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Balasubramaniam K, He T, Chen H, Lin Z, He CY. Cytoplasmic preassembly of the flagellar outer dynein arm complex in Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Biol Cell 2024; 35:br16. [PMID: 39024276 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e24-06-0263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The outer dynein arm (ODA) is a large, multimeric protein complex essential for ciliary motility. The composition and assembly of ODA are best characterized in the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, where individual ODA subunits are synthesized and preassembled into a mature complex in the cytosol prior to ciliary import. The single-cellular parasite Trypanosoma brucei contains a motile flagellum essential for cell locomotion and pathogenesis. Similar to human motile cilia, T. brucei flagellum contains a two-headed ODA complex arranged at 24 nm intervals along the axonemal microtubule doublets. The subunit composition and the preassembly of the ODA complex in T. brucei, however, have not been investigated. In this study, we affinity-purified the ODA complex from T. brucei cytoplasmic extract. Proteomic analyses revealed the presence of two heavy chains (ODAα and ODAβ), two intermediate chains (IC1and IC2) and several light chains. We showed that both heavy chains and both intermediate chains are indispensable for flagellar ODA assembly. Our study also provided biochemical evidence supporting the presence of a cytoplasmic, preassembly pathway for T. brucei ODA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthika Balasubramaniam
- Department of Biological Science, The Centre for Bioimaging Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Tingting He
- Department of Biological Science, The Centre for Bioimaging Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Helen Chen
- Department of Biological Science, The Centre for Bioimaging Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Zhewang Lin
- Department of Biological Science, The Centre for Bioimaging Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Cynthia Y He
- Department of Biological Science, The Centre for Bioimaging Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
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2
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De Niz M, Frachon E, Gobaa S, Bastin P. Spatial confinement of Trypanosoma brucei in microfluidic traps provides a new tool to study free swimming parasites. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0296257. [PMID: 38134042 PMCID: PMC10745224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei is the causative agent of African trypanosomiasis and is transmitted by the tsetse fly (Glossina spp.). All stages of this extracellular parasite possess a single flagellum that is attached to the cell body and confers a high degree of motility. While several stages are amenable to culture in vitro, longitudinal high-resolution imaging of free-swimming parasites has been challenging, mostly due to the rapid flagellar beating that constantly twists the cell body. Here, using microfabrication, we generated various microfluidic devices with traps of different geometrical properties. Investigation of trap topology allowed us to define the one most suitable for single T. brucei confinement within the field of view of an inverted microscope while allowing the parasite to remain motile. Chips populated with V-shaped traps allowed us to investigate various phenomena in cultured procyclic stage wild-type parasites, and to compare them with parasites whose motility was altered upon knockdown of a paraflagellar rod component. Among the properties that we investigated were trap invasion, parasite motility, and the visualization of organelles labelled with fluorescent dyes. We envisage that this tool we have named "Tryp-Chip" will be a useful tool for the scientific community, as it could allow high-throughput, high-temporal and high-spatial resolution imaging of free-swimming T. brucei parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana De Niz
- Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INSERM U1201, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Frachon
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Biomaterials and Microfluidics Core Facility, Paris, France
| | - Samy Gobaa
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Biomaterials and Microfluidics Core Facility, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Bastin
- Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INSERM U1201, Paris, France
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3
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Won MM, Krüger T, Engstler M, Burleigh BA. The Intracellular Amastigote of Trypanosoma cruzi Maintains an Actively Beating Flagellum. mBio 2023; 14:e0355622. [PMID: 36840555 PMCID: PMC10128032 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03556-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout its complex life cycle, the uniflagellate parasitic protist, Trypanosoma cruzi, adapts to different host environments by transitioning between elongated motile extracellular stages and a nonmotile intracellular amastigote stage that replicates in the cytoplasm of mammalian host cells. Intracellular T. cruzi amastigotes retain a short flagellum that extends beyond the opening of the flagellar pocket with access to the extracellular milieu. Contrary to the long-held view that the T. cruzi amastigote flagellum is inert, we report that this organelle is motile and displays quasiperiodic beating inside mammalian host cells. Kymograph analysis determined an average flagellar beat frequency of ~0.7 Hz for intracellular amastigotes and similar beat frequencies for extracellular amastigotes following their isolation from host cells. Inhibitor studies reveal that flagellar motility in T. cruzi amastigotes is critically dependent on parasite mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. These novel observations reveal that flagellar motility is an intrinsic property of T. cruzi amastigotes and suggest that this organelle may play an active role in the parasite infection process. IMPORTANCE Understanding the interplay between intracellular pathogens and their hosts is vital to the development of new treatments and preventive strategies. The intracellular "amastigote" stage of the Chagas disease parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, is a critical but understudied parasitic life stage. Previous work established that cytosolically localized T. cruzi amastigotes engage physically and selectively with host mitochondria using their short, single flagellum. The current study was initiated to examine the dynamics of the parasite flagellum-host mitochondrial interaction through live confocal imaging and led to the unexpected discovery that the T. cruzi amastigote flagellum is motile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalyn M. Won
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Timothy Krüger
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Engstler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Barbara A. Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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4
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Won MM, Baublis A, Burleigh BA. Proximity-dependent biotinylation and identification of flagellar proteins in Trypanosoma cruzi. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.16.528900. [PMID: 36824716 PMCID: PMC9949143 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.16.528900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
The flagellated kinetoplastid protozoan and causative agent of human Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi , inhabits both invertebrate and mammalian hosts over the course of its complex life cycle. In these disparate environments, T. cruzi uses its single flagellum to propel motile life stages and in some instances, to establish intimate contact with the host. Beyond its role in motility, the functional capabilities of the T. cruzi flagellum have not been defined. Moreover, the lack of proteomic information for this organelle, in any parasite life stage, has limited functional investigation. In this study, we employed a proximity-dependent biotinylation approach based on the differential targeting of the biotin ligase, TurboID, to the flagellum or cytosol in replicative stages of T. cruzi , to identify flagellar-enriched proteins by mass spectrometry. Proteomic analysis of the resulting biotinylated protein fractions yielded 218 candidate flagellar proteins in T. cruzi epimastigotes (insect stage) and 99 proteins in intracellular amastigotes (mammalian stage). Forty of these flagellar-enriched proteins were common to both parasite life stages and included orthologs of known flagellar proteins in other trypanosomatid species, proteins specific to the T. cruzi lineage and hypothetical proteins. With the validation of flagellar localization for several of the identified candidates, our results demonstrate that TurboID-based proximity proteomics is an effective tool for probing subcellular compartments in T. cruzi . The proteomic datasets generated in this work offer a valuable resource to facilitate functional investigation of the understudied T. cruzi flagellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalyn M Won
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aaron Baublis
- Harvard Chan Advanced Multi-omics Platform, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Barbara A Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Boston, MA 02115, USA
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5
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Liu P, Liu Y, Zhou J. Ciliary mechanosensation - roles of polycystins and mastigonemes. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:286945. [PMID: 36752106 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cilia are surface-exposed organelles that provide motility and sensory functions for cells, and it is widely believed that mechanosensation can be mediated through cilia. Polycystin-1 and -2 (PC-1 and PC-2, respectively) are transmembrane proteins that can localize to cilia; however, the molecular mechanisms by which polycystins contribute to mechanosensation are still controversial. Studies detail two prevailing models for the molecular roles of polycystins on cilia; one stresses the mechanosensation capabilities and the other unveils their ligand-receptor nature. The discovery that polycystins interact with mastigonemes, the 'hair-like' protrusions of flagella, is a novel finding in identifying the interactors of polycystins in cilia. While the functions of polycystins proposed by both models may coexist in cilia, it is hoped that a precise understanding of the mechanism of action of polycystins can be achieved by uncovering their distribution and interacting factors inside cilia. This will hopefully provide a satisfying answer to the pathogenesis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), which is caused by mutations in PC-1 and PC-2. In this Review, we discuss the characteristics of polycystins in the context of cilia and summarize the functions of mastigonemes in unicellular ciliates. Finally, we compare flagella and molecular features of PC-2 between unicellular and multicellular organisms, with the aim of providing new insights into the ciliary roles of polycystins in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiwei Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology , College of Life Sciences in Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology , College of Life Sciences in Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology , College of Life Sciences in Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China.,College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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6
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Genome-wide subcellular protein map for the flagellate parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:533-547. [PMID: 36804636 PMCID: PMC9981465 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01295-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei is a model trypanosomatid, an important group of human, animal and plant unicellular parasites. Understanding their complex cell architecture and life cycle is challenging because, as with most eukaryotic microbes, ~50% of genome-encoded proteins have completely unknown functions. Here, using fluorescence microscopy and cell lines expressing endogenously tagged proteins, we mapped the subcellular localization of 89% of the T. brucei proteome, a resource we call TrypTag. We provide clues to function and define lineage-specific organelle adaptations for parasitism, mapping the ultraconserved cellular architecture of eukaryotes, including the first comprehensive 'cartographic' analysis of the eukaryotic flagellum, which is vital for morphogenesis and pathology. To demonstrate the power of this resource, we identify novel organelle subdomains and changes in molecular composition through the cell cycle. TrypTag is a transformative resource, important for hypothesis generation for both eukaryotic evolutionary molecular cell biology and fundamental parasite cell biology.
