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Jardim Poli P, Fischer-Carvalho A, Tahira AC, Chan JD, Verjovski-Almeida S, Sena Amaral M. Long Non-Coding RNA Levels Are Modulated in Schistosoma mansoni following In Vivo Praziquantel Exposure. Noncoding RNA 2024; 10:27. [PMID: 38668385 PMCID: PMC11053911 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna10020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma that affects over 200 million people worldwide. For decades, praziquantel (PZQ) has been the only available drug to treat the disease. Despite recent discoveries that identified a transient receptor ion channel as the target of PZQ, schistosome response to this drug remains incompletely understood, since effectiveness relies on other factors that may trigger a complex regulation of parasite gene expression. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides with low or no protein-coding potential that play important roles in S. mansoni homeostasis, reproduction, and fertility. Here, we show that in vivo PZQ treatment modulates lncRNA levels in S. mansoni. We re-analyzed public RNA-Seq data from mature and immature S. mansoni worms treated in vivo with PZQ and detected hundreds of lncRNAs differentially expressed following drug exposure, many of which are shared among mature and immature worms. Through RT-qPCR, seven out of ten selected lncRNAs were validated as differentially expressed; interestingly, we show that these lncRNAs are not adult worm stage-specific and are co-expressed with PZQ-modulated protein-coding genes. By demonstrating that parasite lncRNA expression levels alter in response to PZQ, this study unravels an important step toward elucidating the complex mechanisms of S. mansoni response to PZQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Jardim Poli
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, SP, Brazil; (P.J.P.); (A.F.-C.); (A.C.T.); (S.V.-A.)
| | - Agatha Fischer-Carvalho
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, SP, Brazil; (P.J.P.); (A.F.-C.); (A.C.T.); (S.V.-A.)
| | - Ana Carolina Tahira
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, SP, Brazil; (P.J.P.); (A.F.-C.); (A.C.T.); (S.V.-A.)
| | - John D. Chan
- Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA;
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, SP, Brazil; (P.J.P.); (A.F.-C.); (A.C.T.); (S.V.-A.)
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Murilo Sena Amaral
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, SP, Brazil; (P.J.P.); (A.F.-C.); (A.C.T.); (S.V.-A.)
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2
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Oettle RC, Dickinson HA, Fitzsimmons CM, Sacko M, Tukahebwa EM, Chalmers IW, Wilson S. Protective human IgE responses are promoted by comparable life-cycle dependent Tegument Allergen-Like expression in Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni infection. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011037. [PMID: 37228019 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma haematobium is the most prevalent of the human-infecting schistosome species, causing significant morbidity in endemically exposed populations. Despite this, it has been relatively understudied compared to its fellow species, S. mansoni. Here we provide the first comprehensive characterization of the S. haematobium Tegument Allergen-Like protein family, a key protein family directly linked to protective immunity in S. mansoni infection. Comparable with observations for S. mansoni, parasite phylogenetic analysis and relative gene expression combined with host serological analysis support a cross-reactive relationship between S. haematobium TAL proteins, exposed to the host immune system as adult worms die, and closely related proteins, exposed during penetration by the infecting cercarial and early schistosomulae stages. Specifically, our results strengthen the evidence for host immunity driven by cross-reactivity between family members TAL3 and TAL5, establishing it for the first time for S. haematobium infection. Furthermore, we build upon this relationship to include the involvement of an additional member of the TAL protein family, TAL11 for both schistosome species. Finally, we show a close association between experience of infection and intensity of transmission and the development of protective IgE responses to these antigens, thus improving our knowledge of the mechanisms by which protective host immune responses develop. This knowledge will be critical in understanding how control efforts such as mass drug administration campaigns influence the development of host immunity and subsequent patterns of infection and disease within endemic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Oettle
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Moussa Sacko
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Research, Institut National de Recherche en Santé Publique, Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Iain W Chalmers
- Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - Shona Wilson
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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3
