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Cheng P, Zhang Z, Yang F, Cai S, Wang L, Wang C, Wang M, Liu Y, Fei C, Zhang L, Xue F, Gu F. FnCas12a/crRNA-Mediated Genome Editing in Eimeria tenella. Front Genet 2021; 12:738746. [PMID: 34630528 PMCID: PMC8494306 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.738746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Eimeria species are intracellular parasites residing inside the intestinal epithelial cell, which cause poultry coccidiosis and result in significant financial losses in the poultry industry. Genome editing of Eimeria is of immense importance for the development of vaccines and drugs. CRISPR/Cas9 has been utilized for manipulating the genome of Eimeria tenella (E. tenella). Ectopic expression of Cas9, i.e., via plasmids, would introduce transgene, which substantially limits its application, especially for vaccine development. In this study, we initially optimized the condition of the transfection protocol. We demonstrated that with the optimized condition, the transfection of FnCas12a (also known as "FnCpf1") protein and crRNA targeting EtHistone H4 triggered DNA double-strand breaks in vivo. We then used this strategy to knock-in a coding cassette for an enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) and dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase gene (DHFR) as a selection marker to tag endogenous EtActin. The engineered E. tenella parasite possesses EYFP expression in its entire life cycle. Our results demonstrated that FnCas12a could trigger genome editing in E. tenella, which augments the applicability of the dissection of gene function and the development of anticoccidial drugs and vaccines for Eimeria species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Fayu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuo Cai
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunmei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Mi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingchun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenzhong Fei
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lifang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Feiqun Xue
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Gu
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Gupta CM, Ambaru B, Bajaj R. Emerging Functions of Actins and Actin Binding Proteins in Trypanosomatids. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:587685. [PMID: 33163497 PMCID: PMC7581878 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.587685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Actin is the major protein constituent of the cytoskeleton that performs wide range of cellular functions. It exists in monomeric and filamentous forms, dynamics of which is regulated by a large repertoire of actin binding proteins. However, not much was known about existence of these proteins in trypanosomatids, till the genome sequence data of three important organisms of this class, viz. Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania major, became available. Here, we have reviewed most of the findings reported to date on the intracellular distribution, structure and functions of these proteins and based on them, we have hypothesized some of their functions. The major findings are as follows: (1) All the three organisms encode at least a set of ten actin binding proteins (profilin, twinfilin, ADF/cofilin, CAP/srv2, CAPz, coronin, two myosins, two formins) and one isoform of actin, except that T. cruzi encodes for three formins and several myosins along with four actins. (2) Actin 1 and a few actin binding proteins (ADF/cofilin, profilin, twinfilin, coronin and myosin13 in L. donovani; ADF/cofilin, profilin and myosin1 in T. brucei; profilin and myosin-F in T.cruzi) have been identified and characterized. (3) In all the three organisms, actin cytoskeleton has been shown to regulate endocytosis and intracellular trafficking. (4) Leishmania actin1 has been the most characterized protein among trypanosomatid actins. (5) This protein is localized to the cytoplasm as well as in the flagellum, nucleus and kinetoplast, and in vitro, it binds to DNA and displays scDNA relaxing and kDNA nicking activities. (6) The pure protein prefers to form bundles instead of thin filaments, and does not bind DNase1 or phalloidin. (7) Myosin13, myosin1 and myosin-F regulate endocytosis and intracellular trafficking, respectively, in Leishmania, T. brucei and T. cruzi. (8) Actin-dependent myosin13 motor is involved in dynamics and assembly of Leishmania flagellum. (9) Leishmania twinfilin localizes mostly to the nucleolus and coordinates karyokinesis by effecting splindle elongation and DNA synthesis. (10) Leishmania coronin binds and promotes actin filament formation and exists in tetrameric form rather than trimeric form, like other coronins. (11) Trypanosomatid profilins are essential for survival of all the three parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chhitar M Gupta
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru, India
