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Chen YJ, Wu KY, Lin SF, Huang SH, Hsu HC, Hsu HM. PIP2 regulating calcium signal modulates actin cytoskeleton-dependent cytoadherence and cytolytic capacity in the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011891. [PMID: 38109416 PMCID: PMC10758264 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011891] [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: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a prevalent causative agent that causes trichomoniasis leading to uropathogenic inflammation in the host. The crucial role of the actin cytoskeleton in T. vaginalis cytoadherence has been established but the associated signaling has not been fully elucidated. The present study revealed that the T. vaginalis second messenger PIP2 is located in the recurrent flagellum of the less adherent isolate and is more abundant around the cell membrane of the adherent isolates. The T. vaginalis phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase (TvPI4P5K) with conserved activity phosphorylating PI(4)P to PI(4, 5)P2 was highly expressed in the adherent isolate and partially colocalized with PIP2 on the plasma membrane but with discrete punctate signals in the cytoplasm. Plasma membrane PIP2 degradation by phospholipase C (PLC)-dependent pathway concomitant with increasing intracellular calcium during flagellate-amoeboid morphogenesis. This could be inhibited by Edelfosine or BAPTA simultaneously repressing parasite actin assembly, morphogenesis, and cytoadherence with inhibitory effects similar to the iron-depleted parasite, supporting the significance of PIP2 and iron in T. vaginalis colonization. Intriguingly, iron is required for the optimal expression and cell membrane trafficking of TvPI4P5K for in situ PIP2 production, which was diminished in the iron-depleted parasites. TvPI4P5K-mediated PIP2 signaling may coordinate with iron to modulate T. vaginalis contact-dependent cytolysis to influence host cell viability. These observations provide novel insights into T. vaginalis cytopathogenesis during the host-parasite interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Ju Chen
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yi Wu
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Fan Lin
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Hsi Huang
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Heng-Cheng Hsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Ming Hsu
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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Zhang Z, Song X, Deng Y, Li Y, Li F, Sheng W, Tian X, Yang Z, Mei X, Wang S. Trichomonas vaginalis adhesion protein 65 (TvAP65) modulates parasite pathogenicity by interacting with host cell proteins. Acta Trop 2023; 246:106996. [PMID: 37536435 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) is a widespread and important sexually transmitted pathogen. Adherence to the surface of the host cell is the precondition forthis parasite's parasitism and pathogenicity. Adhesion protein 65 (TvAP65) plays a key role in the process of adhesion. However, how TvAP65 mediates the adhesion and pathogenicity of T. vaginalis to host cellsis unclear. In this study, we knocked down the expression of TvAP65 in trophozoites by small RNA interference. The number of T. vaginalis trophozoites adhering to VK2/E6E7 cells was decreased significantly, and the inhibition of VK2/E6E7 cells proliferation and VK2/E6E7 cells apoptosis and death induced by T. vaginalis were reduced, after the expression of TvAP65 was knocked down. Animal challenge experiments showed that the pathogenicity of trophozoites was decreased by passive immunization with anti-rTvAP65 PcAbs or blocking the TvAP65 protein. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that TvAP65 could bind to VK2/E6E7 cells. In order to screen the molecules interacting with TvAP65 on the host cells, we successfully constructed the cDNA library of VK2/E6E7 cells, and thirteen protein molecules interacting with TvAP65 were screened by yeast two-hybrid system. The interaction between TvAP65 and BNIP3 was further confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation and colocalization. When both TvAP65 and BNIP3 were knocked down by small RNA interference, the number of T. vaginalis adhering to VK2/E6E7 cells and the inhibition of VK2/E6E7 cells proliferation were significantly lower than those of the group with knockdown of TvAP65 or BNIP3 alone. Therefore, the interaction of TvAP65 and BNIP3 in the pathogenesis of T. vaginalis infecting host cells is not unique and involves other molecules. Our study elucidated that the interaction between TvAP65 and BNIP3 mediated the adhesion and pathogenicity of T. vaginalis to host cells, provided a basis for searching for the drug targets of anti-T. vaginalis, and afforded new ideas for the prevention and treatment of trichomoniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenchao Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Xiaoxiao Song
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Yangyang Deng
- The Third Affiliated Hospital Of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Yuhua Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Fakun Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Wanxin Sheng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Xiaowei Tian
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Zhenke Yang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Xuefang Mei
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China.
| | - Shuai Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China.
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Zhang Z, Deng Y, Sheng W, Song X, Li Y, Li F, Pan Y, Tian X, Yang Z, Wang S, Wang M, Mei X. The interaction between adhesion protein 33 (TvAP33) and BNIP3 mediates the adhesion and pathogenicity of Trichomonas vaginalis to host cells. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:210. [PMID: 37344876 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05798-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trichomonas vaginalis is a widespread and important sexually transmitted pathogen. Adherence to the surface of the host cell is the precondition for the parasitism and pathogenicity of this parasite. Trichomonas vaginalis adhesion protein 33 (TvAP33) plays a key role in the process of adhesion, but how this protein mediates the adhesion and pathogenicity of T. vaginalis to host cells is unclear. METHODS The expression of TvAP33 in trophozoites was knocked down by small interfering RNA. VK2/E6E7 cells and mice infected with T. vaginalis were used to evaluate the pathogenicity of T. vaginalis. We constructed a complementary DNA library of VK2/E6E7 cells and screened the protein molecules interacting with TvAP33 by the yeast two-hybrid system. The interaction between TvAP33 and BNIP3 (Bcl-2 interacting protein 3) was analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation and colocalization. RESULTS Following knockdown of TvAP33 expression, the number of T. vaginalis trophozoites adhering to VK2/E6E7 cells decreased significantly, and the inhibition of VK2/E6E7 cell proliferation and VK2/E6E7 cell apoptosis and death induced by T. vaginalis were reduced. Animal challenge experiments showed that the pathogenicity of trophozoites decreased following passive immunization with TvAP33 antiserum or blocking of the TvAP33 protein. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that TvAP33 could bind to VK2/E6E7 cells. Eighteen protein molecules interacting with TvAP33 were identified by the yeast two-hybrid system. The interaction between TvAP33 and BNIP3 was further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and colocalization. When the expression of both TvAP33 and BNIP3 in trophozoites was knocked down by small RNA interference, the number of T. vaginalis adhering to VK2/E6E7 cells and the inhibition of VK2/E6E7 cell proliferation were significantly lower compared to trophozoites with only knockdown of TvAP33 or only BNIP3. Therefore, the interaction of TvAP33 and BNIP3 in the pathogenesis of T. vaginalis infecting host cells is not unique and involves other molecules. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that the interaction between TvAP33 and BNIP3 mediated the adhesion and pathogenicity of T. vaginalis to host cells, providing a basis for searching for drug targets for T. vaginalis as well as new ideas for the prevention and treatment of trichomoniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenchao Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangyang Deng
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanxin Sheng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxiao Song
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhua Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fakun Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Pan
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowei Tian
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenke Yang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyong Wang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
- School of Medical Technology, Shangqiu Medical College, Shangqiu, 476100, China.
| | - Xuefang Mei
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China.
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China.
