1
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Ewald S, Nasuhidehnavi A, Feng TY, Lesani M, McCall LI. The intersection of host in vivo metabolism and immune responses to infection with kinetoplastid and apicomplexan parasites. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0016422. [PMID: 38299836 PMCID: PMC10966954 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00164-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYProtozoan parasite infection dramatically alters host metabolism, driven by immunological demand and parasite manipulation strategies. Immunometabolic checkpoints are often exploited by kinetoplastid and protozoan parasites to establish chronic infection, which can significantly impair host metabolic homeostasis. The recent growth of tools to analyze metabolism is expanding our understanding of these questions. Here, we review and contrast host metabolic alterations that occur in vivo during infection with Leishmania, trypanosomes, Toxoplasma, Plasmodium, and Cryptosporidium. Although genetically divergent, there are commonalities among these pathogens in terms of metabolic needs, induction of the type I immune responses required for clearance, and the potential for sustained host metabolic dysbiosis. Comparing these pathogens provides an opportunity to explore how transmission strategy, nutritional demand, and host cell and tissue tropism drive similarities and unique aspects in host response and infection outcome and to design new strategies to treat disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ewald
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Azadeh Nasuhidehnavi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Tzu-Yu Feng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Mahbobeh Lesani
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
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2
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de Vries I, Ammerlaan D, Heidebrecht T, Celie PH, Geerke DP, Joosten RP, Perrakis A. Distant sequence regions of JBP1 contribute to J-DNA binding. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202302150. [PMID: 37328191 PMCID: PMC10276184 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302150] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Base-J (β-D-glucopyranosyloxymethyluracil) is a modified DNA nucleotide that replaces 1% of thymine in kinetoplastid flagellates. The biosynthesis and maintenance of base-J depends on the base-J-binding protein 1 (JBP1) that has a thymidine hydroxylase domain and a J-DNA-binding domain (JDBD). How the thymidine hydroxylase domain synergizes with the JDBD to hydroxylate thymine in specific genomic sites, maintaining base-J during semi-conservative DNA replication, remains unclear. Here, we present a crystal structure of the JDBD including a previously disordered DNA-contacting loop and use it as starting point for molecular dynamics simulations and computational docking studies to propose recognition models for JDBD binding to J-DNA. These models guided mutagenesis experiments, providing additional data for docking, which reveals a binding mode for JDBD onto J-DNA. This model, together with the crystallographic structure of the TET2 JBP1-homologue in complex with DNA and the AlphaFold model of full-length JBP1, allowed us to hypothesize that the flexible JBP1 N-terminus contributes to DNA-binding, which we confirmed experimentally. Α high-resolution JBP1:J-DNA complex, which must involve conformational changes, would however need to be determined experimentally to further understand this unique underlying molecular mechanism that ensures replication of epigenetic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida de Vries
- Oncode Institute and Division of Biochemistry, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Danique Ammerlaan
- Oncode Institute and Division of Biochemistry, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tatjana Heidebrecht
- Oncode Institute and Division of Biochemistry, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick Hn Celie
- Oncode Institute and Division of Biochemistry, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daan P Geerke
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS) and Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robbie P Joosten
- Oncode Institute and Division of Biochemistry, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anastassis Perrakis
- Oncode Institute and Division of Biochemistry, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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3
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Tawaraishi T, Ochida A, Akao Y, Itono S, Kamaura M, Akther T, Shimada M, Canan S, Chowdhury S, Cao Y, Condroski K, Engkvist O, Francisco A, Ghosh S, Kaki R, Kelly JM, Kimura C, Kogej T, Nagaoka K, Naito A, Pairaudeau G, Radu C, Roberts I, Shum D, Watanabe NA, Xie H, Yonezawa S, Yoshida O, Yoshida R, Mowbray C, Perry B. Collaborative Virtual Screening Identifies a 2-Aryl-4-aminoquinazoline Series with Efficacy in an In Vivo Model of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1221-1238. [PMID: 36607408 PMCID: PMC9884087 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Probing multiple proprietary pharmaceutical libraries in parallel via virtual screening allowed rapid expansion of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) around hit compounds with moderate efficacy against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas Disease. A potency-improving scaffold hop, followed by elaboration of the SAR via design guided by the output of the phenotypic virtual screening efforts, identified two promising hit compounds 54 and 85, which were profiled further in pharmacokinetic studies and in an in vivo model of T. cruzi infection. Compound 85 demonstrated clear reduction of parasitemia in the in vivo setting, confirming the interest in this series of 2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinazolines as potential anti-trypanosome treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taisuke Tawaraishi
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Atsuko Ochida
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Akao
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Sachiko Itono
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kamaura
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Thamina Akther
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Mitsuyuki Shimada
- Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chrome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Stacie Canan
- Celgene
Corporation, Celgene Global Health, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Sanjoy Chowdhury
- TCG
Lifesciences, Plot No-7,
Salt Lake Electronics Complex, BN Block, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Yafeng Cao
- WuXi
AppTec Company Ltd., 666 Gaoxin Road, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan 430075, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kevin Condroski
- Celgene
Corporation, Celgene Global Health, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Ola Engkvist
- AstraZeneca
Discovery Sciences, R&D, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 50 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Amanda Francisco
- London School
of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Sunil Ghosh
- TCG
Lifesciences, Plot No-7,
Salt Lake Electronics Complex, BN Block, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Rina Kaki
- Shionogi
& Co., Ltd, 3-1-1,
Futaba-cho, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - John M. Kelly
- London School
of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Chiaki Kimura
- Shionogi
& Co., Ltd, 3-1-1,
Futaba-cho, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Thierry Kogej
- AstraZeneca
Discovery Sciences, R&D, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 50 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Kazuya Nagaoka
- Eisai
Co., Ltd, 1-3, Tokodai
5-chome, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2635, Japan
| | - Akira Naito
- Shionogi
& Co., Ltd, 3-1-1,
Futaba-cho, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Garry Pairaudeau
- AstraZeneca,
Discovery Sciences, R&D, The Darwin Building, 310 Milton Road, Milton, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K.
| | - Constantin Radu
- Institut
Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro
712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Ieuan Roberts
- AstraZeneca,
Discovery Sciences, R&D, The Darwin Building, 310 Milton Road, Milton, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K.
| | - David Shum
- Institut
Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro
712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Nao-aki Watanabe
- Eisai
Co., Ltd, 1-3, Tokodai
5-chome, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2635, Japan
| | - Huanxu Xie
- WuXi
AppTec Company Ltd., 666 Gaoxin Road, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan 430075, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuji Yonezawa
- Shionogi
& Co., Ltd, 3-1-1,
Futaba-cho, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Osamu Yoshida
- Shionogi
& Co., Ltd, 3-1-1,
Futaba-cho, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Ryu Yoshida
- Shionogi
& Co., Ltd, 3-1-1,
Futaba-cho, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Charles Mowbray
- Drugs for Neglected
Diseases Initiative, 15 Chemin Camille Vidart, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Perry
- Drugs for Neglected
Diseases Initiative, 15 Chemin Camille Vidart, Geneva 1202, Switzerland,
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4
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Lemke C, Jílková A, Ferber D, Braune A, On A, Johe P, Zíková A, Schirmeister T, Mareš M, Horn M, Gütschow M. Two Tags in One Probe: Combining Fluorescence- and Biotin-based Detection of the Trypanosomal Cysteine Protease Rhodesain. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202201636. [PMID: 35852812 PMCID: PMC9826439 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202201636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Rhodesain is the major cysteine protease of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei and a therapeutic target for sleeping sickness, a fatal neglected tropical disease. We designed, synthesized and characterized a bimodal activity-based probe that binds to and inactivates rhodesain. This probe exhibited an irreversible mode of action and extraordinary potency for the target protease with a kinac /Ki value of 37,000 M-1 s-1 . Two reporter tags, a fluorescent coumarin moiety and a biotin affinity label, were incorporated into the probe and enabled highly sensitive detection of rhodesain in a complex proteome by in-gel fluorescence and on-blot chemiluminescence. Furthermore, the probe was employed for microseparation and quantification of rhodesain and for inhibitor screening using a competition assay. The developed bimodal rhodesain probe represents a new proteomic tool for studying Trypanosoma pathobiochemistry and antitrypanosomal drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Lemke
- Pharmaceutical InstituteDepartment of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal ChemistryUniversity of BonnAn der Immenburg 453121BonnGermany
| | - Adéla Jílková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryCzech Academy of SciencesFlemingovo n. 216610PragueCzech Republic
| | - Dominic Ferber
- Pharmaceutical InstituteDepartment of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal ChemistryUniversity of BonnAn der Immenburg 453121BonnGermany
| | - Annett Braune
- Research Group Intestinal MicrobiologyGerman Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-RehbrueckeArthur-Scheunert-Allee 114–11614558NuthetalGermany
| | - Anja On
- Pharmaceutical InstituteDepartment of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal ChemistryUniversity of BonnAn der Immenburg 453121BonnGermany
| | - Patrick Johe
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS)Johannes Gutenberg University of MainzStaudingerweg 555128MainzGermany
| | - Alena Zíková
- Biology Centre CASInstitute of ParasitologyUniversity of South BohemiaFaculty of ScienceBranišovská 1160/3137005České BudějoviceCzech Republic
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS)Johannes Gutenberg University of MainzStaudingerweg 555128MainzGermany
| | - Michael Mareš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryCzech Academy of SciencesFlemingovo n. 216610PragueCzech Republic
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryCzech Academy of SciencesFlemingovo n. 216610PragueCzech Republic
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Pharmaceutical InstituteDepartment of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal ChemistryUniversity of BonnAn der Immenburg 453121BonnGermany
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5
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Localization of Epigenetic Markers in Leishmania Chromatin. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080930. [PMID: 36015053 PMCID: PMC9413968 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotes use histone variants and post-translation modifications (PTMs), as well as DNA base modifications, to regulate DNA replication/repair, chromosome condensation, and gene expression. Despite the unusual organization of their protein-coding genes into large polycistronic transcription units (PTUs), trypanosomatid parasites also employ a “histone code” to control these processes, but the details of this epigenetic code are poorly understood. Here, we present the results of experiments designed to elucidate the distribution of histone variants and PTMs over the chromatin landscape of Leishmania tarentolae. These experiments show that two histone variants (H2A.Z and H2B.V) and three histone H3 PTMs (H3K4me3, H3K16ac, and H3K76me3) are enriched at transcription start sites (TSSs); while a histone variant (H3.V) and the trypanosomatid-specific hyper-modified DNA base J are located at transcription termination sites (TTSs). Reduced nucleosome density was observed at all TTSs and TSSs for RNA genes transcribed by RNA polymerases I (RNAPI) or RNAPIII; as well as (to a lesser extent) at TSSs for the PTUs transcribed by RNAPII. Several PTMs (H3K4me3, H3K16ac H3K20me2 and H3K36me3) and base J were enriched at centromeres, while H3K50ac was specifically associated with the periphery of these centromeric sequences. These findings significantly expand our knowledge of the epigenetic markers associated with transcription, DNA replication and/or chromosome segregation in these early diverging eukaryotes and will hopefully lay the groundwork for future studies to elucidate how they control these fundamental processes.
