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Rodriguez Araya E, Merli ML, Cribb P, de Souza VC, Serra E. Deciphering Divergent Trypanosomatid Nuclear Complexes by Analyzing Interactomic Datasets with AlphaFold2 and Genetic Approaches. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1267-1282. [PMID: 37167453 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00148] [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] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Acetylation signaling pathways in trypanosomatids, a group of early branching organisms, are poorly understood due to highly divergent protein sequences. To overcome this challenge, we used interactomic datasets and AlphaFold2 (AF2)-multimer to predict direct interactions and validated them using yeast two and three-hybrid assays. We focused on MORF4 related gene (MRG) domain-containing proteins and their interactions, typically found in histone acetyltransferase/deacetylase complexes. The results identified a structurally conserved complex, TcTINTIN, which is orthologous to human and yeast trimer independent of NuA4 for transcription interaction (TINTIN) complexes; and another trimeric complex involving an MRG domain, only seen in trypanosomatids. The identification of a key component of TcTINTIN, TcMRGBP, would not have been possible through traditional homology-based methods. We also conducted molecular dynamics simulations, revealing a conformational change that potentially affects its affinity for TcBDF6. The study also revealed a novel way in which an MRG domain participates in simultaneous interactions with two MRG binding proteins binding two different surfaces, a phenomenon not previously reported. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of using AF2-processed interactomic datasets to identify protein complexes in deeply branched eukaryotes, which can be challenging to study based on sequence similarity. The findings provide new insights into the acetylation signaling pathways in trypanosomatids, specifically highlighting the importance of MRG domain-containing proteins in forming complexes, which may have important implications for understanding the biology of these organisms and developing new therapeutics. On the other hand, our validation of AF2 models for the determination of multiprotein complexes illuminates the power of using such artificial intelligence-derived tools in the future development of biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvio Rodriguez Araya
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, CONICET, Suipacha 590, CP2000 Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, CP2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - Marcelo L Merli
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, CONICET, Suipacha 590, CP2000 Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, CP2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - Pamela Cribb
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, CONICET, Suipacha 590, CP2000 Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, CP2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | | | - Esteban Serra
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, CONICET, Suipacha 590, CP2000 Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, CP2000 Rosario, Argentina
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2
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Blue light directly modulates the quorum network in the human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13375. [PMID: 34183737 PMCID: PMC8239052 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92845-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing modulates bacterial collective behaviors including biofilm formation, motility and virulence in the important human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. Disruption of quorum sensing has emerged as a promising strategy with important therapeutic potential. In this work, we show that light modulates the production of acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), which were produced in higher levels in the dark than under blue light at environmental temperatures, a response that depends on the AHL synthase, AbaI, and on the photoreceptor BlsA. BlsA interacts with the transcriptional regulator AbaR in the dark at environmental temperatures, inducing abaI expression. Under blue light, BlsA does not interact with AbaR, but induces expression of the lactonase aidA and quorum quenching, consistently with lack of motility at this condition. At temperatures found in warm-blooded hosts, the production of AHLs, quorum quenching as well as abaI and aidA expression were also modulated by light, though in this case higher levels of AHLs were detected under blue light than in the dark, in a BlsA-independent manner. Finally, AbaI reduces A. baumannii's ability to kill C. albicans only in the dark both at environmental as well as at temperatures found in warm-blooded hosts. The overall data indicate that light directly modulates quorum network in A. baumannii.
