1
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McConville R, Krol JMM, Steel RWJ, O’Neill MT, Davey BK, Hodder AN, Nebl T, Cowman AF, Kneteman N, Boddey JA. Flp/ FRT-mediated disruption of ptex150 and exp2 in Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites inhibits liver-stage development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2403442121. [PMID: 38968107 PMCID: PMC11252984 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403442121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum causes severe malaria and assembles a protein translocon (PTEX) complex at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) of infected erythrocytes, through which several hundred proteins are exported to facilitate growth. The preceding liver stage of infection involves growth in a hepatocyte-derived PVM; however, the importance of protein export during P. falciparum liver infection remains unexplored. Here, we use the FlpL/FRT system to conditionally excise genes in P. falciparum sporozoites for functional liver-stage studies. Disruption of PTEX members ptex150 and exp2 did not affect sporozoite development in mosquitoes or infectivity for hepatocytes but attenuated liver-stage growth in humanized mice. While PTEX150 deficiency reduced fitness on day 6 postinfection by 40%, EXP2 deficiency caused 100% loss of liver parasites, demonstrating that PTEX components are required for growth in hepatocytes to differing degrees. To characterize PTEX loss-of-function mutations, we localized four liver-stage Plasmodium export element (PEXEL) proteins. P. falciparum liver specific protein 2 (LISP2), liver-stage antigen 3 (LSA3), circumsporozoite protein (CSP), and a Plasmodium berghei LISP2 reporter all localized to the periphery of P. falciparum liver stages but were not exported beyond the PVM. Expression of LISP2 and CSP but not LSA3 was reduced in ptex150-FRT and exp2-FRT liver stages, suggesting that expression of some PEXEL proteins is affected directly or indirectly by PTEX disruption. These results show that PTEX150 and EXP2 are important for P. falciparum development in hepatocytes and emphasize the emerging complexity of PEXEL protein trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn McConville
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Immune Defence, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC3010, Australia
| | - Jelte M. M. Krol
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Immune Defence, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC3010, Australia
| | - Ryan W. J. Steel
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Immune Defence, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC3010, Australia
| | - Matthew T. O’Neill
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Immune Defence, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC3052, Australia
| | - Bethany K. Davey
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Immune Defence, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC3010, Australia
| | - Anthony N. Hodder
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Immune Defence, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC3010, Australia
| | - Thomas Nebl
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Immune Defence, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC3010, Australia
| | - Alan F. Cowman
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Immune Defence, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC3010, Australia
| | - Norman Kneteman
- Departments of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, ABT6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Justin A. Boddey
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Immune Defence, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC3010, Australia
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2
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Dans MG, Boulet C, Watson GM, Nguyen W, Dziekan JM, Evelyn C, Reaksudsan K, Mehra S, Razook Z, Geoghegan ND, Mlodzianoski MJ, Goodman CD, Ling DB, Jonsdottir TK, Tong J, Famodimu MT, Kristan M, Pollard H, Stewart LB, Brandner-Garrod L, Sutherland CJ, Delves MJ, McFadden GI, Barry AE, Crabb BS, de Koning-Ward TF, Rogers KL, Cowman AF, Tham WH, Sleebs BE, Gilson PR. Aryl amino acetamides prevent Plasmodium falciparum ring development via targeting the lipid-transfer protein PfSTART1. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5219. [PMID: 38890312 PMCID: PMC11189555 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49491-8] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
With resistance to most antimalarials increasing, it is imperative that new drugs are developed. We previously identified an aryl acetamide compound, MMV006833 (M-833), that inhibited the ring-stage development of newly invaded merozoites. Here, we select parasites resistant to M-833 and identify mutations in the START lipid transfer protein (PF3D7_0104200, PfSTART1). Introducing PfSTART1 mutations into wildtype parasites reproduces resistance to M-833 as well as to more potent analogues. PfSTART1 binding to the analogues is validated using organic solvent-based Proteome Integral Solubility Alteration (Solvent PISA) assays. Imaging of invading merozoites shows the inhibitors prevent the development of ring-stage parasites potentially by inhibiting the expansion of the encasing parasitophorous vacuole membrane. The PfSTART1-targeting compounds also block transmission to mosquitoes and with multiple stages of the parasite's lifecycle being affected, PfSTART1 represents a drug target with a new mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline G Dans
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Institute of Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Coralie Boulet
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, 1206, Switzerland
| | - Gabrielle M Watson
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - William Nguyen
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Jerzy M Dziekan
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Cindy Evelyn
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Kitsanapong Reaksudsan
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Somya Mehra
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Institute of Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Zahra Razook
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Institute of Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Niall D Geoghegan
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael J Mlodzianoski
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | | | | | - Thorey K Jonsdottir
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, 901 87, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå, Sweden
| | - Joshua Tong
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Mufuliat Toyin Famodimu
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Mojca Kristan
- Wellcome Trust Human Malaria Transmission Facility, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Harry Pollard
- Wellcome Trust Human Malaria Transmission Facility, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Lindsay B Stewart
- Wellcome Trust Human Malaria Transmission Facility, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Luke Brandner-Garrod
- Wellcome Trust Human Malaria Transmission Facility, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Colin J Sutherland
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
- Wellcome Trust Human Malaria Transmission Facility, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Michael J Delves
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Geoffrey I McFadden
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Alyssa E Barry
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Institute of Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Brendan S Crabb
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Monash University, 3800, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tania F de Koning-Ward
- Institute of Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Kelly L Rogers
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Alan F Cowman
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Wai-Hong Tham
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Paul R Gilson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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3
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Omoda A, Matsumoto K, Yoshino KI, Tachibana M, Tsuboi T, Torii M, Ishino T, Iriko H. Skeleton binding protein 1 localizes to the Maurer's cleft and interacts with PfHSP70-1 and PfHSP70-x in Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte-infected erythrocytes. Parasitol Int 2024; 100:102864. [PMID: 38331312 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2024.102864] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum accounts for the majority of malaria deaths, due to pathology provoked by the ability of infected erythrocytes to adhere to vascular endothelium within deep tissues. The parasite recognizes endothelium by trafficking and displaying protein ligands on the surface of asexual stage infected erythrocytes, such as members of the large family of pathogenic proteins, P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). Parasite-encoded skeleton binding protein 1 (SBP1) plays an important role in the transport of these binding-related surface proteins, via cleft-like membranous structures termed Maurer's clefts, which are present within the cytoplasm of infected erythrocytes. Erythrocytes infected with gametocyte stages accumulate in the extravascular compartment of bone marrow; and it was suggested that their surface-expressed adhesion molecule profile and protein trafficking mechanisms might differ from those in asexual stage parasites. Protein trafficking mechanisms via Maurer's clefts have been well investigated in asexual stage parasite-infected erythrocytes; but little is known regarding the gametocyte stages. In this study, we characterized SBP1 during gametocyte maturation and demonstrated that SBP1 is expressed and localizes to dot-like Maurer's cleft structures in the cytoplasm of gametocyte-infected erythrocytes. Co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry assays indicated that SBP1 interacts with the molecular chaperones PfHSP70-1 and PfHSP70-x. Localization analysis suggested that some PfHSP70-1 and/or PfHSP70-x localize in a dot-like pattern within the cytoplasm of immature gametocyte-infected erythrocytes. These findings suggest that SBP1 may interact with HSP70 chaperones in the infected erythrocyte cytoplasm during the immature gametocyte stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaka Omoda
- Division of Global Infectious Diseases, Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Konomi Matsumoto
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | | | - Mayumi Tachibana
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Cell-Free Sciences, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Motomi Torii
- Division of Global Infectious Diseases, Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan; Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ishino
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Iriko
- Division of Global Infectious Diseases, Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan; Faculty of Health Sciences, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
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4
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Haskins BE, Gullicksrud JA, Wallbank BA, Dumaine JE, Guérin A, Cohn IS, O'Dea KM, Pardy RD, Merolle MI, Shallberg LA, Hunter EN, Byerly JH, Smith EJ, Buenconsejo GY, McLeod BI, Christian DA, Striepen B, Hunter CA. Dendritic cell-mediated responses to secreted Cryptosporidium effectors promote parasite-specific CD8 + T cell responses. Mucosal Immunol 2024; 17:387-401. [PMID: 38508522 PMCID: PMC11193387 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2024.03.003] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium causes debilitating diarrheal disease in patients with primary and acquired defects in T cell function. However, it has been a challenge to understand how this infection generates T cell responses and how they mediate parasite control. Here, Cryptosporidium was engineered to express a parasite effector protein (MEDLE-2) that contains the major histocompatibility complex-I restricted SIINFEKL epitope which is recognized by T cell receptor transgenic OT-I(OVA-TCR-I) clusters of differentiation (CD)8+ T cells. These modified parasites induced expansion of endogenous SIINFEKL-specific and OT-I CD8+ T cells that were a source of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) that could restrict growth of Cryptosporidium. This T cell response was dependent on the translocation of the effector and similar results were observed with another secreted parasite effector (rhoptry protein 1). Although infection and these translocated effector proteins are restricted to intestinal epithelial cells, type 1 conventional dendritic cells were required to generate CD8+ T cell responses to these model antigens. These data sets highlight Cryptosporidium effectors as potential targets of the immune system and suggest that crosstalk between enterocytes and type 1 conventional dendritic cells is crucial for CD8+ T cell responses to Cryptosporidium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanne E Haskins
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Jodi A Gullicksrud
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA; Cell Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bethan A Wallbank
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Jennifer E Dumaine
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Amandine Guérin
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Ian S Cohn
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Keenan M O'Dea
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Ryan D Pardy
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Maria I Merolle
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Lindsey A Shallberg
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Emma N Hunter
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Jessica H Byerly
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Eleanor J Smith
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Gracyn Y Buenconsejo
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Briana I McLeod
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - David A Christian
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Boris Striepen
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
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5
