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Escotte-Binet S, Huguenin A, Aubert D, Martin AP, Kaltenbach M, Florent I, Villena I. Metallopeptidases of Toxoplasma gondii: in silico identification and gene expression. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 25:26. [PMID: 29737275 PMCID: PMC5939537 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2018025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Metallopeptidases are a family of proteins with domains that remain highly conserved throughout evolution. These hydrolases require divalent metal cation(s) to activate the water molecule in order to carry out their catalytic action on peptide bonds by nucleophilic attack. Metallopeptidases from parasitic protozoa, including Toxoplasma, are investigated because of their crucial role in parasite biology. In the present study, we screened the T. gondii database using PFAM motifs specific for metallopeptidases in association with the MEROPS peptidase Database (release 10.0). In all, 49 genes encoding proteins with metallopeptidase signatures were identified in the Toxoplasma genome. An Interpro Search enabled us to uncover their domain/motif organization, and orthologs with the highest similarity by BLAST were used for annotation. These 49 Toxoplasma metallopeptidases clustered into 15 families described in the MEROPS database. Experimental expression analysis of their genes in the tachyzoite stage revealed transcription for all genes studied. Further research on the role of these peptidases should increase our knowledge of basic Toxoplasma biology and provide opportunities to identify novel therapeutic targets. This type of study would also open a path towards the comparative biology of apicomplexans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandie Escotte-Binet
- EA 7510, ESCAPE, Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51100 Reims, France - Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Toxoplasmosis National Reference Center, Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, Maison Blanche Hospital, 51100 Reims, France
| | - Antoine Huguenin
- EA 7510, ESCAPE, Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51100 Reims, France - Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Toxoplasmosis National Reference Center, Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, Maison Blanche Hospital, 51100 Reims, France
| | - Dominique Aubert
- EA 7510, ESCAPE, Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51100 Reims, France - Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Toxoplasmosis National Reference Center, Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, Maison Blanche Hospital, 51100 Reims, France
| | - Anne-Pascaline Martin
- EA 7510, ESCAPE, Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51100 Reims, France
| | - Matthieu Kaltenbach
- EA 7510, ESCAPE, Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51100 Reims, France
| | - Isabelle Florent
- UMR7245 CNRS-MNHN, National Museum of Natural History, Department Adaptations of the Living, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Villena
- EA 7510, ESCAPE, Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51100 Reims, France - Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Toxoplasmosis National Reference Center, Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, Maison Blanche Hospital, 51100 Reims, France
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Expression, Tissue Localization and Serodiagnostic Potential of Echinococcus granulosus Leucine Aminopeptidase. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041063. [PMID: 29614002 PMCID: PMC5979522 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Echinococcus granulosus is the causative agent of cystic echinococcosis (CE), a widespread parasitic zoonosis. Leucine aminopeptidases (LAPs) of the M17 peptidase family have important functions in regulating the balance of catabolism and anabolism, cell maintenance, growth and defense. In this study, we presented a bioinformatic characterization and experimentally determined the tissue distribution characteristics of E. granulosus LAP (Eg-LAP), and explored its potential value for diagnosis of CE in sheep based on indirect ELISA. Through fluorescence immunohistochemistry, we found that Eg-LAP was present in the tegument and hooks of PSCs, the whole germinal layer and adult worm parenchymatous tissue. Western blotting results revealed that the recombinant protein could be identified using E. granulosus-infected sheep serum. The diagnostic value of this recombinant protein was assessed by indirect ELISA, and compared with indirect ELISA based on hydatid fluid antigen. The sensitivity and specificity rEgLAP-ELISA were 95.8% (23/24) and 79.09% (87/110), respectively, while using hydatid fluid as antigen showed the values 41.7% (10/24) and 65.45% (72/110). This is the first report concerning leucine aminopeptidase from E. granulosus, and the results showed that Eg-LAP belong to M17 peptidase families, and that it is involved in important biological function of E. granulosus. Furthermore, rEg-LAP is appropriate for diagnosing and monitoring CE in sheep in field. Development of a rapid test using rEg-LAP to diagnose sheep CE deserves further study.
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Zhang S, Cai X, Luo X, Wang S, Guo A, Hou J, Wu R. Molecular cloning and characterization of leucine aminopeptidase gene from Taenia pisiformis. Exp Parasitol 2018; 186:1-9. [PMID: 29329981 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP, EC: 3.4.11.1) is an important metalloexopeptidase that catalyze the hydrolysis of amino-terminal leucine residues from polypeptides and proteins. In this study, a full length of cDNA encoding leucine aminopeptidase of Taenia pisiformis (TpLAP) was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA-ends using the polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR) method. The full-length cDNA of the TpLAP gene is 1823 bp and contains a 1569 bp ORF encoding 533 amino acids with a putative mass of 56.4 kDa. TpLAP contains two characteristic motifs of the M17LAP family in the C-terminal sequence: the metal binding site 265-[VGKG]-271 and the catalytic domain motif 351-[NTDAEGRL]-357. The soluble GST-TpLAP protein was expressed in Escherichia coli Transetta (DE3) and four specific anti-TpLAP monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were prepared. In enzymatic assays, the optimal activity was observed at pH 9.5 at 45 °C. GST-TpLAP displayed a hydrolyzing activity for the Leu-pNA substrate with a maximum activity of 46 U/ml. The enzymatic activity was significantly enhanced by Mn2+ and completely inhibited by 20 nM bestatin and 0.15 mM EDTA. The native TpLAP was detected specifically in ES components of adult T. pisiformis by western blotting using anti-TpLAP mAb as a probe. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the TpLAP gene was expressed at a high level in adult worm tissues, especially in the gravid proglottids (50.71-fold). Immunolocalization analysis showed that TpLAP was located primarily in the subtegumental parenchyma zone and the uterine wall of adult worms. Our results indicate that TpLAP is a new member of the M17LAP family and can be considered as a stage-differentially expressed protein. These findings might provide new insights into the study of the mechanisms of growth, development and survival of T. pisiformis in the final host and have potential value as an attractive target for drug therapy or vaccine intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohua Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, PR China
| | - Xuepeng Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, PR China
| | - Xuenong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, PR China
| | - Shuai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, PR China
| | - Aijiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, PR China
| | - Junling Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, PR China
| | - Run Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, PR China.