| | - Bindu Ambaru
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Rani Bajaj
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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Vizcaíno-Castillo A, Osorio-Méndez JF, Ambrosio JR, Hernández R, Cevallos AM. The complexity and diversity of the actin cytoskeleton of trypanosomatids. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 237:111278. [PMID: 32353561 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are a monophyletic group of parasitic flagellated protists belonging to the order Kinetoplastida. Their cytoskeleton is primarily made up of microtubules in which no actin microfilaments have been detected. Although all these parasites contain actin, it is widely thought that their actin cytoskeleton is reduced when compared to most eukaryotic organisms. However, there is increasing evidence that it is more complex than previously thought. As in other eukaryotic organisms, trypanosomatids encode for a conventional actin that is expected to form microfilament-like structures, and for members of three conserved actin-related proteins probably involved in microfilament nucleation (ARP2, ARP3) and in gene expression regulation (ARP6). In addition to these canonical proteins, also encode for an expanded set of actins and actin-like proteins that seem to be restricted to kinetoplastids. Analysis of their amino acid sequences demonstrated that, although very diverse in primary sequence when compared to actins of model organisms, modelling of their tertiary structure predicted the presence of the actin fold in all of them. Experimental characterization has been done for only a few of the trypanosomatid actins and actin-binding proteins. The most studied is the conventional actin of Leishmania donovani (LdAct), which unusually requires both ATP and Mg2+ for polymerization, unlike other conventional actins that do not require ATP. Additionally, polymerized LdAct tends to assemble in bundles rather than in single filaments. Regulation of actin polymerization depends on their interaction with actin-binding proteins. In trypanosomatids, there is a reduced but sufficient core of actin-binding proteins to promote microfilament nucleation, turnover and stabilization. There are also genes encoding for members of two families of myosin motor proteins, including one lineage-specific. Homologues to all identified actin-family proteins and actin-binding proteins of trypanosomatids are also present in Paratrypanosoma confusum (an early branching trypanosomatid) and in Bodo saltans (a closely related free-living organism belonging to the trypanosomatid sister order of Bodonida) suggesting they were all present in their common ancestor. Secondary losses of these genes may have occurred during speciation within the trypanosomatids, with salivarian trypanosomes having lost many of them and stercorarian trypanosomes retaining most.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Vizcaíno-Castillo
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Juan Felipe Osorio-Méndez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico; Laboratorio de Microbiología y Biología Molecular, Programa de Medicina, Corporación Universitaria Empresarial Alexander von Humboldt, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Javier R Ambrosio
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal, 4510, D.F., Mexico
| | - Roberto Hernández
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ana María Cevallos
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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Actin from the apicomplexan Neospora caninum (NcACT) has different isoforms in 2D electrophoresis. Parasitology 2018; 146:33-41. [PMID: 29871709 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182018000872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites have unconventional actins that play a central role in important cellular processes such as apicoplast replication, motility of dense granules, endocytic trafficking and force generation for motility and host cell invasion. In this study, we investigated the actin of the apicomplexan Neospora caninum - a parasite associated with infectious abortion and neonatal mortality in livestock. Neospora caninum actin was detected and identified in two bands by one-dimensional (1D) western blot and in nine spots by the 2D technique. The mass spectrometry data indicated that N. caninum has at least nine different actin isoforms, possibly caused by post-translational modifications. In addition, the C4 pan-actin antibody detected specifically actin in N. caninum cellular extract. Extracellular N. caninum tachyzoites were treated with toxins that act on actin, jasplakinolide and cytochalasin D. Both substances altered the peripheric cytoplasmic localization of actin on tachyzoites. Our findings add complexity to the study of the apicomplexan actin in cellular processes, since the multiple functions of this important protein might be regulated by mechanisms involving post-translational modifications.
