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Kaiser G, De Niz M, Zuber B, Burda PC, Kornmann B, Heussler VT, Stanway RR. High resolution microscopy reveals an unusual architecture of the Plasmodium berghei endoplasmic reticulum. Mol Microbiol 2016; 102:775-791. [PMID: 27566438 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
To fuel the tremendously fast replication of Plasmodium liver stage parasites, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) must play a critical role as a major site of protein and lipid biosynthesis. In this study, we analysed the parasite's ER morphology and function. Previous studies exploring the parasite ER have mainly focused on the blood stage. Visualizing the Plasmodium berghei ER during liver stage development, we found that the ER forms an interconnected network throughout the parasite with perinuclear and peripheral localizations. Surprisingly, we observed that the ER additionally generates huge accumulations. Using stimulated emission depletion microscopy and serial block-face scanning electron microscopy, we defined ER accumulations as intricate dense networks of ER tubules. We provide evidence that these accumulations are functional subdivisions of the parasite ER, presumably generated in response to elevated demands of the parasite, potentially consistent with ER stress. Compared to higher eukaryotes, Plasmodium parasites have a fundamentally reduced unfolded protein response machinery for reacting to ER stress. Accordingly, parasite development is greatly impaired when ER stress is applied. As parasites appear to be more sensitive to ER stress than are host cells, induction of ER stress could potentially be used for interference with parasite development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gesine Kaiser
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstr. 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 2, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mariana De Niz
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstr. 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.,Wellcome Trust Center for Molecular Parasitology, G12 8TA, Glasgow, UK
| | - Benoît Zuber
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 2, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Paul-Christian Burda
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstr. 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Benoît Kornmann
- Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Volker T Heussler
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstr. 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca R Stanway
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstr. 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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2
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Cai H, Kuang R, Gu J, Wang Y. Proteases in malaria parasites - a phylogenomic perspective. Curr Genomics 2012; 12:417-27. [PMID: 22379395 PMCID: PMC3178910 DOI: 10.2174/138920211797248565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2011] [Revised: 07/17/2011] [Accepted: 07/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria continues to be one of the most devastating global health problems due to the high morbidity and mortality it causes in endemic regions. The search for new antimalarial targets is of high priority because of the increasing prevalence of drug resistance in malaria parasites. Malarial proteases constitute a class of promising therapeutic targets as they play important roles in the parasite life cycle and it is possible to design and screen for specific protease inhibitors. In this mini-review, we provide a phylogenomic overview of malarial proteases. An evolutionary perspective on the origin and divergence of these proteases will provide insights into the adaptive mechanisms of parasite growth, development, infection, and pathogenesis.B
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Cai
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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3
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Tilley L, Sougrat R, Lithgow T, Hanssen E. The twists and turns of Maurer's cleft trafficking in P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Traffic 2007; 9:187-97. [PMID: 18088325 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2007.00684.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, invades the red blood cells (RBCs) of its human host and initiates a series of morphological rearrangements within the host cell cytoplasm. The mature RBC has no endogenous trafficking machinery; therefore, the parasite generates novel structures to mediate protein transport. These include compartments called the Maurer's clefts (MC), which play an important role in the trafficking of parasite proteins to the surface of the host cell. Recent electron tomography studies have revealed MC as convoluted flotillas of flattened discs that are tethered to the RBC membrane, prompting speculation that the MC could, in one respect, represent an extracellular equivalent of the Golgi apparatus. Visualization of both resident and cargo proteins has helped decipher the signals and routes for trafficking of parasite proteins to the MC and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leann Tilley
- Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia
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4
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van Dooren GG, Marti M, Tonkin CJ, Stimmler LM, Cowman AF, McFadden GI. Development of the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrion and apicoplast during the asexual life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Microbiol 2005; 57:405-19. [PMID: 15978074 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2005.04699.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites are unicellular eukaryotes that undergo a series of remarkable morphological transformations during the course of a multistage life cycle spanning two hosts (mosquito and human). Relatively little is known about the dynamics of cellular organelles throughout the course of these transformations. Here we describe the morphology of three organelles (endoplasmic reticulum, apicoplast and mitochondrion) through the human blood stages of the parasite life cycle using fluorescent reporter proteins fused to organelle targeting sequences. The endoplasmic reticulum begins as a simple crescent-shaped organelle that develops into a perinuclear ring with two small protrusions, followed by transformation into an extensive reticulated network as the parasite enlarges. Similarly, the apicoplast and the mitochondrion grow from single, small, discrete organelles into highly branched structures in later-stage parasites. These branched structures undergo an ordered fission - apicoplast followed by mitochondrion - to create multiple daughter organelles that are apparently linked as pairs for packaging into daughter cells. This is the first in-depth examination of intracellular organelles in live parasites during the asexual life cycle of this important human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giel G van Dooren
- Plant Cell Biology Research Centre, School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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5
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Przyborski JM, Lanzer M. Protein transport and trafficking inPlasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Parasitology 2004; 130:373-88. [PMID: 15830811 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182004006729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The human malarial parasitePlasmodium falciparumextensively modifies its host erythrocyte, and to this end, is faced with an interesting challenge. It must not only sort proteins to common organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi and mitochondria, but also target proteins across the ‘extracellular’ cytosol of its host cell. Furthermore, as a member of the phylum Apicomplexa, the parasite has to sort proteins to novel organelles such as the apicoplast, micronemes and rhoptries. In order to overcome these difficulties, the parasite has created a novel secretory system, which has been characterized in ever-increasing detail in the past decade. Along with the ‘hardware’ for a secretory system, the parasite also needs to ‘program’ proteins to enable high fidelity sorting to their correct subcellular location. The nature of these sorting signals has remained until relatively recently, enigmatic. Experimental work has now begun to dissect the sorting signals responsible for correct subcellular targeting of parasite-encoded proteins. In this review we summarize the current understanding of such signals, and comment on their role in protein sorting in this organism, which may become a model for the study of novel protein trafficking mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Przyborski
- Hygiene Institute, Department of Parasitology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Droucheau E, Primot A, Thomas V, Mattei D, Knockaert M, Richardson C, Sallicandro P, Alano P, Jafarshad A, Baratte B, Kunick C, Parzy D, Pearl L, Doerig C, Meijer L. Plasmodium falciparum glycogen synthase kinase-3: molecular model, expression, intracellular localisation and selective inhibitors. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2004; 1697:181-96. [PMID: 15023360 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2003.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2003] [Accepted: 11/12/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide increasing resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to common anti-malaria agents calls for the urgent identification of new drugs. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) represents a potential screening target for the identification of such new compounds. We have cloned PfGSK-3, the P. falciparum gene homologue of GSK-3 beta. It encodes a 452-amino-acid, 53-kDa protein with an unusual N-terminal extension but a well-conserved catalytic domain. A PfGSK-3 tridimensional homology model was generated on the basis of the recently crystallised human GSK-3 beta. It illustrates how the regions involved in the active site, in substrate binding (P+4 phosphate binding domain) and in activity regulation are highly conserved. Recombinant PfGSK-3 phosphorylates GS-1, a GSK-3-specific peptide substrate, glycogen synthase, recombinant axin and the microtubule-binding protein tau. Neither native nor recombinant PfGSK-3 binds to axin. Expression and intracellular localisation of PfGSK-3 were investigated in the erythrocytic stages. Although PfGSK-3 mRNA is present in similar amounts at all stages, the PfGSK-3 protein is predominantly expressed at the early trophozoite stage. Once synthesized, PfGSK-3 is rapidly transported to the erythrocyte cytoplasm where it associates with vesicle-like structures. The physiological functions of PfGSK-3 for the parasite remain to be elucidated. A series of GSK-3 beta inhibitors were tested on both PfGSK-3 and mammalian GSK-3beta. Remarkably these enzymes show a partially divergent sensitivity to the compounds, suggesting that PfGSK-3 selective compounds might be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane Droucheau
- C.N.R.S., Cell Cycle Group, Station Biologique, B.P. 74, 29682 Roscoff cedex, Bretagne, France
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7
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Nacer A, Berry L, Slomianny C, Mattei D. Plasmodium falciparum signal sequences: simply sequences or special signals? Int J Parasitol 2001; 31:1371-9. [PMID: 11566304 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7519(01)00253-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, synthesises and exports several proteins inducing morphological and biochemical modifications of erythrocytes during the erythrocytic cycle. The protein trafficking machinery of the parasite is similar to that of other eukaryotic cells in several ways. However, some unusual features are also observed. The secretion of various polypeptides was inhibited when P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes were incubated with Brefeldin A. Immunoelectron microscopy studies revealed substantial morphological changes in the endoplasmic reticulum following exposure of parasitised erythrocytes to the drug. Immunofluorescence studies of Brefeldin A-treated parasites suggest that polypeptide sorting to different intracellular destinations begins at the endoplasmic reticulum. The parasite also secretes polypeptides by a Brefeldin A-insensitive route that bypasses the classical endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi complex pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nacer
- Unité de Biologie des Interactions Hôte-Parasite, CNRS URA 1960, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris, France
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8
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Bracho C, Dunia I, Romano M, Benedetti EL, Perez HA. Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium chabaudi: intraerythrocytic traffic of antigenically homologous proteins involves a brefeldin A-sensitive secretory pathway. Eur J Cell Biol 2001; 80:164-70. [PMID: 11302521 DOI: 10.1078/0171-9335-00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We have used a monoclonal antibody (mAb 7C5B71) raised against the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium vivax to identify a 148-kDa P vivax protein antigen (Pv-148) which crossreacts with an antigenically homologous 190-kDa protein of P. chabaudi (Pc-190). During parasite intraerythrocytic development Pv-148 and Pc-190 are exported into the host cell cytosol and become located in the surface membrane of the infected erythrocyte. Immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy studies showed that both Pv-148 and Pc-190 are released from the parasite and exported to the host cell cytoplasm in association with tubovesicular membrane (TVM) structures. Fluorescent in vivo labelling of P. chabaudi with Bodipy-ceramide followed by immunofluorescence staining with the mAb supported the association of antigenically homologous Pc-190 with TVM structures. In the presence of brefeldin A (BFA), secretion of antigenically homologous Pc-190 into the host cell cytoplasm was inhibited and the antigen remained in the parasite cytoplasm. BFA also arrested the maturation of the parasite. Taken together these results suggest that Pv-148 and Pc-190 are related parasite proteins that are transported into the host cell through a BFA-sensitive secretory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bracho
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas IVIC, Caracas, Venezula.