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6
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Bernatchez JA, Kil YS, Barbosa da Silva E, Thomas D, McCall LI, Wendt KL, Souza JM, Ackermann J, McKerrow JH, Cichewicz RH, Siqueira-Neto JL. Identification of Leucinostatins from Ophiocordyceps sp. as Antiparasitic Agents against Trypanosoma cruzi. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:7675-7682. [PMID: 35284725 PMCID: PMC8908367 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c06347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Safe and effective treatments for Chagas disease, a potentially fatal parasitic infection associated with cardiac and gastrointestinal pathology and caused by the kinetoplastid parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, have yet to be developed. Benznidazole and nifurtimox, which are currently the only available drugs against T. cruzi, are associated with severe adverse effects and questionable efficacy in the late stage of the disease. Natural products have proven to be a rich source of new chemotypes for other infectious agents. We utilized a microscopy-based high-throughput phenotypic screen to identify inhibitors of T. cruzi from a library of natural product samples obtained from fungi procured through a Citizen Science Soil Collection Program (https://whatsinyourbackyard.org/) and the Great Lakes (USA) benthic environment. We identified five leucinostatins (A, B, F, NPDG C, and NPDG D) as potent inhibitors of the intracellular amastigote form of T. cruzi. Leucinostatin B also showed in vivo suppression of T. cruzi in a mouse model of Chagas disease. Given prior reports that leucinostatins A and B have antiparasitic activity against the related kinetoplastid Trypanosoma brucei, our findings suggest a potential cross-trypanocidal compound class and provide a platform for the further chemical derivatization of a potent chemical scaffold against T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean A. Bernatchez
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Yun-Seo Kil
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United
States
- Natural
Products Discovery Group, University of
Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson
Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
- Institute
for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Elany Barbosa da Silva
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Diane Thomas
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United
States
- Department
of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University
of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson
Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
- Laboratories
of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United
States
| | - Karen L. Wendt
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United
States
- Natural
Products Discovery Group, University of
Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson
Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
- Institute
for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Julia M. Souza
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Research
Group on Natural Products, Center for Research in Sciences and Technology, University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles de Oliveira 201, Franca, São Paulo CEP 14404-600, Brazil
| | - Jasmin Ackermann
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Athena
Institute, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, HV Amsterdam 1081, The Netherlands
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Robert H. Cichewicz
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United
States
- Natural
Products Discovery Group, University of
Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson
Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
- Institute
for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Jair L. Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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7
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Specker G, Estrada D, Radi R, Piacenza L. Trypanosoma cruzi Mitochondrial Peroxiredoxin Promotes Infectivity in Macrophages and Attenuates Nifurtimox Toxicity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:749476. [PMID: 35186785 PMCID: PMC8855072 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.749476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease which is currently treated by nifurtimox (NFX) and benznidazole (BZ). Nevertheless, the mechanism of action of NFX is not completely established. Herein, we show the protective effects of T. cruzi mitochondrial peroxiredoxin (MPX) in macrophage infections and in response to NFX toxicity. After a 3-day treatment of epimastigotes with NFX, MPX content increased (2.5-fold) with respect to control, and interestingly, an MPX-overexpressing strain was more resistant to the drug. The generation of mitochondrial reactive species and the redox status of the low molecular weight thiols of the parasite were not affected by NFX treatment indicating the absence of oxidative stress in this condition. Since MPX was shown to be protective and overexpressed in drug-challenged parasites, non-classical peroxiredoxin activity was studied. We found that recombinant MPX exhibits holdase activity independently of its redox state and that its overexpression was also observed in temperature-challenged parasites. Moreover, increased holdase activity (2-fold) together with an augmented protease activity (proteasome-related) and an enhancement in ubiquitinylated proteins was found in NFX-treated parasites. These results suggest a protective role of MPX holdase activity toward NFX toxicity. Trypanosoma cruzi has a complex life cycle, part of which involves the invasion of mammalian cells, where parasite replication inside the host occurs. In the early stages of the infection, macrophages recognize and engulf T. cruzi with the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species toward the internalized parasite. Parasites overexpressing MPX produced higher macrophage infection yield compared with wild-type parasites. The relevance of peroxidase vs. holdase activity of MPX during macrophage infections was assessed using conoidin A (CA), a covalent, cell-permeable inhibitor of peroxiredoxin peroxidase activity. Covalent adducts of MPX were detected in CA-treated parasites, which proves its action in vivo. The pretreatment of parasites with CA led to a reduced infection index in macrophages revealing that the peroxidase activity of peroxiredoxin is crucial during this infection process. Our results confirm the importance of peroxidase activity during macrophage infection and provide insights for the relevance of MPX holdase activity in NFX resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Specker
- Departamento de Bioquímica and Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Damián Estrada
- Departamento de Bioquímica and Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rafael Radi
- Departamento de Bioquímica and Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Piacenza
- Departamento de Bioquímica and Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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8
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Dean DA, Gautham G, Siqueira-Neto JL, McKerrow JH, Dorrestein PC, McCall LI. Spatial metabolomics identifies localized chemical changes in heart tissue during chronic cardiac Chagas Disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009819. [PMID: 34606502 PMCID: PMC8516257 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is one of nineteen neglected tropical diseases. CD is a vector-borne disease transmitted by triatomines, but CD can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ transplants, T. cruzi-contaminated food and drinks, and congenital transmission. While endemic to the Americas, T. cruzi infects 7–8 million people worldwide and can induce severe cardiac symptoms including apical aneurysms, thromboembolisms and arrhythmias during the chronic stage of CD. However, these cardiac clinical manifestations and CD pathogenesis are not fully understood. Using spatial metabolomics (chemical cartography), we sought to understand the localized impact of chronic CD on the cardiac metabolome of mice infected with two divergent T. cruzi strains. Our data showed chemical differences in localized cardiac regions upon chronic T. cruzi infection, indicating that parasite infection changes the host metabolome at specific sites in chronic CD. These sites were distinct from the sites of highest parasite burden. In addition, we identified acylcarnitines and glycerophosphocholines as discriminatory chemical families within each heart region, comparing infected and uninfected samples. Overall, our study indicated global and positional metabolic differences common to infection with different T. cruzi strains and identified select infection-modulated pathways. These results provide further insight into CD pathogenesis and demonstrate the advantage of a systematic spatial perspective to understand infectious disease tropism. Chagas disease (CD) is a tropical disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. CD originated in the Americas but is now found globally due to population movements. CD is transmitted through a triatomine vector, organ transplants, blood transfusions, T. cruzi-contaminated food and drinks, and congenitally. It occurs in two stages, an acute stage (usually asymptomatic) and a chronic stage. Twenty to thirty percent of chronic stage cases present severe cardiac symptoms such as heart failure, localized aneurysms and cardiomyopathy. Unfortunately, what causes severe cardiac symptoms in some individuals in chronic CD is not fully understood. Therefore, we used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to analyze the heart tissue of chronically T. cruzi-infected and uninfected mice, to understand the impact of infection on the tissue metabolome. We identified discriminatory small molecules related to T. cruzi infection and determined that regions with the highest parasite burden are distinct from the regions with the largest changes in overall metabolite profile. These locations of high metabolic perturbation provide a molecular mechanism to explain why localized cardiac symptoms occur in CD, particularly at the heart apex. Overall, our work gives insight into chronic cardiac CD symptom development and shapes a framework for novel CD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danya A. Dean
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Gautham Gautham
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Jair L. Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Pieter C. Dorrestein
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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9
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Parab AR, Thomas D, Lostracco-Johnson S, Siqueira-Neto JL, McKerrow JH, Dorrestein PC, McCall LI. Dysregulation of Glycerophosphocholines in the Cutaneous Lesion Caused by Leishmania major in Experimental Murine Models. Pathogens 2021; 10:593. [PMID: 34068119 PMCID: PMC8152770 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most common disease form caused by a Leishmania parasite infection and considered a neglected tropical disease (NTD), affecting 700,000 to 1.2 million new cases per year in the world. Leishmania major is one of several different species of the Leishmania genus that can cause CL. Current CL treatments are limited by adverse effects and rising resistance. Studying disease metabolism at the site of infection can provide knowledge of new targets for host-targeted drug development. In this study, tissue samples were collected from mice infected in the ear or footpad with L. major and analyzed by untargeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Significant differences in overall metabolite profiles were noted in the ear at the site of the lesion. Interestingly, lesion-adjacent, macroscopically healthy sites also showed alterations in specific metabolites, including selected glycerophosphocholines (PCs). Host-derived PCs in the lower m/z range (m/z 200-799) showed an increase with infection in the ear at the lesion site, while those in the higher m/z range (m/z 800-899) were decreased with infection at the lesion site. Overall, our results expanded our understanding of the mechanisms of CL pathogenesis through host metabolism and may lead to new curative measures against infection with Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adwaita R. Parab
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA;
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Diane Thomas
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (D.T.); (S.L.-J.); (J.L.S.-N.); (J.H.M.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Sharon Lostracco-Johnson
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (D.T.); (S.L.-J.); (J.L.S.-N.); (J.H.M.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Jair L. Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (D.T.); (S.L.-J.); (J.L.S.-N.); (J.H.M.); (P.C.D.)