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Chen QG, Zhang YM, Chen C, Wang S, Li ZF, Hou ZF, Liu DD, Tao JP, Xu JJ. Tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics analyses of a chicken-original virulent and its attenuated Histomonas meleagridis strain in China. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1106807. [PMID: 37008342 PMCID: PMC10063853 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1106807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionHistomonas meleagridis can cause histomonosis in poultry. Due to the prohibition of effective drugs, the prevention and treatment of the disease requires new strategies. Questions about its pathogenic mechanisms and virulence factors remain puzzling.MethodsTo address these issues, a tandem mass tag (TMT) comparative proteomic analysis of a virulent strain and its attenuated strain of Chinese chicken-origin was performed.ResultsA total of 3,494 proteins were identified in the experiment, of which 745 proteins were differentially expressed (fold change ≥1.2 or ≤0.83 and p < 0.05), with 192 up-regulated proteins and 553 down-regulated proteins in the virulent strain relative to the attenuated strain.DiscussionSurface protein BspA like, digestive cysteine proteinase, actin, and GH family 25 lysozyme were noted among the proteins up regulated in virulent strains, and these several proteins may be directly related to the pathogenic capacity of the histomonad. Ferredoxin, 60S ribosomal protein L6, 40S ribosomal protein S3, and NADP-dependent malic enzyme which associated with biosynthesis and metabolism were also noted, which have the potential to be new drug targets. The up-regulation of alpha-amylase, ras-like protein 1, ras-like protein 2, and involucrin in attenuated strains helps to understand how it is adapted to the long-term in vitro culture environment. The above results provide some candidate protein-coding genes for further functional verification, which will help to understand the molecular mechanism of pathogenicity and attenuation of H. meleagridis more comprehensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-Guang Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Ming Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Chen Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zai-Fan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhao-Feng Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dan-Dan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Ping Tao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jin-Jun Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jin-Jun Xu
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Hsu HM, Yang YY, Huang YH, Chu CH, Tu TJ, Wu YT, Chiang CJ, Yang SB, Hsu DK, Liu FT, Tai JH. Distinct features of the host-parasite interactions between nonadherent and adherent Trichomonas vaginalis isolates. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011016. [PMID: 36595499 PMCID: PMC9810166 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytoadherence of Trichomonas vaginalis to human vaginal epithelial cells (hVECs) was previously shown to involve surface lipoglycans and several reputed adhesins on the parasite. Herein, we report some new observations on the host-parasite interactions of adherent versus nonadherent T. vaginalis isolates to hVECs. The binding of the TH17 adherent isolate to hVECs exhibited an initial discrete phase followed by an aggregation phase inhibited by lactose. T. vaginalis infection immediately induced surface expression of galectin-1 and -3, with extracellular amounts in the spent medium initially decreasing and then increasing thereafter over the next 60 min. Extracellular galectin-1 and -3 were detected on the parasite surface but only the TH17 adherent isolate could uptake galectin-3 via the lysosomes. Only the adherent isolate could morphologically transform from the round-up flagellate with numerous transient protrusions into a flat amoeboid form on contact with the solid surface. Cytochalasin D challenge revealed that actin organization was essential to parasite morphogenesis and cytoadherence. Real-time microscopy showed that parasite exploring and anchoring on hVECs via the axostyle may be required for initial cytoadherence. Together, the parasite cytoskeleton behaviors may collaborate with cell surface adhesion molecules for cytoadherence. The nonadherent isolate migrated faster than the adherent isolate, with motility transiently increasing in the presence of hVECs. Meanwhile, differential histone acetylation was detected between the two isolates. Also, TH17 without Mycoplasma symbiosis suggests that symbiont might not determine TH17 innate cytoadherence. Our findings regarding distinctive host-parasite interactions of the isolates may provide novel insights into T. vaginalis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Ming Hsu
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| | - Yen-Yu Yang
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsin Huang
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsin Chu
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Jui Tu
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ting Wu
- Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- High School Talent Student in Life Science Project at Academia Sinica and Taipei Municipal Chenggong High School, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chu-Jen Chiang
- Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- High School Talent Student in Life Science Project at Academia Sinica and Taipei Municipal Chenggong High School, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Bing Yang
- Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Daniel K. Hsu
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Fu-Tong Liu
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Jung-Hsiang Tai
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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In-depth comparative analysis of Tritrichomonas foetus transcriptomics reveals novel genes linked with adaptation to feline host. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10057. [PMID: 35710931 PMCID: PMC9203502 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14310-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a flagellated parasite able to infect cattle, cats, and pigs. Despite its prevalence, feline tritrichomonosis has received markedly less attention than venereal infection, and little information about the molecular mechanisms that participate in feline host infection is available. Through a bioinformatics approach, we integrated public transcriptomic data for three T. foetus isolates and explored the differences at transcript level with a focus on pathogenesis and adaptation processes, particularly for the feline isolate. Our analysis revealed higher abundance levels of predicted virulence factors, such as proteases and surface antigens. Additionally, by a comparative and expression analysis of T. foetus genes, we proposed putative virulence factors that could be involved in feline infection. Finally, we identified a great proportion of predicted transcription factors of the MYB protein family and, by a promoter analysis, we revealed that MYB-related proteins could participate in the regulation of gene transcription in T. foetus. In conclusion, this integrated approach is a valuable resource for future studies of host–pathogen interactions and identifying new gene targets for improved feline tritrichomonosis diagnosis and treatment.
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Palmieri N, de Jesus Ramires M, Hess M, Bilic I. Complete genomes of the eukaryotic poultry parasite Histomonas meleagridis: linking sequence analysis with virulence / attenuation. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:753. [PMID: 34674644 PMCID: PMC8529796 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08059-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Histomonas meleagridis is a protozoan parasite and the causative agent of histomonosis, an important poultry disease whose significance is underlined by the absence of any treatment and prophylaxis. The recent successful in vitro attenuation of the parasite urges questions about the underlying mechanisms. Results Whole genome sequence data from a virulent and an attenuated strain originating from the same parental lineage of H. meleagridis were recruited using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) and Illumina platforms, which were combined to generate megabase-sized contigs with high base-level accuracy. Inspecting the genomes for differences identified two substantial deletions within a coding sequence of the attenuated strain. Additionally, one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and indel targeting coding sequences caused the formation of premature stop codons, which resulted in the truncation of two genes in the attenuated strain. Furthermore, the genome of H. meleagridis was used for characterizing protein classes of clinical relevance for parasitic protists. The comparative analysis with the genomes of Trichomonas vaginalis, Tritrichomonas foetus and Entamoeba histolytica identified ~ 2700 lineage-specific gene losses and 9 gene family expansions in the H. meleagridis lineage. Conclusions Taken as a whole, the obtained data provide the first hints to understand the molecular basis of attenuation in H. meleagridis and constitute a genomics platform for future research on this important poultry pathogen. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-08059-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Palmieri
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcelo de Jesus Ramires
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ivana Bilic
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
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Molgora BM, Rai AK, Sweredoski MJ, Moradian A, Hess S, Johnson PJ. A Novel Trichomonas vaginalis Surface Protein Modulates Parasite Attachment via Protein:Host Cell Proteoglycan Interaction. mBio 2021; 12:e03374-20. [PMID: 33563826 PMCID: PMC7885099 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03374-20] [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: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a highly prevalent, sexually transmitted parasite which adheres to mucosal epithelial cells to colonize the human urogenital tract. Despite adherence being crucial for this extracellular parasite to thrive within the host, relatively little is known about the mechanisms or key molecules involved in this process. Here, we have identified and characterized a T. vaginalis hypothetical protein, TVAG_157210 (TvAD1), as a surface protein that plays an integral role in parasite adherence to the host. Quantitative proteomics revealed TvAD1 to be ∼4-fold more abundant in parasites selected for increased adherence (MA parasites) than the isogenic parental (P) parasite line. De novo modeling suggested that TvAD1 binds N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), a sugar comprising host glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Adherence assays utilizing GAG-deficient cell lines determined that host GAGs, primarily heparan sulfate (HS), mediate adherence of MA parasites to host cells. TvAD1 knockout (KO) parasites, generated using CRISPR-Cas9, were found to be significantly reduced in host cell adherence, a phenotype that is rescued by overexpression of TvAD1 in KO parasites. In contrast, there was no significant difference in parasite adherence to GAG-deficient lines by KO parasites compared with wild-type, which is contrary to that observed for KO parasites overexpressing TvAD1. Isothermal titration calorimetric (ITC) analysis showed that TvAD1 binds to HS, indicating that TvAD1 mediates host cell adherence via HS interaction. In addition to characterizing the role of TvAD1 in parasite adherence, these studies reveal a role for host GAG molecules in T. vaginalis adherence.IMPORTANCE The ability of the sexually transmitted parasite Trichomonas vaginalis to adhere to its human host is critical for establishing and maintaining an infection. Yet how parasites adhere to host cells is poorly understood. In this study, we employed a novel adherence selection method to identify proteins involved in parasite adherence to the host. This method led to the identification of a protein, with no previously known function, that is more abundant in parasites with increased capacity to bind host cells. Bioinformatic modeling and biochemical analyses revealed that this protein binds a common component on the host cell surface proteoglycans. Subsequent creation of parasites that lack this protein directly demonstrated that the protein mediates parasite adherence via an interaction with host cell proteoglycans. These findings both demonstrate a role for this protein in T. vaginalis adherence to the host and shed light on host cell molecules that participate in parasite colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda M Molgora
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Anand Kumar Rai
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Michael J Sweredoski
- Proteome Exploration Laboratory, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Beckman Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Annie Moradian
- Proteome Exploration Laboratory, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Beckman Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Sonja Hess
- Proteome Exploration Laboratory, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Beckman Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Patricia J Johnson
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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9
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Diaz N, Lico C, Capodicasa C, Baschieri S, Dessì D, Benvenuto E, Fiori PL, Rappelli P. Production and Functional Characterization of a Recombinant Predicted Pore-Forming Protein (TVSAPLIP12) of Trichomonas vaginalis in Nicotiana benthamiana Plants. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:581066. [PMID: 33117734 PMCID: PMC7561387 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.581066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pore-forming proteins (PFPs) are a group of functionally versatile molecules distributed in all domains of life, and several microbial pathogens notably use members of this class of proteins as cytotoxic effectors. Among pathogenic protists, Entamoeba histolytica, and Naegleria fowleri display a range of pore-forming toxins belonging to the Saposin-Like Proteins (Saplip) family: Amoebapores and Naegleriapores. Following the genome sequencing of Trichomonas vaginalis, we identified a gene family of 12 predicted saposin-like proteins (TvSaplips): this work focuses on investigating the potential role of TvSaplips as cytopathogenetic effectors. We provide evidence that TvSaplip12 gene expression is potently upregulated upon T. vaginalis contact with target cells. We cloned and expressed recombinant TvSaplip12 in planta and we demonstrate haemolytic, cytotoxic, and bactericidal activities of rTvSaplip12 in vitro. Also, evidence for TvSaplip subcellular discrete distribution in cytoplasmic granules is presented. Altogether, our results highlight the importance of TvSaplip in T. vaginalis pathogenesis, depicting its involvement in the cytolytic and bactericidal activities during the infection process, leading to predation on host cells and resident vaginal microbiota for essential nutrients acquisition. This hence suggests a potential key role for TvSaplip12 in T. vaginalis pathogenesis as a candidate Trichopore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicia Diaz
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Chiara Lico
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) Casaccia Research Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Capodicasa
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) Casaccia Research Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Selene Baschieri
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) Casaccia Research Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Dessì
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Mediterranean Center for Diseases Control, Sassari, Italy
| | - Eugenio Benvenuto
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) Casaccia Research Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Fiori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Mediterranean Center for Diseases Control, Sassari, Italy
| | - Paola Rappelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Mediterranean Center for Diseases Control, Sassari, Italy
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10
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Membrane associated proteins of two Trichomonas gallinae clones vary with the virulence. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224032. [PMID: 31647841 PMCID: PMC6812828 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Oropharyngeal avian trichomonosis is mainly caused by Trichomonas gallinae, a protozoan parasite that affects the upper digestive tract of birds. Lesions of the disease are characterized by severe inflammation which may result in fatality by starvation. Two genotypes of T. gallinae were found to be widely distributed in different bird species all over the world. Differences in the host distribution and association with lesions of both genotypes have been reported. However, so far no distinct virulence factors of this parasite have been described and studies might suffer from possible co-infections of different genotypes. Therefore, in this paper, we analyzed the virulence capacity of seven clones of the parasite, established by micromanipulation, representing the two most frequent genotypes. Clones of both genotypes caused the maximum score of virulence at day 3 post-inoculation in LMH cells, although significant higher cytopathogenic score was found in ITS-OBT-Tg-1 genotype clones at days 1 and 2, as compared to clones with ITS-OBT-Tg-2. By using one representative clone of each genotype, a comparative proteomic analysis of the membrane proteins enriched fraction has been carried out by a label free approach (Data available via ProteomeXchange: PXD013115). The analysis resulted in 302 proteins of varying abundance. In the clone with the highest initial virulence, proteins related to cell adhesion, such as an immuno-dominant variable surface antigen, a GP63-like protein, an armadillo/beta-catenin-like repeat protein were found more abundant. Additionally, Ras superfamily proteins and calmodulins were more abundant, which might be related to an increased activity in the cytoskeleton re-organization. On the contrary, in the clone with the lowest initial virulence, larger numbers of the identified proteins were related to the carbohydrate metabolism. The results of the present work deliver substantial differences between both clones that could be related to feeding processes and morphological changes, similarly to the closely related pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis.