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Bernardes WPDOS, Dutra ITX, da Silva-Pereira RA, Mourão MM, Fonseca CT. SmTAL-9, a Member of the Schistosoma mansoni Tegument Allergen-Like Family, Is Important for Parasite Survival and a Putative Target for Drug/Vaccine Development. Front Immunol 2022; 13:889645. [PMID: 35911671 PMCID: PMC9336510 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.889645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The tegument of Schistosoma mansoni is involved in essential functions for parasite survival and is known to stimulate immune responses in pre-clinical vaccine trials. Smtal-9, a member of the tegument-allergen-like (TAL) family, is one of the components of the tegument of schistosomula recognized by sera from immunized and protected mice. In this work, we assessed the role of Smtal-9 in parasite survival using the RNAi approach. Also, we cloned and expressed a recombinant form of Smtal-9 and evaluated its ability to induce protection in mice. Smtal-9 knockdown did not impact parasite survival in vitro, but significantly decreased schistosomula size. Additionally, significant reduction in both parasite and egg burdens were observed in mice inoculated with Smtal-9-knockdown schistosomula. Immunization using the Smtal-9 as an antigen conferred partial protection against challenge infection. Overall, our results indicate that Smtal-9 is a candidate target for drug and/or vaccine development due to its important role in parasite biology and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isabela Thamara Xavier Dutra
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rosiane Aparecida da Silva-Pereira
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Biologia e Imunologia de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marina Moraes Mourão
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Cristina Toscano Fonseca
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Biologia e Imunologia de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Cristina Toscano Fonseca,
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4
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Landeryou T, Rabone M, Allan F, Maddren R, Rollinson D, Webster BL, Tchuem-Tchuenté LA, Anderson RM, Emery AM. Genome-wide insights into adaptive hybridisation across the Schistosoma haematobium group in West and Central Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010088. [PMID: 35100291 PMCID: PMC8803156 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis remains a public health concern across sub-Saharan Africa; current control programmes rely on accurate mapping and high mass drug administration (MDA) coverage to attempt disease elimination. Inter-species hybridisation can occur between certain species, changing epidemiological dynamics within endemic regions, which has the potential to confound control interventions. The impact of hybridisation on disease dynamics is well illustrated in areas of Cameroon where urogenital schistosomiasis, primarily due to Schistosoma haematobium and hybrid infections, now predominate over intestinal schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma guineensis. Genetic markers have shown the ability to identify hybrids, however the underlying genomic architecture of divergence and introgression between these species has yet to be established. In this study, restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) was used on archived adult worms initially identified as; Schistosoma bovis (n = 4), S. haematobium (n = 9), S. guineensis (n = 3) and S. guineensis x S. haematobium hybrids (n = 4) from Mali, Senegal, Niger, São Tomé and Cameroon. Genome-wide evidence supports the existence of S. guineensis and S. haematobium hybrid populations across Cameroon. The hybridisation of S. guineensis x S. haematobium has not been demonstrated on the island of São Tomé, where all samples showed no introgression with S. haematobium. Additionally, all S. haematobium isolates from Nigeria, Mali and Cameroon indicated signatures of genomic introgression from S. bovis. Adaptive loci across the S. haematobium group showed that voltage-gated calcium ion channels (Cav) could play a key role in the ability to increase the survivability of species, particularly in host systems. Where admixture has occurred between S. guineensis and S. haematobium, the excess introgressive influx of tegumental (outer helminth body) and antigenic genes from S. haematobium has increased the adaptive response in hybrids, leading to increased hybrid population fitness and viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toby Landeryou
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Muriel Rabone
- The Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Allan
- The Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rosie Maddren
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Rollinson
- The Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bonnie L. Webster
- The Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Roy M. Anderson
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aidan M. Emery
- The Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Davey SD, Chalmers IW, Fernandez-Fuentes N, Swain MT, Smith D, Abbas Abidi SM, Saifullah MK, Raman M, Ravikumar G, McVeigh P, Maule AG, Brophy PM, Morphew RM. In silico characterisation of the complete Ly6 protein family in Fasciola gigantica supported through transcriptomics of the newly-excysted juveniles. Mol Omics 2021; 18:45-56. [PMID: 34781332 PMCID: PMC8763315 DOI: 10.1039/d1mo00254f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Fasciola gigantica is one of the aetiological trematodes associated with fascioliasis, which heavily impacts food-production systems and human and animal welfare on a global scale. In the absence of a vaccine, fascioliasis control and treatment is restricted to pasture management, such as clean grazing, and a limited array of chemotherapies, to which signs of resistance are beginning to appear. Research into novel control strategies is therefore urgently required and the advent of ‘omics technologies presents considerable opportunity for novel drug and vaccine target discovery. Here, interrogation of the first available F. gigantica newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) transcriptome