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Li J, Fan Y, Li N, Guo Y, Wang W, Feng K, He W, Li F, Huang J, Xu Y, Xiao L, Feng Y. Comparative genomics analysis reveals sequence characteristics potentially related to host preference in Cryptosporidium xiaoi. Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:379-390. [PMID: 38492779 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.03.004] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. are important diarrhea-associated pathogens in humans and livestock. Among the known species, Cryptosporidium xiaoi, which causes cryptosporidiosis in sheep and goats, was previously recognized as a genotype of the bovine-specific Cryptosporidium bovis based on their high sequence identity in the ssrRNA gene. However, the lack of genomic data has limited characterization of the genetic differences between the two closely related species. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of two C. xiaoi isolates and performed comparative genomic analysis to identify the sequence uniqueness of this ovine-adapted species compared with other Cryptosporidium spp. Our results showed that C. xiaoi is genetically related to C. bovis as shown by their 95.8% genomic identity and similar gene content. Consistent with this, both C. xiaoi and C. bovis appear to have fewer genes encoding mitochondrial metabolic enzymes and invasion-related protein families. However, they appear to possess several species-specific genes. Further analysis indicates that the sequence differences between these two Cryptosporidium spp. are mainly in 24 highly polymorphic genes, half of which are located in the subtelomeric regions. Some of these subtelomeric genes encode secretory proteins that have undergone positive selection. In addition, the genomes of two C. xiaoi isolates, identified as subtypes XXIIIf and XXIIIh, share 99.9% nucleotide sequence identity, with six highly divergent genes encoding putative secretory proteins. Therefore, these species-specific genes and sequence polymorphism in subtelomeric genes probably contribute to the different host preference of C. xiaoi and C. bovis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yingying Fan
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yaqiong Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Weijian Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Kangli Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wei He
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Falei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jianbo Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yanhua Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Lihua Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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6
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Charneau S, de Oliveira LS, Zenonos Z, Hopp CS, Bastos IMD, Loew D, Lombard B, Pandolfo Silveira A, de Carvalho Nardeli Basílio Lobo G, Bao SN, Grellier P, Rayner JC. APEX2-based proximity proteomic analysis identifies candidate interactors for Plasmodium falciparum knob-associated histidine-rich protein in infected erythrocytes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11242. [PMID: 38755230 PMCID: PMC11099048 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61295-w] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The interaction of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells (iRBCs) with the vascular endothelium plays a crucial role in malaria pathology and disease. KAHRP is an exported P. falciparum protein involved in iRBC remodelling, which is essential for the formation of protrusions or "knobs" on the iRBC surface. These knobs and the proteins that are concentrated within them allow the parasites to escape the immune response and host spleen clearance by mediating cytoadherence of the iRBC to the endothelial wall, but this also slows down blood circulation, leading in some cases to severe cerebral and placental complications. In this work, we have applied genetic and biochemical tools to identify proteins that interact with P. falciparum KAHRP using enhanced ascorbate peroxidase 2 (APEX2) proximity-dependent biotinylation and label-free shotgun proteomics. A total of 30 potential KAHRP-interacting candidates were identified, based on the assigned fragmented biotinylated ions. Several identified proteins have been previously reported to be part of the Maurer's clefts and knobs, where KAHRP resides. This study may contribute to a broader understanding of P. falciparum protein trafficking and knob architecture and shows for the first time the feasibility of using APEX2-proximity labelling in iRBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Charneau
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Protein Chemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Lucas Silva de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Protein Chemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
- UMR 7245 MCAM Molecules of Communication and Adaptation of Microorganisms, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Zenon Zenonos
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, UK
- Biologics Engineering, Oncology R&D, AstraZenecaGranta Park, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christine S Hopp
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, UK
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Izabela M D Bastos
- Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interaction, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Damarys Loew
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, PSL Research University, CurieCoreTech Mass Spectrometry Proteomics, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248, Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Bérangère Lombard
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, PSL Research University, CurieCoreTech Mass Spectrometry Proteomics, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248, Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Ariane Pandolfo Silveira
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | | | - Sônia Nair Bao
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Philippe Grellier
- UMR 7245 MCAM Molecules of Communication and Adaptation of Microorganisms, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Julian C Rayner
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK
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7
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Hoo R, Ruiz-Morales ER, Kelava I, Rawat M, Mazzeo CI, Tuck E, Sancho-Serra C, Chelaghma S, Predeus AV, Murray S, Fernandez-Antoran D, Waller RF, Álvarez-Errico D, Lee MCS, Vento-Tormo R. Acute response to pathogens in the early human placenta at single-cell resolution. Cell Syst 2024; 15:425-444.e9. [PMID: 38703772 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.04.002] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The placenta is a selective maternal-fetal barrier that provides nourishment and protection from infections. However, certain pathogens can attach to and even cross the placenta, causing pregnancy complications with potential lifelong impacts on the child's health. Here, we profiled at the single-cell level the placental responses to three pathogens associated with intrauterine complications-Plasmodium falciparum, Listeria monocytogenes, and Toxoplasma gondii. We found that upon exposure to the pathogens, all placental lineages trigger inflammatory responses that may compromise placental function. Additionally, we characterized the responses of fetal macrophages known as Hofbauer cells (HBCs) to each pathogen and propose that they are the probable niche for T. gondii. Finally, we revealed how P. falciparum adapts to the placental microenvironment by modulating protein export into the host erythrocyte and nutrient uptake pathways. Altogether, we have defined the cellular networks and signaling pathways mediating acute placental inflammatory responses that could contribute to pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Hoo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Iva Kelava
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mukul Rawat
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | | | | | - Sara Chelaghma
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - David Fernandez-Antoran
- Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Marcus C S Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - Roser Vento-Tormo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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8
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Zhang ZW, Wang M, Sun LX, Elsheikha HM, Lei CL, Wang JL, Fu BQ, Luo JX, Zhu XQ, Li TT. Trx4, a novel thioredoxin protein, is important for Toxoplasma gondii fitness. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:178. [PMID: 38576040 PMCID: PMC10996207 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06259-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To successfully replicate within the host cell, Toxoplasma gondii employs several mechanisms to overcome the host cell defenses and mitigate the harmful effects of the free radicals resulting from its own metabolic processes using effectors such as thioredoxin proteins. In this study, we characterize the location and functions of a newly identified thioredoxin in T. gondii, which was named Trx4. METHODS We characterized the functional role of Trx4 in T. gondii Type I RH and Type II Pru strains by gene knockout and studied its subcellular localization by endogenous protein HA tagging using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. The enzyme-catalyzed proximity labeling technique, the TurboID system, was employed to identify the proteins in proximity to Trx4. RESULTS Trx4 was identified as a dense granule protein of T. gondii predominantly expressed in the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) and was partially co-localized with GRA1 and GRA5. Functional analysis showed that deletion of trx4 markedly influenced the parasite lytic cycle, resulting in impaired host cell invasion capacity in both RH and Pru strains. Mutation of Trx domains in Trx4 in RH strain revealed that two Trx domains were important for the parasite invasion. By utilizing the TurboID system to biotinylate proteins in proximity to Trx4, we identified a substantial number of proteins, some of which are novel, and others are previously characterized, predominantly distributed in the dense granules. In addition, we uncovered three novel proteins co-localized with Trx4. Intriguingly, deletion of trx4 did not affect the localization of these three proteins. Finally, a virulence assay demonstrated that knockout of trx4 resulted in a significant attenuation of virulence and a significant reduction in brain cyst loads in mice. CONCLUSIONS Trx4 plays an important role in T. gondii invasion and virulence in Type I RH strain and Type II Pru strain. Combining the TurboID system with CRISPR-Cas9 technique revealed many PV-localized proximity proteins associated with Trx4. These findings suggest a versatile role of Trx4 in mediating the processes that occur in this distinctive intracellular membrane-bound vacuolar compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Xiu Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Cheng-Lin Lei
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610213, People's Republic of China
| | - Bao-Quan Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610213, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Xun Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China.
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610213, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Shrikondawar AN, Chennoju K, Ghosh DK, Ranjan A. Identification and characterization of nuclear localization signals in the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:801-817. [PMID: 38369616 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14829] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Secretory proteins of Plasmodium exhibit differential spatial and functional activity within the host cell nucleus. However, the nuclear localization signals (NLSs) for these proteins remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we have identified and characterized two NLSs in the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf-CSP). Both NLSs in the Pf-CSP contain clusters of lysine and arginine residues essential for specific interactions with the conserved tryptophan and asparagine residues of importin-α, facilitating nuclear translocation of Pf-CSP. While the two NLSs of Pf-CSP function independently and are both crucial for nuclear localization, a single NLS of Pf-CSP leads to weak nuclear localization. These findings shed light on the mechanism of nuclear penetrability of secretory proteins of Plasmodium proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshaykumar Nanaji Shrikondawar
- Computational and Functional Genomics Group, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
| | - Kiranmai Chennoju
- Computational and Functional Genomics Group, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | | | - Akash Ranjan
- Computational and Functional Genomics Group, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, India
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10
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Sahu W, Bai T, Das A, Mukherjee S, Prusty A, Mallick NR, Elangovan S, Reddy KS. Plasmodium falciparum J-dot localized J domain protein A8iJp modulates the chaperone activity of human HSPA8. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:818-836. [PMID: 38418371 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14836] [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] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum renovates the host erythrocyte to survive during intraerythrocytic development. This renovation requires many parasite proteins to unfold and move outside the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane, and chaperone-regulated protein folding becomes essential for the exported proteins to function. We report on a type-IV J domain protein (JDP), PF3D7_1401100, which we found to be processed before export and trafficked inside the lumen of parasite-derived structures known as J-dots. We found this protein to have holdase activity, as well as stimulate the ATPase and aggregation suppression activity of the human HSP70 chaperone HsHSPA8; thus, we named it "HSPA8-interacting J protein" (A8iJp). Moreover, we found a subset of HsHSPA8 to co-localize with A8iJp inside the infected human erythrocyte. Our results suggest that A8iJp modulates HsHSPA8 chaperone activity and may play an important role in host erythrocyte renovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Welka Sahu
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Tapaswini Bai
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Aleena Das
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Subhadip Mukherjee
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Aradhana Prusty
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Nipa Rani Mallick
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Selvakumar Elangovan
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - K Sony Reddy
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, India
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11
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Sassmannshausen J, Bennink S, Distler U, Küchenhoff J, Minns AM, Lindner SE, Burda PC, Tenzer S, Gilberger TW, Pradel G. Comparative proteomics of vesicles essential for the egress of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes from red blood cells. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:431-452. [PMID: 37492994 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of malaria parasites to the mosquito is mediated by sexual precursor cells, the gametocytes. Upon entering the mosquito midgut, the gametocytes egress from the enveloping erythrocyte while passing through gametogenesis. Egress follows an inside-out mode during which the membrane of the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) ruptures prior to the erythrocyte membrane. Membrane rupture requires exocytosis of specialized egress vesicles of the parasites; that is, osmiophilic bodies (OBs) involved in rupturing the PV membrane, and vesicles that harbor the perforin-like protein PPLP2 (here termed P-EVs) required for erythrocyte lysis. While some OB proteins have been identified, like G377 and MDV1/Peg3, the majority of egress vesicle-resident proteins is yet unknown. Here, we used high-resolution imaging and BioID methods to study the two egress vesicle types in Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. We show that OB exocytosis precedes discharge of the P-EVs and that exocytosis of the P-EVs, but not of the OBs, is calcium sensitive. Both vesicle types exhibit distinct proteomes with the majority of proteins located in the OBs. In addition to known egress-related proteins, we identified novel components of OBs and P-EVs, including vesicle-trafficking proteins. Our data provide insight into the immense molecular machinery required for the inside-out egress of P. falciparum gametocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Sassmannshausen