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11
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Handrich MR, Garg SG, Sommerville EW, Hirt RP, Gould SB. Characterization of the BspA and Pmp protein family of trichomonads. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:406. [PMID: 31426868 PMCID: PMC6701047 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3660-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trichomonas vaginalis is a human-infecting trichomonad and as such the best studied and the only for which the full genome sequence is available considering its parasitic lifestyle, T. vaginalis encodes an unusually high number of proteins. Many gene families are massively expanded and some genes are speculated to have been acquired from prokaryotic sources. Among the latter are two gene families that harbour domains which share similarity with proteins of Bacteroidales/Spirochaetales and Chlamydiales: the BspA and the Pmp proteins, respectively. Results We sequenced the transcriptomes of five trichomonad species and screened for the presence of BspA and Pmp domain-containing proteins and characterized individual candidate proteins from both families in T. vaginalis. Here, we demonstrate that (i) BspA and Pmp domain-containing proteins are universal to trichomonads, but specifically expanded in T. vaginalis; (ii) in line with a concurrent expansion of the endocytic machinery, there is a high number of BspA and Pmp proteins which carry C-terminal endocytic motifs; and (iii) both families traffic through the ER and have the ability to increase adhesion performance in a non-virulent T. vaginalis strain and Tetratrichomonas gallinarum by a so far unknown mechanism. Conclusions Our results initiate the functional characterization of these two broadly distributed protein families and help to better understand the origin and evolution of BspA and Pmp domains in trichomonads. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3660-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria R Handrich
- Institute for Molecular Evolution, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sriram G Garg
- Institute for Molecular Evolution, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ewen W Sommerville
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Robert P Hirt
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Sven B Gould
- Institute for Molecular Evolution, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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12
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Rada P, Kellerová P, Verner Z, Tachezy J. Investigation of the Secretory Pathway inTrichomonas vaginalisArgues against a Moonlighting Function of Hydrogenosomal Enzymes. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2019; 66:899-910. [DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Petr Rada
- Department of Parasitology Faculty of Science Charles University, BIOCEV Průmyslová 595 Vestec 25242 Czech Republic
| | - Pavlína Kellerová
- Department of Parasitology Faculty of Science Charles University, BIOCEV Průmyslová 595 Vestec 25242 Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Verner
- Department of Parasitology Faculty of Science Charles University, BIOCEV Průmyslová 595 Vestec 25242 Czech Republic
| | - Jan Tachezy
- Department of Parasitology Faculty of Science Charles University, BIOCEV Průmyslová 595 Vestec 25242 Czech Republic
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13
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A Novel Cadherin-like Protein Mediates Adherence to and Killing of Host Cells by the Parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.00720-19. [PMID: 31088924 PMCID: PMC6520450 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00720-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis, a prevalent sexually transmitted parasite, adheres to and induces cytolysis of human mucosal epithelial cells. We have characterized a hypothetical protein, TVAG_393390, with predicted tertiary structure similar to that of mammalian cadherin proteins involved in cell-cell adherence. TVAG_393390, renamed cadherin-like protein (CLP), contains a calcium-binding site at a position conserved in cadherins. CLP is surface localized, and its mRNA and protein levels are significantly upregulated upon parasite adherence to host cells. To test the roles of CLP and its calcium-binding dependency during host cell adherence, we first demonstrated that wild-type CLP (CLP) binds calcium with a high affinity, whereas the calcium-binding site mutant protein (CLP-mut) does not. CLP and CLP-mut constructs were then used to overexpress these proteins in T. vaginalis Parasites overexpressing CLP have ∼3.5-fold greater adherence to host cells than wild-type parasites, and this increased adherence is ablated by mutating the calcium-binding site. Additionally, competition with recombinant CLP decreased parasite binding to host cells. We also found that overexpression of CLP induced parasite aggregation which was further enhanced in the presence of calcium, whereas CLP-mut overexpression did not affect aggregation. Lastly, parasites overexpressing wild-type CLP induced killing of host cells ∼2.35-fold, whereas parasites overexpressing CLP-mut did not have this effect. These analyses describe the first parasitic CLP and demonstrate a role for this protein in mediating parasite-parasite and host-parasite interactions. T. vaginalis CLP may represent convergent evolution of a parasite protein that is functionally similar to the mammalian cell adhesion protein cadherin, which contributes to parasite pathogenesis.IMPORTANCE The adherence of pathogens to host cells is critical for colonization of the host and establishing infection. Here we identify a protein with no known function that is more abundant on the surface of parasites that are better at binding host cells. To interrogate a predicted function of this protein, we utilized bioinformatic protein prediction programs which allowed us to uncover the first cadherin-like protein (CLP) found in a parasite. Cadherin proteins are conserved metazoan proteins with central roles in cell-cell adhesion, development, and tissue structure maintenance. Functional characterization of this CLP from the unicellular parasite Trichomonas vaginalis demonstrated that the protein mediates both parasite-parasite and parasite-host adherence, which leads to an enhanced killing of host cells by T. vaginalis Our findings demonstrate the presence of CLPs in unicellular pathogens and identify a new host cell binding protein family in a human-infective parasite.
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14
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Mazumdar R, Nöbauer K, Hummel K, Hess M, Bilic I. Molecular characterization of Histomonas meleagridis exoproteome with emphasis on protease secretion and parasite-bacteria interaction. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212429. [PMID: 30807611 PMCID: PMC6391000 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The exoproteome of parasitic protists constitutes extracellular proteins that play a fundamental role in host-parasite interactions. Lytic factors, especially secreted proteases, are capable of modulating tissue invasion, thereby aggravating host susceptibility. Despite the important role of exoproteins during infection, the exoproteomic data on Histomonas meleagridis are non-existent. The present study employed traditional 1D-in-gel-zymography (1D-IGZ) and micro-LC-ESI-MS/MS (shotgun proteomics), to investigate H. meleagridis exoproteomes, obtained from a clonal virulent and an attenuated strain. Both strains were maintained as mono-eukaryotic monoxenic cultures with Escherichia coli. We demonstrated active in vitro secretion kinetics of proteases by both parasite strains, with a widespread proteolytic activity ranging from 17 kDa to 120 kDa. Based on protease inhibitor susceptibility assay, the majority of proteases present in both exoproteomes belonged to the family of cysteine proteases and showed stronger activity in the exoproteome of a virulent H. meleagridis. Shotgun proteomics, aided by customized database search, identified 176 proteins including actin, potential moonlighting glycolytic enzymes, lytic molecules such as pore-forming proteins (PFPs) and proteases like cathepsin-L like cysteine protease. To quantify the exoproteomic differences between the virulent and the attenuated H. meleagridis cultures, a sequential window acquisition of all theoretical spectra mass spectrometric (SWATH-MS) approach was applied. Surprisingly, results showed most of the exoproteomic differences to be of bacterial origin, especially targeting metabolism and locomotion. By deciphering such molecular signatures, novel insights into a complex in vitro protozoan- bacteria relationship were elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rounik Mazumdar
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Nöbauer
- VetCORE, Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Hummel
- VetCORE, Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ivana Bilic
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
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15
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Dias-Lopes G, Wiśniewski JR, de Souza NP, Vidal VE, Padrón G, Britto C, Cuervo P, De Jesus JB. In-Depth Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Trophozoites and Pseudocysts of Trichomonas vaginalis. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:3704-3718. [PMID: 30239205 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted anaerobic parasite that infects humans causing trichomoniasis, a common and ubiquitous sexually transmitted disease. The life cycle of this parasite possesses a trophozoite form without a cystic stage. However, the presence of nonproliferative and nonmotile, yet viable and reversible spherical forms with internalized flagella, denominated pseudocysts, has been commonly observed for this parasite. To understand the mechanisms involved in the formation of pseudocysts, we performed a mass spectrometry-based high-throughput quantitative proteomics study using a label-free approach and functional assays by biochemical and flow cytometric methods. We observed that the morphological transformation of trophozoite to pseudocysts is coupled to (i) a metabolic shift toward a less glycolytic phenotype; (ii) alterations in the abundance of hydrogenosomal iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) assembly machinery; (iii) increased abundance of regulatory particles of the ubiquitin-proteasome system; (iv) significant alterations in proteins involved in adhesion and cytoskeleton reorganization; and (v) arrest in G2/M phase associated with alterations in the abundance of regulatory proteins of the cell cycle. These data demonstrate that pseudocysts experience important physiological and structural alterations for survival under unfavorable environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacek R Wiśniewski
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction , Max-Planck-Institute for Biochemistry , 82152 Martinsried , Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - José Batista De Jesus
- Departamento de Medicina , Universidade Federal de São João del Rei , 36301-160 São João del Rei , Minas Gerais Brazil
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16
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A Cell Surface Aggregation-Promoting Factor from Lactobacillus gasseri Contributes to Inhibition of Trichomonas vaginalis Adhesion to Human Vaginal Ectocervical Cells. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00907-17. [PMID: 29784856 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00907-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichomoniasis, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection, is commonly symptomatic in women. The causative agent is Trichomonas vaginalis, an extracellular protozoan parasite. The host-protective mechanisms and molecules of vaginal lactobacilli that counteract this pathogen are largely unknown. This study examines the inhibition promoted by Lactobacillus gasseri against the adhesion of T. vaginalis to host cells, a critical virulence aspect of this pathogen. We observed that the vaginal strain L. gasseri ATCC 9857 is highly inhibitory by various contact-dependent mechanisms and that surface proteins are largely responsible for this inhibitory phenotype. We found that the aggregation-promoting factor APF-2 from these bacteria significantly contributes to inhibition of the adhesion of T. vaginalis to human vaginal ectocervical cells. Understanding the molecules and mechanisms used by lactobacilli to protect the host against T. vaginalis might help in the development of novel and specific therapeutic strategies that take advantage of the natural microbiota.
