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Katelas DA, Cruz-Miron R, Arroyo-Olarte RD, Brouwers JF, Srivastav RK, Gupta N. Phosphatidylserine synthase in the endoplasmic reticulum of Toxoplasma is essential for its lytic cycle in human cells. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100535. [PMID: 38522751 PMCID: PMC11166882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100535] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycerophospholipids have emerged as a significant contributor to the intracellular growth of pathogenic protist Toxoplasma gondii. Phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) is one such lipid, attributed to the locomotion and motility-dependent invasion and egress events in its acutely infectious tachyzoite stage. However, the de novo synthesis of PtdSer and the importance of the pathway in tachyzoites remain poorly understood. We show that a base-exchange-type PtdSer synthase (PSS) located in the parasite's endoplasmic reticulum produces PtdSer, which is rapidly converted to phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) by PtdSer decarboxylase (PSD) activity. The PSS-PSD pathway enables the synthesis of several lipid species, including PtdSer (16:0/18:1) and PtdEtn (18:2/20:4, 18:1/18:2 and 18:2/22:5). The PSS-depleted strain exhibited a lower abundance of the major ester-linked PtdEtn species and concurrent accrual of host-derived ether-PtdEtn species. Most phosphatidylthreonine (PtdThr) species-an exclusive natural analog of PtdSer, also made in the endoplasmic reticulum-were repressed. PtdSer species, however, remained largely unaltered, likely due to the serine-exchange reaction of PtdThr synthase in favor of PtdSer upon PSS depletion. Not least, the loss of PSS abrogated the lytic cycle of tachyzoites, impairing the cell division, motility, and egress. In a nutshell, our data demonstrate a critical role of PSS in the biogenesis of PtdSer and PtdEtn species and its physiologically essential repurposing for the asexual reproduction of a clinically relevant intracellular pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Alexandros Katelas
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany; Intracellular Parasite Education and Research Labs (iPEARL), Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS-Pilani), Hyderabad, India
| | - Rosalba Cruz-Miron
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany; Intracellular Parasite Education and Research Labs (iPEARL), Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS-Pilani), Hyderabad, India
| | - Ruben D Arroyo-Olarte
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany; Carrera de Médico Cirujano y Unidad de Biomedicina (UBIMED), FES-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Jos F Brouwers
- Analysis Techniques in the Life Sciences, Centre of Expertise Perspective in Health, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, The Netherlands
| | - Ratnesh Kumar Srivastav
- Intracellular Parasite Education and Research Labs (iPEARL), Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS-Pilani), Hyderabad, India
| | - Nishith Gupta
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany; Intracellular Parasite Education and Research Labs (iPEARL), Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS-Pilani), Hyderabad, India.
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Charital S, Lourdel A, Quansah N, Botté CY, Yamaryo-Botté Y. Monitoring of Lipid Fluxes Between Host and Plastid-Bearing Apicomplexan Parasites. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2776:197-204. [PMID: 38502506 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3726-5_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites are unicellular eukaryotes responsible for major human diseases such as malaria and toxoplasmosis, which cause massive social and economic burden. Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a global chronic infectious disease affecting ~1/3 of the world population and is a major threat for any immunocompromised patient. To date, there is no efficient vaccine against these parasites and existing treatments are threatened by rapid emergence of parasite resistance. Throughout their life cycle, Apicomplexa require large amount of nutrients, especially lipids for propagation and survival. Understanding lipid acquisition is key to decipher host-parasite metabolic interactions. Parasite membrane biogenesis relies on a combination of (a) host lipid scavenging, (b) de novo lipid synthesis in the parasite, and (c) fluxes of lipids between host and parasite and within. We recently uncovered that parasite need to store the host-scavenged lipids to avoid their toxic accumulation and to mobilize them for division. How can parasites orchestrate the many lipids fluxes essential for survival? Here, we developed metabolomics approaches coupled to stable isotope labelling to track, monitor, and quantify fatty acid and lipids fluxes between the parasite, its human host cell, and its extracellular environment to unravel the complex lipid fluxes in any physiological environment the parasite could meet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Charital
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Amandine Lourdel
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Nyamekye Quansah
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Cyrille Y Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France.
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
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He K, Wang Q, Gao X, Tang T, Ding H, Long S. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the essential nature of Rab1B in Toxoplasma gondii. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:409. [PMID: 37941035 PMCID: PMC10634116 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06030-6] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii encodes a dozen Rab proteins, which are parts of the small GTPase superfamily and regulate intracellular membrane trafficking. Our previous study showed that depletion of Rab1B caused severe defects regarding parasite growth and morphological structure, yet early defects of endocytic trafficking and vesicle sorting to the rhoptry in T. gondii are not expected to have a strong effect. To understand this discrepancy, we performed an integrated analysis at the level of transcriptomics and metabolomics. METHODS In the study, tetracycline-inducible TATi/Ty-Rab1B parasite line treated with ATc at three different time points (0, 18 and 24 h) was used. We first observed the morphological changes caused by Rab1B depletion via transmission electron technology. Then, high-throughput transcriptome along with non-targeted metabolomics were performed to analyze the RNA expression and metabolite changes in the Rab1B-depleted parasite. The essential nature of Rab1B in the parasite was revealed by the integrated omics approach. RESULTS Transmission electron micrographs showed a strong disorganization of endo-membranes in the Rab1B-depleted parasites. Our deep analysis of transcriptome and metabolome identified 2181 and 2374 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 30 and 83 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) at 18 and 24 h of induction in the tetracycline-inducible parasite line, respectively. These DEGs included key genes associated with crucial organelles that contain the rhoptry, microneme, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. The analysis of qRT-PCR verified some of the key DEGs identified by RNA-Seq, supporting that the key vesicular regulator Rab1B was involved in biogenesis of multiple parasite organelles. Functional enrichment analyses revealed pathways related to central carbon metabolisms and lipid metabolisms, such as the TCA cycle, glycerophospholipid metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis and elongation. Further correlation analysis of the major DEMs and DEGs supported the role of Rab1B in biogenesis of fatty acids (e.g. myrisoleic acid and oleic acid) (R > 0.95 and P < 0.05), which was consistent with the scavenging role in biotin via the endocytic process. CONCLUSIONS Rab1B played an important role in parasite growth and morphology, which was supported by the replication assay and transmission electron microscopy observation. Our multi-omics analyses provided detailed insights into the overall impact on the parasite upon depletion of the protein. These analyses reinforced the role of Rab1B in the endocytic process, which has an impact on fatty acid biogenesis and the TCA cycle. Taken together, these findings contribute to our understanding of a key vesicular regulator, Rab1B, on parasite metabolism and morphological formation in T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai He
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- National KeyLaboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qiangqiang Wang
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- National KeyLaboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xuwen Gao
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- National KeyLaboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Tao Tang
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- National KeyLaboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Huiyong Ding
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- National KeyLaboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shaojun Long
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
- National KeyLaboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Koutsogiannis Z, Mina JG, Albus CA, Kol MA, Holthuis JM, Pohl E, Denny PW. Toxoplasma ceramide synthases: Gene duplication, functional divergence, and roles in parasite fitness. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23229. [PMID: 37795915 PMCID: PMC10946778 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201603rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate, intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasite of both humans and animals that can cause fetal damage and abortion and severe disease in the immunosuppressed. Sphingolipids have indispensable functions as signaling molecules and are essential and ubiquitous components of eukaryotic membranes that are both synthesized and scavenged by the Apicomplexa. Ceramide is the precursor for all sphingolipids, and here we report the identification, localization and analyses of the Toxoplasma ceramide synthases TgCerS1 and TgCerS2. Interestingly, we observed that while TgCerS1 was a fully functional orthologue of the yeast ceramide synthase (Lag1p) capable of catalyzing the conversion of sphinganine to ceramide, in contrast TgCerS2 was catalytically inactive. Furthermore, genomic deletion of TgCerS1 using CRISPR/Cas-9 led to viable but slow-growing parasites indicating its importance but not indispensability. In contrast, genomic knock out of TgCerS2 was only accessible utilizing the rapamycin-inducible Cre recombinase system. Surprisingly, the results demonstrated that this "pseudo" ceramide synthase, TgCerS2, has a considerably greater role in parasite fitness than its catalytically active orthologue (TgCerS1). Phylogenetic analyses indicated that, as in humans and plants, the ceramide synthase isoforms found in Toxoplasma and other Apicomplexa may have arisen through gene duplication. However, in the Apicomplexa the duplicated copy is hypothesized to have subsequently evolved into a non-functional "pseudo" ceramide synthase. This arrangement is unique to the Apicomplexa and further illustrates the unusual biology that characterize these protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John G. Mina
- Department of BiosciencesDurham UniversityDurhamUK
| | | | - Matthijs A. Kol
- Molecular Cell Biology Division, Department of Biology/ChemistryUniversity of OsnabrückOsnabrückGermany
| | - Joost C. M. Holthuis
- Molecular Cell Biology Division, Department of Biology/ChemistryUniversity of OsnabrückOsnabrückGermany
| | - Ehmke Pohl
- Department of BiosciencesDurham UniversityDurhamUK
- Department of ChemistryDurham UniversityDurhamUK
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5
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Arabiotorre A, Bankaitis VA, Grabon A. Regulation of phosphoinositide metabolism in Apicomplexan parasites. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1163574. [PMID: 37791074 PMCID: PMC10543664 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1163574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphoinositides are a biologically essential class of phospholipids that contribute to organelle membrane identity, modulate membrane trafficking pathways, and are central components of major signal transduction pathways that operate on the cytosolic face of intracellular membranes in eukaryotes. Apicomplexans (such as Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp.) are obligate intracellular parasites that are important causative agents of disease in animals and humans. Recent advances in molecular and cell biology of Apicomplexan parasites reveal important roles for phosphoinositide signaling in key aspects of parasitosis. These include invasion of host cells, intracellular survival and replication, egress from host cells, and extracellular motility. As Apicomplexans have adapted to the organization of essential signaling pathways to accommodate their complex parasitic lifestyle, these organisms offer experimentally tractable systems for studying the evolution, conservation, and repurposing of phosphoinositide signaling. In this review, we describe the regulatory mechanisms that control the spatial and temporal regulation of phosphoinositides in the Apicomplexan parasites Plasmodium and T. gondii. We further discuss the similarities and differences presented by Apicomplexan phosphoinositide signaling relative to how these pathways are regulated in other eukaryotic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Arabiotorre
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine Texas A&M Health Sciences Center College Station, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Vytas A. Bankaitis
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine Texas A&M Health Sciences Center College Station, Bryan, TX, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics Texas A&M University College Station, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Chemistry Texas A&M University College Station, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Aby Grabon
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine Texas A&M Health Sciences Center College Station, Bryan, TX, United States
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Anschütz NH, Gerbig S, Ghezellou P, Silva LMR, Vélez JD, Hermosilla CR, Taubert A, Spengler B. Mass Spectrometry Imaging of In Vitro Cryptosporidium parvum-Infected Cells and Host Tissue. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1200. [PMID: 37627264 PMCID: PMC10452350 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic-relevant parasite belonging to the phylum Alveolata (subphylum Apicomplexa). One of the most zoonotic-relevant etiologies of cryptosporidiosis is the species C. parvum, infecting humans, cattle and wildlife. C. parvum-infected intestinal mucosa as well as host cells infected in vitro have not yet been the subject of extensive biochemical investigation. Efficient treatment options or vaccines against cryptosporidiosis are currently not available. Human cryptosporidiosis is currently known as a neglected poverty-related disease (PRD), being potentially fatal in young children or immunocompromised patients. In this study, we used a combination of atmospheric pressure scanning microprobe matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP-SMALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to determine and locate molecular biomarkers in in vitro C. parvum-infected host cells as well as parasitized neonatal calf intestines. Sections of C. parvum-infected and non-infected host cell pellets and infected intestines were examined to determine potential biomarkers. Human ileocecal adenocarcinoma cells (HCT-8) were used as a suitable in vitro host cell system. More than a thousand different molecular signals were found in both positive- and negative-ion mode, which were significantly increased in C. parvum-infected material. A database search in combination with HPLC-MS/MS experiments was employed for the structural verification of markers. Our results demonstrate some overlap between the identified markers and data obtained from earlier studies on other apicomplexan parasites. Statistically relevant biomarkers were imaged in cell layers of C. parvum-infected and non-infected host cells with 5 µm pixel size and in bovine intestinal tissue with 10 µm pixel size. This allowed us to substantiate their relevance once again. Taken together, the present approach delivers novel metabolic insights on neglected cryptosporidiosis affecting mainly children in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils H. Anschütz
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.H.A.); (S.G.); (P.G.)
