathways that are considered promising in the search for new targets: (1) Ergosterol biosynthesis, (2) Resistance to oxidative stress, (3) Synthesis of surface glycoconjugates. We have annotated all the genes that participate in them, identified those that are considered as druggable, and incorporated evidence from either Trypanosoma brucei, and Leishmania spp. that supports the hypothesis that these pathways are essential for T. cruzi survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Felipe Osorio-Méndez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Biología Molecular, Programa de Medicina, Corporación Universitaria Empresarial Alexander von Humboldt, Armenia, Colombia.,Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Ana María Cevallos
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mesías AC, Sasoni N, Arias DG, Pérez Brandán C, Orban OCF, Kunick C, Robello C, Comini MA, Garg NJ, Zago MP. Trypanothione synthetase confers growth, survival advantage and resistance to anti-protozoal drugs in Trypanosoma cruzi. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 130:23-34. [PMID: 30359758 PMCID: PMC6331241 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.10.436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas cardiomyopathy, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection, continues to be a neglected illness, and has a major impact on global health. The parasite undergoes several stages of morphological and biochemical changes during its life cycle, and utilizes an elaborated antioxidant network to overcome the oxidants barrier and establish infection in vector and mammalian hosts. Trypanothione synthetase (TryS) catalyzes the biosynthesis of glutathione-spermidine adduct trypanothione (T(SH)2) that is the principal intracellular thiol-redox metabolite in trypanosomatids. METHODS AND RESULTS We utilized genetic overexpression (TryShi) and pharmacological inhibition approaches to examine the role of TryS in T. cruzi proliferation, tolerance to oxidative stress and resistance to anti-protozoal drugs. Our data showed the expression and activity of TryS was increased in all morphological stages of TryShi (vs. control) parasites. In comparison to controls, the TryShi epimastigotes (insect stage) recorded shorter doubling time, and both epimastigotes and infective trypomastigotes of TryShi exhibited 36-71% higher resistance to H2O2 (50-1000 μM) and heavy metal (1-500 μM) toxicity. Treatment with TryS inhibitors (5-30 μM) abolished the proliferation and survival advantages against H2O2 pressure in a dose-dependent manner in both TryShi and control parasites. Further, epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of TryShi (vs. control) T. cruzi tolerated higher doses of benznidazole and nifurtimox, the drugs currently administered for acute Chagas disease treatment. CONCLUSIONS TryS is essential for proliferation and survival of T. cruzi under normal and oxidant stress conditions, and provides an advantage to the parasite to develop resistance against currently used anti-trypanosomal drugs. TryS indispensability has been chemically validated with inhibitors that may be useful for drug combination therapy against Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Mesías
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Natalia Sasoni
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral, Universidad Nacional del Litoral - CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Diego G Arias
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral, Universidad Nacional del Litoral - CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Pérez Brandán
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Oliver C F Orban
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Medizinische und Pharmazeutische Chemie, Beethovenstraße 55, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Conrad Kunick
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Medizinische und Pharmazeutische Chemie, Beethovenstraße 55, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Carlos Robello
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, and Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Uruguay
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- Redox Biology of Trypanosomes - Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Nisha J Garg
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - M Paola Zago
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Manta B, Möller MN, Bonilla M, Deambrosi M, Grunberg K, Bellanda M, Comini MA, Ferrer-Sueta G. Kinetic studies reveal a key role of a redox-active glutaredoxin in the evolution of the thiol-redox metabolism of trypanosomatid parasites. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:3235-3248. [PMID: 30593501 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomes are flagellated protozoan parasites (kinetoplastids) that have a unique redox metabolism based on the small dithiol trypanothione (T(SH)2). Although GSH may still play a biological role in trypanosomatid parasites beyond being a building block of T(SH)2, most of its functions are replaced by T(SH)2 in these organisms. Consequently, trypanosomes have several enzymes adapted to using T(SH)2 instead of GSH, including the glutaredoxins (Grxs). However, the mechanistic basis of Grx specificity for T(SH)2 is unknown. Here, we combined fast-kinetic and biophysical approaches, including NMR, MS, and fluorescent tagging, to study the redox function of Grx1, the only cytosolic redox-active Grx in trypanosomes. We observed that Grx1 reduces GSH-containing disulfides (including oxidized trypanothione) in very fast reactions (k > 5 × 105 m-1 s-1). We also noted that disulfides without a GSH are much slower oxidants, suggesting a strongly selective binding of the GSH molecule. Not surprisingly, oxidized Grx1 was also reduced very fast by T(SH)2 (4.8 × 106 m-1 s-1); however, GSH-mediated reduction was extremely slow (39 m-1 s-1). This kinetic selectivity in the reduction step of the catalytic cycle suggests that Grx1 uses preferentially a dithiol mechanism, forming a disulfide on the active site during the oxidative half of the catalytic cycle and then being rapidly reduced by T(SH)2 in the reductive half. Thus, the reduction of glutathionylated substrates avoids GSSG accumulation in an organism lacking GSH reductase. These findings suggest that Grx1 has played an important adaptive role during the rewiring of the thiol-redox metabolism of kinetoplastids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Manta
