1
|
de Souza W. Contribution of microscopy to a better understanding of the anatomy of pathogenic protists. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321515121. [PMID: 38621128 PMCID: PMC11046605 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321515121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In this Inaugural Article the author briefly revises its scientific career and how he starts to work with parasitic protozoa. Emphasis is given to his contribution to topics such as a) the structural organization of the surface of protozoa using freeze-fracture and deep-etching; b) the cytoskeleton of protozoa, especially structures such as the subpellicular microtubules of trypanosomatids, the conoid of Toxoplasma gondii, microtubules and inner membrane complex of this protozoan, and the costa of Tritrichomonas foetus; c) the flagellulm of trypanosomatids, that in addition to the axoneme contains a complex network of filaments that constitute the paraflagellar rod; d) special organelles such as the acidocalcisome, hydrogenosome, and glycosome; and e) the highly polarized endocytic pathway found in epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Centro de Pesquisa em Medicina de Precisão, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro21941-902, Brazil
- Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro21941-902, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem—Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro21941-902, Brazil
- Centro Multiusuário para Análise de Fenômenos Biomédicos, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Amazonas69065-001, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ferreira AZL, de Araújo CN, Cardoso ICC, de Souza Mangabeira KS, Rocha AP, Charneau S, Santana JM, Motta FN, Bastos IMD. Metacyclogenesis as the Starting Point of Chagas Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:117. [PMID: 38203289 PMCID: PMC10778605 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected infectious disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, primarily transmitted by triatomine vectors, and it threatens approximately seventy-five million people worldwide. This parasite undergoes a complex life cycle, transitioning between hosts and shifting from extracellular to intracellular stages. To ensure its survival in these diverse environments, T. cruzi undergoes extreme morphological and molecular changes. The metacyclic trypomastigote (MT) form, which arises from the metacyclogenesis (MTG) process in the triatomine hindgut, serves as a crucial link between the insect and human hosts and can be considered the starting point of Chagas disease. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge regarding the parasite's life cycle, molecular pathways, and mechanisms involved in metabolic and morphological adaptations during MTG, enabling the MT to evade the immune system and successfully infect human cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Carla Nunes de Araújo
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
- Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Isabela Cunha Costa Cardoso
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | | | - Amanda Pereira Rocha
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Sébastien Charneau
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Jaime Martins Santana
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Flávia Nader Motta
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
- Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Souza-Melo N, de Lima Alcantara C, Vidal JC, Rocha GM, de Souza W. Implications of Flagellar Attachment Zone Proteins TcGP72 and TcFLA-1BP in Morphology, Proliferation, and Intracellular Dynamics in Trypanosoma cruzi. Pathogens 2023; 12:1367. [PMID: 38003831 PMCID: PMC10675206 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The highly adaptable parasite Trypanosoma cruzi undergoes complex developmental stages to exploit host organisms effectively. Each stage involves the expression of specific proteins and precise intracellular structural organization. These morphological changes depend on key structures that control intracellular components' growth and redistribution. In trypanosomatids, the flagellar attachment zone (FAZ) connects the flagellum to the cell body and plays a pivotal role in cell expansion and structural rearrangement. While FAZ proteins are well-studied in other trypanosomatids, there is limited knowledge about specific components, organization, and function in T. cruzi. This study employed the CRISPR/Cas9 system to label endogenous genes and conduct deletions to characterize FAZ-specific proteins during epimastigote cell division and metacyclogenesis. In T. cruzi, these proteins exhibited distinct organization compared to their counterparts in T. brucei. TcGP72 is anchored to the flagellar membrane, while TcFLA-1BP is anchored to the membrane lining the cell body. We identified unique features in the organization and function of the FAZ in T. cruzi compared to other trypanosomatids. Deleting these proteins had varying effects on intracellular structures, cytokinesis, and metacyclogenesis. This study reveals specific variations that directly impact the success of cell division and differentiation of this parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Normanda Souza-Melo
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Centro de Pesquisas em Medicina de Precisão, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21491-590, Brazil; (C.d.L.A.); (J.C.V.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Carolina de Lima Alcantara
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Centro de Pesquisas em Medicina de Precisão, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21491-590, Brazil; (C.d.L.A.); (J.C.V.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Juliana Cunha Vidal
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Centro de Pesquisas em Medicina de Precisão, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21491-590, Brazil; (C.d.L.A.); (J.C.V.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Gustavo Miranda Rocha
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Centro de Pesquisas em Medicina de Precisão, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21491-590, Brazil; (C.d.L.A.); (J.C.V.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Centro de Pesquisas em Medicina de Precisão, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21491-590, Brazil; (C.d.L.A.); (J.C.V.); (G.M.R.)
- Centro de Estudos Biomédicos-CMABio, Escola Superior de Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas-UEA, Manaus 69065-000, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dick CF, Rocco-Machado N, Dos-Santos ALA, Carvalho-Kelly LF, Alcantara CL, Cunha-E-Silva NL, Meyer-Fernandes JR, Vieyra A. An Iron Transporter Is Involved in Iron Homeostasis, Energy Metabolism, Oxidative Stress, and Metacyclogenesis in Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:789401. [PMID: 35083166 PMCID: PMC8785980 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.789401] [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: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas’ disease; both heme and ionic Fe are required for its optimal growth, differentiation, and invasion. Fe is an essential cofactor in many metabolic pathways. Fe is also harmful due to catalyzing the formation of reactive O2 species; for this reason, all living systems develop mechanisms to control the uptake, metabolism, and storage of Fe. However, there is limited information available on Fe uptake by T. cruzi. Here, we identified a putative 39-kDa Fe transporter in T. cruzi genome, TcIT, homologous to the Fe transporter in Leishmania amazonensis and Arabidopsis thaliana. Epimastigotes grown in Fe-depleted medium have increased TcIT transcription compared with controls grown in regular medium. Intracellular Fe concentration in cells maintained in Fe-depleted medium is lower than in controls, and there is a lower O2 consumption. Epimastigotes overexpressing TcIT, which was encountered in the parasite plasma membrane, have high intracellular Fe content, high O2 consumption—especially in phosphorylating conditions, high intracellular ATP, very high H2O2 production, and stimulated transition to trypomastigotes. The investigation of the mechanisms of Fe transport at the cellular and molecular levels will assist in elucidating Fe metabolism in T. cruzi and the involvement of its transport in the differentiation from epimastigotes to trypomastigotes, virulence, and maintenance/progression of the infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia F Dick
- Leopoldo de Meis Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Center of Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathália Rocco-Machado
- Leopoldo de Meis Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Center of Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André L A Dos-Santos
- Leopoldo de Meis Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Center of Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiz F Carvalho-Kelly
- Leopoldo de Meis Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Center of Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina L Alcantara
- Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Center of Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Narcisa L Cunha-E-Silva
- Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Center of Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José R Meyer-Fernandes
- Leopoldo de Meis Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Center of Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Adalberto Vieyra
- Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Center of Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Translational Biomedicine/BIOTRANS, Unigranrio University, Duque de Caxias, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zuma AA, Dos Santos Barrias E, de Souza W. Basic Biology of Trypanosoma cruzi. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1671-1732. [PMID: 33272165 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826999201203213527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The present review addresses basic aspects of the biology of the pathogenic protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi and some comparative information of Trypanosoma brucei. Like eukaryotic cells, their cellular organization is similar to that of mammalian hosts. However, these parasites present structural particularities. That is why the following topics are emphasized in this paper: developmental stages of the life cycle in the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts; the cytoskeleton of the protozoa, especially the sub-pellicular microtubules; the flagellum and its attachment to the protozoan body through specialized junctions; the kinetoplast-mitochondrion complex, including its structural organization and DNA replication; glycosome and its role in the metabolism of the cell; acidocalcisome, describing its morphology, biochemistry, and functional role; cytostome and the endocytic pathway; the organization of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex; the nucleus, describing its structural organization during interphase and division; and the process of interaction of the parasite with host cells. The unique characteristics of these structures also make them interesting chemotherapeutic targets. Therefore, further understanding of cell biology aspects contributes to the development of drugs for chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aline A Zuma
- Laboratorio de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Emile Dos Santos Barrias
- Laboratorio de Metrologia Aplicada a Ciencias da Vida, Diretoria de Metrologia Aplicada a Ciencias da Vida - Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia (Inmetro), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratorio de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Characterization of the RNA-Binding Protein TcSgn1 in Trypanosoma cruzi. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9050986. [PMID: 34063193 PMCID: PMC8147501 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9050986] [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: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) participate in several steps of post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, such as splicing, messenger RNA transport, mRNA localization, and translation. Gene-expression regulation in trypanosomatids occurs primarily at the post-transcriptional level, and RBPs play important roles in the process. Here, we characterized the RBP TcSgn1, which contains one RNA recognition motif (RRM). TcSgn1 is a close ortholog of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein ScSgn1, which plays a role in translational regulation in the cytoplasm. We found that TcSgn1 in Trypanosoma cruzi is localized in the nucleus in exponentially growing epimastigotes. By performing immunoprecipitation assays of TcSgn1, we identified hundreds of mRNAs associated with the protein, a significant fraction of them coding for nucleic acids binding, transcription, and endocytosis proteins. In addition, we show that TcSgn1 is capable of interacting directly with the poly(A) tail of the mRNAs. The study of parasites under nutritional stress showed that TcSgn1 was localized in cytoplasmic granules in addition to localizing in the nucleus. Similar to ScSgn1, we observed that TcSgn1 also interacts with the PABP1 protein, suggesting that this protein may play a role in regulating gene expression in T. cruzi. Taken together, our results show that RNA-binding protein TcSgn1 is part of ribonucleoprotein complexes associated with nuclear functions, stress response, and RNA metabolism.