| | - Stefanie Gerbig
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.H.A.); (S.G.); (P.G.)
| | - Parviz Ghezellou
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.H.A.); (S.G.); (P.G.)
| | - Liliana M. R. Silva
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (L.M.R.S.); (J.D.V.); (C.R.H.); (A.T.)
- Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - Juan Diego Vélez
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (L.M.R.S.); (J.D.V.); (C.R.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Carlos R. Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (L.M.R.S.); (J.D.V.); (C.R.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (L.M.R.S.); (J.D.V.); (C.R.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Bernhard Spengler
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.H.A.); (S.G.); (P.G.)
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7
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Ren B, Liang X, Brouwers JF, Miron RC, Shen B, Gupta N. Synthesis vs. salvage of ester- and ether-linked phosphatidylethanolamine in the intracellular protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii. Commun Biol 2023; 6:306. [PMID: 36949328 PMCID: PMC10033509 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04664-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a prevalent zoonotic pathogen infecting livestock as well as humans. The exceptional ability of this parasite to reproduce in several types of nucleated host cells necessitates a coordinated usage of endogenous and host-derived nutritional resources for membrane biogenesis. Phosphatidylethanolamine is the second most common glycerophospholipid in T. gondii, but how its requirement in the acutely-infectious fast-dividing tachyzoite stage is satisfied remains enigmatic. This work reveals that the parasite deploys de novo synthesis and salvage pathways to meet its demand for ester- and ether-linked PtdEtn. Auxin-mediated depletion of the phosphoethanolamine cytidylyltransferase (ECT) caused a lethal phenotype in tachyzoites due to impaired invasion and cell division, disclosing a vital role of the CDP-ethanolamine pathway during the lytic cycle. In accord, the inner membrane complex appeared disrupted concurrent with a decline in its length, parasite width and major phospholipids. Integrated lipidomics and isotope analyses of the TgECT mutant unveiled the endogenous synthesis of ester-PtdEtn, and salvage of ether-linked lipids from host cells. In brief, this study demonstrates how T. gondii operates various means to produce distinct forms of PtdEtn while featuring the therapeutic relevance of its de novo synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjian Ren
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Xiaohan Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jos F Brouwers
- Research Group for Analysis Techniques in the Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, The Netherlands
| | - Rosalba Cruz Miron
- Intracellular Parasite Education and Research Labs (iPEARL), Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS-P), Hyderabad, India
| | - Bang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Nishith Gupta
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
- Intracellular Parasite Education and Research Labs (iPEARL), Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS-P), Hyderabad, India.
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8
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Nyonda MA, Kloehn J, Sosnowski P, Krishnan A, Lentini G, Maco B, Marq JB, Hannich JT, Hopfgartner G, Soldati-Favre D. Ceramide biosynthesis is critical for establishment of the intracellular niche of Toxoplasma gondii. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111224. [PMID: 35977499 PMCID: PMC9396527 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii possesses sphingolipid synthesis capabilities and is equipped to salvage lipids from its host. The contribution of these two routes of lipid acquisition during parasite development is unclear. As part of a complete ceramide synthesis pathway, T. gondii expresses two serine palmitoyltransferases (TgSPT1 and TgSPT2) and a dihydroceramide desaturase. After deletion of these genes, we determine their role in parasite development in vitro and in vivo during acute and chronic infection. Detailed phenotyping through lipidomic approaches reveal a perturbed sphingolipidome in these mutants, characterized by a drastic reduction in ceramides and ceramide phosphoethanolamines but not sphingomyelins. Critically, parasites lacking TgSPT1 display decreased fitness, marked by reduced growth rates and a selective defect in rhoptry discharge in the form of secretory vesicles, causing an invasion defect. Disruption of de novo ceramide synthesis modestly affects acute infection in vivo but severely reduces cyst burden in the brain of chronically infected mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Akinyi Nyonda
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Kloehn
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Piotr Sosnowski
- Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Geneva, 24 Quai Ernest Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Aarti Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gaëlle Lentini
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bohumil Maco
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Baptiste Marq
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - J Thomas Hannich
- Department of Biochemistry, NCCR Chemical Biology, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gerard Hopfgartner
- Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Geneva, 24 Quai Ernest Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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9
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Hong Y, Xia H, Li X, Fan R, Li Q, Ouyang Z, Tang S, Guo L. Brassica napus BnaNTT1 modulates ATP homeostasis in plastids to sustain metabolism and growth. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111060. [PMID: 35830794 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111060] [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: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The plastid-localized nucleotide triphosphate transporter (NTT) transports cytosolic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into plastid to satisfy the needs of biochemistry activities in plastid. Here, we investigate the key functions of two conserved BnaNTT1 genes, BnaC06.NTT1b and BnaA07.NTT1a, in Brassica napus. Binding assays and metabolic analysis indicate that BnaNTT1 binds ATP/adenosine diphosphate (ADP), transports cytosolic ATP into chloroplast, and exchanges ADP into cytoplasm. Thylakoid structures are abnormal and plant growth is retarded in CRISPR mutants of BnaC06.NTT1b and BnaA07.NTT1a. Both BnaC06.NTT1b and BnaA07.NTT1a play important roles in the regulation of ATP/ADP homeostasis in plastid. Manipulation of BnaC06.NTT1b and BnaA07.NTT1a causes significant changes in glycolysis and membrane lipid composition, suggesting that increased ATP in plastid fuels more seed-oil accumulation. Together, this study implicates the vital role of BnaC06.NTT1b and BnaA07.NTT1a in plant metabolism and growth in B. napus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Hong
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Hui Xia
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xiao Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ruyi Fan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Qing Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Zhewen Ouyang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Shan Tang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Liang Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China.
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10
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Grundner M, Munjaković H, Tori T, Sepčić K, Gašperšič R, Oblak Č, Seme K, Guella G, Trenti F, Skočaj M. Ceramide Phosphoethanolamine as a Possible Marker of Periodontal Disease. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12070655. [PMID: 35877858 PMCID: PMC9324278 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12070655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Periodontal disease is a chronic oral inflammatory disorder initiated by pathobiontic bacteria found in dental plaques—complex biofilms on the tooth surface. The disease begins as an acute local inflammation of the gingival tissue (gingivitis) and can progress to periodontitis, which eventually leads to the formation of periodontal pockets and ultimately results in tooth loss. The main problem in periodontology is that the diagnosis is based on the assessment of the already obvious tissue damage. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the current diagnostics used to assess periodontal disease. Using lipidomic analyses, we show that both crucial periodontal pathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia, synthesize ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE) species, membrane sphingolipids not typically found in vertebrates. Previously, it was shown that this particular lipid can be specifically detected by an aegerolysin protein, erylysin A (EryA). Here, we show that EryA can specifically bind to CPE species from the total lipid extract from P. gingivalis. Furthermore, using a fluorescently labelled EryA-mCherry, we were able to detect CPE species in clinical samples of dental plaque from periodontal patients. These results demonstrate the potential of specific periodontal pathogen-derived lipids as biomarkers for periodontal disease and other chronic inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Grundner
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (H.M.); (T.T.); (K.S.)
| | - Haris Munjaković
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (H.M.); (T.T.); (K.S.)
| | - Tilen Tori
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (H.M.); (T.T.); (K.S.)
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (H.M.); (T.T.); (K.S.)
| | - Rok Gašperšič
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.G.); (Č.O.); (K.S.)
| | - Čedomir Oblak
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.G.); (Č.O.); (K.S.)
| | - Katja Seme
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.G.); (Č.O.); (K.S.)
| | - Graziano Guella
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 14, 38123 Trento, Italy; (G.G.); (F.T.)
| | - Francesco Trenti
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 14, 38123 Trento, Italy; (G.G.); (F.T.)
