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Torungkitmangmi N, Chantree P, Chaimon S, Prathaphan P, Ruangtong J, Geadkaew-Krenc A, Sornchuer P, Sanannam B, Thongsepee N, Pankao V, Adisakwattana P, Martviset P. Molecular and biochemical characterizations of a Fasciola gigantica retinoid X receptor-α isoform A (FgRXRα-A). Sci Rep 2024; 14:12347. [PMID: 38811840 PMCID: PMC11137005 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63194-6] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Fascioliasis is a parasitic infection in animals and humans caused by the parasitic flatworm genus Fasciola, which has two major species, F. hepatica and F. gigantica. A major concern regarding this disease is drug resistance, which is increasingly reported worldwide. Hence, the discovery of a novel drug as well as drug targets is crucially required. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the novel drug target in the adult F. gigantica. In the beginning, we hypothesized that the parasite might interact with some host molecules when it lives inside the liver parenchyma or bile ducts, specifically hormones and hormone-like molecules, through the specific receptors, primarily nuclear receptors (NRs), which are recognized as a major drug target in various diseases. The retinoid X receptor (RXR) is a member of subfamily 2 NRs that plays multitudinous roles in organisms by forming homodimers or heterodimers with other NRs. We obtained the full-length amino acid sequences of F. gigantica retinoid X receptor-alpha (FgRXRα-A) from the transcriptome of F. gigantica that existed in the NCBI database. The FgRXRα-A were computationally predicted for the basic properties, multiple aligned, phylogeny analyzed, and generated of 2D and 3D models. Moreover, FgRXRα-A was molecular cloned and expressed as a recombinant protein (rFgRXRα-A), then used for immunization for specific polyclonal antibodies. The native FgRXRα-A was detected in the parasite extracts and tissues, and the function was investigated by in vitro binding assay. The results demonstrated the conservation of FgRXRα-A to the other RXRs, especially RXRs from the trematodes. Interestingly, the native FgRXRα-A could be detected in the testes of the parasite, where the sex hormones are accumulated. Moreover, the binding assay revealed the interaction of 9-cis retinoic acid and FgRXRα-A, suggesting the function of FgRXRα-A. Our findings suggested that FgRXRα-A will be involved with the sexual reproduction of the parasite by forming heterodimers with other NRs, and it could be the potential target for further drug development of fascioliasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nattaya Torungkitmangmi
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Pathanin Chantree
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Nutraceuticals and Food Safety, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Graduate Program in Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Salisa Chaimon
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Graduate Program in Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Parisa Prathaphan
- Graduate Program in Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Jittiporn Ruangtong
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Nutraceuticals and Food Safety, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Amornrat Geadkaew-Krenc
- Graduate Studies in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Phornphan Sornchuer
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Nutraceuticals and Food Safety, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Bumpenporn Sanannam
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Graduate Program in Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Nattaya Thongsepee
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Nutraceuticals and Food Safety, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
- Graduate Program in Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Viriya Pankao
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Pongsakorn Martviset
- Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Nutraceuticals and Food Safety, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
- Graduate Program in Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
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Garcia-Corredor D, Alvarado M, Pulido-Medellín M, Muñoz M, Cruz-Saavedra L, Hernández C, Giraldo JC, Vásquez-Arteaga LR, Morillo Coronado AC, Ramírez JD. Molecular characterization of Fasciola hepatica in endemic regions of Colombia. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1171147. [PMID: 37360412 PMCID: PMC10288157 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1171147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fasciola hepatica is a zoonotic trematode that affects a wide range of hosts, including cattle, sheep, and goats. The economic impact of the parasite on the cattle industry is significant, with high losses reported worldwide. While its impact on human health was previously underestimated, recent years have seen a rise in fascioliasis cases, leading to increased interest among researchers globally. To characterize the genetic diversity and intraspecific variation of this parasite in South America, specifically in Colombia, we collected 105 adult parasites from cattle bile ducts in seven Colombian departments (Antioquia, Boyacá, Santander, Cauca, Cundinamarca, Nariño, Norte de Santander, and Santander) to assess the parasite's phenotypic analyses, genetic diversity, and population structure. A computer image analysis system (CIAS) was applied based on standardized morphological measurements. Liver-fluke size was studied by principal component analysis (PCA). DNA sequences were obtained for nuclear markers such as the 28S, β-tubulin 3, ITS1, ITS2, and the mitochondrial marker Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI). Multiple statistical tests were performed, and the parasite's population structure was analyzed. Maximum Likelihood (ML) phylogenetic reconstructions were carried out using the sequences obtained herein and sequences available in GenBank. Morphological results revealed that all the obtained individuals matched F. hepatica's morphology. There was no evidence of high genetic diversity, and the absence of genetic structure at the country-level was notable, possibly caused by a demographic expansion of this trematode in Colombia or the low resolution of the molecular markers employed. Future studies are still needed to unveil the genetic population structure of F. hepatica across the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Garcia-Corredor
- Grupo de Investigación en Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia (GIDIMEVETZ), Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC), Tunja, Colombia