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7
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Pinskey JM, Lagisetty A, Gui L, Phan N, Reetz E, Tavakoli A, Fu G, Nicastro D. Three-dimensional flagella structures from animals' closest unicellular relatives, the Choanoflagellates. eLife 2022; 11:e78133. [PMID: 36384644 PMCID: PMC9671500 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In most eukaryotic organisms, cilia and flagella perform a variety of life-sustaining roles related to environmental sensing and motility. Cryo-electron microscopy has provided considerable insight into the morphology and function of flagellar structures, but studies have been limited to less than a dozen of the millions of known eukaryotic species. Ultrastructural information is particularly lacking for unicellular organisms in the Opisthokonta clade, leaving a sizeable gap in our understanding of flagella evolution between unicellular species and multicellular metazoans (animals). Choanoflagellates are important aquatic heterotrophs, uniquely positioned within the opisthokonts as the metazoans' closest living unicellular relatives. We performed cryo-focused ion beam milling and cryo-electron tomography on flagella from the choanoflagellate species Salpingoeca rosetta. We show that the axonemal dyneins, radial spokes, and central pair complex in S. rosetta more closely resemble metazoan structures than those of unicellular organisms from other suprakingdoms. In addition, we describe unique features of S. rosetta flagella, including microtubule holes, microtubule inner proteins, and the flagellar vane: a fine, net-like extension that has been notoriously difficult to visualize using other methods. Furthermore, we report barb-like structures of unknown function on the extracellular surface of the flagellar membrane. Together, our findings provide new insights into choanoflagellate biology and flagella evolution between unicellular and multicellular opisthokonts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine M Pinskey
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Adhya Lagisetty
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Long Gui
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Nhan Phan
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Evan Reetz
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Amirrasoul Tavakoli
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Gang Fu
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Daniela Nicastro
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
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8
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Abstract
Flagellar-driven motility grants unicellular organisms the ability to gather more food and avoid predators, but the energetic costs of construction and operation of flagella are considerable. Paths of flagellar evolution depend on the deviations between fitness gains and energy costs. Using structural data available for all three major flagellar types (bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic), flagellar construction costs were determined for Escherichia coli, Pyrococcus furiosus, and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Estimates of cell volumes, flagella numbers, and flagellum lengths from the literature yield flagellar costs for another ~200 species. The benefits of flagellar investment were analysed in terms of swimming speed, nutrient collection, and growth rate; showing, among other things, that the cost-effectiveness of bacterial and eukaryotic flagella follows a common trend. However, a comparison of whole-cell costs and flagellum costs across the Tree of Life reveals that only cells with larger cell volumes than the typical bacterium could evolve the more expensive eukaryotic flagellum. These findings provide insight into the unsolved evolutionary question of why the three domains of life each carry their own type of flagellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Schavemaker
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
| | - Michael Lynch
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
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9
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Cortazzo da Silva L, Aoki JI, Floeter-Winter LM. Finding Correlations Between mRNA and Protein Levels in Leishmania Development: Is There a Discrepancy? Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:852902. [PMID: 35903202 PMCID: PMC9318571 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.852902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple genes and proteins have been identified as differentially expressed in the stages of the Leishmania life cycle. The differentiation processes are implicated in specific transcriptional and proteomic adjustments driven by gene expression regulation mechanisms. Leishmania parasites lack gene-specific transcriptional control, and gene expression regulation mostly depends on posttranscriptional mechanisms. Due to the lack of transcriptional regulation, criticism regarding the relevance of transcript quantification as a possible and efficient prediction of protein levels is recurrent in studies that use transcriptomic information. The advent of high-throughput technologies has improved the analysis of genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes for different organisms under several conditions. Nevertheless, defining the correlation between transcriptional and proteomic profiles requires arduous and expensive work and remains a challenge in Leishmania. In this review, we analyze transcriptomic and proteomic data for several Leishmania species in two different stages of the parasite life cycle: metacyclogenesis and amastigogenesis (amastigote differentiation). We found a correlation between mRNA and protein levels of 60.9% and 69.8% for metacyclogenesis and amastigogenesis, respectively; showing that majority mRNA and protein levels increase or decrease concomitantly. Among the analyzed genes that did not present correlation indicate that transcriptomic data should be carefully interpreted as protein expression. We also discuss possible explanations and mechanisms involved for this lack of correlation.
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10
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A Spef1-interacting microtubule quartet protein in Trypanosoma brucei promotes flagellar inheritance by regulating basal body segregation. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102125. [PMID: 35697071 PMCID: PMC9257412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102125] [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: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The human parasite Trypanosoma brucei contains a motile flagellum that determines the plane of cell division, controls cell morphology, and mediates cell-cell communication. During the cell cycle, inheritance of the newly formed flagellum requires its correct positioning toward the posterior of the cell, which depends on the faithful segregation of multiple flagellum-associated cytoskeletal structures including the basal body, the flagellar pocket collar, the flagellum attachment zone, and the hook complex. A specialized group of four microtubules termed the microtubule quartet (MtQ) originates from the basal body and runs through the flagellar pocket collar and the hook complex to extend, along the flagellum attachment zone, toward the anterior of the cell. However, the physiological function of the MtQ is poorly understood, and few MtQ-associated proteins have been identified and functionally characterized. We report here that an MtQ-localized protein named NHL1 interacts with the microtubule-binding protein TbSpef1 and depends on TbSpef1 for its localization to the MtQ. We show that RNAi-mediated knockdown of NHL1 impairs the segregation of flagellum-associated cytoskeletal structures, resulting in mispositioning of the new flagellum. Furthermore, knockdown of NHL1 also causes misplacement of the cell division plane in dividing trypanosome cells, halts cleavage furrow ingression, and inhibits completion of cytokinesis. These findings uncover a crucial role for the MtQ-associated protein NHL1 in regulating basal body segregation to promote flagellar inheritance in T. brucei.
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11
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Sáez Conde J, Dean S. Structure, function and druggability of the African trypanosome flagellum. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:2654-2667. [PMID: 35616248 PMCID: PMC9323424 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
African trypanosomes are early branching protists that cause human and animal diseases, termed trypanosomiases. They have been under intensive study for more than 100 years and have contributed significantly to our understanding of eukaryotic biology. The combination of conserved and parasite-specific features mean that their flagellum has gained particular attention. Here, we discuss the different structural features of the flagellum and their role in transmission and virulence. We highlight the possibilities of targeting flagellar function to cure trypanosome infections and help in the fight to eliminate trypanosomiases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Sáez Conde
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical SchoolUniversity of WarwickCoventryUK
| | - Samuel Dean
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical SchoolUniversity of WarwickCoventryUK
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12
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Mallet A, Bastin P. Restriction of intraflagellar transport to some microtubule doublets: An opportunity for cilia diversification? Bioessays 2022; 44:e2200031. [PMID: 35638546 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200031] [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] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cilia are unique eukaryotic organelles and exhibit remarkable conservation across evolution. Nevertheless, very different types of configurations are encountered, raising the question of their evolution. Cilia are constructed by intraflagellar transport (IFT), the movement of large protein complexes or trains that deliver cilia components to the distal tip for assembly. Recent data revealed that IFT trains are restricted to some but not all nine doublet microtubules in the protist Trypanosoma brucei. Here, we propose that restricted positioning of IFT trains could offer potent options for cilia to evolve towards more complex (addition of new structural elements like in spermatozoa) or simpler configuration (loss of some elements like in primary cilia), and therefore be a driver of cilia diversification. We present two hypotheses to explain how IFT trains could be restricted to some doublets, either by a triage process taking place at the basal body level or by the development of molecular differences between ciliary microtubules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeline Mallet
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, INSERM U1201, Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Paris, F-75015, France.,Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, Université de Paris Sorbonne, Ultrastructural Bioimaging Unit, Paris, F-75015, France
| | - Philippe Bastin
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, INSERM U1201, Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Paris, F-75015, France
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13
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New Vistas in the Biology of the Flagellum—Leishmania Parasites. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040447. [PMID: 35456123 PMCID: PMC9024700 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Like other kinetoplastid protozoa, the flagellum in Leishmania parasites plays central roles throughout the life cycle. Discoveries over the past decade have begun to elucidate flagellar functions at the molecular level in both the insect vector stage promastigotes and intra-macrophage amastigotes. This focused review will highlight recent advances that contribute to understanding flagellar function in the various biological contexts encountered by Leishmania parasites.
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14
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Ambaru B, Gangadharan GM, Subramanya HS, Gupta CM. Profilin is involved in G1 to S phase progression and mitotic spindle orientation during Leishmania donovani cell division cycle. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265692. [PMID: 35316283 PMCID: PMC8939790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Profilin is a multi-ligand binding protein, which is a key regulator of actin dynamics and involved in regulating several cellular functions. It is present in all eukaryotes, including trypanosomatids such as Leishmania. However, not much is known about its functions in these organisms. Our earlier studies have shown that Leishmania parasites express a single homologue of profilin (LdPfn) that binds actin, phosphoinositides and poly- L- proline motives, and depletion of its intracellular pool to 50%of normal levels affects the cell growth and intracellular trafficking. Here, we show, employing affinity pull-down and mass spectroscopy, that LdPfn interacted with a large number of proteins, including those involved in mRNA processing and protein translation initiation, such as eIF4A1. Further, we reveal, using mRNA Seq analysis, that depletion of LdPfn in Leishmania cells (LdPfn+/-) resulted in significantly reduced expression of genes which encode proteins involved in cell cycle regulation, mRNA translation initiation, nucleosides and amino acids transport. In addition, we show that in LdPfn+/- cells, cellular levels of eIF4A1 protein were significantly decreased, and during their cell division cycle, G1-to-S phase progression was delayed and orientation of mitotic spindle altered. These changes were, however, reversed to normal by episomal expression of GFP-LdPfn in LdPfn+/- cells. Taken together, our results indicate that profilin is involved in regulation of G1-to-S phase progression and mitotic spindle orientation in Leishmania cell cycle, perhaps through its interaction with elF4A1 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bindu Ambaru
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | - Chhitar M. Gupta
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- * E-mail:
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15
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Coceres VM, Iriarte LS, Miranda-Magalhães A, Santos de Andrade TA, de Miguel N, Pereira-Neves A. Ultrastructural and Functional Analysis of a Novel Extra-Axonemal Structure in Parasitic Trichomonads. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:757185. [PMID: 34858875 PMCID: PMC8630684 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.757185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus are extracellular flagellated parasites that inhabit humans and other mammals, respectively. In addition to motility, flagella act in a variety of biological processes in different cell types, and extra-axonemal structures (EASs) have been described as fibrillar structures that provide mechanical support and act as metabolic, homeostatic, and sensory platforms in many organisms. It has been assumed that T. vaginalis and T. foetus do not have EASs. However, here, we used complementary electron microscopy techniques to reveal the ultrastructure of EASs in both parasites. Such EASs are thin filaments (3-5 nm diameter) running longitudinally along the axonemes and surrounded by the flagellar membrane, forming prominent flagellar swellings. We observed that the formation of EAS increases after parasite adhesion on the host cells, fibronectin, and precationized surfaces. A high number of rosettes, clusters of intramembrane particles that have been proposed as sensorial structures, and microvesicles protruding from the membrane were observed in the EASs. Our observations demonstrate that T. vaginalis and T. foetus can connect to themselves by EASs present in flagella. The protein VPS32, a member of the ESCRT-III complex crucial for diverse membrane remodeling events, the pinching off and release of microvesicles, was found in the surface as well as in microvesicles protruding from EASs. Moreover, we demonstrated that the formation of EAS also increases in parasites overexpressing VPS32 and that T. vaginalis-VPS32 parasites showed greater motility in semisolid agar. These results provide valuable data about the role of the flagellar EASs in the cell-to-cell communication and pathogenesis of these extracellular parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica M. Coceres
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Lucrecia S. Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | | | | | - Natalia de Miguel
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
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Hammond M, Zoltner M, Garrigan J, Butterfield E, Varga V, Lukeš J, Field MC. The distinctive flagellar proteome of Euglena gracilis illuminates the complexities of protistan flagella adaptation. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 232:1323-1336. [PMID: 34292600 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The eukaryotic flagellum/cilium is a prominent organelle with conserved structure and diverse functions. Euglena gracilis, a photosynthetic and highly adaptable protist, employs its flagella for both locomotion and environmental sensing. Using proteomics of isolated E. gracilis flagella we identify nearly 1700 protein groups, which challenges previous estimates of the protein complexity of motile eukaryotic flagella. We not only identified several unexpected similarities shared with mammalian flagella, including an entire glycolytic pathway and proteasome, but also document a vast array of flagella-based signal transduction components that coordinate gravitaxis and phototactic motility. By contrast, the pellicle was found to consist of > 900 protein groups, containing additional structural and signalling components. Our data identify significant adaptations within the E. gracilis flagellum, many of which are clearly linked to the highly flexible lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hammond
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), 370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Zoltner
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, BIOCEV, Charles University, Vestec, 252 50, Czech Republic
| | - Jack Garrigan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Erin Butterfield
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Vladimir Varga
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), 370 05, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), 370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Mark C Field
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), 370 05, Czech Republic
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
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17
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Structure of the trypanosome paraflagellar rod and insights into non-planar motility of eukaryotic cells. Cell Discov 2021; 7:51. [PMID: 34257277 PMCID: PMC8277818 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-021-00281-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic flagella (synonymous with cilia) rely on a microtubule-based axoneme, together with accessory filaments to carryout motility and signaling functions. While axoneme structures are well characterized, 3D ultrastructure of accessory filaments and their axoneme interface are mostly unknown, presenting a critical gap in understanding structural foundations of eukaryotic flagella. In the flagellum of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), the axoneme is accompanied by a paraflagellar rod (PFR) that supports non-planar motility and signaling necessary for disease transmission and pathogenesis. Here, we employed cryogenic electron tomography (cryoET) with sub-tomographic averaging, to obtain structures of the PFR, PFR-axoneme connectors (PACs), and the axonemal central pair complex (CPC). The structures resolve how the 8 nm repeat of the axonemal tubulin dimer interfaces with the 54 nm repeat of the PFR, which consist of proximal, intermediate, and distal zones. In the distal zone, stacked "density scissors" connect with one another to form a "scissors stack network (SSN)" plane oriented 45° to the axoneme axis; and ~370 parallel SSN planes are connected by helix-rich wires into a paracrystalline array with ~90% empty space. Connections from these wires to the intermediate zone, then to overlapping layers of the proximal zone and to the PACs, and ultimately to the CPC, point to a contiguous pathway for signal transmission. Together, our findings provide insights into flagellum-driven, non-planar helical motility of T. brucei and have broad implications ranging from cell motility and tensegrity in biology, to engineering principles in bionics.