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (D.T.); (S.L.-J.); (J.L.S.-N.); (J.H.M.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Pieter C. Dorrestein
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (D.T.); (S.L.-J.); (J.L.S.-N.); (J.H.M.); (P.C.D.)
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA;
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
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10
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McCall LI. Quo vadis? Central Rules of Pathogen and Disease Tropism. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:640987. [PMID: 33718287 PMCID: PMC7947345 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.640987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding why certain people get sick and die while others recover or never become ill is a fundamental question in biomedical research. A key determinant of this process is pathogen and disease tropism: the locations that become infected (pathogen tropism), and the locations that become damaged (disease tropism). Identifying the factors that regulate tropism is essential to understand disease processes, but also to drive the development of new interventions. This review intersects research from across infectious diseases to define the central mediators of disease and pathogen tropism. This review also highlights methods of study, and translational implications. Overall, tropism is a central but under-appreciated aspect of infection pathogenesis which should be at the forefront when considering the development of new methods of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
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11
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Takagi Y, Kuwabara N, Dang TT, Furukawa K, Ho CK. Crystal structures of the RNA triphosphatase from Trypanosoma cruzi provide insights into how it recognizes the 5'-end of the RNA substrate. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:9076-9086. [PMID: 32381506 PMCID: PMC7335777 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA triphosphatase catalyzes the first step in mRNA cap formation, hydrolysis of the terminal phosphate from the nascent mRNA transcript. The RNA triphosphatase from the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, TcCet1, belongs to the family of triphosphate tunnel metalloenzymes (TTMs). TcCet1 is a promising antiprotozoal drug target because the mechanism and structure of the protozoan RNA triphosphatases are completely different from those of the RNA triphosphatases found in mammalian and arthropod hosts. Here, we report several crystal structures of the catalytically active form of TcCet1 complexed with a divalent cation and an inorganic tripolyphosphate in the active-site tunnel at 2.20-2.51 Å resolutions. The structures revealed that the overall structure, the architecture of the tunnel, and the arrangement of the metal-binding site in TcCet1 are similar to those in other TTM proteins. On the basis of the position of three sulfate ions that cocrystallized on the positively charged surface of the protein and results obtained from mutational analysis, we identified an RNA-binding site in TcCet1. We conclude that the 5'-end of the triphosphate RNA substrate enters the active-site tunnel directionally. The structural information reported here provides valuable insight into designing inhibitors that could specifically block the entry of the triphosphate RNA substrate into the TTM-type RNA triphosphatases of T. cruzi and related pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Takagi
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Kuwabara
- Structural Biology Research Center, Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Truong Tat Dang
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Japan
| | - Koji Furukawa
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - C Kiong Ho
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Japan.
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12
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Crepaldi F, de Toledo JS, do Carmo AO, Ferreira Marques Machado L, de Brito DDV, Serufo AV, Almeida APM, de Oliveira LG, Ricotta TQN, Moreira DDS, Murta SMF, Diniz AB, Menezes GB, López-Gonzálvez Á, Barbas C, Fernandes AP. Mapping Alterations Induced by Long-Term Axenic Cultivation of Leishmania amazonensis Promastigotes With a Multiplatform Metabolomic Fingerprint Approach. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:403. [PMID: 31867285 PMCID: PMC6904349 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases are widespread neglected diseases with an incidence of 1.6 million new cases and 40 thousand deaths per year. Leishmania parasites may show distinct, species-specific patterns of virulence that lead to different clinical manifestations. It is well known that successive in vitro passages (SIVP) lead to the attenuation of virulence, but neither the metabolism nor the pathways involved in these processes are well understood. Herein, promastigotes of a virulent L. amazonensis strain recently isolated from mice was compared to SIVP derived and attenuated promastigotes, submitted to 10, 40, and 60 axenic passages and named R10, R40, and R60, respectively. In vitro assays and in vivo tests were performed to characterize and confirmed the attenuation profiles. A metabolomic fingerprint comparison of R0, R10, and R60 was performed by means of capillary electrophoresis, liquid and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. To validate the metabolomic data, qPCR for selected loci, flow cytometry to measure aPS exposure, sensitivity to antimony tartrate and ROS production assays were conducted. The 65 identified metabolites were clustered in biochemical categories and mapped in eight metabolic pathways: ABC transporters; fatty acid biosynthesis; glycine, serine and threonine metabolism; β-alanine metabolism; glutathione metabolism; oxidative phosphorylation; glycerophospholipid metabolism and lysine degradation. The obtained metabolomic data correlated with previous proteomic findings of the SVIP parasites and the gene expression of 13 selected targets. Late SIVP cultures were more sensitive to SbIII produced more ROS and exposed less phosphatidylserine in their surface. The correspondent pathways were connected to build a biochemical map of the most significant alterations involved with the process of attenuation of L. amazonensis. Overall, the reported data pointed out to a very dynamic and continuous metabolic reprogramming process, accompanied by changes in energetic, lipid and redox metabolisms, membrane remodeling and reshaping of parasite-host cells interactions, causing impacts in chemotaxis, host inflammatory responses and infectivity at the early stages of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederico Crepaldi
- Clinical and Toxicological Analysis Department, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Centro de Metabolómica y Bioanálisis, Unidad Metabolómica, Interacciones y Bioanálisis (UMIB), Universidad CEU San Pablo, Boadilla del Monte, Spain
| | - Juliano Simões de Toledo
- Clinical and Toxicological Analysis Department, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Centro de Metabolómica y Bioanálisis, Unidad Metabolómica, Interacciones y Bioanálisis (UMIB), Universidad CEU San Pablo, Boadilla del Monte, Spain
| | - Anderson Oliveira do Carmo
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Markers, General Biology Department, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Daniela Diniz Viana de Brito
- Clinical and Toxicological Analysis Department, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Angela Vieira Serufo
- Clinical and Toxicological Analysis Department, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Martins Almeida
- Clinical and Toxicological Analysis Department, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Leandro Gonzaga de Oliveira
- Clinical and Toxicological Analysis Department, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Tiago Queiroga Nery Ricotta
- Clinical and Toxicological Analysis Department, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ariane Barros Diniz
- Morphology Department, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Batista Menezes
- Morphology Department, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ángeles López-Gonzálvez
- Centro de Metabolómica y Bioanálisis, Unidad Metabolómica, Interacciones y Bioanálisis (UMIB), Universidad CEU San Pablo, Boadilla del Monte, Spain
| | - Coral Barbas
- Centro de Metabolómica y Bioanálisis, Unidad Metabolómica, Interacciones y Bioanálisis (UMIB), Universidad CEU San Pablo, Boadilla del Monte, Spain
| | - Ana Paula Fernandes
- Clinical and Toxicological Analysis Department, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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13
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Home chemical and microbial transitions across urbanization. Nat Microbiol 2019; 5:108-115. [PMID: 31686026 PMCID: PMC7895447 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-019-0593-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Urbanization represents a profound shift in human behavior, with significant cultural and health-associated consequences2,3. Here we investigate chemical and microbial characteristics of houses and their human occupants across an urbanization gradient in the Amazon rainforest, from a remote Peruvian Amerindian village to the Brazilian city of Manaus. Urbanization was associated with reduced microbial outdoor exposure, increased contact with housing materials, antimicrobials, and cleaning products, and increased exposure to chemical diversity. Urbanization degree correlated with changes in house bacterial and micro-eukaryotic community composition, increased house and skin fungal diversity, and increased relative abundance of human skin-associated fungi and bacteria in houses. Overall, our results indicate large-scale effects of urbanization on chemical and microbial exposures and on the human microbiota.