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mateo Alvarado
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Martín Pulido-Medellín
- Grupo de Investigación en Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia (GIDIMEVETZ), Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC), Tunja, Colombia
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Lissa Cruz-Saavedra
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carolina Hernández
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Centro de Tecnología en Salud (CETESA), Innovaseq SAS, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Julio Cesar Giraldo
- Grupo de Investigación en Parasitología y Microbiología Tropical, Programa de Biología, Universidad INCCA de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luis R. Vásquez-Arteaga
- Centro de Estudios en Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
| | - Ana Cruz Morillo Coronado
- Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Chen B, Rong Q, Fu Y, Liang H, Kong X, Zhang Q, Jiang M, Wang Z, Xie J. Characteristics of patients with incidental eosinophilia admitted to a tertiary hospital in southern China. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15569. [PMID: 37144198 PMCID: PMC10151328 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15569] [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: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The characteristics of patients with eosinophilia are heterogeneous and the outcomes can vary from asymptomatic to severe. Objective To describe the feature of patients with eosinophilia in a single center. Design Based on the electronic medical records from Yangjiang People's Hospital in China, the inpatients admitted between June 2018 and February 2021 with measured blood eosinophil counts were evaluated. Methods Eosinophilia was defined as a peripheral blood eosinophil count of ≥0.5 × 109/L. Differences were compared by eosinophilia severity. The medical records of patients with moderate to severe eosinophilia were reviewed and summarized in terms of examination, diagnoses and management. And these patients were matched with patients without incidental eosinophilia by propensity score and the differences were compared. Results A total of 7,835 patients with eosinophilia were identified out of 131,566 total inpatients. All types of eosinophilia were most common in males (8.2%; 5,351/65,615), and in patients aged 0-6 years (11.6%; 1,760/15,204), and in the pediatric (10.8%; 1,764/16,336) department, followed by dermatology (10.6%; 123/1,162), Oncology (7.5%; 394/5,239) and Intensive care unit (ICU) (7.4%; 119/1,608). Patients with moderate to severe eosinophilia were more likely to admit to ICU (moderate: 1.3%; severe: 0.50%). In patients with moderate to severe eosinophilia, only 205/621 (33%) had eosinophilia mentioned in their records, and only 63/621 (10.1%) underwent investigations for eosinophilia. The majority of patients with moderate to severe eosinophilia (372/621, 59.9%) had an infectious disease, and little examination (7.4%; 46/621) was taken to identify the cause of eosinophilia, and only 39/621 (6.3%) of patients had a discrete cause of eosinophilia identified. Patients with moderate to severe eosinophilia (24.3%; 151/621) exhibited certain chance to have organ dysfunction. Conclusion Incidental eosinophilia in inpatients was frequently neglected and less investigated. Multidisciplinary consultation may improve outcomes of inpatients with moderate to severe eosinophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bigui Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Yangjiang People's Hospital, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiuping Rong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Yangjiang People's Hospital, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Fu
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hanwen Liang
- National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuetao Kong
- National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingling Zhang
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Mei Jiang
- National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Corresponding author. National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China.
| | - Zhufeng Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Corresponding author. National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China. ;
| | - Jiaxing Xie
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Yangjiang People's Hospital, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Corresponding author. Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China.
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Jacob SS, Sengupta PP, Pavithra BS, Chandu AGS, Raina OK. Development of an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant cathepsin B5 antigen for sero-surveillance of bovine tropical fasciolosis. Vet Parasitol 2023; 316:109901. [PMID: 36857937 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Bovine tropical fasciolosis, caused by Fasciola gigantica, is a major parasitic disease in tropical countries responsible for significant production losses in animal husbandry practices. The disease is transmitted by the Radix sp. snails. In the early developmental stage of the parasite, the juveniles and immature flukes cause considerable damage to the liver parenchyma of the bovine host while migrating through the liver. The cathepsin (cat) B5 is a cysteine protease that is present in the excretory-secretory product of the fluke both in immature and adult stages. The early detection of fasciolosis is very critical in effective disease management. In this study, the cathepsin B5 gene from newly excysted juveniles were cloned, sequenced and analyzed. The phylogenetic analysis revealed existence of two distinct clades. The clade I includes cat B 1 to B3 whereas clade II consist of cat B4 to B7. Further, the present study was aimed to develop an enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) using recombinant cat B5 antigen. The developed enzyme immuno assay showed 95.3 % sensitivity and 92.4 % specificity with a cut-off of 60 % percent positive. It revealed weighted Kappa value as 0.768 (95 % CI 0.648-0.889) when compared with ELISA using native cathepsin protein. Hence, the developed assay can be exploited as a potent tool in the diagnosis and sero-surveillance of bovine tropical fasciolosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siju Susan Jacob
- ICAR - National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Yelahanka, Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India
| | - Pinaki Prasad Sengupta
- ICAR - National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Yelahanka, Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India.