Collapse
|
7
|
Nájera CA, Batista MF, Meneghelli I, Bahia D. Mixed signals - how Trypanosoma cruzi exploits host-cell communication and signaling to establish infection. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:134/5/jcs255687. [PMID: 33692153 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.255687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) is a 'neglected' pathology that affects millions of people worldwide, mainly in Latin America. Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent, is an obligate intracellular parasite with a complex and diverse biology that infects several mammalian species, including humans. Because of genetic variability among strains and the presence of four biochemically and morphologically distinct parasite forms, the outcome of T. cruzi infection varies considerably depending on host cell type and parasite strain. During the initial contact, cellular communication is established by host-recognition-mediated responses, followed by parasite adherence and penetration. For this purpose, T. cruzi expresses a variety of proteins that modify the host cell, enabling it to safely reach the cytoplasm. After entry into the host cell, T. cruzi forms a transitory structure termed 'parasitophorous vacuole' (PV), followed by its cytoplasmic replication and differentiation after PV rupture, and subsequent invasion of other cells. The success of infection, maintenance and survival inside host cells is facilitated by the ability of T. cruzi to subvert various host signaling mechanisms. We focus in this Review on the various mechanisms that induce host cytoskeletal rearrangements, activation of autophagy-related proteins and crosstalk among major immune response regulators, as well as recent studies on the JAK-STAT pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Acides Nájera
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 486, Brazil
| | - Marina Ferreira Batista
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 486, Brazil
| | - Isabela Meneghelli
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 486, Brazil
| | - Diana Bahia
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 486, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Nossa González DL, Gómez Castaño JA, Rozo Núñez WE, Duchowicz PR. Antiprotozoal QSAR modelling for trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) based on thiosemicarbazone and thiazole derivatives. J Mol Graph Model 2020; 103:107821. [PMID: 33333422 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2020.107821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a neglected endemic infection that affects around 8 million people worldwide and causes 12,000 premature deaths per year. Traditional chemotherapy is limited to the nitro-antiparasitic drugs Benznidazole and Nifurtimox, which present serious side effects and low long-term efficacy. Several research efforts have been made over the last decade to find new chemical structures with better effectiveness and tolerance than standard anti-Chagas drugs. Among these, new sets of thiosemicarbazone and thiazole derivatives have exhibited potent in vitro activity against T. cruzi, especially for its extracellular forms (epimastigote and trypomastigote). In this work, we have developed three antiprotozoal quantitative structure-relationship (QSAR) models for Chagas disease based on the in vitro activity data reported as IC50 (μM) and CC50 (μM) over the last decade, particularly by Lima-Leite's group in Brazil. The models were developed using the replacement method (RM), a technique based on Multivariable Linear Regression (MLR), and external and internal validation methodologies, like the use of a test set, Leave-one-Out (LOO) cross-validation and Y-Randomization. Two of these QSAR models were developed for trypomastigotes form of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, one based on IC50 and the other on CC50 data; while the third QSAR model was developed for its epimastigotes form based on CC50 activity. Our models presented sound statistical parameters that endorses their prediction capability. Such capability was tested for a set of 13 hitherto-unknown structurally related aromatic cyclohexanone derivatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana L Nossa González
- Grupo Química-Física Molecular y Modelamiento Computacional (QUIMOL), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central Del Norte, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia.
| | - Jovanny A Gómez Castaño
- Grupo Química-Física Molecular y Modelamiento Computacional (QUIMOL), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central Del Norte, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia.
| | - Wilson E Rozo Núñez
- Grupo Química-Física Molecular y Modelamiento Computacional (QUIMOL), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Avenida Central Del Norte, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Pablo R Duchowicz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (CONICET- Universidad Nacional de La Plata), Diagonal 113 y calle 64, C.C. 16, Sucursal 4, 1900, La Plata, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Romagnoli BAA, Holetz FB, Alves LR, Goldenberg S. RNA Binding Proteins and Gene Expression Regulation in Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:56. [PMID: 32154189 PMCID: PMC7045066 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulation of gene expression in trypanosomatids occurs mainly at the post-transcriptional level. In the case of Trypanosoma cruzi, the characterization of messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) particles has allowed the identification of several classes of RNA binding proteins (RBPs), as well as non-canonical RBPs, associated with mRNA molecules. The protein composition of the mRNPs as well as the localization and functionality of the mRNAs depend on their associated proteins. mRNPs can also be organized into larger complexes forming RNA granules, which function as stress granules or P-bodies depending on the associated proteins. The fate of mRNAs in the cell, and consequently the genes expressed, depends on the set of proteins associated with the messenger molecule. These proteins allow the coordinated expression of mRNAs encoding proteins that are related in function, resulting in the formation of post-transcriptional operons. However, the puzzle posed by the combinatorial association of sets of RBPs with mRNAs and how this relates to the expressed genes remain to be elucidated. One important tool in this endeavor is the use of the CRISPR/CAS system to delete genes encoding RBPs, allowing the evaluation of their effect on the formation of mRNP complexes and associated mRNAs in the different compartments of the translation machinery. Accordingly, we recently established this methodology for T. cruzi and deleted the genes encoding RBPs containing zinc finger domains. In this manuscript, we will discuss the data obtained and the potential of the CRISPR/CAS methodology to unveil the role of RBPs in T. cruzi gene expression regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno A A Romagnoli
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Institute Carlos Chagas, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Fabiola B Holetz
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Institute Carlos Chagas, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Lysangela R Alves
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Institute Carlos Chagas, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Samuel Goldenberg
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Institute Carlos Chagas, Curitiba, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chanquia SN, Larregui F, Puente V, Labriola C, Lombardo E, García Liñares G. Synthesis and biological evaluation of new quinoline derivatives as antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal agents. Bioorg Chem 2018; 83:526-534. [PMID: 30469145 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.10.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
As a part of our project aimed at developing new safe chemotherapeutic agents against tropical diseases, a series of aryl derivatives of 2- and 3-aminoquinoline, some of them new compounds, was designed, synthesized, and evaluated as antiproliferative agents against Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease), and Leishmania mexicana, the etiological agent of Leishmaniasis. Some of them showed a remarkable activity as parasite growth inhibitors. Fluorine-containing derivatives 11b and 11c were more than twice more potent than geneticin against intracellular promastigote form of Leishmania mexicana exhibiting both IC50 values of 41.9 μM. The IC50 values corresponding to fluorine and chlorine derivatives 11b-d were in the same order than benznidazole against epimastigote form. These drugs are interesting examples of effective antiparasitic agents with outstanding potential not only as lead drugs but also to be used for further in vivo studies. In addition, the obtained compounds showed no toxicity in Vero cells, which makes them good candidates to control tropical diseases. Regarding the probable mode of action, assayed quinoline derivatives interacted with hemin, inhibiting its degradation and generating oxidative stress that is not counteracted by the antioxidant defense system of the parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santiago N Chanquia
- Laboratorio de Biocatálisis. Departamento de Química Orgánica y UMYMFOR, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, piso 3, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Facundo Larregui
- Laboratorio de Biocatálisis. Departamento de Química Orgánica y UMYMFOR, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, piso 3, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanesa Puente
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Porfirias y Porfirinas (CIPYP, UBA-CONICET), Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Avenida Córdoba 2351, 1120 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Labriola
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas, Av. Patricias Argentinas 435, C1405BWE Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elisa Lombardo
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Porfirias y Porfirinas (CIPYP, UBA-CONICET), Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Avenida Córdoba 2351, 1120 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Guadalupe García Liñares
- Laboratorio de Biocatálisis. Departamento de Química Orgánica y UMYMFOR, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, piso 3, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
de Castro E, Reus TL, de Aguiar AM, Ávila AR, de Arruda Campos Brasil de Souza T. Procaspase-activating compound-1 induces apoptosis in Trypanosoma cruzi. Apoptosis 2018; 22:1564-1577. [PMID: 29058102 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-017-1428-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Some therapeutics for parasitic, cardiac and neurological diseases activate apoptosis. Therefore, the study of apoptotic proteins in pathogenic organisms is relevant. However, the molecular mechanism of apoptosis in unicellular organisms remain elusive, despite morphological evidence of its occurrence. In Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, metacaspase 3 (TcMCA3), seems to have a key role in parasite apoptosis. Accordingly, this work provides data concerning TcMCA3 regulation through its interaction with procaspase-activating compound 1 (PAC-1), a procaspase 3 activator. Indeed, PAC-1 reduced T. cruzi epimastigote viability with an IC50 of 14.12 µM and induced loss of mitochondrial potential and exposure of phosphatidylserine, features of the apoptotic process. Notwithstanding, those PAC-1-inducible effects were not conserved in metacyclic trypomastigotes. Moreover, PAC-1 reduced the viability of mammalian cells with a greater IC50 (25.70 µM) compared to T. cruzi epimastigotes, indicating distinct modes of binding between caspases and metacaspases. To shed light on the selectivity of metacaspases and caspases, we determined the structural features related to the PAC-1 binding sites in both types of proteins. These data are important for improving the understanding of the apoptosis pathway in T. cruzi so that TcMCA3 could be better targeted with future pharmaceuticals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emanuella de Castro