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Hernández-Núñez E, Tlahuext H, Moo-Puc R, Moreno D, González-Díaz MO, Vázquez GN. Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 2-(2-Amino-5(6)-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-N-arylacetamides as Antiprotozoal Agents. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22040579. [PMID: 28375176 PMCID: PMC6154724 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22040579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases are a public health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. One of the scaffolds used in several drugs for the treatment of parasitic diseases is the benzimidazole moiety, a heterocyclic aromatic compound. This compound is a crucial pharmacophore group and is considered a privileged structure in medicinal chemistry. In this study, the benzimidazole core served as a model for the synthesis of a series of 2-(2-amino-5(6)-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-N-arylacetamides 1–8 as benznidazole analogues. The in silico pharmacological results calculated with PASS platform exhibited chemical structures highly similar to known antiprotozoal drugs. Compounds 1–8 when evaluated in silico for acute toxicity by oral dosing, were less toxic than benznidazole. The synthesis of compounds 1–8 were carried out through reaction of 5(6)-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine (12) with 2-chlroactemides 10a–h, in the presence of K2CO3 and acetonitrile as solvent, showing an inseparable mixture of two regioisomers with the -NO2 group in position 5 or 6 with chemical yields of 60 to 94%. The prediction of the NMR spectra of molecule 1 coincided with the experimental chemical displacements of the regioisomers. Comparisons between the NMR prediction and the experimental data revealed that the regioisomer endo-1,6-NO2 predominated in the reaction. The in vitro antiparasitic activity of these compounds on intestinal unicellular parasites (Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica) and a urogenital tract parasite (Trichomonas vaginalis) were tested. Compound 7 showed an IC50 of 3.95 μM and was 7 time more active against G. intestinalis than benznidazole. Compounds 7 and 8 showed 4 times more activity against T. vaginalis compared with benznidazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Hernández-Núñez
- CONACYT, Departamento de Recursos del Mar, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Unidad Mérida, Mérida 97310, Yucatán, Mexico.
| | - Hugo Tlahuext
- Centro de Investigaciones Químicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Rosa Moo-Puc
- Unidad Interinstitucional de Investigación Médica, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social/Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida 97150, Yucatán, México.
| | - Diego Moreno
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida 97310, Yucatán, Mexico.
| | | | - Gabriel Navarrete Vázquez
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Morelos, Mexico.
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Kumar G, Kajuluri LP, Gupta CM, Sahasrabuddhe AA. A twinfilin-like protein coordinates karyokinesis by influencing mitotic spindle elongation and DNA replication in Leishmania. Mol Microbiol 2016; 100:173-87. [PMID: 26713845 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Twinfilin is an evolutionarily conserved actin-binding protein, which regulates actin-dynamics in eukaryotic cells. Homologs of this protein have been detected in the genome of various protozoan parasites causing diseases in human. However, very little is known about their core functions in these organisms. We show here that a twinfilin homolog in a human pathogen Leishmania, primarily localizes to the nucleolus and, to some extent, also in the basal body region. In the dividing cells, nucleolar twinfilin redistributes to the mitotic spindle and remains there partly associated with the spindle microtubules. We further show that approximately 50% depletion of this protein significantly retards the cell growth due to sluggish progression of S phase of the cell division cycle, owing to the delayed nuclear DNA synthesis. Interestingly, overexpression of this protein results in significantly increased length of the mitotic spindle in the dividing Leishmania cells, whereas, its depletion adversely affects spindle elongation and architecture. Our results indicate that twinfilin controls on one hand, the DNA synthesis and on the other, the mitotic spindle elongation, thus contributing to karyokinesis in Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Kumar
- CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension-10, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, PIN-226 031, India
| | - Lova P Kajuluri
- CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension-10, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, PIN-226 031, India
| | - Chhitar M Gupta
- Department of Biosciences, Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Biotech Park, Electronics City, Phase-I, Bangaluru, PIN-560 100, India
| | - Amogh A Sahasrabuddhe
- CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension-10, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, PIN-226 031, India
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Srivastava R, Prasadareddy Kajuluri L, Pathak N, Gupta CM, Sahasrabuddhe AA. Oligomerization of coronin: Implication on actin filament length inLeishmania. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2016; 72:621-32. [DOI: 10.1002/cm.21269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Srivastava
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division; CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension, Sector-10; Lucknow India
- Department of Biosciences; Integral University; Lucknow India
| | - Lova Prasadareddy Kajuluri
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division; CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension, Sector-10; Lucknow India
| | - Neelam Pathak
- Department of Biosciences; Integral University; Lucknow India
| | - Chhitar M. Gupta
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology; Bangalore India
| | - Amogh A. Sahasrabuddhe
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division; CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension, Sector-10; Lucknow India
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