| | | | - Atru Gnana Surya Chandu
- ICAR - National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Yelahanka, Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India
| | - Opinder Krishen Raina
- Division of Parasitology, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Genetic manipulations in helminth parasites. J Parasit Dis 2023; 47:203-214. [PMID: 36712591 PMCID: PMC9869838 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-023-01567-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Screening of vaccine or drug target in parasitic helminth is hindered by lack of robust tool for functional studies of parasite protein which account for the availability of only a few anti-helminthic vaccines, diagnostic assay and slower pace of development of an anthelmintic drug. With the piling up of parasite transcriptomic and genomic data, in silico screening for possible vaccine/drug target could be validated by functional characterization of proteins by RNA interference or CRISPR/Cas9. These reverse genetic engineering tools have opened up a better avenue and opportunity for screening parasitic proteins in vitro as well as in vivo. RNA interference provides a technique for silencing targeted mRNA transcript for understanding a gene function in helminth as evidence by work in Caenorhabditis elegans. Recent genetic engineering tool, CRISPR/Cas9 allows knock-out/deletion of the desired gene in parasitic helminths and the other provision it provides in terms of gene knock-in/insertion in parasite genome is still to be explored in future. This manuscript discussed the work that has been carried out on RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 for functional studies of helminth parasitic proteins.
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Zheng M, Jiang X, Kong X, Guo Y, Zhang W, Di W. Proteomic analysis of Fasciola gigantica excretory and secretory products ( FgESPs) co-immunoprecipitated using a time course of infected buffalo sera. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1089394. [PMID: 36620027 PMCID: PMC9816151 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1089394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Widespread Fasciola gigantica infection in buffaloes has caused great economic losses in buffalo farming. Studies on F. gigantica excretory and secretory products (FgESP) have highlighted their importance in F. gigantica parasitism and their potential in vaccine development. Identifying FgESP components involved in F. gigantica-buffalo interactions during different periods is important for developing effective strategies against fasciolosis. Methods Buffaloes were assigned to non-infection (n = 3, as control group) and infection (n = 3) groups. The infection group was orally administrated 250 metacercariae. Sera were collected at 3, 10, and 16 weeks post-infection (wpi) for the non-infection group and at 0 (pre-infection), 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, and 16 wpi for the infection group. FgESP components interacting with sera from the non-infection and infection groups assay were pulled down by co-IP and identified using LC-MS/MS. Interacting FgESP components in infection group were subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathway and gene ontology (GO) functional annotation to infer their potential functions. Results and discussion Proteins of FgESP components identified in the non-infection group at 3, 10, and 16 wpi accounted for 80.5%, 84.3%, and 82.1% of all proteins identified in these three time points, respectively, indicating surroundings did not affect buffalo immune response during maintenance. Four hundred and ninety proteins were identified in the infection group, of which 87 were consistently identified at 7 time points. Following GO analysis showed that most of these 87 proteins were in biological processes, while KEGG analysis showed they mainly functioned in metabolism and cellular processing, some of which were thought to functions throughout the infection process. The numbers of specific interactors identified for each week were 1 (n = 12), 3 (n = 5), 6 (n = 8), 8 (n = 15), 10 (n = 23), 13 (n = 22), and 16 (n = 14) wpi, some of which were thought to functions in specific infection process. This study screened the antigenic targets in FgESP during a dense time course over a long period. These findings may enhance the understanding of molecular F. gigantica-buffalo interactions and help identify new potential vaccine and drug target candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwei Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning, China,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Disease Control, Nanning, China,Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Animal Disease, Nanning, China
| | - Xuelian Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning, China,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Disease Control, Nanning, China,Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Animal Disease, Nanning, China
| | - Xinping Kong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning, China,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Disease Control, Nanning, China,Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Animal Disease, Nanning, China
| | - Yanfeng Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning, China,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Disease Control, Nanning, China,Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Animal Disease, Nanning, China
| | - Weiyu Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning, China,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Disease Control, Nanning, China,Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Animal Disease, Nanning, China,*Correspondence: Weiyu Zhang, ✉
| | - Wenda Di
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning, China,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Disease Control, Nanning, China,Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Animal Disease, Nanning, China,Wenda Di, ✉
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Cwiklinski K, Dalton JP. Omics tools enabling vaccine discovery against fasciolosis. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:1068-1079. [PMID: 36270885 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In the past decade significant advances in our understanding of liver fluke biology have been made through in-depth interrogation and analysis of evolving Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica omics datasets. This information is crucial for developing novel control strategies, particularly vaccines necessitated by the global spread of anthelmintic resistance. Distilling them down to a manageable number of testable vaccines requires combined rational, empirical, and collaborative approaches. Despite a lack of clear outstanding vaccine candidate(s), we must continue to identify salient parasite-host interacting molecules, likely in the secretory products, tegument, or extracellular vesicles, and perform robust trials especially in livestock, using present and emerging vaccinology technologies to discover that elusive liver fluke vaccine. Omics tools are bringing this prospect ever closer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Cwiklinski
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | - John P Dalton
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health (MPL), Ryan Institute, School of Natural Science, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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Draft genome of the bluefin tuna blood fluke, Cardicola forsteri. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276287. [PMID: 36240154 PMCID: PMC9565688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood fluke Cardicola forsteri (Trematoda: Aporocotylidae) is a pathogen of ranched bluefin tuna in Japan and Australia. Genomics of Cardicola spp. have thus far been limited to molecular phylogenetics of select gene sequences. In this study, sequencing of the C. forsteri genome was performed using Illumina short-read and Oxford Nanopore long-read technologies. The sequences were assembled de novo using a hybrid of short and long reads, which produced a high-quality contig-level assembly (N50 > 430 kb and L50 = 138). The assembly was also relatively complete and unfragmented, comprising 66% and 7.2% complete and fragmented metazoan Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCOs), respectively. A large portion (> 55%) of the genome was made up of intergenic repetitive elements, primarily long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs), while protein-coding regions cover > 6%. Gene prediction identified 8,564 hypothetical polypeptides, > 77% of which are homologous to published sequences of other species. The identification of select putative proteins, including cathepsins, calpains, tetraspanins, and glycosyltransferases is discussed. This is the first genome assembly of any aporocotylid, a major step toward understanding of the biology of this family of fish blood flukes and their interactions within hosts.