- Laboratório de Proteômica e Engenharia de Proteínas, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Thamile Luciane Reus
- Laboratório de Biologia Básica de Células Tronco, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Melo de Aguiar
- Laboratório de Biologia Básica de Células Tronco, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Andrea Rodrigues Ávila
- Laboratório de Regulação da Expressão Gênica, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Nogueira NP, Saraiva FMS, Oliveira MP, Mendonça APM, Inacio JDF, Almeida-Amaral EE, Menna-Barreto RF, Laranja GAT, Torres EJL, Oliveira MF, Paes MC. Heme modulates Trypanosoma cruzi bioenergetics inducing mitochondrial ROS production. Free Radic Biol Med 2017; 108:183-191. [PMID: 28363600 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease and has a single mitochondrion, an organelle responsible for ATP production and the main site for the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). T. cruzi is an obligate intracellular parasite with a complex life cycle that alternates between vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, therefore the development of survival strategies and morphogenetic adaptations to deal with the various environments is mandatory. Over the years our group has been studying the vector-parasite interactions using heme as a physiological oxidant molecule that triggered epimastigote proliferation however, the source of ROS induced by heme remained unknown. In the present study we demonstrate the involvement of heme in the parasite mitochondrial metabolism, decreasing oxygen consumption leading to increased mitochondrial ROS and membrane potential. First, we incubated epimastigotes with carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP), an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, which led to decreased ROS formation and parasite proliferation, even in the presence of heme, correlating mitochondrial ROS and T. cruzi survival. This hypothesis was confirmed after the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant ((2-(2,2,6,6 Tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl-4-ylamino)-2-oxoethyl) triphenylphosphonium chloride (MitoTEMPO) decreased both heme-induced ROS and epimastigote proliferation. Furthermore, heme increased the percentage of tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) positive parasites tremendously-indicating the hyperpolarization and increase of potential of the mitochondrial membrane (ΔΨm). Assessing the mitochondrial functional metabolism, we observed that in comparison to untreated parasites, heme-treated epimastigotes decreased their oxygen consumption, and increased the complex II-III activity. These changes allowed the electron flow into the electron transport system, even though the complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase) activity decreased significantly, showing that heme-induced mitochondrial ROS appears to be a consequence of the enhanced mitochondrial physiological modulation. Finally, the parasites that were submitted to high concentrations of heme presented no alterations in the ultrastructure. Consequently, our results suggest that heme released by the insect vector after the blood meal, modify epimastigote mitochondrial physiology to increase ROS as a metabolic mechanism to maintain epimastigote survival and proliferation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natália P Nogueira
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Brazil
| | - Francis M S Saraiva
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Matheus P Oliveira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Resposta ao Estresse, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula M Mendonça
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Resposta ao Estresse, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Job D F Inacio
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, RJ, Brazil
| | - Elmo E Almeida-Amaral
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rubem F Menna-Barreto
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gustavo A T Laranja
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Eduardo J Lopes Torres
- Laboratório de Helmintologia Romero Lascasas Porto, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcus F Oliveira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Resposta ao Estresse, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcia C Paes
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Onizuka Y, Takahashi C, Uematsu A, Shinjo S, Seto E, Nakajima-Shimada J. Inhibition of autolysosome formation in host autophagy by Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Acta Trop 2017; 170:57-62. [PMID: 28232068 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy has emerged as an essential component of the defense system against intracellular pathogens. We demonstrated that Trypanosoma cruzi, an intracellular protozoan parasite, was not eliminated by the host's autophagic machinery despite exposure to the host cell cytoplasm. Puncta of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), an autophagy marker, and LC3-II, a lipidated form of LC3, were significantly increased after infection with T. cruzi, indicating that the parasite activated the early steps of host autophagy and induced autophagosome formation. However, autolysosomes were not observed in the infected cells. In addition, T. cruzi was not enwrapped by autophagosomes, suggesting that the parasite has mechanisms to allow it to evade autophagic capture. The results of this study indicate that host autophagy is incomplete following T. cruzi infection.
Collapse
|
14
|
Cupello MP, Saraiva FM, Ippolito P, Fernandes ADS, Menna-Barreto RFS, Costa DDSDS, Paula JIO, Costa PRR, Nogueira NP, Felzenswalb I, Dias AG, Paes MC. Mutagenic and Cytotoxicity LQB 123 Profile: Safety and Tripanocidal Effect of a Phenyl-t-Butylnitrone Derivative. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:2483652. [PMID: 28316976 PMCID: PMC5339480 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2483652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The therapeutic options for Chagas disease are limited and its treatment presents a number of drawbacks including toxicity, drug resistance, and insufficient effectiveness against the chronic stage of the disease. Therefore, new therapeutical options are mandatory. In the present work, we evaluated the effect of a phenyl-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) derivate, LQB 123, against Trypanosoma cruzi forms. LQB 123 presented a trypanocidal effect against bloodstream trypomastigotes (IC50 = 259.4 ± 6.1 μM) and intracellular amastigotes infecting peritoneal macrophages (IC50 = 188.2 ± 47.5 μM), with no harmful effects upon the mammalian cells (CC50 values greater than 4 mM), resulting in a high selectivity index (CC50/IC50 > 20). Additionally, metacyclic trypomastigotes submitted to LQB 123 presented an IC50 of about 191.8 ± 10.5 μM and epimastigotes forms incubated with different concentrations of LQB 123 presented an inhibition of parasite growth with an IC50 of 255.1 ± 3.6 μM. Finally, we investigated the mutagenic potential of the nitrone by the Salmonella/microsome assay and observed no induction of mutagenicity even in concentrations as high as 33000 μM. Taken together, these results present a nonmutagenic compound, with trypanocidal activity against all relevant forms of T. cruzi, offering new insights into CD treatment suggesting additional in vivo tests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Peixoto Cupello
- Laboratório de Interação Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Unidade de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (UDT) de Triagem de Compostos Químicos para Doenças Negligenciadas com Ênfase Farmacológica contra a Doença de Chagas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Francis Monique Saraiva
- Laboratório de Interação Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Unidade de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (UDT) de Triagem de Compostos Químicos para Doenças Negligenciadas com Ênfase Farmacológica contra a Doença de Chagas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Pedro Ippolito
- Laboratório de Interação Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Andréia da Silva Fernandes
- Laboratório de Mutagênese Ambiental LABMUT, Departamento de Biofísica e Biometria, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jessica Isis Oliveira Paula
- Laboratório de Interação Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Unidade de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (UDT) de Triagem de Compostos Químicos para Doenças Negligenciadas com Ênfase Farmacológica contra a Doença de Chagas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Paulo Roberto Ribeiro Costa
- Laboratório de Química Bioorgânica, NPPN, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Natália Pereira Nogueira
- Laboratório de Interação Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Unidade de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (UDT) de Triagem de Compostos Químicos para Doenças Negligenciadas com Ênfase Farmacológica contra a Doença de Chagas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Israel Felzenswalb
- Laboratório de Mutagênese Ambiental LABMUT, Departamento de Biofísica e Biometria, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ayres Guimarães Dias
- Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcia Cristina Paes
- Laboratório de Interação Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Unidade de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (UDT) de Triagem de Compostos Químicos para Doenças Negligenciadas com Ênfase Farmacológica contra a Doença de Chagas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia, Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cooper C, Clode PL, Peacock C, Thompson RCA. Host-Parasite Relationships and Life Histories of Trypanosomes in Australia. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2016; 97:47-109. [PMID: 28325373 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomes constitute a group of flagellate protozoan parasites responsible for a number of important, yet neglected, diseases in both humans and livestock. The most significantly studied include the causative agents of African sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma brucei) and Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi) in humans. Much of our knowledge about trypanosome host-parasite relationships and life histories has come from these two human pathogens. Recent investigations into the diversity and life histories of wildlife trypanosomes in Australia highlight that there exists a great degree of biological and behavioural variation within and between trypanosomes. In addition, the genetic relationships between some Australian trypanosomes show that they are unexpectedly more closely related to species outside Australia than within it. These findings have led to a growing focus on the importance of understanding parasites occurring naturally in wildlife to (1) better document parasite biodiversity, (2) determine evolutionary relationships and degree of host specificity, (3) understand host-parasite interactions and the role of parasites in the natural ecosystem and (4) identify biosecurity issues of emerging disease in both wildlife and human populations. Here we review what is known about the diversity, life histories, host-parasite interactions and evolutionary relationships of trypanosomes in Australian wildlife. In this context, we focus upon the genetic proximity of key Australian species to the pathogenic T. cruzi and discuss similarities in their biology and behaviour that present a potential risk of human disease transmission by Australian vectors and wildlife.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Cooper
- The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - P L Clode
- The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - C Peacock