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Blisnick T, Morales Betoulle ME, Barale JC, Uzureau P, Berry L, Desroses S, Fujioka H, Mattei D, Braun Breton C. Pfsbp1, a Maurer's cleft Plasmodium falciparum protein, is associated with the erythrocyte skeleton. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2000; 111:107-21. [PMID: 11087921 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-6851(00)00301-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies from hyperimmune monkey sera, selected by absorption to Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes, and elution at acidic pH, allowed us to characterize a novel parasite protein, Pfsbp1 (P. falciparum skeleton binding protein 1). Pfsbp1 is an integral membrane protein of parasite-induced membranous structures associated with the erythrocyte plasma membrane and referred to as Maurer's clefts. The carboxy-terminal domain of Pfsbp1, exposed within the cytoplasm of the host cell, interacts with a 35 kDa erythrocyte skeletal protein and might participate in the binding of the Maurer's clefts to the erythrocyte submembrane skeleton. Antibodies to the carboxy- and amino-terminal domains of Pfsbp1 labelled similar vesicular structures in the cytoplasm of Plasmodium chabaudi and Plasmodium berghei-infected murine erythrocytes, suggesting that the protein is conserved among malaria species, consistent with an important role of Maurer's cleft-like structures in the intraerythrocytic development of malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Blisnick
- Unité de Biologie des Interactions Hôte-Parasite, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Dr. Roux, Paris 75015, France
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10
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Albano FR, Foley M, Tilley L. Export of parasite proteins to the erythrocyte cytoplasm: secretory machinery and traffic signals. NOVARTIS FOUNDATION SYMPOSIUM 2000; 226:157-72; discussion 173-5. [PMID: 10645545 DOI: 10.1002/9780470515730.ch12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
To the malaria parasite, the prospect of setting up residence within a human erythrocyte represents a formidable challenge. The mature human erythrocyte is essentially a bag of haemoglobin with no internal organelles and no protein synthesis machinery. The parasite needs, therefore, to assemble all the essential amenities--foundations, plumbing and furnishings--from scratch. The parasite remodels its adopted home by exporting proteins to the erythrocyte membrane. To reach their final destinations, the exported proteins must cross the parasite plasma membrane, the parasitophorous vacuole membrane and the erythrocyte cytosol. To further understand this unusual and complex trafficking pathway, we have searched for proteins that may form part of the trafficking machinery of the infected erythrocyte. We have identified an ER-located, calcium-binding homologue of reticulocalbin (PfERC) that co-localizes with the ER molecular chaperone, PfGRP. We have also identified a homologue of the GTP-binding protein, Sar1p, a small GTPase that, in other eukaryotic cells, is thought to play a crucial role in trafficking proteins between the ER and the Golgi. PfSar1p is located in discrete structures near the periphery of the parasite cytoplasm that may represent specialized export compartments. PfSar1p is exported to structures outside the parasite in the erythrocyte cytoplasm. The malaria parasite appears to be capable of elaborating components of the 'classical' vesicle mediated trafficking machinery outside the boundaries of its own plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- F R Albano
- Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
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11
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Mattei D, Ward GE, Langsley G, Lingelbach K. Novel secretory pathways in Plasmodium? PARASITOLOGY TODAY (PERSONAL ED.) 1999; 15:235-7. [PMID: 10366830 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-4758(99)01450-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The secretion of proteins from intraerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum into the infected host cell is still poorly understood. A recent proposal that two distinct, mutually exclusive, secretory compartments may exist within the parasite cell has received much attention. Denise Mattei, Gary Ward, Gordon Langsley and Klaus Lingelbach here critically discuss the data on which this model is based, and then they address a more general question: to what extent are unusual aspects of protein secretion in Plasmodium unique among eukaryotic cells?
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Affiliation(s)
- D Mattei
- Unité de Biologie des Interactions Hôte-Parasite, URA 1960, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
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12
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Wiser MF, Lanners HN, Bafford RA. Export of proteins via a novel secretory pathway. PARASITOLOGY TODAY (PERSONAL ED.) 1999; 15:194-8. [PMID: 10322353 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-4758(99)01440-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The intraerythrocytic location of the malaria parasite necessitates modification of the host cell. These alterations are mediated either directly or indirectly by parasite proteins exported to specific compartments within the host cell. However, little is known about how the parasite specifically targets proteins to locations beyond its plasma membrane. Mark Wiser, Norbert Lanners and Richard Bafford here propose an alternative secretory pathway for the export of parasite proteins into the host erythrocyte. The first step of this pathway is probably an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-like organelle that is distinct from the normal ER. Possible mechanisms of protein trafficking in the infected erythrocyte are also discussed. The proposed ER-like organelle and alternative secretory pathway raise many questions about the cell biology of protein export and trafficking in Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Wiser
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1501 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112,
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