- From the Grupo Biología Redox de Tripanosomas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.,the Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica Biológica and
| | - Matías N Möller
- the Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica Biológica and.,the Center for Free Radical and Biomedical Research, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay, and
| | - Mariana Bonilla
- From the Grupo Biología Redox de Tripanosomas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.,the Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica Biológica and.,Laboratorio de Enzimología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Matías Deambrosi
- From the Grupo Biología Redox de Tripanosomas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.,Laboratorio de Enzimología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Karin Grunberg
- From the Grupo Biología Redox de Tripanosomas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.,the Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica Biológica and
| | - Massimo Bellanda
- the Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- From the Grupo Biología Redox de Tripanosomas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Gerardo Ferrer-Sueta
- the Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica Biológica and .,the Center for Free Radical and Biomedical Research, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay, and
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Muchut RJ, Calloni RD, Herrera FE, Garay SA, Arias DG, Iglesias AA, Guerrero SA. Elucidating paramylon and other carbohydrate metabolism in Euglena gracilis: Kinetic characterization, structure and cellular localization of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase. Biochimie 2018; 154:176-186. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
15
|
Bontempi I, Fleitas P, Poato A, Vicco M, Rodeles L, Prochetto E, Cabrera G, Beluzzo B, Arias D, Racca A, Guerrero S, Marcipar I. Trans-sialidase overcomes many antigens to be used as a vaccine candidate against Trypanosoma cruzi. Immunotherapy 2018; 9:555-565. [PMID: 28595515 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2017-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The development of vaccines against Trypanosoma cruzi remains in an exploratory stage. Despite several antigen candidates have been evaluated, a comparison among the performance of the immunogens cannot be carried out because the available reports differ in formulations and infection model. In this work, we compared the protective capacity of seven T. cruzi antigens in the same model of five new antigens and two well-established candidates. Materials & methods: We evaluated highly immunogenic proteins that contain tandem repeats (FRA [flagelar repetitive protein], Tc3, Tc6); enzymes involved in metabolic pathways critical for parasite survival (cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase and tryparedoxin peroxidase); and enzymes involved in parasite invasion (trans-sialidase [TS] and cruzipain). All these antigens were formulated with Freund's adjuvant and protection against the parasite infection was assessed in BALB/c mice. RESULTS Tc3, cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase, cruzipain and TS showed the best outcome after infection in survival level and parasitemia. According to these data, these groups were also assessed using the ISCOMATRIX™ adjuvant which is being used in clinical trials. CONCLUSION Taken together, our results showed that the TS overcomes the performance of other antigens when the same model is employed, confirming that TS is a promising antigen that could be used as a vaccine against T. cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Bontempi
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina
| | - Pedro Fleitas
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina
| | - Alexia Poato
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina
| | - Miguel Vicco
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina
| | - Luz Rodeles
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina
| | - Estefania Prochetto
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina
| | - Gabriel Cabrera
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina
| | - Bruno Beluzzo
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina
| | - Diego Arias
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Argentina
| | - Andrea Racca
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina
| | - Sergio Guerrero
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Argentina
| | - Iván Marcipar
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Díaz-Viraqué F, Chiribao ML, Trochine A, González-Herrera F, Castillo C, Liempi A, Kemmerling U, Maya JD, Robello C. Old Yellow Enzyme from Trypanosoma cruzi Exhibits In Vivo Prostaglandin F 2α Synthase Activity and Has a Key Role in Parasite Infection and Drug Susceptibility. Front Immunol 2018; 9:456. [PMID: 29563916 PMCID: PMC5845897 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery that trypanosomatids, unicellular organisms of the order Kinetoplastida, are capable of synthesizing prostaglandins raised questions about the role of these molecules during parasitic infections. Multiple studies indicate that prostaglandins could be related to the infection processes and pathogenesis in trypanosomatids. This work aimed to unveil the role of the prostaglandin F2α synthase TcOYE in the establishment of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the causative agent of Chagas disease. This chronic disease affects several million people in Latin America causing high morbidity and mortality. Here, we propose a prokaryotic evolutionary origin for TcOYE, and then we used in vitro and in vivo experiments to show that T. cruzi prostaglandin F2α synthase plays an important role in modulating the infection process. TcOYE overexpressing parasites were less able to complete the infective cycle in cell culture infections and increased cardiac tissue parasitic load in infected mice. Additionally, parasites overexpressing the enzyme increased PGF2α synthesis from arachidonic acid. Finally, an increase in benznidazole and nifurtimox susceptibility in TcOYE overexpressing parasites showed its participation in activating the currently anti-chagasic drugs, which added to its observed ability to confer resistance to hydrogen peroxide, highlights the relevance of this enzyme in multiple events including host-parasite interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - María Laura Chiribao