- The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia; Telethon Kids Institute, Subiaco, WA, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Maharana BR, Tewari AK, Singh V. An overview on kinetoplastid paraflagellar rod. J Parasit Dis 2015; 39:589-95. [PMID: 26688619 PMCID: PMC4675581 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-014-0422-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastids, the evolutionary ancient organisms exhibit a rich and diverse biology which epitomizes many of the fascinating topics of recent interest and study. These organisms possess a multifunctional organelle, the flagellum containing a canonical 9 + 2 axoneme which is involved in vital roles, viz. parasite cell division, morphogenesis, motility and immune evasion. Since Antony Van Leeuwenhoek's innovative explanation of 'little legs' helping the movements of microbes in 1975, this biological nanomachine has captured the thoughts of scientists. The core structure of kinetoplastid flagellum is embroidered with a range of extra-axonemal structures such as paraflagellar rod (PFR), a large lattice like structure which extends alongside the axoneme from the flagellar pocket to the flagellar tip. The coding sequences for significant components of PFR are highly conserved throughout the Kinetoplastida and Euglenida. The high order organization and restricted evolutionary distribution of the PFR components and structure makes the PFR a particularly valuable therapeutic and prophylactic target. This review focuses on the recent developments in identification of ultra structural components of PFR in order to understand the function of this intriguing organelle and devising strategies for therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B. R. Maharana
- />Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, 362001 Gujarat India
| | - A. K. Tewari
- />Division of Veterinary Parasitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, 243122 Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Veer Singh
- />Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sardar Krushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, 3855006 Gujarat India
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kurup SP, Tarleton RL. The Trypanosoma cruzi flagellum is discarded via asymmetric cell division following invasion and provides early targets for protective CD8⁺ T cells. Cell Host Microbe 2015; 16:439-49. [PMID: 25299330 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Revised: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
During invasion of host cells by Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, the elongated, flagellated trypomastigotes remodel into oval amastigotes with no external flagellum. The underlying mechanism of this remodeling and the fate of the flagellum are obscure. We discovered that T. cruzi trypomastigotes discard their flagella via an asymmetric cellular division. The flagellar proteins liberated become among the earliest parasite proteins to enter the MHC-I processing pathway in infected cells. Indeed, paraflagellar rod protein PAR4-specific CD8(+) T cells detect infected host cells >20 hr earlier than immunodominant trans-sialidase-specific T cells. Overexpression of PAR4 in T. cruzi enhanced the subdominant PAR4-specific CD8(+) T cell response, resulting in improved control of a challenge infection. These results provide insights into previously unappreciated events in intracellular invasion by T. cruzi and highlight the importance of T cells that recognize infected host cells early in the infectious process, in the control of infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samarchith P Kurup
- Department of Cellular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Rick L Tarleton
- Department of Cellular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Smircich P, Eastman G, Bispo S, Duhagon MA, Guerra-Slompo EP, Garat B, Goldenberg S, Munroe DJ, Dallagiovanna B, Holetz F, Sotelo-Silveira JR. Ribosome profiling reveals translation control as a key mechanism generating differential gene expression in Trypanosoma cruzi. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:443. [PMID: 26054634 PMCID: PMC4460968 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1563-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Due to the absence of transcription initiation regulation of protein coding genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II, posttranscriptional regulation is responsible for the majority of gene expression changes in trypanosomatids. Therefore, cataloging the abundance of mRNAs (transcriptome) and the level of their translation (translatome) is a key step to understand control of gene expression in these organisms. Results Here we assess the extent of regulation of the transcriptome and the translatome in the Chagas disease causing agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, in both the non-infective (epimastigote) and infective (metacyclic trypomastigote) insect’s life stages using RNA-seq and ribosome profiling. The observed steady state transcript levels support constitutive transcription and maturation implying the existence of distinctive posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling gene expression levels at those parasite stages. Meanwhile, the downregulation of a large proportion of the translatome indicates a key role of translation control in differentiation into the infective form. The previously described proteomic data correlate better with the translatomes than with the transcriptomes and translational efficiency analysis shows a wide dynamic range, reinforcing the importance of translatability as a regulatory step. Translation efficiencies for protein families like ribosomal components are diminished while translation of the transialidase virulence factors is upregulated in the quiescent infective metacyclic trypomastigote stage. Conclusions A large subset of genes is modulated at the translation level in two different stages of Trypanosoma cruzi life cycle. Translation upregulation of virulence factors and downregulation of ribosomal proteins indicates different degrees of control operating to prepare the parasite for an infective life form. Taking together our results show that translational regulation, in addition to regulation of steady state level of mRNA, is a major factor playing a role during the parasite differentiation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1563-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Smircich
- Laboratory of Molecular Interactions, School of Sciences, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. .,Department of Genetics. School of Medicine, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Guillermo Eastman
- Department of Genomics, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, Montevideo, CP 11600, Uruguay.
| | - Saloe Bispo
- Laboratory of Gene Expression Regulation Studies Carlos Chagas Institute, FIOCRUZ, Curitiba, 81350-010, Brazil.
| | - María Ana Duhagon
- Laboratory of Molecular Interactions, School of Sciences, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. .,Department of Genetics. School of Medicine, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Eloise P Guerra-Slompo
- Laboratory of Gene Expression Regulation Studies Carlos Chagas Institute, FIOCRUZ, Curitiba, 81350-010, Brazil.
| | - Beatriz Garat
- Laboratory of Molecular Interactions, School of Sciences, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Samuel Goldenberg
- Laboratory of Gene Expression Regulation Studies Carlos Chagas Institute, FIOCRUZ, Curitiba, 81350-010, Brazil.
| | - David J Munroe
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
| | - Bruno Dallagiovanna
- Laboratory of Gene Expression Regulation Studies Carlos Chagas Institute, FIOCRUZ, Curitiba, 81350-010, Brazil.
| | - Fabiola Holetz
- Laboratory of Gene Expression Regulation Studies Carlos Chagas Institute, FIOCRUZ, Curitiba, 81350-010, Brazil.
| | - Jose R Sotelo-Silveira
- Department of Genomics, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, Montevideo, CP 11600, Uruguay. .,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Sciences, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Stahl P, Schwarz RT, Debierre-Grockiego F, Meyer T. Trypanosoma cruzi parasites fight for control of the JAK-STAT pathway by disarming their host. JAKSTAT 2015; 3:e1012964. [PMID: 26413423 DOI: 10.1080/21623996.2015.1012964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2015] [Revised: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The zoonotic Chagas' disease is caused by infections with the hemoflagellate Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) which is endemic in Latin America. Despite recent advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease, the underlying molecular processes involved in host-parasite interactions are only poorly understood. In particular, the mechanisms for parasite persistence in host cells remain largely unknown. Cytokine-driven transcription factors from the family of STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) proteins appear to play a central role in the fight against T. cruzi infection. However, amastigotes proliferating in the cytoplasm of infected host cells develop effective strategies to circumvent the attack executed by STAT proteins. This review highlights the interactions between T. cruzi parasites and human host cells in terms of cytokine signaling and, in particular, discusses the impact of STATs on the balance between parasite invasion and clearance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Stahl
- Institute of Virology; Parasitology Unit; University of Marburg ; Marburg, Germany
| | - Ralph T Schwarz
- Institute of Virology; Parasitology Unit; University of Marburg ; Marburg, Germany ; Laboratory for Structural and Functional Glycobiology; University of Lille 1 for Sciences and Technologies ; Lille, France
| | - Françoise Debierre-Grockiego
- Mixed Research Unit 1282; François Rabelais University of Tours-INRA; Infectious Diseases and Public Health ; Tours, France
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy; University of Göttingen ; Göttingen, Germany ; German Center for Cardiovascular Research ; Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Hissa B, Andrade LDO. Trypasonoma cruzi uses a specific subset of host cell lysosomes for cell invasion. Parasitol Int 2014; 64:135-8. [PMID: 25463313 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is an intracellular parasite that depends on host cell lysosome recruitment and fusion for cell infection. Recently, we have shown that host cells present two differentially regulated lysosome pools. Treatment with methyl-beta cyclodextrin, a drug able to sequester cholesterol from plasma membrane, triggers the exocytosis of peripheral lysosomes, while treatment with Latrunculin-A, an actin depolymerizing drug, recruits a more internal pool. In this work we aimed to study which pool is used by the T. cruzi during invasion. We have shown that invasion is impaired when cells are previously treated with methyl-beta cyclodextrin, but not with Latrunculin-A, indicating that T. cruzi uses the cortical pool for invasion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Hissa
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, BH, 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Luciana de Oliveira Andrade
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, BH, 31270-901, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Pineda MA, Corvo L, Soto M, Fresno M, Bonay P. Interactions of human galectins with Trypanosoma cruzi: Binding profile correlate with genetic clustering of lineages. Glycobiology 2014; 25:197-210. [DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwu103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
|
22
|