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (H.M.); (T.T.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-1-3203-395
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11
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Shunmugam S, Arnold CS, Dass S, Katris NJ, Botté CY. The flexibility of Apicomplexa parasites in lipid metabolism. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010313. [PMID: 35298557 PMCID: PMC8929637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexa are obligate intracellular parasites responsible for major human infectious diseases such as toxoplasmosis and malaria, which pose social and economic burdens around the world. To survive and propagate, these parasites need to acquire a significant number of essential biomolecules from their hosts. Among these biomolecules, lipids are a key metabolite required for parasite membrane biogenesis, signaling events, and energy storage. Parasites can either scavenge lipids from their host or synthesize them de novo in a relict plastid, the apicoplast. During their complex life cycle (sexual/asexual/dormant), Apicomplexa infect a large variety of cells and their metabolic flexibility allows them to adapt to different host environments such as low/high fat content or low/high sugar levels. In this review, we discuss the role of lipids in Apicomplexa parasites and summarize recent findings on the metabolic mechanisms in host nutrient adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Shunmugam
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Christophe-Sébastien Arnold
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Sheena Dass
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Nicholas J. Katris
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Cyrille Y. Botté
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
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12
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Tomazic ML, Marugan-Hernandez V, Rodriguez AE. Next-Generation Technologies and Systems Biology for the Design of Novel Vaccines Against Apicomplexan Parasites. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:800361. [PMID: 35071390 PMCID: PMC8777213 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.800361] [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: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa are the causative agents of important diseases such as malaria, toxoplasmosis or cryptosporidiosis in humans, and babesiosis and coccidiosis in animals. Whereas the first human recombinant vaccine against malaria has been approved and recently recommended for wide administration by the WHO, most other zoonotic parasitic diseases lack of appropriate immunoprophylaxis. Sequencing technologies, bioinformatics, and statistics, have opened the "omics" era into apicomplexan parasites, which has led to the development of systems biology, a recent field that can significantly contribute to more rational design for new vaccines. The discovery of novel antigens by classical approaches is slow and limited to very few antigens identified and analyzed by each study. High throughput approaches based on the expansion of the "omics", mainly genomics and transcriptomics have facilitated the functional annotation of the genome for many of these parasites, improving significantly the understanding of the parasite biology, interactions with the host, as well as virulence and host immune response. Developments in genetic manipulation in apicomplexan parasites have also contributed to the discovery of new potential vaccine targets. The present minireview does a comprehensive summary of advances in "omics", CRISPR/Cas9 technologies, and in systems biology approaches applied to apicomplexan parasites of economic and zoonotic importance, highlighting their potential of the holistic view in vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariela Luján Tomazic
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria (IPVET), INTA-CONICET, Hurlingham, Argentina.,Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Catedra de Biotecnología, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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13
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Bansal P, Antil N, Kumar M, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Rawat RS, Pinto S, Datta KK, Katris NJ, Botté CY, Prasad TSK, Sharma P. Protein kinase TgCDPK7 regulates vesicular trafficking and phospholipid synthesis in Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009325. [PMID: 33635921 PMCID: PMC7909640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites are causative agents of major human diseases. Calcium Dependent Protein Kinases (CDPKs) are crucial components for the intracellular development of apicomplexan parasites and are thus considered attractive drug targets. CDPK7 is an atypical member of this family, which initial characterization suggested to be critical for intracellular development of both Apicomplexa Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii. However, the mechanisms via which it regulates parasite replication have remained unknown. We performed quantitative phosphoproteomics of T. gondii lacking TgCDPK7 to identify its parasitic targets. Our analysis lead to the identification of several putative TgCDPK7 substrates implicated in critical processes like phospholipid (PL) synthesis and vesicular trafficking. Strikingly, phosphorylation of TgRab11a via TgCDPK7 was critical for parasite intracellular development and protein trafficking. Lipidomic analysis combined with biochemical and cellular studies confirmed that TgCDPK7 regulates phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) levels in T. gondii. These studies provide novel insights into the regulation of these processes that are critical for parasite development by TgCDPK7. In this study, we demonstrate that protein kinase TgCDPK7 regulates cellular processes like vesicular trafficking and the synthesis of phospholipids, which are critical for the development of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It regulates the localization of a small GTPase TgRab11a by phosphorylating it at a specific site, which is critical for trafficking of important parasite proteins and is important for parasite division. TgCDPK7 may regulate key enzymes involved biogenesis of phosphatidylethanolamine, which may contribute to the synthesis of this important phospholipid. These and other studies shed light on a novel signaling pathway in apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Bansal
- Eukaryotic Gene Expression laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Neelam Antil
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Tech Park, Bangalore, India
- Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Eukaryotic Gene Expression laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Tech Park, Bangalore, India
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Rahul Singh Rawat
- Eukaryotic Gene Expression laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Sneha Pinto
- Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Keshava K. Datta
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Tech Park, Bangalore, India
| | - Nicholas J. Katris
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Cyrille Y. Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - T. S. Keshava Prasad
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Tech Park, Bangalore, India
- Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
- NIMHANS IOB Proteomics and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Pushkar Sharma
- Eukaryotic Gene Expression laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
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14
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Chen K, Günay-Esiyok Ö, Klingeberg M, Marquardt S, Pomorski TG, Gupta N. Aminoglycerophospholipid flipping and P4-ATPases in Toxoplasma gondii. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100315. [PMID: 33485966 PMCID: PMC7949121 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid flipping in the membrane bilayers is a widespread eukaryotic phenomenon that is catalyzed by assorted P4-ATPases. Its occurrence, mechanism, and importance in apicomplexan parasites have remained elusive, however. Here we show that Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite with high clinical relevance, can salvage phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) but not phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) probes from its milieu. Consistently, the drug analogs of PtdCho are broadly ineffective in the parasite culture. NBD-PtdSer imported to the parasite interior is decarboxylated to NBD-PtdEtn, while the latter is not methylated to yield PtdCho, which confirms the expression of PtdSer decarboxylase but a lack of PtdEtn methyltransferase activity and suggests a role of exogenous lipids in membrane biogenesis of T. gondii. Flow cytometric quantitation of NBD-probes endorsed the selectivity of phospholipid transport and revealed a dependence of the process on energy and protein. Accordingly, our further work identified five P4-ATPases (TgP4-ATPase1-5), all of which harbor the signature residues and motifs required for phospholipid flipping. Of the four proteins expressed during the lytic cycle, TgP4-ATPase1 is present in the apical plasmalemma; TgP4-ATPase3 resides in the Golgi network along with its noncatalytic partner Ligand Effector Module 3 (TgLem3), whereas TgP4-ATPase2 and TgP4-ATPase5 localize in the plasmalemma as well as endo/cytomembranes. Last but not least, auxin-induced degradation of TgP4-ATPase1-3 impaired the parasite growth in human host cells, disclosing their crucial roles during acute infection. In conclusion, we show selective translocation of PtdEtn and PtdSer at the parasite surface and provide the underlying mechanistic and physiological insights in a model eukaryotic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Chen
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Özlem Günay-Esiyok
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Melissa Klingeberg
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Marquardt
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany; Department of Experimental Biophysics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Günther Pomorski
- Department of Experimental Biophysics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nishith Gupta
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany; Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani (BITS-P), Hyderabad, India.
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15
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Ren B, Kong P, Hedar F, Brouwers JF, Gupta N. Phosphatidylinositol synthesis, its selective salvage, and inter-regulation of anionic phospholipids in Toxoplasma gondii. Commun Biol 2020; 3:750. [PMID: 33303967 PMCID: PMC7728818 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01480-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) serves as an integral component of eukaryotic membranes; however, its biosynthesis in apicomplexan parasites remains poorly understood. Here we show that Toxoplasma gondii-a common intracellular pathogen of humans and animals-can import and co-utilize myo-inositol with the endogenous CDP-diacylglycerol to synthesize PtdIns. Equally, the parasite harbors a functional PtdIns synthase (PIS) containing a catalytically-vital CDP-diacylglycerol phosphotransferase motif in the Golgi apparatus. Auxin-induced depletion of PIS abrogated the lytic cycle of T. gondii in human cells due to defects in cell division, gliding motility, invasion, and egress. Isotope labeling of the PIS mutant in conjunction with lipidomics demonstrated de novo synthesis of specific PtdIns species, while revealing the salvage of other lipid species from the host cell. Not least, the mutant showed decline in phosphatidylthreonine, and elevation of selected phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylglycerol species, indicating a rerouting of CDP-diacylglycerol and homeostatic inter-regulation of anionic phospholipids upon knockdown of PIS. In conclusion, strategic allocation of own and host-derived PtdIns species to gratify its metabolic demand features as a notable adaptive trait of T. gondii. Conceivably, the dependence of T. gondii on de novo lipid synthesis and scavenging can be exploited to develop new anti-infectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjian Ren
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pengfei Kong
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fatima Hedar
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jos F Brouwers
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nishith Gupta
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani (BITS-P), Hyderabad, India.