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Comparative genomic analysis of Echinococcus multilocularis with other tapeworms. Biologia (Bratisl) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-022-01120-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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A global phosphoproteomics analysis of adult Fasciola gigantica by LC-MS/MS. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:623-631. [PMID: 34985596 PMCID: PMC8727970 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07422-2] [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: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation plays key roles in a variety of essential cellular processes. Fasciola gigantica is a tropical liver fluke causing hepatobiliary disease fascioliasis, leading to human health threats and heavy economic losses. Although the genome and protein kinases of F. gigantica provided new insights to understand the molecular biology and etiology of this parasite, there is scant knowledge of protein phosphorylation events in F. gigantica. In this study, we characterized the global phosphoproteomics of adult F. gigantica by phosphopeptide enrichment-based LC–MS/MS, a high-throughput analysis to maximize the detection of a large repertoire of phosphoproteins and phosphosites. A total of 1030 phosphopeptides with 1244 phosphosites representing 635 F. gigantica phosphoproteins were identified. The phosphoproteins were involved in a wide variety of biological processes including cellular, metabolic, and single-organism processes. Meanwhile, these proteins were found predominantly in cellular components like membranes and organelles with molecular functions of binding (51.3%) and catalytic activity (40.6%). The KEGG annotation inferred that the most enriched pathways of the phosphoproteins included tight junction, spliceosome, and RNA transport (each one contains 15 identified proteins). Combining the reports in other protozoa and helminths, the phosphoproteins identified in this work play roles in metabolic regulation and signal transduction. To our knowledge, this work performed the first global phosphoproteomics analysis of adult F. gigantica, which provides valuable information for development of intervention strategies for fascioliasis.
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Davey SD, Chalmers IW, Fernandez-Fuentes N, Swain MT, Smith D, Abbas Abidi SM, Saifullah MK, Raman M, Ravikumar G, McVeigh P, Maule AG, Brophy PM, Morphew RM. In silico characterisation of the complete Ly6 protein family in Fasciola gigantica supported through transcriptomics of the newly-excysted juveniles. Mol Omics 2021; 18:45-56. [PMID: 34781332 PMCID: PMC8763315 DOI: 10.1039/d1mo00254f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Fasciola gigantica is one of the aetiological trematodes associated with fascioliasis, which heavily impacts food-production systems and human and animal welfare on a global scale. In the absence of a vaccine, fascioliasis control and treatment is restricted to pasture management, such as clean grazing, and a limited array of chemotherapies, to which signs of resistance are beginning to appear. Research into novel control strategies is therefore urgently required and the advent of ‘omics technologies presents considerable opportunity for novel drug and vaccine target discovery. Here, interrogation of the first available F. gigantica newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) transcriptome revealed several protein families of current interest to parasitic flatworm vaccine research, including orthologues of mammalian complement regulator CD59 of the Ly6 family. Ly6 proteins have previously been identified on the tegument of Schistosoma mansoni and induced protective immunity in vaccination trials. Incorporating the recently available F. gigantica genome, the current work revealed 20 novel Ly6 family members in F. gigantica and, in parallel, significantly extended the F. hepatica complement from 3 to 18 members. Phylogenetic analysis revealed several distinct clades within the family, some of which are unique to Fasciola spp. trematodes. Analysis of available proteomic databases also revealed three of the newly discovered FhLy6s were present in extracellular vesicles, which have previously been prioritised in studying the host-parasite interface. The presentation of this new transcriptomic resource, in addition to the Ly6 family proteins here identified, represents a wealth of opportunity for future vaccine research. Incorporating the recently available F. gigantica genome, the current work revealed 20 novel Ly6 family members in F. gigantica and, in parallel, significantly extended the F. hepatica complement from 3 to 18 members.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D Davey
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
| | - Iain W Chalmers
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
| | | | - Martin T Swain
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
| | - Dan Smith
- Computational and Analytical Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Syed M Abbas Abidi
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, 202001, India
| | - Mohammad K Saifullah
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, 202001, India
| | - Muthusamy Raman
- Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600051, India
| | | | - Paul McVeigh
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Aaron G Maule
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Peter M Brophy
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
| | - Russell M Morphew
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
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12
