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Swapna LS, Stevens GC, Sardinha-Silva A, Hu LZ, Brand V, Fusca DD, Wan C, Xiong X, Boyle JP, Grigg ME, Emili A, Parkinson J. ToxoNet: A high confidence map of protein-protein interactions in Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1012208. [PMID: 38900844 PMCID: PMC11219001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012208] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii is a major food borne pathogen that is highly prevalent in the global population. The majority of the T. gondii proteome remains uncharacterized and the organization of proteins into complexes is unclear. To overcome this knowledge gap, we used a biochemical fractionation strategy to predict interactions by correlation profiling. To overcome the deficit of high-quality training data in non-model organisms, we complemented a supervised machine learning strategy, with an unsupervised approach, based on similarity network fusion. The resulting combined high confidence network, ToxoNet, comprises 2,063 interactions connecting 652 proteins. Clustering identifies 93 protein complexes. We identified clusters enriched in mitochondrial machinery that include previously uncharacterized proteins that likely represent novel adaptations to oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, complexes enriched in proteins localized to secretory organelles and the inner membrane complex, predict additional novel components representing novel targets for detailed functional characterization. We present ToxoNet as a publicly available resource with the expectation that it will help drive future hypotheses within the research community.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Grant C. Stevens
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aline Sardinha-Silva
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lucas Zhongming Hu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Verena Brand
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel D. Fusca
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cuihong Wan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xuejian Xiong
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jon P. Boyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael E. Grigg
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Andrew Emili
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - John Parkinson
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Cuy-Chaparro L, Barney-Borrero D, Arévalo-Pinzón G, Reyes C, Moreno-Pérez DA, Patarroyo MA. Babesia bovis RON2 binds to bovine erythrocytes through a highly conserved epitope. Vet Parasitol 2024; 326:110081. [PMID: 38113611 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
B. bovis invasion of bovine erythrocytes requires tight junction formation involving AMA-1/RON2 complex interaction. RON2 has been considered a vaccine candidate since antibodies targeting the protein can inhibit parasite invasion of target cells; however, the mechanism controlling B. bovis RON2 interaction with red blood cells is not yet fully understood. This study was thus aimed at identifying B. bovis RON2 protein regions associated with interaction with bovine erythrocytes. Natural selection analysis of the ron2 gene identified predominantly negative selection signals in the C-terminal region. Interestingly, protein-cell and competition assays highlighted the RON2-C region's role in peptide 42918-mediated erythrocyte binding, probably to a sialoglycoprotein receptor. This peptide (1218SFIMVKPPALHCVLKPVETL1237) lies within an intrinsically disordered region of the RON2 secondary structure flanked by two helical residues. The study provides, for the first time, valuable insights into RON2's role in interaction with its target cells. Future studies are required for studying the peptide's potential as an anti-B. bovis vaccine component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cuy-Chaparro
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia [FIDIC], Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá DC 111321, Colombia; PhD Programme in Biotechnology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45#26-85, Bogotá DC 111321, Colombia.
| | - Danny Barney-Borrero
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia [FIDIC], Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá DC 111321, Colombia.
| | - Gabriela Arévalo-Pinzón
- Receptor-Ligand Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia [FIDIC], Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá DC 111321, Colombia.
| | - César Reyes
- Structure Analysis Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia [FIDIC], Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá DC 111321, Colombia.
| | - Darwin Andrés Moreno-Pérez
- Animal Science Faculty, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales [U.D.C.A.], Calle 222#55-37, Bogotá DC 111166, Colombia.
| | - Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia [FIDIC], Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá DC 111321, Colombia; Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45#26-85, Bogotá DC 111321, Colombia.
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3
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Pulido-Quevedo FA, Arévalo-Pinzón G, Castañeda-Ramírez JJ, Barreto-Santamaría A, Patarroyo ME, Patarroyo MA. Plasmodium falciparum rhoptry neck protein 4 has conserved regions mediating interactions with receptors on human erythrocytes and hepatocyte membrane. Int J Med Microbiol 2023; 313:151579. [PMID: 37030083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2023.151579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum-related malaria represents a serious worldwide public health problem due to its high mortality rates. P. falciparum expresses rhoptry neck protein 4 (PfRON4) in merozoite and sporozoite rhoptries, it participates in tight junction-TJ formation via the AMA-1/RON complex and is refractory to complete genetic deletion. Despite this, which PfRON4 key regions interact with host cells remain unknown; such information would be useful for combating falciparum malaria. Thirty-two RON4 conserved region-derived peptides were chemically synthesised for determining and characterising PfRON4 regions having high host cell binding affinity (high activity binding peptides or HABPs). Receptor-ligand interaction/binding assays determined their specific binding capability, the nature of their receptors and their ability to inhibit in vitro parasite invasion. Peptides 42477, 42479, 42480, 42505 and 42513 had greater than 2% erythrocyte binding activity, whilst peptides 42477 and 42480 specifically bound to HepG2 membrane, both of them having micromolar and submicromolar range dissociation constants (Kd). Cell-peptide interaction was sensitive to treating erythrocytes with trypsin and/or chymotrypsin and HepG2 with heparinase I and chondroitinase ABC, suggesting protein-type (erythrocyte) and heparin and/or chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan receptors (HepG2) for PfRON4. Erythrocyte invasion inhibition assays confirmed HABPs' importance during merozoite invasion. PfRON4 800-819 (42477) and 860-879 (42480) regions specifically interacted with host cells, thereby supporting their inclusion in a subunit-based, multi-antigen, multistage anti-malarial vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredy A Pulido-Quevedo
- Receptor-Ligand Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá, Colombia; MSc programme in Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45 # 26-85, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Gabriela Arévalo-Pinzón
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40-62, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jeimmy J Castañeda-Ramírez
- Receptor-Ligand Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Barreto-Santamaría
- Receptor-Ligand Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá, Colombia; Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales (U.D.C.A), Calle 222 # 55-37, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Manuel E Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá, Colombia; Health Sciences Division, Main Campus, Universidad Santo Tomás, Carrera 9 # 51-11, Bogotá, Colombia; Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45 # 26-85, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Manuel A Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá, Colombia; Health Sciences Division, Main Campus, Universidad Santo Tomás, Carrera 9 # 51-11, Bogotá, Colombia; Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45 # 26-85, Bogotá, Colombia.
