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Xiao Z, Meng H, Li S, Ning W, Song Y, Han J, Chang JS, Wang Y, Ho SH. Insights into the removal of antibiotics from livestock and aquaculture wastewater by algae-bacteria symbiosis systems. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 257:119326. [PMID: 38849002 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119326] [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: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
With the burgeoning growth of the livestock and aquaculture industries, antibiotic residues in treated wastewater have become a serious ecological threat. Traditional biological wastewater treatment technologies-while effective for removing conventional pollutants, such as organic carbon, ammonia and phosphate-struggle to eliminate emerging contaminants, notably antibiotics. Recently, the use of microalgae has emerged as a sustainable and promising approach for the removal of antibiotics due to their non-target status, rapid growth and carbon recovery capabilities. This review aims to analyse the current state of antibiotic removal from wastewater using algae-bacteria symbiosis systems and provide valuable recommendations for the development of livestock/aquaculture wastewater treatment technologies. It (1) summarises the biological removal mechanisms of typical antibiotics, including bioadsorption, bioaccumulation, biodegradation and co-metabolism; (2) discusses the roles of intracellular regulation, involving extracellular polymeric substances, pigments, antioxidant enzyme systems, signalling molecules and metabolic pathways; (3) analyses the role of treatment facilities in facilitating algae-bacteria symbiosis, such as sequencing batch reactors, stabilisation ponds, membrane bioreactors and bioelectrochemical systems; and (4) provides insights into bottlenecks and potential solutions. This review offers valuable information on the mechanisms and strategies involved in the removal of antibiotics from livestock/aquaculture wastewater through the symbiosis of microalgae and bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Xiao
- School of Environmental and Materials Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, 264000, China
| | - Hao Meng
- School of Environmental and Materials Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, 264000, China
| | - Shengnan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Weihao Ning
- Xinrui Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd, Yantai, 264000, China
| | - Youliang Song
- Shaoxing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shaoxing, 312003, China
| | - Jinglong Han
- School of Environmental and Materials Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, 264000, China
| | - Jo-Shu Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan
| | - Yue Wang
- School of Environmental and Materials Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, 264000, China.
| | - Shih-Hsin Ho
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China.
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2
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Katelas DA, Cruz-Miron R, Arroyo-Olarte RD, Brouwers JF, Srivastav RK, Gupta N. Phosphatidylserine synthase in the endoplasmic reticulum of Toxoplasma is essential for its lytic cycle in human cells. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100535. [PMID: 38522751 PMCID: PMC11166882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100535] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycerophospholipids have emerged as a significant contributor to the intracellular growth of pathogenic protist Toxoplasma gondii. Phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) is one such lipid, attributed to the locomotion and motility-dependent invasion and egress events in its acutely infectious tachyzoite stage. However, the de novo synthesis of PtdSer and the importance of the pathway in tachyzoites remain poorly understood. We show that a base-exchange-type PtdSer synthase (PSS) located in the parasite's endoplasmic reticulum produces PtdSer, which is rapidly converted to phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) by PtdSer decarboxylase (PSD) activity. The PSS-PSD pathway enables the synthesis of several lipid species, including PtdSer (16:0/18:1) and PtdEtn (18:2/20:4, 18:1/18:2 and 18:2/22:5). The PSS-depleted strain exhibited a lower abundance of the major ester-linked PtdEtn species and concurrent accrual of host-derived ether-PtdEtn species. Most phosphatidylthreonine (PtdThr) species-an exclusive natural analog of PtdSer, also made in the endoplasmic reticulum-were repressed. PtdSer species, however, remained largely unaltered, likely due to the serine-exchange reaction of PtdThr synthase in favor of PtdSer upon PSS depletion. Not least, the loss of PSS abrogated the lytic cycle of tachyzoites, impairing the cell division, motility, and egress. In a nutshell, our data demonstrate a critical role of PSS in the biogenesis of PtdSer and PtdEtn species and its physiologically essential repurposing for the asexual reproduction of a clinically relevant intracellular pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Alexandros Katelas
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany; Intracellular Parasite Education and Research Labs (iPEARL), Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS-Pilani), Hyderabad, India
| | - Rosalba Cruz-Miron
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany; Intracellular Parasite Education and Research Labs (iPEARL), Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS-Pilani), Hyderabad, India
| | - Ruben D Arroyo-Olarte
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany; Carrera de Médico Cirujano y Unidad de Biomedicina (UBIMED), FES-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Jos F Brouwers
- Analysis Techniques in the Life Sciences, Centre of Expertise Perspective in Health, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, The Netherlands
| | - Ratnesh Kumar Srivastav
- Intracellular Parasite Education and Research Labs (iPEARL), Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS-Pilani), Hyderabad, India
| | - Nishith Gupta
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany; Intracellular Parasite Education and Research Labs (iPEARL), Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS-Pilani), Hyderabad, India.