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sandra Bennink
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ute Distler
- Core Facility for Mass Spectrometry, Institute of Immunology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Juliane Küchenhoff
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Allen M Minns
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Scott E Lindner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paul-Christian Burda
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Tenzer
- Core Facility for Mass Spectrometry, Institute of Immunology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tim W Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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12
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Fierro MA, Muheljic A, Sha J, Wohlschlegel J, Beck JR. PEXEL is a proteolytic maturation site for both exported and non-exported Plasmodium proteins. mSphere 2024; 9:e0039323. [PMID: 38334391 PMCID: PMC10900883 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00393-23] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Obligate intracellular malaria parasites dramatically remodel their erythrocyte host through effector protein export to create a niche for survival. Most exported proteins contain a pentameric Plasmodium export element (PEXEL)/host-targeting motif that is cleaved in the parasite ER by the aspartic protease Plasmepsin V (PMV). This processing event exposes a mature N terminus required for translocation into the host cell and is not known to occur in non-exported proteins. Here, we report that the non-exported parasitophorous vacuole protein UIS2 contains a bona fide PEXEL motif that is processed in the P. falciparum blood stage. While the N termini of exported proteins containing the PEXEL and immediately downstream ~10 residues are sufficient to mediate translocation into the RBC, the equivalent UIS2 N terminus does not promote the export of a reporter. Curiously, the UIS2 PEXEL contains an unusual aspartic acid at the fourth position, which constitutes the extreme N-terminal residue following PEXEL cleavage (P1', RIL↓DE). Using a series of chimeric reporter fusions, we show that Asp at P1' is permissive for PMV processing but abrogates export. Moreover, mutation of this single UIS2 residue to alanine enables export, reinforcing that the mature N terminus mediates export, not PEXEL processing per se. Prompted by this observation, we further show that PEXEL sequences in the N termini of other non-exported rhoptry proteins are also processed, suggesting that PMV may be a more general secretory maturase than previously appreciated, similar to orthologs in related apicomplexans. Our findings provide new insight into the unique N-terminal constraints that mark proteins for export.IMPORTANCEHost erythrocyte remodeling by malaria parasite-exported effector proteins is critical to parasite survival and disease pathogenesis. In the deadliest malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, most exported proteins undergo proteolytic maturation via recognition of the pentameric Plasmodium export element (PEXEL)/host-targeting motif by the aspartic protease Plasmepsin V, which exposes a mature N terminus that is conducive for export into the erythrocyte host cell. While PEXEL processing is considered a unique mark of exported proteins, we demonstrate that PEXEL motifs are present and processed in non-exported proteins. Importantly, we show that specific residues at the variable fourth position of the PEXEL motif inhibit export despite being permissive for processing, reinforcing that features of the mature N terminus, and not PEXEL cleavage, identify cargo for export. This opens the door to further inquiry into the nature and evolution of the PEXEL motif.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel A. Fierro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, lowa, USA
| | - Ajla Muheljic
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Jihui Sha
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - James Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Josh R. Beck
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, lowa, USA
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
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13
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Desai SA. Novel Ion Channel Genes in Malaria Parasites. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:296. [PMID: 38540355 PMCID: PMC10970509 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Ion channels serve many cellular functions including ion homeostasis, volume regulation, signaling, nutrient acquisition, and developmental progression. Although the complex life cycles of malaria parasites necessitate ion and solute flux across membranes, the whole-genome sequencing of the human pathogen Plasmodium falciparum revealed remarkably few orthologs of known ion channel genes. Contrasting with this, biochemical studies have implicated the channel-mediated flux of ions and nutritive solutes across several membranes in infected erythrocytes. Here, I review advances in the cellular and molecular biology of ion channels in malaria parasites. These studies have implicated novel parasite genes in the formation of at least two ion channels, with additional ion channels likely present in various membranes and parasite stages. Computational approaches that rely on homology to known channel genes from higher organisms will not be very helpful in identifying the molecular determinants of these activities. Given their unusual properties, novel molecular and structural features, and essential roles in pathogen survival and development, parasite channels should be promising targets for therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay A Desai
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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14
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Fréville A, Ressurreição M, van Ooij C. Identification of a non-exported Plasmepsin V substrate that functions in the parasitophorous vacuole of malaria parasites. mBio 2024; 15:e0122323. [PMID: 38078758 PMCID: PMC10790765 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01223-23] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In the manuscript, the authors investigate the role of the protease Plasmepsin V in the parasite-host interaction. Whereas processing by Plasmepsin V was previously thought to target a protein for export into the host cell, the authors now show that there are proteins cleaved by this protease that are not exported but instead function at the host-parasite interface. This changes the view of this protease, which turns out to have a much broader role than anticipated. The result shows that the protease may have a function much more similar to that of related organisms. The authors also investigate the requirements for protein export by analyzing exported and non-exported proteins and find commonalities between the proteins of each set that further our understanding of the requirements for protein export.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Fréville
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Margarida Ressurreição
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christiaan van Ooij
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Pitman EL, Counihan NA, Modak JK, Chowdury M, Gilson PR, Webb CT, de Koning-Ward TF. Dissecting EXP2 sequence requirements for protein export in malaria parasites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1332146. [PMID: 38282616 PMCID: PMC10811066 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1332146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites that reside within a parasitophorous vacuole harbor a conserved pore-forming protein that enables small-molecule transfer across the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM). In Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria, this nutrient pore is formed by EXP2 which can complement the function of GRA17, an orthologous protein in Toxoplasma gondii. EXP2, however, has an additional function in Plasmodium parasites, serving also as the pore-forming component of the protein export machinery PTEX. To examine how EXP2 can play this additional role, transgenes that encoded truncations of EXP2, GRA17, hybrid GRA17-EXP2, or EXP2 under the transcriptional control of different promoters were expressed in EXP2 knockdown parasites to determine which could complement EXP2 function. This revealed that EXP2 is a unique pore-forming protein, and its protein export role in P. falciparum cannot be complemented by T. gondii GRA17. This was despite the addition of the EXP2 assembly strand and part of the linker helix to GRA17, which are regions necessary for the interaction of EXP2 with the other core PTEX components. This indicates that the body region of EXP2 plays a critical role in PTEX assembly and/or that the absence of other T. gondii GRA proteins in P. falciparum leads to its reduced efficiency of insertion into the PVM and complementation potential. Altering the timing and abundance of EXP2 expression did not affect protein export but affected parasite viability, indicating that the unique transcriptional profile of EXP2 when compared to other PTEX components enables it to serve an additional role in nutrient exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan L. Pitman
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Natalie A. Counihan
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Joyanta K. Modak
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Mrittika Chowdury
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul R. Gilson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Chaille T. Webb
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Tania F. de Koning-Ward
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
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16
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Seizova S, Ferrel A, Boothroyd J, Tonkin CJ. Toxoplasma protein export and effector function. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:17-28. [PMID: 38172621 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01563-z] [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: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled eukaryotic parasite with a considerable host range that must invade the cells of warm-blooded hosts to survive and replicate. The challenges and opportunities that such a strategy represent have been met by the evolution of effectors that are delivered into host cells, counter host defences and co-opt host cell functions for their own purposes. These effectors are delivered in two waves using distinct machinery for each. In this Review, we focus on understanding the architecture of these protein-export systems and how their protein cargo is recognized and selected. We discuss the recent findings on the role that host manipulation has in latent Toxoplasma infections. We also discuss how these recent findings compare to protein export in the related Plasmodium spp. (the causative agent of malaria) and how this can inform our understanding of host manipulation in the larger Apicomplexa phylum and its evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Seizova
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Abel Ferrel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - John Boothroyd
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Christopher J Tonkin
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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17
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Gabriela M, Barnes CBG, Leong D, Sleebs BE, Schneider MP, Littler DR, Crabb BS, de Koning‐Ward TF, Gilson PR. Sequence elements within the PEXEL motif and its downstream region modulate PTEX-dependent protein export in Plasmodium falciparum. Traffic 2024; 25:e12922. [PMID: 37926971 PMCID: PMC10952997 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The parasite Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form of malaria and to invade and replicate in red blood cells (RBCs), it exports hundreds of proteins across the encasing parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) into this host cell. The exported proteins help modify the RBC to support rapid parasite growth and avoidance of the human immune system. Most exported proteins possess a conserved Plasmodium export element (PEXEL) motif with the consensus RxLxE/D/Q amino acid sequence, which acts as a proteolytic cleavage recognition site within the parasite's endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Cleavage occurs after the P1 L residue and is thought to help release the protein from the ER so it can be putatively escorted by the HSP101 chaperone to the parasitophorous vacuole space surrounding the intraerythrocytic parasite. HSP101 and its cargo are then thought to assemble with the rest of a Plasmodium translocon for exported proteins (PTEX) complex, that then recognises the xE/D/Q capped N-terminus of the exported protein and translocates it across the vacuole membrane into the RBC compartment. Here, we present evidence that supports a dual role for the PEXEL's conserved P2 ' position E/Q/D residue, first, for plasmepsin V cleavage in the ER, and second, for efficient PTEX mediated export across the PVM into the RBC. We also present evidence that the downstream 'spacer' region separating the PEXEL motif from the folded functional region of the exported protein controls cargo interaction with PTEX as well. The spacer must be of a sufficient length and permissive amino acid composition to engage the HSP101 unfoldase component of PTEX to be efficiently translocated into the RBC compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikha Gabriela
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery GroupBurnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- School of MedicineDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Claudia B. G. Barnes
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery GroupBurnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Dickson Leong
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery GroupBurnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Brad E. Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Dene R. Littler
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery InstituteMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Brendan S. Crabb
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery GroupBurnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of ImmunologyMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Tania F. de Koning‐Ward
- School of MedicineDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT)Deakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Paul R. Gilson
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery GroupBurnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