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16
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Kadesch P, Hollubarsch T, Gerbig S, Schneider L, Silva LMR, Hermosilla C, Taubert A, Spengler B. Intracellular Parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Besnoitia besnoiti, Unveiled in Single Host Cells Using AP-SMALDI MS Imaging. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2020; 31:1815-1824. [PMID: 32830963 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.0c00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Besnoitia besnoiti are important causes of disease in both humans and cattle. To date, effective specific treatments are lacking for both infections. To counteract severe symptoms leading to, e.g., disabilities and even abortion in the case of human toxoplasmosis and bovine besnoitiosis, novel targets are required for development of drugs and vaccines. A promising emerging technique for molecular characterization of organisms is high-resolution atmospheric-pressure scanning microprobe matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP-SMALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) which enables semiquantitative visualization of metabolite distributions. MSI was here used to trace and characterize lipid metabolites in primary bovine umbilical vein endothelial cells (BUVECs) upon infection with tachyzoites, an early and pathogenic fast-replicating life stage of T. gondii and B. besnoiti. A cell bulk, derived from noninfected controls and parasite-infected cell pellets, was analyzed by AP-SMALDI MSI in technical and biological triplicates. Multivariate statistical analysis including hierarchical clustering and principle component analysis revealed infection-specific metabolites in both positive- and negative-ion mode, identified by combining database search and LC-MS2 experiments. MSI analyses of host cell monolayers were conducted at 5 μm lateral resolution, allowing single apicomplexan-infected cells to be allocated. This is the first mass spectrometry imaging study on intracellular T. gondii and B. besnoiti infections and the first detailed metabolomic characterization of B. besnoiti tachyzoites. MSI was used here as an efficient tool to discriminate infected from noninfected cells at the single-cell level in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik Kadesch
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tobias Hollubarsch
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Gerbig
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lars Schneider
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Liliana M R Silva
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Spengler
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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17
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Le SQ, Nestrasil I, Kan SH, Egeland M, Cooper JD, Elashoff D, Guo R, Tolar J, Yee JK, Dickson PI. Myelin and Lipid Composition of the Corpus Callosum in Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I Mice. Lipids 2020; 55:627-637. [PMID: 32537944 DOI: 10.1002/lipd.12261] [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: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a lysosomal disease with progressive central nervous system involvement. This study examined the lipid, cholesterol, and myelin basic protein composition of white matter in the corpus callosum of MPS I mice. We studied 50 week-old, male MPS I mice and littermate, heterozygote controls (n = 12 per group). Male MPS I mice showed lower phosphatidylcholine and ether-linked phosphatidylcholine quantities than controls (p < 0.05). Twenty-two phospholipid or ceramide species showed significant differences in percent of total. Regarding specific lipid species, MPS I mice exhibited lower quantities of sphingomyelin 18:1, phosphatidylserine 38:3, and hexosylceramide d18:1(22:1) mH2 O than controls. Principal components analyses of polar, ceramide, and hexosylceramide lipids, respectively, showed some separation of MPS I and control mice. We found no significant differences in myelin gene expression, myelin basic protein, or total cholesterol in the MPS I mice versus heterozygous controls. There was a trend toward lower proteolipid protein-1 levels in MPS I mice (p = 0.06). MPS I mice show subtle changes in white matter composition, with an unknown impact on pathogenesis in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Q Le
- Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1124 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Igor Nestrasil
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Shih-Hsin Kan
- Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1124 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA.,CHOC Children's Research Institute, 2450 Riverside Avenue, Orange, CA, 55454, USA
| | - Martin Egeland
- Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1124 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Jonathan D Cooper
- Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1124 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - David Elashoff
- Department of Medicine Statistics Core, University of California, 100 Medical Plaza Driveway, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Rong Guo
- Department of Medicine Statistics Core, University of California, 100 Medical Plaza Driveway, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jakub Tolar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Jennifer K Yee
- Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1124 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Patricia I Dickson
- Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1124 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
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18
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Division and Adaptation to Host Environment of Apicomplexan Parasites Depend on Apicoplast Lipid Metabolic Plasticity and Host Organelle Remodeling. Cell Rep 2020; 30:3778-3792.e9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.02.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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19
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Boothroyd JC. What a Difference 30 Years Makes! A Perspective on Changes in Research Methodologies Used to Study Toxoplasma gondii. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2071:1-25. [PMID: 31758444 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9857-9_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a remarkable species with a rich cell, developmental, and population biology. It is also sometimes responsible for serious disease in animals and humans and the stages responsible for such disease are relatively easy to study in vitro or in laboratory animal models. As a result of all this, Toxoplasma has become the subject of intense investigation over the last several decades, becoming a model organism for the study of the phylum of which it is a member, Apicomplexa. This has led to an ever-growing number of investigators applying an ever-expanding set of techniques to dissecting how Toxoplasma "ticks" and how it interacts with its many hosts. In this perspective piece I first wind back the clock 30 years and then trace the extraordinary pace of methodologies that have propelled the field forward to where we are today. In keeping with the theme of this collection, I focus almost exclusively on the parasite, rather than host side of the equation. I finish with a few thoughts about where the field might be headed-though if we have learned anything, the only sure prediction is that the pace of technological advance will surely continue to accelerate and the future will give us still undreamed of methods for taking apart (and then putting back together) this amazing organism with all its intricate biology. We have so far surely just scratched the surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Boothroyd
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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20
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Ceramide phosphoethanolamine, an enigmatic cellular membrane sphingolipid. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2019; 1861:1284-1292. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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21
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Panevska A, Hodnik V, Skočaj M, Novak M, Modic Š, Pavlic I, Podržaj S, Zarić M, Resnik N, Maček P, Veranič P, Razinger J, Sepčić K. Pore-forming protein complexes from Pleurotus mushrooms kill western corn rootworm and Colorado potato beetle through targeting membrane ceramide phosphoethanolamine. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5073. [PMID: 30911026 PMCID: PMC6433908 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41450-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Aegerolysins ostreolysin A (OlyA) and pleurotolysin A (PlyA), and pleurotolysin B (PlyB) with the membrane-attack-complex/perforin domain are proteins from the mushroom genus Pleurotus. Upon binding to sphingomyelin/cholesterol-enriched membranes, OlyA and PlyA can recruit PlyB to form multimeric bi-component transmembrane pores. Recently, Pleurotus aegerolysins OlyA, PlyA2 and erylysin A (EryA) were demonstrated to preferentially bind to artificial lipid membranes containing 50 mol% ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE), the main sphingolipid in invertebrate cell membranes. In this study, we demonstrate that OlyA6, PlyA2 and EryA bind to insect cells and to artificial lipid membranes with physiologically relevant CPE concentrations. Moreover, these aegerolysins permeabilize these membranes when combined with PlyB. These aegerolysin/PlyB complexes show selective toxicity toward western corn rootworm larvae and adults and Colorado potato beetle larvae. These data strongly suggest that these aegerolysin/PlyB complexes recognize CPE as their receptor molecule in the insect midgut. This mode of binding is different from those described for similar aegerolysin-based bacterial complexes, or other Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins, which have protein receptors. Targeting of Pleurotus aegerolysins to CPE and formation of transmembrane pores in concert with PlyB suggest the use of aegerolysin/PlyB complexes as novel biopesticides for the control of western corn rootworm and Colorado potato beetle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Hodnik
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maruša Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Špela Modic
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ivana Pavlic
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Sara Podržaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miki Zarić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Resnik
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Maček
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Veranič
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jaka Razinger
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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22
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Novel Approaches To Kill Toxoplasma gondii by Exploiting the Uncontrolled Uptake of Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Vulnerability to Lipid Storage Inhibition of the Parasite. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.00347-18. [PMID: 30061287 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00347-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite replicating in mammalian cells within a parasitophorous vacuole (PV), is an avid scavenger of lipids retrieved from the host cell. Following lipid uptake, this parasite stores excess lipids in lipid droplets (LD). Here, we examined the lipid storage capacities of Toxoplasma upon supplementation of the culture medium with various fatty acids at physiological concentrations. Supplemental unsaturated fatty acids (oleate [OA], palmitoleate, linoleate) accumulate in large LD and impair parasite replication, whereas saturated fatty acids (palmitate, stearate) neither stimulate LD formation nor impact growth. Examination of parasite growth defects with 0.4 mM OA revealed massive lipid deposits outside LD, indicating enzymatic inadequacies for storing neutral lipids in LD in response to the copious salvage of OA. Toxoplasma exposure to 0.5 mM OA led to irreversible growth arrest and lipid-induced damage, confirming a major disconnect between fatty acid uptake and the parasite's cellular lipid requirements. The importance of neutral lipid synthesis and storage to avoid lipotoxicity was further highlighted by the selective vulnerability of Toxoplasma, both the proliferative and the encysted forms, to subtoxic concentrations of the acyl coenzyme A:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) pharmacological inhibitor T863. T863-treated parasites did not form LD but instead built up large membranous structures within the cytoplasm, which suggests improper channeling and management of the excess lipid. Dual addition of OA and T863 to infected cells intensified the deterioration of the parasite. Overall, our data pinpoint Toxoplasma DGAT as a promising drug target for the treatment of toxoplasmosis that would not incur the risk of toxicity for mammalian cells.
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23
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Kong P, Lehmann MJ, Helms JB, Brouwers JF, Gupta N. Lipid analysis of Eimeria sporozoites reveals exclusive phospholipids, a phylogenetic mosaic of endogenous synthesis, and a host-independent lifestyle. Cell Discov 2018; 4:24. [PMID: 29844921 PMCID: PMC5964319 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-018-0023-4] [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: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful inter-host transmission of most apicomplexan parasites requires the formation of infective sporozoites within the oocysts. Unlike all other infective stages that are strictly intracellular and depend on host resources, the sporozoite stage develops outside the host cells, but little is known about its self-governing metabolism. This study deployed Eimeria falciformis, a parasite infecting the mouse as its natural host, to investigate the process of phospholipid biogenesis in sporozoites. Lipidomic analyses demonstrated the occurrence of prototypical phospholipids along with abundant expression of at least two exclusive lipids, phosphatidylthreonine (PtdThr) and inositol phosphorylceramide with a phytosphingosine backbone, in sporozoites. To produce them de novo, the parasite harbors nearly the entire biogenesis network, which is an evolutionary mosaic of eukaryotic-type and prokaryotic-type enzymes. Notably, many have no phylogenetic counterpart or functional equivalent in the mammalian host. Using Toxoplasma gondii as a gene-tractable surrogate to examine Eimeria enzymes, we show a highly compartmentalized network of lipid synthesis spread primarily in the apicoplast, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrion, and Golgi complex. Likewise, trans-genera complementation of a Toxoplasma mutant with the PtdThr synthase from Eimeria reveals a convergent role of PtdThr in fostering the lytic cycle of coccidian parasites. Taken together, our work establishes a model of autonomous membrane biogenesis involving significant inter-organelle cooperation and lipid trafficking in sporozoites. Phylogenetic divergence of certain pathways offers attractive drug targets to block the sporulation and subsequent transmission. Not least, our results vindicate the possession of an entire de novo lipid synthesis network in a representative protist adapted to an obligate intracellular parasitic lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Kong
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, 10115 Germany
| | - Maik J. Lehmann
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, 10115 Germany
- Present Address: Department of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Applied Sciences, Bingen, 55411 Germany
| | - J. Bernd Helms
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584CM The Netherlands
| | - Jos F. Brouwers
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584CM The Netherlands
| | - Nishith Gupta
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, 10115 Germany
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24
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Dubois D, Fernandes S, Amiar S, Dass S, Katris NJ, Botté CY, Yamaryo-Botté Y. Toxoplasma gondii acetyl-CoA synthetase is involved in fatty acid elongation (of long fatty acid chains) during tachyzoite life stages. J Lipid Res 2018; 59:994-1004. [PMID: 29678960 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m082891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites are pathogens responsible for major human diseases such as toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii and malaria caused by Plasmodium spp. Throughout their intracellular division cycle, the parasites require vast and specific amounts of lipids to divide and survive. This demand for lipids relies on a fine balance between de novo synthesized lipids and scavenged lipids from the host. Acetyl-CoA is a major and central precursor for many metabolic pathways, especially for lipid biosynthesis. T. gondii possesses a single cytosolic acetyl-CoA synthetase (TgACS). Its role in the parasite lipid synthesis is unclear. Here, we generated an inducible TgACS KO parasite line and confirmed the cytosolic localization of the protein. We conducted 13C-stable isotope labeling combined with mass spectrometry-based lipidomic analyses to unravel its putative role in the parasite lipid synthesis pathway. We show that its disruption has a minor effect on the global FA composition due to the metabolic changes induced to compensate for its loss. However, we could demonstrate that TgACS is involved in providing acetyl-CoA for the essential fatty elongation pathway to generate FAs used for membrane biogenesis. This work provides novel metabolic insight to decipher the complex lipid synthesis in T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Dubois
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Stella Fernandes
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Souad Amiar
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Sheena Dass
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Nicholas J Katris
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Cyrille Y Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France.