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3
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Mamudu CO, Tebamifor ME, Sule MO, Dokunmu TM, Ogunlana OO, Iheagwam FN. Apicoplast-Resident Processes: Exploiting the Chink in the Armour of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites. Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci 2024; 2024:9940468. [PMID: 38765186 PMCID: PMC11101256 DOI: 10.1155/2024/9940468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The discovery of a relict plastid, also known as an apicoplast (apicomplexan plastid), that houses housekeeping processes and metabolic pathways critical to Plasmodium parasites' survival has prompted increased research on identifying potent inhibitors that can impinge on apicoplast-localised processes. The apicoplast is absent in humans, yet it is proposed to originate from the eukaryote's secondary endosymbiosis of a primary symbiont. This symbiotic relationship provides a favourable microenvironment for metabolic processes such as haem biosynthesis, Fe-S cluster synthesis, isoprenoid biosynthesis, fatty acid synthesis, and housekeeping processes such as DNA replication, transcription, and translation, distinct from analogous mammalian processes. Recent advancements in comprehending the biology of the apicoplast reveal it as a vulnerable organelle for malaria parasites, offering numerous potential targets for effective antimalarial therapies. We provide an overview of the metabolic processes occurring in the apicoplast and discuss the organelle as a viable antimalarial target in light of current advances in drug discovery. We further highlighted the relevance of these metabolic processes to Plasmodium falciparum during the different stages of the lifecycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collins Ojonugwa Mamudu
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication Africa Centre of Excellence, Ota, Nigeria
| | - Mercy Eyitomi Tebamifor
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication Africa Centre of Excellence, Ota, Nigeria
| | - Mary Ohunene Sule
- Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi, Nigeria
| | - Titilope Modupe Dokunmu
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication Africa Centre of Excellence, Ota, Nigeria
| | - Olubanke Olujoke Ogunlana
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication Africa Centre of Excellence, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant University Public Health and Wellbeing Research Cluster, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
| | - Franklyn Nonso Iheagwam
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant University Public Health and Wellbeing Research Cluster, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
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4
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Dong H, Yang J, He K, Zheng WB, Lai DH, Liu J, Ding HY, Wu RB, Brown KM, Hide G, Lun ZR, Zhu XQ, Long S. The Toxoplasma monocarboxylate transporters are involved in the metabolism within the apicoplast and are linked to parasite survival. eLife 2024; 12:RP88866. [PMID: 38502570 PMCID: PMC10950331 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88866] [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] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The apicoplast is a four-membrane plastid found in the apicomplexans, which harbors biosynthesis and organelle housekeeping activities in the matrix. However, the mechanism driving the flux of metabolites, in and out, remains unknown. Here, we used TurboID and genome engineering to identify apicoplast transporters in Toxoplasma gondii. Among the many novel transporters, we show that one pair of apicomplexan monocarboxylate transporters (AMTs) appears to have evolved from a putative host cell that engulfed a red alga. Protein depletion showed that AMT1 and AMT2 are critical for parasite growth. Metabolite analyses supported the notion that AMT1 and AMT2 are associated with biosynthesis of isoprenoids and fatty acids. However, stronger phenotypic defects were observed for AMT2, including in the inability to establish T. gondii parasite virulence in mice. This study clarifies, significantly, the mystery of apicoplast transporter composition and reveals the importance of the pair of AMTs in maintaining the apicoplast activity in apicomplexans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Dong
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jiong Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Kai He
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Wen-Bin Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural UniversityTaiguChina
| | - De-Hua Lai
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jing Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Hui-Yong Ding
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Rui-Bin Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Kevin M Brown
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma CityUnited States
| | - Geoff Hide
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Centre and Environmental Research and Innovation Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of SalfordSalfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Zhao-Rong Lun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural UniversityTaiguChina
| | - Shaojun Long
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
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5