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14
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De Fuentes-Vicente JA, Vidal-López DG, Flores-Villegas AL, Moreno-Rodríguez A, De Alba-Alvarado MC, Salazar-Schettino PM, Rodríguez-López MH, Gutiérrez-Cabrera AE. Trypanosoma cruzi: A review of biological and methodological factors in Mexican strains. Acta Trop 2019; 195:51-57. [PMID: 31022383 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, responsible for Chagas disease, is a serious public health problem in Latin America with eight million people infected in the world. Clinical manifestations observed in humans due to T. cruzi infection are largely associated with the wide biological and genetic heterogeneity of the parasite. This review presents an overview of the parasitological aspects of various strains of T. cruzi isolated mainly in Mexico, as well as an analysis of the methodological processes used to determine their virulence that could be influencing their biological characterization. We emphasize the importance of using uniform protocols to study T. cruzi virulence, taking into account factors related to: strain (i.e. developmental stage, lineage, biological origin, genetic variability), animal model used (i.e. role of hormones, host immune response, age) and methodology (i.e. inoculum size, inoculation route, and laboratory conditions used during strain maintenance). These uniform protocols will then allow proposing elements for understanding clinical evolution and management of the disease, for providing adequate treatment, and for developing tools for future vaccines against Chagas disease.
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15
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Bremer Hinckel BC, Marlais T, Airs S, Bhattacharyya T, Imamura H, Dujardin JC, El-Safi S, Singh OP, Sundar S, Falconar AK, Andersson B, Litvinov S, Miles MA, Mertens P. Refining wet lab experiments with in silico searches: A rational quest for diagnostic peptides in visceral leishmaniasis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007353. [PMID: 31059497 PMCID: PMC6522066 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The search for diagnostic biomarkers has been profiting from a growing number of high quality sequenced genomes and freely available bioinformatic tools. These can be combined with wet lab experiments for a rational search. Improved, point-of-care diagnostic tests for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), early case detection and surveillance are required. Previous investigations demonstrated the potential of IgG1 as a biomarker for monitoring clinical status in rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), although using a crude lysate antigen (CLA) as capturing antigen. Replacing the CLA by specific antigens would lead to more robust RDTs. Methodology Immunoblots revealed L. donovani protein bands detected by IgG1 from VL patients. Upon confident identification of these antigens by mass spectrometry (MS), we searched for evidence of constitutive protein expression and presence of antigenic domains or high accessibility to B-cells. Selected candidates had their linear epitopes mapped with in silico algorithms. Multiple high-scoring predicted epitopes from the shortlisted proteins were screened in peptide arrays. The most promising candidate was tested in RDT prototypes using VL and nonendemic healthy control (NEHC) patient sera. Results Over 90% of the proteins identified from the immunoblots did not satisfy the selection criteria and were excluded from the downstream epitope mapping. Screening of predicted epitope peptides from the shortlisted proteins identified the most reactive, for which the sensitivity for IgG1 was 84% (95% CI 60—97%) with Sudanese VL sera on RDT prototypes. None of the sera from NEHCs were positive. Conclusion We employed in silico searches to reduce drastically the output of wet lab experiments, focusing on promising candidates containing selected protein features. By predicting epitopes in silico we screened a large number of peptides using arrays, identifying the most promising one, for which IgG1 sensitivity and specificity, with limited sample size, supported this proof of concept strategy for diagnostics discovery, which can be applied to the development of more robust IgG1 RDTs for monitoring clinical status in VL. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania donovani complex. Without treatment, VL is fatal. Although diagnostic techniques, mainly based on the detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies are available, invasive procedures such as microscopy from spleen or bone marrow aspirates are still required for the diagnosis of seronegative VL suspects, for the detection of recurrent cases and to confirm cure after successful treatment. Previous investigations showed the potential of IgG1 as a biomarker of post-chemotherapeutic relapse for VL in rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) sensitised with crude lysate antigen (CLA). Here we employed in silico tools to search for desired protein features in a large number of L. donovani antigens detected by human IgG1 in western blots. We then employed prediction algorithms to profile epitopes from the shortlisted proteins. We screened a panel of high-scoring peptides in a high-throughput manner using arrays, with low reagent consumption. The most reactive peptide was adapted to RDTs, showing promising results of both sensitivity and specificity. This peptide has the potential of replacing the CLAs in IgG1 RDTs. Thus we believe that in silico tools can be used to optimise wet lab experiments for a rational search of biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Cesar Bremer Hinckel
- Coris BioConcept, Gembloux, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Tegwen Marlais
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Airs
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tapan Bhattacharyya
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hideo Imamura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Sayda El-Safi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Om Prakash Singh
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Bjorn Andersson
- Department of Cell- and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Michael A. Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Hernandez HW, Soeung M, Zorn KM, Ashoura N, Mottin M, Andrade CH, Caffrey CR, de Siqueira-Neto JL, Ekins S. High Throughput and Computational Repurposing for Neglected Diseases. Pharm Res 2018; 36:27. [PMID: 30560386 PMCID: PMC6792295 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-018-2558-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) represent are a heterogeneous group of communicable diseases that are found within the poorest populations of the world. There are 23 NTDs that have been prioritized by the World Health Organization, which are endemic in 149 countries and affect more than 1.4 billion people, costing these developing economies billions of dollars annually. The NTDs result from four different causative pathogens: protozoa, bacteria, helminth and virus. The majority of the diseases lack effective treatments. Therefore, new therapeutics for NTDs are desperately needed. Methods We describe various high throughput screening and computational approaches that have been performed in recent years. We have collated the molecules identified in these studies and calculated molecular properties. Results Numerous global repurposing efforts have yielded some promising compounds for various neglected tropical diseases. These compounds when analyzed as one would expect appear drug-like. Several large datasets are also now in the public domain and this enables machine learning models to be constructed that then facilitate the discovery of new molecules for these pathogens. Conclusions In the space of a few years many groups have either performed experimental or computational repurposing high throughput screens against neglected diseases. These have identified compounds which in many cases are already approved drugs. Such approaches perhaps offer a more efficient way to develop treatments which are generally not a focus for global pharmaceutical companies because of the economics or the lack of a viable market. Other diseases could perhaps benefit from these repurposing approaches. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11095-018-2558-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melinda Soeung
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kimberley M Zorn
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27606, USA
| | | | - Melina Mottin
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade Federal de Goias - UFG, Goiânia, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade Federal de Goias - UFG, Goiânia, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, 92093, USA
| | - Jair Lage de Siqueira-Neto
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, 92093, USA
| | - Sean Ekins
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27606, USA.
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17
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Almeida APMM, Machado LFM, Doro D, Nascimento FC, Damasceno L, Gazzinelli RT, Fernandes AP, Junqueira C. New Vaccine Formulations Containing a Modified Version of the Amastigote 2 Antigen and the Non-Virulent Trypanosoma cruzi CL-14 Strain Are Highly Antigenic and Protective against Leishmania infantum Challenge. Front Immunol 2018; 9:465. [PMID: 29599776 PMCID: PMC5863692 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a major public health issue reported as the second illness in mortality among all tropical diseases. Clinical trials have shown that protection against VL is associated with robust T cell responses, especially those producing IFN-γ. The Leishmania amastigote 2 (A2) protein has been repeatedly described as immunogenic and protective against VL in different animal models; it is recognized by human T cells, and it is also commercially available in a vaccine formulation containing saponin against canine VL. Moving toward a more appropriate formulation for human vaccination, here, we tested a new optimized version of the recombinant protein (rA2), designed for Escherichia coli expression, in combination with adjuvants that have been approved for human use. Moreover, aiming at improving the cellular immune response triggered by rA2, we generated a recombinant live vaccine vector using Trypanosoma cruzi CL-14 non-virulent strain, named CL-14 A2. Mice immunized with respective rA2, adsorbed in Alum/CpG B297, a TLR9 agonist recognized by mice and human homologs, or with the recombinant CL-14 A2 parasites through homologous prime-boost protocol, were evaluated for antigen-specific immune responses and protection against Leishmania infantum promastigote challenge. Immunization with the new rA2/Alum/CpG formulations and CL-14 A2 transgenic vectors elicited stronger cellular immune responses than control groups, as shown by increased levels of IFN-γ, conferring protection against L. infantum challenge. Interestingly, the use of the wild-type CL-14 alone was enough to boost immunity and confer protection, confirming the previously reported immunogenic potential of this strain. Together, these results support the success of both the newly designed rA2 antigen and the ability of T. cruzi CL-14 to induce strong T cell-mediated immune responses against VL in animal models when used as a live vaccine vector. In conclusion, the vaccination strategies explored here reveal promising alternatives for the development of new rA2 vaccine formulations to be translated human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula M M Almeida
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Leopoldo F M Machado
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Daniel Doro
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Frederico C Nascimento
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Tostes Gazzinelli
- Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Division of Infectious Disease, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Ana Paula Fernandes
