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Vizcaíno-Castillo A, Kotila T, Kogan K, Yanase R, Como J, Antenucci L, Michelot A, Sunter JD, Lappalainen P. Leishmania profilin interacts with actin through an unusual structural mechanism to control cytoskeletal dynamics in parasites. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105740. [PMID: 38340794 PMCID: PMC10907219 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105740] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Diseases caused by Leishmania and Trypanosoma parasites are a major health problem in tropical countries. Because of their complex life cycle involving both vertebrate and insect hosts, and >1 billion years of evolutionarily distance, the cell biology of trypanosomatid parasites exhibits pronounced differences to animal cells. For example, the actin cytoskeleton of trypanosomatids is divergent when compared with other eukaryotes. To understand how actin dynamics are regulated in trypanosomatid parasites, we focused on a central actin-binding protein profilin. Co-crystal structure of Leishmania major actin in complex with L. major profilin revealed that, although the overall folds of actin and profilin are conserved in eukaryotes, Leishmania profilin contains a unique α-helical insertion, which interacts with the target binding cleft of actin monomer. This insertion is conserved across the Trypanosomatidae family and is similar to the structure of WASP homology-2 (WH2) domain, a small actin-binding motif found in many other cytoskeletal regulators. The WH2-like motif contributes to actin monomer binding and enhances the actin nucleotide exchange activity of Leishmania profilin. Moreover, Leishmania profilin inhibited formin-catalyzed actin filament assembly in a mechanism that is dependent on the presence of the WH2-like motif. By generating profilin knockout and knockin Leishmania mexicana strains, we show that profilin is important for efficient endocytic sorting in parasites, and that the ability to bind actin monomers and proline-rich proteins, and the presence of a functional WH2-like motif, are important for the in vivo function of Leishmania profilin. Collectively, this study uncovers molecular principles by which profilin regulates actin dynamics in trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tommi Kotila
- HiLIFE Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Konstantin Kogan
- HiLIFE Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ryuji Yanase
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Juna Como
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, IBDM, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Lina Antenucci
- HiLIFE Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alphee Michelot
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, IBDM, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Jack D Sunter
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford, UK.
| | - Pekka Lappalainen
- HiLIFE Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Niemirowicz GT, Carlevaro G, Campetella O, Bouvier LA, Mucci J. A versatile 2A peptide-based strategy for ectopic expression and endogenous gene tagging in Trypanosoma cruzi. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24595. [PMID: 38304823 PMCID: PMC10830525 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Nearly all expression vectors currently available for Trypanosoma cruzi were conceived to produce a single primary transcript containing the genes of interest along with those that confer antibiotic resistance. However, since each messenger RNA (mRNA) matures separately, drug selection will only guarantee the expression of those derived from the selectable marker. Therefore, commonly a considerable fraction of the cells recovered after selection with these expression vectors, although resistant do not express the protein of interest. Consequently, in order to counteract this disadvantage, we developed vectors with an alternative arrangement in which the gene of interest and antibiotic resistance are fused sharing the same mRNA. To test this configuration, we included the coding sequence for the green fluorescent protein (mEGFP) linked to the one conferring neomycin resistance (Neo). Additionally, to allow for the production of two independent proteins the sequence for a Thosea asigna virus self-cleaving 2A peptide (T2A) was inserted in-between. Cells obtained with these vectors displayed higher mEGFP expression levels with more homogeneous transgenic parasite populations than those transfected with more conventional independent mRNA-based alternatives. Moreover, as determined by Western blot, 2A mediated fusion protein dissociation occurred with high efficiency in all parasite stages. In addition, these vectors could easily be transformed into endogenous tagging constructs that allowed the insertion, by ends-in homologous recombination, of a hemagglutinin tag (HA) fused to the actin gene. The use of 2A self-cleaving peptides in the context of single mRNA vectors represents an interesting strategy capable of improving ectopic transgene expression in T. cruzi as well as providing a simple alternative to more sophisticated methods, such as the one based on CRISPR/Cas9, for the endogenous labeling of genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Oscar Campetella
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Universidad Nacional de San Martín–Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN). Campus Miguelete, 25 de Mayo y Francia (B1650HMP), San Martín, Argentina
| | - León A. Bouvier
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Universidad Nacional de San Martín–Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN). Campus Miguelete, 25 de Mayo y Francia (B1650HMP), San Martín, Argentina
| | - Juan Mucci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Universidad Nacional de San Martín–Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN). Campus Miguelete, 25 de Mayo y Francia (B1650HMP), San Martín, Argentina