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Andrea Trochine
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Fabiola González-Herrera
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica - ICBM, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo - ICBM, Facultad de Medicina Universidad De Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Ana Liempi
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo - ICBM, Facultad de Medicina Universidad De Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo - ICBM, Facultad de Medicina Universidad De Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Juan Diego Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica - ICBM, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Carlos Robello
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Manta B, Bonilla M, Fiestas L, Sturlese M, Salinas G, Bellanda M, Comini MA. Polyamine-Based Thiols in Trypanosomatids: Evolution, Protein Structural Adaptations, and Biological Functions. Antioxid Redox Signal 2018; 28:463-486. [PMID: 29048199 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2017.7133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Major pathogenic enterobacteria and protozoan parasites from the phylum Euglenozoa, such as trypanosomatids, are endowed with glutathione (GSH)-spermidine (Sp) derivatives that play important roles in signaling and metal and thiol-redox homeostasis. For some Euglenozoa lineages, the GSH-Sp conjugates represent the main redox cosubstrates around which entire new redox systems have evolved. Several proteins underwent molecular adaptations to synthesize and utilize the new polyamine-based thiols. Recent Advances: The genomes of closely related organisms have recently been sequenced, which allows mining and analysis of gene sequences that belong to these peculiar redox systems. Similarly, the three-dimensional structures of several of these proteins have been solved, which allows for comparison with their counterparts in classical redox systems that rely on GSH/glutaredoxin and thioredoxin. CRITICAL ISSUES The evolutionary and structural aspects related to the emergence and use of GSH-Sp conjugates in Euglenozoa are reviewed focusing on unique structural specializations that proteins developed to use N1,N8-bisglutathionylspermidine (trypanothione) as redox cosubstrate. An updated overview on the biochemical and biological significance of the major enzymatic activities is also provided. FUTURE DIRECTIONS A thiol-redox system strictly dependent on trypanothione is a feature unique to trypanosomatids. The physicochemical properties of the polyamine-GSH conjugates were a major driving force for structural adaptation of proteins that use these thiols as ligand and redox cofactor. In fact, the structural differences of indispensable components of this system can be exploited toward selective drug development. Future research should clarify whether additional cellular processes are regulated by the trypanothione system. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 463-486.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Manta
- 1 Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Montevideo, Uruguay .,2 Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica Biológica, Instituto de Química Biológica , Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mariana Bonilla
- 1 Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Montevideo, Uruguay .,2 Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica Biológica, Instituto de Química Biológica , Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Fiestas
- 1 Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mattia Sturlese
- 3 Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Padova , Padova, Italy
| | - Gustavo Salinas
- 4 Worm Biology Lab, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Montevideo, Uruguay .,5 Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República , Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Massimo Bellanda
- 3 Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Padova , Padova, Italy
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- 1 Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Montevideo, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Bombaça ACS, Dias FDA, Ennes-Vidal V, Garcia-Gomes ADS, Sorgine MHF, d'Avila-Levy CM, Menna-Barreto RFS. Hydrogen peroxide resistance in Strigomonas culicis: Effects on mitochondrial functionality and Aedes aegypti interaction. Free Radic Biol Med 2017; 113:255-266. [PMID: 28993269 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are toxic molecules involved in several biological processes such as cellular signaling, proliferation, differentiation and cell death. Adaptations to oxidative environments are crucial for the success of the colonization of insects by protozoa. Strigomonas culicis is a monoxenic trypanosomatid found in the midgut of mosquitoes and presenting a life cycle restricted to the epimastigote form. Among S. culicis peculiarities, there is an endosymbiotic bacterium in the cytoplasm, which completes essential biosynthetic routes of the host cell and may represent an intermediary evolutive step in organelle origin, thus constituting an interesting model for evolutive researches. In this work, we induced ROS resistance in wild type S. culicis epimastigotes by the incubation with increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and compared the oxidative and energetic metabolisms among wild type, wild type-H2O2 resistant and aposymbiotic strains. Resistant protozoa were less sensitive to the oxidative challenge and more dependent on oxidative phosphorylation, which was demonstrated by higher oxygen consumption and mitochondrial membrane potential, increased activity of complexes II-III and IV, increased complex II gene expression and higher ATP production. Furthermore, the wild type-H2O2 resistant strain produced reduced ROS levels and showed lower lipid peroxidation, as well as an increase in gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and thiol-dependent peroxidase activity. On the other hand, the aposymbiotic strain showed impaired mitochondrial function, higher H2O2 production and deficient antioxidant response. The induction of H2O2 resistance also led to a remarkable increase in Aedes aegypti midgut binding in vitro and colonization in vivo, indicating that both the pro-oxidant environment in the mosquito gut and the oxidative stress susceptibility regulate S. culicis population in invertebrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Felipe de Almeida Dias