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Macías F, Afonso-Lehmann R, Carreira PE, Thomas MC. TBP and SNAP50 transcription factors bind specifically to the Pr77 promoter sequence from trypanosomatid non-LTR retrotransposons. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:313. [PMID: 34108018 PMCID: PMC8190864 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04803-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosomatid genomes are colonized by active and inactive mobile DNA elements, such as LINE, SINE-like, SIDER and DIRE retrotransposons. These elements all share a 77-nucleotide-long sequence at their 5′ ends, known as Pr77, which activates transcription, thereby generating abundant unspliced and translatable transcripts. However, transcription factors that mediates this process have still not been reported. Methods TATA-binding protein (TBP) and small nuclear RNA-activating protein 50 kDa (SNAP50) recombinant proteins and specific antibodies raised against them were generated. Protein capture assay, electrophoretic mobility-shift assays (EMSA) and EMSA competition assays carried out using these proteins and nuclear proteins of the parasite together to specific DNA sequences used as probes allowed detecting direct interaction of these transcription factors to Pr77 sequence. Results This study identified TBP and SNAP50 as part of the DNA-protein complex formed by the Pr77 promoter sequence and nuclear proteins of Trypanosoma cruzi. TBP establishes direct and specific contact with the Pr77 sequence, where the DPE and DPE downstream regions are docking sites with preferential binding. TBP binds cooperatively (Hill coefficient = 1.67) to Pr77 and to both strands of the Pr77 sequence, while the conformation of this highly structured sequence is not involved in TBP binding. Direct binding of SNAP50 to the Pr77 sequence is weak and may be mediated by protein–protein interactions through other trypanosomatid nuclear proteins. Conclusions Identification of the transcription factors that mediate Pr77 transcription may help to elucidate how these retrotransposons are mobilized within the trypanosomatid genomes and their roles in gene regulation processes in this human parasite. Graphic abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04803-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Macías
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Raquel Afonso-Lehmann
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Patricia E Carreira
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, 18016, Granada, Spain.,Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, 18016, Granada, Spain.
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4
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Parra-Marín O, López-Pacheco K, Hernández R, López-Villaseñor I. The highly diverse TATA box-binding proteins among protists: A review. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 239:111312. [PMID: 32771681 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Transcription is the first step of gene expression regulation and is a fundamental mechanism for establishing the viability and development of a cell. The TATA box-binding protein (TBP) interaction with a TATA box in a promoter is one of the best studied mechanisms in transcription initiation. TBP is a transcription factor that is highly conserved from archaea to humans and is essential for the transcription initiated by each of the three RNA polymerases. In addition, the discovery of TBP-related factor 1 (TRF1) and other factors related to TBP shed light on the variability among transcription initiation complexes, thus demonstrating that the compositions of these complexes are, in fact, more complicated than originally believed. Despite these facts, the majority of studies on transcription have been performed on animal, plant and fungal cells, which serve as canonical models, and information regarding protist cells is relatively scarce. The aim of this work is to review the diversity of the TBPs that have been documented in protists and describe some of the specific features that differentiate them from their counterparts in higher eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Parra-Marín
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Karla López-Pacheco
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Roberto Hernández
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Imelda López-Villaseñor
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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5
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Tuttobene MR, Fernández-García L, Blasco L, Cribb P, Ambroa A, Müller GL, Fernández-Cuenca F, Bleriot I, Rodríguez RE, Barbosa BGV, Lopez-Rojas R, Trastoy R, López M, Bou G, Tomás M, Mussi MA. Quorum and Light Signals Modulate Acetoin/Butanediol Catabolism in Acinetobacter spp. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1376. [PMID: 31281296 PMCID: PMC6595428 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter spp. are found in all environments on Earth due to their extraordinary capacity to survive in the presence of physical and chemical stressors. In this study, we analyzed global gene expression in airborne Acinetobacter sp. strain 5-2Ac02 isolated from hospital environment in response to quorum network modulators and found that they induced the expression of genes of the acetoin/butanediol catabolism, volatile compounds shown to mediate interkingdom interactions. Interestingly, the acoN gene, annotated as a putative transcriptional regulator, was truncated in the downstream regulatory region of the induced acetoin/butanediol cluster in Acinetobacter sp. strain 5-2Ac02, and its functioning as a negative regulator of this cluster integrating quorum signals was confirmed in Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978. Moreover, we show that the acetoin catabolism is also induced by light and provide insights into the light transduction mechanism by showing that the photoreceptor BlsA interacts with and antagonizes the functioning of AcoN in A. baumannii, integrating also a temperature signal. The data support a model in which BlsA interacts with and likely sequesters AcoN at this condition, relieving acetoin catabolic genes from repression, and leading to better growth under blue light. This photoregulation depends on temperature, occurring at 23°C but not at 30°C. BlsA is thus a dual regulator, modulating different transcriptional regulators in the dark but also under blue light, representing thus a novel concept. The overall data show that quorum modulators as well as light regulate the acetoin catabolic cluster, providing a better understanding of environmental as well as clinical bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisel Romina Tuttobene
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos de Rosario (CEFOBI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Laura Fernández-García
- Microbiology Department-Biomedical Research Institute A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Lucía Blasco
- Microbiology Department-Biomedical Research Institute A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Pamela Cribb
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR-CONICET), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Anton Ambroa
- Microbiology Department-Biomedical Research Institute A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Gabriela Leticia Müller
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos de Rosario (CEFOBI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Felipe Fernández-Cuenca
- Clinical Unit for Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain.,Department of Microbiology and Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain.,Biomedicine Institute of Seville (IBIS), Seville, Spain
| | - Inés Bleriot
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos de Rosario (CEFOBI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | | | - Beatriz G V Barbosa
- Microbial Resistance Laboratory, Biological Sciences Institute, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Recife, Brazil
| | - Rafael Lopez-Rojas
- Clinical Unit for Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain.,Department of Microbiology and Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain.,Biomedicine Institute of Seville (IBIS), Seville, Spain
| | - Rocío Trastoy
- Microbiology Department-Biomedical Research Institute A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - María López
- Microbiology Department-Biomedical Research Institute A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Germán Bou
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos de Rosario (CEFOBI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - María Tomás
- Microbiology Department-Biomedical Research Institute A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - María A Mussi
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos de Rosario (CEFOBI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
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6
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Tuttobene MR, Cribb P, Mussi MA. BlsA integrates light and temperature signals into iron metabolism through Fur in the human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7728. [PMID: 29769610 PMCID: PMC5955987 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26127-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Light modulates global features of the important human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii lifestyle including metabolism, tolerance to antibiotics and virulence, most of which depend on the short BLUF-type photoreceptor BlsA. In this work, we show that the ability to circumvent iron deficiency is also modulated by light at moderate temperatures, and disclose the mechanism of signal transduction by showing that BlsA antagonizes the functioning of the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) in a temperature-dependent manner. In fact, we show that BlsA interacts with Fur in the dark at 23 °C, while the interaction is significantly weakened under blue light. Moreover, under iron deprived conditions, expression of Fur-regulated Acinetobactin siderophore genes is only induced in the dark in a BlsA-dependent manner. Finally, growth under iron deficiency is supported in the dark rather than under blue light at moderate temperatures through BlsA. The data is consistent with a model in which BlsA might sequester the repressor from the corresponding operator-promoters, allowing Acinetobactin gene expression. The photoregulation of iron metabolism is lost at higher temperatures such as 30 °C, consistent with fading of the BlsA-Fur interaction at this condition. Overall, we provide new understanding on the functioning of the widespread Fur regulator as well as short-BLUFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisel R Tuttobene
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI- CONICET), 2000, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Pamela Cribb
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR-CONICET), 2000, Rosario, Argentina
| | - María Alejandra Mussi
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI- CONICET), 2000, Rosario, Argentina.