revealed several protein families of current interest to parasitic flatworm vaccine research, including orthologues of mammalian complement regulator CD59 of the Ly6 family. Ly6 proteins have previously been identified on the tegument of Schistosoma mansoni and induced protective immunity in vaccination trials. Incorporating the recently available F. gigantica genome, the current work revealed 20 novel Ly6 family members in F. gigantica and, in parallel, significantly extended the F. hepatica complement from 3 to 18 members. Phylogenetic analysis revealed several distinct clades within the family, some of which are unique to Fasciola spp. trematodes. Analysis of available proteomic databases also revealed three of the newly discovered FhLy6s were present in extracellular vesicles, which have previously been prioritised in studying the host-parasite interface. The presentation of this new transcriptomic resource, in addition to the Ly6 family proteins here identified, represents a wealth of opportunity for future vaccine research. Incorporating the recently available F. gigantica genome, the current work revealed 20 novel Ly6 family members in F. gigantica and, in parallel, significantly extended the F. hepatica complement from 3 to 18 members.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D Davey
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
| | - Iain W Chalmers
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
| | | | - Martin T Swain
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
| | - Dan Smith
- Computational and Analytical Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Syed M Abbas Abidi
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, 202001, India
| | - Mohammad K Saifullah
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, 202001, India
| | - Muthusamy Raman
- Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600051, India
| | | | - Paul McVeigh
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Aaron G Maule
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Peter M Brophy
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
| | - Russell M Morphew
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
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6
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Schistosoma mansoni alter transcription of immunomodulatory gene products following in vivo praziquantel exposure. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009200. [PMID: 33657133 PMCID: PMC7959349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Control of the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis relies almost entirely on praziquantel (PZQ) monotherapy. How PZQ clears parasite infections remains poorly understood. Many studies have examined the effects of PZQ on worms cultured in vitro, observing outcomes such as muscle contraction. However, conditions worms are exposed to in vivo may vary considerably from in vitro experiments given the short half-life of PZQ and the importance of host immune system engagement for drug efficacy in animal models. Here, we investigated the effects of in vivo PZQ exposure on Schistosoma mansoni. Measurement of pro-apoptotic caspase activation revealed that worm death occurs only after parasites shift from the mesenteric vasculature to the liver, peaking 24 hours after drug treatment. This indicates that PZQ is not directly schistocidal, since PZQ’s half-life is ~2 hours in humans and ~30 minutes in mice, and focuses attention on parasite interactions with the host immune system following the shift of worms to the liver. RNA-Seq of worms harvested from mouse livers following sub-lethal PZQ treatment revealed drug-evoked changes in the expression of putative immunomodulatory and anticoagulant gene products. Several of these gene products localized to the schistosome esophagus and may be secreted into the host circulation. These include several Kunitz-type protease inhibitors, which are also found in the secretomes of other blood feeding animals. These transcriptional changes may reflect mechanisms of parasite immune-evasion in response to chemotherapy, given the role of complement-mediated attack and the host innate/humoral immune response in parasite elimination. One of these isoforms, SmKI-1, has been shown to exhibit immunomodulatory and anti-coagulant properties. These data provide insight into the effect of in vivo PZQ exposure on S. mansoni, and the transcriptional response of parasites to the stress of chemotherapy. The disease schistosomiasis is caused by parasitic worms that live within the circulatory system. While this disease infects over 200 million people worldwide, treatment relies almost entirely on one drug, praziquantel, whose mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the effects of praziquantel treatment on the gene expression of parasites harvested from mice treated with praziquantel chemotherapy. Despite the rapid action of the drug on worms in vitro, we found that key outcomes in vivo (measurement of cell death and changes in gene expression) occurred relatively late (12+ hours after drug administration). We found that worms increased the expression of immunomodulatory gene products in response to praziquantel, including a Kunitz-type protease inhibitor that localized to the worm esophagus and may be secreted to the external host environment. These are an intriguing class of proteins, because they display anti-coagulant and immunomodulatory properties. Up-regulation of these gene products may reflect a parasite mechanism of immune-evasion in response to chemotherapy. This research provides insight into the mechanism of praziquantel by observing the effect of this drug on worms within the context of the host immune system.