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4
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Han M, Hu W, Chen T, Guo H, Zhu J, Chen F. Anticoccidial activity of natural plants extracts mixture against Eimeria tenella: An in vitro and in vivo study. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1066543. [PMID: 36504841 PMCID: PMC9727100 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1066543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccidiosis, an acute epidemic intestinal disease of poultry, is caused by the parasitic protozoan genus Eimeria, with Eimeria tenella being the most pathogenic spp. Novel approaches are required to address the limitations of current treatments for this disease. We investigated the effects of eight plant extracts and essential oils and their mixture on Eimeria tenella as potential treatments for coccidial infection. The anticoccidial effects of non-toxic concentrations of Punica granatum L. (0.005 mg/mL), Plantago asiatica L. (0.780 mg/mL), Bidens pilosa L. (0.390 mg/mL), Acalypha australis L. (0.390 mg/mL), Pteris multifida Poir (0.050 mg/mL), and Portulaca oleracea L. sp. Pl. (0.050 mg/mL) extracts; Artemisia argyi Levl. et Vant. (0.010 μL/mL) and Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Ktze (0.050 μL/mL) essential oils; and their mixture (0.500 mL/mL) on Eimeria tenella were determined using cell viability assays, flow cytometry, and in vivo studies. The eight plant extracts and essential oils and their mixture inhibited Eimeria tenella sporozoites from invading chicken embryo fibroblast cells in vitro. The extract and essential oil mixture improved the feed conversion ratio and body weight gain, reduced fecal oocyst excretion, substantially reduced the mortality of Eimeria tenella-infected chickens, and reduced Eimeria tenella-induced cecal damage in vivo. The results suggest that the extract and essential oil mixtures inhibit Eimeria tenella invasion both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating their potential as anticoccidial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzheng Han
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China,Bioforte Biotechnology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China,Research Institute, Wen's Foodstuffs Group Co., Ltd., Yunfu, China
| | - Wenfeng Hu
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China,Research Institute, Wen's Foodstuffs Group Co., Ltd., Yunfu, China,College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tong Chen
- Bioforte Biotechnology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China,Research Institute, Wen's Foodstuffs Group Co., Ltd., Yunfu, China
| | - Hanxing Guo
- Bioforte Biotechnology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China,Research Institute, Wen's Foodstuffs Group Co., Ltd., Yunfu, China,College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Zhu
- Bioforte Biotechnology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China,Research Institute, Wen's Foodstuffs Group Co., Ltd., Yunfu, China
| | - Feng Chen
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China,Bioforte Biotechnology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China,Research Institute, Wen's Foodstuffs Group Co., Ltd., Yunfu, China,*Correspondence: Feng Chen
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5
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Zhi W, Chen H, Bai B, Jia Z, Pan X, Wang B, Kong R, Liu Q, Ma C, Ma D. Combined oral immunization with probiotics Entercoccus faecalis delivering surface-anchored Eimeria tenella proteins provide protective efficacies against homologous infection in chickens. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1042143. [PMID: 36311704 PMCID: PMC9606674 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1042143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Avian coccidiosis is an intestinal parasitic disease exerting a highly negative impact on the global poultry industry. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the immune protective efficacies against Eimeria tenella infection in chickens orally immunized with combined recombinant probiotics Entercoccus faecalis (E. faecalis) delivering surface-anchored E. tenella proteins. Methods Four kinds of novel probiotics vaccines that surface-expressing four Eimeria tenella (E. tenella) proteins EtAMA1, EtIMP1, EtMIC2 and Et3-1E were produced, respectively. The expression of four target proteins on the surface of recombinant bacteria was detected by Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Then the four kinds of recombinant E. faecalis were combined to immunize chickens via oral route in different combinations. The immunizations were performed three times at two-week intervals, and each for three consecutive days. After immunizations, chickens in each immunized group were orally challenged with E. tenella sporulated oocysts. The immune responses and protective efficacies against homologous infection were evaluated. Results The results showed that three or four live recombinant E. faecalis induced effective antigen-specific humoral, intestinal mucosal immune responses, stimulated peripheral T lymphocytes proliferation, and displayed partial protections against homologous challenge as measured by cecal lesions, oocyst shedding, and body weight gain (BWG). Notably, higher levels of protective efficacies were observed when the four recombinant E. faecalis delivering target proteins were combined. Conclusion Chickens orally administrated with three or four, especially the four combined recombinant E. faecalis stimulated specific immune responses, which provided anti-coccidial effects. This study offers an idea for future development of novel vaccines based on multi-antigens delivered by probiotic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Zhi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Mechanism for Animal Disease and Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Hang Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Mechanism for Animal Disease and Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Bingrong Bai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Mechanism for Animal Disease and Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhipeng Jia
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Mechanism for Animal Disease and Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Xinghui Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Mechanism for Animal Disease and Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Biao Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Mechanism for Animal Disease and Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Rui Kong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Mechanism for Animal Disease and Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Qiuju Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Mechanism for Animal Disease and Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Chunli Ma
- College of Food Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Dexing Ma, ; Chunli Ma,
| | - Dexing Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Mechanism for Animal Disease and Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Dexing Ma, ; Chunli Ma,
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Onzere CK, Fry LM, Bishop RP, Da Silva M, Madsen-Bouterse SA, Bastos RG, Knowles DP, Suarez CE. Theileria equi RAP-1a and RAP-1b proteins contain immunoreactive epitopes and are suitable candidates for vaccine and diagnostics development. Int J Parasitol 2022; 52:385-397. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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7
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Cai YC, Yang CL, Hu W, Song P, Xu B, Lu Y, Ai L, Chu YH, Chen MX, Chen JX, Chen SH. Molecular Characterization and Immunological Evaluation of Truncated Babesia microti Rhoptry Neck Protein 2 as a Vaccine Candidate. Front Immunol 2021; 12:616343. [PMID: 33717108 PMCID: PMC7943735 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.616343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia microti is a protozoan that infects red blood cells. Babesiosis is becoming a new global threat impacting human health. Rhoptry neck proteins (RONs) are proteins located at the neck of the rhoptry and studies indicate that these proteins play an important role in the process of red blood cell invasion. In the present study, we report on the bioinformatic analysis, cloning, and recombinant gene expression of two truncated rhoptry neck proteins 2 (BmRON2), as well as their potential for incorporation in a candidate vaccine for babesiosis. Western blot and immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) assays were performed to detect the presence of specific antibodies against BmRON2 in infected mice and the localization of N-BmRON2 in B. microti parasites. In vitro experiments were carried out to investigate the role of BmRON2 proteins during the B. microti invasion process and in vivo experiments to investigate immunoprotection. Homologous sequence alignment and molecular phylogenetic analysis indicated that BmRON2 showed similarities with RON2 proteins of other Babesia species. We expressed the truncated N-terminal (33-336 aa, designated rN-BmRON2) and C-terminal (915-1171 aa, designated rC-BmRON2) fragments of the BmRON2 protein, with molecular weights of 70 and 29 kDa, respectively. Western blot assays showed that the native BmRON2 protein is approximately 170 kDa, and that rN-BmRON2 was recognized by serum of mice experimentally infected with B. microti. Immunofluorescence analysis indicated that the BmRON2 protein was located at the apical end of merozoites, at the opposite end of the nucleus. In vitro red blood cell invasion inhibition studies with B. microti rBmRON2 proteins showed that relative invasion rate of rN-BmRON2 and rC-BmRON2 group is 45 and 56%, respectively. Analysis of the host immune response after immunization and B. microti infection showed that both rN-BmRON2 and rC-BmRON2 enhanced the immune response, but that rN-BmRON2 conferred better protection than rC-BmRON2. In conclusion, our results indicate that truncated rhoptry neck protein 2, especially its N-terminal fragment (rN-BmRON2), plays an important role in the invasion of host red blood cells, confers immune protection, and shows good potential as a candidate vaccine against babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu chun Cai
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun li Yang
- Department of Clinical Research, The 903rd Hospital of PLA, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Hu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Song
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Lu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Ai
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan hong Chu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Mu xin Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia xu Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shao hong Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Shanghai, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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Gunalan K, Gao X, Yap SSL, Lai SK, Ravasio A, Ganesan S, Li HY, Preiser PR. A processing product of the Plasmodium falciparum reticulocyte binding protein RH1 shows a close association with AMA1 during junction formation. Cell Microbiol 2020; 22:e13232. [PMID: 32452132 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum responsible for the most virulent form of malaria invades human erythrocytes through multiple ligand-receptor interactions. The P. falciparum reticulocyte binding protein homologues (PfRHs) are expressed at the apical end of merozoites and form interactions with distinct erythrocyte surface receptors that are important for invasion. Here using a range of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against different regions of PfRH1 we have investigated the role of PfRH processing during merozoite invasion. We show that PfRH1 gets differentially processed during merozoite maturation and invasion and provide evidence that the different PfRH1 processing products have distinct functions during invasion. Using in-situ Proximity Ligation and FRET assays that allow probing of interactions at the nanometre level we show that a subset of PfRH1 products form close association with micronemal proteins Apical Membrane Antigen 1 (AMA1) in the moving junction suggesting a critical role in facilitating junction formation and active invasion. Our data provides evidence that time dependent processing of PfRH proteins is a mechanism by which the parasite is able to regulate distinct functional activities of these large processes. The identification of a specific close association with AMA1 in the junction now may also provide new avenues to target these interactions to prevent merozoite invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthigayan Gunalan