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18
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Siau A, Ang JW, Sheriff O, Hoo R, Loh HP, Tay D, Huang X, Yam XY, Lai SK, Meng W, Julca I, Kwan SS, Mutwil M, Preiser PR. Comparative spatial proteomics of Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113419. [PMID: 37952150 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113419] [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: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites contribute to one of the highest global infectious disease burdens. To achieve this success, the parasite has evolved a range of specialized subcellular compartments to extensively remodel the host cell for its survival. The information to fully understand these compartments is likely hidden in the so far poorly characterized Plasmodium species spatial proteome. To address this question, we determined the steady-state subcellular location of more than 12,000 parasite proteins across five different species by extensive subcellular fractionation of erythrocytes infected by Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium knowlesi, Plasmodium yoelii, Plasmodium berghei, and Plasmodium chabaudi. This comparison of the pan-species spatial proteomes and their expression patterns indicates increasing species-specific proteins associated with the more external compartments, supporting host adaptations and post-transcriptional regulation. The spatial proteome offers comprehensive insight into the different human, simian, and rodent Plasmodium species, establishing a powerful resource for understanding species-specific host adaptation processes in the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Siau
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Jing Wen Ang
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Omar Sheriff
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Regina Hoo
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Han Ping Loh
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Donald Tay
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Ximei Huang
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Xue Yan Yam
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Soak Kuan Lai
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Wei Meng
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Irene Julca
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Sze Siu Kwan
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Marek Mutwil
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Peter R Preiser
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
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19
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Anaguano D, Dedkhad W, Brooks CF, Cobb DW, Muralidharan V. Time-resolved proximity biotinylation implicates a porin protein in export of transmembrane malaria parasite effectors. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs260506. [PMID: 37772444 PMCID: PMC10651097 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260506] [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: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The malaria-causing parasite, Plasmodium falciparum completely remodels its host red blood cell (RBC) through the export of several hundred parasite proteins, including transmembrane proteins, across multiple membranes to the RBC. However, the process by which these exported membrane proteins are extracted from the parasite plasma membrane for export remains unknown. To address this question, we fused the exported membrane protein, skeleton binding protein 1 (SBP1), with TurboID, a rapid, efficient and promiscuous biotin ligase (SBP1TbID). Using time-resolved proximity biotinylation and label-free quantitative proteomics, we identified two groups of SBP1TbID interactors - early interactors (pre-export) and late interactors (post-export). Notably, two promising membrane-associated proteins were identified as pre-export interactors, one of which possesses a predicted translocon domain, that could facilitate the export of membrane proteins. Further investigation using conditional mutants of these candidate proteins showed that these proteins were essential for asexual growth and localize to the host-parasite interface during early stages of the intraerythrocytic cycle. These data suggest that they might play a role in ushering membrane proteins from the parasite plasma membrane for export to the host RBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Anaguano
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Watcharatip Dedkhad
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Carrie F Brooks
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - David W Cobb
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Vasant Muralidharan
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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20
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Davies H, Belda H, Broncel M, Dalimot J, Treeck M. PerTurboID, a targeted in situ method reveals the impact of kinase deletion on its local protein environment in the cytoadhesion complex of malaria-causing parasites. eLife 2023; 12:e86367. [PMID: 37737226 PMCID: PMC10564455 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86367] [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: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Reverse genetics is key to understanding protein function, but the mechanistic connection between a gene of interest and the observed phenotype is not always clear. Here we describe the use of proximity labeling using TurboID and site-specific quantification of biotinylated peptides to measure changes to the local protein environment of selected targets upon perturbation. We apply this technique, which we call PerTurboID, to understand how the Plasmodium falciparum-exported kinase, FIKK4.1, regulates the function of the major virulence factor of the malaria-causing parasite, PfEMP1. We generated independent TurboID fusions of two proteins that are predicted substrates of FIKK4.1 in a FIKK4.1 conditional KO parasite line. Comparing the abundance of site-specific biotinylated peptides between wildtype and kinase deletion lines reveals the differential accessibility of proteins to biotinylation, indicating changes to localization, protein-protein interactions, or protein structure which are mediated by FIKK4.1 activity. We further show that FIKK4.1 is likely the only FIKK kinase that controls surface levels of PfEMP1, but not other surface antigens, on the infected red blood cell under standard culture conditions. We believe PerTurboID is broadly applicable to study the impact of genetic or environmental perturbation on a selected cellular niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heledd Davies
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Hugo Belda
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Malgorzata Broncel
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Jill Dalimot
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Moritz Treeck
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
- Cell Biology of Host-Pathogen Interaction Laboratory, Gulbenkian Institute of ScienceOeirasPortugal
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21
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Ling DB, Nguyen W, Looker O, Razook Z, McCann K, Barry AE, Scheurer C, Wittlin S, Famodimu MT, Delves MJ, Bullen HE, Crabb BS, Sleebs BE, Gilson PR. A Pyridyl-Furan Series Developed from the Open Global Health Library Block Red Blood Cell Invasion and Protein Trafficking in Plasmodium falciparum through Potential Inhibition of the Parasite's PI4KIIIB Enzyme. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1695-1710. [PMID: 37639221 PMCID: PMC10496428 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
With the resistance increasing to current antimalarial medicines, there is an urgent need to discover new drug targets and to develop new medicines against these targets. We therefore screened the Open Global Health Library of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, of 250 compounds against the asexual blood stage of the deadliest malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum, from which eight inhibitors with low micromolar potency were found. Due to its combined potencies against parasite growth and inhibition of red blood cell invasion, the pyridyl-furan compound OGHL250 was prioritized for further optimization. The potency of the series lead compound (WEHI-518) was improved 250-fold to low nanomolar levels against parasite blood-stage growth. Parasites selected for resistance to a related compound, MMV396797, were also resistant to WEHI-518 as well as KDU731, an inhibitor of the phosphatidylinositol kinase PfPI4KIIIB, suggesting that this kinase is the target of the pyridyl-furan series. Inhibition of PfPI4KIIIB blocks multiple stages of the parasite's life cycle and other potent inhibitors are currently under preclinical development. MMV396797-resistant parasites possess an E1316D mutation in PfPKI4IIIB that clusters with known resistance mutations of other inhibitors of the kinase. Building upon earlier studies that showed that PfPI4KIIIB inhibitors block the development of the invasive merozoite parasite stage, we show that members of the pyridyl-furan series also block invasion and/or the conversion of merozoites into ring-stage intracellular parasites through inhibition of protein secretion and export into red blood cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawson B. Ling
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria3010,
Australia
| | - William Nguyen
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of
Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria3052,
Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The
University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria3010,
Australia
| | - Oliver Looker
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
| | - Zahra Razook
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and
Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University,
Waurn Ponds, Victoria3216, Australia
| | - Kirsty McCann
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and
Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University,
Waurn Ponds, Victoria3216, Australia
| | - Alyssa E. Barry
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and
Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University,
Waurn Ponds, Victoria3216, Australia
| | - Christian Scheurer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health
Institute, Allschwil, 4123Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel,
4001Switzerland
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health
Institute, Allschwil, 4123Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel,
4001Switzerland
| | - Mufuliat Toyin Famodimu
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious
Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Kepel
Street, London, WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Michael J Delves
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious
Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Kepel
Street, London, WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Hayley E. Bullen
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria3010,
Australia
| | - Brendan S. Crabb
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria3010,
Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology,
Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria3800,
Australia
| | - Brad E. Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of
Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria3052,
Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The
University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria3010,
Australia
| | - Paul R. Gilson
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria3010,
Australia
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22
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Bekić V, Kilian N. Novel secretory organelles of parasite origin - at the center of host-parasite interaction. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2200241. [PMID: 37518819 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200241] [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: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Reorganization of cell organelle-deprived host red blood cells by the apicomplexan malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum enables their cytoadherence to endothelial cells that line the microvasculature. This increases the time red blood cells infected with mature developmental stages remain within selected organs such as the brain to avoid the spleen passage, which can lead to severe complications and cumulate in patient death. The Maurer's clefts are a novel secretory organelle of parasite origin established by the parasite in the cytoplasm of the host red blood cell in order to facilitate the establishment of cytoadherence by conducting the trafficking of immunovariant adhesins to the host cell surface. Another important function of the organelle is the sorting of other proteins the parasite traffics into its host cell. Although the organelle is of high importance for the pathology of malaria, additional putative functions, structure, and genesis remain shrouded in mystery more than a century after its discovery. In this review, we highlight our current knowledge about the Maurer's clefts and other novel secretory organelles established within the host cell cytoplasm by human-pathogenic malaria parasites and other parasites that reside within human red blood cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Bekić
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nicole Kilian
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
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23
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Haskins BE, Gullicksrud JA, Wallbank BA, Dumaine JE, Guérin A, Cohn IS, O'Dea KM, Pardy RD, Merolle MI, Shallberg LA, Hunter EN, Byerly JH, Smith EJ, Buenconsejo GY, McLeod BI, Christian DA, Striepen B, Hunter CA. Dendritic cell-mediated responses to secreted Cryptosporidium effectors are required for parasite-specific CD8 + T cell responses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.16.553566. [PMID: 37645924 PMCID: PMC10462095 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.16.553566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium causes debilitating diarrheal disease in patients with primary and acquired defects in T cell function. However, it has been a challenge to understand how this infection generates T cell responses and how they mediate parasite control. Here, Cryptosporidium was engineered to express a parasite effector protein (MEDLE-2) that contains the MHC-I restricted SIINFEKL epitope which is recognized by TCR transgenic OT-I CD8 + T cells. These modified parasites induced expansion of endogenous SIINFEKL-specific and OT-I CD8 + T cells that were a source of IFN-γ that could restrict growth of Cryptosporidium . This T cell response was dependent on the translocation of the effector and similar results were observed with another secreted parasite effector (ROP1). Although infection and these translocated effector proteins are restricted to intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), type I dendritic cells (cDC1) were required to generate CD8 + T cell responses to these model antigens. These data sets highlight Cryptosporidium effectors as targets of the immune system and suggest that crosstalk between enterocytes and cDC1s is crucial for CD8 + T cell responses to Cryptosporidium .
