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Du Z, Tong D, Chen X, Wu F, Jiang S, Zhang J, Yang Y, Wang R, Gantuya S, Davaajargal T, Lkhagvatseren S, Batsukh Z, Du A, Ma G. Genome-wide RNA interference of the nhr gene family in barber's pole worm identified members crucial for larval viability in vitro. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 122:105609. [PMID: 38806077 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) are emerging target candidates against nematode infection and resistance. However, there is a lack of comprehensive information on NHR-coding genes in parasitic nematodes. In this study, we curated the nhr gene family for 60 major parasitic nematodes from humans and animals. Compared with the free-living model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, a remarkable contraction of the nhr family was revealed in parasitic species, with genetic diversification and conservation unveiled among nematode Clades I (10-13), III (16-42), IV (33-35) and V (25-64). Using an in vitro biosystem, we demonstrated that 40 nhr genes in a blood-feeding nematode Haemonchus contortus (clade V; barber's pole worm) were responsive to host serum and one nhr gene (i.e., nhr-64) was consistently stimulated by anthelmintics (i.e., ivermectin, thiabendazole and levamisole); Using a high-throughput RNA interference platform, we knocked down 43 nhr genes of H. contortus and identified at least two genes that are required for the viability (i.e., nhr-105) and development (i.e., nhr-17) of the infective larvae of this parasitic nematode in vitro. Harnessing this preliminary functional atlas of nhr genes for H. contortus will prime the biological studies of this gene family in nematode genetics, infection, and anthelmintic metabolism within host animals, as well as the promising discovery of novel intervention targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhendong Du
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Danni Tong
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Xueqiu Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Fei Wu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Shengjun Jiang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Jingju Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Yi Yang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Rui Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Sambuu Gantuya
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia
| | - Tserennyam Davaajargal
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia
| | - Sukhbaatar Lkhagvatseren
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia.
| | - Zayat Batsukh
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia.
| | - Aifang Du
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Guangxu Ma
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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2
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Torungkitmangmi N, Chantree P, Chaimon S, Prathaphan P, Ruangtong J, Geadkaew-Krenc A, Sornchuer P, Sanannam B, Thongsepee N, Pankao V, Adisakwattana P, Martviset P. Molecular and biochemical characterizations of a Fasciola gigantica retinoid X receptor-α isoform A (FgRXRα-A). Sci Rep 2024; 14:12347. [PMID: 38811840 PMCID: PMC11137005 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63194-6] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Fascioliasis is a parasitic infection in animals and humans caused by the parasitic flatworm genus Fasciola, which has two major species, F. hepatica and F. gigantica. A major concern regarding this disease is drug resistance, which is increasingly reported worldwide. Hence, the discovery of a novel drug as well as drug targets is crucially required. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the novel drug target in the adult F. gigantica. In the beginning, we hypothesized that the parasite might interact with some host molecules when it lives inside the liver parenchyma or bile ducts, specifically hormones and hormone-like molecules, through the specific receptors, primarily nuclear receptors (NRs), which are recognized as a major drug target in various diseases. The retinoid X receptor (RXR) is a member of subfamily 2 NRs that plays multitudinous roles in organisms by forming homodimers or heterodimers with other NRs. We obtained the full-length amino acid sequences of F. gigantica retinoid X receptor-alpha (FgRXRα-A) from the transcriptome of F. gigantica that existed in the NCBI database. The FgRXRα-A were computationally predicted for the basic properties, multiple aligned, phylogeny analyzed, and generated of 2D and 3D models. Moreover, FgRXRα-A was molecular cloned and expressed as a recombinant protein (rFgRXRα-A), then used for immunization for specific polyclonal antibodies. The native FgRXRα-A was detected in the parasite extracts and tissues, and the function was investigated by in vitro binding assay. The results demonstrated the conservation of FgRXRα-A to the other RXRs, especially RXRs from the trematodes. Interestingly, the native FgRXRα-A could be detected in the testes of the parasite, where the sex hormones are accumulated. Moreover, the binding assay revealed the interaction of 9-cis retinoic acid and FgRXRα-A, suggesting the function of FgRXRα-A. Our findings suggested that FgRXRα-A will be involved with the sexual reproduction of the parasite by forming heterodimers with other NRs, and it could be the potential target for further drug development of fascioliasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nattaya Torungkitmangmi
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Pathanin Chantree
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Nutraceuticals and Food Safety, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Graduate Program in Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Salisa Chaimon