- Division of Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Xiaohong Gao
- Division of Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sally Shu Lin Yap
- Division of Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Soak Kuan Lai
- Division of Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrea Ravasio
- Division of Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile
| | - Sundar Ganesan
- Research Technology Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Hoi Yeung Li
- Division of Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Peter R Preiser
- Division of Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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9
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Aniweh Y, Nyarko PB, Charles-Chess E, Ansah F, Osier FHA, Quansah E, Thiam LG, Kamuyu G, Marsh K, Conway DJ, Tetteh KKA, Awandare GA. Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Associated Armadillo Protein (PfMAAP) Is Apically Localized in Free Merozoites and Antibodies Are Associated With Reduced Risk of Malaria. Front Immunol 2020; 11:505. [PMID: 32318061 PMCID: PMC7155890 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the functional role of proteins expressed by Plasmodium falciparum is an important step toward unlocking potential targets for the development of therapeutic or diagnostic interventions. The armadillo (ARM) repeat protein superfamily is associated with varied functions across the eukaryotes. Therefore, it is important to understand the role of members of this protein family in Plasmodium biology. The Plasmodium falciparum armadillo repeats only (PfARO; Pf3D7_0414900) and P. falciparum merozoite organizing proteins (PfMOP; Pf3D7_0917000) are armadillo-repeat containing proteins previously characterized in P. falciparum. Here, we describe the characterization of another ARM repeat-containing protein in P. falciparum, which we have named the P. falciparum Merozoites-Associated Armadillo repeats protein (PfMAAP). Antibodies raised to three different synthetic peptides of PfMAAP show apical staining of free merozoites and those within the mature infected schizont. We also demonstrate that the antibodies raised to the PfMAAP peptides inhibited invasion of erythrocytes by merozoites from different parasite isolates. In addition, naturally acquired human antibodies to the N- and C- termini of PfMAAP are associated with a reduced risk of malaria in a prospective cohort analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaw Aniweh
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Prince B. Nyarko
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Essel Charles-Chess
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Felix Ansah
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Faith H. A. Osier
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research-Coast, Kilifi, Kenya
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Evelyn Quansah
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Laty Gaye Thiam
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Gathoni Kamuyu
- Division of Medicine, Department of Respiratory Medicine, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Marsh
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research-Coast, Kilifi, Kenya
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David J. Conway
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin K. A. Tetteh
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon A. Awandare
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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10
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Siddiqui G, Proellochs NI, Cooke BM. Identification of essential exported
Plasmodium falciparum
protein kinases in malaria‐infected red blood cells. Br J Haematol 2019; 188:774-783. [DOI: 10.1111/bjh.16219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ghizal Siddiqui
- Department of Microbiology Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Monash University Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Nicholas I. Proellochs
- Department of Microbiology Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
- Department of Medical Microbiology Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen the Netherlands
| | - Brian M. Cooke
- Department of Microbiology Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine James Cook University Cairns Queensland Australia
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11
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RON2, a novel gene in Babesia bigemina, contains conserved, immunodominant B-cell epitopes that induce antibodies that block merozoite invasion. Parasitology 2019; 146:1646-1654. [PMID: 31452491 PMCID: PMC6786967 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182019001161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis is the most important protozoan disease transmitted by ticks. In Plasmodium falciparum, another Apicomplexa protozoan, the interaction of rhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2) with apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) has been described to have a key role in the invasion process. To date, RON2 has not been described in Babesia bigemina, the causal agent of bovine babesiosis in the Americas. In this work, we found a ron2 gene in the B. bigemina genome. RON2 encodes a protein that is 1351 amino acids long, has an identity of 64% (98% coverage) with RON2 of B. bovis and contains the CLAG domain, a conserved domain in Apicomplexa. B. bigemina ron2 is a single copy gene and it is transcribed and expressed in blood stages as determined by RT-PCR, Western blot, and confocal microscopy. Serum samples from B. bigemina-infected bovines were screened for the presence of RON2-specific antibodies, showing the recognition of conserved B-cell epitopes. Importantly, in vitro neutralization assays showed an inhibitory effect of RON2-specific antibodies on the red blood cell invasion by B. bigemina. Therefore, RON2 is a novel antigen in B. bigemina and contains conserved B-cell epitopes, which induce antibodies that inhibit merozoite invasion.
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12
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Bantuchai S, Nozaki M, Thongkukiatkul A, Lorsuwannarat N, Tachibana M, Baba M, Matsuoka K, Tsuboi T, Torii M, Ishino T. Rhoptry neck protein 11 has crucial roles during malaria parasite sporozoite invasion of salivary glands and hepatocytes. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:725-735. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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13
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Hidalgo-Ruiz M, Suarez CE, Mercado-Uriostegui MA, Hernandez-Ortiz R, Ramos JA, Galindo-Velasco E, León-Ávila G, Hernández JM, Mosqueda J. Babesia bovis RON2 contains conserved B-cell epitopes that induce an invasion-blocking humoral immune response in immunized cattle. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:575. [PMID: 30390674 PMCID: PMC6215676 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3164-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Babesia bovis belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa and is the major causal agent of bovine babesiosis, the most important veterinary disease transmitted by arthropods. In apicomplexan parasites, the interaction between AMA1 and RON2 is necessary for the invasion process, and it is a target for vaccine development. In B. bovis, the existence of AMA1 has already been reported; however, the presence of a homolog of RON2 is unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize RON2 in B. bovis. Results The B. bovis ron2 gene has a similar synteny with the orthologous gene in the B. bigemina genome. The entire ron2 gene was sequenced from different B. bovis strains showing > 99% similarity at the amino acid and nucleotide level among all the sequences obtained, including the characteristic CLAG domain for cytoadherence in the amino acid sequence, as is described in other Apicomplexa. The in silico transcription analysis showed similar levels of transcription between attenuated and virulent B. bovis strains, and expression of RON2 was confirmed by western blot in the B. bovis T3Bo virulent strain. Four conserved peptides, containing predicted B-cell epitopes in hydrophilic regions of the protein, were designed and chemically synthesized. The humoral immune response generated by the synthetic peptides was characterized in bovines, showing that anti-RON2 antibodies against peptides recognized intraerythrocytic merozoites of B. bovis. Only peptides P2 and P3 generated partially neutralizing antibodies that had an inhibitory effect of 28.10% and 21.42%, respectively, on the invasion process of B. bovis in bovine erythrocytes. Consistently, this effect is additive since inhibition increased to 42.09% when the antibodies were evaluated together. Finally, P2 and P3 peptides were also recognized by 83.33% and 87.77%, respectively, of naturally infected cattle from endemic areas. Conclusions The data support RON2 as a novel B. bovis vaccine candidate antigen that contains conserved B-cell epitopes that elicit partially neutralizing antibodies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3164-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Hidalgo-Ruiz
- Immunology and Vaccines Laboratory, C. A. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Carretera a Chichimequillas, Ejido Bolaños, 76140, Queretaro, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Carlos E Suarez
- Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 3003 ADBF, WSU, P. O. Box 647030, Pullman, WA, 99164-6630, USA
| | - Miguel A Mercado-Uriostegui
- Immunology and Vaccines Laboratory, C. A. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Carretera a Chichimequillas, Ejido Bolaños, 76140, Queretaro, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Ruben Hernandez-Ortiz
- CENID-Parasitologia Veterinaria / INIFAP, Carretera federal Cuernavaca-Cuautla #8534, Col. Progreso, 62550, Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Juan Alberto Ramos
- CENID-Parasitologia Veterinaria / INIFAP, Carretera federal Cuernavaca-Cuautla #8534, Col. Progreso, 62550, Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Edelmira Galindo-Velasco
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad de Colima, Km. 40 carretera Colima-Manzanillo, 28100, Tecoman, Colima, Mexico
| | - Gloria León-Ávila
- Departamento de Zoología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Carpio y Plan de Ayala, Col. Casco de Santo Tomás, 11340, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - José Manuel Hernández
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. IPN 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Juan Mosqueda
- Immunology and Vaccines Laboratory, C. A. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Carretera a Chichimequillas, Ejido Bolaños, 76140, Queretaro, Queretaro, Mexico.