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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18
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McCall LI, Tripathi A, Vargas F, Knight R, Dorrestein PC, Siqueira-Neto JL. Experimental Chagas disease-induced perturbations of the fecal microbiome and metabolome. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018. [PMID: 29529084 PMCID: PMC5864088 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi parasites are the causative agents of Chagas disease. These parasites infect cardiac and gastrointestinal tissues, leading to local inflammation and tissue damage. Digestive Chagas disease is associated with perturbations in food absorption, intestinal traffic and defecation. However, the impact of T. cruzi infection on the gut microbiota and metabolome have yet to be characterized. In this study, we applied mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing to profile infection-associated alterations in fecal bacterial composition and fecal metabolome through the acute-stage and into the chronic stage of infection, in a murine model of Chagas disease. We observed joint microbial and chemical perturbations associated with T. cruzi infection. These included alterations in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) derivatives and in specific members of families Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, as well as alterations in secondary bile acids and members of order Clostridiales. These results highlight the importance of multi-‘omics’ and poly-microbial studies in understanding parasitic diseases in general, and Chagas disease in particular. Host-parasite interactions are usually studied as a binary system, without considering the role of the host microbiota. This work integrates microbiome research into the study of gastrointestinal Chagas disease. We show that T. cruzi infection perturbs the fecal microbiome and metabolome, indicating functional changes affecting the gastrointestinal lumen. Our results support further investigation into the role of the microbiota-parasite interaction in gastrointestinal Chagas disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura-Isobel McCall
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Anupriya Tripathi
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America.,Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Fernando Vargas
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America.,Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America.,Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Rob Knight
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America.,Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America.,Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Pieter C Dorrestein
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America.,Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America.,Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jair L Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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19
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Paes-Vieira L, Gomes-Vieira AL, Meyer-Fernandes JR. NTPDase activities: possible roles onLeishmania sppinfectivity and virulence. Cell Biol Int 2018; 42:670-682. [DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lisvane Paes-Vieira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro RJ 21941-590 Brazil
| | - André Luiz Gomes-Vieira
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Química; Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro; Seropédica RJ Brazil
| | - José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro RJ 21941-590 Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem; Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil
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20
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Vásquez-Ocmín P, Cojean S, Rengifo E, Suyyagh-Albouz S, Amasifuen Guerra CA, Pomel S, Cabanillas B, Mejía K, Loiseau PM, Figadère B, Maciuk A. Antiprotozoal activity of medicinal plants used by Iquitos-Nauta road communities in Loreto (Peru). JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2018; 210:372-385. [PMID: 28887215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE In the Peruvian Amazon, the use of medicinal plants is a common practice. However, there is few documented information about the practical aspects of their use and few scientific validation. The starting point for this work was a set of interviews of people living in rural communities from the Peruvian Amazon about their uses of plants. Protozoan diseases are a public health issue in the Amazonian communities, who partly cope with it by using traditional remedies. Validation of these traditional practices contributes to public health care efficiency and may help identify new antiprotozoal compounds. AIMS OF STUDY to inventory and validate the use of medicinal plants by rural people of Loreto region. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rural mestizos were interviewed about traditional medication of parasite infections with medicinal plants. Ethnopharmacological surveys were undertaken in two villages along Iquitos-Nauta road (Loreto region, Peru), namely 13 de Febrero and El Dorado communities. Forty-six plants were collected according to their traditional use for the treatment of parasitic diseases, 50 ethanolic extracts (different parts for some of the plants) were tested in vitro on Plasmodium falciparum (3D7 sensitive strain and W2 chloroquine resistant strain), Leishmania donovani LV9 strain and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. Cytotoxic assessment (HUVEC cells) of the active extracts was performed. Two of the most active plants were submitted to preliminary bioguided fractionation to ascertain and explore their activities. RESULTS From the initial plants list, 10 were found to be active on P. falciparum, 15 on L. donovani and 2 on the three parasites. The ethanolic extract from Costus curvibracteatus (Costaceae) leaves and Grias neuberthii (Lecythidaceae) bark showed strong in vitro activity on P. falciparum (sensitive and resistant strain) and L. donovani and moderate activity on T. brucei gambiense. CONCLUSIONS The Amazonian forest communities in Peru represents a source of knowledge on the use of medicinal plants. In this work, several extracts with antiprotozoal activity were identified. This work contributes to validate some traditional uses and opens subsequent investigations on active compounds isolation and identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Vásquez-Ocmín
- Equipe "Chimie des substances naturelles" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France.
| | - Sandrine Cojean
- Equipe "Chimiothérapie antiparasitaire" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Elsa Rengifo
- Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Avenida Abelardo Quiñonez Km. 4.5, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Soulaf Suyyagh-Albouz
- Equipe "Chimiothérapie antiparasitaire" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Carlos A Amasifuen Guerra
- Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Calle Pevas 5ta cuadra, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Sébastien Pomel
- Equipe "Chimiothérapie antiparasitaire" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Billy Cabanillas
- Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Avenida Abelardo Quiñonez Km. 4.5, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Kember Mejía
- Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Avenida Abelardo Quiñonez Km. 4.5, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Philippe M Loiseau
- Equipe "Chimiothérapie antiparasitaire" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Bruno Figadère
- Equipe "Chimie des substances naturelles" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Alexandre Maciuk
- Equipe "Chimie des substances naturelles" BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue J.-B. Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France.
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21
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Franco J, Scarone L, Comini MA. Drugs and Drug Resistance in African and American Trypanosomiasis. ANNUAL REPORTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.armc.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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22
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The Role of Cytoplasmic mRNA Cap-Binding Protein Complexes in Trypanosoma brucei and Other Trypanosomatids. Pathogens 2017; 6:pathogens6040055. [PMID: 29077018 PMCID: PMC5750579 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens6040055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatid protozoa are unusual eukaryotes that are well known for having unusual ways of controlling their gene expression. The lack of a refined mode of transcriptional control in these organisms is compensated by several post-transcriptional control mechanisms, such as control of mRNA turnover and selection of mRNA for translation, that may modulate protein synthesis in response to several environmental conditions found in different hosts. In other eukaryotes, selection of mRNA for translation is mediated by the complex eIF4F, a heterotrimeric protein complex composed by the subunits eIF4E, eIF4G, and eIF4A, where the eIF4E binds to the 5'-cap structure of mature mRNAs. In this review, we present and discuss the characteristics of six trypanosomatid eIF4E homologs and their associated proteins that form multiple eIF4F complexes. The existence of multiple eIF4F complexes in trypanosomatids evokes exquisite mechanisms for differential mRNA recognition for translation.
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23
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Zulfiqar B, Jones AJ, Sykes ML, Shelper TB, Davis RA, Avery VM. Screening a Natural Product-Based Library against Kinetoplastid Parasites. Molecules 2017; 22:E1715. [PMID: 29023425 PMCID: PMC6151456 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22101715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastid parasites cause vector-borne parasitic diseases including leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and Chagas disease. These Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) impact on some of the world's lowest socioeconomic communities. Current treatments for these diseases cause severe toxicity and have limited efficacy, highlighting the need to identify new treatments. In this study, the Davis open access natural product-based library was screened against kinetoplastids (Leishmania donovani DD8, Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi) using phenotypic assays. The aim of this study was to identify hit compounds, with a focus on improved efficacy, selectivity and potential to target several kinetoplastid parasites. The IC50 values of the natural products were obtained for L. donovani DD8, T. b. brucei and T. cruzi in addition to cytotoxicity against the mammalian cell lines, HEK-293, 3T3 and THP-1 cell lines were determined to ascertain parasite selectivity. Thirty-one compounds were identified with IC50 values of ≤ 10 µM against the kinetoplastid parasites tested. Lissoclinotoxin E (1) was the only compound identified with activity across all three investigated parasites, exhibiting IC50 values < 5 µM. In this study, natural products with the potential to be new chemical starting points for drug discovery efforts for kinetoplastid diseases were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Zulfiqar
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia.
| | - Amy J Jones
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia.
| | - Melissa L Sykes
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia.
| | - Todd B Shelper
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia.
| | - Rohan A Davis
- Natural Product Chemistry, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia.
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia.