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17
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Nievas YR, Coceres VM, Midlej V, de Souza W, Benchimol M, Pereira-Neves A, Vashisht AA, Wohlschlegel JA, Johnson PJ, de Miguel N. Membrane-shed vesicles from the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis: characterization and their association with cell interaction. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:2211-2226. [PMID: 29222644 PMCID: PMC11105416 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2726-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a common sexually transmitted parasite that colonizes the human urogenital tract, where it remains extracellular and adheres to epithelial cells. Infections range from asymptomatic to highly inflammatory, depending on the host and the parasite strain. Despite the serious consequences associated with trichomoniasis disease, little is known about parasite or host factors involved in attachment of the parasite-to-host epithelial cells. Here, we report the identification of microvesicle-like structures (MVs) released by T. vaginalis. MVs are considered universal transport vehicles for intercellular communication as they can incorporate peptides, proteins, lipids, miRNA, and mRNA, all of which can be transferred to target cells through receptor-ligand interactions, fusion with the cell membrane, and delivery of a functional cargo to the cytoplasm of the target cell. In the present study, we demonstrated that T. vaginalis release MVs from the plasma and the flagellar membranes of the parasite. We performed proteomic profiling of these structures demonstrating that they possess physical characteristics similar to mammalian extracellular vesicles and might be selectively charged with specific protein content. In addition, we demonstrated that viable T. vaginalis parasites release large vesicles (LVs), membrane structures larger than 1 µm that are able to interact with other parasites and with the host cell. Finally, we show that both populations of vesicles present on the surface of T vaginalis are induced in the presence of host cells, consistent with a role in modulating cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesica R Nievas
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Intendente Marino KM 8.200 Chascomús, B7130IWA, Chascomús, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Veronica M Coceres
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Intendente Marino KM 8.200 Chascomús, B7130IWA, Chascomús, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Victor Midlej
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marlene Benchimol
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Antonio Pereira-Neves
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fiocruz, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Ajay A Vashisht
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1489, USA
| | - James A Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1489, USA
| | - Patricia J Johnson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1489, USA
| | - Natalia de Miguel
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Intendente Marino KM 8.200 Chascomús, B7130IWA, Chascomús, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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18
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The draft genome of Kipferlia bialata reveals reductive genome evolution in fornicate parasites. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194487. [PMID: 29590215 PMCID: PMC5874029 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The fornicata (fornicates) is a eukaryotic group known to consist of free-living and parasitic organisms. Genome datasets of two model fornicate parasites Giardia intestinalis and Spironucleus salmonicida are well annotated, so far. The nuclear genomes of G. intestinalis assemblages and S. salmonicida are small in terms of the genome size and simple in genome structure. However, an ancestral genomic structure and gene contents, from which genomes of the fornicate parasites have evolved, remains to be clarified. In order to understand genome evolution in fornicates, here, we present the draft genome sequence of a free-living fornicate, Kipferlia bialata, the divergence of which is earlier than those of the fornicate parasites, and compare it to the genomes of G. intestinalis and S. salmonicida. Our data show that the number of protein genes and introns in K. bialata genome are the most abundant in the genomes of three fornicates, reflecting an ancestral state of fornicate genome evolution. Evasion mechanisms of host immunity found in G. intestinalis and S. salmonicida are absent in the K. bialata genome, suggesting that the two parasites acquired the complex membrane surface proteins on the line leading to the common ancestor of G. intestinalis and S. salmonicida after the divergence from K. bialata. Furthermore, the mitochondrion related organelles (MROs) of K. bialata possess more complex suites of metabolic pathways than those in Giardia and in Spironucleus. In sum, our results unveil the process of reductive evolution which shaped the current genomes in two model fornicate parasites G. intestinalis and S. salmonicida.
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19
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Nievas YR, Vashisht AA, Corvi MM, Metz S, Johnson PJ, Wohlschlegel JA, de Miguel N. Protein Palmitoylation Plays an Important Role in Trichomonas vaginalis Adherence. Mol Cell Proteomics 2018; 17:2229-2241. [PMID: 29444981 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra117.000018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The flagellated protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis is the etiologic agent of trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection worldwide. As an obligate extracellular pathogen, adherence to epithelial cells is critical for parasite survival within the human host and a better understanding of this process is a prerequisite for the development of therapies to combat infection. In this sense, recent work has shown S-acylation as a key modification that regulates pathogenesis in different protozoan parasites. However, there are no reports indicating whether this post-translational modification is a mechanism operating in T. vaginalis In order to study the extent and function of S-acylation in T. vaginalis biology, we undertook a proteomic study to profile the full scope of S-acylated proteins in this parasite and reported the identification of 363 proteins involved in a variety of biological processes such as protein transport, pathogenesis related and signaling, among others. Importantly, treatment of parasites with the palmitoylation inhibitor 2-bromopalmitate causes a significant decrease in parasite: parasite aggregation as well as adherence to host cells suggesting that palmitoylation could be modifying proteins that are key regulators of Trichomonas vaginalis pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesica R Nievas
- From the ‡Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús B7130IWA, Argentina
| | - Ajay A Vashisht
- §Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90095-1489
| | - Maria M Corvi
- ¶Laboratorio de Bioquímica de Parásitos, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús B7130IWA, Argentina
| | - Sebastian Metz
- From the ‡Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús B7130IWA, Argentina
| | - Patricia J Johnson
- ‖Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90095-1489
| | - James A Wohlschlegel
- §Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90095-1489
| | - Natalia de Miguel
- From the ‡Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús B7130IWA, Argentina;
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20
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Mazumdar R, Endler L, Monoyios A, Hess M, Bilic I. Establishment of a de novo Reference Transcriptome of Histomonas meleagridis Reveals Basic Insights About Biological Functions and Potential Pathogenic Mechanisms of the Parasite. Protist 2017; 168:663-685. [DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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21
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The Glycolytic Enzyme Triosephosphate Isomerase of Trichomonas vaginalis Is a Surface-Associated Protein Induced by Glucose That Functions as a Laminin- and Fibronectin-Binding Protein. Infect Immun 2016; 84:2878-94. [PMID: 27481251 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00538-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Triosephosphate isomerase of Trichomonas vaginalis (TvTIM) is a 27-kDa cytoplasmic protein encoded by two genes, tvtim1 and tvtim2, that participates in glucose metabolism. TvTIM is also localized to the parasite surface. Thus, the goal of this study was to identify the novel functions of the surface-associated TvTIM in T. vaginalis and to assess the effect of glucose as an environmental factor that regulates its expression and localization. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) showed that the tvtim genes were differentially expressed in response to glucose concentration. tvtim1 was overexpressed under glucose-restricted (GR) conditions, whereas tvtim2 was overexpressed under glucose-rich, or high-glucose (HG), conditions. Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assays also showed that glucose positively affected the amount and surface localization of TvTIM in T. vaginalis Affinity ligand assays demonstrated that the recombinant TvTIM1 and TvTIM2 proteins bound to laminin (Lm) and fibronectin (Fn) but not to plasminogen. Moreover, higher levels of adherence to Lm and Fn were detected in parasites grown under HG conditions than in those grown under GR conditions. Furthermore, pretreatment of trichomonads with an anti-TvTIMr polyclonal antibody or pretreatment of Lm- or Fn-coated wells with both recombinant proteins (TvTIM1r and TvTIM2r) specifically reduced the binding of live parasites to Lm and Fn in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, T. vaginalis was exposed to different glucose concentrations during vaginal infection of women with trichomoniasis. Our data indicate that TvTIM is a surface-associated protein under HG conditions that mediates specific binding to Lm and Fn as a novel virulence factor of T. vaginalis.