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14
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Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a highly prevalent protozoon that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans. It is frequently used as an Apicomplexan parasite model in
research. In this review, the invasion mechanism of T. gondii is described as a representative Apicomplexan parasite. The invasion machinery of T. gondii
consists of the moving junction and the glideosome, which is a specific motor system for Apicomplexan parasites. I provide details about the moving junction, parasite-secreted proteins and
host adhesion receptors, the glideosome, and calcium signaling, which generates the power for the gliding mobility of T. gondii. A detailed understanding of parasite
invasion can be useful for the development of new effective drugs to inhibit this event and disrupt the Apicomplexan life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Kato
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
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15
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Vetrivel U, Nagarajan H, Thirumudi I. Design of inhibitory peptide targeting
Toxoplasma gondii
RON4‐human β‐tubulin interactions by implementing structural bioinformatics methods. J Cell Biochem 2017; 119:3236-3246. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Umashankar Vetrivel
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and OphthalmologyVision Research Foundation, Sankara NethralayaChennaiTamil NaduIndia
| | - Hemavathy Nagarajan
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and OphthalmologyVision Research Foundation, Sankara NethralayaChennaiTamil NaduIndia
| | - Indhuja Thirumudi
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and OphthalmologyVision Research Foundation, Sankara NethralayaChennaiTamil NaduIndia
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16
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Takemae H, Kobayashi K, Sugi T, Han Y, Gong H, Ishiwa A, Recuenco FC, Murakoshi F, Takano R, Murata Y, Nagamune K, Horimoto T, Akashi H, Kato K. Toxoplasma gondii RON4 binds to heparan sulfate on the host cell surface. Parasitol Int 2017; 67:123-130. [PMID: 29081389 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry neck protein 4 (TgRON4) is a component of the moving junction, a key structure for host cell invasion. We previously showed that host cellular β-tubulin is a binding partner of TgRON4 in the invasion process. Here, to identify other binding partners of TgRON4 in the host cell, we examined the binding of TgRON4 to components of the host cell surface. TgRON4 binds to various mammalian cells, but this binding disappeared in glycosaminoglycan- and heparan sulfate-deficient CHO cells and after heparitinase treatment of mammalian cells. The C-terminal half of TgRON4 showed relatively strong binding to cells and heparin agarose. A glycoarray assay indicated that TgRON4 binds to heparin and modified heparin derivatives. Immunoprecipitation of T. gondii-infected CHO cell lysates showed that TgRON4 interacts with glypican 1 during Toxoplasma invasion. This interaction suggests a role for heparan sulfate in parasite invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Takemae
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan; Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyousuke Kobayashi
- Neurovirology Project, Department of Genome Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Sugi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan; Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yongmei Han
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Haiyan Gong
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiko Ishiwa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan; Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Frances C Recuenco
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan; Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumi Murakoshi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan; Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryo Takano
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yuho Murata
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kisaburo Nagamune
- Division of Protozoology, Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taisuke Horimoto
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroomi Akashi
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Kato
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan; Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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17
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Ngwa CJ, Kiesow MJ, Papst O, Orchard LM, Filarsky M, Rosinski AN, Voss TS, Llinás M, Pradel G. Transcriptional Profiling Defines Histone Acetylation as a Regulator of Gene Expression during Human-to-Mosquito Transmission of the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:320. [PMID: 28791254 PMCID: PMC5522858 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum from the human to the mosquito is mediated by the intraerythrocytic gametocytes, which, once taken up during a blood meal, become activated to initiate sexual reproduction. Because gametocytes are the only parasite stages able to establish an infection in the mosquito, they are crucial for spreading the tropical disease. During gametocyte maturation, different repertoires of genes are switched on and off in a well-coordinated sequence, pointing to regulatory mechanisms of gene expression. While epigenetic gene control has been studied during erythrocytic schizogony of P. falciparum, little is known about this process during human-to-mosquito transmission of the parasite. To unveil the potential role of histone acetylation during gene expression in gametocytes, we carried out a microarray-based transcriptome analysis on gametocytes treated with the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA). TSA-treatment impaired gametocyte maturation and lead to histone hyper-acetylation in these stages. Comparative transcriptomics identified 294 transcripts, which were more than 2-fold up-regulated during gametocytogenesis following TSA-treatment. In activated gametocytes, which were less sensitive to TSA, the transcript levels of 48 genes were increased. TSA-treatment further led to repression of ~145 genes in immature and mature gametocytes and 7 genes in activated gametocytes. Up-regulated genes are mainly associated with functions in invasion, cytoadherence, and protein export, while down-regulated genes could particularly be assigned to transcription and translation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated a link between gene activation and histone acetylation for selected genes. Among the genes up-regulated in TSA-treated mature gametocytes was a gene encoding the ring finger (RING)-domain protein PfRNF1, a putative E3 ligase of the ubiquitin-mediated signaling pathway. Immunochemistry demonstrated PfRNF1 expression mainly in the sexual stages of P. falciparum with peak expression in stage II gametocytes, where the protein localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm. Pfrnf1 promoter and coding regions associated with acetylated histones, and TSA-treatment resulted in increased PfRNF1 levels. Our combined data point to an essential role of histone acetylation for gene regulation in gametocytes, which can be exploited for malaria transmission-blocking interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che J Ngwa
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen UniversityAachen, Germany
| | - Meike J Kiesow
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen UniversityAachen, Germany
| | - Olga Papst
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen UniversityAachen, Germany
| | - Lindsey M Orchard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity Park, PA, United States
| | - Michael Filarsky
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteBasel, Switzerland
| | - Alina N Rosinski
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen UniversityAachen, Germany
| | - Till S Voss
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteBasel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity Park, PA, United States.,Department of Chemistry and Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity Park, PA, United States
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen UniversityAachen, Germany
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18
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Santos JM, Josling G, Ross P, Joshi P, Orchard L, Campbell T, Schieler A, Cristea IM, Llinás M. Red Blood Cell Invasion by the Malaria Parasite Is Coordinated by the PfAP2-I Transcription Factor. Cell Host Microbe 2017; 21:731-741.e10. [PMID: 28618269 PMCID: PMC5855115 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Obligate intracellular parasites must efficiently invade host cells in order to mature and be transmitted. For the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, invasion of host red blood cells (RBCs) is essential. Here we describe a parasite-specific transcription factor PfAP2-I, belonging to the Apicomplexan AP2 (ApiAP2) family, that is responsible for regulating the expression of genes involved in RBC invasion. Our genome-wide analysis by ChIP-seq shows that PfAP2-I interacts with a specific DNA motif in the promoters of target genes. Although PfAP2-I contains three AP2 DNA-binding domains, only one is required for binding of the target genes during blood stage development. Furthermore, we find that PfAP2-I associates with several chromatin-associated proteins, including the Plasmodium bromodomain protein PfBDP1 and that complex formation is associated with transcriptional regulation. As a key regulator of red blood cell invasion, PfAP2-I represents a potential new antimalarial therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Mendonca Santos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Gabrielle Josling
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA
| | - Philipp Ross
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA
| | - Preeti Joshi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Lindsey Orchard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA
| | - Tracey Campbell
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Ariel Schieler
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Ileana M Cristea
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Chemistry and Huck Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA.