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Desai SA. Novel Ion Channel Genes in Malaria Parasites. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:296. [PMID: 38540355 PMCID: PMC10970509 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Ion channels serve many cellular functions including ion homeostasis, volume regulation, signaling, nutrient acquisition, and developmental progression. Although the complex life cycles of malaria parasites necessitate ion and solute flux across membranes, the whole-genome sequencing of the human pathogen Plasmodium falciparum revealed remarkably few orthologs of known ion channel genes. Contrasting with this, biochemical studies have implicated the channel-mediated flux of ions and nutritive solutes across several membranes in infected erythrocytes. Here, I review advances in the cellular and molecular biology of ion channels in malaria parasites. These studies have implicated novel parasite genes in the formation of at least two ion channels, with additional ion channels likely present in various membranes and parasite stages. Computational approaches that rely on homology to known channel genes from higher organisms will not be very helpful in identifying the molecular determinants of these activities. Given their unusual properties, novel molecular and structural features, and essential roles in pathogen survival and development, parasite channels should be promising targets for therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay A Desai
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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6
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Quansah N, Sarah C, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Botté CY. Complex Endosymbiosis II: The Nonphotosynthetic Plastid of Apicomplexa Parasites (The Apicoplast) and Its Integrated Metabolism. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2776:43-62. [PMID: 38502497 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3726-5_3] [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: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Chloroplasts are essential organelles that are responsible for photosynthesis in a wide range of organisms that have colonized all biotopes on Earth such as plants and unicellular algae. Interestingly, a secondary endosymbiotic event of a red algal ancestor gave rise to a group of organisms that have adopted an obligate parasitic lifestyle named Apicomplexa parasites. Apicomplexa parasites are some of the most widespread and poorly controlled pathogens in the world. These infectious agents are responsible for major human diseases such as toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, and malaria, caused by Plasmodium spp. Most of these parasites harbor this relict plastid named the apicoplast, which is essential for parasite survival. The apicoplast has lost photosynthetic capacities but is metabolically similar to plant and algal chloroplasts. The apicoplast is considered a novel and important drug target against Apicomplexa parasites. This chapter focuses on the apicoplast of apicomplexa parasites, its maintenance, and its metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nyamekye Quansah
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, UMR5309, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Grenoble Alpes, U1209, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Grenoble, France
| | - Charital Sarah
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, UMR5309, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Grenoble Alpes, U1209, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Grenoble, France
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, UMR5309, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Grenoble Alpes, U1209, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Grenoble, France
| | - Cyrille Y Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, UMR5309, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Grenoble Alpes, U1209, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Grenoble, France.
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, U1209, Grenoble, France.
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7
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Müller J, Hemphill A. Toxoplasma gondii infection: novel emerging therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:293-304. [PMID: 37212443 PMCID: PMC10330558 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2217353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasmosis constitutes a challenge for public health, animal production, and welfare. So far, only a limited panel of drugs has been marketed for clinical applications. In addition to classical screening, the investigation of unique targets of the parasite may lead to the identification of novel drugs. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors describe the methodology to identify novel drug targets in Toxoplasma gondii and review the literature with a focus on the last two decades. EXPERT OPINION Over the last two decades, the investigation of essential proteins of T. gondii as potential drug targets has fostered the hope of identifying novel compounds for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. Despite good efficacies in vitro, only a few classes of these compounds are effective in suitable rodent models, and none has cleared the hurdle to applications in humans. This shows that target-based drug discovery is in no way better than classical screening approaches. In both cases, off-target effects and adverse side effects in the hosts must be considered. Proteomics-driven analyses of parasite- and host-derived proteins that physically bind drug candidates may constitute a suitable tool to characterize drug targets, irrespectively of the drug discovery methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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8