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Artrópodes Hematófagos, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vitor Ennes-Vidal
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aline Dos Santos Garcia-Gomes
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratório de Microbiologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos Henrique Ferreira Sorgine
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Artrópodes Hematófagos, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia Masini d'Avila-Levy
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Dias L, Peloso EF, Leme AFP, Carnielli CM, Pereira CN, Werneck CC, Guerrero S, Gadelha FR. Trypanosoma cruzi tryparedoxin II interacts with different peroxiredoxins under physiological and oxidative stress conditions. Exp Parasitol 2017; 184:1-10. [PMID: 29162347 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, has to cope with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species during its life cycle in order to ensure its survival and infection. The parasite detoxifies these species through a series of pathways centered on trypanothione that depend on glutathione or low molecular mass dithiol proteins such as tryparedoxins. These proteins transfer reducing equivalents to peroxidases, including mitochondrial and cytosolic peroxiredoxins, TcMPx and TcCPx, respectively. In T. cruzi two tryparedoxins have been identified, TXNI and TXNII with different intracellular locations. TXNI is a cytosolic protein while TXNII due to a C-terminal hydrophobic tail is anchored in the outer membrane of the mitochondrion, endoplasmic reticulum and glycosomes. TXNs have been suggested to be involved in a majority of biological processes ranging from redox mechanisms to protein translation. Herein, a comparison of the TXNII interactomes under physiological and oxidative stress conditions was examined. Under physiological conditions, apart from the proteins with unknown biological process annotation, the majority of the identified proteins are related to cell redox homeostasis and biosynthetic processes, while under oxidative stress conditions, are involved in stress response, cell redox homeostasis, arginine biosynthesis and microtubule based process. Interestingly, although TXNII interacts with both peroxiredoxins under physiological conditions, upon oxidative stress, TcMPx interaction prevails. The relevance of the interactions is discussed opening a new perspective of TXNII functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Dias
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - E F Peloso
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - A F P Leme
- Associação Brasileira de Tecnologia de Luz Sincrotron, Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C M Carnielli
- Associação Brasileira de Tecnologia de Luz Sincrotron, Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C N Pereira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C C Werneck
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - S Guerrero
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas (CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Litoral), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - F R Gadelha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ulrich K, Finkenzeller C, Merker S, Rojas F, Matthews K, Ruppert T, Krauth-Siegel RL. Stress-Induced Protein S-Glutathionylation and S-Trypanothionylation in African Trypanosomes-A Quantitative Redox Proteome and Thiol Analysis. Antioxid Redox Signal 2017; 27:517-533. [PMID: 28338335 PMCID: PMC5567454 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2016.6947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Trypanosomatids have a unique trypanothione-based thiol redox metabolism. The parasite-specific dithiol is synthesized from glutathione and spermidine, with glutathionylspermidine as intermediate catalyzed by trypanothione synthetase. In this study, we address the oxidative stress response of African trypanosomes with special focus on putative protein S-thiolation. RESULTS Challenging bloodstream Trypanosoma brucei with diamide, H2O2 or hypochlorite results in distinct levels of reversible overall protein S-thiolation. Quantitative proteome analyses reveal 84 proteins oxidized in diamide-stressed parasites. Fourteen of them, including several essential thiol redox proteins and chaperones, are also enriched when glutathione/glutaredoxin serves as a reducing system indicating S-thiolation. In parasites exposed to H2O2, other sets of proteins are modified. Only three proteins are S-thiolated under all stress conditions studied in accordance with a highly specific response. H2O2 causes primarily the formation of free disulfides. In contrast, in diamide-treated cells, glutathione, glutathionylspermidine, and trypanothione are almost completely protein bound. Remarkably, the total level of trypanothione is decreased, whereas those of glutathione and glutathionylspermidine are increased, indicating partial hydrolysis of protein-bound trypanothione. Depletion of trypanothione synthetase exclusively induces protein S-glutathionylation. Total mass analyses of a recombinant peroxidase treated with T(SH)2 and either diamide or hydrogen peroxide verify protein S-trypanothionylation as stable modification. INNOVATION Our data reveal for the first time that trypanosomes employ protein S-thiolation when exposed to exogenous and endogenous oxidative stresses and trypanothione, despite its dithiol character, forms protein-mixed disulfides. CONCLUSION The stress-specific responses shown here emphasize protein S-trypanothionylation and S-glutathionylation as reversible protection mechanism in these parasites. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 27, 517-533.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Ulrich