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19
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Abstract
The increasing prevalence of infections involving intracellular apicomplexan parasites such as Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, and Cryptosporidium (the causative agents of malaria, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis, respectively) represent a significant global healthcare burden. Despite their significance, few treatments are available; a situation that is likely to deteriorate with the emergence of new resistant strains of parasites. To lay the foundation for programs of drug discovery and vaccine development, genome sequences for many of these organisms have been generated, together with large-scale expression and proteomic datasets. Comparative analyses of these datasets are beginning to identify the molecular innovations supporting both conserved processes mediating fundamental roles in parasite survival and persistence, as well as lineage-specific adaptations associated with divergent life-cycle strategies. The challenge is how best to exploit these data to derive insights into parasite virulence and identify those genes representing the most amenable targets. In this review, we outline genomic datasets currently available for apicomplexans and discuss biological insights that have emerged as a consequence of their analysis. Of particular interest are systems-based resources, focusing on areas of metabolism and host invasion that are opening up opportunities for discovering new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Parkinson
- a Program in Molecular Structure and Function , Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
- b Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics and Computer Science , University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
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20
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Ghosh S, Kennedy K, Sanders P, Matthews K, Ralph SA, Counihan NA, de Koning-Ward TF. ThePlasmodiumrhoptry associated protein complex is important for parasitophorous vacuole membrane structure and intraerythrocytic parasite growth. Cell Microbiol 2017; 19. [DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sreejoyee Ghosh
- School of Medicine; Deakin University; Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
| | - Kit Kennedy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute; Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Paul Sanders
- The Burnet Institute; Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Kathryn Matthews
- School of Medicine; Deakin University; Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
| | - Stuart A. Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute; Melbourne Victoria Australia
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Sherling ES, Knuepfer E, Brzostowski JA, Miller LH, Blackman MJ, van Ooij C. The Plasmodium falciparum rhoptry protein RhopH3 plays essential roles in host cell invasion and nutrient uptake. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28252384 PMCID: PMC5365315 DOI: 10.7554/elife.23239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Merozoites of the protozoan parasite responsible for the most virulent form of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, invade erythrocytes. Invasion involves discharge of rhoptries, specialized secretory organelles. Once intracellular, parasites induce increased nutrient uptake by generating new permeability pathways (NPP) including a Plasmodium surface anion channel (PSAC). RhopH1/Clag3, one member of the three-protein RhopH complex, is important for PSAC/NPP activity. However, the roles of the other members of the RhopH complex in PSAC/NPP establishment are unknown and it is unclear whether any of the RhopH proteins play a role in invasion. Here we demonstrate that RhopH3, the smallest component of the complex, is essential for parasite survival. Conditional truncation of RhopH3 substantially reduces invasive capacity. Those mutant parasites that do invade are defective in nutrient import and die. Our results identify a dual role for RhopH3 that links erythrocyte invasion to formation of the PSAC/NPP essential for parasite survival within host erythrocytes. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.23239.001 Malaria is a life-threatening disease that affects millions of people around the world. The parasites that cause malaria have a complex life cycle that involves infecting both mosquitoes and mammals, including humans. In humans, the parasites spend part of their life cycle inside red blood cells, which causes the symptoms of the disease. In order to survive and multiply, malaria parasites need to make the red blood cell more permeable so that it can absorb nutrients from the blood stream and get rid of the toxic waste products they generate. It remains unclear how the parasites do this, but previous research has shown that the parasites produce channel-like proteins that make red blood cells more permeable to nutrients. One of the proteins involved in this process forms part of a complex with two other proteins, called RhopH2 and RhopH3. It is not known what these other two proteins do, and whether they are necessary for creating the new nutrient channels. Sherling et al. studied the RhopH3 protein to see if it is required to make red blood cells more permeable. The experiments used a genetically modified version of the parasite, in which RhopH3 no longer interacted with the two other proteins. The findings show that RhopH3 has two important roles: first, parasites need it to invade the red blood cells, and second, parasites cannot get nutrients into the red blood cell without RhopH3. Most antimalarial drugs work by preventing parasite replication in red blood cells, but parasites are becoming increasingly resistant to these drugs. Understanding which proteins allow parasites to invade and grow within blood cells will further the development of new malaria medication. The next step will be to understand the molecular mechanisms by which RhopH3 promotes invasion and subsequently facilitates nutrient uptake, and will help researchers to explore its potential as a drug target. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.23239.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma S Sherling
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, United States
| | - Ellen Knuepfer
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph A Brzostowski
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics Imaging Facility, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, United States
| | - Louis H Miller
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, United States
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christiaan van Ooij
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
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Ito D, Schureck MA, Desai SA. An essential dual-function complex mediates erythrocyte invasion and channel-mediated nutrient uptake in malaria parasites. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28221136 PMCID: PMC5349850 DOI: 10.7554/elife.23485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites evade immune detection by growth and replication within erythrocytes. After erythrocyte invasion, the intracellular pathogen must increase host cell uptake of nutrients from plasma. Here, we report that the parasite-encoded RhopH complex contributes to both invasion and channel-mediated nutrient uptake. As rhoph2 and rhoph3 gene knockouts were not viable in the human P. falciparum pathogen, we used conditional knockdowns to determine that the encoded proteins are essential and to identify their stage-specific functions. We exclude presumed roles for RhopH2 and CLAG3 in erythrocyte invasion but implicate a RhopH3 contribution either through ligand-receptor interactions or subsequent parasite internalization. These proteins then traffic via an export translocon to the host membrane, where they form a nutrient channel. Knockdown of either RhopH2 or RhopH3 disrupts the entire complex, interfering with organellar targeting and subsequent trafficking. Therapies targeting this complex should attack the pathogen at two critical points in its cycle. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.23485.001 The parasites that cause malaria in humans and other animals infect and live inside red blood cells to escape attack by their hosts’ immune systems. Malaria parasites grow and multiply in red blood cells before bursting out and invading new red blood cells. To fuel this growth, the parasite needs access to sugars and other nutrients that are found outside in the bloodstream. Malaria parasites achieve this by inserting some of their own proteins into the membrane of the red blood cell to form an unusual channel that allows the nutrients to enter the cell. A parasite protein called CLAG3 (also known as RhopH1) is involved in formation of the unusual nutrient channel. Unlike most other proteins, malaria parasites make the CLAG3 protein while they are inside one cell and release it later when they invade a new red blood cell. The CLAG3 protein also binds to two other parasite proteins, called RhopH2 and RhopH3, to form a larger protein complex. However, it was not known what roles these other proteins played, or why the complex was made in the preceding red blood cell. Ito et al. have now addressed these unknowns by editing the genes of the parasite that causes the most dangerous form of malaria in people, a parasite called Plasmodium falciparum. These experiments revealed that the parasites could still invade host cells as normal if they lost CLAG3 and RhopH2. This suggests, that contrary to what was expected, CLAG3 and RhopH2 are not needed for the invasion process. Instead, the experiments revealed that RhopH3 serves a major role in invasion, either by helping the parasite to interact with or enter the new red blood cell. After the parasite has invaded the cell, this complex of three proteins is shuttled to the red blood cell’s membrane, where it inserts to help form the nutrient channel. The findings of Ito et al. reveal that one protein complex serves two unrelated but essential roles at different locations and time points in the life cycle of a malaria parasite. Since a parasite will not survive if it cannot enter a host cell and obtain nutrients, interfering with these processes by targeting this protein complex could lead to new therapies against malaria in the future. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.23485.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Ito