Queiroz RML, Charneau S, Mandacaru SC, Schwämmle V, Lima BD, Roepstorff P, Ricart CAO. Quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi amastigogenesis. Mol Cell Proteomics 2014; 13:3457-72. [PMID: 25225356 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m114.040329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a tropical neglected disease endemic in Latin America caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The parasite has four major life stages: epimastigote, metacyclic trypomastigote, bloodstream trypomastigote, and amastigote. The differentiation from infective trypomastigotes into replicative amastigotes, called amastigogenesis, takes place in vivo inside mammalian host cells after a period of incubation in an acidic phagolysosome. This differentiation process can be mimicked in vitro by incubating tissue-culture-derived trypomastigotes in acidic DMEM. Here we used this well-established differentiation protocol to perform a comprehensive quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis of T. cruzi amastigogenesis. Samples from fully differentiated forms and two biologically relevant intermediate time points were Lys-C/trypsin digested, iTRAQ-labeled, and multiplexed. Subsequently, phosphopeptides were enriched using a TiO2 matrix. Non-phosphorylated peptides were fractionated via hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography prior to LC-MS/MS analysis. LC-MS/MS and bioinformatics procedures were used for protein and phosphopeptide quantitation, identification, and phosphorylation site assignment. We were able to identify regulated proteins and pathways involved in coordinating amastigogenesis. We also observed that a significant proportion of the regulated proteins were membrane proteins. Modulated phosphorylation events coordinated by protein kinases and phosphatases that are part of the signaling cascade induced by incubation in acidic medium were also evinced. To our knowledge, this work is the most comprehensive quantitative proteomics study of T. cruzi amastigogenesis, and these data will serve as a trustworthy basis for future studies, and possibly for new potential drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rayner M L Queiroz
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasília, 70910-900 Brazil; §Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Sébastien Charneau
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasília, 70910-900 Brazil
| | - Samuel C Mandacaru
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasília, 70910-900 Brazil
| | - Veit Schwämmle
- §Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Beatriz D Lima
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasília, 70910-900 Brazil
| | - Peter Roepstorff
- §Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Carlos A O Ricart
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasília, 70910-900 Brazil;
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Queiroz RML, Charneau S, Bastos IMD, Santana JM, Sousa MV, Roepstorff P, Ricart CAO. Cell surface proteome analysis of human-hosted Trypanosoma cruzi life stages. J Proteome Res 2014; 13:3530-41. [PMID: 24978697 DOI: 10.1021/pr401120y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Chagas' disease is a neglected infectious illness, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. It remains a challenging health issue in Latin America, where it is endemic, and so far there is no immunoprophylatic vaccine or satisfactory chemotherapic treatment for its chronic stage. The present work addressed the analysis of the plasma membrane (PM) subproteome from T. cruzi human-hosted life stages, trypomastigote and axenic amastigote, by two complementary PM protein enrichment techniques followed by identification using an LC-MS/MS approach. The results revealed an extensive repertoire of proteins in the PM subproteomes, including enzymes that might be suitable candidates for drug intervention. The comparison of the cell surface proteome among the life forms revealed some potentially stage-specific enzymes, although the majority was shared by both stages. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the vast majority of the identified proteins are membrane-derived and/or possess predicted transmembrane domains. They are mainly involved in host cell infection, protein adhesion, cell signaling, and the modulation of mammalian host immune response. Several virulence factors and proteins potentially capable of acting at a number of metabolic pathways of the host and also to regulate cell differentiation of the parasite itself were also found.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rayner M L Queiroz
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia , Brasília, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Trypanosoma cruzi-secreted vesicles have acid and alkaline phosphatase activities capable of increasing parasite adhesion and infection. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:2961-72. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3958-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
25
|
Rodrigues JCF, Godinho JLP, de Souza W. Biology of human pathogenic trypanosomatids: epidemiology, lifecycle and ultrastructure. Subcell Biochem 2014; 74:1-42. [PMID: 24264239 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-7305-9_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania and Trypanosoma belong to the Trypanosomatidae family and cause important human infections such as leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness. Leishmaniasis, caused by protozoa belonging to Leishmania, affects about 12 million people worldwide and can present different clinical manifestations, i.e., visceral leishmaniasis (VL), cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL), and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and is mainly prevalent in Latin America but is increasingly occurring in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Sleeping sickness or human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), caused by two sub-species of Trypanosoma brucei (i.e., T. b. rhodesiense and T. b. gambiense), occurs only in sub-Saharan Africa countries. These pathogenic trypanosomatids alternate between invertebrate and vertebrate hosts throughout their lifecycles, and different developmental stages can live inside the host cells and circulate in the bloodstream or in the insect gut. Trypanosomatids have a classical eukaryotic ultrastructural organization with some of the same main organelles found in mammalian host cells, while also containing special structures and organelles that are absent in other eukaryotic organisms. For example, the mitochondrion is ramified and contains a region known as the kinetoplast, which houses the mitochondrial DNA. Also, the glycosomes are specialized peroxisomes containing glycolytic pathway enzymes. Moreover, a layer of subpellicular microtubules confers mechanic rigidity to the cell. Some of these structures have been investigated to determine their function and identify potential enzymes and metabolic pathways that may constitute targets for new chemotherapeutic drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliany Cola Fernandes Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Oliveira MPDC, Ramos TCP, Pinheiro AMVN, Bertini S, Takahashi HK, Straus AH, Haapalainen EF. Tridimensional ultrastructure and glycolipid pattern studies of Trypanosoma dionisii. Acta Trop 2013; 128:548-56. [PMID: 23933185 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2013] [Revised: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) dionisii is a non-pathogenic bat trypanosome closely related to Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chaga's disease. Both kinetoplastids present similar morphological stages and are able to infect mammalian cells in culture. In the present study we examined 3D ultrastructure aspects of the two species by serial sectioning epimastigote and trypomastigote forms, and identified common carbohydrate epitopes expressed in T. dionisii, T. cruzi and Leishmania major. A major difference in 3D morphology was that T. dionisii epimastigote forms present larger multivesicular structures, restricted to the parasite posterior region. These structures could be related to T. cruzi reservosomes and are also rich in cruzipain, the major cysteine-proteinase of T. cruzi. We analyzed the reactivity of two monoclonal antibodies: MEST-1 directed to galactofuranose residues of glycolipids purified from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and BST-1 directed to glycolipids purified from T. cruzi epimastigotes. Both antibodies were reactive with T. dionisii epimastigotes by indirect immunofluorescense, but we noted differences in the location and intensity of the epitopes, when compared to T. cruzi. In summary, despite similar features in cellular structure and life cycle of T. dionisii and T. cruzi, we observed a unique morphological characteristic in T. dionisii that deserves to be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Pires de Castro Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 740, São Paulo, SP, 04023-900, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Queiroz RML, Charneau S, Motta FN, Santana JM, Roepstorff P, Ricart CAO. Comprehensive proteomic analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote cell surface proteins by two complementary methods. J Proteome Res 2013; 12:3255-63. [PMID: 23682730 DOI: 10.1021/pr400110h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan that causes Chagas' disease, a neglected infectious illness that affects millions of people, mostly in Latin America. Here, the cell surface subproteome of the T. cruzi epimastigote life form was characterized. In order to prepare samples enriched in epimastigote plasma membrane protein, two distinct methodologies were optimized and evaluated. The first methodology was based on cell surface trypsinization (Shave) of intact living cells while the second approach used biotinylation of cell surface proteins followed by streptavidin affinity chromatography isolation of the labeled proteins. Both T. cruzi subproteomes were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The results showed that the methodologies offered comprehensive and complementary information about the parasite's plasma membrane subproteome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rayner M L Queiroz
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, CEP 70910-900, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Bayer-Santos E, Cunha-e-Silva NL, Yoshida N, Franco da Silveira J. Expression and cellular trafficking of GP82 and GP90 glycoproteins during Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclogenesis. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:127. [PMID: 23634710 PMCID: PMC3652755 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The transformation of noninfective epimastigotes into infective metacyclic trypomastigotes (metacyclogenesis) is a fundamental step in the life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi, comprising several morphological and biochemical changes. GP82 and GP90 are glycoproteins expressed at the surface of metacyclic trypomastigote, with opposite roles in mammalian cell invasion. GP82 is an adhesin that promotes cell invasion, while GP90 acts as a negative regulator of parasite internalization. Our understanding of the synthesis and intracellular trafficking of GP82 and GP90 during metacyclogenesis is still limited. Therefore, we decided to determine whether GP82 and GP90 are expressed only in fully differentiated metacyclic forms or they start to be expressed in intermediate forms undergoing differentiation. Methods Parasite populations enriched in intermediate forms undergoing differentiation were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence to assess GP82 and GP90 expression. Results We found that GP82 and GP90 mRNAs and proteins are expressed in intermediate forms and reach higher levels in fully differentiated metacyclic forms. Surprisingly, GP82 and GP90 presented distinct cellular localizations in intermediate forms compared to metacyclic trypomastigotes. In intermediate forms, GP82 is localized in organelles at the posterior region and colocalizes with cruzipain, while GP90 is localized at the flagellar pocket region. Conclusions This study discloses new aspects of protein expression and trafficking during T. cruzi differentiation by showing that the machinery involved in GP82 and GP90 gene expression starts to operate early in the differentiation process and that different secretion pathways are responsible for delivering these glycoproteins toward the cell surface.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ethel Bayer-Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 04023-062, Brazil