- 1 Biochemie-Zentrum der Universität Heidelberg (BZH) , Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Sabine Merker
- 2 Zentrum für Molekularbiologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH) , Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Federico Rojas
- 3 Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Keith Matthews
- 3 Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Ruppert
- 2 Zentrum für Molekularbiologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH) , Heidelberg, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Comparative proteomic analysis of two pathogenic Tritrichomonas foetus genotypes: there is more to the proteome than meets the eye. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:203-213. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
22
|
The Architecture of Thiol Antioxidant Systems among Invertebrate Parasites. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22020259. [PMID: 28208651 PMCID: PMC6155587 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22020259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of oxygen as the final electron acceptor in aerobic organisms results in an improvement in the energy metabolism. However, as a byproduct of the aerobic metabolism, reactive oxygen species are produced, leaving to the potential risk of an oxidative stress. To contend with such harmful compounds, living organisms have evolved antioxidant strategies. In this sense, the thiol-dependent antioxidant defense systems play a central role. In all cases, cysteine constitutes the major building block on which such systems are constructed, being present in redox substrates such as glutathione, thioredoxin, and trypanothione, as well as at the catalytic site of a variety of reductases and peroxidases. In some cases, the related selenocysteine was incorporated at selected proteins. In invertebrate parasites, antioxidant systems have evolved in a diversity of both substrates and enzymes, representing a potential area in the design of anti-parasite strategies. The present review focus on the organization of the thiol-based antioxidant systems in invertebrate parasites. Differences between these taxa and its final mammal host is stressed. An understanding of the antioxidant defense mechanisms in this kind of parasites, as well as their interactions with the specific host is crucial in the design of drugs targeting these organisms.
Collapse
|
23
|
Beltrame-Botelho IT, Talavera-López C, Andersson B, Grisard EC, Stoco PH. A Comparative In Silico Study of the Antioxidant Defense Gene Repertoire of Distinct Lifestyle Trypanosomatid Species. Evol Bioinform Online 2016; 12:263-275. [PMID: 27840574 PMCID: PMC5100842 DOI: 10.4137/ebo.s40648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastids are an ancestral group of protists that contains free-living species and parasites with distinct mechanisms in response to stress. Here, we compared genes involved in antioxidant defense (AD), proposing an evolution model among trypanosomatids. All genes were identified in Bodo saltans, suggesting that AD mechanisms have evolved prior to adaptation for parasitic lifestyles. While most of the monoxenous and dixenous parasites revealed minor differences from B. saltans, the endosymbiont-bearing species have an increased number of genes. The absence of these genes was mainly observed in the extracellular parasites of the genera Phytomonas and Trypanosoma. In trypanosomes, a distinction was observed between stercorarian and salivarian parasites, except for Trypanosoma rangeli. Our analyses indicate that the variability of AD among trypanosomatids at the genomic level is not solely due to the geographical isolation, being mainly related to specific adaptations of their distinct biological cycles within insect vectors and to a parasitism of a wide range of hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Thaís Beltrame-Botelho
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
- Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Palhoça, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Björn Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Edmundo Carlos Grisard
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Patricia Hermes Stoco
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Multifunctional Thioredoxin-Like Protein from the Gastrointestinal Parasitic Nematodes Strongyloides ratti and Trichuris suis Affects Mucosal Homeostasis. J Parasitol Res 2016; 2016:8421597. [PMID: 27872753 PMCID: PMC5107843 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8421597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular redox state is important for the regulation of multiple functions and is essential for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and antioxidant defense. In the excretory/secretory (E/S) products of Strongyloides ratti and Trichuris suis sequences for thioredoxin (Trx) and Trx-like protein (Trx-lp) were identified. To characterize the antioxidant Trx-lp and its interaction with the parasite's mucosal habitat, S. ratti and T. suis Trx-lps were cloned and recombinantly expressed. The primary antioxidative activity was assured by reduction of insulin and IgM. Further analysis applying an in vitro mucosal 3D-cell culture model revealed that the secreted Trx-lps were able to bind to monocytic and intestinal epithelial cells and induce the time-dependent release of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-22, and TSLP. In addition, the redox proteins also possessed chemotactic activity for monocytic THP-1 cells and fostered epithelial wound healing activity. These results confirm that the parasite-secreted Trx-lps are multifunctional proteins that can affect the host intestinal mucosa.