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Graduate Program in Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Parisa Prathaphan
- Graduate Program in Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Jittiporn Ruangtong
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Nutraceuticals and Food Safety, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Amornrat Geadkaew-Krenc
- Graduate Studies in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Phornphan Sornchuer
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Nutraceuticals and Food Safety, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Bumpenporn Sanannam
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Graduate Program in Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Nattaya Thongsepee
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Nutraceuticals and Food Safety, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Graduate Program in Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Viriya Pankao
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Pongsakorn Martviset
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Nutraceuticals and Food Safety, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
- Graduate Program in Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
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3
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Wu W, LoVerde PT. Updated knowledge and a proposed nomenclature for nuclear receptors with two DNA binding domains (2DBD-NRs). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286107. [PMID: 37699039 PMCID: PMC10497141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are important transcriptional modulators in metazoans. Typical NRs possess a conserved DNA binding domain (DBD) and a ligand binding domain (LBD). Since we discovered a type of novel NRs each of them has two DBDs and single LBD (2DBD-NRs) more than decade ago, there has been very few studies about 2DBD-NRs. Recently, 2DBD-NRs have been only reported in Platyhelminths and Mollusca and are thought to be specific NRs to lophotrochozoan. In this study, we searched different databases and identified 2DBD-NRs in different animals from both protostomes and deuterostomes. Phylogenetic analysis shows that at least two ancient 2DBD-NR genes were present in the urbilaterian, a common ancestor of protostomes and deuterostomes. 2DBD-NRs underwent gene duplication and loss after the split of different animal phyla, most of them in a certain animal phylum are paralogues, rather than orthologues, like in other animal phyla. Amino acid sequence analysis shows that the conserved motifs in typical NRs are also present in 2DBD-NRs and they are gene specific. From our phylogenetic analysis of 2DBD-NRs and following the rule of Nomenclature System for the Nuclear Receptors, a nomenclature for 2DBD-NRs is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Wu
- Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Philip T. LoVerde
- Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
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4
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Asady B, Sampels V, Romano JD, Levitskaya J, Lige B, Khare P, Le A, Coppens I. Function and regulation of a steroidogenic CYP450 enzyme in the mitochondrion of Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011566. [PMID: 37651449 PMCID: PMC10499268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011566] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
As an obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii must import essential nutrients from the host cell into the parasitophorous vacuole. We previously reported that the parasite scavenges cholesterol from host endocytic organelles for incorporation into membranes and storage as cholesteryl esters in lipid droplets. In this study, we have investigated whether Toxoplasma utilizes cholesterol as a precursor for the synthesis of metabolites, such as steroids. In mammalian cells, steroidogenesis occurs in mitochondria and involves membrane-bound type I cytochrome P450 oxidases that are activated through interaction with heme-binding proteins containing a cytochrome b5 domain, such as members of the membrane-associated progesterone receptor (MAPR) family. Our LC-MS targeted lipidomics detect selective classes of hormone steroids in Toxoplasma, with a predominance for anti-inflammatory hydroxypregnenolone species, deoxycorticosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone. The genome of Toxoplasma contains homologs encoding a single type I CYP450 enzyme (we named TgCYP450mt) and a single MAPR (we named TgMAPR). We showed that TgMAPR is a hemoprotein with conserved residues in a heme-binding cytochrome b5 domain. Both TgCYP450 and TgMAPR localize to the mitochondrion and show interactions in in situ proximity ligation assays. Genetic ablation of cyp450mt is not tolerated by Toxoplasma; we therefore engineered a conditional knockout strain and showed that iΔTgCYP450mt parasites exhibit growth impairment in cultured cells. Parasite strains deficient for mapr could be generated; however, ΔTgMAPR parasites suffer from poor global fitness, loss of plasma membrane integrity, aberrant mitochondrial cristae, and an abnormally long S-phase in their cell cycle. Compared to wild-type parasites, iΔTgCYP450mt and ΔTgMAPR lost virulence in mice and metabolomics studies reveal that both mutants have reduced levels of steroids. These observations point to a steroidogenic pathway operational in the mitochondrion of a protozoan that involves an evolutionary conserved TgCYP450mt enzyme and its binding partner TgMAPR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beejan Asady