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, United States
| | - Marc A Schureck
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, United States
| | - Sanjay A Desai
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, United States
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Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is the protozoan parasite that causes most malaria-associated morbidity and mortality in humans with over 500,000 deaths annually. The disease symptoms are associated with repeated cycles of invasion and asexual multiplication inside red blood cells of the parasite. Partial, non-sterile immunity to P. falciparum malaria develops only after repeated infections and continuous exposure. The successful evasion of the human immune system relies on the large repertoire of antigenically diverse parasite proteins displayed on the red blood cell surface and on the merozoite membrane where they are exposed to the human immune system. Expression switching of these polymorphic proteins between asexual parasite generations provides an efficient mechanism to adapt to the changing environment in the host and to maintain chronic infection. This chapter discusses antigenic diversity and variation in the malaria parasite and our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that direct the expression of these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Petter
- Department of Medicine Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Michael F Duffy
- Department of Medicine Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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Gliding motility in apicomplexan parasites. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2015; 46:135-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Risco-Castillo V, Topçu S, Son O, Briquet S, Manzoni G, Silvie O. CD81 is required for rhoptry discharge during host cell invasion by Plasmodium yoelii sporozoites. Cell Microbiol 2014; 16:1533-48. [PMID: 24798694 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Revised: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium sporozoites are transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes and first infect the liver of their mammalian host, where they develop as liver stages before the onset of erythrocytic infection and malaria symptoms. Sporozoite entry into hepatocytes is an attractive target for anti-malarial prophylactic strategies but remains poorly understood at the molecular level. Apicomplexan parasites invade host cells by forming a parasitophorous vacuole that is essential for parasite development, a process that involves secretion of apical organelles called rhoptries. We previously reported that the host membrane protein CD81 is required for infection by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium yoelii sporozoites. CD81 acts at an early stage of infection, possibly at the entry step, but the mechanisms involved are still unknown. To investigate the role of CD81 during sporozoite entry, we generated transgenic P. yoelii parasites expressing fluorescent versions of three known rhoptry proteins, RON2, RON4 and RAP2/3. We observed that RON2 and RON4 are lost following rhoptry discharge during merozoite and sporozoite entry. In contrast, our data indicate that RAP2/3 is secreted into the parasitophorous vacuole during infection. We further show that sporozoite rhoptry discharge occurs only in the presence of CD81, providing the first direct evidence for a role of CD81 during sporozoite productive invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Risco-Castillo
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMRS CR7, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), F-75013, Paris, France; INSERM, U1135, CIMI-Paris, F-75013, Paris, France; CNRS, ERL 8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013, Paris, France
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Devine SM, Lim SS, Chandrashekaran IR, MacRaild CA, Drew DR, Debono CO, Lam R, Anders RF, Beeson JG, Scanlon MJ, Scammells PJ, Norton RS. A critical evaluation of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4-amines as Plasmodium falciparum apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) inhibitors. MEDCHEMCOMM 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4md00090k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines are low affinity AMA1 binders that are also prone to aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane M. Devine
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Monash University
- Parkville, Australia
| | - San Sui Lim
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Monash University
- Parkville, Australia
| | - Indu R. Chandrashekaran
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Monash University
- Parkville, Australia
| | - Christopher A. MacRaild
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Monash University
- Parkville, Australia
| | - Damien R. Drew
- Centre for Biomedical Research
- Burnet Institute
- Melbourne, Australia
| | - Cael O. Debono
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Monash University
- Parkville, Australia
| | - Raymond Lam
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Monash University
- Parkville, Australia
| | - Robin F. Anders
- Department of Biochemistry
- La Trobe University
- Melbourne, Australia
| | - James G. Beeson
- Centre for Biomedical Research
- Burnet Institute
- Melbourne, Australia
| | - Martin J. Scanlon
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Monash University
- Parkville, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Coherent X-Ray Science
| | - Peter J. Scammells
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Monash University
- Parkville, Australia
| | - Raymond S. Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Monash University
- Parkville, Australia
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Takemae H, Sugi T, Kobayashi K, Gong H, Ishiwa A, Recuenco FC, Murakoshi F, Iwanaga T, Inomata A, Horimoto T, Akashi H, Kato K. Characterization of the interaction between Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry neck protein 4 and host cellular β-tubulin. Sci Rep 2013; 3:3199. [PMID: 24217438 PMCID: PMC3824165 DOI: 10.1038/srep03199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma rhoptry neck protein 4 (TgRON4) is a component of the moving junction macromolecular complex that plays a central role during invasion. TgRON4 is exposed on the cytosolic side of the host cell during invasion, but its molecular interactions remain unclear. Here, we identified host cellular β-tubulin as a binding partner of TgRON4, but not Plasmodium RON4. Coimmunoprecipitation studies in mammalian cells demonstrated that the C-terminal 15-kDa region of β-tubulin was sufficient for binding to TgRON4, and that a 17-kDa region in the proximal C-terminus of TgRON4 was required for binding to the C-terminal region of β-tubulin. Analysis of T. gondii-infected lysates from CHO cells expressing the TgRON4-binding region showed that the C-terminal region of β-tubulin interacted with TgRON4 at early invasion step. Our results provide evidence for a parasite-specific interaction between TgRON4 and the host cell cytoskeleton in parasite-infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Takemae
- 1] National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan [2] Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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Arévalo-Pinzón G, Curtidor H, Abril J, Patarroyo MA. Annotation and characterization of the Plasmodium vivax rhoptry neck protein 4 (PvRON4). Malar J 2013; 12:356. [PMID: 24093777 PMCID: PMC3851475 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The tight junction (TJ) is one of the most important structures established during merozoite invasion of host cells and a large amount of proteins stored in Toxoplasma and Plasmodium parasites’ apical organelles are involved in forming the TJ. Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) and rhoptry neck proteins (RONs) are the two main TJ components. It has been shown that RON4 plays an essential role during merozoite and sporozoite invasion to target cells. This study has focused on characterizing a novel Plasmodium vivax rhoptry protein, RON4, which is homologous to PfRON4 and PkRON4. Methods The ron4 gene was re-annotated in the P. vivax genome using various bioinformatics tools and taking PfRON4 and PkRON4 amino acid sequences as templates. Gene synteny, as well as identity and similarity values between open reading frames (ORFs) belonging to the three species were assessed. The gene transcription of pvron4, and the expression and localization of the encoded protein were also determined in the VCG-1 strain by molecular and immunological studies. Nucleotide and amino acid sequences obtained for pvron4 in VCG-1 were compared to those from strains coming from different geographical areas. Results PvRON4 is a 733 amino acid long protein, which is encoded by three exons, having similar transcription and translation patterns to those reported for its homologue, PfRON4. Sequencing PvRON4 from the VCG-1 strain and comparing it to P. vivax strains from different geographical locations has shown two conserved regions separated by a low complexity variable region, possibly acting as a “smokescreen”. PvRON4 contains a predicted signal sequence, a coiled-coil α-helical motif, two tandem repeats and six conserved cysteines towards the carboxy-terminus and is a soluble protein lacking predicted transmembranal domains or a GPI anchor. Indirect immunofluorescence assays have shown that PvRON4 is expressed at the apical end of schizonts and co-localizes at the rhoptry neck with PvRON2. Conclusions Genomic, transcriptional and expression data reported for PvRON4, as well as its primary structure characteristics suggest that this protein participates in reticulocyte invasion, as has been shown for its homologue PfRON4.