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Cámara MDLM, Bouvier LA, Canepa GE, Miranda MR, Pereira CA. Molecular and functional characterization of a Trypanosoma cruzi nuclear adenylate kinase isoform. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2044. [PMID: 23409202 PMCID: PMC3567042 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2012] [Accepted: 12/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease, is an early divergent eukaryote in which control of gene expression relies mainly in post-transcriptional mechanisms. Transcription levels are globally up and down regulated during the transition between proliferating and non-proliferating life-cycle stages. In this work we characterized a nuclear adenylate kinase isoform (TcADKn) that is involved in ribosome biogenesis. Nuclear adenylate kinases have been recently described in a few organisms, being all related to RNA metabolism. Depending on active transcription and translation, TcADKn localizes in the nucleolus or the cytoplasm. A non-canonical nuclear localization signal was mapped towards the N-terminal of the protein, being the phosphate-binding loop essential for its localization. In addition, TcADKn nuclear exportation depends on the nuclear exportation adapter CRM1. TcADKn nuclear shuttling is governed by nutrient availability, oxidative stress and by the equivalent in T. cruzi of the mammalian TOR (Target of Rapamycin) pathway. One of the biological functions of TcADKn is ribosomal 18S RNA processing by direct interaction with ribosomal protein TcRps14. Finally, TcADKn expression is regulated by its 3′ UTR mRNA. Depending on extracellular conditions, cells modulate protein translation rates regulating ribosome biogenesis and nuclear adenylate kinases are probably key components in these processes. Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi produces a condition known as Chagas disease which affects at least 17 million people. Adenylate kinases, so called myokinases, are involved in a wide variety of processes, mainly related to their role in nucleotide interconversion and energy management. Recently, nuclear isoforms have been described in several organisms. This “atypical” isoform in terms of primary structure was associated to ribosomes biogenesis in yeast and to Cajal body organization in humans. Moreover nuclear adenylate kinases are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. In this manuscript we characterized T. cruzi nuclear adenylate kinase (TcADKn). TcADKn localizes in the nucleolus or cell cytoplasm. Nuclear shuttling mechanisms were also studied for the first time, being dependent on nutrient availability, oxidative stress and by the equivalent of the mammalian TOR pathway in T. cruzi. Furthermore we characterized the signals involved in nuclear importation and exportation processes. In addition, TcADKn expression levels are regulated at an mRNA level, being its 3′UTR involved in this process. These findings are the first steps in the understanding of ribosome processing in trypanosomatids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Claudio A. Pereira
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de Trypanosoma cruzi (LBMTC), Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas “Alfredo Lanari”, Universidad de Buenos Aires and CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Caputto ME, Ciccarelli A, Frank F, Moglioni AG, Moltrasio GY, Vega D, Lombardo E, Finkielsztein LM. Synthesis and biological evaluation of some novel 1-indanone thiazolylhydrazone derivatives as anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agents. Eur J Med Chem 2012; 55:155-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2012.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Revised: 05/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
31
|
Furtado C, Kunrath-Lima M, Rajão MA, Mendes IC, de Moura MB, Campos PC, Macedo AM, Franco GR, Pena SDJ, Teixeira SMR, Van Houten B, Machado CR. Functional characterization of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase of Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42484. [PMID: 22876325 PMCID: PMC3411635 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The oxidative lesion 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) is removed during base excision repair by the 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (Ogg1). This lesion can erroneously pair with adenine, and the excision of this damaged base by Ogg1 enables the insertion of a guanine and prevents DNA mutation. In this report, we identified and characterized Ogg1 from the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (TcOgg1), the causative agent of Chagas disease. Like most living organisms, T. cruzi is susceptible to oxidative stress, hence DNA repair is essential for its survival and improvement of infection. We verified that the TcOGG1 gene encodes an 8-oxoG DNA glycosylase by complementing an Ogg1-defective Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. Heterologous expression of TcOGG1 reestablished the mutation frequency of the yeast mutant ogg1(-/-) (CD138) to wild type levels. We also demonstrate that the overexpression of TcOGG1 increases T. cruzi sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Analysis of DNA lesions using quantitative PCR suggests that the increased susceptibility to H(2)O(2) of TcOGG1-overexpressor could be a consequence of uncoupled BER in abasic sites and/or strand breaks generated after TcOgg1 removes 8-oxoG, which are not rapidly repaired by the subsequent BER enzymes. This hypothesis is supported by the observation that TcOGG1-overexpressors have reduced levels of 8-oxoG both in the nucleus and in the parasite mitochondrion. The localization of TcOgg1 was examined in parasite transfected with a TcOgg1-GFP fusion, which confirmed that this enzyme is in both organelles. Taken together, our data indicate that T. cruzi has a functional Ogg1 ortholog that participates in nuclear and mitochondrial BER.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Furtado
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marianna Kunrath-Lima
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Matheus Andrade Rajão
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Isabela Cecília Mendes
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Michelle Barbi de Moura
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Priscila Carneiro Campos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andrea Mara Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Glória Regina Franco
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Danilo Junho Pena
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Santuza Maria Ribeiro Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bennett Van Houten
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Carlos Renato Machado
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Díaz M, Solari A, González C. Differential expression of Trypanosoma cruzi I associated with clinical forms of Chagas disease: Overexpression of oxidative stress proteins in acute patient isolate. J Proteomics 2011; 74:1673-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2011.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2010] [Revised: 04/30/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
33
|
Regulation of Phosphatidic Acid Levels in Trypanosoma cruzi. Lipids 2011; 46:969-79. [DOI: 10.1007/s11745-011-3577-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2010] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
34
|
Ramos TCP, Freymüller-Haapalainen E, Schenkman S. Three-dimensional reconstruction of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes and organelle distribution along the cell division cycle. Cytometry A 2011; 79:538-44. [PMID: 21567937 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.21077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2010] [Revised: 03/14/2011] [Accepted: 04/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the protozoan that causes Chagas disease. It divides in the insect vector gut or in the cytosol of an infected mammalian cell. T. cruzi has one mitochondrion, one Golgi complex, one flagellum, and one cytostome. Here, we provide three-dimensional (3D) models of this protozoan based on images obtained from serial sections on electron microscopy at different stages of the cell cycle. Ultrathin serial sections were obtained from Epon™ embedded parasites, photographed in a transmission electron microscope, and 3D models were generated using Reconstruct and Blender 3D modeling softwares. The localization and distribution of organelles was evaluated and attributed to specific morphological patterns and deduced by distribution of specific markers by immunofluorescence analysis. The new features found in the 3D reconstructions are (1) the electron-dense chromatin is interconnected leaving an internal space for a centrally located nucleolus; (2) The kinetoplast is accommodated within a separated branch of the tubular and single mitochondrion; (3) The disk shaped kinetoplast, which is the mitochondrial DNA, duplicates from the interior in G2 phase; (4) The mitochondrion faces the external membrane and shrinks to accommodate an enlarged number of cytosolic vesicles from G1 to G2; (5) The cytostome progress from the parasite surface toward the posterior end contouring the kinetoplast and nucleus and retracts during cell cycle. These new observations might help understanding how organelles are formed and distributed in early divergent eukaryotic cells and provides a useful method to understand the organelle distribution in small eukaryotic cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Cesar Prata Ramos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Magdaleno A, Suárez Mantilla B, Rocha SC, Pral EMF, Silber AM. The Involvement of Glutamate Metabolism in the Resistance to Thermal, Nutritional, and Oxidative Stress in Trypanosoma cruzi. Enzyme Res 2011; 2011:486928. [PMID: 21629861 PMCID: PMC3092565 DOI: 10.4061/2011/486928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 02/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The inhibition of some glutamate metabolic pathways could lead to diminished parasite survival. In this study, the effects of L-methionine sulfoximine (MS), DL-methionine sulfone (MSO), and DL-methionine sulfoxide (MSE), three glutamate analogs, on several biological processes were evaluated. We found that these analogs inhibited the growth of epimastigotes cells and showed a synergistic effect with stress conditions such as temperature, nutritional starvation, and oxidative stress. The specific activity for the reductive amination of α-ketoglutaric acid, catalyzed by the NADP(+)-linked glutamate dehydrogenase, showed an increase in the NADP(+) levels, when MS, MSE, and MSO were added. It suggests an eventual conversion of the compounds tested by the T. cruzi cells. The fact that trypomastigote bursting was not significantly inhibited when infected cells were treated with these compounds, remarks the existence of relevant metabolic differences among the different life-cycle stages. It must be considered when proposing a new therapeutic drug.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anahí Magdaleno
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 1374, CEP 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Ennes-Vidal V, Menna-Barreto RFS, Santos ALS, Branquinha MH, d'Avila-Levy CM. MDL28170, a calpain inhibitor, affects Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclogenesis, ultrastructure and attachment to Rhodnius prolixus midgut. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18371. [PMID: 21483751 PMCID: PMC3070728 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2010] [Accepted: 03/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas' disease. During the parasite life cycle, many molecules are involved in the differentiation process and infectivity. Peptidases are relevant for crucial steps of T. cruzi life cycle; as such, it is conceivable that they may participate in the metacyclogenesis and interaction with the invertebrate host. Methodology/Principal Findings In this paper, we have investigated the effect of the calpain inhibitor MDL28170 on the attachment of T. cruzi epimastigotes to the luminal midgut surface of Rhodnius prolixus, as well as on the metacyclogenesis process and ultrastructure. MDL28170 treatment was capable of significantly reducing the number of bound epimastigotes to the luminal surface midgut of the insect. Once the cross-reactivity of the anti-Dm-calpain was assessed, it was possible to block calpain molecules by the antibody, leading to a significant reduction in the capacity of adhesion to the insect guts by T. cruzi. However, the antibodies were unable to interfere in metacyclogenesis, which was impaired by the calpain inhibitor presenting a significant reduction in the number of metacyclic trypomastigotes. The calpain inhibitor also promoted a direct effect against bloodstream trypomastigotes. Ultrastructural analysis of epimastigotes treated with the calpain inhibitor revealed disorganization in the reservosomes, Golgi and plasma membrane disruption. Conclusions/Significance The presence of calpain and calpain-like molecules in a wide range of organisms suggests that these proteins could be necessary for basic cellular functions. Herein, we demonstrated the effects of MDL28170 in crucial steps of the T. cruzi life cycle, such as attachment to the insect midgut and metacyclogenesis, as well as in parasite viability and morphology. Together with our previous findings, these results help to shed some light on the functions of T. cruzi calpains. Considering the potential roles of these molecules on the interaction with both invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, it is interesting to improve knowledge on these molecules in T. cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vítor Ennes-Vidal