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Vera Sampels
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Julia D. Romano
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jelena Levitskaya
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Bao Lige
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Pratik Khare
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Anne Le
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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5
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Cancela S, Esteves A, Alvite G, Paulino M. Modeling, molecular dynamics and docking studies of a full-length Echinococcus granulosus 2DBD nuclear receptor. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:1414-1423. [PMID: 34994278 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.2023641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors are ligand-activated transcription factors capable of regulating the expression of complex gene networks. The family includes seven subfamilies of protein with a wide phylogenetic distribution. A novel subfamily with two DNA-binding domains (2DBDs) has been first reported in Schistosoma mansoni (Platyhelminth, Trematoda). Employing an ab initio protocol and homology modeling methods, the full-length 3D structure of the Eg2DBDα.1 nuclear receptor from Echinococcus granulosus (Platyhelminth, Cestoda) was generated. The model analysis reveals the presence of the conserved three-layered alpha-helical sandwich structure in the ligand binding domain, and a particularly long and flexible hinge region. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed previous to dock a conformational library of fatty acids and retinoic acids. Our results indicate that oleic and linoleic acids are suitable ligands to this receptor. The ligand-protein complex is stabilized mainly by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The fact that 2DBD nuclear receptors have not been identified in vertebrates confers particular interest to these nuclear receptors, not only concerning their structure and function but as targets of new anthelmintic drugs.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saira Cancela
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Esteves
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gabriela Alvite
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Margot Paulino
- Bioinformatics Center, DETEMA, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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6
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Er-Lukowiak M, Hansen C, Lotter H. Sex Difference in Amebiasis. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2023; 441:209-224. [PMID: 37695430 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-35139-6_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Infection with the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is much more likely to cause severe, focal liver damage in males than females, although the infection rate is the same in both sexes. The differences in disease susceptibility may be due to modulation of key mechanisms of the innate immune response by sex hormones. Complement-mediated mechanisms and estrogen-dependent activated natural killer T cells lead to early elimination of the parasite in females, whereas a pathological immune axis is triggered in males. Testosterone, which is generally thought to have more immunosuppressive properties on cells of the immune response, leads to overwhelming activation of monocytes and host-dependent destruction of liver tissue in males resulting in worse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Er-Lukowiak
- Department Interface - RG Molecular Infection Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Hansen
- Department Interface - RG Molecular Infection Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Lotter
- Department Interface - RG Molecular Infection Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
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7
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Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Fasciola gigantica Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1 (FgNR1). Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121458. [PMID: 36558792 PMCID: PMC9787296 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Fasciola gigantica, a giant liver fluke, causes tremendous loss to the livestock economy in several regions throughout the world. The situation of drug resistance has been emerging increasingly; therefore, novel drugs and drug targets need to be discovered. The adult F. gigantica inhabits the major bile ducts where bile salts accumulate—these are steroid-like molecules that mediate several physiological processes in organisms through interacting with their specific nuclear receptors. However, the molecular mechanism of the interaction in the parasitic organisms have not been clearly understood. In this study, putative nuclear receptor subfamily 1 of F. gigantica (FgNR1) was identified. Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the FgNR1 homolog were obtained from the transcriptome of F. gigantica and predicted for properties and functions using bioinformatics. The full-length cDNA was cloned and expressed in the bacterial expression system and then used for immunization. Western analysis and immunolocalization suggested that FgNR1 could be detected in the crude worm antigens and was highly expressed in the caeca and testes of the adult parasite. Moreover, the bile could significantly activate the expression of FgNR1 in cultured parasites. Our results indicated that FgNR1 has high potential for the development of a novel anthelminthic drug in the future.