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Evidence of intraflagellar transport and apical complex formation in a free-living relative of the apicomplexa. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2013; 13:10-20. [PMID: 24058169 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00155-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Since its first description, Chromera velia has attracted keen interest as the closest free-living relative of parasitic Apicomplexa. The life cycle of this unicellular alga is complex and involves a motile biflagellate form. Flagella are thought to be formed in the cytoplasm, a rare phenomenon shared with Plasmodium in which the canonical mode of flagellar assembly, intraflagellar transport, is dispensed with. Here we demonstrate the expression of intraflagellar transport components in C. velia, answering the question of whether this organism has the potential to assemble flagella via the canonical route. We have developed and characterized a culturing protocol that favors the generation of flagellate forms. From this, we have determined a marked shift in the mode of daughter cell production from two to four daughter cells per division as a function of time after passage. We conduct an ultrastructural examination of the C. velia flagellate form by using serial TEM and show that flagellar biogenesis in C. velia occurs prior to cytokinesis. We demonstrate a close association of the flagellar apparatus with a complex system of apical structures, including a micropore, a conoid, and a complex endomembrane system reminiscent of the apical complex of parasitic apicomplexans. Recent work has begun to elucidate the possible flagellar origins of the apical complex, and we show that in C. velia these structures are contemporaneous within a single cell and share multiple connections. We propose that C. velia therefore represents a vital piece in the puzzle of the origins of the apical complex.
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Counihan NA, Kalanon M, Coppel RL, de Koning-Ward TF. Plasmodium rhoptry proteins: why order is important. Trends Parasitol 2013; 29:228-36. [PMID: 23570755 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2013.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Revised: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites, including the Plasmodium species that cause malaria, contain three unusual apical secretory organelles (micronemes, rhoptries, and dense granules) that are required for the infection of new host cells. Because of their specialized nature, the majority of proteins secreted from these organelles are unique to Apicomplexans and are consequently poorly characterized. Although rhoptry proteins of Plasmodium have been implicated in events central to invasion, there is growing evidence to suggest that proteins originating from this organelle play key roles downstream of parasite entry into the host cell. Here we discuss recent work that has advanced our knowledge of rhoptry protein trafficking and function, and highlight areas of research that require further investigation.
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Hans N, Singh S, Jain SK, Chauhan VS. Identification of novel rhoptry neck protein of Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2013; 188:34-9. [PMID: 23499754 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2013.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2012] [Revised: 02/22/2013] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The clinical symptoms of malaria are attributed to the blood stage life cycle of parasite in which merozoite invades erythrocyte, undergoes multiplication and exit to re-invade into new erythrocyte to continue its life cycle. The interaction of repertoire of parasite proteins with host cell receptors is essential for invasion process. Identification, characterization and localization of the proteins involved in invasion will enrich our understanding of this complex process. In the present study we have identified a novel Apical Rhoptry Neck Protein in Plasmodium falciparum, which harbours a predicted signal and transmembrane domain and is conserved across the species. The transcription and translation analysis confirmed its expression in schizont stage of asexual cycle of P. falciparum. Immunoflouresence microscopy in schizonts and merozoites revealed its localization in the neck of rhoptries of P. falciparum. Furthermore, PfARNP has been found at the tight junction during invasion of P. falciparum merozoite to erythrocyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Hans
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P. O. Box 10504, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
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The rhoptry proteome of Eimeria tenella sporozoites. Int J Parasitol 2013; 43:181-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2012] [Revised: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 10/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Kemp LE, Yamamoto M, Soldati-Favre D. Subversion of host cellular functions by the apicomplexan parasites. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2012. [PMID: 23186105 DOI: 10.1111/1574-6976.12013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhoptries are club-shaped secretory organelles located at the anterior pole of species belonging to the phylum of Apicomplexa. Parasites of this phylum are responsible for a huge burden of disease in humans and animals and a loss of economic productivity. Members of this elite group of obligate intracellular parasites include Plasmodium spp. that cause malaria and Cryptosporidium spp. that cause diarrhoeal disease. Although rhoptries are almost ubiquitous throughout the phylum, the relevance and role of the proteins contained within the rhoptries varies. Rhoptry contents separate into two intra-organellar compartments, the neck and the bulb. A number of rhoptry neck proteins are conserved between species and are involved in functions such as host cell invasion. The bulb proteins are less well-conserved and probably evolved for a particular lifestyle. In the majority of species studied to date, rhoptry content is involved in formation and maintenance of the parasitophorous vacuole; however some species live free within the host cytoplasm. In this review, we will summarise the knowledge available regarding rhoptry proteins. Specifically, we will discuss the role of the rhoptry kinases that are used by Toxoplasma gondii and other coccidian parasites to subvert the host cellular functions and prevent parasite death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise E Kemp
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Evolution of apicomplexan secretory organelles. Int J Parasitol 2012; 42:1071-81. [PMID: 23068912 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2012] [Revised: 09/16/2012] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The alveolate superphylum includes many free-living and parasitic organisms, which are united by the presence of alveolar sacs lying proximal to the plasma membrane, providing cell structure. All species comprising the apicomplexan group of alveolates are parasites and have adapted to the unique requirements of the parasitic lifestyle. Here the evolution of apicomplexan secretory organelles that are involved in the critical process of egress from one cell and invasion of another is explored. The variations within the Apicomplexa and how these relate to species-specific biology will be discussed. In addition, recent studies have identified specific calcium-sensitive molecules that coordinate the various events and regulate the release of these secretory organelles within apicomplexan parasites. Some aspects of this machinery are conserved outside the Apicomplexa, and are beginning to elucidate the conserved nature of the machinery. Briefly, the relationship of this secretion machinery within the Apicomplexa will be discussed, compared with free-living and predatory alveolates, and how these might have evolved from a common ancestor.