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7
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Burle-Caldas GDA, Grazielle-Silva V, Laibida LA, DaRocha WD, Teixeira SMR. Expanding the tool box for genetic manipulation of Trypanosoma cruzi. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2015; 203:25-33. [PMID: 26523948 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease, an illness that affects 6-7 million people and for which there is no effective drug therapy or vaccine. The publication of its complete genome sequence allowed a rapid advance in molecular studies including in silico screening of genes involved with pathogenicity as well as molecular targets for the development of new diagnostic methods, drug therapies and prophylactic vaccines. Alongside with in silico genomic analyses, methods to study gene function in this parasite such as gene deletion, overexpression, mutant complementation and reporter gene expression have been largely explored. More recently, the use of genome-wide strategies is producing a shift towards a global perspective on gene function studies, with the examination of the expression and biological roles of gene networks in different stages of the parasite life cycle and under different contexts of host parasite interactions. Here we describe the molecular tools and protocols currently available to perform genetic manipulation of the T. cruzi genome, with emphasis on recently described strategies of gene editing that will facilitate large-scale functional genomic analyses. These new methodologies are long overdue, since more efficient protocols for genetic manipulation in T. cruzi are urgently needed for a better understanding of the biology of this parasite and molecular processes involved with the complex and often harmful, interaction with its human host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Viviane Grazielle-Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Letícia Adejani Laibida
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Wanderson Duarte DaRocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
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8
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Teixeira SM, de Paiva RMC, Kangussu-Marcolino MM, Darocha WD. Trypanosomatid comparative genomics: Contributions to the study of parasite biology and different parasitic diseases. Genet Mol Biol 2012; 35:1-17. [PMID: 22481868 PMCID: PMC3313497 DOI: 10.1590/s1415-47572012005000008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 10/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2005, draft sequences of the genomes of Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania major, also known as the Tri-Tryp genomes, were published. These protozoan parasites are the causative agents of three distinct insect-borne diseases, namely sleeping sickness, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, all with a worldwide distribution. Despite the large estimated evolutionary distance among them, a conserved core of ~6,200 trypanosomatid genes was found among the Tri-Tryp genomes. Extensive analysis of these genomic sequences has greatly increased our understanding of the biology of these parasites and their host-parasite interactions. In this article, we review the recent advances in the comparative genomics of these three species. This analysis also includes data on additional sequences derived from other trypanosmatid species, as well as recent data on gene expression and functional genomics. In addition to facilitating the identification of key parasite molecules that may provide a better understanding of these complex diseases, genome studies offer a rich source of new information that can be used to define potential new drug targets and vaccine candidates for controlling these parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santuza M Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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9
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Schenkman S, Pascoalino BDS, Nardelli SC. Nuclear structure of Trypanosoma cruzi. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2011; 75:251-83. [PMID: 21820560 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385863-4.00012-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The presence of nucleus in living organisms characterizes the Eukaryote domain. The nucleus compartmentalizes the genetic material surrounded by a double membrane called nuclear envelope. The nucleus has been observed since the advent of the light microscope, and sub-compartments such as nucleoli, diverse nuclear bodies and condensed chromosomes have been later recognized, being part of highly organized and dynamic structure. The significance and function of such organization has increased with the understanding of transcription, replication, DNA repair, recombination processes. It is now recognized as consequence of adding complexity and regulation in more complex eukaryotic cells. Here we provide a description of the actual stage of knowledge of the nuclear structure of Trypanosoma cruzi. As an early divergent eukaryote, it presents unique and/or reduced events of DNA replication, transcription and repair as well as RNA processing and transport to the cytosol. Nevertheless, it shows peculiar structure changes accordingly to the cell cycle and stage of differentiation. T. cruzi proliferates only as epimastigote and amastigote stages, and when these forms differentiate in trypomastigote forms, their cell cycle is arrested. This arrested stage is capable of invading mammalian cells and of surviving harsh conditions, such as the gut of the insect vector and mammalian macrophages. Transcription and replication decrease during transformation in trypomastigotes implicating large alterations in the nuclear structure. Recent evidences also suggest that T. cruzi nucleus respond to oxidative and nutritional stresses. Due to the phylogenetic proximity with other well-known trypanosomes, such as Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major, they are expected to have similar nuclear organization, although differences are noticed due to distinct life cycles, cellular organizations and the specific adaptations for surviving in different host environments. Therefore, the general features of T. cruzi nuclear structure regarding unique characteristics of this protozoan parasite will be described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Schenkman