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Dean S. Basic Biology of Trypanosoma brucei with Reference to the Development of Chemotherapies. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1650-1670. [PMID: 33463458 DOI: 10.2174/1381612827666210119105008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei are protozoan parasites that cause the lethal human disease African sleeping sickness and the economically devastating disease of cattle, Nagana. African sleeping sickness, also known as Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), threatens 65 million people and animal trypanosomiasis makes large areas of farmland unusable. There is no vaccine and licensed therapies against the most severe, late-stage disease are toxic, impractical and ineffective. Trypanosomes are transmitted by tsetse flies, and HAT is therefore predominantly confined to the tsetse fly belt in sub-Saharan Africa. They are exclusively extracellular and they differentiate between at least seven developmental forms that are highly adapted to host and vector niches. In the mammalian (human) host they inhabit the blood, cerebrospinal fluid (late-stage disease), skin, and adipose fat. In the tsetse fly vector they travel from the tsetse midgut to the salivary glands via the ectoperitrophic space and proventriculus. Trypanosomes are evolutionarily divergent compared with most branches of eukaryotic life. Perhaps most famous for their extraordinary mechanisms of monoallelic gene expression and antigenic variation, they have also been investigated because much of their biology is either highly unconventional or extreme. Moreover, in addition to their importance as pathogens, many researchers have been attracted to the field because trypanosomes have some of the most advanced molecular genetic tools and database resources of any model system. The following will cover just some aspects of trypanosome biology and how its divergent biochemistry has been leveraged to develop drugs to treat African sleeping sickness. This is by no means intended to be a comprehensive survey of trypanosome features. Rather, I hope to present trypanosomes as one of the most fascinating and tractable systems to do discovery biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Dean
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
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19
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Cicconofri G, Noselli G, DeSimone A. The biomechanical role of extra-axonemal structures in shaping the flagellar beat of Euglena gracilis. eLife 2021; 10:58610. [PMID: 33899736 PMCID: PMC8075587 DOI: 10.7554/elife.58610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We propose and discuss a model for flagellar mechanics in Euglena gracilis. We show that the peculiar non-planar shapes of its beating flagellum, dubbed 'spinning lasso', arise from the mechanical interactions between two of its inner components, namely, the axoneme and the paraflagellar rod. The spontaneous shape of the axoneme and the resting shape of the paraflagellar rod are incompatible. Thus, the complex non-planar configurations of the coupled system emerge as the energetically optimal compromise between the two antagonistic components. The model is able to reproduce the experimentally observed flagellar beats and the characteristic geometric signature of spinning lasso, namely, traveling waves of torsion with alternating sign along the length of the flagellum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giovanni Noselli
- SISSA - International School for Advanced Studies, Trieste, Italy
| | - Antonio DeSimone
- SISSA - International School for Advanced Studies, Trieste, Italy.,The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Trieste, Italy
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20
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Kostygov AY, Karnkowska A, Votýpka J, Tashyreva D, Maciszewski K, Yurchenko V, Lukeš J. Euglenozoa: taxonomy, diversity and ecology, symbioses and viruses. Open Biol 2021; 11:200407. [PMID: 33715388 PMCID: PMC8061765 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Euglenozoa is a species-rich group of protists, which have extremely diverse lifestyles and a range of features that distinguish them from other eukaryotes. They are composed of free-living and parasitic kinetoplastids, mostly free-living diplonemids, heterotrophic and photosynthetic euglenids, as well as deep-sea symbiontids. Although they form a well-supported monophyletic group, these morphologically rather distinct groups are almost never treated together in a comparative manner, as attempted here. We present an updated taxonomy, complemented by photos of representative species, with notes on diversity, distribution and biology of euglenozoans. For kinetoplastids, we propose a significantly modified taxonomy that reflects the latest findings. Finally, we summarize what is known about viruses infecting euglenozoans, as well as their relationships with ecto- and endosymbiotic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Y. Kostygov
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna Karnkowska
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daria Tashyreva
- Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Kacper Maciszewski
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
- Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
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21
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Vásquez-Ocmín PG, Gadea A, Cojean S, Marti G, Pomel S, Van Baelen AC, Ruiz-Vásquez L, Ruiz Mesia W, Figadère B, Ruiz Mesia L, Maciuk A. Metabolomic approach of the antiprotozoal activity of medicinal Piper species used in Peruvian Amazon. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 264:113262. [PMID: 32818574 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE In the Peruvian Amazon as in the tropical countries of South America, the use of medicinal Piper species (cordoncillos) is common practice, particularly against symptoms of infection by protozoal parasites. However, there is few documented information about the practical aspects of their use and few scientific validation. The starting point of this work was a set of interviews of people living in six rural communities from the Peruvian Amazon (Alto Amazonas Province) about their uses of plants from Piper genus: one community of Amerindian native people (Shawi community) and five communities of mestizos. Infections caused by parasitic protozoa take a huge toll on public health in the Amazonian communities, who partly fight it using traditional remedies. Validation of these traditional practices contributes to public health care efficiency and may help to identify new antiprotozoal compounds. AIMS OF STUDY To record and validate the use of medicinal Piper species by rural people of Alto Amazonas Province (Peru) and annotate active compounds using a correlation study and a data mining approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rural communities were interviewed about traditional medication against parasite infections with medicinal Piper species. Ethnopharmacological surveys were undertaken in five mestizo villages, namely: Nueva Arica, Shucushuyacu, Parinari, Lagunas and Esperanza, and one Shawi community (Balsapuerto village). All communities belong to the Alto Amazonas Province (Loreto region, Peru). Seventeen Piper species were collected according to their traditional use for the treatment of parasitic diseases, 35 extracts (leaves or leaves and stems) were tested in vitro on P. falciparum (3D7 chloroquine-sensitive strain and W2 chloroquine-resistant strain), Leishmania donovani LV9 strain and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. Assessments were performed on HUVEC cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages. The annotation of active compounds was realized by metabolomic analysis and molecular networking approach. RESULTS Nine extracts were active (IC50 ≤ 10 μg/mL) on 3D7 P. falciparum and only one on W2 P. falciparum, six on L. donovani (axenic and intramacrophagic amastigotes) and seven on Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. Only one extract was active on all three parasites (P. lineatum). After metabolomic analyses and annotation of compounds active on Leishmania, P. strigosum and P. pseudoarboreum were considered as potential sources of leishmanicidal compounds. CONCLUSIONS This ethnopharmacological study and the associated in vitro bioassays corroborated the relevance of use of Piper species in the Amazonian traditional medicine, especially in Peru. A series of Piper species with few previously available phytochemical data have good antiprotozoal activity and could be a starting point for subsequent promising work. Metabolomic approach appears to be a smart, quick but still limited methodology to identify compounds with high probability of biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro G Vásquez-Ocmín
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, 92290, Châtenay-Malabry, France; UMR152 PHARMADEV, IRD, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
| | - Alice Gadea
- Université de Paris, CiTCoM, UMR CNRS 8038, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Cojean
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, 92290, Châtenay-Malabry, France; CNR du Paludisme, AP-HP, Hôpital Bichat - Claude Bernard, F-75018, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Marti
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Sciences Végétales UMR 5546 UPS/CNRS, Plateforme MetaboHUB - MetaToul - Métabolites Végétaux, Auzeville-Tolosan, France
| | - Sébastien Pomel
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, 92290, Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | | | - Liliana Ruiz-Vásquez
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonia (LIPNAA), Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), AA. HH. "Nuevo San Lorenzo", Pasaje Paujiles S/N, San Juan, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Wilfredo Ruiz Mesia
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonia (LIPNAA), Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), AA. HH. "Nuevo San Lorenzo", Pasaje Paujiles S/N, San Juan, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Bruno Figadère
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, 92290, Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Lastenia Ruiz Mesia
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonia (LIPNAA), Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), AA. HH. "Nuevo San Lorenzo", Pasaje Paujiles S/N, San Juan, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Alexandre Maciuk
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, 92290, Châtenay-Malabry, France.