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Luo X, Cui K, Wang Z, Li Z, Wu Z, Huang W, Zhu XQ, Ruan J, Zhang W, Liu Q. High-quality reference genome of Fasciola gigantica: Insights into the genomic signatures of transposon-mediated evolution and specific parasitic adaption in tropical regions. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009750. [PMID: 34610021 PMCID: PMC8519440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica are causative pathogens of fascioliasis, with the widest latitudinal, longitudinal, and altitudinal distribution; however, among parasites, they have the largest sequenced genomes, hindering genomic research. In the present study, we used various sequencing and assembly technologies to generate a new high-quality Fasciola gigantica reference genome. We improved the integration of gene structure prediction, and identified two independent transposable element expansion events contributing to (1) the speciation between Fasciola and Fasciolopsis during the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary mass extinction, and (2) the habitat switch to the liver during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, accompanied by gene length increment. Long interspersed element (LINE) duplication contributed to the second transposon-mediated alteration, showing an obvious trend of insertion into gene regions, regardless of strong purifying effect. Gene ontology analysis of genes with long LINE insertions identified membrane-associated and vesicle secretion process proteins, further implicating the functional alteration of the gene network. We identified 852 predicted excretory/secretory proteins and 3300 protein-protein interactions between Fasciola gigantica and its host. Among them, copper/zinc superoxide dismutase genes, with specific gene copy number variations, might play a central role in the phase I detoxification process. Analysis of 559 single-copy orthologs suggested that Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica diverged at 11.8 Ma near the Middle and Late Miocene Epoch boundary. We identified 98 rapidly evolving gene families, including actin and aquaporin, which might explain the large body size and the parasitic adaptive character resulting in these liver flukes becoming epidemic in tropical and subtropical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xier Luo
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Kuiqing Cui
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhipeng Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhengjiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Weiyi Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Jue Ruan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Weiyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Qingyou Liu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
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Kahl A, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Krücken J, Ganter M. Chronic Wasting Due to Liver and Rumen Flukes in Sheep. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:549. [PMID: 33669891 PMCID: PMC7923292 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Grazing sheep and goats are constantly exposed to helminth infections in many parts of the world, including several trematode species that causes a range of clinical diseases. The clinical picture of flukes is dependent upon the organs in which they develop and the tissues they damage within the respective organs. Accordingly, infections with the common liver fluke Fasciola hepatica, which, as juvenile worm migrates through the liver parenchyma for several weeks, may be associated with hepatic disorders such as impairment of carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, followed by chronic wasting. In contrast, the lancet fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum, which does not exhibit tissue migration and thus does not lead to major tissue damage and bleeding, also does not lead to significant clinical symptoms. Rumen flukes such as Cotylophoron daubneyi cause catarrhal inflammation during their migration through the intestinal and abomasal epithelium during its juvenile stages. Depending on the infection intensity this may result in a range of clinical symptoms including diarrhoea, inappetence or emaciation. In this review, we aim to provide an update on the current knowledge on flukes particularly concerning the clinical relevance of the most important fluke species in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kahl
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (G.v.S.-H.); (J.K.)
| | - Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (G.v.S.-H.); (J.K.)
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (G.v.S.-H.); (J.K.)
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany;
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Stuart RB, Zwaanswijk S, MacKintosh ND, Witikornkul B, Brophy PM, Morphew RM. The soluble glutathione transferase superfamily: role of Mu class in triclabendazole sulphoxide challenge in Fasciola hepatica. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:979-991. [PMID: 33501588 PMCID: PMC7889535 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07055-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke), a significant threat to food security, causes global economic loss for the livestock industry and is re-emerging as a foodborne disease of humans. In the absence of vaccines, treatment control is by anthelmintics; with only triclabendazole (TCBZ) currently effective against all stages of F. hepatica in livestock and humans. There is widespread resistance to TCBZ and its detoxification by flukes might contribute to the mechanism. However, there is limited phase I capacity in adult parasitic helminths with the phase II detoxification system dominated by the soluble glutathione transferase (GST) superfamily. Previous proteomic studies have demonstrated that the levels of Mu class GST from pooled F. hepatica parasites respond under TCBZ-sulphoxide (TCBZ-SO) challenge during in vitro culture ex-host. We have extended this finding by exploiting a sub-proteomic lead strategy to measure the change in the total soluble GST profile (GST-ome) of individual TCBZ-susceptible F. hepatica on TCBZ-SO-exposure in vitro culture. TCBZ-SO exposure demonstrated differential abundance of FhGST-Mu29 and FhGST-Mu26 following affinity purification using both GSH and S-hexyl GSH affinity. Furthermore, a low or weak affinity matrix interacting Mu class GST (FhGST-Mu5) has been identified and recombinantly expressed and represents a new low-affinity Mu class GST. Low-affinity GST isoforms within the GST-ome was not restricted to FhGST-Mu5 with a second likely low-affinity sigma class GST (FhGST-S2) uncovered. This study represents the most complete Fasciola GST-ome generated to date and has supported the potential of subproteomic analyses on individual adult flukes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah B Stuart
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, Wales
| | - Suzanne Zwaanswijk
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, Wales
| | - Neil D MacKintosh
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, Wales
| | - Boontarikaan Witikornkul
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, Wales
| | - Peter M Brophy
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, Wales
| | - Russell M Morphew
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, Wales.