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8
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Romero AA, Cobb SA, Collins JNR, Kliewer SA, Mangelsdorf DJ, Collins JJ. The Schistosoma mansoni nuclear receptor FTZ-F1 maintains esophageal gland function via transcriptional regulation of meg-8.3. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1010140. [PMID: 34910770 PMCID: PMC8673669 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes infect over 200 million of the world's poorest people, but unfortunately treatment relies on a single drug. Nuclear hormone receptors are ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate diverse processes in metazoans, yet few have been functionally characterized in schistosomes. During a systematic analysis of nuclear receptor function, we found that an FTZ-F1-like receptor was essential for parasite survival. Using a combination of transcriptional profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), we discovered that the micro-exon gene meg-8.3 is a transcriptional target of SmFTZ-F1. We found that both Smftz-f1 and meg-8.3 are required for esophageal gland maintenance as well as integrity of the worm's head. Together, these studies define a new role for micro-exon gene function in the parasite and suggest that factors associated with the esophageal gland could represent viable therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aracely A. Romero
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sarah A. Cobb
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Julie N. R. Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Steven A. Kliewer
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - David J. Mangelsdorf
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - James J. Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
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Wu W, LoVerde PT. Identification and evolution of nuclear receptors in Platyhelminths. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250750. [PMID: 34388160 PMCID: PMC8363021 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the first complete set of Platyhelminth nuclear receptors (NRs) from Schistosoma mansoni were identified a decade ago, more flatworm genome data is available to identify their NR complement and to analyze the evolutionary relationship of Platyhelminth NRs. NRs are important transcriptional modulators that regulate development, differentiation and reproduction of animals. In this study, NRs are identified in genome databases of thirty-three species including in all Platyhelminth classes (Rhabditophora, Monogenea, Cestoda and Trematoda). Phylogenetic analysis shows that NRs in Platyhelminths follow two different evolutionary lineages: 1) NRs in a free-living freshwater flatworm (Schmidtea mediterranea) and all parasitic flatworms share the same evolutionary lineage with extensive gene loss. 2) NRs in a free-living intertidal zone flatworm (Macrostomum lignano) follow a different evolutionary lineage with a feature of multiple gene duplication and gene divergence. The DNA binding domain (DBD) is the most conserved region in NRs which contains two C4-type zinc finger motifs. A novel zinc finger motif is identified in parasitic flatworm NRs: the second zinc finger of parasitic Platyhelminth HR96b possesses a CHC2 motif which is not found in NRs of all other animals studied to date. In this study, novel NRs (members of NR subfamily 3 and 6) are identified in flatworms, this result demonstrates that members of all six classical NR subfamilies are present in the Platyhelminth phylum. NR gene duplication, loss and divergence in Platyhelminths are analyzed along with the evolutionary relationship of Platyhelminth NRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Wu
- Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Philip T. LoVerde
- Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Long T, Alberich M, André F, Menez C, Prichard RK, Lespine A. The development of the dog heartworm is highly sensitive to sterols which activate the orthologue of the nuclear receptor DAF-12. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11207. [PMID: 32641726 PMCID: PMC7343802 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67466-9] [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: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Prevention therapy against Dirofilaria immitis in companion animals is currently threatened by the emergence of isolates resistant to macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics. Understanding the control over developmental processes in D. immitis is important for elucidating new approaches to heartworm control. The nuclear receptor DAF-12 plays a role in the entry and exit of dauer stage in Caenorhabditis elegans and in the development of free-living infective third-stage larvae (iL3) of some Clade IV and V parasitic nematodes. We identified a DAF-12 ortholog in the clade III nematode D. immitis and found that it exhibited a much higher affinity for dafachronic acids than described with other nematode DAF-12 investigated so far. We also modelled the DimDAF-12 structure and characterized the residues involved with DA binding. Moreover, we showed that cholesterol derivatives impacted the molting process from the iL3 to the fourth-stage larvae. Since D. immitis is unable to synthesize cholesterol and only completes its development upon host infection, we hypothesize that host environment contributes to its further molting inside the host vertebrate. Our discovery contributes to a better understanding of the developmental checkpoints of D. immitis and offers new perspectives for the development of novel therapies against filarial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thavy Long
- INTHERES, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31027, Toulouse Cedex 3, France.