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France.
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25
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Wengelnik K, Daher W, Lebrun M. Phosphoinositides and their functions in apicomplexan parasites. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:493-504. [PMID: 29596862 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Phosphoinositides are the phosphorylated derivatives of the structural membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol. Single or combined phosphorylation at the 3, 4 and 5 positions of the inositol ring gives rise to the seven different species of phosphoinositides. All are quantitatively minor components of cellular membranes but have been shown to have important functions in multiple cellular processes. Here we describe our current knowledge of phosphoinositide metabolism and functions in apicomplexan parasites, mainly focusing on Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp. Even though our understanding is still rudimentary, phosphoinositides have already shown their importance in parasite biology and revealed some very particular and parasite-specific functions. Not surprisingly, there is a strong potential for phosphoinositide synthesis to be exploited for future anti-parasitic drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wengelnik
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR5235 CNRS, INSERM, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
| | - Wassim Daher
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR5235 CNRS, INSERM, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Maryse Lebrun
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR5235 CNRS, INSERM, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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26
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Effect of tamoxifen on the sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway in the different intraerythrocytic stages of the apicomplexa Plasmodium falciparum. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 497:1082-1088. [PMID: 29496449 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.02.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Plasmodium responsible for Malaria are obligate intracellular pathogens residing in mammalian red blood cells, hepatocytes, or mosquito midgut epithelial cells. Regarding that detailed knowledge on the sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway of the apicomplexan protozoan parasites is scarce, different stages of Plasmodium falciparum were treated with tamoxifen in order to evaluate the effects of this drug on the glycosphingolipid biosynthesis. Thin layer chromatography, High performance reverse phase chromatography and UV-MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry were the tools used for the analysis. In the ring forms, the increase of NBD-phosphatidyl inositol biosynthesis was notorious but differences at NBD-GlcCer levels were undetectable. In trophozoite forms, an abrupt decrease of NBD-acylated GlcDHCer and NBD-GlcDHCer in addition to an increase of NBD-PC biosynthesis was observed. On the contrary, in schizonts, tamoxifen seems not to be producing substantial changes in lipid biosynthesis. Our findings indicate that in this parasite, tamoxifen is exerting an inhibitory action on Glucosylceramidesynthase and sphingomyelin synthase levels. Moreover, regarding that Plasmodium does not biosynthesize inositolphosphoceramides, the accumulation of phosphatidylinositol should indicate an inhibitory action on glycosylinositol phospholipid synthesis.
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27
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Mina JGM, Denny PW. Everybody needs sphingolipids, right! Mining for new drug targets in protozoan sphingolipid biosynthesis. Parasitology 2018; 145:134-147. [PMID: 28637533 PMCID: PMC5964470 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017001081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipids (SLs) are an integral part of all eukaryotic cellular membranes. In addition, they have indispensable functions as signalling molecules controlling a myriad of cellular events. Disruption of either the de novo synthesis or the degradation pathways has been shown to have detrimental effects. The earlier identification of selective inhibitors of fungal SL biosynthesis promised potent broad-spectrum anti-fungal agents, which later encouraged testing some of those agents against protozoan parasites. In this review we focus on the key enzymes of the SL de novo biosynthetic pathway in protozoan parasites of the Apicomplexa and Kinetoplastidae, outlining the divergence and interconnection between host and pathogen metabolism. The druggability of the SL biosynthesis is considered, alongside recent technology advances that will enable the dissection and analyses of this pathway in the parasitic protozoa. The future impact of these advances for the development of new therapeutics for both globally threatening and neglected infectious diseases is potentially profound.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G M Mina
- Department of Biosciences,Lower Mountjoy,Stockton Road,Durham DH1 3LE,UK
| | - P W Denny
- Department of Biosciences,Lower Mountjoy,Stockton Road,Durham DH1 3LE,UK
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28
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Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a serious zoonoses disease and opportunistic, and can be life-threatening. Dexamethasone (DEX) is widely used in the clinic for treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, long-term use of DEX is often easy to lead to acute toxoplasmosis in patients, and the potential molecular mechanism is still not very clear. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of DEX on proliferation of Toxoplasma and its molecular mechanisms, and to establish the corresponding control measures. All the results showed that dexamethasone could enhance the proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. After 72 h of DEX treatment, 566 (±7) tachyzoites were found in 100 host cells, while only 86 (±8) tachyzoites were counted from the non-treated control cells (P < 0·01). Gas chromatography (GC) analysis showed changes in level and composition of fatty acids in DEX-treated host cells, and T. gondii. Fish oil was added as a modulator of lipid metabolism in experimental mice. It was found that mice fed with fish oil did not develop the disease after infection with T. gondii, and the structure of fatty acids in plasma changed significantly. The metabolism of fatty acid in the parasites was limited, and the desaturase gene expression was downregulated. These results indicate that the molecular mechanism of dexamethasone to promote the proliferation of T. gondii may be that dexamethasone induces the change of fatty acids composition of tachyzoites and host cells. Therefore, we recommend supplementation of fatty acid in immunosuppressive and immunocompromised patients in order to inhibit toxoplasmosis.
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29
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Butala M, Novak M, Kraševec N, Skočaj M, Veranič P, Maček P, Sepčić K. Aegerolysins: Lipid-binding proteins with versatile functions. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 72:142-151. [PMID: 28506897 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Proteins of the aegerolysin family span many kingdoms of life. They are relatively widely distributed in bacteria and fungi, but also appear in plants, protozoa and insects. Despite being produced in abundance in cells at specific developmental stages and present in secretomes, only a few aegerolysins have been studied in detail. In particular, their organism-specific physiological roles are intriguing. Here, we review published findings to date on the distribution, molecular interactions and biological activities of this family of structurally and functionally versatile proteins, the aegerolysins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Butala
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maruša Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nada Kraševec
- National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Veranič
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Maček
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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30
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The antifungal Aureobasidin A and an analogue are active against the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii but do not inhibit sphingolipid biosynthesis. Parasitology 2017; 145:148-155. [PMID: 28486997 PMCID: PMC5964465 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017000506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite of the
phylum Apicomplexa, and toxoplasmosis is an important disease of both humans and
economically important animals. With a limited array of drugs available there is a need to
identify new therapeutic compounds. Aureobasidin A (AbA) is an antifungal that targets the
essential inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC, sphingolipid) synthase in pathogenic fungi.
This natural cyclic depsipeptide also inhibits Toxoplasma proliforation,
with the protozoan IPC synthase orthologue proposed as the target. The data presented here
show that neither AbA nor an analogue (Compound 20), target the protozoan IPC synthase
orthologue or total parasite sphingolipid synthesis. However, further analyses confirm
that AbA exhibits significant activity against the proliferative tachyzoite form of
Toxoplasma, and Compound 20, whilst effective, has reduced efficacy.
This difference was more evident on analyses of the direct effect of these compounds
against isolated Toxoplasma, indicating that AbA is rapidly microbicidal.
Importantly, the possibility of targeting the encysted, bradyzoite, form of the parasite
with AbA and Compound 20 was demonstrated, indicating that this class of compounds may
provide the basis for the first effective treatment for chronic toxoplasmosis.