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Goode BL, Eskin J, Shekhar S. Mechanisms of actin disassembly and turnover. J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202309021. [PMID: 37948068 PMCID: PMC10638096 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202309021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular actin networks exhibit a wide range of sizes, shapes, and architectures tailored to their biological roles. Once assembled, these filamentous networks are either maintained in a state of polarized turnover or induced to undergo net disassembly. Further, the rates at which the networks are turned over and/or dismantled can vary greatly, from seconds to minutes to hours or even days. Here, we review the molecular machinery and mechanisms employed in cells to drive the disassembly and turnover of actin networks. In particular, we highlight recent discoveries showing that specific combinations of conserved actin disassembly-promoting proteins (cofilin, GMF, twinfilin, Srv2/CAP, coronin, AIP1, capping protein, and profilin) work in concert to debranch, sever, cap, and depolymerize actin filaments, and to recharge actin monomers for new rounds of assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce L. Goode
- Department of Biology, Rosenstiel Basic Medical Science Research Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Julian Eskin
- Department of Biology, Rosenstiel Basic Medical Science Research Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Shashank Shekhar
- Departments of Physics, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Su H, Xu J, Li J, Yi Z. Four ciliate-specific expansion events occurred during actin gene family evolution of eukaryotes. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2023; 184:107789. [PMID: 37105243 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Actin gene family is a divergent and ancient eukaryotic cellular cytoskeletal gene family, and participates in many essential cellular processes. Ciliated protists offer us an excellent opportunity to investigate gene family evolution, since their gene families evolved faster in ciliates than in other eukaryotes. Nonetheless, actin gene family is well studied in few model ciliate species but little is known about its evolutionary patterns in ciliates. Here, we analyzed the evolutionary pattern of eukaryotic actin gene family based on genomes/transcriptomes of 36 species covering ten ciliate classes, as well as those of nine non-ciliate eukaryotic species. Results showed: (1) Except for conventional actins and actin-related proteins (Arps) shared by various eukaryotes, at least four ciliate-specific subfamilies occurred during evolution of actin gene family. Expansions of Act2 and ArpC were supposed to have happen in the ciliate common ancestor, while expansions of ActI and ActII may have occurred in the ancestor of Armophorea, Muranotrichea, and Spirotrichea. (2) The number of actin isoforms varied greatly among ciliate species. Environmental adaptability, whole genome duplication (WGD) or segmental duplication events, distinct spatial and temporal patterns of expression might play driving forces for the increasement of isoform numbers. (3) The 'birth and death' model of evolution could explain the evolution of actin gene family in ciliates. And actin genes have been generally under strong negative selection to maintain protein structures and physiological functions. Collectively, we provided meaningful information for understanding the evolution of eukaryotic actin gene family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Su
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Subtropical Biodiversity and Biomonitoring, School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Jiahui Xu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Subtropical Biodiversity and Biomonitoring, School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Jia Li
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Subtropical Biodiversity and Biomonitoring, School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Zhenzhen Yi
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Subtropical Biodiversity and Biomonitoring, School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
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Wang JM, Li ZF, Qi HY, Zhao Z, Yang WX. es-Arp3 and es-Eps8 regulate spermatogenesis via microfilaments in the seminiferous tubule of Eriocheir sinensis. Tissue Cell 2023; 81:102028. [PMID: 36709695 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complicated process that includes spermatogonia differentiation, spermatocytes meiosis, spermatids spermiogenesis and final release of spermatozoa. Actin-related protein 3 (Arp3) and epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8 (Eps8) are two actin binding proteins that regulate cell adhesion in seminiferous tubules during mammalian spermatogenesis. However, the functions of these two proteins during spermatogenesis in nonmammalian species, especially Crustacea, are still unknown. Here, we cloned es-Arp3 and es-Eps8 from the testis of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. es-Arp3 and es-Eps8 were located in spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa. Knockdown of es-Arp3 and es-Eps8 in vivo caused morphological changes to seminiferous tubules including delayed spermatozoa release, shedding of germ cells and vacuoles. Filamentous-actin (F-actin) filaments network was disorganized due to deficiency of es-Arp3 and es-Eps8. Accompanying this, four junctional proteins (α-catenin, β-catenin, pinin and ZO1) displayed abnormal expression levels as well as penetrating biotin signals in seminiferous tubules. We also used the Arp2/3 complex inhibitor CK666 to block es-Arp3 activity and supported es-Arp3 knockdown results. In summary, our study demonstrated for the first time that es-Arp3 and es-Eps8 are important for spermatogenesis via regulating microfilament-mediated cell adhesion in Eriocheir sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ming Wang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhen-Fang Li
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hong-Yu Qi
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhan Zhao