Collapse
|
25
|
TcI Isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi Exploit the Antioxidant Network for Enhanced Intracellular Survival in Macrophages and Virulence in Mice. Infect Immun 2016; 84:1842-1856. [PMID: 27068090 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00193-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi species is categorized into six discrete typing units (TcI to TcVI) of which TcI is most abundantly noted in the sylvatic transmission cycle and considered the major cause of human disease. In our study, the TcI strains Colombiana (COL), SylvioX10/4 (SYL), and a cultured clone (TCC) exhibited different biological behavior in a murine model, ranging from high parasitemia and symptomatic cardiomyopathy (SYL), mild parasitemia and high tissue tropism (COL), to no pathogenicity (TCC). Proteomic profiling of the insect (epimastigote) and infective (trypomastigote) forms by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis/matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, followed by functional annotation of the differential proteome data sets (≥2-fold change, P < 0.05), showed that several proteins involved in (i) cytoskeletal assembly and remodeling, essential for flagellar wave frequency and amplitude and forward motility of the parasite, and (ii) the parasite-specific antioxidant network were enhanced in COL and SYL (versus TCC) trypomastigotes. Western blotting confirmed the enhanced protein levels of cytosolic and mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidases and their substrate (tryparedoxin) and iron superoxide dismutase in COL and SYL (versus TCC) trypomastigotes. Further, COL and SYL (but not TCC) were resistant to exogenous treatment with stable oxidants (H2O2 and peroxynitrite [ONOO(-)]) and dampened the intracellular superoxide and nitric oxide response in macrophages, and thus these isolates escaped from macrophages. Our findings suggest that protein expression conducive to increase in motility and control of macrophage-derived free radicals provides survival and persistence benefits to TcI isolates of T. cruzi.
Collapse
|
26
|
Angelucci F, Miele AE, Ardini M, Boumis G, Saccoccia F, Bellelli A. Typical 2-Cys peroxiredoxins in human parasites: Several physiological roles for a potential chemotherapy target. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2016; 206:2-12. [PMID: 27002228 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2016.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are ubiquitary proteins able to play multiple physiological roles, that include thiol-dependent peroxidase, chaperone holdase, sensor of H2O2, regulator of H2O2-dependent signal cascades, and modulator of the immune response. Prxs have been found in a great number of human pathogens, both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Gene knock-out studies demonstrated that Prxs are essential for the survival and virulence of at least some of the pathogens tested, making these proteins potential drug targets. However, the multiplicity of roles played by Prxs constitutes an unexpected obstacle to drug development. Indeed, selective inhibitors of some of the functions of Prxs are known (namely of the peroxidase and holdase functions) and are here reported. However, it is often unclear which function is the most relevant in each pathogen, hence which one is most desirable to inhibit. Indeed there are evidences that the main physiological role of Prxs may not be the same in different parasites. We here review which functions of Prxs have been demonstrated to be relevant in different human parasites, finding that the peroxidase and chaperone activities figure prominently, whereas other known functions of Prxs have rarely, if ever, been observed in parasites, or have largely escaped detection thus far.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Angelucci
- Department of Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Adriana Erica Miele
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Ardini
- Department of Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanna Boumis
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fulvio Saccoccia
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Bellelli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Up-regulation of cytosolic tryparedoxin in Amp B resistant isolates of Leishmania donovani and its interaction with cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase. Biochimie 2016; 121:312-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
28
|
Machado-Silva A, Cerqueira PG, Grazielle-Silva V, Gadelha FR, Peloso EDF, Teixeira SMR, Machado CR. How Trypanosoma cruzi deals with oxidative stress: Antioxidant defence and DNA repair pathways. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2016; 767:8-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
29
|
Peloso EF, Dias L, Queiroz RML, Leme AFPP, Pereira CN, Carnielli CM, Werneck CC, Sousa MV, Ricart CAO, Gadelha FR. Trypanosoma cruzi mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase is located throughout the cell and its pull down provides one step towards the understanding of its mechanism of action. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2015; 1864:1-10. [PMID: 26527457 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi depends on the effectiveness of redox metabolism to survive and ensure infection in the host. Homeostasis of redox metabolism in T. cruzi is achieved by the actions of several proteins that differ in many aspects from host proteins. Although extensive research has been performed examining hydroperoxide cytosolic antioxidant defense centered on trypanothione, the mechanisms of mitochondrial antioxidant defense are not yet known. The aim of this study was to elucidate the partners of TcMPx antioxidant pathway and to determine the influence of the cellular context (physiological versus oxidative stress). Through co-precipitation coupled with a mass spectrometry approach, a variety of proteins were detected under physiological and oxidative stress conditions. Interestingly, functional category analysis of the proteins identified under physiological conditions showed that they were involved in the stress response, oxidoreduction, thiol transfer, and metabolic processes; this profile is distinct under oxidative stress conditions likely due to structural alterations. Our findings help to elucidate the reactions involving TcMPx and most importantly also reveal that this protein is present throughout the cell and that its interaction partners change following oxidative stress exposure. The involvement and significance of the proteins found to interact with TcMPx and other possible functions for this protein are discussed widening our knowledge regarding T. cruzi mitochondrial antioxidant defenses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E F Peloso