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Amiri-Dashatan N, Rezaei-Tavirani M, Zali H, Koushki M, Ahmadi N. Quantitative proteomic analysis reveals differentially expressed proteins in Leishmania major metacyclogenesis. Microb Pathog 2020; 149:104557. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Halliday C, Yanase R, Catta-Preta CMC, Moreira-Leite F, Myskova J, Pruzinova K, Volf P, Mottram JC, Sunter JD. Role for the flagellum attachment zone in Leishmania anterior cell tip morphogenesis. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008494. [PMID: 33091070 PMCID: PMC7608989 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The shape and form of the flagellated eukaryotic parasite Leishmania is sculpted to its ecological niches and needs to be transmitted to each generation with great fidelity. The shape of the Leishmania cell is defined by the sub-pellicular microtubule array and the positioning of the nucleus, kinetoplast and the flagellum within this array. The flagellum emerges from the anterior end of the cell body through an invagination of the cell body membrane called the flagellar pocket. Within the flagellar pocket the flagellum is laterally attached to the side of the flagellar pocket by a cytoskeletal structure called the flagellum attachment zone (FAZ). During the cell cycle single copy organelles duplicate with a new flagellum assembling alongside the old flagellum. These are then segregated between the two daughter cells by cytokinesis, which initiates at the anterior cell tip. Here, we have investigated the role of the FAZ in the morphogenesis of the anterior cell tip. We have deleted the FAZ filament protein, FAZ2 and investigated its function using light and electron microscopy and infection studies. The loss of FAZ2 caused a disruption to the membrane organisation at the anterior cell tip, resulting in cells that were connected to each other by a membranous bridge structure between their flagella. Moreover, the FAZ2 null mutant was unable to develop and proliferate in sand flies and had a reduced parasite burden in mice. Our study provides a deeper understanding of membrane-cytoskeletal interactions that define the shape and form of an individual cell and the remodelling of that form during cell division. Leishmania are parasites that cause leishmaniasis in humans with symptoms ranging from mild cutaneous lesions to severe visceral disease. The life cycle of these parasites alternates between the human host and the sand fly vector, with distinct forms in both. These different forms have different cell shapes that are adapted for survival in these different environments. Leishmania parasites have an elongated cell shape with a flagellum extending from one end and this shape is due to a protein skeleton beneath the cell membrane. This skeleton is made up of different units one of which is called the flagellum attachment zone (FAZ), that connects the flagellum to the cell body. We have found that one of the proteins in the FAZ called FAZ2 is important for generating the shape of the cell at the point where the flagellum exits the cell. When we deleted FAZ2 we found that the cell membrane at the end of the cell was distorted resulting in unusual connections between the flagella of different cells. We found that the disruption to the cell shape reduces the ability of the parasite to infect mice and develop in the sand fly, which shows the importance of the parasite shape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Halliday
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ryuji Yanase
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | | | - Flavia Moreira-Leite
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jitka Myskova
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Jack D. Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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24
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Wang Z, Beneke T, Gluenz E, Wheeler RJ. The single flagellum of Leishmania has a fixed polarisation of its asymmetric beat. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:133/20/jcs246637. [PMID: 33093230 PMCID: PMC7595685 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.246637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic flagella undertake different beat types as necessary for different functions; for example, the Leishmania parasite flagellum undergoes a symmetric tip-to-base beat for forward swimming and an asymmetric base-to-tip beat to rotate the cell. In multi-ciliated tissues or organisms, the asymmetric beats are coordinated, leading to movement of the cell, organism or surrounding fluid. This coordination involves a polarisation of power stroke direction. Here, we asked whether the asymmetric beat of the single Leishmania flagellum also has a fixed polarisation. We developed high frame rate dual-colour fluorescence microscopy to visualise flagellar-associated structures in live swimming cells. This showed that the asymmetric Leishmania beat is polarised, with power strokes only occurring in one direction relative to the asymmetric flagellar machinery. Polarisation of bending was retained in deletion mutants whose flagella cannot beat but have a static bend. Furthermore, deletion mutants for proteins required for asymmetric extra-axonemal and rootlet-like flagellum-associated structures also retained normal polarisation. Leishmania beat polarisation therefore likely arises from either the nine-fold rotational symmetry of the axoneme structure or is due to differences between the outer doublet decorations. Highlighted Article: By using high speed, high-resolution fluorescence microscopy of swimming Leishmania cells, we showed that the asymmetric flagellar beat always wafts in the same direction and investigate which structures are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyin Wang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tom Beneke
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Eva Gluenz
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Richard John Wheeler
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Karpiyevich M, Artavanis-Tsakonas K. Ubiquitin-Like Modifiers: Emerging Regulators of Protozoan Parasites. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1403. [PMID: 33022940 PMCID: PMC7600729 DOI: 10.3390/biom10101403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational protein regulation allows for fine-tuning of cellular functions and involves a wide range of modifications, including ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like modifiers (Ubls). The dynamic balance of Ubl conjugation and removal shapes the fates of target substrates, in turn modulating various cellular processes. The mechanistic aspects of Ubl pathways and their biological roles have been largely established in yeast, plants, and mammalian cells. However, these modifiers may be utilised differently in highly specialised and divergent organisms, such as parasitic protozoa. In this review, we explore how these parasites employ Ubls, in particular SUMO, NEDD8, ATG8, ATG12, URM1, and UFM1, to regulate their unconventional cellular physiology. We discuss emerging data that provide evidence of Ubl-mediated regulation of unique parasite-specific processes, as well as the distinctive features of Ubl pathways in parasitic protozoa. We also highlight the potential to leverage these essential regulators and their cognate enzymatic machinery for development of therapeutics to protect against the diseases caused by protozoan parasites.
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Alves AA, Gabriel HB, Bezerra MJR, de Souza W, Vaughan S, Cunha-E-Silva NL, Sunter JD. Control of assembly of extra-axonemal structures: the paraflagellar rod of trypanosomes. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:jcs242271. [PMID: 32295845 PMCID: PMC7272336 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.242271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic flagella are complex microtubule-based organelles that, in many organisms, contain extra-axonemal structures, such as the outer dense fibres of mammalian sperm and the paraflagellar rod (PFR) of trypanosomes. Flagellum assembly is a complex process occurring across three main compartments, the cytoplasm, the transition zone and the flagellum itself. The process begins with the translation of protein components followed by their sorting and trafficking into the flagellum, transport to the assembly site and incorporation. Flagella are formed from over 500 proteins and the principles governing assembly of the axonemal components are relatively clear. However, the coordination and location of assembly of extra-axonemal structures are less clear. We have discovered two cytoplasmic proteins in Trypanosoma brucei that are required for PFR formation, PFR assembly factors 1 and 2 (PFR-AF1 and PFR-AF2, respectively). Deletion of either PFR-AF1 or PFR-AF2 dramatically disrupted PFR formation and caused a reduction in the amount of major PFR proteins. The existence of cytoplasmic factors required for PFR formation aligns with the concept that processes facilitating axoneme assembly occur across multiple compartments, and this is likely a common theme for extra-axonemal structure assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline A Alves
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Heloisa B Gabriel
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Maria J R Bezerra
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Narcisa L Cunha-E-Silva
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Jack D Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
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Ashrafmansouri M, Amiri‐Dashatan N, Ahmadi N, Rezaei‐Tavirani M, SeyyedTabaei S, Haghighi A. Quantitative proteomic analysis to determine differentially expressed proteins in axenic amastigotes of
Leishmania tropica
and
Leishmania major. IUBMB Life 2020; 72:1715-1724. [DOI: 10.1002/iub.2300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Ashrafmansouri
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Student Research Committee, School of MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical SciencesShiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran
| | - Nasrin Amiri‐Dashatan
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical SciencesShahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Nayebali Ahmadi
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical SciencesShahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Mostafa Rezaei‐Tavirani
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical SciencesShahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Seyyedjavad SeyyedTabaei
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Ali Haghighi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
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28
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Martinez G, Beurois J, Dacheux D, Cazin C, Bidart M, Kherraf ZE, Robinson DR, Satre V, Le Gac G, Ka C, Gourlaouen I, Fichou Y, Petre G, Dulioust E, Zouari R, Thierry-Mieg N, Touré A, Arnoult C, Bonhivers M, Ray P, Coutton C. Biallelic variants in MAATS1 encoding CFAP91, a calmodulin-associated and spoke-associated complex protein, cause severe astheno-teratozoospermia and male infertility. J Med Genet 2020; 57:708-716. [PMID: 32161152 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2019-106775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) consistently lead to male infertility due to a reduced or absent sperm motility defined as asthenozoospermia. Despite numerous genes recently described to be recurrently associated with MMAF, more than half of the cases analysed remain unresolved, suggesting that many yet uncharacterised gene defects account for this phenotype METHODS: Exome sequencing was performed on 167 infertile men with an MMAF phenotype. Immunostaining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in sperm cells from affected individuals were performed to characterise the ultrastructural sperm defects. Gene inactivation using RNA interference (RNAi) was subsequently performed in Trypanosoma. RESULTS We identified six unrelated affected patients carrying a homozygous deleterious variants in MAATS1, a gene encoding CFAP91, a calmodulin-associated and spoke-associated complex (CSC) protein. TEM and immunostaining experiments in sperm cells showed severe central pair complex (CPC) and radial spokes defects. Moreover, we confirmed that the WDR66 protein is a physical and functional partner of CFAP91 into the CSC. Study of Trypanosoma MAATS1's orthologue (TbCFAP91) highlighted high sequence and structural analogies with the human protein and confirmed the axonemal localisation of the protein. Knockdown of TbCFAP91 using RNAi impaired flagellar movement led to CPC defects in Trypanosoma as observed in humans. CONCLUSIONS We showed that CFAP91 is essential for normal sperm flagellum structure and function in human and Trypanosoma and that biallelic variants in this gene lead to severe flagellum malformations resulting in astheno-teratozoospermia and primary male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Martinez
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, Grenoble, France
| | - Julie Beurois
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France
| | - Denis Dacheux
- Université de Bordeaux, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, CNRS UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France.,Institut Polytechnique de Bordeaux, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, CNRS UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
| | - Caroline Cazin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France
| | - Marie Bidart
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, Unité Médicale de Génétique Moléculaire : Maladies Héréditaires et Oncologie, Pôle Biologie, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Grenoble, France
| | - Zine-Eddine Kherraf
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, France
| | - Derrick R Robinson
- Institut Polytechnique de Bordeaux, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, CNRS UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
| | - Véronique Satre
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, Grenoble, France
| | - Gerald Le Gac
- INSERM UMR1078, Université Bretagne Loire - Université de Brest, Etablissement Français du Sang - Bretagne, Institut Brestois Santé-Agro-Matière, Brest, France.,Service de Génétique Médicale et Biologie de la Reproduction, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire et Histocompatibilité, CHRU de Brest, Hôpital Morvan, Brest, France
| | - Chandran Ka
- INSERM UMR1078, Université Bretagne Loire - Université de Brest, Etablissement Français du Sang - Bretagne, Institut Brestois Santé-Agro-Matière, Brest, France
| | - Isabelle Gourlaouen
- INSERM UMR1078, Université Bretagne Loire - Université de Brest, Etablissement Français du Sang - Bretagne, Institut Brestois Santé-Agro-Matière, Brest, France
| | - Yann Fichou
- INSERM UMR1078, Université Bretagne Loire - Université de Brest, Etablissement Français du Sang - Bretagne, Institut Brestois Santé-Agro-Matière, Brest, France
| | - Graciane Petre
- INSERM U1205, UFR Chimie Biologie, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Emmanuel Dulioust
- Laboratoire d'Histologie Embryologie - Biologie de la Reproduction, GH Cochin Broca Hôtel Dieu, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
| | - Raoudha Zouari
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain Nord, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Aminata Touré
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France.,INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR8104, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France
| | - Mélanie Bonhivers
- Université de Bordeaux, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, CNRS UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pierre Ray
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, France
| | - Charles Coutton
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France .,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, Grenoble, France
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29
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Liu Q, Lei J, Darby AC, Kadowaki T. Trypanosomatid parasite dynamically changes the transcriptome during infection and modifies honey bee physiology. Commun Biol 2020; 3:51. [PMID: 32005933 PMCID: PMC6994608 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0775-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It is still not understood how honey bee parasite changes the gene expression to adapt to the host environment and how the host simultaneously responds to the parasite infection by modifying its own gene expression. To address this question, we studied a trypanosomatid, Lotmaria passim, which can be cultured in medium and inhabit the honey bee hindgut. We found that L. passim decreases mRNAs associated with protein translation, glycolysis, detoxification of radical oxygen species, and kinetoplast respiratory chain to adapt to the anaerobic and nutritionally poor honey bee hindgut during the infection. After the long term infection, the host appears to be in poor nutritional status, indicated by the increase and decrease of take-out and vitellogenin mRNAs, respectively. Simultaneous gene expression profiling of L. passim and honey bee during infection by dual RNA-seq provided insight into how both parasite and host modify their gene expressions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiushi Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Jing Lei
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Alistair C Darby
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Tatsuhiko Kadowaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China.