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Menezes CB, Frasson AP, Tasca T. Trichomoniasis - are we giving the deserved attention to the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide? MICROBIAL CELL 2016; 3:404-419. [PMID: 28357378 PMCID: PMC5354568 DOI: 10.15698/mic2016.09.526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
ETIOLOGY Trichomonas vaginalis is the etiologic agent of trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the world. Transmission: Trichomoniasis is transmitted by sexual intercourse and transmission via fomites is rare. Epidemiology, incidence and prevalence: The WHO estimates an incidence of 276 million new cases each year and prevalence of 187 million of infected individuals. However, the infection is not notifiable. Pathology/Symptomatology: The T. vaginalis infection results in a variety of clinical manifestations - in most cases the patients are asymptomatic, but some may develop signs typically associated to the disease. Importantly, the main issue concerning trichomoniasis is its relationship with serious health consequences such as cancer, adverse pregnancy outcomes, infertility, and HIV acquisition. Molecular mechanisms of infection: To achieve success in parasitism trichomonads develop a complex process against the host cells that includes dependent- and independent-contact mechanisms. This multifactorial pathogenesis includes molecules such as soluble factors, secreted proteinases, adhesins, lipophosphoglycan that culminate in cytoadherence and cytotoxicity against the host cells. Treatment and curability: The treatment with metronidazole or tinidazole is recommended; however, cure failures remain problematic due to noncompliance, reinfection and/or lack of treatment of sexual partners, inaccurate diagnosis, or drug resistance. Therefore, new therapeutic alternatives are urgently needed. Protection: Strategies for protection including sexual behavior, condom usage, and therapy have not contributed to the decrease on disease prevalence, pointing to the need for innovative approaches. Vaccine development has been hampered by the lack of long-lasting humoral immunity associated to the absence of good animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Braz Menezes
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Parasitologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Amanda Piccoli Frasson
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Parasitologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Tiana Tasca
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Parasitologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Calderaro A, Piergianni M, Montecchini S, Buttrini M, Piccolo G, Rossi S, Arcangeletti MC, Medici MC, Chezzi C, De Conto F. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry as a potential tool for Trichomonas vaginalis identification. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:261. [PMID: 27282151 PMCID: PMC4901424 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1594-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan causing trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted human infection, with around 276.4 million new cases estimated by World Health Organization. Culture is the gold standard method for the diagnosis of T. vaginalis infection. Recently, immunochromatographic assays as well as PCR assays for the detection of T. vaginalis antigen or DNA, respectively, have been also available. Although the well-known genome sequence of T. vaginalis has made possible the application of proteomic studies, few data are available about the overall proteomic expression profiling of T. vaginalis. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential application of MALDI-TOF MS as a new tool for the identification of T. vaginalis. Methods Twenty-one isolates were analysed by MALDI-TOF MS after the creation of a Main Spectrum Profile (MSP) from a T. vaginalis reference strain (G3) and its subsequent supplementation in the Bruker Daltonics database, not including any profile of protozoa. This was achieved after the development of a new identification method created by modifying the range setting (6–10 kDa) for the MALDI-TOF MS analysis in order to exclude the overlapping of peaks derived from the culture media used in this study. Results Two MSP reference spectra were created in 2 different range: 3–15 kDa (standard range setting) and 6–10 kDa (new range setting). Both MSP spectra were deposited in the MALDI BioTyper database for further identification of additional T. vaginalis strains. All the 21 strains analysed in this study were correctly identified by using the new identification method. Conclusions In this study it was demonstrated that changes in the MALDI-TOF MS standard parameters usually used to identify bacteria and fungi allowed the identification of the protozoan T. vaginalis. This study shows the usefulness of MALDI-TOF MS in the reliable identification of microorganism grown on complex liquid media such as the protozoan T. vaginalis, on the basis of the proteic profile and not on the basis of single markers, by using a “new range setting” different from that developed for bacteria and fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Calderaro
- Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Viale A. Gramsci, 14-43126, Parma, Italy.
| | - Maddalena Piergianni
- Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Viale A. Gramsci, 14-43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Sara Montecchini
- Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Viale A. Gramsci, 14-43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Mirko Buttrini
- Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Viale A. Gramsci, 14-43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Giovanna Piccolo
- Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Viale A. Gramsci, 14-43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Sabina Rossi
- Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Viale A. Gramsci, 14-43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Arcangeletti
- Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Viale A. Gramsci, 14-43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Medici
- Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Viale A. Gramsci, 14-43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Chezzi
- Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Viale A. Gramsci, 14-43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Flora De Conto
- Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Viale A. Gramsci, 14-43126, Parma, Italy
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Oliveira AS, Ferrão AR, Pereira FM, Martinez-de-Oliveira J, Palmeira-de-Oliveira A. Trichomonas vaginalis: An Updated Overview Towards Diagnostic Improvement. Acta Parasitol 2016; 61:10-21. [PMID: 26751868 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2016-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is responsible for trichomonosis, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) with a significant incidence worldwide. This infection is one of the most common non-viral STDs, representing almost 50% of all curable STDs. Trichomonosis has an incidence of 180 million new cases worldwide. Nowadays, the 'gold standard' for TV diagnosis remains the use of in vitro cultures combined with daily visual microscopic evaluations, which is a time-consuming and low sensitive method. Recent diagnostic methodologies include imunocromatographic assays and molecular biology techniques. The use of the latter has improved enormously the sensitivity and specificity of TV diagnosis, despite, however, none being unable to identify the presence of live parasites. By understanding the biology, the pathogenesis, the proteomic profile and its relation with the parasite's virulence mechanisms, new possibilities towards diagnostic techniques can arise. This review covers various important aspects of vaginal trichomonosis from the parasite's biology and virulence to recent improvements in diagnostic techniques and also metabolic and protein discoveries.
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Abstract
Reductive evolution during the adaptation to obligate parasitism and expansions of gene families encoding virulence factors are characteristics evident to greater or lesser degrees in all parasitic protists studied to date. Large evolutionary distances separate many parasitic protists from the yeast and animal models upon which classic views of eukaryotic biochemistry are often based. Thus a combination of evolutionary divergence, niche adaptation and reductive evolution means the biochemistry of parasitic protists is often very different from their hosts and to other eukaryotes generally, making parasites intriguing subjects for those interested in the phenomenon of moonlighting proteins. In common with other organisms, the contribution of protein moonlighting to parasite biology is only just emerging, and it is not without controversy. Here, an overview of recently identified moonlighting proteins in parasitic protists is provided, together with discussion of some of the controversies.
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Safi Oz Z, Doğan Gun B, Gun MO, Ozdamar SO. Cytomorphometric and Morphological Analysis in Women with Trichomonas vaginalis Infection: Micronucleus Frequency in Exfoliated Cervical Epithelial Cells. Acta Cytol 2015; 59:258-64. [PMID: 26112451 DOI: 10.1159/000431148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to explore the cytomorphometric and morphological effects of Trichomonas vaginalis in exfoliated epithelial cells. STUDY DESIGN Ninety-six Pap-stained cervical smears were divided into a study group and two control groups as follows: T. vaginalis cases, a first control group with inflammation, and a second control group without inflammation. Micronucleated, binucleated, karyorrhectic, karyolytic, and karyopyknotic cells and cells with perinuclear halos per 1,000 epithelial cells were counted. Nuclear and cellular areas were evaluated in 70 clearly defined cells in each smear using image analysis. RESULTS The frequencies of morphological parameters in the T. vaginalis cases were higher than the values of the two control groups, and the difference among groups was found to be significant (p < 0.05). The nuclear and cytoplasmic areas of epithelial cells were diminished in patients with trichomoniasis. The mean nucleus/cytoplasm ratio in T. vaginalis patients was higher than the value in the control groups, and the difference between the study group and control group 1 was significant. However, there was no statistically significant increase between the study group and control group 2. CONCLUSIONS T. vaginalis exhibited significant changes in the cellular size and nuclear structure of the cells. The rising frequency of micronuclei, nuclear abnormalities, and changing nucleus/cytoplasm ratio may reflect genotoxic damage in trichomoniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehra Safi Oz
- Department of Medical Biology, Bulent Ecevit University School of Medicine, Zonguldak, Turkey
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Quintero CA, Tudela JG, Damiani MT. Rho GTPases as pathogen targets: Focus on curable sexually transmitted infections. Small GTPases 2015; 6:108-18. [PMID: 26023809 DOI: 10.4161/21541248.2014.991233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogens have evolved highly specialized mechanisms to infect hosts. Several microorganisms modulate the eukaryotic cell surface to facilitate their engulfment. Once internalized, they hijack the molecular machinery of the infected cell for their own benefit. At different stages of phagocytosis, particularly during invasion, certain pathogens manipulate pathways governed by small GTPases. In this review, we focus on the role of Rho proteins on curable, sexually transmitted infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis and Treponema pallidum. Despite the high, worldwide frequencies of these sexually-transmitted diseases, very little is known about the strategies developed by these microorganisms to usurp key eukaryotic proteins that control intracellular signaling and actin dynamics. Improved knowledge of these molecular mechanisms will contribute to the elucidation of how these clinically important pathogens manipulate intracellular processes and parasitize their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristián A Quintero
- a Laboratory of Phagocytosis and Intracellular Trafficking; IHEM-CONICET; School of Medicine; University of Cuyo ; Mendoza , Argentina
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Kusdian G, Gould SB. The biology of Trichomonas vaginalis in the light of urogenital tract infection. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2015; 198:92-9. [PMID: 25677793 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2015.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The human pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic protist. It is a representative of the eukaryotic supergroup Excavata that includes a few other protist parasites such as Leishmania, Trypanosoma and Giardia. T. vaginalis is the agent of trichomoniasis and in the US alone, one in 30 women tests positive for this parasite. The disease is easily treated with metronidazole in most cases, but resistant strains are on the rise. The biology of Trichomonas is remarkable: it includes for example the biggest protist genome currently sequenced, the expression of about 30,000 protein-encoding genes (and thousands of lncRNAs and pseudogenes), anaerobic hydrogenosomes, rapid morphogenesis during infection, the secretion of exosomes, the manipulation of the vaginal microbiota through phagocytosis and a rich strain-dependent diversity. Here we provide an overview of Trichomonas biology with a focus on its relevance for pathogenicity and summarise the most recent advances. With some respect this parasite offers the opportunity to serve as a model system to study certain aspects of cell and genome biology, but tackling the complex biology of T. vaginalis is also important to better understand the effects that accompany infection and direct symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Kusdian
- Institute for Molecular Evolution, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sven B Gould