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - L Dias
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - R M L Queiroz
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Química de Proteínas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - A F P Paes Leme
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C N Pereira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C M Carnielli
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C C Werneck
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - M V Sousa
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Química de Proteínas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - C A O Ricart
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Química de Proteínas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - F R Gadelha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Molecular characterization and interactome analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi tryparedoxin II. J Proteomics 2015; 120:95-104. [PMID: 25765699 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, possesses two tryparedoxins (TcTXNI and TcTXNII), belonging to the thioredoxin superfamily. TXNs are oxidoreductases which mediate electron transfer between trypanothione and peroxiredoxins. This constitutes a difference with the host cells, in which these activities are mediated by thioredoxins. These differences make TXNs an attractive target for drug development. In a previous work we characterized TcTXNI, including the redox interactome. In this work we extend the study to TcTXNII. We demonstrate that TcTXNII is a transmembrane protein anchored to the surface of the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, with a cytoplasmatic orientation of the redox domain. It would be expressed during the metacyclogenesis process. In order to continue with the characterization of the redox interactome of T. cruzi, we designed an active site mutant TcTXNII lacking the resolving cysteine, and through the expression of this mutant protein and incubation with T. cruzi proteins, heterodisulfide complexes were isolated by affinity chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry. This allowed us to identify sixteen TcTXNII interacting proteins, which are involved in a wide range of cellular processes, indicating the relevance of TcTXNII, and contributing to our understanding of the redox interactome of T. cruzi. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE T. cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, constitutes a major sanitary problem in Latin America. The number of estimated infected persons is ca. 8 million, 28 million people are at risk of infection and ~20,000 deaths occur per year in endemic regions. No vaccines are available at present, and most drugs currently in use were developed decades ago and show variable efficacy with undesirable side effects. The parasite is able to live and prolipherate inside macrophage phagosomes, where it is exposed to cytotoxic reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, derived from macrophage activation. Therefore, T. cruzi antioxidant mechanisms constitute an active field of investigation, since they could provide the basis for a rational drug development. Peroxide detoxification in this parasite is achieved by ascorbate peroxidase and different thiol-dependent peroxidases. Among them, both mitochondrial and cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidases, typical two-cysteine peroxiredoxins, were found to be important for hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite detoxification and their expression levels correlated with parasite infectivity and virulence. In trypanosomes tryparedoxins and not thioredoxins act as peroxiredoxin reductases, suggesting that these enzymes substitute thioredoxins in these parasites. T. cruzi possesses two tryparedoxin genes, TcTXNI and TcTXN II. Since thioredoxins are proteins with several targets actively participating of complex redox networks, we have previously investigated if this is the case also for TcTXNI, for which we described relevant partners (J Proteomics. 2011;74(9):1683-92). In this manuscript we investigated the interactions of TcTXNII. We have designed an active site mutant tryparedoxin II lacking the resolving cysteine and, through the expression of this mutant protein and its incubation with T. cruzi proteins, hetero disulfide complexes were isolated by affinity chromatography purification and identified by electrophoresis separation and MS identification. This allowed us to identify sixteen TcTXNII interacting proteins which are involved in different and relevant cellular processes. Moreover, we demonstrate that TcTXNII is a transmembrane protein anchored to the surface of the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum.
Collapse
|
31
|
González-Chávez Z, Olin-Sandoval V, Rodíguez-Zavala JS, Moreno-Sánchez R, Saavedra E. Metabolic control analysis of the Trypanosoma cruzi peroxide detoxification pathway identifies tryparedoxin as a suitable drug target. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2015; 1850:263-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2014.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Revised: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
32
|
Arias DG, Reinoso A, Sasoni N, Hartman MD, Iglesias AA, Guerrero SA. Kinetic and structural characterization of a typical two-cysteine peroxiredoxin from Leptospira interrogans exhibiting redox sensitivity. Free Radic Biol Med 2014; 77:30-40. [PMID: 25236736 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 08/09/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the mechanisms by which Leptospira interrogans, the causative agent of leptospirosis, copes with oxidative stress at the time it establishes persistent infection within its human host. We report the molecular cloning of a gene encoding a 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (LinAhpC) from this bacterium. After bioinformatic analysis we found that LinAhpC contains the characteristic GGIG and YF motifs present in peroxiredoxins that are sensitive to overoxidation (mainly eukaryotic proteins). These motifs are absent in insensitive prokaryotic enzymes. Recombinant LinAhpC showed activity as a thioredoxin peroxidase with sensitivity to overoxidation by H2O2 (Chyp 1% ~30 µM at pH 7.0 and 30°C). So far, Anabaena 2-Cys peroxiredoxin, Helicobacter pylori AhpC, and LinAhpC are the only prokaryotic enzymes studied with these characteristics. The properties determined for LinAhpC suggest that the protein could be critical for the antioxidant defense capacity in L. interrogans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego G Arias
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, S3000ZAA Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Anahí Reinoso
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, S3000ZAA Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Natalia Sasoni