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30
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Schoijet AC, Sternlieb T, Alonso GD. Signal Transduction Pathways as Therapeutic Target for Chagas Disease. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:6572-6589. [PMID: 31218950 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190620093029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are a group of flagellated unicellular eukaryotes, causing serious human diseases including Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi), sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma brucei spp.) and Leishmaniasis (Leishmania spp.). The second messenger cAMP is involved in numerous and fundamental processes in these parasites including differentiation between stages, proliferation, osmoregulation, oxidative stress and quorum sensing. Interestingly, its signaling pathway is quite different from that of mammals, including structurally different adenylyl cyclases, the shortage of orthologous effector proteins and the absence of G-protein-coupled-receptors, among others. These characteristics make the proteins involved in these transduction pathways good candidates for therapeutic targets. However, the identification of new unknown druggable targets involves extensive research time and is economically very expensive, making difficult the transition from basic research to the clinical phase. Trypanosomatid PDEs have characteristic binding pockets that allow for a differential inhibition from their human orthologs. Modification in the approved drugs for human to convert them into trypanocidal treatments could lead to more effective therapies, shorter lab time and lower costs. In view of the fact that kinetoplastid PDEs are highly conserved with their mammalian counterparts, and since there are already numerous drugs on the market against human PDEs, the drug repositioning approach is highly promising. The development of new technologies, higher government and industrial involvement and more scientists committed to basic investigation, are the key to ultimately find an effective treatment and cure for the neglected tropical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Cecilia Schoijet
- Laboratorio de Senalizacion y Mecanismos Adaptativos en Tripanosomatidos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingenieria Genetica y Biologia Molecular "Dr. Hector N. Torres"; Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (C1428ADN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tamara Sternlieb
- Laboratorio de Senalizacion y Mecanismos Adaptativos en Tripanosomatidos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingenieria Genetica y Biologia Molecular "Dr. Hector N. Torres"; Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (C1428ADN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guillermo Daniel Alonso
- Laboratorio de Senalizacion y Mecanismos Adaptativos en Tripanosomatidos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingenieria Genetica y Biologia Molecular "Dr. Hector N. Torres"; Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (C1428ADN), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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31
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Abstract
Current understanding of flagellum/cilium length regulation focuses on a few model organisms with flagella of uniform length. Leptomonas pyrrhocoris is a monoxenous trypanosomatid parasite of firebugs. When cultivated in vitro, L. pyrrhocoris duplicates every 4.2 ± 0.2 h, representing the shortest doubling time reported for trypanosomatids so far. Each L. pyrrhocoris cell starts its cell cycle with a single flagellum. A new flagellum is assembled de novo, while the old flagellum persists throughout the cell cycle. The flagella in an asynchronous L. pyrrhocoris population exhibited a vast length variation of ∼3 to 24 μm, casting doubt on the presence of a length regulation mechanism based on a single balance point between the assembly and disassembly rate in these cells. Through imaging of live L. pyrrhocoris cells, a rapid, partial disassembly of the existing, old flagellum is observed upon, if not prior to, the initial assembly of a new flagellum. Mathematical modeling demonstrated an inverse correlation between the flagellar growth rate and flagellar length and inferred the presence of distinct, cell cycle-dependent disassembly mechanisms with different rates. On the basis of these observations, we proposed a min-max model that could account for the vast flagellar length range observed for asynchronous L. pyrrhocoris. This model may also apply to other flagellated organisms with flagellar length variation.IMPORTANCE Current understanding of flagellum biogenesis during the cell cycle in trypanosomatids is limited to a few pathogenic species, including Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania spp. The most notable characteristics of trypanosomatid flagella studied so far are the extreme stability and lack of ciliary disassembly/absorption during the cell cycle. This is different from cilia in Chlamydomonas and mammalian cells, which undergo complete absorption prior to cell cycle initiation. In this study, we examined flagellum duplication during the cell cycle of Leptomonas pyrrhocoris With the shortest duplication time documented for all Trypanosomatidae and its amenability to culture on agarose gel with limited mobility, we were able to image these cells through the cell cycle. Rapid, cell cycle-specific flagellum disassembly different from turnover was observed for the first time in trypanosomatids. Given the observed length-dependent growth rate and the presence of different disassembly mechanisms, we proposed a min-max model that can account for the flagellar length variation observed in L. pyrrhocoris.
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32
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Abstract
Leishmania parasites are the causative agents of a broad spectrum of diseases. The parasites migrate between sand-fly vectors and mammalian hosts, adapting to changing environments by driving a regulated program of gene expression, with translation regulation playing a key role. The leishmanias encode six different paralogs of eIF4E, the cap-binding translation initiation factor. Since these vary in function, expression profile, and assemblage, it is assumed that each is assigned a specific role throughout the life cycle. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 system for Leishmania, we generated a null mutant of LeishIF4E1, eliminating both alleles. Although the mutant cells were viable, their morphology was altered and their ability to synthesize the flagellum was impaired. Elimination of LeishIF4E1 affected their protein expression profile and decreased their ability to infect cultured macrophages. Restoring LeishIF4E1 expression restored the affected features. This study highlights the importance of LeishIF4E1 in diverse cellular events during the life cycle of Leishmania. Leishmania parasites cycle between sand-fly vectors and mammalian hosts, adapting to changing environmental conditions by driving a stage-specific program of gene expression, which is tightly regulated by translation processes. Leishmania encodes six eIF4E orthologs (LeishIF4Es) and five eIF4G candidates, forming different cap-binding complexes with potentially varying functions. Most LeishIF4E paralogs display temperature sensitivity in their cap-binding activity, except for LeishIF4E1, which maintains its cap-binding activity under all conditions. We used the CRISPR-Cas9 system to successfully generate a null mutant of LeishIF4E1 and examine how its elimination affected parasite physiology. Although the LeishIF4E1–/– null mutant was viable, its growth was impaired, in line with a reduction in global translation. As a result of the mutation, the null LeishIF4E1–/– mutant had a defective morphology, as the cells were round and unable to grow a normal flagellum. This was further emphasized when the LeishIF4E1–/– cells failed to develop the promastigote morphology once they shifted from conditions that generate axenic amastigotes (33°C, pH 5.5) back to neutral pH and 25°C, and they maintained their short flagellum and circular structure. Finally, the LeishIF4E1–/– null mutant displayed difficulty in infecting cultured macrophages. The morphological changes and reduced infectivity of the mutant may be related to differences in the proteomic profile of LeishIF4E1–/– cells from that of controls. All defects monitored in the LeishIF4E1–/– null mutant were reversed in the add-back strain, in which expression of LeishIF4E1 was reconstituted, establishing a strong link between the cellular defects and the absence of LeishIF4E1 expression. IMPORTANCELeishmania parasites are the causative agents of a broad spectrum of diseases. The parasites migrate between sand-fly vectors and mammalian hosts, adapting to changing environments by driving a regulated program of gene expression, with translation regulation playing a key role. The leishmanias encode six different paralogs of eIF4E, the cap-binding translation initiation factor. Since these vary in function, expression profile, and assemblage, it is assumed that each is assigned a specific role throughout the life cycle. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 system for Leishmania, we generated a null mutant of LeishIF4E1, eliminating both alleles. Although the mutant cells were viable, their morphology was altered and their ability to synthesize the flagellum was impaired. Elimination of LeishIF4E1 affected their protein expression profile and decreased their ability to infect cultured macrophages. Restoring LeishIF4E1 expression restored the affected features. This study highlights the importance of LeishIF4E1 in diverse cellular events during the life cycle of Leishmania.