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Bittencourt NDLR, Ueda-Nakamura T, Filho BPD, Nakamura CV. Antitrypanosomal Activity of a Semi-Purified Subfraction Rich in Labdane Sesquiterpenes, Obtained from Flowers of Anthemis Tinctoria, Against Trypanosoma Cruzi. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.4236/pp.2011.22006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
38
|
Cardoso J, Soares MJ. In vitro effects of citral on Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclogenesis. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2010; 105:1026-32. [DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762010000800012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2010] [Accepted: 09/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
|
39
|
de Souza FSP, Rampazzo RDCP, Manhaes L, Soares MJ, Cavalcanti DP, Krieger MA, Goldenberg S, Fragoso SP. Knockout of the gene encoding the kinetoplast-associated protein 3 (KAP3) in Trypanosoma cruzi: effect on kinetoplast organization, cell proliferation and differentiation. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2010; 172:90-8. [PMID: 20363262 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2010.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2009] [Revised: 03/12/2010] [Accepted: 03/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) of trypanosomatid protozoa consists of an unusual arrangement of two types of circular molecules catenated into a single network: (1) a few maxicircles that encode various mitochondrial enzyme subunits and rRNA in a cryptic pattern and (2) thousands of minicircles that encode guide RNAs (gRNAs). kDNA is associated with proteins, known as kinetoplast-associated proteins (KAPs), which condense the kDNA network. However, little is known about the KAPs of Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite that displays different kDNA condensation patterns during its complex morphogenetic development. We cloned the T. cruzi gene encoding TcKAP3 (kinetoplast-associated protein 3). TcKAP3 is a single-copy gene that is transcribed into a 1.8-kb mRNA molecule and expressed in all stages of the parasite. Mouse antiserum raised against recombinant TcKPA3 recognized a 21.8kDa protein, which was found, by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, to be associated with the T. cruzi kinetoplast. Several features of TcKAP3, such as its small size, basic nature and similarity with KAP3 from the insect trypanosomatid Crithidia fasciculata, are consistent with a role in DNA charge neutralization and condensation. This suggests that this protein is involved in organizing the kDNA network. Gene deletion was used to investigate TcKAP3 function. Here we investigated the T. cruzi KAP3 null mutant, analyzing its fitness during proliferation, differentiation and infectivity.
Collapse
|
40
|
Alves LR, Avila AR, Correa A, Holetz FB, Mansur FCB, Manque PA, de Menezes JPB, Buck GA, Krieger MA, Goldenberg S. Proteomic analysis reveals the dynamic association of proteins with translated mRNAs in Trypanosoma cruzi. Gene 2010; 452:72-8. [PMID: 20060445 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2009.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2009] [Revised: 11/22/2009] [Accepted: 12/26/2009] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Gene regulation is mainly post-transcriptional in trypanosomatids. The stability of mRNA and access to polysomes are thought to be tightly regulated, allowing Trypanosoma cruzi to adapt to the different environmental conditions during its life cycle. Post-transcriptional regulation requires the association between mRNAs and certain proteins to form mRNP complexes. We investigated the dynamic association between proteins and mRNAs, using poly(T) beads to isolate and characterize proteins and protein complexes bound to poly-A+ mRNAs. The protein content of these fractions was analyzed by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We identified 542 protein component of the mRNP complexes associated with mRNAs. Twenty-four of the proteins obtained were present in all fractions, whereas some other proteins were exclusive to a particular fraction: epimastigote polysomal (0.37%) and post-polysomal (2.95%) fractions; stress polysomal (13.8%) and post-polysomal (40.78%) fractions. Several proteins known to be involved in mRNA metabolism were identified, and this was considered important as it made it possible to confirm the reliability of our mRNP isolation approach. This procedure allowed us to have a first insight into the composition and dynamics of mRNPs in T. cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lysangela R Alves
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Laboratório de Regulação da Expressão Gênica, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Hashimoto M, Murata E, Aoki T. Secretory protein with RING finger domain (SPRING) specific to Trypanosoma cruzi is directed, as a ubiquitin ligase related protein, to the nucleus of host cells. Cell Microbiol 2009; 12:19-30. [PMID: 19702650 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2009.01375.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
While some intracellular bacterial and viral proteins secreted into host cell possess ubiquitin ligase (E3) activity for their profit, it has not been reported whether intracellular parasites secrete such molecules. We identified a gene that encodes a protein containing a secretory signal peptide and a RING finger domain in the intracellular protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. This gene was specific to T. cruzi and was designated spring (secretory protein with RING finger domain). An in vitro ubiquitination assay showed that SPRING possessed E3 activity in a RING finger domain-dependent manner. SPRING could utilize human ubiquitin-activating enzymes (E2), UbcH5 and UbcH13. Although SPRING was found to be a secretory protein, the signal peptide-cleaved mature form of SPRING was localized in the nucleus of host cells, indicating that SPRING may function in the host cell nuclei. Yeast two-hybrid screening identified 52 putative SPRING interactors in HeLa cells, suggesting that SPRING affects the stability or function of a number of host proteins. Furthermore, a co-immunoprecipitation assay showed that breast cancer-associated protein 3 interacted with SPRING, as well as being ubiquitinated by SPRING in vitro. These findings are the first to show that this protozoan parasite secretes an ubiquitin ligase-related protein into host cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muneaki Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Cavalcanti DP, Shimada MK, Probst CM, Souto-Padrón TCBS, de Souza W, Goldenberg S, Fragoso SP, Motta MCM. Expression and subcellular localization of kinetoplast-associated proteins in the different developmental stages of Trypanosoma cruzi. BMC Microbiol 2009; 9:120. [PMID: 19497120 PMCID: PMC2700280 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-9-120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2008] [Accepted: 06/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) of trypanosomatids consists of an unusual arrangement of circular molecules catenated into a single network. The diameter of the isolated kDNA network is similar to that of the entire cell. However, within the kinetoplast matrix, the kDNA is highly condensed. Studies in Crithidia fasciculata showed that kinetoplast-associated proteins (KAPs) are capable of condensing the kDNA network. However, little is known about the KAPs of Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasitic protozoon that shows distinct patterns of kDNA condensation during their complex morphogenetic development. In epimastigotes and amastigotes (replicating forms) the kDNA fibers are tightly packed into a disk-shaped kinetoplast, whereas trypomastigotes (non-replicating) present a more relaxed kDNA organization contained within a rounded structure. It is still unclear how the compact kinetoplast disk of epimastigotes is converted into a globular structure in the infective trypomastigotes. RESULTS In this work, we have analyzed KAP coding genes in trypanosomatid genomes and cloned and expressed two kinetoplast-associated proteins in T. cruzi: TcKAP4 and TcKAP6. Such small basic proteins are expressed in all developmental stages of the parasite, although present a differential distribution within the kinetoplasts of epimastigote, amastigote and trypomastigote forms. CONCLUSION Several features of TcKAPs, such as their small size, basic nature and similarity with KAPs of C. fasciculata, are consistent with a role in DNA charge neutralization and condensation. Additionally, the differential distribution of KAPs in the kinetoplasts of distinct developmental stages of the parasite, indicate that the kDNA rearrangement that takes place during the T. cruzi differentiation process is accompanied by TcKAPs redistribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Pereira Cavalcanti
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Trypanosoma cruzi: in vitro activity of Epoxy-α-Lap, a derivative of α-lapachone, on trypomastigote and amastigote forms. Exp Parasitol 2009; 122:91-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2008] [Revised: 01/10/2009] [Accepted: 03/02/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
44
|
Distinct acetylation of Trypanosoma cruzi histone H4 during cell cycle, parasite differentiation, and after DNA damage. Chromosoma 2009; 118:487-99. [PMID: 19396454 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-009-0213-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2008] [Revised: 04/04/2009] [Accepted: 04/06/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Histones of trypanosomes are quite divergent when compared to histones of most eukaryotes. Nevertheless, the histone H4 of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan that causes Chagas' disease, is acetylated in the N terminus at lysines 4, 10, and 14. Here, we investigated the cellular distribution of histone H4 containing each one of these posttranslational modifications by using specific antibodies. Histone H4 acetylated at lysine 4 (H4-K4ac) is found in the entire nuclear space preferentially at dense chromatin regions, excluding the nucleolus of replicating epimastigote forms of the parasite. In contrast, histone H4 acetylated either at K10 or K14 is found at dispersed foci all over the nuclei and at the interface between dense and nondense chromatin areas as observed by ultrastructural immunocytochemistry. The level of acetylation at K4 decreases in nonreplicating forms of the parasites when compared to K10 and K14 acetylations. Antibodies recognizing the K14 acetylation strongly labeled cells at G2 and M stages of the cell cycle. Besides that, hydroxyurea synchronized parasites show an increased acetylation at K4, K10, and K14 after S phase. Moreover, we do not observed specific colocalization of K4 modifications with the major sites of RNA polymerase II. Upon gamma-irradiation that stops parasite replication until the DNA is repaired, dense chromatin disappears and K4 acetylation decreases, while K10 and K14 acetylation increase. These results indicate that each lysine acetylation has a different role in T. cruzi. While K4 acetylation occurs preferentially in proliferating situations and accumulates in packed chromatin, K10 and K14 acetylations have a particular distribution probably at the boundaries between packed and unpacked chromatin.