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24
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Fierro MA, Hussain T, Campin LJ, Beck JR. Knock-sideways by inducible ER retrieval enables a unique approach for studying Plasmodium-secreted proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2308676120. [PMID: 37552754 PMCID: PMC10433460 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308676120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites uniquely depend on protein secretion for their obligate intracellular lifestyle but approaches for dissecting Plasmodium-secreted protein functions are limited. We report knockER, a unique DiCre-mediated knock-sideways approach to sequester secreted proteins in the ER by inducible fusion with a KDEL ER-retrieval sequence. We show conditional ER sequestration of diverse proteins is not generally toxic, enabling loss-of-function studies. We employed knockER in multiple Plasmodium species to interrogate the trafficking, topology, and function of an assortment of proteins that traverse the secretory pathway to diverse compartments including the apicoplast (ClpB1), rhoptries (RON6), dense granules, and parasitophorous vacuole (EXP2, PTEX150, HSP101). Taking advantage of the unique ability to redistribute secreted proteins from their terminal destination to the ER, we reveal that vacuolar levels of the PTEX translocon component HSP101 but not PTEX150 are maintained in excess of what is required to sustain effector protein export into the erythrocyte. Intriguingly, vacuole depletion of HSP101 hypersensitized parasites to a destabilization tag that inhibits HSP101-PTEX complex formation but not to translational knockdown of the entire HSP101 pool, illustrating how redistribution of a target protein by knockER can be used to query function in a compartment-specific manner. Collectively, our results establish knockER as a unique tool for dissecting secreted protein function with subcompartmental resolution that should be widely amenable to genetically tractable eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel A. Fierro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA50011
| | - Tahir Hussain
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA50011
| | - Liam J. Campin
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA50011
| | - Josh R. Beck
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA50011
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA50011
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25
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Mansfield CR, Chirgwin ME, Derbyshire ER. Labeling strategies to track protozoan parasite proteome dynamics. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2023; 75:102316. [PMID: 37192562 PMCID: PMC10895934 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular protozoan parasites are responsible for wide-spread infectious diseases. These unicellular pathogens have complex, multi-host life cycles, which present challenges for investigating their basic biology and for discovering vulnerabilities that could be exploited for disease control. Throughout development, parasite proteomes are dynamic and support stage-specific functions, but detection of these proteins is often technically challenging and complicated by the abundance of host proteins. Thus, to elucidate key parasite processes and host-pathogen interactions, labeling strategies are required to track pathogen proteins during infection. Herein, we discuss the application of bioorthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging and proximity-dependent labeling to broadly study protozoan parasites and include outlooks for future applications to study Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria. We highlight the potential of these technologies to provide spatiotemporal labeling with selective parasite protein enrichment, which could enable previously unattainable insight into the biology of elusive developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emily R Derbyshire
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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26
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Vallintine T, van Ooij C. Timing of dense granule biogenesis in asexual malaria parasites. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001389. [PMID: 37647112 PMCID: PMC10482371 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is an important infectious disease that continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives annually. The disease is caused by infection of host erythrocytes by apicomplexan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The parasite contains three different apical organelles - micronemes, rhoptries and dense granules (DGs) - whose contents are secreted to mediate binding to and invasion of the host cell and the extensive remodelling of the host cell that occurs following invasion. Whereas the roles of micronemes and rhoptries in binding and invasion of the host erythrocyte have been studied in detail, the roles of DGs in Plasmodium parasites are poorly understood. They have been proposed to control host cell remodelling through regulated protein secretion after invasion, but many basic aspects of the biology of DGs remain unknown. Here we describe DG biogenesis timing for the first time, using RESA localization as a proxy for the timing of DG formation. We show that DG formation commences approximately 37 min prior to schizont egress, as measured by the recruitment of the DG marker RESA. Furthermore, using a bioinformatics approach, we aimed to predict additional cargo of the DGs and identified the J-dot protein HSP40 as a DG protein, further supporting the very early role of these organelles in the interaction of the parasite with the host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tansy Vallintine
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Christiaan van Ooij
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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27
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Fierro MA, Muheljic A, Sha J, Wohlschlegel JA, Beck JR. PEXEL is a proteolytic maturation site for both exported and non-exported Plasmodium proteins. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.12.548774. [PMID: 37503245 PMCID: PMC10369990 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.12.548774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Obligate intracellular malaria parasites dramatically remodel their erythrocyte host through effector protein export to create a niche for survival. Most exported proteins contain a pentameric P lasmodium ex port el ement (PEXEL)/Host Targeting Motif that is cleaved in the parasite ER by the aspartic protease Plasmepsin V (PMV). This processing event exposes a mature N-terminus required for translocation into the host cell and is not known to occur in non-exported proteins. Here we report that the non-exported parasitophorous vacuole protein UIS2 contains a bona fide PEXEL motif that is processed in the P. falciparum blood-stage. While the N-termini of exported proteins containing the PEXEL and immediately downstream ∼10 residues is sufficient to mediate translocation into the RBC, the equivalent UIS2 N-terminus does not promote export of a reporter. Curiously, the UIS2 PEXEL contains an unusual aspartic acid at the fourth position which constitutes the extreme N-terminal residue following PEXEL cleavage (P1', RILτDE). Using a series of chimeric reporter fusions, we show that Asp at P1' is permissive for PMV processing but abrogates export. Moreover, mutation of this single UIS2 residue to alanine enables export, reinforcing that the mature N-terminus mediates export, not PEXEL processing per se . Prompted by this observation, we further show that PEXEL sequences in the N-termini of other non-exported rhoptry proteins are also processed, suggesting that PMV may be a more general secretory maturase than previously appreciated, similar to orthologs in related apicomplexans. Our findings provide new insight into the unique N-terminal constraints that mark proteins for export. Importance Host erythrocyte remodeling by malaria parasite exported effector proteins is critical to parasite survival and disease pathogenesis. In the deadliest malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum , most exported proteins undergo proteolytic maturation via recognition of the pentameric P lasmodium ex port el ement (PEXEL)/Host Targeting motif by the aspartic protease Plasmepsin V (PMV) which exposes a mature N-terminus that is conducive for export into the erythrocyte host cell. While PEXEL processing is considered a unique mark of exported proteins, we demonstrate PEXEL motifs are present and processed in non-exported proteins. Importantly, we show that specific residues at the variable fourth position of the PEXEL motif inhibit export despite being permissive for processing by PMV, reinforcing that features of the mature N-terminus, and not PEXEL cleavage, identify cargo for export cargo. This opens the door to further inquiry into the nature and evolution of the PEXEL motif.
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28
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Jonsdottir TK, Elsworth B, Cobbold S, Gabriela M, Ploeger E, Parkyn Schneider M, Charnaud SC, Dans MG, McConville M, Bullen HE, Crabb BS, Gilson PR. PTEX helps efficiently traffic haemoglobinases to the food vacuole in Plasmodium falciparum. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011006. [PMID: 37523385 PMCID: PMC10414648 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011006] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A key element of Plasmodium biology and pathogenesis is the trafficking of ~10% of the parasite proteome into the host red blood cell (RBC) it infects. To cross the parasite-encasing parasitophorous vacuole membrane, exported proteins utilise a channel-forming protein complex termed the Plasmodium translocon of exported proteins (PTEX). PTEX is obligatory for parasite survival, both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that at least some exported proteins have essential metabolic functions. However, to date only one essential PTEX-dependent process, the new permeability pathways, has been described. To identify other essential PTEX-dependant proteins/processes, we conditionally knocked down the expression of one of its core components, PTEX150, and examined which pathways were affected. Surprisingly, the food vacuole mediated process of haemoglobin (Hb) digestion was substantially perturbed by PTEX150 knockdown. Using a range of transgenic parasite lines and approaches, we show that two major Hb proteases; falcipain 2a and plasmepsin II, interact with PTEX core components, implicating the translocon in the trafficking of Hb proteases. We propose a model where these proteases are translocated into the PV via PTEX in order to reach the cytostome, located at the parasite periphery, prior to food vacuole entry. This work offers a second mechanistic explanation for why PTEX function is essential for growth of the parasite within its host RBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorey K. Jonsdottir
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Brendan Elsworth
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Simon Cobbold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mikha Gabriela
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Ellen Ploeger
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Sarah C. Charnaud
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Madeline G. Dans
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Malcolm McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Hayley E. Bullen
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Brendan S. Crabb
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul R. Gilson
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Li J, Li N, Roellig DM, Zhao W, Guo Y, Feng Y, Xiao L. High subtelomeric GC content in the genome of a zoonotic Cryptosporidium species. Microb Genom 2023; 9:mgen001052. [PMID: 37399068 PMCID: PMC10438818 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001052] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium canis is a zoonotic species causing cryptosporidiosis in humans in addition to its natural hosts dogs and other fur animals. To understand the genetic basis for host adaptation, we sequenced the genomes of C. canis from dogs, minks, and foxes and conducted a comparative genomics analysis. While the genomes of C. canis have similar gene contents and organisations, they (~41.0 %) and C. felis (39.6 %) have GC content much higher than other Cryptosporidium spp. (24.3-32.9 %) sequenced to date. The high GC content is mostly restricted to subtelomeric regions of the eight chromosomes. Most of these GC-balanced genes encode Cryptosporidium-specific proteins that have intrinsically disordered regions and are involved in host-parasite interactions. Natural selection appears to play a more important role in the evolution of codon usage in GC-balanced C. canis, and most of the GC-balanced genes have undergone positive selection. While the identity in whole genome sequences between the mink- and dog-derived isolates is 99.9 % (9365 SNVs), it is only 96.0 % (362 894 SNVs) between them and the fox-derived isolate. In agreement with this, the fox-derived isolate possesses more subtelomeric genes encoding invasion-related protein families. Therefore, the change in subtelomeric GC content appears to be responsible for the more GC-balanced C. canis genomes, and the fox-derived isolate could represent a new Cryptosporidium species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Dawn M. Roellig
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Wentao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Yaqiong Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Lihua Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