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24
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McCall LI, Morton JT, Bernatchez JA, de Siqueira-Neto JL, Knight R, Dorrestein PC, McKerrow JH. Mass Spectrometry-Based Chemical Cartography of a Cardiac Parasitic Infection. Anal Chem 2017; 89:10414-10421. [PMID: 28892370 PMCID: PMC6298790 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b02423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi parasites are the causative agents of Chagas disease, a leading infectious form of heart failure whose pathogenesis is still not fully characterized. In this work, we applied untargeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to heart sections from T. cruzi-infected and uninfected mice. We combined molecular networking and three-dimensional modeling to generate chemical cartographical heart models. This approach revealed for the first time preferential parasite localization to the base of the heart and regiospecific distributions of nucleoside derivatives and eicosanoids, which we correlated to tissue-damaging immune responses. We further detected novel cardiac chemical signatures related to the severity and ultimate outcome of the infection. These signatures included differential representation of higher- vs lower-molecular-weight carnitine and phosphatidylcholine family members in specific cardiac regions of mice infected with lethal or nonlethal T. cruzi strains and doses. Overall, this work provides new insights into Chagas disease pathogenesis and presents an analytical chemistry approach that can be broadly applied to the study of host-microbe interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura-Isobel McCall
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Present address: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 73019-5251
| | - James T. Morton
- Department of Computer Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Jean A. Bernatchez
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Jair Lage de Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Rob Knight
- Department of Computer Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Pieter C. Dorrestein
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
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25
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Wagner A, Diehl E, Krauth-Siegel RL, Hellmich UA. Backbone NMR assignments of tryparedoxin, the central protein in the hydroperoxide detoxification cascade of African trypanosomes, in the oxidized and reduced form. BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS 2017; 11:193-196. [PMID: 28573456 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-017-9746-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Tryparedoxin (Tpx) is a pivotal protein in the redox-metabolism of trypanosomatid parasites. Tpx has previously been identified as a potential target for drug development in the fight against human African sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma brucei. Tpx belongs to the thioredoxin superfamily and acts as an oxidoreductase in the parasite's cytoplasm. It contains a WCPPC active site motif, which enables the protein to undergo thiol-disulfide exchange. To promote future protein-drug interaction analyses, we report the 1H, 13C and 15N backbone chemical shift assignments for both the oxidized and reduced states of Tpx. The redox state of the protein has a significant impact on the chemical shifts of the residues at the active site of the protein, especially on the two redox active site cysteines. The NMR assignments presented here will be a prerequisite for investigating drug binding to Tpx in molecular detail and to drive further drug optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Wagner
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Johann-Joachim Becherweg 30, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max von Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Erika Diehl
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Johann-Joachim Becherweg 30, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max von Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - R Luise Krauth-Siegel
- Biochemie-Zentrum, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 328, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ute A Hellmich
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Johann-Joachim Becherweg 30, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max von Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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26
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Jara M, Berg M, Caljon G, de Muylder G, Cuypers B, Castillo D, Maes I, Orozco MDC, Vanaerschot M, Dujardin JC, Arevalo J. Macromolecular biosynthetic parameters and metabolic profile in different life stages of Leishmania braziliensis: Amastigotes as a functionally less active stage. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180532. [PMID: 28742826 PMCID: PMC5526552 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
It was recently hypothesized that Leishmania amastigotes could constitute a semi-quiescent stage characterized by low replication and reduced metabolic activity. This concept developed with Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana and Leishmania (Leishmania) major models might explain numerous clinical and sub-clinical features of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infections, like reactivation of the disease, non-response to chemotherapy or asymptomatic infections. We compared here in vitro the proliferative capability of L. (V.) braziliensis amastigotes and promastigotes, assessed the expression of key molecular parameters and performed metabolomic analysis. We found that contrary to the highly proliferative promastigotes, amastigotes (axenic and intracellular) do not show evidence of extensive proliferation. In parallel, amastigotes showed a significant decrease of (i) the kDNA mini-circle abundance, (ii) the intracellular ATP level, (iii) the ribosomal components: rRNA subunits 18S and 28S α and ribosomal proteins RPS15 and RPL19, (iv) total RNA and protein levels. An untargeted metabolomic study identified clear differences between the different life stages: in comparison to logarithmic promastigotes, axenic amastigotes showed (a) a strong decrease of 14 essential and non-essential amino acids and eight metabolites involved in polyamine synthesis, (b) extensive changes in the phospholipids composition and (c) increased levels of several endogenous and exogenous sterols. Altogether, our results show that L. (V.) braziliensis amastigotes can show a phenotype with negligible rate of proliferation, a lower capacity of biosynthesis, a reduced bio-energetic level and a strongly altered metabolism. Our results pave the way for further exploration of quiescence among amastigotes of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Jara
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Alexander von Humboldt”, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Molecular Parasitology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maya Berg
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Molecular Parasitology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Molecular Parasitology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Geraldine de Muylder
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Molecular Parasitology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bart Cuypers
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Molecular Parasitology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Denis Castillo
- Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Ilse Maes
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Molecular Parasitology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - María del Carmen Orozco
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Alexander von Humboldt”, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Manu Vanaerschot
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Molecular Parasitology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jean-Claude Dujardin
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Molecular Parasitology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jorge Arevalo
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Alexander von Humboldt”, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
- Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
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27
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da Silva MS, Muñoz PAM, Armelin HA, Elias MC. Differences in the Detection of BrdU/EdU Incorporation Assays Alter the Calculation for G1, S, and G2 Phases of the Cell Cycle in Trypanosomatids. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2017; 64:756-770. [PMID: 28258618 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are the etiologic agents of various infectious diseases in humans. They diverged early during eukaryotic evolution and have attracted attention as peculiar models for evolutionary and comparative studies. Here, we show a meticulous study comparing the incorporation and detection of the thymidine analogs BrdU and EdU in Leishmania amazonensis, Trypanosoma brucei, and Trypanosoma cruzi to monitor their DNA replication. We used BrdU- and EdU-incorporated parasites with the respective standard detection approaches: indirect immunofluorescence to detect BrdU after standard denaturation (2 M HCl) and "click" chemistry to detect EdU. We found a discrepancy between these two thymidine analogs due to the poor detection of BrdU, which is reflected on the estimative of the duration of the cell cycle phases G1, S, and G2. To solve this discrepancy, we increase the exposure of incorporated BrdU using different concentrations of HCl. Using a new value for HCl concentration, we re-estimated the phases G1, S, G2 + M, and cytokinesis durations, confirming the values found by this approach using EdU. In conclusion, we suggest that the studies using BrdU with standard detection approach, not only in trypanosomatids but also in others cell types, should be reviewed to ensure an accurate estimation of DNA replication monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Santos da Silva
- Laboratório Especial de Ciclo Celular, Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, 1500, Vital Brasil Avenue, 05503-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula Andrea Marin Muñoz
- Laboratório Especial de Ciclo Celular, Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, 1500, Vital Brasil Avenue, 05503-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hugo Aguirre Armelin
- Laboratório Especial de Ciclo Celular, Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, 1500, Vital Brasil Avenue, 05503-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Elias
- Laboratório Especial de Ciclo Celular, Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, 1500, Vital Brasil Avenue, 05503-900, São Paulo, Brazil
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Field MC, Horn D, Fairlamb AH, Ferguson MAJ, Gray DW, Read KD, De Rycker M, Torrie LS, Wyatt PG, Wyllie S, Gilbert IH. Anti-trypanosomatid drug discovery: an ongoing challenge and a continuing need. Nat Rev Microbiol 2017; 15:217-231. [PMID: 28239154 PMCID: PMC5582623 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro.2016.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The WHO recognizes human African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease and the leishmaniases as neglected tropical diseases. These diseases are caused by parasitic trypanosomatids and range in severity from mild and self-curing to near invariably fatal. Public health advances have substantially decreased the effect of these diseases in recent decades but alone will not eliminate them. In this Review, we discuss why new drugs against trypanosomatids are required, approaches that are under investigation to develop new drugs and why the drug discovery pipeline remains essentially unfilled. In addition, we consider the important challenges to drug discovery strategies and the new technologies that can address them. The combination of new drugs, new technologies and public health initiatives is essential for the management, and hopefully eventual elimination, of trypanosomatid diseases from the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark C Field
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - David Horn
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Alan H Fairlamb
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Michael A J Ferguson
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - David W Gray
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Kevin D Read
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Manu De Rycker
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Leah S Torrie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Paul G Wyatt
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Ian H Gilbert
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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Patino LH, Ramírez JD. RNA-seq in kinetoplastids: A powerful tool for the understanding of the biology and host-pathogen interactions. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 49:273-282. [PMID: 28179142 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The kinetoplastids include a large number of parasites responsible for serious diseases in humans and animals (Leishmania and Trypanosoma brucei) considered endemic in several regions of the world. These parasites are characterized by digenetic life cycles that undergo morphological and genetic changes that allow them to adapt to different microenvironments on their vertebrates and invertebrates hosts. Recent advances in ´omics´ technology, specifically transcriptomics have allowed to reveal aspects associated with such molecular changes. So far, different techniques have been used to evaluate the gene expression profile during the various stages of the life cycle of these parasites and during the host-parasite interactions. However, some of them have serious drawbacks that limit the precise study and full understanding of their transcriptomes. Therefore, recently has been implemented the latest technology (RNA-seq), which overcomes the drawbacks of traditional methods. In this review, studies that so far have used RNA-seq are presented and allowed to expand our knowledge regarding the biology of these parasites and their interactions with their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz Helena Patino
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24# 63C-69, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24# 63C-69, Bogotá, Colombia.
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30
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Yau WL, Lambertz U, Colineau L, Pescher P, MacDonald A, Zander D, Retzlaff S, Eick J, Reiner NE, Clos J, Späth GF. Phenotypic Characterization of a Leishmania donovani Cyclophilin 40 Null Mutant. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2016; 63:823-833. [PMID: 27216143 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania adapt to their arthropod and vertebrate hosts through the development of defined life cycle stages. Stage differentiation is triggered by environmental stress factors and has been linked to parasite chaperone activities. Using a null mutant approach we previously revealed important, nonredundant functions of the cochaperone cyclophilin 40 in L. donovani-infected macrophages. Here, we characterized in more detail the virulence defect of cyp40-/- null mutants. In vitro viability assays, infection tests using macrophages, and mixed infection experiments ruled out a defect of cyp40-/- parasites in resistance to oxidative and hydrolytic stresses encountered inside the host cell phagolysosome. Investigation of the CyP40-dependent proteome by quantitative 2D-DiGE analysis revealed up regulation of various stress proteins in the null mutant, presumably a response to compensate for the lack of CyP40. Applying transmission electron microscopy we showed accumulation of vesicular structures in the flagellar pocket of cyp40-/- parasites that we related to a significant increase in exosome production, a phenomenon previously linked to the parasite stress response. Together these data suggest that cyp40-/- parasites experience important intrinsic homeostatic stress that likely abrogates parasite viability during intracellular infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai-Lok Yau
- Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, Institut Pasteur and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale INSERM U1201, 25 rue du Dr Roux, F-75015, Paris, France
- Clos Group (Leishmanasis), Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin, Bernhard-Nocht-Street 74, D-20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Lambertz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Jack Bell Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Lucie Colineau
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Jack Bell Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Pascale Pescher
- Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, Institut Pasteur and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale INSERM U1201, 25 rue du Dr Roux, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Andrea MacDonald
- Clos Group (Leishmanasis), Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin, Bernhard-Nocht-Street 74, D-20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dorothea Zander
- Clos Group (Leishmanasis), Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin, Bernhard-Nocht-Street 74, D-20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Silke Retzlaff
- Electron Microscopy Service, Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin, Bernhard-Nocht-Street 74, D-20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Eick
- Clos Group (Leishmanasis), Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin, Bernhard-Nocht-Street 74, D-20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Neil E Reiner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Jack Bell Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Joachim Clos
- Clos Group (Leishmanasis), Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin, Bernhard-Nocht-Street 74, D-20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gerald F Späth
- Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, Institut Pasteur and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale INSERM U1201, 25 rue du Dr Roux, F-75015, Paris, France.