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Mathur V, Salomaki ED, Wakeman KC, Na I, Kwong WK, Kolisko M, Keeling PJ. Reconstruction of Plastid Proteomes of Apicomplexans and Close Relatives Reveals the Major Evolutionary Outcomes of Cryptic Plastids. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:6969433. [PMID: 36610734 PMCID: PMC9847631 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexans and related lineages comprise many obligate symbionts of animals; some of which cause notorious diseases such as malaria. They evolved from photosynthetic ancestors and transitioned into a symbiotic lifestyle several times, giving rise to species with diverse non-photosynthetic plastids. Here, we sought to reconstruct the evolution of the cryptic plastids in the apicomplexans, chrompodellids, and squirmids (ACS clade) by generating five new single-cell transcriptomes from understudied gregarine lineages, constructing a robust phylogenomic tree incorporating all ACS clade sequencing datasets available, and using these to examine in detail, the evolutionary distribution of all 162 proteins recently shown to be in the apicoplast by spatial proteomics in Toxoplasma. This expanded homology-based reconstruction of plastid proteins found in the ACS clade confirms earlier work showing convergence in the overall metabolic pathways retained once photosynthesis is lost, but also reveals differences in the degrees of plastid reduction in specific lineages. We show that the loss of the plastid genome is common and unexpectedly find many lineage- and species-specific plastid proteins, suggesting the presence of evolutionary innovations and neofunctionalizations that may confer new functional and metabolic capabilities that are yet to be discovered in these enigmatic organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric D Salomaki
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Kevin C Wakeman
- Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Ina Na
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, 3156-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver V6T 1Z4, BC, Canada
| | - Waldan K Kwong
- Present address: Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Martin Kolisko
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Patrick J Keeling
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, 3156-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver V6T 1Z4, BC, Canada
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9
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Akuh OA, Elahi R, Prigge ST, Seeber F. The ferredoxin redox system - an essential electron distributing hub in the apicoplast of Apicomplexa. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:868-881. [PMID: 35999149 PMCID: PMC9481715 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The apicoplast, a relict plastid found in most species of the phylum Apicomplexa, harbors the ferredoxin redox system which supplies electrons to enzymes of various metabolic pathways in this organelle. Recent reports in Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum have shown that the iron-sulfur cluster (FeS)-containing ferredoxin is essential in tachyzoite and blood-stage parasites, respectively. Here we review ferredoxin's crucial contribution to isoprenoid and lipoate biosynthesis as well as tRNA modification in the apicoplast, highlighting similarities and differences between the two species. We also discuss ferredoxin's potential role in the initial reductive steps required for FeS synthesis as well as recent evidence that offers an explanation for how NADPH required by the redox system might be generated in Plasmodium spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ojo-Ajogu Akuh
- FG16 Parasitology, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany; Division of Biomedical Science and Biochemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Rubayet Elahi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sean T Prigge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Frank Seeber
- FG16 Parasitology, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.
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10
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Walsh D, Katris NJ, Sheiner L, Botté CY. Toxoplasma metabolic flexibility in different growth conditions. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:775-790. [PMID: 35718642 PMCID: PMC10506913 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites have complex metabolic networks that coordinate acquisition of metabolites by de novo synthesis and by scavenging from the host. Toxoplasma gondii has a wide host range and may rely on the flexibility of this metabolic network. Currently, the literature categorizes genes as essential or dispensable according to their dispensability for parasite survival under nutrient-replete in vitro conditions. However, recent studies revealed correlations between medium composition and gene essentiality. Therefore, nutrient availability in the host environment likely determines the requirement of metabolic pathways, which may redefine priorities for drug target identification in a clinical setting. Here we review the recent work characterizing some of the major Toxoplasma metabolic pathways and their functional adaptation to host nutrient content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Walsh
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nicholas J Katris
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Lilach Sheiner
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Cyrille Y Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France.