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33
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Filosa JN, Berry CT, Ruthel G, Beverley SM, Warren WC, Tomlinson C, Myler PJ, Dudkin EA, Povelones ML, Povelones M. Dramatic changes in gene expression in different forms of Crithidia fasciculata reveal potential mechanisms for insect-specific adhesion in kinetoplastid parasites. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007570. [PMID: 31356610 PMCID: PMC6687205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastids are a group of parasites that includes several medically-important species. These human-infective species are transmitted by insect vectors in which the parasites undergo specific developmental transformations. For each species, this includes a stage in which parasites adhere to insect tissue via a hemidesmosome-like structure. Although this structure has been described morphologically, it has never been molecularly characterized. We are using Crithidia fasciculata, an insect parasite that produces large numbers of adherent parasites inside its mosquito host, as a model kinetoplastid to investigate both the mechanism of adherence and the signals required for differentiation to an adherent form. An advantage of C. fasciculata is that adherent parasites can be generated both in vitro, allowing a direct comparison to cultured swimming forms, as well as in vivo within the mosquito. Using RNAseq, we identify genes associated with adherence in C. fasciculata. As almost all of these genes have orthologs in other kinetoplastid species, our findings may reveal shared mechanisms of adherence, allowing investigation of a crucial step in parasite development and disease transmission. In addition, dual-RNAseq allowed us to explore the interaction between the parasites and the mosquito. Although the infection is well-tolerated, anti-microbial peptides and other components of the mosquito innate immune system are upregulated. Our findings indicate that C. fasciculata is a powerful model system for probing kinetoplastid-insect interactions. Kinetoplastids are single-celled parasites that cause devastating human diseases worldwide. Although this group includes many species that infect a variety of hosts, they have a great deal of shared biology. One relatively unexplored aspect of the kinetoplastid life cycle is their ability to adhere to insect tissue. For pathogenic species, adherence is critical for transmission by insect vectors. We have used an insect parasite called Crithidia fasciculata as a model kinetoplastid to reveal shared mechanisms of insect adherence. We have compared gene expression profiles of motile, non-adherent C. fasciculata to those of C. fasciculata adhered to non-living substrates and those attached to the hindgut of mosquitoes. Through this analysis, we have identified a large number of candidate proteins that may mediate adhesion in these and related parasites. In addition, our findings suggest that the mosquito immune system is responding to the presence of parasites in the gut. These results establish a new, robust system to explore the interaction between kinetoplastids and their insect hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- John N. Filosa
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Corbett T. Berry
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Gordon Ruthel
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Stephen M. Beverley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Wesley C. Warren
- University of Missouri, Bond Life Sciences Center, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Chad Tomlinson
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Myler
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Dudkin
- Department of Biology, Penn State Brandywine, Media, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Megan L. Povelones
- Department of Biology, Penn State Brandywine, Media, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MLP); (MP)
| | - Michael Povelones
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MLP); (MP)
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34
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Osinka A, Poprzeczko M, Zielinska MM, Fabczak H, Joachimiak E, Wloga D. Ciliary Proteins: Filling the Gaps. Recent Advances in Deciphering the Protein Composition of Motile Ciliary Complexes. Cells 2019; 8:cells8070730. [PMID: 31319499 PMCID: PMC6678824 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cilia are highly evolutionarily conserved, microtubule-based cell protrusions present in eukaryotic organisms from protists to humans, with the exception of fungi and higher plants. Cilia can be broadly divided into non-motile sensory cilia, called primary cilia, and motile cilia, which are locomotory organelles. The skeleton (axoneme) of primary cilia is formed by nine outer doublet microtubules distributed on the cilium circumference. In contrast, the skeleton of motile cilia is more complex: in addition to outer doublets, it is composed of two central microtubules and several diverse multi-protein complexes that are distributed periodically along both types of microtubules. For many years, researchers have endeavored to fully characterize the protein composition of ciliary macro-complexes and the molecular basis of signal transduction between these complexes. Genetic and biochemical analyses have suggested that several hundreds of proteins could be involved in the assembly and function of motile cilia. Within the last several years, the combined efforts of researchers using cryo-electron tomography, genetic and biochemical approaches, and diverse model organisms have significantly advanced our knowledge of the ciliary structure and protein composition. Here, we summarize the recent progress in the identification of the subunits of ciliary complexes, their precise intraciliary localization determined by cryo-electron tomography data, and the role of newly identified proteins in cilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Osinka
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Martyna Poprzeczko
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena M Zielinska
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hanna Fabczak
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Joachimiak
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Dorota Wloga
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
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Beneke T, Demay F, Hookway E, Ashman N, Jeffery H, Smith J, Valli J, Becvar T, Myskova J, Lestinova T, Shafiq S, Sadlova J, Volf P, Wheeler RJ, Gluenz E. Genetic dissection of a Leishmania flagellar proteome demonstrates requirement for directional motility in sand fly infections. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007828. [PMID: 31242261 PMCID: PMC6615630 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Leishmania possesses a single flagellum, which is remodelled during the parasite’s life cycle from a long motile flagellum in promastigote forms in the sand fly to a short immotile flagellum in amastigotes residing in mammalian phagocytes. This study examined the protein composition and in vivo function of the promastigote flagellum. Protein mass spectrometry and label free protein enrichment testing of isolated flagella and deflagellated cell bodies defined a flagellar proteome for L. mexicana promastigote forms (available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD011057). This information was used to generate a CRISPR-Cas9 knockout library of 100 mutants to screen for flagellar defects. This first large-scale knockout screen in a Leishmania sp. identified 56 mutants with altered swimming speed (52 reduced and 4 increased) and defined distinct mutant categories (faster swimmers, slower swimmers, slow uncoordinated swimmers and paralysed cells, including aflagellate promastigotes and cells with curled flagella and disruptions of the paraflagellar rod). Each mutant was tagged with a unique 17-nt barcode, providing a simple barcode sequencing (bar-seq) method for measuring the relative fitness of L. mexicana mutants in vivo. In mixed infections of the permissive sand fly vector Lutzomyia longipalpis, paralysed promastigotes and uncoordinated swimmers were severely diminished in the fly after defecation of the bloodmeal. Subsequent examination of flies infected with a single paralysed mutant lacking the central pair protein PF16 or an uncoordinated swimmer lacking the axonemal protein MBO2 showed that these promastigotes did not reach anterior regions of the fly alimentary tract. These data show that L. mexicana need directional motility for successful colonisation of sand flies. Leishmania are protozoan parasites, transmitted between mammals by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies. Promastigote forms in the sand fly have a long flagellum, which is motile and used for anchoring the parasites to prevent clearance with the digested blood meal remnants. To dissect flagellar functions and their importance in life cycle progression, we generated here a comprehensive list of >300 flagellar proteins and produced a CRISPR-Cas9 gene knockout library of 100 mutant Leishmania. We studied their behaviour in vitro before examining their fate in the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis. Measuring mutant swimming speeds showed that about half behaved differently compared to the wild type: a few swam faster, many slower and some were completely paralysed. We also found a group of uncoordinated swimmers. To test whether flagellar motility is required for parasite migration from the fly midgut to the foregut from where they reach the next host, we infected sand flies with a mixed mutant population. Each mutant carried a unique tag and tracking these tags up to nine days after infection showed that paralysed and uncoordinated Leishmania were rapidly lost from flies. These data indicate that directional swimming is important for successful colonisation of sand flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Beneke
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - François Demay
- University of Lille 1, Cité Scientifique, Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
| | - Edward Hookway
- Research Department of Pathology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Ashman
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Heather Jeffery
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - James Smith
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Valli
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tomas Becvar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Myskova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Lestinova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Shahaan Shafiq
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Richard John Wheeler
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Gluenz
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Duschak VG. Major Kinds of Drug Targets in Chagas Disease or American Trypanosomiasis. Curr Drug Targets 2019; 20:1203-1216. [PMID: 31020939 DOI: 10.2174/1389450120666190423160804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
American Trypanosomiasis, a parasitic infection commonly named Chagas disease, affects millions of people all over Latin American countries. Presently, the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that the number of international infected individuals extends to 7 to 8 million, assuming that more than 10,000 deaths occur annually. The transmission of the etiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, through people migrating to non-endemic world nations makes it an emergent disease. The best promising targets for trypanocidal drugs may be classified into three main groups: Group I includes the main molecular targets that are considered among specific enzymes involved in the essential processes for parasite survival, principally Cruzipain, the major antigenic parasite cysteine proteinase. Group II involves biological pathways and their key specific enzymes, such as Sterol biosynthesis pathway, among others, specific antioxidant defense mechanisms, and bioenergetics ones. Group III includes the atypical organelles /structures present in the parasite relevant clinical forms, which are absent or considerably different from those present in mammals and biological processes related to them. These can be considered potential targets to develop drugs with extra effectiveness and fewer secondary effects than the currently used therapeutics. An improved distinction between the host and the parasite targets will help fight against this neglected disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vilma G Duschak
- National Council of Scientific and Technical Reasearch (CONICET) Researcher, Area of Protein Biochemistry and Parasite Glycobiology, Research Department, National Institute of Parasitology (INP), "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben", ANLIS-Malbran, National Health Secretary, Av. Paseo Colon 568, Lab 506, Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires (1063), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Harmer J, Towers K, Addison M, Vaughan S, Ginger ML, McKean PG. A centriolar FGR1 oncogene partner-like protein required for paraflagellar rod assembly, but not axoneme assembly in African trypanosomes. Open Biol 2019; 8:rsob.170218. [PMID: 30045883 PMCID: PMC6070722 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.170218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins of the FGR1 oncogene partner (or FOP) family are found at microtubule organizing centres (MTOCs) including, in flagellate eukaryotes, the centriole or flagellar basal body from which the axoneme extends. We report conservation of FOP family proteins, TbFOPL and TbOFD1, in the evolutionarily divergent sleeping sickness parasite Trypanosoma brucei, showing (in contrast with mammalian cells, where FOP is essential for flagellum assembly) depletion of a trypanosome FOP homologue, TbFOPL, affects neither axoneme nor flagellum elongation. Instead, TbFOPL depletion causes catastrophic failure in assembly of a lineage-specific, extra-axonemal structure, the paraflagellar rod (PFR). That depletion of centriolar TbFOPL causes failure in PFR assembly is surprising because PFR nucleation commences approximately 2 µm distal from the basal body. When over-expressed with a C-terminal myc-epitope, TbFOPL was also observed at mitotic spindle poles. Little is known about bi-polar spindle assembly during closed trypanosome mitosis, but indication of a possible additional MTOC function for TbFOPL parallels MTOC localization of FOP-like protein TONNEAU1 in acentriolar plants. More generally, our functional analysis of TbFOPL emphasizes significant differences in evolutionary cell biology trajectories of FOP-family proteins. We discuss how at the molecular level FOP homologues may contribute to flagellum assembly and function in diverse flagellates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Harmer
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Katie Towers
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Max Addison
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Michael L Ginger
- Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Paul G McKean
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
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Huet D, Blisnick T, Perrot S, Bastin P. IFT25 is required for the construction of the trypanosome flagellum. J Cell Sci 2019; 132:jcs.228296. [PMID: 30709917 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.228296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Intraflagellar transport (IFT), the movement of protein complexes responsible for the assembly of cilia and flagella, is remarkably conserved from protists to humans. However, two IFT components (IFT25 and IFT27) are missing from multiple unrelated eukaryotic species. In mouse, IFT25 (also known as HSPB11) and IFT27 are not required for assembly of several cilia with the noticeable exception of the flagellum of spermatozoa. Here, we show that the Trypanosoma brucei IFT25 protein is a proper component of the IFT-B complex and displays typical IFT trafficking. By performing bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, we reveal that IFT25 and IFT27 interact within the flagellum in live cells during the IFT process. IFT25-depleted cells construct tiny disorganised flagella that accumulate IFT-B proteins (with the exception of IFT27, the binding partner of IFT25) but not IFT-A proteins. This phenotype is comparable to the one following depletion of IFT27 and shows that IFT25 and IFT27 constitute a specific module that is necessary for proper IFT and flagellum construction in trypanosomes. Possible reasons why IFT25 and IFT27 would be required for only some types of cilia are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Huet
- Sorbonne université, École doctorale complexité du vivant, ED 515, 7 Quai Saint-Bernard, case 32, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France
| | - Thierry Blisnick
- Sorbonne université, École doctorale complexité du vivant, ED 515, 7 Quai Saint-Bernard, case 32, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France
| | - Sylvie Perrot
- Sorbonne université, École doctorale complexité du vivant, ED 515, 7 Quai Saint-Bernard, case 32, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France
| | - Philippe Bastin
- Sorbonne université, École doctorale complexité du vivant, ED 515, 7 Quai Saint-Bernard, case 32, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France
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Ramirez-Barrios R, Reyna-Bello A, Parra O, Valeris R, Tavares-Marques L, Brizard JP, Demettre E, Seveno M, Martinez-Moreno A, Holzmuller P. Trypanosoma vivax infection in sheep: Different patterns of virulence and pathogenicity associated with differentially expressed proteomes. Vet Parasitol 2019; 276S:100014. [PMID: 32904712 PMCID: PMC7458391 DOI: 10.1016/j.vpoa.2019.100014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma vivax strains exhibit different virulence and pathogenicity patterns. TvMT1 strain showed low virulence and high pathogenicity. TvLIEM176 strain showed high virulence and moderate pathogenicity. Protein expression varies in high virulence/moderate pathogenicity strain vs low virulence/high pathogenicity strain.