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15
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Differential expression of microRNAs and tRNA fragments mediate the adaptation of the liver fluke Fasciola gigantica to its intermediate snail and definitive mammalian hosts. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:405-414. [PMID: 33513403 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The tropical liver fluke Fasciola gigantica affects livestock and humans in many Asian countries, large parts of Africa, and parts of Europe. Despite the public health and economic impacts of F. gigantica, understanding of F. gigantica biology and how the complex lifecycle of this liver fluke is transcriptionally regulated remain unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the regulatory small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs) and tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) play roles in the adaptation of F. gigantica to its intermediate and definitive hosts. We sequenced sncRNAs of eight lifecycle stages of F. gigantica. In total, 56 miRNAs from 33 conserved families and four Fasciola-specific miRNAs were identified. Expression analysis of miRNAs suggested clear stage-related patterns. By leveraging the existing transcriptomic data, we predicted a miRNA-based regulation of metabolism, transport, growth and developmental processes. Also, by comparing miRNA complement of F. gigantica with that of Fasciola hepatica, we detected a high level of conservation and identified differences in some miRNAs, which can be used to distinguish the two species. Moreover, we found that tRFs at each lifecycle stage were predominantly derived by tRNA-Lys and tRNA-Gly at 5' half sites, but relatively high expression was related to the buffalo-infecting stages. Taken together, we provided a comprehensive overview of the dynamic transcriptional changes of small RNAs that occur during the developmental stages of F. gigantica. This global analysis of F. gigantica lifecycle stages revealed new roles of miRNAs and tRFs in parasite development and will facilitate future research into understanding of fasciolosis pathobiology.
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16
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Marcos L, Maco V, Terashima A. Triclabendazole for the treatment of human fascioliasis and the threat of treatment failures. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2020; 19:817-823. [PMID: 33267701 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2021.1858798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The only drug effective against the infection caused by Fasciola hepatica or F. gigantica is triclabendazole (TCBZ), recommended by the WHO and recently approved by the FDA. Here, we describe the evolution of TCBZ regimens and the emergence of TCBZ failure to Fasciola infection. AREAS COVERED The present review focuses on the evidence of TCBZ for the treatment of fascioliasis. For acute fascioliasis, there is a lack of studies to measure the presence of eggs of Fasciola in stool samples on the follow-up after initial TCBZ treatment. For chronic fascioliasis, WHO recommends a single oral dose of TCBZ 10 mg/kg whereas CDC recommends two doses of TCBZ 10 mg/kg 12 h apart. Incremental number of treatment failures have been documented worldwide. There are currently no therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of fascioliasis in humans. EXPERT OPINION Most cases of human fascioliasis are successfully treated with TCBZ, but some continue excreting eggs in the stools despite 1-2 standard of care regimens of TCBZ. A precise regimen is unclear for those patients who fail the initial treatment with TCBZ. Further clinical trials are needed to address the possible TCBZ emerging resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Marcos
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Vicente Maco
- Laboratorio De Parasitologia, Instituto De Medicina Tropical Alexander Von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Angelica Terashima
- Laboratorio De Parasitologia, Instituto De Medicina Tropical Alexander Von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.,Departamento De Enfermedades Infecciosas, Tropicales Y Dermatologicas, Hospital Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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Rojas-Pirela M, Andrade-Alviárez D, Rojas V, Kemmerling U, Cáceres AJ, Michels PA, Concepción JL, Quiñones W. Phosphoglycerate kinase: structural aspects and functions, with special emphasis on the enzyme from Kinetoplastea. Open Biol 2020; 10:200302. [PMID: 33234025 PMCID: PMC7729029 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) is a glycolytic enzyme that is well conserved among the three domains of life. PGK is usually a monomeric enzyme of about 45 kDa that catalyses one of the two ATP-producing reactions in the glycolytic pathway, through the conversion of 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate (1,3BPGA) to 3-phosphoglycerate (3PGA). It also participates in gluconeogenesis, catalysing the opposite reaction to produce 1,3BPGA and ADP. Like most other glycolytic enzymes, PGK has also been catalogued as a moonlighting protein, due to its involvement in different functions not associated with energy metabolism, which include pathogenesis, interaction with nucleic acids, tumorigenesis progression, cell death and viral replication. In this review, we have highlighted the overall aspects of this enzyme, such as its structure, reaction kinetics, activity regulation and possible moonlighting functions in different protistan organisms, especially both free-living and parasitic Kinetoplastea. Our analysis of the genomes of different kinetoplastids revealed the presence of open-reading frames (ORFs) for multiple PGK isoforms in several species. Some of these ORFs code for unusually large PGKs. The products appear to contain additional structural domains fused to the PGK domain. A striking aspect is that some of these PGK isoforms are predicted to be catalytically inactive enzymes or ‘dead’ enzymes. The roles of PGKs in kinetoplastid parasites are analysed, and the apparent significance of the PGK gene duplication that gave rise to the different isoforms and their expression in Trypanosoma cruzi is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Rojas-Pirela