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7
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Abou-El-Naga IF. Schistosoma mansoni sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPases (SERCA): role in reduced sensitivity to praziquantel. J Bioenerg Biomembr 2020; 52:397-408. [DOI: 10.1007/s10863-020-09843-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Thomas CM, Timson DJ. The Mechanism of Action of Praziquantel: Can New Drugs Exploit Similar Mechanisms? Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:676-696. [DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180926145537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for treating infection with worms from the
genus Schistosoma. The drug is effective, cheap and has few side effects. However, despite its
use in millions of patients for over 40 years its molecular mechanism of action remains elusive.
Early studies demonstrated that PZQ disrupts calcium ion homeostasis in the worm and
the current consensus is that it antagonises voltage-gated calcium channels. It is hypothesised
that disruption of these channels results in uncontrolled calcium ion influx leading to uncontrolled
muscle contraction and paralysis. However, other experimental studies have suggested
a role for myosin regulatory light chains and adenosine uptake in the drug’s mechanism of
action. Assuming voltage-gated calcium channels do represent the main molecular target of
PZQ, the precise binding site for the drug remains to be identified. Unlike other commonly
used anti-parasitic drugs, there are few definitive reports of resistance to PZQ in the literature.
The lack of knowledge about PZQ’s molecular mechanism(s) undermines our ability to predict
how resistance might arise and also hinder our attempts to develop alternative antischistosomal
drugs which exploit the same target(s). Some PZQ derivatives have been identified
which also kill or paralyse schistosomes in culture. However, none of these are in widespread
clinical use. There is a pressing need for fundamental research into the molecular mechanism(
s) of action of PZQ. Such research would enable new avenues for antischsistosomal
drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte M. Thomas
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Timson
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom
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Thomas CM, Timson DJ. The Schistosoma mansoni tegumental allergen protein, SmTAL1: Binding to an IQ-motif from a voltage-gated ion channel and effects of praziquantel. Cell Calcium 2020; 86:102161. [PMID: 31981914 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2020.102161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
SmTAL1 is a calcium binding protein from the parasitic worm, Schistosoma mansoni. Structurally it is comprised of two domains - an N-terminal EF-hand domain and a C-terminal dynein light chain (DLC)-like domain. The protein has previously been shown to interact with the anti-schistosomal drug, praziquantel (PZQ). Here, we demonstrated that both EF-hands in the N-terminal domain are functional calcium ion binding sites. The second EF-hand appears to be more important in dictating affinity and mediating the conformational changes which occur on calcium ion binding. There is positive cooperativity between the four calcium ion binding sites in the dimeric form of SmTAL1. Both the EF-hand domain and the DLC-domain dimerise independently suggesting that both play a role in forming the SmTAL1 dimer. SmTAL1 binds non-cooperatively to PZQ and cooperatively to an IQ-motif from SmCav1B, a voltage-gated calcium channel. PZQ tends to strengthen this interaction, although the relationship is complex. These data suggest the hypothesis that SmTAL1 regulates at least one voltage-gated calcium channel and PZQ interferes with this process. This may be important in the molecular mechanism of this drug. It also suggests that compounds which bind SmTAL1, such as six from the Medicines for Malaria Box identified in this work, may represent possible leads for the discovery of novel antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte M Thomas
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - David J Timson
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Huxley Building, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK.
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Abstract
Praziquantel is a remarkably effective drug for the treatment of schistosomiasis. It has few side effects, some of which have been attributed to its inactive enantiomer. Few, if any, verified cases of drug resistance have been reported in a clinical setting. The preponderance of scientific evidence suggests that the drug works by dysregulating calcium homeostasis in the worm. Voltage-gated calcium channels have been proposed as the main pharmacological target of praziquantel, although no direct evidence of interaction with this protein is available. Here, the biochemical pharmacology of praziquantel is briefly reviewed and a hypothesis for its mechanism proposed. This hypothesis suggests that the drug works, in part, by disrupting an interaction between a voltage-gated calcium channel (SmCav1B) and an accessory protein, SmTAL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Timson
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.
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11
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Thomas CM, Timson DJ. Calmodulins from Schistosoma mansoni: Biochemical analysis and interaction with IQ-motifs from voltage-gated calcium channels. Cell Calcium 2018; 74:1-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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