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Characterization of aspartyl aminopeptidase from Toxoplasma gondii. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34448. [PMID: 27678060 PMCID: PMC5039622 DOI: 10.1038/srep34448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminopeptidases have emerged as new promising drug targets for the development of novel anti-parasitic drugs. An aspartyl aminopeptidase-like gene has been identified in the Toxoplasma gondii genome (TgAAP), although its function remains unknown. In this study, we characterized TgAAP and performed functional analysis of the gene product. Firstly, we expressed a functional recombinant TgAAP (rTgAAP) protein in Escherichia coli, and found that it required metal ions for activity and showed a substrate preference for N-terminal acidic amino acids Glu and Asp. Then, we evaluated the function and drug target potential of TgAAP using the CRISPR/Cas9 knockout system. Western blotting demonstrated the deletion of TgAAP in the knockout strain. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis showed that TgAAP was localized in the cytoplasm of the wild-type parasite, but was not expressed in the knockout strain. Phenotype analysis revealed that TgAAP knockout inhibited the attachment/invasion, replication, and substrate-specific activity in T. gondii. Finally, the activity of drug CID 23724194, previously described as targeting Plasmodium and malarial parasite AAP, was tested against rTgAAP and the parasite. Overall, TgAAP knockout affected the growth of T. gondii but did not completely abolish parasite replication and growth. Therefore, TgAAP may comprise a useful adjunct drug target of T. gondii.
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Lee YR, Na BK, Moon EK, Song SM, Joo SY, Kong HH, Goo YK, Chung DI, Hong Y. Essential Role for an M17 Leucine Aminopeptidase in Encystation of Acanthamoeba castellanii. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129884. [PMID: 26075721 PMCID: PMC4468156 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Encystation of Acanthamoeba leads to the formation of resilient cysts from vegetative trophozoites. This process is essential for parasite survival under unfavorable conditions such as starvation, low temperatures, and exposure to biocides. During encystation, a massive turnover of intracellular components occurs, and a large number of organelles and proteins are degraded by proteases. Previous studies with specific protease inhibitors have shown that cysteine and serine proteases are involved in encystation of Acanthamoeba, but little is known about the role of metalloproteases in this process. Here, we have biochemically characterized an M17 leucine aminopeptidase of Acanthamoeba castellanii (AcLAP) and analyzed its functional involvement in encystation of the parasite. Recombinant AcLAP shared biochemical properties such as optimal pH, requirement of divalent metal ions for activity, substrate specificity for Leu, and inhibition profile by aminopeptidase inhibitors and metal chelators with other characterized M17 family LAPs. AcLAP was highly expressed at a late stage of encystation and mainly localized in the cytoplasm of A. castellanii. Knockdown of AcLAP using small interfering RNA induced a decrease of LAP activity during encystation, a reduction of mature cyst formation, and the formation of abnormal cyst walls. In summary, these results indicate that AcLAP is a typical M17 family enzyme that plays an essential role during encystation of Acanthamoeba.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ran Lee
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu 700–422, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung-Kuk Na
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 660–751, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Kyung Moon
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu 700–422, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Min Song
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu 700–422, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Young Joo
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu 700–422, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Hee Kong
- Department of Parasitology, Dong-A University, College of Medicine, Busan 602–714, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Kyoung Goo
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu 700–422, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Il Chung
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu 700–422, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeonchul Hong
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu 700–422, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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Knockout of leucine aminopeptidase in Toxoplasma gondii using CRISPR/Cas9. Int J Parasitol 2015; 45:141-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Cryptostatin, a chagasin-family cysteine protease inhibitor of Cryptosporidium parvum. Parasitology 2012; 139:1029-37. [PMID: 22444160 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182012000297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Cysteine proteases of pathogenic protozoan parasites play pivotal roles in the life cycle of parasites, but strict regulation of their activities is also essential for maintenance of parasite physiology and interaction with hosts. In this study, we identified and characterized cryptostatin, a novel inhibitor of cysteine protease (ICP) of Cryptosporidium parvum. Cryptostatin showed low sequence identity to other chagasin-family ICPs, but 3 motifs (NPTTG, GXGG, and RPW/F motifs), which are evolutionarily conserved in chagasin-family ICPs, were found in the sequence. The overall structure of cryptostatin consisted of 8 β-strands that progressed in parallel and closely resembled the immunoglobulin fold. Recombinant cryptostatin inhibited various cysteine proteases, including papain, human cathepsin B, human cathepsin L, and cryptopain-1, with K i's in the picomolar range. Cryptostatin was active over a wide pH range and was highly stable under physiological conditions. The protein was thermostable and retained its inhibitory activity even after incubation at 95°C. Cryptostatin formed tight complexes with cysteine proteases, so the complexes remained intact in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and β-mercaptoethanol, but they were disassembled by boiling. An immunogold electron microscopy analysis demonstrated diffused localization of cryptostatin within oocystes and meronts, but not within trophozoites, which suggests a possible role for cryptostatin in host cell invasion by C. parvum.
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Comparative biochemical and functional properties of two leucine aminopeptidases of Clonorchis sinensis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2012; 182:17-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2011] [Revised: 11/18/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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