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaiso, Valparaiso 2373223, Chile
| | - Diego Andrade-Alviárez
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida 5101, Venezuela
| | - Verónica Rojas
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaiso, Valparaiso 2373223, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, Facultad de Medicina, Santiago de Chile 8380453, Santigo de Chile
| | - Ana J Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida 5101, Venezuela
| | - Paul A Michels
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK.,Centre for Translational and Chemical Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Juan Luis Concepción
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida 5101, Venezuela
| | - Wilfredo Quiñones
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida 5101, Venezuela
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Proteomic Profiling of the Liver, Hepatic Lymph Nodes, and Spleen of Buffaloes Infected with Fasciola gigantica. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9120982. [PMID: 33255373 PMCID: PMC7759843 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9120982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we used an isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) proteomics technology to characterize the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the liver, hepatic lymph nodes (hLNs), and spleen of buffaloes infected with Fasciola gigantica (F. gigantica). We also used the parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) method to verify the expression levels of the DEPs in the three infected tissues. At three days post-infection (dpi), 225, 1821, and 364 DEPs were detected in the liver, hLNs, and spleen, respectively. At 42 dpi, 384, 252, and 214 DEPs were detected in the liver, hLNs, and spleen, respectively. At 70 dpi, 125, 829, and 247 DEPs were detected in the liver, hLNs, and spleen, respectively. Downregulation of metabolism was prominent in infected livers at all time points, and upregulation of immune responses was marked in the hLNs during early infection (three dpi); however, no changes in the immune response were detected at the late stages of infection (42 and 70 dpi). Compared to the hLNs, there was no significant upregulation in the levels of immune responses in the infected spleen. All the identified DEPs were used to predict the subcellular localization of the proteins, which were related to extracellular space and membrane and were involved in host immune responses. Further PRM analysis confirmed the expression of 18 proteins. These data provide the first simultaneous proteomic profiles of multiple organs of buffaloes experimentally infected with F. gigantica.
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Kalita J, Shukla H, Tripathi T. Engineering glutathione S-transferase with a point mutation at conserved F136 residue increases the xenobiotic-metabolizing activity. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 163:1117-1126. [PMID: 32663558 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.07.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional enzymes that play major roles in a wide range of biological processes, including cellular detoxification, biosynthesis, metabolism, and transport. The dynamic structural scaffold and diverse functional roles of GSTs make them important for enzyme engineering and for exploring novel biotechnological applications. The present study reported a significant gain-of-function activity in GST caused by a point mutation at the conserved F136 residue. The fluorescence quenching and kinetic data suggested that both binding affinity and catalytic efficiency of the mutant enzyme to the substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), as well as the glutathione (GSH), is increased. Molecular docking showed that the mutation improves the binding interactions of the GSH with several binding-site residues. The simulation of molecular dynamics revealed that the mutant enzyme gained increased structural rigidity than the wild-type enzyme. The mutation also altered the residue interaction network (RIN) of the GSH-binding residues. These phenomena suggested that mutations led to conformational alterations and dominant differential motions in the enzyme that lead to increased rigidity and modifications in RIN. Collectively, engineering GST with a single point mutation at conserved F136 can significantly increase its xenobiotic activity by increasing the catalytic efficiency that may be exploited for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jupitara Kalita
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
| | - Harish Shukla
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India.
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Fasciola Species Introgression: Just a Fluke or Something More? Trends Parasitol 2020; 37:25-34. [PMID: 33097425 PMCID: PMC7575431 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The threats posed by a range of viral and bacterial zoonotic diseases inevitably receive renewed attention in the wake of global pandemic events due to their overt and devastating impacts on human health and the economy. Parasitic zoonoses, however, many of which affect millions of people each day, are frequently ignored. In the case of fasciolosis, caused by infection with Fasciola hepatica or Fasciola gigantica, this oversight has allowed for the expansion of areas of parasite sympatry and thus increased the incidence of hybridization and possible introgression between the two species. Here we highlight how an increased demand for animal-derived protein, combined with a lack of appropriate tools for detection of these events, is changing the status quo of these zoonotic parasites. Increased demand for animal-derived protein from Fasciola hepatica-endemic countries has led to a growing number of reports of hybridization between F. hepatica and Fasciola gigantica in Southeast Asia. Hybridization and eventual introgression have been reported in a range of protozoan, helminth, and arthropod parasites and act as important drivers of evolutionary change and adaptation. Introgression between Fasciola spp. remains unproven but has potentially serious human and animal health consequences as seen in other parasites. New tools for the characterization of hybridization and introgression events between Fasciola spp. are needed.