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Ito D, Kondo Y, Takashima E, Iriko H, Thongkukiatkul A, Torii M, Otsuki H. Roles of the RON3 C-terminal fragment in erythrocyte invasion and blood-stage parasite proliferation in Plasmodium falciparum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1197126. [PMID: 37457963 PMCID: PMC10340547 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1197126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium species cause malaria, and in the instance of Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for a societal burden of over 600,000 deaths annually. The symptoms and pathology of malaria are due to intraerythocytic parasites. Erythrocyte invasion is mediated by the parasite merozoite stage, and is accompanied by the formation of a parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM), within which the parasite develops. The merozoite apical rhoptry organelle contains various proteins that contribute to erythrocyte attachment and invasion. RON3, a rhoptry bulb membrane protein, undergoes protein processing and is discharged into the PVM during invasion. RON3-deficient parasites fail to develop beyond the intraerythrocytic ring stage, and protein export into erythrocytes by the Plasmodium translocon of exported proteins (PTEX) apparatus is abrogated, as well as glucose uptake into parasites. It is known that truncated N- and C-terminal RON3 fragments are present in rhoptries, but it is unclear which RON3 fragments contribute to protein export by PTEX and glucose uptake through the PVM. To investigate and distinguish the roles of the RON3 C-terminal fragment at distinct developmental stages, we used a C-terminus tag for conditional and post-translational control. We demonstrated that RON3 is essential for blood-stage parasite survival, and knockdown of RON3 C-terminal fragment expression from the early schizont stage induces a defect in erythrocyte invasion and the subsequent development of ring stage parasites. Protein processing of full-length RON3 was partially inhibited in the schizont stage, and the RON3 C-terminal fragment was abolished in subsequent ring-stage parasites compared to the RON3 N-terminal fragment. Protein export and glucose uptake were abrogated specifically in the late ring stage. Plasmodial surface anion channel (PSAC) activity was partially retained, facilitating small molecule traffic across the erythrocyte membrane. The knockdown of the RON3 C-terminal fragment after erythrocyte invasion did not alter parasite growth. These data suggest that the RON3 C-terminal fragment participates in erythrocyte invasion and serves an essential role in the progression of ring-stage parasite growth by the establishment of the nutrient-permeable channel in the PVM, accompanying the transport of ring-stage parasite protein from the plasma membrane to the PVM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Ito
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Yoko Kondo
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Iriko
- Division of Global Infectious Diseases, Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | | | - Motomi Torii
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Otsuki
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
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31
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Parkyn Schneider M, Looker O, Rebelo M, Khoury DS, Dixon MWA, Oeuvray C, Crabb BS, McCarthy J, Gilson PR. The delayed bloodstream clearance of Plasmodium falciparum parasites after M5717 treatment is attributable to the inability to modify their red blood cell hosts. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1211613. [PMID: 37457953 PMCID: PMC10340534 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1211613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
M5717 is a promising antimalarial drug under development that acts against multiple stages of the life cycle of Plasmodium parasites by inhibiting the translation elongation factor 2 (PfeEF2), thereby preventing protein synthesis. The parasite clearance profile after drug treatment in preclinical studies in mice, and clinical trials in humans showed a notable delayed clearance phenotype whereby parasite infected red blood cells (iRBCs) persisted in the bloodstream for a significant period before eventual clearance. In a normal P. falciparum infection iRBCs sequester in the deep circulation by cytoadherence, allowing them to avoid surveillance and clearance in the spleen. We found that M5717 blocks parasite modification of their host red blood cells (RBCs) by preventing synthesis of new exported proteins, rather than by directly blocking the export of these proteins into the RBC compartment. Using in vitro models, we demonstrated that M5717 treated ring/trophozoite stage iRBCs became less rigid, and cytoadhered less well compared to untreated iRBCs. This indicates that in vivo persistence of M5717 treated iRBCs in the bloodstream is likely due to reduced cytoadherence and splenic clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria Rebelo
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David S. Khoury
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Brendan S. Crabb
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Paul R. Gilson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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32
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Jeninga MD, Tang J, Selvarajah SA, Maier AG, Duffy MF, Petter M. Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes display global chromatin remodelling during sexual differentiation. BMC Biol 2023; 21:65. [PMID: 37013531 PMCID: PMC10071754 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01568-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The protozoan malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has a complex life cycle during which it needs to differentiate into multiple morphologically distinct life forms. A key process for transmission of the disease is the development of male and female gametocytes in the human blood, yet the mechanisms determining sexual dimorphism in these haploid, genetically identical sexual precursor cells remain largely unknown. To understand the epigenetic program underlying the differentiation of male and female gametocytes, we separated the two sexual forms by flow cytometry and performed RNAseq as well as comprehensive ChIPseq profiling of several histone variants and modifications. RESULTS We show that in female gametocytes the chromatin landscape is globally remodelled with respect to genome-wide patterns and combinatorial usage of histone variants and histone modifications. We identified sex specific differences in heterochromatin distribution, implicating exported proteins and ncRNAs in sex determination. Specifically in female gametocytes, the histone variants H2A.Z/H2B.Z were highly enriched in H3K9me3-associated heterochromatin. H3K27ac occupancy correlated with stage-specific gene expression, but in contrast to asexual parasites this was unlinked to H3K4me3 co-occupancy at promoters in female gametocytes. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, we defined novel combinatorial chromatin states differentially organising the genome in gametocytes and asexual parasites and unravelled fundamental, sex-specific differences in the epigenetic code. Our chromatin maps represent an important resource for future understanding of the mechanisms driving sexual differentiation in P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam D Jeninga
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jingyi Tang
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute, 30 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Shamista A Selvarajah
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute, 30 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Alexander G Maier
- The Australian National University, Research School of Biology, 134 Linnaeus Way, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Michael F Duffy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Peter Doherty Institute, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Bio21 Institute, 30 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Michaela Petter
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute, 30 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
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33
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Levray YS, Bana B, Tarr SJ, McLaughlin EJ, Rossi-Smith P, Waltho A, Charlton GH, Chiozzi RZ, Straton CR, Thalassinos K, Osborne AR. Formation of ER-lumenal intermediates during export of Plasmodium proteins containing transmembrane-like hydrophobic sequences. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011281. [PMID: 37000891 PMCID: PMC10096305 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
During the blood stage of a malaria infection, malaria parasites export both soluble and membrane proteins into the erythrocytes in which they reside. Exported proteins are trafficked via the parasite endoplasmic reticulum and secretory pathway, before being exported across the parasitophorous vacuole membrane into the erythrocyte. Transport across the parasitophorous vacuole membrane requires protein unfolding, and in the case of membrane proteins, extraction from the parasite plasma membrane. We show that trafficking of the exported Plasmodium protein, Pf332, differs from that of canonical eukaryotic soluble-secreted and transmembrane proteins. Pf332 is initially ER-targeted by an internal hydrophobic sequence that unlike a signal peptide, is not proteolytically removed, and unlike a transmembrane segment, does not span the ER membrane. Rather, both termini of the hydrophobic sequence enter the ER-lumen and the ER-lumenal species is a productive intermediate for protein export. Furthermore, we show in intact cells, that two other exported membrane proteins, SBP1 and MAHRP2, assume a lumenal topology within the parasite secretory pathway. Although the addition of a C-terminal ER-retention sequence, recognised by the lumenal domain of the KDEL receptor, does not completely block export of SBP1 and MAHRP2, it does enhance their retention in the parasite ER. This indicates that a sub-population of each protein adopts an ER-lumenal state that is an intermediate in the export process. Overall, this suggests that although many exported proteins traverse the parasite secretory pathway as typical soluble or membrane proteins, some exported proteins that are ER-targeted by a transmembrane segment-like, internal, non-cleaved hydrophobic segment, do not integrate into the ER membrane, and form an ER-lumenal species that is a productive export intermediate. This represents a novel means, not seen in typical membrane proteins found in model systems, by which exported transmembrane-like proteins can be targeted and trafficked within the lumen of the secretory pathway.
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Guérin A, Strelau KM, Barylyuk K, Wallbank BA, Berry L, Crook OM, Lilley KS, Waller RF, Striepen B. Cryptosporidium uses multiple distinct secretory organelles to interact with and modify its host cell. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:650-664.e6. [PMID: 36958336 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrheal disease in children and an important contributor to early childhood mortality. The parasite invades and extensively remodels intestinal epithelial cells, building an elaborate interface structure. How this occurs at the molecular level and the contributing parasite factors are largely unknown. Here, we generated a whole-cell spatial proteome of the Cryptosporidium sporozoite and used genetic and cell biological experimentation to discover the Cryptosporidium-secreted effector proteome. These findings reveal multiple organelles, including an original secretory organelle, and generate numerous compartment markers by tagging native gene loci. We show that secreted proteins are delivered to the parasite-host interface, where they assemble into different structures including a ring that anchors the parasite into its unique epicellular niche. Cryptosporidium thus uses a complex set of secretion systems during and following invasion that act in concert to subjugate its host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Guérin
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Katherine M Strelau
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Bethan A Wallbank
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Laurence Berry
- LPHI, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier 34095, France
| | - Oliver M Crook
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3LB, UK
| | - Kathryn S Lilley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Boris Striepen
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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A. PORTES JULIANA, C. VOMMARO ROSSIANE, AYRES CALDAS LUCIO, S. MARTINS-DUARTE ERICA. Intracellular life of protozoan Toxoplasma gondii: Parasitophorous vacuole establishment and survival strategies. BIOCELL 2023. [DOI: 10.32604/biocell.2023.026629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
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36
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Down the membrane hole: Ion channels in protozoan parasites. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1011004. [PMID: 36580479 PMCID: PMC9799330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases caused by protozoans are highly prevalent around the world, disproportionally affecting developing countries, where coinfection with other microorganisms is common. Control and treatment of parasitic infections are constrained by the lack of specific and effective drugs, plus the rapid emergence of resistance. Ion channels are main drug targets for numerous diseases, but their potential against protozoan parasites is still untapped. Ion channels are membrane proteins expressed in all types of cells, allowing for the flow of ions between compartments, and regulating cellular functions such as membrane potential, excitability, volume, signaling, and death. Channels and transporters reside at the interface between parasites and their hosts, controlling nutrient uptake, viability, replication, and infectivity. To understand how ion channels control protozoan parasites fate and to evaluate their suitability for therapeutics, we must deepen our knowledge of their structure, function, and modulation. However, methodological approaches commonly used in mammalian cells have proven difficult to apply in protozoans. This review focuses on ion channels described in protozoan parasites of clinical relevance, mainly apicomplexans and trypanosomatids, highlighting proteins for which molecular and functional evidence has been correlated with their physiological functions.