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-De-Bellevue, H9X3V9, QC, Canada.
| | - Mélanie Alberich
- INTHERES, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31027, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - François André
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Cécile Menez
- INTHERES, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31027, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Roger K Prichard
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-De-Bellevue, H9X3V9, QC, Canada
| | - Anne Lespine
- INTHERES, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31027, Toulouse Cedex 3, France.
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11
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Alvite G, Riera X, Cancela S, Paulino M, Esteves A. Bioinformatic analysis of a novel Echinococcus granulosus nuclear receptor with two DNA binding domains. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224703. [PMID: 31710619 PMCID: PMC6844482 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors are ligand-activated transcription factors capable of regulating the expression of complex gene networks. The family includes seven subfamilies of proteins with a wide phylogenetic distribution. A novel subfamily with two DNA-binding domains (2DBDs) has been reported in Schistosoma mansoni (Platyhelminth, Trematoda). This work describes the cDNA cloning and bioinformatics analysis of Eg2DBDα, a 2DBD nuclear receptor isoform from the parasite Echinococcus granulosus (Platyhelminth, Cestoda). The Eg2DBDα gene coding domain structure was analysed. Although two additional 2DBD nuclear receptors are reported in the parasite database GeneDB, they are unlikely to be expressed in the larval stage. Phylogenetic relationships between these atypical proteins from different cestodes are also analysed including S. mansoni 2DBD nuclear receptors. The presence of two DNA binding domains confers particular interest to these nuclear receptors, not only concerning their function but to the development of new antihelminthic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Alvite
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ximena Riera
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Saira Cancela
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Margot Paulino
- Center of Bioinformatics, Departamento de Experimentación y Teoría de la Materia, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Esteves
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- * E-mail:
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12
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Wu W, LoVerde PT. Nuclear hormone receptors in parasitic Platyhelminths. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 233:111218. [PMID: 31470045 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111218] [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: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) belong to a large protein superfamily which includes intracellular receptors for secreted hydrophobic signal molecules, such as steroid hormones and thyroid hormones. They regulate development and reproduction in metazoans by binding to the promoter region of their target gene to activate or repress mRNA synthesis. Isolation and characterization of NRs in the parasitic trematode Schistosoma mansoni identified two homologues of mammalian thyroid receptor (TR). This was the first known protostome exhibiting TR homologues. Three novel NRs each possess a novel set of two DNA binding domains (DBD) in tandem with a ligand binding domain (LBD) (2DBD-NRs) isolated in Schistosoma mansoni revealed a novel NR modular structure: A/B-DBD-DBD-hinge-LBD. Full length cDNA of several NRs have been isolated and studied in the parasitic trematodes S. mansoni, S. japonicum and in the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis. The genome of the blood flukes S. mansoni, S. japonicum and S. haematobium, the liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis and the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis have been sequenced. Study of the NR complement in parasitic Platyhelminths will help us to understand the role of NRs in regulation of their development and understand the evolution of NR in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Wu
- Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3800, USA
| | - Philip T LoVerde
- Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3800, USA.