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31
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Kong P, Ufermann CM, Zimmermann DLM, Yin Q, Suo X, Helms JB, Brouwers JF, Gupta N. Two phylogenetically and compartmentally distinct CDP-diacylglycerol synthases cooperate for lipid biogenesis in Toxoplasma gondii. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:7145-7159. [PMID: 28314772 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.765487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is among the most prevalent protozoan parasites, which infects a wide range of organisms, including one-third of the human population. Its rapid intracellular replication within a vacuole requires efficient synthesis of glycerophospholipids. Cytidine diphosphate-diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG) serves as a major precursor for phospholipid synthesis. Given the peculiarities of lipid biogenesis, understanding the mechanism and physiological importance of CDP-DAG synthesis is particularly relevant in T. gondii Here, we report the occurrence of two phylogenetically divergent CDP-DAG synthase (CDS) enzymes in the parasite. The eukaryotic-type TgCDS1 and the prokaryotic-type TgCDS2 reside in the endoplasmic reticulum and apicoplast, respectively. Conditional knockdown of TgCDS1 severely attenuated the parasite growth and resulted in a nearly complete loss of virulence in a mouse model. Moreover, mice infected with the TgCDS1 mutant became fully resistant to challenge infection with a hyper-virulent strain of T. gondii The residual growth of the TgCDS1 mutant was abolished by consecutive deletion of TgCDS2. Lipidomic analyses of the two mutants revealed significant and specific declines in phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylglycerol levels upon repression of TgCDS1 and after deletion of TgCDS2, respectively. Our data suggest a "division of labor" model of lipid biogenesis in T. gondii in which two discrete CDP-DAG pools produced in the endoplasmic reticulum and apicoplast are subsequently used for the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol in the Golgi bodies and phosphatidylglycerol in the mitochondria. The essential and divergent nature of CDP-DAG synthesis in the parasite apicoplast offers a potential drug target to inhibit the asexual reproduction of T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Kong
- From the Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | | | - Diana L M Zimmermann
- From the Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Qing Yin
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China, and
| | - Xun Suo
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China, and
| | - J Bernd Helms
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584CM, Netherlands
| | - Jos F Brouwers
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584CM, Netherlands
| | - Nishith Gupta
- From the Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University, Berlin 10115, Germany,
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32
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Amiar S, MacRae JI, Callahan DL, Dubois D, van Dooren GG, Shears MJ, Cesbron-Delauw MF, Maréchal E, McConville MJ, McFadden GI, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Botté CY. Apicoplast-Localized Lysophosphatidic Acid Precursor Assembly Is Required for Bulk Phospholipid Synthesis in Toxoplasma gondii and Relies on an Algal/Plant-Like Glycerol 3-Phosphate Acyltransferase. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005765. [PMID: 27490259 PMCID: PMC4973916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Most apicomplexan parasites possess a non-photosynthetic plastid (the apicoplast), which harbors enzymes for a number of metabolic pathways, including a prokaryotic type II fatty acid synthesis (FASII) pathway. In Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, the FASII pathway is essential for parasite growth and infectivity. However, little is known about the fate of fatty acids synthesized by FASII. In this study, we have investigated the function of a plant-like glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase (TgATS1) that localizes to the T. gondii apicoplast. Knock-down of TgATS1 resulted in significantly reduced incorporation of FASII-synthesized fatty acids into phosphatidic acid and downstream phospholipids and a severe defect in intracellular parasite replication and survival. Lipidomic analysis demonstrated that lipid precursors are made in, and exported from, the apicoplast for de novo biosynthesis of bulk phospholipids. This study reveals that the apicoplast-located FASII and ATS1, which are primarily used to generate plastid galactolipids in plants and algae, instead generate bulk phospholipids for membrane biogenesis in T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souad Amiar
- ApicoLipid group, Institute for Advanced Biosciences UMR5309, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, Grenoble, France
| | - James I. MacRae
- The Francis Crick Institute, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science & Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Damien L. Callahan
- Centre for Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Dubois
- ApicoLipid group, Institute for Advanced Biosciences UMR5309, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, Grenoble, France
| | - Giel G. van Dooren
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Melanie J. Shears
- ApicoLipid group, Institute for Advanced Biosciences UMR5309, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, Grenoble, France
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Eric Maréchal
- Unité de recherche (UMR) 5168, CNRS, CEA, INRA, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Malcolm J. McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science & Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid group, Institute for Advanced Biosciences UMR5309, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, Grenoble, France
| | - Cyrille Y. Botté
- ApicoLipid group, Institute for Advanced Biosciences UMR5309, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, Grenoble, France
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Martins-Duarte ÉS, Carias M, Vommaro R, Surolia N, de Souza W. Apicoplast fatty acid synthesis is essential for pellicle formation at the end of cytokinesis in Toxoplasma gondii. J Cell Sci 2016; 129:3320-31. [PMID: 27457282 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.185223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, harbors an apicoplast, a plastid-like organelle with essential metabolic functions. Although the FASII fatty acid biosynthesis pathway located in the apicoplast is essential for parasite survival, the cellular effects of FASII disruption in T. gondii had not been examined in detail. Here, we combined light and electron microscopy techniques - including focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) - to characterize the effect of FASII disruption in T. gondii, by treatment with the FASII inhibitor triclosan or by inducible knockdown of the FASII component acyl carrier protein. Morphological analyses showed that FASII disruption prevented cytokinesis completion in T. gondii tachyzoites, leading to the formation of large masses of 'tethered' daughter cells. FIB-SEM showed that tethered daughters had a mature basal complex, but a defect in new membrane addition between daughters resulted in incomplete pellicle formation. Addition of exogenous fatty acids to medium suppressed the formation of tethered daughter cells and supports the notion that FASII is essential to generate lipid substrates required for the final step of parasite division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Érica S Martins-Duarte
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21.941-902 Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21.941-902
| | - Maira Carias
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21.941-902 Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21.941-902
| | - Rossiane Vommaro
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21.941-902 Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21.941-902
| | - Namita Surolia
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India, 560064
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21.941-902 Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21.941-902
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Pszenny V, Ehrenman K, Romano JD, Kennard A, Schultz A, Roos DS, Grigg ME, Carruthers VB, Coppens I. A Lipolytic Lecithin:Cholesterol Acyltransferase Secreted by Toxoplasma Facilitates Parasite Replication and Egress. J Biol Chem 2015; 291:3725-46. [PMID: 26694607 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.671974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii develops within a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) in mammalian cells, where it scavenges cholesterol. When cholesterol is present in excess in its environment, the parasite expulses this lipid into the PV or esterifies it for storage in lipid bodies. Here, we characterized a unique T. gondii homologue of mammalian lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), a key enzyme that produces cholesteryl esters via transfer of acyl groups from phospholipids to the 3-OH of free cholesterol, leading to the removal of excess cholesterol from tissues. TgLCAT contains a motif characteristic of serine lipases "AHSLG" and the catalytic triad consisting of serine, aspartate, and histidine (SDH) from LCAT enzymes. TgLCAT is secreted by the parasite, but unlike other LCAT enzymes it is cleaved into two proteolytic fragments that share the residues of the catalytic triad and need to be reassembled to reconstitute enzymatic activity. TgLCAT uses phosphatidylcholine as substrate to form lysophosphatidylcholine that has the potential to disrupt membranes. The released fatty acid is transferred to cholesterol, but with a lower transesterification activity than mammalian LCAT. TgLCAT is stored in a subpopulation of dense granule secretory organelles, and following secretion, it localizes to the PV and parasite plasma membrane. LCAT-null parasites have impaired growth in vitro, reduced virulence in animals, and exhibit delays in egress from host cells. Parasites overexpressing LCAT show increased virulence and faster egress. These observations demonstrate that TgLCAT influences the outcome of an infection, presumably by facilitating replication and egress depending on the developmental stage of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Pszenny
- From the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, the Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Karen Ehrenman
- From the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Julia D Romano
- From the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Andrea Kennard
- the Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Aric Schultz
- the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, and
| | - David S Roos
- the Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Michael E Grigg
- the Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Vern B Carruthers
- the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, and
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- From the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205,
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Arroyo-Olarte RD, Brouwers JF, Kuchipudi A, Helms JB, Biswas A, Dunay IR, Lucius R, Gupta N. Phosphatidylthreonine and Lipid-Mediated Control of Parasite Virulence. PLoS Biol 2015; 13:e1002288. [PMID: 26565995 PMCID: PMC4643901 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The major membrane phospholipid classes, described thus far, include phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho), phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn), phosphatidylserine (PtdSer), and phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns). Here, we demonstrate the natural occurrence and genetic origin of an exclusive and rather abundant lipid, phosphatidylthreonine (PtdThr), in a common eukaryotic model parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite expresses a novel enzyme PtdThr synthase (TgPTS) to produce this lipid in its endoplasmic reticulum. Genetic disruption of TgPTS abrogates de novo synthesis of PtdThr and impairs the lytic cycle and virulence of T. gondii. The observed phenotype is caused by a reduced gliding motility, which blights the parasite egress and ensuing host cell invasion. Notably, the PTS mutant can prevent acute as well as yet-incurable chronic toxoplasmosis in a mouse model, which endorses its potential clinical utility as a metabolically attenuated vaccine. Together, the work also illustrates the functional speciation of two evolutionarily related membrane phospholipids, i.e., PtdThr and PtdSer. An exclusive membrane lipid, phosphatidylthreonine, is revealed to be naturally abundant in the widespread protist parasite Toxoplasma gondii, where it has evolved adaptively and is essential for parasite virulence. Lipids are essential constituents of biological membranes, and most organisms across the tree of life use a relatively limited repertoire of lipids in their membranes. This work reveals the natural and abundant presence of an exclusive lipid phosphatidylthreonine (PtdThr) in Toxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous protozoan parasite of humans and animals. PtdThr is made by a novel parasite-specific enzyme, PtdThr synthase, which has evolved from the widespread enzyme phosphatidylserine synthase. The study shows that PtdThr is required for asexual reproduction and virulence of the parasite in vivo, and a metabolically attenuated mutant strain of Toxoplasma lacking PtdThr can protect vaccinated mice against acute and currently incurable chronic infection. This discovery demonstrates adaptive “speciation” of PtdThr from an otherwise near-universal membrane lipid phosphatidylserine and reveals de novo PtdThr synthesis in T. gondii as a potential drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jos F. Brouwers
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Arunakar Kuchipudi
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - J. Bernd Helms
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Aindrila Biswas
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ildiko R. Dunay
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Richard Lucius
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nishith Gupta
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
- Parasitology Unit, Max-Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Provenzale JM, Nestrasil I, Chen S, Kan SH, Le SQ, Jens JK, Snella EM, Vondrak KN, Yee JK, Vite CH, Elashoff D, Duan L, Wang RY, Ellinwood NM, Guzman MA, Shapiro EG, Dickson PI. Diffusion tensor imaging and myelin composition analysis reveal abnormal myelination in corpus callosum of canine mucopolysaccharidosis I. Exp Neurol 2015. [PMID: 26222335 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Children with mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I) develop hyperintense white matter foci on T2-weighted brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging that are associated clinically with cognitive impairment. We report here a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tissue evaluation of white matter in a canine model of MPS I. We found that two DTI parameters, fractional anisotropy (a measure of white matter integrity) and radial diffusivity (which reflects degree of myelination) were abnormal in the corpus callosum of MPS I dogs compared to carrier controls. Tissue studies of the corpus callosum showed reduced expression of myelin-related genes and an abnormal composition of myelin in MPS I dogs. We treated MPS I dogs with recombinant alpha-L-iduronidase, which is the enzyme that is deficient in MPS I disease. The recombinant alpha-L-iduronidase was administered by intrathecal injection into the cisterna magna. Treated dogs showed partial correction of corpus callosum myelination. Our findings suggest that abnormal myelination occurs in the canine MPS I brain, that it may underlie clinically-relevant brain imaging findings in human MPS I patients, and that it may respond to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Provenzale
- Duke University, Department of Radiology, Durham, NC, USA; Emory University, Department of Radiology, Oncology & Biomedical Engineering, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Igor Nestrasil
- University of Minnesota, Department of Pediatrics, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Steven Chen
- Duke University, Department of Radiology, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shih-Hsin Kan
- Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Steven Q Le
- Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Torrance, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Kristen N Vondrak
- Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer K Yee
- Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Charles H Vite
- University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David Elashoff
- University of California, Los Angeles, Departments of Medicine and Biostatistics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lewei Duan
- University of California, Los Angeles, Departments of Medicine and Biostatistics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Miguel A Guzman
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Elsa G Shapiro
- University of Minnesota, Department of Pediatrics, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Patricia I Dickson
- Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Torrance, CA, USA.