- Institute for Molecular Evolution, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Quan JH, Choi IW, Yang JB, Zhou W, Cha GH, Zhou Y, Ryu JS, Lee YH. Trichomonas vaginalis metalloproteinase induces mTOR cleavage of SiHa cells. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2014; 52:595-603. [PMID: 25548410 PMCID: PMC4277021 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2014.52.6.595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Revised: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis secretes a number of proteases which are suspected to be the cause of pathogenesis; however, little is understood how they manipulate host cells. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates cell growth, cell proliferation, cell motility, cell survival, protein synthesis, and transcription. We detected various types of metalloproteinases including GP63 protein from T. vaginalis trophozoites, and T. vaginalis GP63 metalloproteinase was confirmed by sequencing and western blot. When SiHa cells were stimulated with live T. vaginalis, T. vaginalis excretory-secretory products (ESP) or T. vaginalis lysate, live T. vaginalis and T. vaginalis ESP induced the mTOR cleavage in both time- and parasite load-dependent manner, but T. vaginalis lysate did not. Pretreatment of T. vaginalis with a metalloproteinase inhibitor, 1,10-phenanthroline, completely disappeared the mTOR cleavage in SiHa cells. Collectively, T. vaginalis metallopeptidase induces host cell mTOR cleavage, which may be related to survival of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Hua Quan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang 524-001, Guangdong, China
| | - In-Wook Choi
- Department of Infection Biology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon 301-131, Korea
| | - Jung-Bo Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang 524-001, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Infection Biology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon 301-131, Korea
| | - Guang-Ho Cha
- Department of Infection Biology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon 301-131, Korea
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang 524-001, Guangdong, China
| | - Jae-Sook Ryu
- Department of Environmental Biology and Medical Parasitology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul 133-791, Korea
| | - Young-Ha Lee
- Department of Infection Biology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon 301-131, Korea
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Quan JH, Kang BH, Cha GH, Zhou W, Koh YB, Yang JB, Yoo HJ, Lee MA, Ryu JS, Noh HT, Kwon J, Lee YH. Trichonomas vaginalis metalloproteinase induces apoptosis of SiHa cells through disrupting the Mcl-1/Bim and Bcl-xL/Bim complexes. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110659. [PMID: 25343522 PMCID: PMC4208800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
To elucidate the roles of metalloproteinases and the Bcl-2 family of proteins in Trichovaginalis. vaginalis-induced apoptosis in human cervical cancer cells (SiHa cells) and vaginal epithelial cells (MS74 cells), SiHa cells and MS74 cells were incubated with live T. vaginalis, T. vaginalis excretory and secretory products (ESP), and T. vaginalis lysates, either with or without the specific metalloproteinase inhibitor 1,10-phenanthroline (1,10-PT), and examined apoptotic events and Bcl-2 signaling. The live T. vaginalis and the T. vaginalis ESP induced the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and the cleavage of PARP. Additionally, the live T. vaginalis, but not the T. vaginalis lysate, induced the cleavage of the proapoptotic Bim protein. The live T. vaginalis and the T. vaginalis ESP, but not the T. vaginalis lysate, induced the dose-dependent cleavage of the antiapoptotic Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 proteins and decreased the association levels of Bcl-xL/Bim and Mcl-1/Bim complexes. We performed gelatin zymography and casein-hydrolysis assays on the live T. vaginalis and the T. vaginalis ESP to identify the apoptosis-inducing factor. Both the live T. vaginalis and the ESP contained high levels of metalloproteinases, of which activities were significantly inhibited by 1,10-PT treatment. Furthermore, the 1,10-PT blocked the cleavage of Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, PARP, caspase-3, and caspase-9, as well as the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, and it significantly increased the association levels of the Bcl-xL/Bim and Mcl-1/Bim protein complexes, returning them to normal levels. Our results demonstrate that T. vaginalis induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in SiHa cells through the dissociation of Bcl-xL/Bim and Mcl-1/Bim complexes and that the apoptosis is blocked by the metalloproteinase inhibitor 1,10-PT. These results expand our understanding of the role of metalloproteinases in T. vaginalis-induced apoptosis and the signaling pathway in trichomoniasis of the cervicovaginal epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Hua Quan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Byung-Hun Kang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Guang-Ho Cha
- Department of Infection Biology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Infection Biology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Young-Bok Koh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jung-Bo Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Heon-Jong Yoo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Min-A Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jae-Sook Ryu
- Department of Environmental Biology and Medical Parasitology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Heung-Tae Noh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jaeyul Kwon
- Department of Medical Education, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Young-Ha Lee
- Department of Infection Biology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
- * E-mail:
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Fettweis JM, Serrano MG, Huang B, Brooks JP, Glascock AL, Sheth NU, Strauss JF, Jefferson KK, Buck GA. An emerging mycoplasma associated with trichomoniasis, vaginal infection and disease. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110943. [PMID: 25337710 PMCID: PMC4206474 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are colonized by thousands of bacterial species, but it is difficult to assess the metabolic and pathogenic potential of the majority of these because they have yet to be cultured. Here, we characterize an uncultivated vaginal mycoplasma tightly associated with trichomoniasis that was previously known by its 16S rRNA sequence as "Mnola." In this study, the mycoplasma was found almost exclusively in women infected with the sexually transmitted pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis, but rarely observed in women with no diagnosed disease. The genomes of four strains of this species were reconstructed using metagenome sequencing and assembly of DNA from four discrete mid-vaginal samples, one of which was obtained from a pregnant woman with trichomoniasis who delivered prematurely. These bacteria harbor several putative virulence factors and display unique metabolic strategies. Genes encoding proteins with high similarity to potential virulence factors include two collagenases, a hemolysin, an O-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase and a feoB-type ferrous iron transport system. We propose the name "Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii" for this potential new pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M. Fettweis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Myrna G. Serrano
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Bernice Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - J. Paul Brooks
- Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Abigail L. Glascock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Nihar U. Sheth
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | | | - Jerome F. Strauss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Kimberly K. Jefferson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Gregory A. Buck
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
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Lara-González S, Estrella-Hernández P, Ochoa-Leyva A, Del Carmen Portillo-Téllez M, Caro-Gómez LA, Figueroa-Angulo EE, Salgado-Lugo H, Miranda Ozuna JFT, Ortega-López J, Arroyo R, Brieba LG, Benítez-Cardoza CG. Structural and thermodynamic folding characterization of triosephosphate isomerases from Trichomonas vaginalis reveals the role of destabilizing mutations following gene duplication. Proteins 2013; 82:22-33. [PMID: 23733417 DOI: 10.1002/prot.24333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2012] [Revised: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 05/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We report the structures and thermodynamic analysis of the unfolding of two triosephosphate isomerases (TvTIM1 and TvTIM2) from Trichomonas vaginalis. Both isoforms differ by the character of four amino acids: E/Q 18, I/V 24, I/V 45, and P/A 239. Despite the high sequence and structural similarities between both isoforms, they display substantial differences in their stabilities. TvTIM1 (E18, I24, I45, and P239) is more stable and less dissociable than TvTIM2 (Q18, V24, V45, and A239). We postulate that the identities of residues 24 and 45 are responsible for the differences in monomer stability and dimer dissociability, respectively. The structural difference between both amino acids is one methyl group. In TvTIMs, residue 24 is involved in packing α-helix 1 against α-helix 2 of each monomer and residue 45 is located at the center of the dimer interface forming a "ball and socket" interplay with a hydrophobic cavity. The mutation of valine at position 45 for an alanine in TvTIM2 produces a protein that migrates as a monomer by gel filtration. A comparison with known TIM structures indicates that this kind of interplay is a conserved feature that stabilizes dimeric TIM structures. In addition, TvTIMs are located in the cytoplasm and in the membrane. As TvTIM2 is an easily dissociable dimer, the dual localization of TvTIMs may be related to the acquisition of a moonlighting activity of monomeric TvTIM2. To our knowledge, this is the simplest example of how a single amino acid substitution can provide alternative function to a TIM barrel protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Lara-González
- IPICYT, División de Biología Molecular, Camino a la Presa San José 2055, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México, CP 78216
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Gould SB, Woehle C, Kusdian G, Landan G, Tachezy J, Zimorski V, Martin WF. Deep sequencing of Trichomonas vaginalis during the early infection of vaginal epithelial cells and amoeboid transition. Int J Parasitol 2013; 43:707-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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The effects of environmental factors on the virulence of Trichomonas vaginalis. Microbes Infect 2012; 14:1411-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2012] [Revised: 07/26/2012] [Accepted: 09/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Horváthová L, Šafaríková L, Basler M, Hrdy I, Campo NB, Shin JW, Huang KY, Huang PJ, Lin R, Tang P, Tachezy J. Transcriptomic identification of iron-regulated and iron-independent gene copies within the heavily duplicated Trichomonas vaginalis genome. Genome Biol Evol 2012; 4:1017-29. [PMID: 22975721 PMCID: PMC3490414 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evs078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene duplication is an important evolutionary mechanism and no eukaryote has more duplicated gene families than the parasitic protist Trichomonas vaginalis. Iron is an essential nutrient for Trichomonas and plays a pivotal role in the establishment of infection, proliferation, and virulence. To gain insight into the role of iron in T. vaginalis gene expression and genome evolution, we screened iron-regulated genes using an oligonucleotide microarray for T. vaginalis and by comparative EST (expressed sequence tag) sequencing of cDNA libraries derived from trichomonads cultivated under iron-rich (+Fe) and iron-restricted (−Fe) conditions. Among 19,000 ESTs from both libraries, we identified 336 iron-regulated genes, of which 165 were upregulated under +Fe conditions and 171 under −Fe conditions. The microarray analysis revealed that 195 of 4,950 unique genes were differentially expressed. Of these, 117 genes were upregulated under +Fe conditions and 78 were upregulated under −Fe conditions. The results of both methods were congruent concerning the regulatory trends and the representation of gene categories. Under +Fe conditions, the expression of proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism, particularly in the energy metabolism of hydrogenosomes, and in methionine catabolism was increased. The iron–sulfur cluster assembly machinery and certain cysteine proteases are of particular importance among the proteins upregulated under −Fe conditions. A unique feature of the T. vaginalis genome is the retention during evolution of multiple paralogous copies for a majority of all genes. Although the origins and reasons for this gene expansion remain unclear, the retention of multiple gene copies could provide an opportunity to evolve differential expression during growth in variable environmental conditions. For genes whose expression was affected by iron, we found that iron influenced the expression of only some of the paralogous copies, whereas the expression of the other paralogs was iron independent. This finding indicates a very stringent regulation of the differentially expressed paralogous genes in response to changes in the availability of exogenous nutrients and provides insight into the evolutionary rationale underlying massive paralog retention in the Trichomonas genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Horváthová
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University in Prague, Prague 2, Czech Republic
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Host-parasite interaction: parasite-derived and -induced proteases that degrade human extracellular matrix. J Parasitol Res 2012; 2012:748206. [PMID: 22792442 PMCID: PMC3390111 DOI: 10.1155/2012/748206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic protozoa are among the most important pathogens worldwide. Diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, amoebiasis, giardiasis, trichomoniasis, and trypanosomiasis affect millions of people. Humans are constantly threatened by infections caused by these pathogens. Parasites engage a plethora of surface and secreted molecules to attach to and enter mammalian cells. The secretion of lytic enzymes by parasites into host organs mediates critical interactions because of the invasion and destruction of interstitial tissues, enabling parasite migration to other sites within the hosts. Extracellular matrix is a complex, cross-linked structure that holds cells together in an organized assembly and that forms the basement membrane lining (basal lamina). The extracellular matrix represents a major barrier to parasites. Therefore, the evolution of mechanisms for connective-tissue degradation may be of great importance for parasite survival. Recent advances have been achieved in our understanding of the biochemistry and molecular biology of proteases from parasitic protozoa. The focus of this paper is to discuss the role of protozoan parasitic proteases in the degradation of host ECM proteins and the participation of these molecules as virulence factors. We divide the paper into two sections, extracellular and intracellular protozoa.