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Gutiérrez-Amézquita R, Morales-Montor J, Muñoz-Guzmán M, Nava-Castro K, Ramírez-Álvarez H, Cuenca-Verde C, Moreno-Mendoza N, Cuéllar-Ordaz J, Alba-Hurtado F. Progesterone inhibits the in vitro L3/L4 molting process in Haemonchus contortus. Vet Parasitol 2017. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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14
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Li Q, Zhao N, Liu M, Shen H, Huang L, Mo X, Xu B, Zhang X, Hu W. Comparative Analysis of Proteome-Wide Lysine Acetylation in Juvenile and Adult Schistosoma japonicum. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2248. [PMID: 29250037 PMCID: PMC5715381 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a devastating parasitic disease caused by tremotodes of the genus Schistosoma. Eggs produced by sexually mature schistosomes are the causative agents of for pathogenesis and transmission. Elucidating the molecular mechanism of schistosome development and sexual maturation would facilitate the prevention and control of schistosomiasis. Acetylation of lysine is a dynamic and reversible post-translational modification playing keys role in many biological processes including development in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. To investigate the impacts of lysine acetylation on Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) development and sexual maturation, we used immunoaffinity-based acetyllysine peptide enrichment combined with mass spectrometry (MS), to perform the first comparative analysis of proteome-wide lysine acetylation in both female and male, juvenile (18 days post infection, 18 dpi) and adult (28 dpi) schistosome samples. In total, we identified 874 unique acetylated sites in 494 acetylated proteins. The four samples shared 47 acetylated sites and 46 proteins. More acetylated sites and proteins shared by both females and males were identified in 28 dpi adults (189 and 143, respectively) than in 18 dpi schistosomula (76 and 59, respectively). More stage-unique acetylated sites and proteins were also identified in 28 dpi adults (494 and 210, respectively) than in 18 dpi schistosomula (73 and 44, respectively). Functional annotation showed that in different developmental stages and genders, a number of proteins involving in muscle movement, glycometabolism, lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, environmental stress resistance, antioxidation, etc., displayed distinct acetylation profiles, which was in accordance with the changes of their biological functions during schistosome development, suggesting that lysine acetylation modification exerted important regulatory roles in schistosome development. Taken together, our data provided the first comparative global survey of lysine acetylation in juvenile and adult S. japonicum, which would deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanism of schistosome development and sexual maturation, and provide clues for the development of new anti-schistosome strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haimo Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojin Mo
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Xumin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
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15
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Progesterone inhibits the in vitro L3/L4 molting process in Haemonchus contortus. Vet Parasitol 2017; 248:48-53. [PMID: 29173541 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated the direct effects of progesterone on the morphology, maturation and behavior of Haemonchus contortus larvae in vitro. The presence and location of possible progesterone receptors in these larvae were also determined. The addition of 8ng/mL of progesterone to larval cultures over 10days reduced larval enlargement, while the addition of 160ng/mL of the hormone increased the enlargement. Up to 62% and 65% of the H. contortus larvae molted from third-stage larvae (L3) to fourth-stage larvae (L4) when cultured in RPMI-1640 media without hormone for 5 and 10days, respectively. The addition of different progesterone concentrations (1, 8, 16, 80 and 160ng/mL) to the larval cultures significantly inhibited the molting process within the same periods. The addition of 8ng/mL or higher progesterone concentrations to the cultures significantly increased larval motility (p<0.05) compared with unstimulated larvae. Flow cytometry showed the expression of progesterone receptors (P4-R) in 15% of the cells from newly isolated H. contortus larvae. When the larvae were cultured for 5days in the presence of the hormone, the percentage of P4-R+ cells remained the same. In contrast, unstimulated larvae showed a significant reduction in the number of P4-R+ cells. Using confocal microscopy, a greater concentration of P4-Rs was immunolocated in the anterior portion of the alimentary tract of the larvae, suggesting that the cells in this region are targeted by the hormone. The results of the present study show that H. contortus larvae have possible P4-Rs and respond to this hormone by inhibiting their molting process, thereby suggesting the participation of progesterone in the larval arrest phenomenon.