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Neospora caninum Recruits Host Cell Structures to Its Parasitophorous Vacuole and Salvages Lipids from Organelles. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2015; 14:454-73. [PMID: 25750213 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00262-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, which cause the diseases toxoplasmosis and neosporosis, respectively, are two closely related apicomplexan parasites. They have similar heteroxenous life cycles and conserved genomes and share many metabolic features. Despite these similarities, T. gondii and N. caninum differ in their transmission strategies and zoonotic potential. Comparative analyses of the two parasites are important to identify the unique biological features that underlie the basis of host preference and pathogenicity. T. gondii and N. caninum are obligate intravacuolar parasites; in contrast to T. gondii, events that occur during N. caninum infection remain largely uncharacterized. We examined the capability of N. caninum (Liverpool isolate) to interact with host organelles and scavenge nutrients in comparison to that of T. gondii (RH strain). N. caninum reorganizes the host microtubular cytoskeleton and attracts endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria, lysosomes, multivesicular bodies, and Golgi vesicles to its vacuole though with some notable differences from T. gondii. For example, the host ER gathers around the N. caninum parasitophorous vacuole (PV) but does not physically associate with the vacuolar membrane; the host Golgi apparatus surrounds the N. caninum PV but does not fragment into ministacks. N. caninum relies on plasma lipoproteins and scavenges cholesterol from NPC1-containing endocytic organelles. This parasite salvages sphingolipids from host Golgi Rab14 vesicles that it sequesters into its vacuole. Our data highlight a remarkable degree of conservation in the intracellular infection program of N. caninum and T. gondii. The minor differences between the two parasites related to the recruitment and rearrangement of host organelles around their vacuoles likely reflect divergent evolutionary paths.
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Petroutsos D, Amiar S, Abida H, Dolch LJ, Bastien O, Rébeillé F, Jouhet J, Falconet D, Block MA, McFadden GI, Bowler C, Botté C, Maréchal E. Evolution of galactoglycerolipid biosynthetic pathways – From cyanobacteria to primary plastids and from primary to secondary plastids. Prog Lipid Res 2014; 54:68-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2014.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Revised: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Discovery of compounds blocking the proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum in a chemical space based on piperidinyl-benzimidazolone analogs. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:2586-97. [PMID: 24550329 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01445-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A piperidinyl-benzimidazolone scaffold has been found in the structure of different inhibitors of membrane glycerolipid metabolism, acting on enzymes manipulating diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid. Screening a focus library of piperidinyl-benzimidazolone analogs might therefore identify compounds acting against infectious parasites. We first evaluated the in vitro effects of (S)-2-(dibenzylamino)-3-phenylpropyl 4-(1,2-dihydro-2-oxobenzo[d]imidazol-3-yl)piperidine-1-carboxylate (compound 1) on Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum. In T. gondii, motility and apical complex integrity appeared to be unaffected, whereas cell division was inhibited at compound 1 concentrations in the micromolar range. In P. falciparum, the proliferation of erythrocytic stages was inhibited, without any delayed death phenotype. We then explored a library of 250 analogs in two steps. We selected 114 compounds with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) cutoff of 2 μM for at least one species and determined in vitro selectivity indexes (SI) based on toxicity against K-562 human cells. We identified compounds with high gains in the IC50 (in the 100 nM range) and SI (up to 1,000 to 2,000) values. Isobole analyses of two of the most active compounds against P. falciparum indicated that their interactions with artemisinin were additive. Here, we propose the use of structure-activity relationship (SAR) models, which will be useful for designing probes to identify the target compound(s) and optimizations for monotherapy or combined-therapy strategies.
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40
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Exploitation of auxotrophies and metabolic defects in Toxoplasma as therapeutic approaches. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:109-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2013] [Revised: 09/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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41
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Botté CY, Maréchal E. Plastids with or without galactoglycerolipids. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2014; 19:71-78. [PMID: 24231068 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2013.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Revised: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In structural, functional, and evolutionary terms, galactoglycerolipids are signature lipids of chloroplasts. Their presence in nongreen plastids has been demonstrated in angiosperms and diatoms. Thus, galactoglycerolipids are considered as a landmark of green and nongreen plastids, deriving from either a primary or secondary endosymbiosis. The discovery of a plastid in Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, fueled the search for galactoglycerolipids as possible targets for treatments. However, recent data have provided evidence that the Plasmodium plastid does not contain any galactoglycerolipids. In this opinion article, we discuss questions raised by the loss of galactoglycerolipids during evolution: how have galactoglycerolipids been lost? How does the Plasmodium plastid maintain four membranes without these lipids? What are the main constituents instead of galactoglycerolipids?
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrille Y Botté
- ApicoLipid Group, Laboratoire Adapation et Pathogenie des Microorganismes; CNRS, Université de Grenoble-Alpes, UMR 5163, Institut Jean Roget, F-38042 Grenoble, France
| | - Eric Maréchal
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale; CNRS, CEA, INRA, Université de Grenoble-Alpes, UMR 5168, Institut de Recherches en Sciences et Technologies pour le Vivant, CEA Grenoble, F-38054 Grenoble, France.
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42
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Targeting lipid biosynthesis and salvage in apicomplexan parasites for improved chemotherapies. Nat Rev Microbiol 2013; 11:823-35. [DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro3139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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43
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Lipid synthesis in protozoan parasites: a comparison between kinetoplastids and apicomplexans. Prog Lipid Res 2013; 52:488-512. [PMID: 23827884 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Revised: 06/16/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism is of crucial importance for pathogens. Lipids serve as cellular building blocks, signalling molecules, energy stores, posttranslational modifiers, and pathogenesis factors. Parasites rely on a complex system of uptake and synthesis mechanisms to satisfy their lipid needs. The parameters of this system change dramatically as the parasite transits through the various stages of its life cycle. Here we discuss the tremendous recent advances that have been made in the understanding of the synthesis and uptake pathways for fatty acids and phospholipids in apicomplexan and kinetoplastid parasites, including Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Trypanosoma and Leishmania. Lipid synthesis differs in significant ways between parasites from both phyla and the human host. Parasites have acquired novel pathways through endosymbiosis, as in the case of the apicoplast, have dramatically reshaped substrate and product profiles, and have evolved specialized lipids to interact with or manipulate the host. These differences potentially provide opportunities for drug development. We outline the lipid pathways for key species in detail as they progress through the developmental cycle and highlight those that are of particular importance to the biology of the pathogens and/or are the most promising targets for parasite-specific treatment.
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44
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Botté CY, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Rupasinghe TWT, Mullin KA, MacRae JI, Spurck TP, Kalanon M, Shears MJ, Coppel RL, Crellin PK, Maréchal E, McConville MJ, McFadden GI. Atypical lipid composition in the purified relict plastid (apicoplast) of malaria parasites. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:7506-11. [PMID: 23589867 PMCID: PMC3645554 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1301251110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum harbors a relict, nonphotosynthetic plastid of algal origin termed the apicoplast. Although considerable progress has been made in defining the metabolic functions of the apicoplast, information on the composition and biogenesis of the four delimiting membranes of this organelle is limited. Here, we report an efficient method for preparing highly purified apicoplasts from red blood cell parasite stages and the comprehensive lipidomic analysis of this organelle. Apicoplasts were prepared from transgenic parasites expressing an epitope-tagged triosephosphate transporter and immunopurified on magnetic beads. Gas and liquid chromatography MS analyses of isolated apicoplast lipids indicated significant differences compared with total parasite lipids. In particular, apicoplasts were highly enriched in phosphatidylinositol, consistent with a suggested role for phosphoinositides in targeting membrane vesicles to apicoplasts. Apicoplast phosphatidylinositol and other phospholipids were also enriched in saturated fatty acids, which could reflect limited acyl exchange with other membrane phospholipids and/or a requirement for specific physical properties. Lipids atypical for plastids (sphingomyelins, ceramides, and cholesterol) were detected in apicoplasts. The presence of cholesterol in apicoplast membranes was supported by filipin staining of isolated apicoplasts. Galactoglycerolipids, dominant in plant and algal plastids, were not detected in P. falciparum apicoplasts, suggesting that these glycolipids are a hallmark of photosynthetic plastids and were lost when these organisms assumed a parasitic lifestyle. Apicoplasts thus contain an atypical melange of lipids scavenged from the human host alongside lipids remodeled by the parasite cytoplasm, and stable isotope labeling shows some apicoplast lipids are generated de novo by the organelle itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrille Y. Botté
- School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5168, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Institut National des Recherches Agronomiques (INRA), Université Grenoble I, Institut de Recherches en Technologies et Sciences du Vivant (iRTSV), CEA Grenoble, 38054 Grenoble, France
- Laboratoire Adaptation et Pathogenie des Microorganismes, Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5163, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Université Grenoble I, 38700 La Tronche, France
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; and
| | | | - Kylie A. Mullin
- School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - James I. MacRae
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; and
| | - Timothy P. Spurck
- School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ming Kalanon
- School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Melanie J. Shears
- School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ross L. Coppel
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Paul K. Crellin
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Eric Maréchal
- Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5168, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Institut National des Recherches Agronomiques (INRA), Université Grenoble I, Institut de Recherches en Technologies et Sciences du Vivant (iRTSV), CEA Grenoble, 38054 Grenoble, France
| | - Malcolm J. McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; and
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Peter Slotte J. Molecular properties of various structurally defined sphingomyelins -- correlation of structure with function. Prog Lipid Res 2013; 52:206-19. [PMID: 23295259 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2012.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Revised: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Sphingomyelins are important phospholipids in plasma membranes of most cells. Because of their dominantly saturated nature, they affect the lateral structure of membranes, and contribute to the regulation of cholesterol distribution within membranes, and in cells. However, the abundance of molecular species present in cells also implies that sphingomyelins have other, more specific functions. Many of these functions are currently unknown, but are under extensive study. Mostly model membrane studies have shown that sphingomyelins (and other sphingolipids), in contrast to glycerophospholipids, have important hydrogen bonding properties which in several important ways confer specific functional properties to this abundant class of membrane phospholipids. The often very asymmetric nature of sphingomyelins, arising from mismatch in length between the long chain base and N-acyl chains, also impose specific properties (e.g., interdigitation) to sphingomyelins not seen with glycerophospholipids. In this review, the latest sphingomyelin literature will be scrutinized, and an effort will be made to correlate the molecular structure of sphingomyelin with functional properties. In particular, the effects of head group properties, interfacial hydrogen bonding, long chain base hydroxylation, N-acyl chain hydroxylation, and N-acyl chain methyl-branching will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Peter Slotte
- Biochemistry, Department of Biosciences, Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6A, 20520 Turku, Finland.