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Hussain T, Linera-Gonzalez J, Beck JM, Fierro MA, Mair GR, Smith RC, Beck JR. The PTEX Pore Component EXP2 Is Important for Intrahepatic Development during the Plasmodium Liver Stage. mBio 2022; 13:e0309622. [PMID: 36445080 PMCID: PMC9765067 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03096-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
During vertebrate infection, obligate intracellular malaria parasites develop within a parasitophorous vacuole, which constitutes the interface between the parasite and its hepatocyte or erythrocyte host cells. To traverse this barrier, Plasmodium spp. utilize a dual-function pore formed by EXP2 for nutrient transport and, in the context of the PTEX translocon, effector protein export across the vacuole membrane. While critical to blood-stage survival, less is known about EXP2/PTEX function in the liver stage, although major differences in the export mechanism are suggested by absence of the PTEX unfoldase HSP101 in the intrahepatic vacuole. Here, we employed the glucosamine-activated glmS ribozyme to study the role of EXP2 during Plasmodium berghei liver-stage development in hepatoma cells. Insertion of the glmS sequence into the exp2 3' untranslated region (UTR) enabled glucosamine-dependent depletion of EXP2 after hepatocyte invasion, allowing separation of EXP2 function during intrahepatic development from a recently reported role in hepatocyte invasion. Postinvasion EXP2 knockdown reduced parasite size and largely abolished expression of the mid- to late-liver-stage marker LISP2. As an orthogonal approach to monitor development, EXP2-glmS parasites and controls were engineered to express nanoluciferase. Activation of glmS after invasion substantially decreased luminescence in hepatoma monolayers and in culture supernatants at later time points corresponding to merosome detachment, which marks the culmination of liver-stage development. Collectively, our findings extend the utility of the glmS ribozyme to study protein function in the liver stage and reveal that EXP2 is important for intrahepatic parasite development, indicating that PTEX components also function at the hepatocyte-parasite interface. IMPORTANCE After the mosquito bite that initiates a Plasmodium infection, parasites first travel to the liver and develop in hepatocytes. This liver stage is asymptomatic but necessary for the parasite to transition to the merozoite form, which infects red blood cells and causes malaria. To take over their host cells, avoid immune defenses, and fuel their growth, these obligately intracellular parasites must import nutrients and export effector proteins across a vacuole membrane in which they reside. In the blood stage, these processes depend on a translocon called PTEX, but it is unclear if PTEX also functions during the liver stage. Here, we adapted the glmS ribozyme to control expression of EXP2, the membrane pore component of PTEX, during the liver stage of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Our results show that EXP2 is important for intracellular development in the hepatocyte, revealing that PTEX components are also functionally important during liver-stage infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahir Hussain
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | | | - John M. Beck
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Manuel A. Fierro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Gunnar R. Mair
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Ryan C. Smith
- Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Josh R. Beck
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
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Lee G, Kim RS, Lee SB, Lee S, Tsai FT. Deciphering the mechanism and function of Hsp100 unfoldases from protein structure. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1725-1736. [PMID: 36454589 PMCID: PMC9784670 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220590] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Hsp100 chaperones, also known as Clp proteins, constitute a family of ring-forming ATPases that differ in 3D structure and cellular function from other stress-inducible molecular chaperones. While the vast majority of ATP-dependent molecular chaperones promote the folding of either the nascent chain or a newly imported polypeptide to reach its native conformation, Hsp100 chaperones harness metabolic energy to perform the reverse and facilitate the unfolding of a misfolded polypeptide or protein aggregate. It is now known that inside cells and organelles, different Hsp100 members are involved in rescuing stress-damaged proteins from a previously aggregated state or in recycling polypeptides marked for degradation. Protein degradation is mediated by a barrel-shaped peptidase that physically associates with the Hsp100 hexamer to form a two-component system. Notable examples include the ClpA:ClpP (ClpAP) and ClpX:ClpP (ClpXP) proteases that resemble the ring-forming FtsH and Lon proteases, which unlike ClpAP and ClpXP, feature the ATP-binding and proteolytic domains in a single polypeptide chain. Recent advances in electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) together with single-molecule biophysical studies have now provided new mechanistic insight into the structure and function of this remarkable group of macromolecular machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Lee
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Rebecca S. Kim
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Sang Bum Lee
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Sukyeong Lee
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Advanced Technology Core for Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Francis T.F. Tsai
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Advanced Technology Core for Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Haag M, Kehrer J, Sanchez CP, Deponte M, Lanzer M. Physiological jump in erythrocyte redox potential during Plasmodium falciparum development occurs independent of the sickle cell trait. Redox Biol 2022; 58:102536. [DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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40
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Griffith MB, Pearce CS, Heaslip AT. Dense granule biogenesis, secretion, and function in Toxoplasma gondii. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12904. [PMID: 35302693 PMCID: PMC9482668 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite and the causative agent of Toxoplasmosis. A key to understanding and treating the disease lies with determining how the parasite can survive and replicate within cells of its host. Proteins released from specialized secretory vesicles, named the dense granules (DGs), have diverse functions that are critical for adapting the intracellular environment, and are thus key to survival and pathogenicity. In this review, we describe the current understanding and outstanding questions regarding dense granule biogenesis, trafficking, and regulation of secretion. In addition, we provide an overview of dense granule protein ("GRA") function upon secretion, with a focus on proteins that have recently been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B Griffith
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Camille S Pearce
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Aoife T Heaslip
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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41
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A member of the tryptophan-rich protein family is required for efficient sequestration of Plasmodium berghei schizonts. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010846. [PMID: 36126089 PMCID: PMC9524624 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein export and host membrane remodeling are crucial for multiple Plasmodium species to establish a niche in infected hosts. To better understand the contribution of these processes to successful parasite infection in vivo, we sought to find and characterize protein components of the intraerythrocytic Plasmodium berghei-induced membrane structures (IBIS) that form in the cytoplasm of infected erythrocytes. We identified proteins that immunoprecipitate with IBIS1, a signature member of the IBIS in P. berghei-infected erythrocytes. In parallel, we also report our data describing proteins that co-precipitate with the PTEX (Plasmodium translocon of exported proteins) component EXP2. To validate our findings, we examined the location of three candidate IBIS1-interactors that are conserved across multiple Plasmodium species, and we found they localized to IBIS in infected red blood cells and two further colocalized with IBIS1 in the liver-stage parasitophorous vacuole membrane. Successful gene deletion revealed that these two tryptophan-rich domain-containing proteins, termed here IPIS2 and IPIS3 (for intraerythrocytic Plasmodium-induced membrane structures), are required for efficient blood-stage growth. Erythrocytes infected with IPIS2-deficient schizonts in particular fail to bind CD36 as efficiently as wild-type P. berghei-infected cells and therefore fail to effectively sequester out of the circulating blood. Our findings support the idea that intra-erythrocytic membrane compartments are required across species for alterations of the host erythrocyte that facilitate interactions of infected cells with host tissues.
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Maier AG, van Ooij C. The role of cholesterol in invasion and growth of malaria parasites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:984049. [PMID: 36189362 PMCID: PMC9522969 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.984049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites are unicellular eukaryotic pathogens that develop through a complex lifecycle involving two hosts, an anopheline mosquito and a vertebrate host. Throughout this lifecycle, the parasite encounters widely differing conditions and survives in distinct ways, from an intracellular lifestyle in the vertebrate host to exclusively extracellular stages in the mosquito. Although the parasite relies on cholesterol for its growth, the parasite has an ambiguous relationship with cholesterol: cholesterol is required for invasion of host cells by the parasite, including hepatocytes and erythrocytes, and for the development of the parasites in those cells. However, the parasite is unable to produce cholesterol itself and appears to remove cholesterol actively from its own plasma membrane, thereby setting up a cholesterol gradient inside the infected host erythrocyte. Overall a picture emerges in which the parasite relies on host cholesterol and carefully controls its transport. Here, we describe the role of cholesterol at the different lifecycle stages of the parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G. Maier
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT, Australia
- *Correspondence: Alexander G. Maier, ; Christiaan van Ooij,
| | - Christiaan van Ooij
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Alexander G. Maier, ; Christiaan van Ooij,
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43
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Edgar RCS, Siddiqui G, Hjerrild K, Malcolm TR, Vinh NB, Webb CT, Holmes C, MacRaild CA, Chernih HC, Suen WW, Counihan NA, Creek DJ, Scammells PJ, McGowan S, de Koning-Ward TF. Genetic and chemical validation of Plasmodium falciparum aminopeptidase PfA-M17 as a drug target in the hemoglobin digestion pathway. eLife 2022; 11:80813. [PMID: 36097817 PMCID: PMC9470162 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, remains a global health threat as parasites continue to develop resistance to antimalarial drugs used throughout the world. Accordingly, drugs with novel modes of action are desperately required to combat malaria. P. falciparum parasites infect human red blood cells where they digest the host’s main protein constituent, hemoglobin. Leucine aminopeptidase PfA-M17 is one of several aminopeptidases that have been implicated in the last step of this digestive pathway. Here, we use both reverse genetics and a compound specifically designed to inhibit the activity of PfA-M17 to show that PfA-M17 is essential for P. falciparum survival as it provides parasites with free amino acids for growth, many of which are highly likely to originate from hemoglobin. We further show that loss of PfA-M17 results in parasites exhibiting multiple digestive vacuoles at the trophozoite stage. In contrast to other hemoglobin-degrading proteases that have overlapping redundant functions, we validate PfA-M17 as a potential novel drug target. Malaria is a disease spread by mosquitoes. When infected insects bite the skin, they inject parasites called Plasmodium into the host. The symptoms of the disease then develop when Plasmodium infect host red blood cells. These parasites cannot make the raw materials to build their own proteins, so instead, they digest haemoglobin – the protein used by red blood cells to carry oxygen – and use its building blocks to produce proteins. Blocking the digestion of haemoglobin can stop malaria infections in their tracks, but it is unclear how exactly Plasmodium parasites break down the protein. Researchers think that a group of four enzymes called aminopeptidases are responsible for the final stage in this digestion, releasing the amino acids that make up haemoglobin. However, the individual roles of each of these aminopeptidases are not yet known. To start filling this gap, Edgar et al. set out to study one of these aminopeptidases, called PfA-M17. First, they genetically modified Plasmodium falciparum parasites so that the levels of this aminopeptidase were reduced during infection. Without the enzyme, the parasites were unable to grow. The next step was to confirm that this was because PfA-M17 breaks down haemoglobin, and not for another reason. To test this, Edgar et al. designed a new molecule that could stop PfA-M17 from releasing amino acids. This molecule, which they called ‘compound 3’, had the same effect as reducing the levels of PfA-M17. Further analysis showed that the amino acids that PfA- M17 releases match the amino acids found in haemoglobin. Malaria causes hundreds of thousands of deaths per year. Although there are treatments available, the Plasmodium parasites are starting to develop resistance. Confirming the role of PfA-M17 provides a starting point for new studies by parasitologists, biologists, and drug developers. This could lead to the development of chemicals that block this enzyme, forming the basis for new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C S Edgar
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Ghizal Siddiqui
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | | | - Tess R Malcolm
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Natalie B Vinh
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Chaille T Webb
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Clare Holmes
- CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Christopher A MacRaild
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Hope C Chernih
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Willy W Suen
- CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Natalie A Counihan
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Darren J Creek
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Peter J Scammells
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Sheena McGowan
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tania F de Koning-Ward
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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44
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Almaazmi SY, Singh H, Dutta T, Blatch GL. Exported J domain proteins of the human malaria parasite. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:978663. [PMID: 36120546 PMCID: PMC9470956 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.978663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40) family, also called J domain proteins (JDPs), regulate their Hsp70 partners by ensuring that they are engaging the right substrate at the right time and in the right location within the cell. A number of JDPs can serve as co-chaperone for a particular Hsp70, and so one generally finds many more JDPs than Hsp70s in the cell. In humans there are 13 Hsp70s and 49 JDPs. The human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, has dedicated an unusually large proportion of its genome to molecular chaperones, with a disproportionately high number of JDPs (PfJDPs) of 49 members. Interestingly, just under half of the PfJDPs are exported into the host cell during the asexual stage of the life cycle, when the malaria parasite invades mature red blood cells. Recent evidence suggests that these PfJDPs may be functionalizing both host and parasite Hsp70s within the infected red blood cell, and thereby driving the renovation of the host cell towards pathological ends. PfJDPs have been found to localize to the host cytosol, mobile structures within the host cytosol (so called “J Dots”), the host plasma membrane, and specialized structures associated with malaria pathology such as the knobs. A number of these exported PfJDPs are essential, and there is growing experimental evidence that they are important for the survival and pathogenesis of the malaria parasite. This review critiques our understanding of the important role these exported PfJDPs play at the host-parasite interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaikha Y. Almaazmi
- Biomedical Research and Drug Discovery Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Harpreet Singh
- Department of Bioinformatics, Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar, India
| | - Tanima Dutta
- Vice Chancellery, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia
- The Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- PathWest Nedlands, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Gregory L. Blatch
- Biomedical Research and Drug Discovery Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Vice Chancellery, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia
- The Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Biomedical Biotechnology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Gregory L. Blatch,
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45
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Deletion of the Plasmodium falciparum exported protein PTP7 leads to Maurer’s clefts vesiculation, host cell remodeling defects, and loss of surface presentation of EMP1. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1009882. [PMID: 35930605 PMCID: PMC9385048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Presentation of the variant antigen, Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (EMP1), at knob-like protrusions on the surface of infected red blood cells, underpins the parasite’s pathogenicity. Here we describe a protein PF3D7_0301700 (PTP7), that functions at the nexus between the intermediate trafficking organelle, the Maurer’s cleft, and the infected red blood cell surface. Genetic disruption of PTP7 leads to accumulation of vesicles at the Maurer’s clefts, grossly aberrant knob morphology, and failure to deliver EMP1 to the red blood cell surface. We show that an expanded low complexity sequence in the C-terminal region of PTP7, identified only in the Laverania clade of Plasmodium, is critical for efficient virulence protein trafficking. We describe a malaria parasite protein, PTP7, involved in virulence factor trafficking that is associated with Maurer’s clefts and other trafficking compartments. Upon disruption of the PTP7 locus, the Maurer’s clefts become decorated with vesicles; the knobby protrusions on the host red blood cell surface are fewer and distorted; and trafficking of the virulence protein, EMP1, to the host red blood cell surface is ablated. We provide evidence that a region of PTP7 with low sequence complexity plays an important role in virulence protein trafficking from the Maurer’s clefts.