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Li J, Han ET. Dissection of the Plasmodium vivax reticulocyte binding-like proteins (PvRBPs). Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 426:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.08.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2012] [Accepted: 08/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Giovannini D, Späth S, Lacroix C, Perazzi A, Bargieri D, Lagal V, Lebugle C, Combe A, Thiberge S, Baldacci P, Tardieux I, Ménard R. Independent roles of apical membrane antigen 1 and rhoptry neck proteins during host cell invasion by apicomplexa. Cell Host Microbe 2012; 10:591-602. [PMID: 22177563 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2011.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2011] [Revised: 09/01/2011] [Accepted: 10/07/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
During invasion, apicomplexan parasites form an intimate circumferential contact with the host cell, the tight junction (TJ), through which they actively glide. The TJ, which links the parasite motor to the host cell cytoskeleton, is thought to be composed of interacting apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) and rhoptry neck (RON) proteins. Here we find that, in Plasmodium berghei, while both AMA1 and RON4 are important for merozoite invasion of erythrocytes, only RON4 is required for sporozoite invasion of hepatocytes, indicating that RON4 acts independently of AMA1 in the sporozoite. Further, in the Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite, AMA1 is dispensable for normal RON4 ring and functional TJ assembly but enhances tachyzoite apposition to the cell and internalization frequency. We propose that while the RON proteins act at the TJ, AMA1 mainly functions on the zoite surface to permit correct attachment to the cell, which may facilitate invasion depending on the zoite-cell combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Giovannini
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Biologie et Génétique du Paludisme, 75724 Paris, France
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Valentini E, Cherchi S, Possenti A, Dubremetz JF, Pozio E, Spano F. Molecular characterisation of a Cryptosporidium parvum rhoptry protein candidate related to the rhoptry neck proteins TgRON1 of Toxoplasma gondii and PfASP of Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2012; 183:94-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2012.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2011] [Revised: 01/19/2012] [Accepted: 02/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Bargieri D, Lagal V, Tardieux I, Ménard R. Host cell invasion by apicomplexans: what do we know? Trends Parasitol 2012; 28:131-5. [PMID: 22326913 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2012.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexan zoites enter host cells by forming and actively moving through a tight junction (TJ) formed between the parasite and host cell surfaces. Although the TJ was first described decades ago, its molecular characterization has proved difficult mainly because of its transient existence during an internalization process that lasts only seconds. In the past 7 years, work has led to a model of the TJ in which the association between AMA1 and RON proteins structures the TJ and bridges the cytoskeletons of the two cells. However, more recent work questions this view. Here, we critically discuss the current model and speculate on alternative models of the AMA1-RON association and of the apicomplexan TJ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bargieri
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Biologie et Génétique du Paludisme, 75015 Paris, France
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Tyler JS, Treeck M, Boothroyd JC. Focus on the ringleader: the role of AMA1 in apicomplexan invasion and replication. Trends Parasitol 2011; 27:410-20. [PMID: 21659001 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2011.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2011] [Revised: 04/08/2011] [Accepted: 04/12/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites exhibit an unusual mechanism of host cell penetration. A central player in this process is the protein apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1). Although essential for invasion, the precise functional roles AMA1 plays have been unclear. Several recent studies have provided important functional insight into its role within the multiprotein complex that comprises the moving junction (MJ). Initially formed at the apical tip of the invading parasite, the MJ represents a ring-like region of contact between the surfaces of the invading parasite and the host cell as the invaginated host plasma membrane is forced inward by the penetrating parasite. This review discusses these and other recent insights into AMA1 with particular emphasis on studies conducted in Plasmodium and Toxoplasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica S Tyler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305, USA
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Straub KW, Peng ED, Hajagos BE, Tyler JS, Bradley PJ. The moving junction protein RON8 facilitates firm attachment and host cell invasion in Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Pathog 2011; 7:e1002007. [PMID: 21423671 PMCID: PMC3053350 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2010] [Accepted: 12/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan moving junction (MJ) is a highly conserved structure formed during host cell entry that anchors the invading parasite to the host cell and serves as a molecular sieve of host membrane proteins that protects the parasitophorous vacuole from host lysosomal destruction. While recent work in Toxoplasma and Plasmodium has reinforced the composition of the MJ as an important association of rhoptry neck proteins (RONs) with micronemal AMA1, little is known of the precise role of RONs in the junction or how they are targeted to the neck subcompartment. We report the first functional analysis of a MJ/RON protein by disrupting RON8 in T. gondii. Parasites lacking RON8 are severely impaired in both attachment and invasion, indicating that RON8 enables the parasite to establish a firm clasp on the host cell and commit to invasion. The remaining junction components frequently drag in trails behind invading knockout parasites and illustrate a malformed complex without RON8. Complementation of Δron8 parasites restores invasion and reveals a processing event at the RON8 C-terminus. Replacement of an N-terminal region of RON8 with a mCherry reporter separates regions within RON8 that are necessary for rhoptry targeting and complex formation from those required for function during invasion. Finally, the invasion defects in Δron8 parasites seen in vitro translate to radically impaired virulence in infected mice, promoting a model in which RON8 has a crucial and unprecedented task in committing Toxoplasma to host cell entry. Apicomplexan parasites actively invade host cells to survive, with an important step being the formation of a tight interface between parasite and host cell membranes called the moving junction (MJ). Passing over the length of the invading parasite, the MJ anchors the pathogen to enable propulsion into a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) formed from host membrane. This structure also selectively filters transmembrane proteins from the membrane surrounding the PV, preventing its targeting to host lysosomes. The MJ's molecular nature is understood as an association between proteins secreted from rhoptry and microneme organelles, but the functional significance of the rhoptry neck (RON) components that predominate within this complex is entirely unknown. Our study describes the first functional analysis of any MJ/RON protein in Toxoplasma, RON8. RON8 knockout parasites are severely deficient in both attachment and entry, likely due to the inability of the parasite to firmly engage the host cell. When Δron8 parasites do invade, MJ proteins are often secreted in disorganized trails, indicating the MJ is unstably formed without RON8. From this data, we propose that loss of RON8 produces a crippled parasite frequently incapable of firm attachment, drastically retarding the establishment of vacuoles in vitro and subsequent disease in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurtis W. Straub
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Eric D. Peng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Bettina E. Hajagos
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jessica S. Tyler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Bradley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Ito D, Han ET, Takeo S, Thongkukiatkul A, Otsuki H, Torii M, Tsuboi T. Plasmodial ortholog of Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry neck protein 3 is localized to the rhoptry body. Parasitol Int 2011; 60:132-8. [PMID: 21237287 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2011.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2010] [Revised: 12/24/2010] [Accepted: 01/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The proteins in apical organelles of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite play an important role in invasion into erythrocytes. Several rhoptry neck (RON) proteins have been identified in rhoptry proteome of the closely-related apicomplexan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Recently, three of P. falciparum proteins orthologous to TgRON proteins, PfRON2, 4 and 5, were found to be located in the rhoptry neck and interact with the micronemal protein apical membrane antigen 1 (PfAMA1) to form a moving junction complex that helps the invasion of merozoite into erythrocyte. However, the other P. falciparum RON proteins have yet to be characterized. Here, we determined that "PFL2505c" (hereafter referred to as pfron3) is the ortholog of the tgron3 in P. falciparum and characterized its protein expression profile, subcellular localization, and complex formation. Protein expression analysis revealed that PfRON3 was expressed primarily in late schizont stage parasites. Immunofluorescence microscopy (IFA) showed that PfRON3 localizes in the apical region of P. falciparum merozoites. Results from immunoelectron microscopy, along with IFA, clarified that PfRON3 localizes in the rhoptry body and not in the rhoptry neck. Even after erythrocyte invasion, PfRON3 was still detectable at the parasite ring stage in the parasitophorous vacuole. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation studies indicated that PfRON3 interacts with PfRON2 and PfRON4, but not with PfAMA1. These results suggest that PfRON3 partakes in the novel PfRON complex formation (PfRON2, 3, and 4), but not in the moving junction complex (PfRON2, 4, 5, and PfAMA1). The novel PfRON complex, as well as the moving junction complex, might play a fundamental role in erythrocyte invasion by merozoite stage parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Ito
- Cell-Free Science and Technology Research Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
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Curtidor H, Patiño LC, Arévalo-Pinzón G, Patarroyo ME, Patarroyo MA. Identification of the Plasmodium falciparum rhoptry neck protein 5 (PfRON5). Gene 2010; 474:22-8. [PMID: 21185360 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2010.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2010] [Revised: 12/04/2010] [Accepted: 12/14/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Gathering knowledge about the proteins involved in erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium merozoites is the starting point for developing new strategies to control malarial disease. Many of these proteins have been studied in Toxoplasma gondii, where some belonging to the Moving Junction complex have been identified. This complex allows a strong interaction between host cell and parasite membranes, required for parasite invasion. In this genus, four rhoptry proteins (RON2, RON4, RON5 and RON8) and one micronemal protein (TgAMA-1) have been found as part of the complex. In Plasmodium falciparum, RON2 and RON4 have been characterized. In the present study, we identify PfRON5, a ~110 kDa protein which is expressed in merozoite and schizont stages of the FCB-2 strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hernando Curtidor
- Fundacion Instituto de Inmunologia de Colombia, Carrera 50 No. 26-20, Bogota, Colombia
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