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Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted obligate extracellular parasite that colonizes the human urogenital tract. Despite being of critical importance to the parasite's survival relatively little is known about the mechanisms employed by T. vaginalis to establish an infection and thrive within its host. Several studies have focused on the interaction of the parasite with host cells and extracellular matrix, identifying multiple suspected T. vaginalis adhesins. However, with the exception of its surface lipophosphoglycan, the evidence supporting a role in adhesion is indirect or controversial for many candidate molecules. The availability of the T. vaginalis genome sequence paved the way for genomic analyses to search for proteins possibly involved in host-parasite interactions. Several proteomic analyses have also provided insight into surface, soluble and secreted proteins that may be involved in Trichomonas pathogenesis. Although the accumulation of molecular data allows for a more rational approach towards identifying drug targets and vaccine candidates for this medically important parasite, a continued effort is required to advance our understanding of its biology. In the present chapter, we review the current status of research aimed at understanding T. vaginalis pathogenesis. Applied experimental approaches, an overview of significant conclusions drawn from this research and future challenges are discussed.
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Hirt RP, de Miguel N, Nakjang S, Dessi D, Liu YC, Diaz N, Rappelli P, Acosta-Serrano A, Fiori PL, Mottram JC. Trichomonas vaginalis pathobiology new insights from the genome sequence. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2012; 77:87-140. [PMID: 22137583 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-391429-3.00006-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The draft genome of the common sexually transmitted pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis encodes one of the largest known proteome with 60,000 candidate proteins. This provides parasitologists and molecular cell biologists alike with exciting, yet challenging, opportunities to unravel the molecular features of the parasite's cellular systems and potentially the molecular basis of its pathobiology. Here, recent investigations addressing selected aspects of the parasite's molecular cell biology are discussed, including surface and secreted virulent factors, membrane trafficking, cell signalling, the degradome, and the potential role of RNA interference in the regulation of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Hirt
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Nakjang S, Ndeh DA, Wipat A, Bolam DN, Hirt RP. A novel extracellular metallopeptidase domain shared by animal host-associated mutualistic and pathogenic microbes. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30287. [PMID: 22299034 PMCID: PMC3267712 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The mucosal microbiota is recognised as an important factor for our health, with many disease states linked to imbalances in the normal community structure. Hence, there is considerable interest in identifying the molecular basis of human-microbe interactions. In this work we investigated the capacity of microbes to thrive on mucosal surfaces, either as mutualists, commensals or pathogens, using comparative genomics to identify co-occurring molecular traits. We identified a novel domain we named M60-like/PF13402 (new Pfam entry PF13402), which was detected mainly among proteins from animal host mucosa-associated prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes ranging from mutualists to pathogens. Lateral gene transfers between distantly related microbes explained their shared M60-like/PF13402 domain. The novel domain is characterised by a zinc-metallopeptidase-like motif and is distantly related to known viral enhancin zinc-metallopeptidases. Signal peptides and/or cell surface anchoring features were detected in most microbial M60-like/PF13402 domain-containing proteins, indicating that these proteins target an extracellular substrate. A significant subset of these putative peptidases was further characterised by the presence of associated domains belonging to carbohydrate-binding module family 5/12, 32 and 51 and other glycan-binding domains, suggesting that these novel proteases are targeted to complex glycoproteins such as mucins. An in vitro mucinase assay demonstrated degradation of mammalian mucins by a recombinant form of an M60-like/PF13402-containing protein from the gut mutualist Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. This study reveals that M60-like domains are peptidases targeting host glycoproteins. These peptidases likely play an important role in successful colonisation of both vertebrate mucosal surfaces and the invertebrate digestive tract by both mutualistic and pathogenic microbes. Moreover, 141 entries across various peptidase families described in the MEROPS database were also identified with carbohydrate-binding modules defining a new functional context for these glycan-binding domains and providing opportunities to engineer proteases targeting specific glycoproteins for both biomedical and industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirintra Nakjang
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Didier A. Ndeh
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Anil Wipat
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- School of Computing Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - David N. Bolam
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Robert P. Hirt
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Meza-Cervantez P, González-Robles A, Cárdenas-Guerra RE, Ortega-López J, Saavedra E, Pineda E, Arroyo R. Pyruvate : ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFO) is a surface-associated cell-binding protein in Trichomonas vaginalis and is involved in trichomonal adherence to host cells. Microbiology (Reading) 2011; 157:3469-3482. [DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.053033-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Trichomonas vaginalis 120 kDa protein adhesin (AP120) is induced under iron-rich conditions and has sequence homology with pyruvate : ferredoxin oxidoreductase A (PFO A), a hydrogenosomal enzyme that is absent in humans. This homology raises the possibility that, like AP120, PFO might be localized to the parasite surface and participate in cytoadherence. Here, the cellular localization and function of PFO that was expressed under various iron concentrations was investigated using a polyclonal antibody generated against the 50 kDa recombinant C-terminal region of PFO A (anti-PFO50). In Western blot assays, this antibody recognized a 120 kDa protein band in total protein extracts, and proteins with affinity to the surface of HeLa cells from parasites grown under iron-rich conditions. In addition to localization that is typical of hydrogenosomal proteins, PFOs that were expressed under iron-rich conditions were found to localize at the surface. This localization was demonstrated using immunofluorescence and co-localization assays, as well as immunogold transmission electron microscopy. In addition to describing its enzyme activity, we describe a novel function in trichomonal host interaction for the PFO localized on the parasite surface. The anti-PFO50 antibody reduced the levels of T. vaginalis adherence to HeLa cell monolayers in a concentration-dependent manner. Thus, T. vaginalis PFO is an example of a surface-associated cell-binding protein that lacks enzyme activity and that is involved in cytoadherence. Additionally, PFO behaves like AP120 in parasites grown under iron-rich conditions. Therefore, these data suggest that AP120 and PFO A are encoded by the same gene, namely pfo a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Meza-Cervantez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), México DF, Mexico
| | - Arturo González-Robles
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), México DF, Mexico
| | - Rosa Elena Cárdenas-Guerra
- Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioingeniería, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), México DF, Mexico
| | - Jaime Ortega-López
- Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioingeniería, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), México DF, Mexico
| | - Emma Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología, México DF, Mexico
| | - Erika Pineda
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología, México DF, Mexico
| | - Rossana Arroyo
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), México DF, Mexico
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Affiliation(s)
- César G. Prucca
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Cordoba, CP X5004ASK Cordoba, Argentina;
| | - Fernando D. Rivero
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Cordoba, CP X5004ASK Cordoba, Argentina;
| | - Hugo D. Luján
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Cordoba, CP X5004ASK Cordoba, Argentina;
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Ryan CM, Mehlert A, Richardson JM, Ferguson MAJ, Johnson PJ. Chemical structure of Trichomonas vaginalis surface lipoglycan: a role for short galactose (β1-4/3) N-acetylglucosamine repeats in host cell interaction. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:40494-508. [PMID: 21900246 PMCID: PMC3220458 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.280578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular parasite Trichomonas vaginalis contains a surface glycoconjugate that appears to mediate parasite-host cell interaction via binding to human galectin-1. This glycoconjugate also elicits cytokine production from human vaginal epithelial cells, implicating its role in modulation of host immune responses. We have analyzed the structure of this glycoconjugate, previously described to contain the sugars rhamnose (Rha), N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), galactose (Gal), xylose (Xyl), N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), and glucose (Glc), using gas chromatograph mass spectrometry (GC-MS), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF), electrospray MS/MS, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), combined with chemical and enzymatic digestions. Our data reveal a complex structure, named T. vaginalis lipoglycan (TvLG), that differs markedly from Leishmania lipophosphoglycan and Entamoeba lipopeptidophosphoglycan and is devoid of phosphosaccharide repeats. TvLG is composed of an α1–3 linked polyrhamnose core, where Rha residues are substituted at the 2-position with either β-Xyl or chains of, on average, five N-acetyllactosamine (-3Galβ1–4GlcNAcβ1-) (LacNAc) units and occasionally lacto-N-biose (-3Galβ1-3GlcNAcβ1-) (LNB). These chains are themselves periodically substituted at the Gal residues with Xyl-Rha. These structural analyses led us to test the role of the poly-LacNAc/LNB chains in parasite binding to host cells. We found that reduction of poly-LacNAc/LNB chains decreased the ability of TvLG to compete parasite binding to host cells. In summary, our data provide a new model for the structure of TvLG, composed of a polyrhamnose backbone with branches of Xyl and poly-LacNAc/LNB. Furthermore, the poly-LacNAc side chains are shown to be involved in parasite-host cell interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Ryan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095-1489, USA