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Wang Z, Schaffer NE, Kliewer SA, Mangelsdorf DJ. Nuclear receptors: emerging drug targets for parasitic diseases. J Clin Invest 2017; 127:1165-1171. [PMID: 28165341 PMCID: PMC5373876 DOI: 10.1172/jci88890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic worms infect billions of people worldwide. Current treatments rely on a small group of drugs that have been used for decades. A shortcoming of these drugs is their inability to target the intractable infectious stage of the parasite. As well-known therapeutic targets in mammals, nuclear receptors have begun to be studied in parasitic worms, where they are widely distributed and play key roles in governing metabolic and developmental transcriptional networks. One such nuclear receptor is DAF-12, which is required for normal nematode development, including the all-important infectious stage. Here we review the emerging literature that implicates DAF-12 and potentially other nuclear receptors as novel anthelmintic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - David J. Mangelsdorf
- Department of Pharmacology
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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17
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Cai P, Liu S, Piao X, Hou N, You H, McManus DP, Chen Q. A next-generation microarray further reveals stage-enriched gene expression pattern in the blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:19. [PMID: 28069074 PMCID: PMC5223471 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1947-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is caused by infection with blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, and ranks, in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), as the third most important neglected tropical disease. Schistosomes have several discrete life stages involving dramatic morphological changes during their development, which require subtle gene expression modulations to complete the complex life-cycle. RESULTS In the current study, we employed a second generation schistosome DNA chip printed with the most comprehensive probe array for studying the Schistosoma japonicum transcriptome, to explore stage-associated gene expression in different developmental phases of S. japonicum. A total of 328, 95, 268 and 532 mRNA transcripts were enriched in cercariae, hepatic schistosomula, adult worms and eggs, respectively. In general, genes associated with transcriptional regulation, cell signalling and motor activity were readily expressed in cercariae; the expression of genes involved in neuronal activities, apoptosis and renewal was modestly upregulated in hepatic schistosomula; transcripts involved in egg production, nutrition metabolism and glycosylation were enriched in adult worms; while genes involved in cell division, microtubule-associated mobility, and host-parasite interplay were relatively highly expressed in eggs. CONCLUSIONS The study further highlights the expressional features of stage-associated genes in schistosomes with high accuracy. The results provide a better perspective of the biological characteristics among different developmental stages, which may open new avenues for identification of novel vaccine candidates and the development of novel control interventions against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Cai
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China. .,Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Shuai Liu
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianyu Piao
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Hou
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong You
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Qijun Chen
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Pearce EJ, Huang SCC. The metabolic control of schistosome egg production. Cell Microbiol 2015; 17:796-801. [PMID: 25850569 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by infection with trematode parasites of the genus Schistosoma. Despite ongoing treatment programmes, the prevalence of schistosomiasis has failed to decline and the disease remains a cause of severe morbidity in millions of people. Understanding the biology of egg production by schistosomes is critical since eggs allow transmission of the infection, and when trapped in host tissues induce the immune responses that are responsible for the pathologic changes that underlie disease development. Unusually among trematodes, adult schistosomes exhibit sexual dimorphism and display a fascinating codependency in that the female is dependent on the male to grow and sexually mature. Thus, virgin females are developmentally stunted compared with females from mixed-sex infections and are unable to lay eggs. Moreover, fecund female schistosomes rapidly lose the ability to produce eggs when placed in tissue culture. Here we discuss the metabolic regulation of egg production in schistosomes, and in particular the critical role played by fatty acid oxidation in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Pearce
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA
| | - Stanley Ching-Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA
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Kaur S, Jobling S, Jones CS, Noble LR, Routledge EJ, Lockyer AE. The nuclear receptors of Biomphalaria glabrata and Lottia gigantea: implications for developing new model organisms. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121259. [PMID: 25849443 PMCID: PMC4388693 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are transcription regulators involved in an array of diverse physiological functions including key roles in endocrine and metabolic function. The aim of this study was to identify nuclear receptors in the fully sequenced genome of the gastropod snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni and compare these to known vertebrate NRs, with a view to assessing the snail's potential as a invertebrate model organism for endocrine function, both as a prospective new test organism and to elucidate the fundamental genetic and mechanistic causes of disease. For comparative purposes, the genome of a second gastropod, the owl limpet, Lottia gigantea was also investigated for nuclear receptors. Thirty-nine and thirty-three putative NRs were identified from the B. glabrata and L. gigantea genomes respectively, based on the presence of a conserved DNA-binding domain and/or ligand-binding domain. Nuclear receptor transcript expression was confirmed and sequences were subjected to a comparative phylogenetic analysis, which demonstrated that these molluscs have representatives of all the major NR subfamilies (1-6). Many of the identified NRs are conserved between vertebrates and invertebrates, however differences exist, most notably, the absence of receptors of Group 3C, which includes some of the vertebrate endocrine hormone targets. The mollusc genomes also contain NR homologues that are present in insects and nematodes but not in vertebrates, such as Group 1J (HR48/DAF12/HR96). The identification of many shared receptors between humans and molluscs indicates the potential for molluscs as model organisms; however the absence of several steroid hormone receptors indicates snail endocrine systems are fundamentally different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satwant Kaur
- Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Jobling
- Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine S. Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Leslie R. Noble
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Edwin J. Routledge
- Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anne E. Lockyer
- Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Nuclear receptors in nematode development: Natural experiments made by a phylum. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2014; 1849:224-37. [PMID: 24984201 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2014.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Revised: 06/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The development of complex multicellular organisms is dependent on regulatory decisions that are necessary for the establishment of specific differentiation and metabolic cellular states. Nuclear receptors (NRs) form a large family of transcription factors that play critical roles in the regulation of development and metabolism of Metazoa. Based on their DNA binding and ligand binding domains, NRs are divided into eight NR subfamilies from which representatives of six subfamilies are present in both deuterostomes and protostomes indicating their early evolutionary origin. In some nematode species, especially in Caenorhabditis, the family of NRs expanded to a large number of genes strikingly exceeding the number of NR genes in vertebrates or insects. Nematode NRs, including the multiplied Caenorhabditis genes, show clear relation to vertebrate and insect homologues belonging to six of the eight main NR subfamilies. This review summarizes advances in research of nematode NRs and their developmental functions. Nematode NRs can reveal evolutionarily conserved mechanisms that regulate specific developmental and metabolic processes as well as new regulatory adaptations. They represent the results of a large number of natural experiments with structural and functional potential of NRs for the evolution of the phylum. The conserved and divergent character of nematode NRs adds a new dimension to our understanding of the general biology of regulation by NRs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Nuclear receptors in animal development.
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Li M, Woo PTK. Glucocorticoid receptors on and in a unicellular organism, Cryptobia salmositica. Int J Parasitol 2013; 44:205-10. [PMID: 24333137 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Revised: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This is the first report to our knowledge that demonstrates a functional steroid hormone receptor in a protozoon. The study used Cryptobia salmositica, a pathogenic haemoflagellate found in salmonid fishes. It has been previously shown that cortisol and dexamethasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid) enhanced the multiplication of C. salmositica under in vitro conditions indicating the presence of glucocorticoid receptors on/in the parasite. Also, the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, mifepristone (RU486), inhibited the stimulatory effect of the two glucocorticoids on parasite multiplication. In the present study, we used an antibody (produced in a rabbit against glucocorticoid receptor protein) agglutination test and confocal microscopy with immunohistofluorescence staining to demonstrate cortisol-glucocorticoid receptor-like protein receptors on the plasma membrane and in the cytoplasm of the parasite. In two in vitro studies, the addition of 50ngml(-1) of RU486 was more effective in inhibiting parasite replication in cultures with 7,000parasitesml(-1) than in cultures with 14,000parasitesml(-1). Also, 100ngml(-1) of RU486/ml was more effective than 50ngml(-1) in inhibiting parasite multiplication in the 14,000 parasitesml(-1) cultures. These in vitro studies indicate that the number of binding sites on/in the parasite is finite. The findings may be important in future studies especially on steroid receptor signalling pathways and dissection of ligand-receptor interactions, and for evaluating the adaptations that develop in pathogens as part of the host-parasite interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Li
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Patrick T K Woo
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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Qiu C, Fu Z, Shi Y, Hong Y, Liu S, Lin J. A retinoid X receptor (RXR1) homolog from Schistosoma japonicum: Its ligand-binding domain may bind to 9-cis-retinoic acid. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2013; 188:40-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2013.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2012] [Revised: 01/31/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Förster S, Günthel D, Kiss F, Brehm K. Molecular characterisation of a serum-responsive, DAF-12-like nuclear hormone receptor of the fox-tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. J Cell Biochem 2011; 112:1630-42. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.23073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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