Collapse
|
45
|
Particularities of mitochondrial structure in parasitic protists (Apicomplexa and Kinetoplastida). Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2009; 41:2069-80. [PMID: 19379828 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2009.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2008] [Revised: 04/07/2009] [Accepted: 04/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Without mitochondria, eukaryotic cells would depend entirely on anaerobic glycolysis for ATP generation. This also holds true for protists, both free-living and parasitic. Parasitic protists include agents of human and animal diseases that have a huge impact on world populations. In the phylum Apicomplexa, several species of Plasmodium cause malaria, whereas Toxoplasma gondii is a cosmopolite parasite found on all continents. Flagellates of the order Kinetoplastida include the genera Leishmania and Trypanosoma causative agents of human leishmaniasis and (depending on the species) African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease. Although clearly distinct in many aspects, the members of these two groups bear a single and usually well developed mitochondrion. The single mitochondrion of Apicomplexa has a dense matrix and many cristae with a circular profile. The organelle is even more peculiar in the order Kinetoplastida, exhibiting a condensed network of DNA at a specific position, always close to the flagellar basal body. This arrangement is known as Kinetoplast and the name of the order derived from it. Kinetoplastids also bear glycosomes, peroxisomes that concentrate enzymes of the glycolytic cycle. Mitochondrial volume and activity is maximum when glycosomal is low and vice versa. In both Apicomplexa and trypanosomatids, mitochondria show particularities that are absent in other eukaryotic organisms. These peculiar features make them an attractive target for therapeutic drugs for the diseases they cause.
Collapse
|
46
|
Magdaleno A, Ahn IY, Paes LS, Silber AM. Actions of a proline analogue, L-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (T4C), on Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS One 2009; 4:e4534. [PMID: 19229347 PMCID: PMC2645137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2008] [Accepted: 01/07/2009] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that L-proline has several roles in the biology of trypanosomatids. In Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease, this amino acid is involved in energy metabolism, differentiation processes and resistance to osmotic stress. In this study, we analyzed the effects of interfering with L-proline metabolism on the viability and on other aspects of the T. cruzi life cycle using the proline analogue L- thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (T4C). The growth of epimastigotes was evaluated using different concentrations of T4C in standard culture conditions and at high temperature or acidic pH. We also evaluated possible interactions of this analogue with stress conditions such as those produced by nutrient starvation and oxidative stress. T4C showed a dose-response effect on epimastigote growth (IC(50) = 0.89+/-0.02 mM at 28 degrees C), and the inhibitory effect of this analogue was synergistic (p<0.05) with temperature (0.54+/-0.01 mM at 37 degrees C). T4C significantly diminished parasite survival (p<0.05) in combination with nutrient starvation and oxidative stress conditions. Pre-incubation of the parasites with L-proline resulted in a protective effect against oxidative stress, but this was not seen in the presence of the drug. Finally, the trypomastigote bursting from infected mammalian cells was evaluated and found to be inhibited by up to 56% when cells were treated with non-toxic concentrations of T4C (between 1 and 10 mM). All these data together suggest that T4C could be an interesting therapeutic drug if combined with others that affect, for example, oxidative stress. The data also support the participation of proline metabolism in the resistance to oxidative stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anahí Magdaleno
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Il-Young Ahn
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lisvane Silva Paes
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ariel M. Silber
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ferella M, Nilsson D, Darban H, Rodrigues C, Bontempi EJ, Docampo R, Andersson B. Proteomics in Trypanosoma cruzi--localization of novel proteins to various organelles. Proteomics 2008; 8:2735-49. [PMID: 18546153 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200700940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The completion of the genome sequence of Trypanosoma cruzi has been followed by several studies of protein expression, with the long-term aim to obtain a complete picture of the parasite proteome. We report a proteomic analysis of an organellar cell fraction from T. cruzi CL Brener epimastigotes. A total of 396 proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS. Of these, 138 were annotated as hypothetical in the genome databases and the rest could be assigned to several metabolic and biosynthetic pathways, transport, and structural functions. Comparative analysis with a whole cell proteome study resulted in the validation of the expression of 173 additional proteins. Of these, 38 proteins previously reported in other stages were not found in the only large-scale study of the total epimastigote stage proteome. A selected set of identified proteins was analyzed further to investigate gene copy number, sequence variation, transmembrane domains, and targeting signals. The genes were cloned and the proteins expressed with a c-myc epitope tag in T. cruzi epimastigotes. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed the localization of these proteins in different cellular compartments such as ER, acidocalcisome, mitochondrion, and putative cytoplasmic transport or delivery vesicles. The results demonstrate that the use of enriched subcellular fractions allows the detection of T. cruzi proteins that are undetected by whole cell proteomic methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Ferella
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Dea-Ayuela MA, Pérez-Castillo Y, Meneses-Marcel A, Ubeira FM, Bolas-Fernández F, Chou KC, González-Díaz H. HP-Lattice QSAR for dynein proteins: experimental proteomics (2D-electrophoresis, mass spectrometry) and theoretic study of a Leishmania infantum sequence. Bioorg Med Chem 2008; 16:7770-6. [PMID: 18662882 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2008.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2008] [Revised: 06/23/2008] [Accepted: 07/02/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The toxicity and inefficacy of actual organic drugs against Leishmaniosis justify research projects to find new molecular targets in Leishmania species including Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) and Leishmaniamajor (L. major), both important pathogens. In this sense, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) methods, which are very useful in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry to discover small-sized drugs, may help to identify not only new drugs but also new drug targets, if we apply them to proteins. Dyneins are important proteins of these parasites governing fundamental processes such as cilia and flagella motion, nuclear migration, organization of the mitotic splinde, and chromosome separation during mitosis. However, despite the interest for them as potential drug targets, so far there has been no report whatsoever on dyneins with QSAR techniques. To the best of our knowledge, we report here the first QSAR for dynein proteins. We used as input the Spectral Moments of a Markov matrix associated to the HP-Lattice Network of the protein sequence. The data contain 411 protein sequences of different species selected by ClustalX to develop a QSAR that correctly discriminates on average between 92.75% and 92.51% of dyneins and other proteins in four different train and cross-validation datasets. We also report a combined experimental and theoretic study of a new dynein sequence in order to illustrate the utility of the model to search for potential drug targets with a practical example. First, we carried out a 2D-electrophoresis analysis of L. infantum biological samples. Next, we excised from 2D-E gels one spot of interest belonging to an unknown protein or protein fragment in the region M<20,200 and pI<4. We used MASCOT search engine to find proteins in the L. major data base with the highest similarity score to the MS of the protein isolated from L. infantum. We used the QSAR model to predict the new sequence as dynein with probability of 99.99% without relying upon alignment. In order to confirm the previous function annotation we predicted the sequences as dynein with BLAST and the omniBLAST tools (96% alignment similarity to dyneins of other species). Using this combined strategy, we have successfully identified L. infantum protein containing dynein heavy chain, and illustrated the potential use of the QSAR model as a complement to alignment tools.
Collapse
|
49
|
Inhibition of proteasome activity blocks Trypanosoma cruzi growth and metacyclogenesis. Parasitol Res 2008; 103:941-51. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-1081-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2008] [Accepted: 06/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
50
|
Cavalcanti DP, Thiry M, de Souza W, Motta MCM. The kinetoplast ultrastructural organization of endosymbiont-bearing trypanosomatids as revealed by deep-etching, cytochemical and immunocytochemical analysis. Histochem Cell Biol 2008; 130:1177-85. [PMID: 18542983 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-008-0450-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The endosymbiont-bearing trypanosomatids present a typical kDNA arrangement, which is not well characterized. In the majority of trypanosomatids, the kinetoplast forms a bar-like structure containing tightly packed kDNA fibers. On the contrary, in trypanosomatids that harbor an endosymbiotic bacterium, the kDNA fibers are disposed in a looser arrangement that fills the kinetoplast matrix. In order to shed light on the kinetoplast structural organization in these protozoa, we used cytochemical and immunocytological approaches. Our results showed that in endosymbiont-containing species, DNA and basic proteins are distributed not only in the kDNA network, but also in the kinetoflagellar zone (KFZ), which corresponds to the region between the kDNA and the inner mitochondrial membrane nearest the flagellum. The presence of DNA in the KFZ is in accordance with the actual model of kDNA replication, whereas the detection of basic proteins in this region may be related to the basic character of the intramitochondrial filaments found in this area, which are part of the complex that connects the kDNA to the basal body. The kinetoplast structural organization of Bodo sp. was also analyzed, since this protozoan lacks the highly ordered kDNA-packaging characteristic of trypanosomatid and represents an evolutionary ancestral of the Trypanosomatidae family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Pereira Cavalcanti
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco G, subsolo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|