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, S3000ZAA Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Matías D Hartman
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, S3000ZAA Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Alberto A Iglesias
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, S3000ZAA Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Sergio A Guerrero
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, S3000ZAA Santa Fe, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
de Paiva YG, Pinho Júnior W, de Souza AA, Costa CO, Silva FP, Lima-Junior CG, Vasconcellos ML, Goulart MO. Electrochemical and computational studies, in protic medium, of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts and correlation with leishmanicidal activity. Electrochim Acta 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2014.05.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
34
|
Márquez VE, Arias DG, Chiribao ML, Faral-Tello P, Robello C, Iglesias AA, Guerrero SA. Redox metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi. Biochemical characterization of dithiol glutaredoxin dependent cellular pathways. Biochimie 2014; 106:56-67. [PMID: 25110158 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2014.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In Trypanosoma cruzi, the modification of thiols by glutathionylation-deglutathionylation and its potential relation to protective, regulatory or signaling functions have been scarcely explored. Herein we characterize a dithiolic glutaredoxin (TcrGrx), a redox protein with deglutathionylating activity, having potential functionality to control intracellular homeostasis of protein and non-protein thiols. The catalytic mechanism followed by TcrGrx was found dependent on thiol concentration. Results suggest that TcrGrx operates as a dithiolic or a monothiolic Grx, depending on GSH concentration. TcrGrx functionality to mediate reduction of protein and non-protein disulfides was studied. TcrGrx showed a preference for glutathionylated substrates respect to protein disulfides. From in vivo assays involving TcrGrx overexpressing parasites, we observed the contribution of the protein to increase the general resistance against oxidative damage and intracellular replication of the amastigote stage. Also, studies performed with epimastigotes overexpressing TcrGrx strongly suggest the involvement of the protein in a cellular pathway connecting an apoptotic stimulus and apoptotic-like cell death. Novel information is presented about the participation of this glutaredoxin not only in redox metabolism but also in redox signaling pathways in T. cruzi. The influence of TcrGrx in several parasite physiological processes suggests novel insights about the protein involvement in redox signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanina E Márquez
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, CONICET-UNL, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Diego G Arias
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, CONICET-UNL, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Maria L Chiribao
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Carlos Robello
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alberto A Iglesias
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, CONICET-UNL, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Sergio A Guerrero
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, CONICET-UNL, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Sousa AF, Gomes-Alves AG, Benítez D, Comini MA, Flohé L, Jaeger T, Passos J, Stuhlmann F, Tomás AM, Castro H. Genetic and chemical analyses reveal that trypanothione synthetase but not glutathionylspermidine synthetase is essential for Leishmania infantum. Free Radic Biol Med 2014; 73:229-38. [PMID: 24853758 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Trypanothione is a unique and essential redox metabolite of trypanosomatid parasites, the biosynthetic pathway of which is regarded as a promising target for antiparasitic drugs. Synthesis of trypanothione occurs by the consecutive conjugation of two glutathione molecules to spermidine. Both reaction steps are catalyzed by trypanothione synthetase (TRYS), a molecule known to be essential in Trypanosoma brucei. However, other trypanosomatids (including some Leishmania species and Trypanosoma cruzi) potentially express one additional enzyme, glutathionylspermidine synthetase (GSPS), capable of driving the first step of trypanothione synthesis yielding glutathionylspermidine. Because this monothiol can substitute for trypanothione in some reactions, the possibility existed that TRYS was redundant in parasites harboring GSPS. To clarify this issue, the functional relevance of both GSPS and TRYS was investigated in Leishmania infantum (Li). Employing a gene-targeting approach, we generated a gsps(-/-) knockout line, which was viable and capable of replicating in both life cycle stages of the parasite, thus demonstrating the superfluous role of LiGSPS. In contrast, elimination of both LiTRYS alleles was not possible unless parasites were previously complemented with an episomal copy of the gene. Retention of extrachromosomal LiTRYS in the trys(-/-)/+TRYS line after several passages in culture further supported the essentiality of this gene for survival of L. infantum (including its clinically relevant stage), hence ruling out the hypothesis of functional complementation by LiGSPS. Chemical targeting of LiTRYS with a drug-like compound was shown to also lead to parasite death. Overall, this study disqualifies GSPS as a target for drug development campaigns and, by genetic and chemical evidence, validates TRYS as a chemotherapeutic target in a parasite endowed with GSPS and, thus, probably along the entire trypanosomatid lineage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André F Sousa
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana G Gomes-Alves
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Diego Benítez
- Laboratory of Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, CP 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- Laboratory of Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, CP 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Leopold Flohé
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad de la República, CP 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay, and Department of Molecular Medicine, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Timo Jaeger
- German Center for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Joana Passos
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Ana M Tomás
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4099-003 Porto, Portugal
| | - Helena Castro
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|