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Pratt S, Wansadhipathi-Kannangara NK, Bruce CR, Mina JG, Shams-Eldin H, Casas J, Hanada K, Schwarz RT, Sonda S, Denny PW. Sphingolipid synthesis and scavenging in the intracellular apicomplexan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2012; 187:43-51. [PMID: 23246819 PMCID: PMC3629565 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2012.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Revised: 10/03/2012] [Accepted: 11/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipids are essential components of eukaryotic cell membranes, particularly the plasma membrane, and are involved in a diverse array of signal transduction pathways. Mammals produce sphingomyelin (SM) as the primary complex sphingolipid via the well characterised SM synthase. In contrast yeast, plants and some protozoa utilise an evolutionarily related inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC) synthase to synthesise IPC. This activity has no mammalian equivalent and IPC synthase has been proposed as a target for anti-fungals and anti-protozoals. However, detailed knowledge of the sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway of the apicomplexan protozoan parasites was lacking. In this study bioinformatic analyses indicated a single copy orthologue of the putative SM synthase from the apicomplexan Plasmodium falciparum (the causative agent of malaria) was a bona fide sphingolipid synthase in the related model parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (TgSLS). Subsequently, TgSLS was indicated, by complementation of a mutant cell line, to be a functional orthologue of the yeast IPC synthase (AUR1p), demonstrating resistance to the well characterised AUR1p inhibitor aureobasidin A. In vitro, recombinant TgSLS exhibited IPC synthase activity and, for the first time, the presence of IPC was demonstrated in T. gondii lipid extracts by mass spectrometry. Furthermore, host sphingolipid biosynthesis was indicated to influence, but be non-essential for, T. gondii proliferation, suggesting that whilst scavenging does take place de novo sphingolipid synthesis may be important for parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Pratt
- Biophysical Sciences Institute, Department of Chemistry and School of Biological Sciences, University Science Laboratories, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
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Lipidomic profiling of model organisms and the world's major pathogens. Biochimie 2012; 95:109-15. [PMID: 22971440 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2012.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Lipidomics is a subspecialty of metabolomics that focuses on water insoluble metabolites that form membrane barriers. Most lipidomic databases catalog lipids from common model organisms, like humans or Escherichia coli. However, model organisms' lipid profiles show surprisingly little overlap with those of specialized pathogens, creating the need for organism-specific lipidomic databases. Here we review rapid progress in lipidomic platform development with regard to chromatography, detection and bioinformatics. We emphasize new methods of comparative lipidomics, which use aligned datasets to identify lipids changed after introducing a biological variable. These new methods provide an unprecedented ability to broadly and quantitatively describe lipidic change during biological processes and identify changed lipids with low error rates.
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Sampels V, Hartmann A, Dietrich I, Coppens I, Sheiner L, Striepen B, Herrmann A, Lucius R, Gupta N. Conditional mutagenesis of a novel choline kinase demonstrates plasticity of phosphatidylcholine biogenesis and gene expression in Toxoplasma gondii. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:16289-99. [PMID: 22451671 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.347138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular and promiscuous protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii needs an extensive membrane biogenesis that must be satisfied irrespective of its host-cell milieu. We show that the synthesis of the major lipid in T. gondii, phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho), is initiated by a novel choline kinase (TgCK). Full-length (∼70-kDa) TgCK displayed a low affinity for choline (K(m) ∼0.77 mM) and harbors a unique N-terminal hydrophobic peptide that is required for the formation of enzyme oligomers in the parasite cytosol but not for activity. Conditional mutagenesis of the TgCK gene in T. gondii attenuated the protein level by ∼60%, which was abolished in the off state of the mutant (Δtgck(i)). Unexpectedly, the mutant was not impaired in its growth and exhibited a normal PtdCho biogenesis. The parasite compensated for the loss of full-length TgCK by two potential 53- and 44-kDa isoforms expressed through a cryptic promoter identified within exon 1. TgCK-Exon1 alone was sufficient in driving the expression of GFP in E. coli. The presence of a cryptic promoter correlated with the persistent enzyme activity, PtdCho synthesis, and susceptibility of T. gondii to a choline analog, dimethylethanolamine. Quite notably, the mutant displayed a regular growth in the off state despite a 35% decline in PtdCho content and lipid synthesis, suggesting a compositional flexibility in the membranes of the parasite. The observed plasticity of gene expression and membrane biogenesis can ensure a faithful replication and adaptation of T. gondii in disparate host or nutrient environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Sampels
- Institute of Biology, Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University, Philippstrasse 13, House 14, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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Ramakrishnan S, Docampo MD, Macrae JI, Pujol FM, Brooks CF, van Dooren GG, Hiltunen JK, Kastaniotis AJ, McConville MJ, Striepen B. Apicoplast and endoplasmic reticulum cooperate in fatty acid biosynthesis in apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. J Biol Chem 2011; 287:4957-71. [PMID: 22179608 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.310144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites are responsible for high impact human diseases such as malaria, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis. These obligate intracellular pathogens are dependent on both de novo lipid biosynthesis as well as the uptake of host lipids for biogenesis of parasite membranes. Genome annotations and biochemical studies indicate that apicomplexan parasites can synthesize fatty acids via a number of different biosynthetic pathways that are differentially compartmentalized. However, the relative contribution of each of these biosynthetic pathways to total fatty acid composition of intracellular parasite stages remains poorly defined. Here, we use a combination of genetic, biochemical, and metabolomic approaches to delineate the contribution of fatty acid biosynthetic pathways in Toxoplasma gondii. Metabolic labeling studies with [(13)C]glucose showed that intracellular tachyzoites synthesized a range of long and very long chain fatty acids (C14:0-26:1). Genetic disruption of the apicoplast-localized type II fatty-acid synthase resulted in greatly reduced synthesis of saturated fatty acids up to 18 carbons long. Ablation of type II fatty-acid synthase activity resulted in reduced intracellular growth that was partially restored by addition of long chain fatty acids. In contrast, synthesis of very long chain fatty acids was primarily dependent on a fatty acid elongation system comprising three elongases, two reductases, and a dehydratase that were localized to the endoplasmic reticulum. The function of these enzymes was confirmed by heterologous expression in yeast. This elongase pathway appears to have a unique role in generating very long unsaturated fatty acids (C26:1) that cannot be salvaged from the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasan Ramakrishnan
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens,Georgia 30602, USA
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Deficiency of a Niemann-Pick, type C1-related protein in toxoplasma is associated with multiple lipidoses and increased pathogenicity. PLoS Pathog 2011; 7:e1002410. [PMID: 22174676 PMCID: PMC3234224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2011] [Accepted: 10/16/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Several proteins that play key roles in cholesterol synthesis, regulation, trafficking and signaling are united by sharing the phylogenetically conserved 'sterol-sensing domain' (SSD). The intracellular parasite Toxoplasma possesses at least one gene coding for a protein containing the canonical SSD. We investigated the role of this protein to provide information on lipid regulatory mechanisms in the parasite. The protein sequence predicts an uncharacterized Niemann-Pick, type C1-related protein (NPC1) with significant identity to human NPC1, and it contains many residues implicated in human NPC disease. We named this NPC1-related protein, TgNCR1. Mammalian NPC1 localizes to endo-lysosomes and promotes the movement of sterols and sphingolipids across the membranes of these organelles. Miscoding patient mutations in NPC1 cause overloading of these lipids in endo-lysosomes. TgNCR1, however, lacks endosomal targeting signals, and localizes to flattened vesicles beneath the plasma membrane of Toxoplasma. When expressed in mammalian NPC1 mutant cells and properly addressed to endo-lysosomes, TgNCR1 restores cholesterol and GM1 clearance from these organelles. To clarify the role of TgNCR1 in the parasite, we genetically disrupted NCR1; mutant parasites were viable. Quantitative lipidomic analyses on the ΔNCR1 strain reveal normal cholesterol levels but an overaccumulation of several species of cholesteryl esters, sphingomyelins and ceramides. ΔNCR1 parasites are also characterized by abundant storage lipid bodies and long membranous tubules derived from their parasitophorous vacuoles. Interestingly, these mutants can generate multiple daughters per single mother cell at high frequencies, allowing fast replication in vitro, and they are slightly more virulent in mice than the parental strain. These data suggest that the ΔNCR1 strain has lost the ability to control the intracellular levels of several lipids, which subsequently results in the stimulation of lipid storage, membrane biosynthesis and parasite division. Based on these observations, we ascribe a role for TgNCR1 in lipid homeostasis in Toxoplasma.
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