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Harp DF, Chowdhury I. Trichomoniasis: evaluation to execution. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2011; 157:3-9. [PMID: 21440359 PMCID: PMC4888369 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2011.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2010] [Revised: 12/13/2010] [Accepted: 02/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Trichomoniasis is the most common sexually transmitted disease, caused by a motile flagellate non-invasive parasitic protozoan, Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis). More than 160 million people worldwide are annually infected by this protozoan. T. vaginalis occupies an extracellular niche in the complex human genito-urinary environment (vagina, cervix, penis, prostate gland, and urethra) to survive, multiply and evade host defenses. T. vaginalis (strain G3) has a ∼160 megabase genome with 60,000 genes, the largest number of genes ever identified in protozoans. The T. vaginalis genome is a highly conserved gene family that encodes a massive proteome with one of the largest coding (expressing ∼4000 genes) capacities in the trophozoite stage, and helps T. vaginalis to adapt and survive in diverse environment. Based on recent developments in the field, we review T. vaginalis structure, patho-mechanisms, parasitic virulence, and advances in diagnosis and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djana F. Harp
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive Southwest, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Indrajit Chowdhury
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive Southwest, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Brennand A, Gualdrón-López M, Coppens I, Rigden DJ, Ginger ML, Michels PA. Autophagy in parasitic protists: Unique features and drug targets. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2011; 177:83-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2010] [Revised: 01/30/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Ma L, Meng Q, Cheng W, Sung Y, Tang P, Hu S, Yu J. Involvement of the GP63 protease in infection of Trichomonas vaginalis. Parasitol Res 2011; 109:71-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-2222-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2010] [Accepted: 12/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Identification and characterization of a surface-associated, subtilisin-like serine protease inTrichomonas vaginalis. Parasitology 2010; 137:1621-35. [DOI: 10.1017/s003118201000051x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYTrichomonas vaginalisis a protozoan parasite causing trichomonosis, a sexually transmitted infection in humans. This parasite has numerous proteases, most of which are cysteine proteases that appear to be involved in adherence and cytotoxicity of host cells. In this report we identify and characterize a putative subtilisin-like serine protease (SUB1). Thesub1gene encodes a 101-kDa protein.In silicoanalyses predict signal and pro-peptides at the N-terminus, and a transmembrane helix at the carboxy-terminal region. Thesub1gene was found as single copy by Southern analysis, albeit additional serine protease related genes are annotated in theT. vaginalisgenome. The expression ofsub1could only be detected by RT-PCR and Ribonuclease Protection Assays, suggesting a low abundant mRNA. Thesub1gene transcription start site was correctly assigned by RPA. The transcript abundance was found to be modulated by the availability of iron in the growth medium. Antibodies raised to a specific SUB1 peptide recognized a single protein band (~82 kDa) in Western blots, possibly representing the mature form of the protein. Immunofluorescence showed SUB1 on the trichomonad surface, and in dispersed vesicles throughout the cytoplasm. A bioinformatic analysis of genes annotated as serine proteases in theT. vaginalisgenome is also presented. To our knowledge this is the first putative serine protease experimentally described forT. vaginalis.
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de Miguel N, Lustig G, Twu O, Chattopadhyay A, Wohlschlegel JA, Johnson PJ. Proteome analysis of the surface of Trichomonas vaginalis reveals novel proteins and strain-dependent differential expression. Mol Cell Proteomics 2010; 9:1554-66. [PMID: 20467041 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m000022-mcp201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of surface proteins on the plasma membrane of pathogens is of fundamental importance in understanding host-pathogen interactions. Surface proteins of the extracellular parasite Trichomonas are implicated in the initial adherence to mucosal tissue and are likely to play a critical role in the long term survival of this pathogen in the urogenital tract. In this study, we used cell surface biotinylation and multidimensional protein identification technology to identify the surface proteome of six strains of Trichomonas vaginalis with differing adherence capacities to vaginal epithelial cells. A combined total of 411 proteins were identified, and of these, 11 were found to be more abundant in adherent strains relative to less adherent parasites. The mRNA levels of five differentially expressed proteins selected for quantitative RT-PCR analysis mirrored their observed protein levels, confirming their up-regulation in highly adherent strains. As proof of principle and to investigate a possible role in pathogenesis for differentially expressed proteins, gain of function experiments were performed using two novel proteins that were among the most highly expressed surface proteins in adherent strains. Overexpression of either of these proteins, TVAG_244130 or TVAG_166850, in a relatively non-adherent strain increased attachment of transfected parasites to vaginal epithelial cells approximately 2.2-fold. These data support a role in adhesion for these abundant surface proteins. Our analyses demonstrate that comprehensive profiling of the cell surface proteome of different parasite strains is an effective approach to identify potential new adhesion factors as well as other surface molecules that may participate in establishing and maintaining infection by this extracellular pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia de Miguel
- Department of Microbiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1489, USA
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Abstract
SUMMARYEnzymes moonlight in a non-enzymatic capacity in a diverse variety of cellular processes. The discovery of these non-enzymatic functions is generally unexpected, and moonlighting enzymes are known in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Importantly, this unexpected multi-functionality indicates that caution might be needed on some occasions in interpreting phenotypes that result from the deletion or gene-silencing of some enzymes, including some of the best known enzymes from classic intermediary metabolism. Here, we provide an overview of enzyme moonlighting in parasitic protists. Unequivocal and putative examples of moonlighting are discussed, together with the possibility that the unusual biological characteristics of some parasites either limit opportunities for moonlighting to arise or perhaps contribute to the evolution of novel proteins with clear metabolic ancestry.
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Noël CJ, Diaz N, Sicheritz-Ponten T, Safarikova L, Tachezy J, Tang P, Fiori PL, Hirt RP. Trichomonas vaginalis vast BspA-like gene family: evidence for functional diversity from structural organisation and transcriptomics. BMC Genomics 2010; 11:99. [PMID: 20144183 PMCID: PMC2843621 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-11-99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2009] [Accepted: 02/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common non-viral human sexually transmitted pathogen and importantly, contributes to facilitating the spread of HIV. Yet very little is known about its surface and secreted proteins mediating interactions with, and permitting the invasion and colonisation of, the host mucosa. Initial annotations of T. vaginalis genome identified a plethora of candidate extracellular proteins. Results Data mining of the T. vaginalis genome identified 911 BspA-like entries (TvBspA) sharing TpLRR-like leucine-rich repeats, which represent the largest gene family encoding potential extracellular proteins for the pathogen. A broad range of microorganisms encoding BspA-like proteins was identified and these are mainly known to live on mucosal surfaces, among these T. vaginalis is endowed with the largest gene family. Over 190 TvBspA proteins with inferred transmembrane domains were characterised by a considerable structural diversity between their TpLRR and other types of repetitive sequences and two subfamilies possessed distinct classic sorting signal motifs for endocytosis. One TvBspA subfamily also shared a glycine-rich protein domain with proteins from Clostridium difficile pathogenic strains and C. difficile phages. Consistent with the hypothesis that TvBspA protein structural diversity implies diverse roles, we demonstrated for several TvBspA genes differential expression at the transcript level in different growth conditions. Identified variants of repetitive segments between several TvBspA paralogues and orthologues from two clinical isolates were also consistent with TpLRR and other repetitive sequences to be functionally important. For one TvBspA protein cell surface expression and antibody responses by both female and male T. vaginalis infected patients were also demonstrated. Conclusions The biased mucosal habitat for microbial species encoding BspA-like proteins, the characterisation of a vast structural diversity for the TvBspA proteins, differential expression of a subset of TvBspA genes and the cellular localisation and immunological data for one TvBspA; all point to the importance of the TvBspA proteins to various aspects of T. vaginalis pathobiology at the host-pathogen interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe J Noël
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
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Current and future perspectives on the chemotherapy of the parasitic protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis and Entamoeba histolytica. Future Med Chem 2009; 1:619-43. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc.09.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis and Entamoeba histolytica are clinically important protozoa that affect humans. T. vaginalis produces sexually transmitted infections and E. histolytica is the causative agent of amebic dysentery. Metronidazole, a compound first used to treat T. vaginalis in 1959, is still the main drug used worldwide to treat these pathogens. It is essential to find new biochemical differences in these organisms that could be exploited to develop new antiprotozoal chemotherapeutics. Recent findings associated with T. vaginalis and E. histolytica biochemistry and host–pathogen interactions are surveyed. Knowledge concerning the biochemistry of these parasites is serving to form the foundation for the development of new approaches to control these important human pathogens.
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