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31
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McCall LI, Siqueira-Neto JL, McKerrow JH. Location, Location, Location: Five Facts about Tissue Tropism and Pathogenesis. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005519. [PMID: 27227827 PMCID: PMC4881934 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laura-Isobel McCall
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jair L. Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Genome of Leptomonas pyrrhocoris: a high-quality reference for monoxenous trypanosomatids and new insights into evolution of Leishmania. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23704. [PMID: 27021793 PMCID: PMC4810370 DOI: 10.1038/srep23704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Many high-quality genomes are available for dixenous (two hosts) trypanosomatid species of the genera Trypanosoma, Leishmania, and Phytomonas, but only fragmentary information is available for monoxenous (single-host) trypanosomatids. In trypanosomatids, monoxeny is ancestral to dixeny, thus it is anticipated that the genome sequences of the key monoxenous parasites will be instrumental for both understanding the origin of parasitism and the evolution of dixeny. Here, we present a high-quality genome for Leptomonas pyrrhocoris, which is closely related to the dixenous genus Leishmania. The L. pyrrhocoris genome (30.4 Mbp in 60 scaffolds) encodes 10,148 genes. Using the L. pyrrhocoris genome, we pinpointed genes gained in Leishmania. Among those genes, 20 genes with unknown function had expression patterns in the Leishmania mexicana life cycle suggesting their involvement in virulence. By combining differential expression data for L. mexicana, L. major and Leptomonas seymouri, we have identified several additional proteins potentially involved in virulence, including SpoU methylase and U3 small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein IMP3. The population genetics of L. pyrrhocoris was also addressed by sequencing thirteen strains of different geographic origin, allowing the identification of 1,318 genes under positive selection. This set of genes was significantly enriched in components of the cytoskeleton and the flagellum.
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Martínez-García M, Campos-Salinas J, Cabello-Donayre M, Pineda-Molina E, Gálvez FJ, Orrego LM, Sánchez-Cañete MP, Malagarie-Cazenave S, Koeller DM, Pérez-Victoria JM. LmABCB3, an atypical mitochondrial ABC transporter essential for Leishmania major virulence, acts in heme and cytosolic iron/sulfur clusters biogenesis. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:7. [PMID: 26728034 PMCID: PMC4700571 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1284-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mitochondria play essential biological functions including the synthesis and trafficking of porphyrins and iron/sulfur clusters (ISC), processes that in mammals involve the mitochondrial ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) transporters ABCB6 and ABCB7, respectively. The mitochondrion of pathogenic protozoan parasites such as Leishmania is a promising goal for new therapeutic approaches. Leishmania infects human macrophages producing the neglected tropical disease known as leishmaniasis. Like most trypanosomatid parasites, Leishmania is auxotrophous for heme and must acquire porphyrins from the host. Methods LmABCB3, a new Leishmania major protein with significant sequence similarity to human ABCB6/ABCB7, was identified and characterized using bioinformatic tools. Fluorescent microscopy was used to determine its cellular localization, and its level of expression was modulated by molecular genetic techniques. Intracellular in vitro assays were used to demonstrate its role in amastigotes replication, and an in vivo mouse model was used to analyze its role in virulence. Functional characterization of LmABCB3 was carried out in Leishmania promastigotes and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Structural analysis of LmABCB3 was performed using molecular modeling software. Results LmABCB3 is an atypical ABC half-transporter that has a unique N-terminal extension not found in any other known ABC protein. This extension is required to target LmABCB3 to the mitochondrion and includes a potential metal-binding domain. We have shown that LmABCB3 interacts with porphyrins and is required for the mitochondrial synthesis of heme from a host precursor. We also present data supporting a role for LmABCB3 in the biogenesis of cytosolic ISC, essential cofactors for cell viability in all three kingdoms of life. LmABCB3 fully complemented the severe growth defect shown in yeast lacking ATM1, an orthologue of human ABCB7 involved in exporting from the mitochondria a gluthatione-containing compound required for the generation of cytosolic ISC. Indeed, docking analyzes performed with a LmABCB3 structural model using trypanothione, the main thiol in this parasite, as a ligand showed how both, LmABCB3 and yeast ATM1, contain a similar thiol-binding pocket. Additionally, we show solid evidence suggesting that LmABCB3 is an essential gene as dominant negative inhibition of LmABCB3 is lethal for the parasite. Moreover, the abrogation of only one allele of the gene did not impede promastigote growth in axenic culture but prevented the replication of intracellular amastigotes and the virulence of the parasites in a mouse model of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Conclusions Altogether our results present the previously undescribed LmABCB3 as an unusual mitochondrial ABC transporter essential for Leishmania survival through its role in the generation of heme and cytosolic ISC. Hence, LmABCB3 could represent a novel target to combat leishmaniasis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1284-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Martínez-García
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra" (IPBLN), CSIC, PTS Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - Jenny Campos-Salinas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra" (IPBLN), CSIC, PTS Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - María Cabello-Donayre
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra" (IPBLN), CSIC, PTS Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - Estela Pineda-Molina
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra" (IPBLN), CSIC, PTS Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - Francisco J Gálvez
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra" (IPBLN), CSIC, PTS Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - Lina M Orrego
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra" (IPBLN), CSIC, PTS Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - María P Sánchez-Cañete
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra" (IPBLN), CSIC, PTS Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | | | - David M Koeller
- Department of Molecular & Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - José M Pérez-Victoria
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra" (IPBLN), CSIC, PTS Granada, Granada, Spain.
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Ranasinghe S, Wickremasinghe R, Hulangamuwa S, Sirimanna G, Opathella N, Maingon RDC, Chandrasekharan V. Polymerase chain reaction detection of Leishmania DNA in skin biopsy samples in Sri Lanka where the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis is Leishmania donovani. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2015; 110:1017-23. [PMID: 26676321 PMCID: PMC4708022 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760150286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania donovani is the known causative agent of both cutaneous
(CL) and visceral leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka. CL is considered to be under-reported
partly due to relatively poor sensitivity and specificity of microscopic diagnosis.
We compared robustness of three previously described polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
based methods to detectLeishmania DNA in 38 punch biopsy samples
from patients presented with suspected lesions in 2010. Both,
Leishmaniagenus-specific JW11/JW12 KDNA and LITSR/L5.8S internal
transcribed spacer (ITS)1 PCR assays detected 92% (35/38) of the samples whereas a
KDNA assay specific forL. donovani (LdF/LdR) detected only 71%
(27/38) of samples. All positive samples showed a L. donovani
banding pattern upon HaeIII ITS1 PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism
analysis. PCR assay specificity was evaluated in samples containing
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium
leprae, and human DNA, and there was no cross-amplification in JW11/JW12
and LITSR/L5.8S PCR assays. The LdF/LdR PCR assay did not amplify M.