Cattle trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma vivax is a widely distributed disease in Africa and Latin America. It causes significant losses in the livestock industry and is characterized by fluctuating parasitemia, anemia, fever, lethargy, and weight loss. In this study we evaluated the virulence (capacity to multiply inside the host and to modulate the host response) and pathogenicity (ability to produce disease and/or mortality) patterns of two T. vivax strains (TvMT1 and TvLIEM176) in experimentally-infected sheep and determined the proteins differentially expressed in the proteomes of these two strains. Hematological and clinical parameters were monitored in experimentally-infected versus non-infected sheep for 60 days. All the infected animals developed discernable parasitemia at 3 days post-infection (dpi), and the first parasitemia peak was observed at 6 dpi. The maximum average value of parasitemia was 1.3 × 107 (95% CI, 7.9 × 105–2 × 108) parasites/ml in TvLIEM176-infected animals, and 2.5 × 106 (95% CI, 1.6 × 105–4 × 107) parasites/ml in TvMT1-infected ones. Anemia and clinical manifestations were more severe in the animals infected by TvMT1 strain than in those infected by TvLIEM176. In the proteomic analysis, a total of 29 proteins were identified, of which 14 exhibited significant differences in their expression levels between strains. Proteins with higher expression in TvLIEM176 were: alpha tubulin, beta tubulin, arginine kinase, glucose-regulated protein 78, paraflagellar protein 3, and T-complex protein 1 subunit theta. Proteins with higher expression in TvMT1 were: chaperonin HSP60, T-complex protein 1 subunit alpha, heat shock protein 70, pyruvate kinase, glycerol kinase, inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase, 73 kDa paraflagellar rod protein, and vacuolar ATP synthase. There was a difference in the virulence and pathogenicity between the T. vivax strains: TvLIEM176 showed high virulence and moderate pathogenicity, whereas TvMT1 showed low virulence and high pathogenicity. The proteins identified in this study are discussed for their potential involvement in strains’ virulence and pathogenicity, to be further defined as biomarkers of severity in T. vivax infections.
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Krüger T, Schuster S, Engstler M. Beyond Blood: African Trypanosomes on the Move. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:1056-1067. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Filardy AA, Guimarães-Pinto K, Nunes MP, Zukeram K, Fliess L, Pereira L, Oliveira Nascimento D, Conde L, Morrot A. Human Kinetoplastid Protozoan Infections: Where Are We Going Next? Front Immunol 2018; 9:1493. [PMID: 30090098 PMCID: PMC6069677 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastida trypanosomatidae microorganisms are protozoan parasites exhibiting a developmental stage in the gut of insect vectors and tissues of vertebrate hosts. During the vertebrate infective stages, these parasites alter the differential expression of virulence genes, modifying their biological and antigenic properties in order to subvert the host protective immune responses and establish a persistent infection. One of the hallmarks of kinetoplastid parasites is their evasion mechanisms from host immunity, leading to disease chronification. The diseases caused by kinetoplastid parasites are neglected by the global expenditures in research and development, affecting millions of individuals in the low and middle-income countries located mainly in the tropical and subtropical regions. However, investments made by public and private initiatives have over the past decade leveraged important lines of intervention that if well-integrated to health care programs will likely accelerate disease control initiatives. This review summarizes recent advances in public health care principles, including new drug discoveries and their rational use with chemotherapeutic vaccines, and the implementation of control efforts to spatially mapping the kinetoplastid infections through monitoring of infected individuals in epidemic areas. These approaches should bring us the means to track genetic variation of parasites and drug resistance, integrating this knowledge into effective stewardship programs to prevent vector-borne kinetoplastid infections in areas at risk of disease spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Almeida Filardy
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kamila Guimarães-Pinto
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marise Pinheiro Nunes
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ketiuce Zukeram
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lara Fliess
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ludimila Pereira
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Danielle Oliveira Nascimento
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana Conde
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Tuberculosis Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Recent advances in trypanosomatid research: genome organization, expression, metabolism, taxonomy and evolution. Parasitology 2018; 146:1-27. [PMID: 29898792 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182018000951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Unicellular flagellates of the family Trypanosomatidae are obligatory parasites of invertebrates, vertebrates and plants. Dixenous species are aetiological agents of a number of diseases in humans, domestic animals and plants. Their monoxenous relatives are restricted to insects. Because of the high biological diversity, adaptability to dramatically different environmental conditions, and omnipresence, these protists have major impact on all biotic communities that still needs to be fully elucidated. In addition, as these organisms represent a highly divergent evolutionary lineage, they are strikingly different from the common 'model system' eukaryotes, such as some mammals, plants or fungi. A number of excellent reviews, published over the past decade, were dedicated to specialized topics from the areas of trypanosomatid molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, host-parasite relationships or other aspects of these fascinating organisms. However, there is a need for a more comprehensive review that summarizing recent advances in the studies of trypanosomatids in the last 30 years, a task, which we tried to accomplish with the current paper.
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Peacock L, Kay C, Bailey M, Gibson W. Shape-shifting trypanosomes: Flagellar shortening followed by asymmetric division in Trypanosoma congolense from the tsetse proventriculus. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007043. [PMID: 29772025 PMCID: PMC5957336 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids such as Leishmania and Trypanosoma are digenetic, single-celled, parasitic flagellates that undergo complex life cycles involving morphological and metabolic changes to fit them for survival in different environments within their mammalian and insect hosts. According to current consensus, asymmetric division enables trypanosomatids to achieve the major morphological rearrangements associated with transition between developmental stages. Contrary to this view, here we show that the African trypanosome Trypanosoma congolense, an important livestock pathogen, undergoes extensive cell remodelling, involving shortening of the cell body and flagellum, during its transition from free-swimming proventricular forms to attached epimastigotes in vitro. Shortening of the flagellum was associated with accumulation of PFR1, a major constituent of the paraflagellar rod, in the mid-region of the flagellum where it was attached to the substrate. However, the PFR1 depot was not essential for attachment, as it accumulated several hours after initial attachment of proventricular trypanosomes. Detergent and CaCl2 treatment failed to dislodge attached parasites, demonstrating the robust nature of flagellar attachment to the substrate; the PFR1 depot was also unaffected by these treatments. Division of the remodelled proventricular trypanosome was asymmetric, producing a small daughter cell. Each mother cell went on to produce at least one more daughter cell, while the daughter trypanosomes also proliferated, eventually resulting in a dense culture of epimastigotes. Here, by observing the synchronous development of the homogeneous population of trypanosomes in the tsetse proventriculus, we have been able to examine the transition from proventricular forms to attached epimastigotes in detail in T. congolense. This transition is difficult to observe in vivo as it happens inside the mouthparts of the tsetse fly. In T. brucei, this transition is achieved by asymmetric division of long trypomastigotes in the proventriculus, yielding short epimastigotes, which go on to colonise the salivary glands. Thus, despite their close evolutionary relationship and shared developmental route within the vector, T. brucei and T. congolense have evolved different ways of accomplishing the same developmental transition from proventricular form to attached epimastigote. Tsetse-transmitted trypanosomes are parasitic protists that cause severe human and livestock diseases in tropical Africa. During their developmental cycle in the tsetse fly, these trypanosomes undergo complex cycles of differentiation and proliferation. Here we have investigated part of the developmental cycle of the major livestock pathogen Trypanosoma congolense as it moves from the fly midgut via the foregut to the mouthparts, where it reacquires infectivity to mammalian hosts. This transition is difficult to observe in vivo because of the small numbers of migratory trypanosomes and their inaccessibility in the fly. However, prior to migration, trypanosomes accumulate in the proventriculus, the valve that separates the foregut from the midgut, and we were able to observe the behaviour of these cells in vitro. On release from the proventriculus, these trypanosomes readily attach to a glass microscope slide and then undergo drastic remodelling to become short, stout cells, before each produces a small daughter cell. Each mother cell goes on to produce at least one further daughter trypanosome in the same way, while the daughter cells also proliferate as attached cells. We assume that these events would normally happen in vivo inside the tsetse proboscis. In T. brucei the equivalent developmental transition takes place in the proventriculus or foregut in free-swimming rather than attached cells, and is achieved via an asymmetric division. Thus, despite their close evolutionary relationship, these two trypanosome species have evolved different ways of accomplishing what is essentially the same developmental transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori Peacock
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Kay
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Mick Bailey
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Wendy Gibson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Santos CMBD, Ludwig A, Kessler RL, Rampazzo RDCP, Inoue AH, Krieger MA, Pavoni DP, Probst CM. Trypanosoma cruzi transcriptome during axenic epimastigote growth curve. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2018; 113:e170404. [PMID: 29668769 PMCID: PMC5907844 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760170404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi is an important protozoan parasite and the causative agent of Chagas disease. A critical step in understanding T. cruzi biology is the study of cellular and molecular features exhibited during its growth curve. OBJECTIVES We aimed to acquire a global view of the gene expression profile of T. cruzi during epimastigote growth. METHODS RNA-Seq analysis of total and polysomal/granular RNA fractions was performed along the 10 days T. cruzi epimastigote growth curve in vitro, in addition to cell viability and cell cycle analyses. We also analysed the polysome profile and investigated the presence of granular RNA by FISH and western blotting. FINDINGS We identified 1082 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 220 were modulated in both fractions. According to the modulation pattern, DEGs were grouped into 12 clusters and showed enrichment of important gene ontology (GO) terms. Moreover, we showed that by the sixth day of the growth curve, polysomal content declined greatly and the RNA granules content appeared to increase, suggesting that a portion of mRNAs isolated from the sucrose gradient during late growth stages was associated with RNA granules and not only polyribosomes. Furthermore, we discuss several modulated genes possibly involved in T. cruzi growth, mainly during the stationary phase, such as genes related to cell cycle, pathogenesis, metabolic processes and RNA-binding proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adriana Ludwig
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
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Alcolea PJ, Alonso A, Baugh L, Paisie C, Ramasamy G, Sekar A, Sur A, Jiménez M, Molina R, Larraga V, Myler PJ. RNA-seq analysis reveals differences in transcript abundance between cultured and sand fly-derived Leishmania infantum promastigotes. Parasitol Int 2018; 67:476-480. [PMID: 29609036 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is responsible for human and canine leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean basin, where the major vector is Phlebotomus perniciosus. Because isolation of sufficient parasites from the sand fly gut is technically challenging, axenic cultivation of promastigotes is routinely used to obtain material for biochemical and genetic analyses. Here, we report the use of Spliced Leader RNA-seq (SL-seq) to compare transcript abundance in cultured promastigotes and those obtained from the whole midgut of the sand fly 5 days after infection. SL-seq allows for amplification of RNA from the parasite avoiding contamination with RNA from the gut of the insect. The study has been performed by means of a single technical replicate comparing pools of samples obtained from sand fly-derived (sfPro) and axenic culture promastigotes (acPro). Although there was a moderate correlation (R2 = 0.83) in gene expression, 793 genes showed significantly different (≥2-fold, p <0.05) mRNA levels in sand fly-derived promastigotes and in culture, of which 31 were up-regulated ≥8-fold (p < 10-8 in most cases). These included several genes that are typically up-regulated during metacyclogenesis, suggesting that sand fly-derived promastigotes contain a substantial number of metacyclics, and/or that their differentiation status as metacyclics is more advanced in these populations. Infection experiments and studies evaluating the proportion of metacyclic promastigotes in culture and within the sand fly gut, previously reported by us, support the last hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro J Alcolea
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biology of Infections, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, Madrid 28040, Spain; Center for Infectious Disease Research (formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute), 307 Westlake Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-5219, USA.
