Electrophysiological and pharmacological characterization of K+-currents in muscle fibres isolated from the ventral sucker ofFasciola hepatica

Property of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels from Fasciola hepatica incorporated into planar lipid bilayer

Fasciola hepatica causes biliary epithelial hyperplasia and obstructive jaundice in humans and animals. Using a planar lipid bilayer technique, we further characterized the single channel property of large conductance K(+)-permeable channels that were previously identified from F. hepatica. The single channel conductance was 254.7±17.9 pS under a symmetrical 200/200 mM (cis/trans) KCl gradient. Open state probability (P(o)) varied from channel to channel at a given membrane potential and Ca(2+) concentration, but increased with voltage (-60 to +40 mV) and cis Ca(2+) (1-200 μM). Under a near bi-ionic condition of 200 mM [K(+)](cis)/200 mM [Na(+)](trans), the permeability ratio of K(+) to Na(+) was 5.0. Charybdotoxin (1 μM) inhibited P(o), whereas tetraethylammonium reduced the conductance (K(D)=67.8mM). Taken together, the results show that the single channel properties of the large conductance K(+)-permeable channels in F. hepatica are similar to those of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channels in general, but distinct from typical BK channels in the extent of voltage- and Ca(2+)-dependence, as well as permeability to Na(+). This study further reveals a variant BK channel in F. hepatica that could serve as a new drug target to treat fascioliasis.

SLO-1-channels of parasitic nematodes reconstitute locomotor behaviour and emodepside sensitivity in Caenorhabditis elegans slo-1 loss of function mutants

The calcium-gated potassium channel SLO-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans was recently identified as key component for action of emodepside, a new anthelmintic drug with broad spectrum activity. In this study we identified orthologues of slo-1 in Ancylostoma caninum, Cooperia oncophora, and Haemonchus contortus, all important parasitic nematodes in veterinary medicine. Furthermore, functional analyses of these slo-1 orthologues were performed using heterologous expression in C. elegans. We expressed A. caninum and C. oncophora slo-1 in the emodepside-resistant genetic background of the slo-1 loss-of-function mutant NM1968 slo-1(js379). Transformants expressing A. caninum slo-1 from C. elegans slo-1 promoter were highly susceptible (compared to the fully emodepside-resistant slo-1(js379)) and showed no significant difference in their emodepside susceptibility compared to wild-type C. elegans (p = 0.831). Therefore, the SLO-1 channels of A. caninum and C. elegans appear to be completely functionally interchangeable in terms of emodepside sensitivity. Furthermore, we tested the ability of the 5′ flanking regions of A. caninum and C. oncophora slo-1 to drive expression of SLO-1 in C. elegans and confirmed functionality of the putative promoters in this heterologous system. For all transgenic lines tested, expression of either native C. elegans slo-1 or the parasite-derived orthologue rescued emodepside sensitivity in slo-1(js379) and the locomotor phenotype of increased reversal frequency confirming the reconstitution of SLO-1 function in the locomotor circuits. A potent mammalian SLO-1 channel inhibitor, penitrem A, showed emodepside antagonising effects in A. caninum and C. elegans. The study combined the investigation of new anthelmintic targets from parasitic nematodes and experimental use of the respective target genes in C. elegans, therefore closing the gap between research approaches using model nematodes and those using target organisms. Considering the still scarcely advanced techniques for genetic engineering of parasitic nematodes, the presented method provides an excellent opportunity for examining the pharmacofunction of anthelmintic targets derived from parasitic nematodes.

In parasitic nematodes, experiments at the molecular level are currently not feasible, since in vitro culture and genetic engineering are still in their infancy. In the present study we chose the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans not only as a mere expression system for genes from parasitic nematodes, but used the transformants to examine the functionality of the expressed proteins for mediating anthelmintic effects in vivo. The results of our experiments confirmed that SLO-1 channels mediate the activity of the new anthelmintic drug emodepside and showed that the mode of action is conserved through several nematode species. The chosen method allowed us to examine the functionality of proteins from parasitic nematodes in a defined genetic background. Notably, expression of the parasitic nematode gene in anthelmintic-resistant C. elegans completely restored drug susceptibility. As C. elegans is highly tractable to molecular genetic and pharmacological approaches, the generation of lines expressing the parasite drug target will greatly facilitate structure-function analysis of the interaction between emodepside and ion channels with direct relevance to its anthelmintic properties. In a broader context, the demonstration of C. elegans as a heterologous expression system for functional analysis of parasite proteins further strengthens this as a model for anthelmintic studies.

Neuropeptide signalling systems in flatworms

Two distinct families of neuropeptides are known to endow platyhelminth nervous systems - the FMRFamide-like peptides (FLPs) and the neuropeptide Fs (NPFs). Flatworm FLPs are structurally simple, each 4-6 amino acids in length with a carboxy terminal aromatic-hydrophobic-Arg-Phe-amide motif. Thus far, four distinct flatworm FLPs have been characterized, with only one of these from a parasite. They have a widespread distribution within the central and peripheral nervous system of every flatworm examined, including neurones serving the attachment organs, the somatic musculature and the reproductive system. The only physiological role that has been identified for flatworm FLPs is myoexcitation. Flatworm NPFs are believed to be invertebrate homologues of the vertebrate neuropeptide Y (NPY) family of peptides. Flatworm NPFs are 36-39 amino acids in length and are characterized by a caboxy terminal GRPRFamide signature and conserved tyrosine residues at positions 10 and 17 from the carboxy terminal. Like FLPs, NPF occurs throughout flatworm nervous systems, although less is known about its biological role. While there is some evidence for a myoexcitatory action in cestodes and flukes, more compelling physiological data indicate that flatworm NPF inhibits cAMP levels in a manner that is characteristic of NPY action in vertebrates. The widespread expression of these neuropeptides in flatworm parasites highlights the potential of these signalling systems to yield new targets for novel anthelmintics. Although platyhelminth FLP and NPF receptors await identification, other molecules that play pivotal roles in neuropeptide signalling have been uncovered. These enzymes, involved in the biosynthesis and processing of flatworm neuropeptides, have recently been described and offer other distinct and attractive targets for therapeutic interference.