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11
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Wichers JS, Mesén-Ramírez P, Fuchs G, Yu-Strzelczyk J, Stäcker J, von Thien H, Alder A, Henshall I, Liffner B, Nagel G, Löw C, Wilson D, Spielmann T, Gao S, Gilberger TW, Bachmann A, Strauss J. PMRT1, a Plasmodium-Specific Parasite Plasma Membrane Transporter, Is Essential for Asexual and Sexual Blood Stage Development. mBio 2022; 13:e0062322. [PMID: 35404116 PMCID: PMC9040750 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00623-22] [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: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane transport proteins perform crucial roles in cell physiology. The obligate intracellular parasite Plasmodium falciparum, an agent of human malaria, relies on membrane transport proteins for the uptake of nutrients from the host, disposal of metabolic waste, exchange of metabolites between organelles, and generation and maintenance of transmembrane electrochemical gradients for its growth and replication within human erythrocytes. Despite their importance for Plasmodium cellular physiology, the functional roles of a number of membrane transport proteins remain unclear, which is particularly true for orphan membrane transporters that have no or limited sequence homology to transporter proteins in other evolutionary lineages. Therefore, in the current study, we applied endogenous tagging, targeted gene disruption, conditional knockdown, and knockout approaches to investigate the subcellular localization and essentiality of six membrane transporters during intraerythrocytic development of P. falciparum parasites. They are localized at different subcellular structures-the food vacuole, the apicoplast, and the parasite plasma membrane-and four out of the six membrane transporters are essential during asexual development. Additionally, the plasma membrane resident transporter 1 (PMRT1; PF3D7_1135300), a unique Plasmodium-specific plasma membrane transporter, was shown to be essential for gametocytogenesis and functionally conserved within the genus Plasmodium. Overall, we reveal the importance of four orphan transporters to blood stage P. falciparum development, which have diverse intracellular localizations and putative functions. IMPORTANCE Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes possess multiple compartments with designated membranes. Transporter proteins embedded in these membranes not only facilitate movement of nutrients, metabolites, and other molecules between these compartments, but also are common therapeutic targets and can confer antimalarial drug resistance. Orphan membrane transporters in P. falciparum without sequence homology to transporters in other evolutionary lineages and divergent from host transporters may constitute attractive targets for novel intervention approaches. Here, we localized six of these putative transporters at different subcellular compartments and probed their importance during asexual parasite growth by using reverse genetic approaches. In total, only two candidates turned out to be dispensable for the parasite, highlighting four candidates as putative targets for therapeutic interventions. This study reveals the importance of several orphan transporters to blood stage P. falciparum development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Stephan Wichers
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Gwendolin Fuchs
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jing Yu-Strzelczyk
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jan Stäcker
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heidrun von Thien
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Arne Alder
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Isabelle Henshall
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Benjamin Liffner
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Georg Nagel
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Löw
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Danny Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tobias Spielmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Shiqiang Gao
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tim-Wolf Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Bachmann
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Strauss
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg, Germany
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12
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Buchanan HD, Goodman CD, McFadden GI. Roles of the apicoplast across the life cycles of rodent and human malaria parasites. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12947. [PMID: 36070203 PMCID: PMC9828729 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Malaria parasites are diheteroxenous, requiring two hosts-a vertebrate and a mosquito-to complete their life cycle. Mosquitoes are the definitive host where malaria parasite sex occurs, and vertebrates are the intermediate host, supporting asexual amplification and more significant geographic spread. In this review, we examine the roles of a single malaria parasite compartment, the relict plastid known as the apicoplast, at each life cycle stage. We focus mainly on two malaria parasite species-Plasmodium falciparum and P. berghei-comparing the changing, yet ever crucial, roles of their apicoplasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley D. Buchanan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Melbourne Medical SchoolThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia,Faculty of Science, School of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia
| | - Christopher D. Goodman
- Faculty of Science, School of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia
| | - Geoffrey I. McFadden
- Faculty of Science, School of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia
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13
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Stofberg ML, Caillet C, de Villiers M, Zininga T. Inhibitors of the Plasmodium falciparum Hsp90 towards Selective Antimalarial Drug Design: The Past, Present and Future. Cells 2021; 10:2849. [PMID: 34831072 PMCID: PMC8616389 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is still one of the major killer parasitic diseases in tropical settings, posing a public health threat. The development of antimalarial drug resistance is reversing the gains made in attempts to control the disease. The parasite leads a complex life cycle that has adapted to outwit almost all known antimalarial drugs to date, including the first line of treatment, artesunate. There is a high unmet need to develop new strategies and identify novel therapeutics to reverse antimalarial drug resistance development. Among the strategies, here we focus and discuss the merits of the development of antimalarials targeting the Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) due to the central role it plays in protein quality control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tawanda Zininga
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa; (M.L.S.); (C.C.); (M.d.V.)
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