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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10
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Teixeira SM, El-Sayed NM, Araújo PR. The genome and its implications. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2011; 75:209-30. [PMID: 21820558 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385863-4.00010-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi has a heterogeneous population composed of a pool of strains that circulate in the domestic and sylvatic cycles. Genome sequencing of the clone CL Brener revealed a highly repetitive genome of about 110Mb containing an estimated 22,570 genes. Because of its hybrid nature, sequences representing the two haplotypes have been generated. In addition, a repeat content close to 50% made the assembly of the estimated 41 pairs of chromosomes quite challenging. Similar to other trypanosomatids, the organization of T. cruzi chromosomes was found to be very peculiar, with protein-coding genes organized in long polycistronic transcription units encoding 20 or more proteins in one strand separated by strand switch regions. Another remarkable feature of the T. cruzi genome is the massive expansion of surface protein gene families. Because of the high genetic diversity of the T. cruzi population, sequencing of additional strains and comparative genomic and transcriptome analyses are in progress. Five years after its publication, the genome data have proven to be an essential tool for the study of T. cruzi and increasing efforts to translate this knowledge into the development of new modes of intervention to control Chagas disease are underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santuza M Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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11
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Araújo PR, Teixeira SM. Regulatory elements involved in the post-transcriptional control of stage-specific gene expression in Trypanosoma cruzi: a review. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2011; 106:257-66. [PMID: 21655811 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762011000300002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2011] [Accepted: 04/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Cribb P, Esteban L, Trochine A, Girardini J, Serra E. Trypanosoma cruzi TBP shows preference for C/G-rich DNA sequences in vitro. Exp Parasitol 2010; 124:346-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2009] [Revised: 09/28/2009] [Accepted: 11/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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13
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Rodriguez-Soca Y, Munteanu CR, Dorado J, Pazos A, Prado-Prado FJ, González-Díaz H. Trypano-PPI: A Web Server for Prediction of Unique Targets in Trypanosome Proteome by using Electrostatic Parameters of Protein−protein Interactions. J Proteome Res 2009; 9:1182-90. [DOI: 10.1021/pr900827b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yamilet Rodriguez-Soca
- Department of Microbiology & Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Computer Science Faculty, University of A Coruña, Campus de Elviña, 15071, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Cristian R. Munteanu
- Department of Microbiology & Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Computer Science Faculty, University of A Coruña, Campus de Elviña, 15071, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Julián Dorado
- Department of Microbiology & Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Computer Science Faculty, University of A Coruña, Campus de Elviña, 15071, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Alejandro Pazos
- Department of Microbiology & Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Computer Science Faculty, University of A Coruña, Campus de Elviña, 15071, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Prado-Prado
- Department of Microbiology & Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Computer Science Faculty, University of A Coruña, Campus de Elviña, 15071, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Humberto González-Díaz
- Department of Microbiology & Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Computer Science Faculty, University of A Coruña, Campus de Elviña, 15071, A Coruña, Spain
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Elias MC, Nardelli SC, Schenkman S. Chromatin and nuclear organization in Trypanosoma cruzi. Future Microbiol 2009; 4:1065-74. [DOI: 10.2217/fmb.09.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A total of 100 years have passed since the discovery of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas’ disease. Since its discovery, the molecular and cellular biology of this early divergent eukaryote, as well as its interactions with the mammalian and insect hosts, has progressed substantially. It is now clear that this parasite presents unique mechanisms controlling gene expression, DNA replication, cell cycle and differentiation, generating several morphological forms that are adapted to survive in different hosts. In recent years, the relationship between the chromatin structure and nuclear organization with the unusual transcription, splicing, DNA replication and DNA repair mechanisms have been investigated in T. cruzi. This article reviews the relevant aspects of these mechanisms in relation to chromatin and nuclear organization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sheila Cristina Nardelli
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, R. Botucatu 862 8a, 04023-062 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sergio Schenkman
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, R. Botucatu 862 8a, 04023-062 São Paulo, Brazil
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