leprae or human DNA although 500 bp and 700 bp bands were observed in
M. tuberculosis samples. In conclusion, it was successfully shown
in this study that it is possible to diagnose Sri Lankan CL with high accuracy, to
genus and species identification, using Leishmania DNA PCR
assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalindra Ranasinghe
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Renu Wickremasinghe
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Ganga Sirimanna
- Dermatology Unit, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Rhaiza D C Maingon
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
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Firdessa R, Good L, Amstalden MC, Chindera K, Kamaruzzaman NF, Schultheis M, Röger B, Hecht N, Oelschlaeger TA, Meinel L, Lühmann T, Moll H. Pathogen- and Host-Directed Antileishmanial Effects Mediated by Polyhexanide (PHMB). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004041. [PMID: 26431058 PMCID: PMC4592236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. CL causes enormous suffering in many countries worldwide. There is no licensed vaccine against CL, and the chemotherapy options show limited efficacy and high toxicity. Localization of the parasites inside host cells is a barrier to most standard chemo- and immune-based interventions. Hence, novel drugs, which are safe, effective and readily accessible to third-world countries and/or drug delivery technologies for effective CL treatments are desperately needed. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Here we evaluated the antileishmanial properties and delivery potential of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB; polyhexanide), a widely used antimicrobial and wound antiseptic, in the Leishmania model. PHMB showed an inherent antileishmanial activity at submicromolar concentrations. Our data revealed that PHMB kills Leishmania major (L. major) via a dual mechanism involving disruption of membrane integrity and selective chromosome condensation and damage. PHMB's DNA binding and host cell entry properties were further exploited to improve the delivery and immunomodulatory activities of unmethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN). PHMB spontaneously bound CpG ODN, forming stable nanopolyplexes that enhanced uptake of CpG ODN, potentiated antimicrobial killing and reduced host cell toxicity of PHMB. CONCLUSIONS Given its low cost and long history of safe topical use, PHMB holds promise as a drug for CL therapy and delivery vehicle for nucleic acid immunomodulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebuma Firdessa
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Liam Good
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Martina Schultheis
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bianca Röger
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nina Hecht
- Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Lorenz Meinel
- Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tessa Lühmann
- Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Heidrun Moll
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Krüger T, Engstler M. Flagellar motility in eukaryotic human parasites. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2015; 46:113-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Cassola A, Romaniuk MA, Primrose D, Cervini G, D'Orso I, Frasch AC. Association of UBP1 to ribonucleoprotein complexes is regulated by interaction with the trypanosome ortholog of the human multifunctional P32 protein. Mol Microbiol 2015; 97:1079-96. [PMID: 26096620 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of gene expression in trypanosomatid parasitic protozoa is mainly achieved posttranscriptionally. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) associate to 3' untranslated regions in mRNAs through dedicated domains such as the RNA recognition motif (RRM). Trypanosoma cruzi UBP1 (TcUBP1) is an RRM-type RBP involved in stabilization/degradation of mRNAs. TcUBP1 uses its RRM to associate with cytoplasmic mRNA and to mRNA granules under starvation stress. Here, we show that under starvation stress, TcUBP1 is tightly associated with condensed cytoplasmic mRNA granules. Conversely, under high nutrient/low density-growing conditions, TcUBP1 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes are lax and permeable to mRNA degradation and disassembly. After dissociating from mRNA, TcUBP1 can be phosphorylated only in unstressed parasites. We have identified TcP22, the ortholog of mammalian P32/C1QBP, as an interactor of TcUBP1 RRM. Overexpression of TcP22 decreased the number of TcUBP1 granules in starved parasites in vivo. Endogenous TcUBP1 RNP complexes could be dissociated in vitro by addition of recombinant TcP22, a condition stimulating TcUBP1 phosphorylation. Biochemical and in silico analysis revealed that TcP22 interacts with the RNA-binding surface of TcUBP1 RRM. We propose a model for the decondensation of TcUBP1 RNP complexes in T. cruzi through direct interaction with TcP22 and phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Cassola
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, UNSAM-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Albertina Romaniuk
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, UNSAM-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Debora Primrose
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, UNSAM-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Cervini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, UNSAM-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Iván D'Orso
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, UNSAM-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alberto Carlos Frasch
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, UNSAM-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Targeting Ergosterol biosynthesis in Leishmania donovani: essentiality of sterol 14 alpha-demethylase. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003588. [PMID: 25768284 PMCID: PMC4359151 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania protozoan parasites (Trypanosomatidae family) are the causative agents of cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis worldwide. While these diseases are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, there are few adequate treatments available. Sterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51) in the parasite sterol biosynthesis pathway has been the focus of considerable interest as a novel drug target in Leishmania. However, its essentiality in Leishmania donovani has yet to be determined. Here, we use a dual biological and pharmacological approach to demonstrate that CYP51 is indispensable in L. donovani. We show via a facilitated knockout approach that chromosomal CYP51 genes can only be knocked out in the presence of episomal complementation and that this episome cannot be lost from the parasite even under negative selection. In addition, we treated wild-type L. donovani and CYP51-deficient strains with 4-aminopyridyl-based inhibitors designed specifically for Trypanosoma cruzi CYP51. While potency was lower than in T. cruzi, these inhibitors had increased efficacy in parasites lacking a CYP51 allele compared to complemented parasites, indicating inhibition of parasite growth via a CYP51-specific mechanism and confirming essentiality of CYP51 in L. donovani. Overall, these results provide support for further development of CYP51 inhibitors for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. Visceral leishmaniasis is the second most lethal parasitic infection after malaria. Other forms of leishmaniasis also cause significant morbidity. However, there are few treatments available, and many cause severe side effects or are associated with the development of resistance. A key difference between mammalian cells and Leishmania parasites is the type of sterol in their membranes: while mammalian cell membranes contain cholesterol, Leishmania parasites use ergosterol. There has therefore been considerable interest in developing inhibitors of sterol biosynthesis pathways to target Leishmania parasites. Sterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51) is one of the enzymes in the sterol biosynthesis pathway, and the target of significant drug development research in Leishmania. Here we use a double approach to determine whether this gene is essential in Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis. We demonstrate via gene knockout and drug targeting approaches that loss or inhibition of CYP51 inhibits L. donovani growth. These results validate CYP51 as a drug target in L. donovani and support further work to develop CYP51-directed therapies for visceral leishmaniasis.
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Cantacessi C, Dantas-Torres F, Nolan MJ, Otranto D. The past, present, and future of Leishmania genomics and transcriptomics. Trends Parasitol 2015; 31:100-8. [PMID: 25638444 PMCID: PMC4356521 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2014.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
It has been nearly 10 years since the completion of the first entire genome sequence of a Leishmania parasite. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses have advanced our understanding of the biology of Leishmania, and shed new light on the complex interactions occurring within the parasite-host-vector triangle. Here, we review these advances and examine potential avenues for translation of these discoveries into treatment and control programs. In addition, we argue for a strong need to explore how disease in dogs relates to that in humans, and how an improved understanding in line with the 'One Health' concept may open new avenues for the control of these devastating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Departamento de Imunologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Fiocruz-PE, Brazil; Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Matthew J Nolan
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, UK
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
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McCall LI, Zhang WW, Dejgaard K, Atayde VD, Mazur A, Ranasinghe S, Liu J, Olivier M, Nilsson T, Matlashewski G. Adaptation of Leishmania donovani to cutaneous and visceral environments: in vivo selection and proteomic analysis. J Proteome Res 2015; 14:1033-59. [PMID: 25536015 DOI: 10.1021/pr5010604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania protozoa. Two main forms are found in the Old World, self-limited cutaneous leishmaniasis and potentially fatal visceral leishmaniasis, with parasite dissemination to liver, bone marrow, and spleen. The Leishmania donovani species complex is the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis worldwide, but atypical L. donovani strains can cause cutaneous leishmaniasis. We hypothesized that L. donovani can adapt to survive in response to restrictions imposed by the host environment. To assess this, we performed in vivo selection in BALB/c mice with a cutaneous L. donovani clinical isolate to select for parasites with increased capacity to survive in visceral organs. We then performed whole cell proteomic analysis and compared this visceral-selected strain to the original cutaneous clinical isolate and to a visceral leishmaniasis clinical isolate. Overall, there were no major shifts in proteomic profiles; however, translation, biosynthetic processes, antioxidant protection, and signaling were elevated in visceral strains. Conversely, transport and trafficking were elevated in the cutaneous strain. Overall, these results provide new insight into the adaptability of Leishmania parasites to the host environment and on the factors that mediate their ability to survive in different organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University , 3775 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
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Host specificity, pathogenicity, and mixed infections of trypanoplasms from freshwater fishes. Parasitol Res 2014; 114:1071-8. [PMID: 25544706 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4277-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
This work summarizes the results of the 8-year study focused on Trypanoplasma sp. parasitizing freshwater fishes in the vicinity of Kyiv, Ukraine. Out of 570 fish specimens of 2 different species analyzed, 440 individuals were found to be infected. The prevalence of infection ranged from 24 % in Abramis brama Linnaeus (freshwater bream) to 100 % in Cobitis taenia Linnaeus (spined loach). The level of parasitemia also varied between moderate in freshwater bream and very high in spined loach. Interestingly, no clinical manifestations of trypanoplasmosis were observed even in extremely heavily infected C. taenia. We hypothesize that different species may differ in evolutionary timing allowing for reciprocal adaptation of the members of the "host-parasite" system. Molecular analysis of the 18S rRNA sequences revealed that several specimens were simultaneously infected with at least two different trypanoplasm species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the mixed infection with fish trypanoplasms.
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Bartholomeu DC, de Paiva RMC, Mendes TAO, DaRocha WD, Teixeira SMR. Unveiling the intracellular survival gene kit of trypanosomatid parasites. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004399. [PMID: 25474314 PMCID: PMC4256449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are unicellular protozoans of medical and economical relevance since they are the etiologic agents of infectious diseases in humans as well as livestock. Whereas Trypanosoma cruzi and different species of Leishmania are obligate intracellular parasites, Trypanosoma brucei and other trypanosomatids develop extracellularly throughout their entire life cycle. After their genomes have been sequenced, various comparative genomic studies aimed at identifying sequences involved with host cell invasion and intracellular survival have been described. However, for only a handful of genes, most of them present exclusively in the T. cruzi or Leishmania genomes, has there been any experimental evidence associating them with intracellular parasitism. With the increasing number of published complete genome sequences of members of the trypanosomatid family, including not only different Trypanosoma and Leishmania strains and subspecies but also trypanosomatids that do not infect humans or other mammals, we may now be able to contemplate a slightly better picture regarding the specific set of parasite factors that defines each organism's mode of living and the associated disease phenotypes. Here, we review the studies concerning T. cruzi and Leishmania genes that have been implicated with cell invasion and intracellular parasitism and also summarize the wealth of new information regarding the mode of living of intracellular parasites that is resulting from comparative genome studies that are based on increasingly larger trypanosomatid genome datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rita Marcia Cardoso de Paiva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tiago A. O. Mendes
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Wanderson D. DaRocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
| | - Santuza M. R. Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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