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Recent Progress in the Development of Liver Fluke and Blood Fluke Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030553. [PMID: 32971734 PMCID: PMC7564142 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver flukes (Fasciola spp., Opisthorchis spp., Clonorchis sinensis) and blood flukes (Schistosoma spp.) are parasitic helminths causing neglected tropical diseases that result in substantial morbidity afflicting millions globally. Affecting the world’s poorest people, fasciolosis, opisthorchiasis, clonorchiasis and schistosomiasis cause severe disability; hinder growth, productivity and cognitive development; and can end in death. Children are often disproportionately affected. F. hepatica and F. gigantica are also the most important trematode flukes parasitising ruminants and cause substantial economic losses annually. Mass drug administration (MDA) programs for the control of these liver and blood fluke infections are in place in a number of countries but treatment coverage is often low, re-infection rates are high and drug compliance and effectiveness can vary. Furthermore, the spectre of drug resistance is ever-present, so MDA is not effective or sustainable long term. Vaccination would provide an invaluable tool to achieve lasting control leading to elimination. This review summarises the status currently of vaccine development, identifies some of the major scientific targets for progression and briefly discusses future innovations that may provide effective protective immunity against these helminth parasites and the diseases they cause.
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Chetri PB, Shukla R, Tripathi T. Identification and characterization of cytosolic malate dehydrogenase from the liver fluke Fasciola gigantica. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13372. [PMID: 32770017 PMCID: PMC7415141 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70202-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver fluke zoonoses, Fasciola spp. are parasitic helminths infecting humans and animals globally. Recent sequencing of the genome of Fasciola gigantica has provided a basis to understand the biochemistry of this parasite. Here, we identified the cytosolic malate dehydrogenase in F. gigantica (FgMDH) and characterized the enzyme biochemically and structurally. F. gigantica encodes a single cytosolic MDH, a key enzyme of the citric acid cycle. It catalyzes the reversible oxidation of malate to oxaloacetate using NAD+. The Fgmdh gene was amplified and cloned for expression of the recombinant protein. The purified protein showed a molecular weight of ~ 36 kDa that existed in a dimeric form in solution. The recombinant enzyme was catalytically active as it catalyzed both forward and reverse reactions efficiently. The kinetic parameters were determined for both directions. The structure of FgMDH and human MDH were modeled and validated. The superimposition of both the model structures showed overall structural similarity in the active site loop region, however, the conformation of the residues was different. Molecular docking elucidated the binding sites and affinities of the substrates and cofactors to the enzyme. Simulation of molecular dynamics and principal component analysis indicated the stability of the systems and collective motions, respectively. Understanding the structural and functional properties of MDH is important to better understand the roles of this enzyme in the biochemistry of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purna Bahadur Chetri
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India
| | - Rohit Shukla
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India.,Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat, Solan, 173234, India
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India.
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Kalita J, Padhi AK, Tripathi T. Designing a vaccine for fascioliasis using immunogenic 24 kDa mu-class glutathione s-transferase. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 83:104352. [PMID: 32387753 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Fascioliasis, caused by the liver fluke Fasciola gigantica, is a significant zoonotic disease of the livestock and human, causing substantial economic loss worldwide. Triclabendazole (TCBZ) is the only drug available for the management of the disease against which there is an alarming increase in drug resistance. No vaccine is available commercially for the protection against this disease. Increasing resistance to TCBZ and the lack of a successful vaccine against fascioliasis demands the development of vaccines. In the present study, a structural immunoinformatics approach was used to design a multi-epitope subunit vaccine using the glutathione S-transferase (GST) protein of Fasciola gigantica. The GST antigen is a safe, non-allergic, highly antigenic, and effective vaccine candidate against various parasitic flukes and worms. The cytotoxic T lymphocytes, helper T lymphocytes, and B-cell epitopes were selected for constructing the vaccine based on their immunogenic behavior and binding affinity. The physicochemical properties, allergenicity, and antigenicity of the designed vaccine were analyzed. To elucidate the tertiary structure of the vaccine, homology modeling was performed, followed by structure refinement and docking against the TLR2 immune receptor. Molecular dynamics simulations showed a stable interaction between the vaccine and the receptor complex. Finally, in silico cloning was performed to evaluate the expression and translation of the vaccine construct in the E. coli expression system. Further studies require experimental validation for the safety and immunogenic behavior of the designed vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jupitara Kalita
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
| | - Aditya K Padhi
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India.
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