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wan-Xi Yang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Etheridge RD. Protozoan phagotrophy from predators to parasites: An overview of the enigmatic cytostome-cytopharynx complex of Trypanosoma cruzi. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12896. [PMID: 35175673 PMCID: PMC11110969 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12896] [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: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Eating is fundamental and from this basic principle, living organisms have evolved innumerable strategies to capture energy and nutrients from their environment. As part of the world's aquatic ecosystems, the expansive family of heterotrophic protozoans uses self-generated currents to funnel prokaryotic prey into an ancient, yet highly enigmatic, oral apparatus known as the cytostome-cytopharynx complex prior to digestion. Despite its near ubiquitous presence in protozoans, little is known mechanistically about how this feeding organelle functions. Intriguingly, one class of these flagellated phagotrophic predators known as the kinetoplastids gave rise to a lineage of obligate parasitic protozoa, the trypanosomatids, that can infect a wide variety of organisms ranging from plants to humans. One parasitic species of humans, Trypanosoma cruzi, has retained this ancestral organelle much like its free-living relatives and continues to use it as its primary mode of endocytosis. In this review, we will highlight foundational observations made regarding the cytostome-cytopharynx complex and examine some of the most pressing questions regarding the mechanistic basis for its function. We propose that T. cruzi has the potential to serve as an excellent model system to dissect the enigmatic process of protozoal phagotrophy and thus enhance our overall understanding of fundamental eukaryotic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Drew Etheridge
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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Structural basis of rapid actin dynamics in the evolutionarily divergent Leishmania parasite. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3442. [PMID: 35705539 PMCID: PMC9200798 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31068-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Actin polymerization generates forces for cellular processes throughout the eukaryotic kingdom, but our understanding of the ‘ancient’ actin turnover machineries is limited. We show that, despite > 1 billion years of evolution, pathogenic Leishmania major parasite and mammalian actins share the same overall fold and co-polymerize with each other. Interestingly, Leishmania harbors a simple actin-regulatory machinery that lacks cofilin ‘cofactors’, which accelerate filament disassembly in higher eukaryotes. By applying single-filament biochemistry we discovered that, compared to mammalian proteins, Leishmania actin filaments depolymerize more rapidly from both ends, and are severed > 100-fold more efficiently by cofilin. Our high-resolution cryo-EM structures of Leishmania ADP-, ADP-Pi- and cofilin-actin filaments identify specific features at actin subunit interfaces and cofilin-actin interactions that explain the unusually rapid dynamics of parasite actin filaments. Our findings reveal how divergent parasites achieve rapid actin dynamics using a remarkably simple set of actin-binding proteins, and elucidate evolution of the actin cytoskeleton. The authors report here the structure-function analysis of highly divergent actin from Leishmania parasite. The study reveals remarkably rapid dynamics of parasite actin as well as the underlying molecular basis, thus providing insight into evolution of the actin cytoskeleton.
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Gupta CM, Ambaru B, Bajaj R. Emerging Functions of Actins and Actin Binding Proteins in Trypanosomatids. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:587685. [PMID: 33163497 PMCID: PMC7581878 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.587685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Actin is the major protein constituent of the cytoskeleton that performs wide range of cellular functions. It exists in monomeric and filamentous forms, dynamics of which is regulated by a large repertoire of actin binding proteins. However, not much was known about existence of these proteins in trypanosomatids, till the genome sequence data of three important organisms of this class, viz. Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania major, became available. Here, we have reviewed most of the findings reported to date on the intracellular distribution, structure and functions of these proteins and based on them, we have hypothesized some of their functions. The major findings are as follows: (1) All the three organisms encode at least a set of ten actin binding proteins (profilin, twinfilin, ADF/cofilin, CAP/srv2, CAPz, coronin, two myosins, two formins) and one isoform of actin, except that T. cruzi encodes for three formins and several myosins along with four actins. (2) Actin 1 and a few actin binding proteins (ADF/cofilin, profilin, twinfilin, coronin and myosin13 in L. donovani; ADF/cofilin, profilin and myosin1 in T. brucei; profilin and myosin-F in T.cruzi) have been identified and characterized. (3) In all the three organisms, actin cytoskeleton has been shown to regulate endocytosis and intracellular trafficking. (4) Leishmania actin1 has been the most characterized protein among trypanosomatid actins. (5) This protein is localized to the cytoplasm as well as in the flagellum, nucleus and kinetoplast, and in vitro, it binds to DNA and displays scDNA relaxing and kDNA nicking activities. (6) The pure protein prefers to form bundles instead of thin filaments, and does not bind DNase1 or phalloidin. (7) Myosin13, myosin1 and myosin-F regulate endocytosis and intracellular trafficking, respectively, in Leishmania, T. brucei and T. cruzi. (8) Actin-dependent myosin13 motor is involved in dynamics and assembly of Leishmania flagellum. (9) Leishmania twinfilin localizes mostly to the nucleolus and coordinates karyokinesis by effecting splindle elongation and DNA synthesis. (10) Leishmania coronin binds and promotes actin filament formation and exists in tetrameric form rather than trimeric form, like other coronins. (11) Trypanosomatid profilins are essential for survival of all the three parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chhitar M Gupta
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru, India
| | - Bindu Ambaru
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Rani Bajaj
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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