| | - Ana Alonso
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biology of Infections, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Loren Baugh
- Center for Infectious Disease Research (formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute), 307 Westlake Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-5219, USA
| | - Carolyn Paisie
- Center for Infectious Disease Research (formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute), 307 Westlake Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-5219, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Box 358047, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Gowthaman Ramasamy
- Center for Infectious Disease Research (formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute), 307 Westlake Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-5219, USA
| | - Aarthi Sekar
- Center for Infectious Disease Research (formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute), 307 Westlake Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-5219, USA
| | - Aakash Sur
- Center for Infectious Disease Research (formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute), 307 Westlake Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-5219, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Box 358047, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Maribel Jiménez
- Unit of Medical Entomology, Service of Parasitology, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Virología e Inmunología Sanitarias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo s/n, Majadahonda 28220, Spain
| | - Ricardo Molina
- Unit of Medical Entomology, Service of Parasitology, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Virología e Inmunología Sanitarias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo s/n, Majadahonda 28220, Spain
| | - Vicente Larraga
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biology of Infections, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Peter J Myler
- Center for Infectious Disease Research (formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute), 307 Westlake Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-5219, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Box 358047, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Box 359931, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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Cyrklaff M, Frischknecht F, Kudryashev M. Functional insights into pathogen biology from 3D electron microscopy. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2018; 41:828-853. [PMID: 28962014 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fux041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, novel imaging approaches revolutionised our understanding of the cellular and molecular biology of microorganisms. These include advances in fluorescent probes, dynamic live cell imaging, superresolution light and electron microscopy. Currently, a major transition in the experimental approach shifts electron microscopy studies from a complementary technique to a method of choice for structural and functional analysis. Here we review functional insights into the molecular architecture of viruses, bacteria and parasites as well as interactions with their respective host cells gained from studies using cryogenic electron tomography and related methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Cyrklaff
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mikhail Kudryashev
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue Strasse 3, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University of Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Strasse 17, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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47
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Using proteomics as a powerful tool to develop a vaccine against Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis. J Parasit Dis 2018; 42:162-170. [PMID: 29844618 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-018-0986-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a tropical infectious disease, which is called Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis (MVL) in the Mediterranean area. In spite of many attempts, no effective commercial vaccine exists for MVL. To find new targets for developing antileishmanial vaccines, knowing parasite antigens that provoke the immune system are on demand. Nowadays, proteomics methods are defined as approaches for analysis of protein profiling of different cells. Within this framework, detection of new antigens is becoming more facilitated. In this review, we aimed to introduce possible targets using proteomics so; they could be used as candidates for developing vaccines against MVL. It can shed new light in the near future on the development of promising vaccines for MVL.
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Tashyreva D, Prokopchuk G, Votýpka J, Yabuki A, Horák A, Lukeš J. Life Cycle, Ultrastructure, and Phylogeny of New Diplonemids and Their Endosymbiotic Bacteria. mBio 2018; 9:e02447-17. [PMID: 29511084 PMCID: PMC5845003 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02447-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Diplonemids represent a hyperdiverse and abundant yet poorly studied group of marine protists. Here we describe two new members of the genus Diplonema (Diplonemea, Euglenozoa), Diplonema japonicum sp. nov. and Diplonema aggregatum sp. nov., based on life cycle, morphology, and 18S rRNA gene sequences. Along with euglenozoan apomorphies, they contain several unique features. Their life cycle is complex, consisting of a trophic stage that is, following the depletion of nutrients, transformed into a sessile stage and subsequently into a swimming stage. The latter two stages are characterized by the presence of tubular extrusomes and the emergence of a paraflagellar rod, the supportive structure of the flagellum, which is prominently lacking in the trophic stage. These two stages also differ dramatically in motility and flagellar size. Both diplonemid species host endosymbiotic bacteria that are closely related to each other and constitute a novel branch within Holosporales, for which a new genus, "Candidatus Cytomitobacter" gen. nov., has been established. Remarkably, the number of endosymbionts in the cytoplasm varies significantly, as does their localization within the cell, where they seem to penetrate the mitochondrion, a rare occurrence.IMPORTANCE We describe the morphology, behavior, and life cycle of two new Diplonema species that established a relationship with two Holospora-like bacteria in the first report of an endosymbiosis in diplonemids. Both endosymbionts reside in the cytoplasm and the mitochondrion, which establishes an extremely rare case. Within their life cycle, the diplonemids undergo transformation from a trophic to a sessile and eventually a highly motile swimming stage. These stages differ in several features, such as the presence or absence of tubular extrusomes and a paraflagellar rod, along with the length of the flagella. These morphological and behavioral interstage differences possibly reflect distinct functions in dispersion and invasion of the host and/or prey and may provide novel insight into the virtually unknown function of diplonemids in the oceanic ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Tashyreva
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Galina Prokopchuk
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
- Faculty of Sciences, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Akinori Yabuki
- Department of Marine Diversity, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Aleš Horák
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
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49
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Zabeo D, Heumann JM, Schwartz CL, Suzuki-Shinjo A, Morgan G, Widlund PO, Höög JL. A lumenal interrupted helix in human sperm tail microtubules. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2727. [PMID: 29426884 PMCID: PMC5807425 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21165-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic flagella are complex cellular extensions involved in many human diseases gathered under the term ciliopathies. Currently, detailed insights on flagellar structure come mostly from studies on protists. Here, cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) was performed on intact human spermatozoon tails and showed a variable number of microtubules in the singlet region (inside the end-piece). Inside the microtubule plus end, a novel left-handed interrupted helix which extends several micrometers was discovered. This structure was named Tail Axoneme Intra-Lumenal Spiral (TAILS) and binds directly to 11 protofilaments on the internal microtubule wall, in a coaxial fashion with the surrounding microtubule lattice. It leaves a gap over the microtubule seam, which was directly visualized in both singlet and doublet microtubules. We speculate that TAILS may stabilize microtubules, enable rapid swimming or play a role in controlling the swimming direction of spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Zabeo
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 41390, Sweden
| | - John M Heumann
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Cindi L Schwartz
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Azusa Suzuki-Shinjo
- Krefting Research Centre, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 41390, Sweden
| | - Garry Morgan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Per O Widlund
- Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 41390, Sweden
| | - Johanna L Höög
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 41390, Sweden.
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50
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RANJAN MAHARANA B, KUMAR TEWARI A, RAJANNA SUDHAKAR N, MISHRA C. Molecular Cloning, Expression and Characterization of Para Flagellar Rod Protein 1 of Trypanosoma evansi. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2018; 13:618-626. [PMID: 30697316 PMCID: PMC6348229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antigenic variation allows the trypanosomes to evade the potentially destructive host immune response and is an important reason for failure to develop a protective vaccine. Among the non-variant structural proteins, paraflagellar rod protein (PFR) is a prospective vaccine target owing to its role in the active movement of the parasite. METHODS The PFR1 gene was cloned in pET-32a expression vector and after confirmation by restriction digestion, expressed as a Histidine-tagged fusion protein, in BL21 DE3 strain of E. coli. The expressed protein was affinity purified and then renatured. The immunoreactivity of the expressed recombinant protein was shown by western blot analysis using the specific serum. The experiment was carried out during 2013-14 at Division of Parasitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, U.P., India. RESULTS The results of sequencing, restriction digestion analysis, and PCR reaction revealed that cloning of PFR1 gene in pET-32a expression vector and the results of SDS PAGE and Western blot further confirmed its homogeneity and purity. The in silico Te-PFR1 (T. evansi PFR1) nucleotides sequence analysis revealed its close homology with the other members of the order Kinetoplastida. CONCLUSION We report here the molecular cloning, heterologous expression, and characterization of PFR1, a constituent protein of PFR. Due to its conserved nature, the PFR1 protein could be a prospective vaccine target against multiple Trypanosoma species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswa RANJAN MAHARANA
- Dept. of Parasitology, Referral Veterinary Diagnostic & Extension Center, LUVAS, Haryana, India
| | - Anup KUMAR TEWARI
- Division of Parasitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, U.P., India,Correspondence
| | | | - Chinmoy MISHRA
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, OUAT, Odisha, India
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