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46
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Looker O, Dans MG, Bullen HE, Sleebs BE, Crabb BS, Gilson PR. The Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box contains inhibitors of protein secretion in
Plasmodium falciparum
blood stage parasites. Traffic 2022; 23:442-461. [PMID: 36040075 PMCID: PMC9543830 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum parasites which cause malaria, traffic hundreds of proteins into the red blood cells (RBCs) they infect. These exported proteins remodel their RBCs enabling host immune evasion through processes such as cytoadherence that greatly assist parasite survival. As resistance to all current antimalarial compounds is rising new compounds need to be identified and those that could inhibit parasite protein secretion and export would both rapidly reduce parasite virulence and ultimately lead to parasite death. To identify compounds that inhibit protein export we used transgenic parasites expressing an exported nanoluciferase reporter to screen the Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box of 400 antimalarial compounds with mostly unknown targets. The most potent inhibitor identified in this screen was MMV396797 whose application led to export inhibition of both the reporter and endogenous exported proteins. MMV396797 mediated blockage of protein export and slowed the rigidification and cytoadherence of infected RBCs—modifications which are both mediated by parasite‐derived exported proteins. Overall, we have identified a new protein export inhibitor in P. falciparum whose target though unknown, could be developed into a future antimalarial that rapidly inhibits parasite virulence before eliminating parasites from the host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Madeline G. Dans
- Burnet Institute Melbourne Australia
- School of Medicine Deakin University Geelong Australia
| | - Hayley E. Bullen
- Burnet Institute Melbourne Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology University of Melbourne Melbourne Australia
| | - Brad E. Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville Victoria Australia
- Department of Medical Biology The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Brendan S. Crabb
- Burnet Institute Melbourne Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology University of Melbourne Melbourne Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | - Paul R. Gilson
- Burnet Institute Melbourne Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology University of Melbourne Melbourne Australia
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47
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Gupta P, Pandey R, Thakur V, Parveen S, Kaur I, Panda A, Bishi R, Mehrotra S, Akhtar A, Gupta D, Mohmmed A, Malhotra P. Heme Detoxification Protein (
Pf
HDP
) is essential for the hemoglobin uptake and metabolism in
Plasmodium falciparum. FASEB Bioadv 2022; 4:662-674. [PMID: 36238365 PMCID: PMC9536087 DOI: 10.1096/fba.2022-00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Priya Gupta
- Malaria Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
| | - Rajan Pandey
- Translational Bioinformatics Group International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
| | - Vandana Thakur
- Parasite Cell Biology Group International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
| | - Sadaf Parveen
- Malaria Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
| | - Inderjeet Kaur
- Malaria Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
| | - Ashutosh Panda
- Malaria Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
| | - Rashmita Bishi
- Malaria Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
| | - Sonali Mehrotra
- Malaria Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
| | - Asif Akhtar
- Malaria Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
| | - Dinesh Gupta
- Translational Bioinformatics Group International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
| | - Asif Mohmmed
- Parasite Cell Biology Group International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
| | - Pawan Malhotra
- Malaria Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology New Delhi India
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48
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Wunderlich J. Updated List of Transport Proteins in Plasmodium falciparum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:926541. [PMID: 35811673 PMCID: PMC9263188 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.926541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a leading cause of death and disease in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Due to the alarming spread of resistance to almost all available antimalarial drugs, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. As the intracellular human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum depends entirely on the host to meet its nutrient requirements and the majority of its transmembrane transporters are essential and lack human orthologs, these have often been suggested as potential targets of novel antimalarial drugs. However, membrane proteins are less amenable to proteomic tools compared to soluble parasite proteins, and have thus not been characterised as well. While it had been proposed that P. falciparum had a lower number of transporters (2.5% of its predicted proteome) in comparison to most reference genomes, manual curation of information from various sources led to the identification of 197 known and putative transporter genes, representing almost 4% of all parasite genes, a proportion that is comparable to well-studied metazoan species. This transporter list presented here was compiled by collating data from several databases along with extensive literature searches, and includes parasite-encoded membrane-resident/associated channels, carriers, and pumps that are located within the parasite or exported to the host cell. It provides updated information on the substrates, subcellular localisation, class, predicted essentiality, and the presence or absence of human orthologs of P. falciparum transporters to quickly identify essential proteins without human orthologs for further functional characterisation and potential exploitation as novel drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Wunderlich
- Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Juliane Wunderlich,
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49
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Giorgalli M, Cunningham DA, Broncel M, Sait A, Harrison TE, Hosking C, Vandomme A, Amis SI, Antonello A, Sullivan L, Uwadiae F, Torella L, Higgins MK, Langhorne J. Differential Trafficking and Expression of PIR Proteins in Acute and Chronic Plasmodium Infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:877253. [PMID: 35782145 PMCID: PMC9245118 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.877253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium multigene families are thought to play important roles in the pathogenesis of malaria. Plasmodium interspersed repeat (pir) genes comprise the largest multigene family in many Plasmodium species. However, their expression pattern and localisation remain to be elucidated. Understanding protein subcellular localisation is fundamental to reveal the functional importance and cell-cell interactions of the PIR proteins. Here, we use the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi, as a model to investigate the localisation pattern of this gene family. We found that most PIR proteins are co-expressed in clusters during acute and chronic infection; members of the S7 clade are predominantly expressed during the acute-phase, whereas members of the L1 clade dominate the chronic-phase of infection. Using peptide antisera specific for S7 or L1 PIRS, we show that these PIRs have different localisations within the infected red blood cells. S7 PIRs are exported into the infected red blood cell cytoplasm where they are co-localised with parasite-induced host cell modifications termed Maurer’s clefts, whereas L1 PIRs are localised on or close to the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane. This localisation pattern changes following mosquito transmission and during progression from acute- to chronic-phase of infection. The presence of PIRs in Maurer’s clefts, as seen for Plasmodium falciparum RIFIN and STEVOR proteins, might suggest trafficking of the PIRs on the surface of the infected erythrocytes. However, neither S7 nor L1 PIR proteins detected by the peptide antisera are localised on the surface of infected red blood cells, suggesting that they are unlikely to be targets of surface variant-specific antibodies or to be directly involved in adhesion of infected red blood cells to host cells, as described for Plasmodium falciparum VAR proteins. The differences in subcellular localisation of the two major clades of Plasmodium chabaudi PIRs across the blood cycle, and the apparent lack of expression on the red cell surface strongly suggest that the function(s) of this gene family may differ from those of other multigene families of Plasmodium, such as the var genes of Plasmodium falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giorgalli
- Malaria Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Malgorzata Broncel
- Proteomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron Sait
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas E. Harrison
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Hosking
- Malaria Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Audrey Vandomme
- Malaria Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah I. Amis
- Malaria Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Antonello
- Malaria Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren Sullivan
- Malaria Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Faith Uwadiae
- Malaria Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Torella
- Malaria Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew K. Higgins
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jean Langhorne
- Malaria Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Jean Langhorne,
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50
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Blatch GL. Plasmodium falciparum Molecular Chaperones: Guardians of the Malaria Parasite Proteome and Renovators of the Host Proteome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:921739. [PMID: 35652103 PMCID: PMC9149364 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.921739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is a unicellular protozoan parasite and causative agent of the most severe form of malaria in humans. The malaria parasite has had to develop sophisticated mechanisms to preserve its proteome under the changing stressful conditions it confronts, particularly when it invades host erythrocytes. Heat shock proteins, especially those that function as molecular chaperones, play a key role in protein homeostasis (proteostasis) of P. falciparum. Soon after invading erythrocytes, the malaria parasite exports a large number of proteins including chaperones, which are responsible for remodeling the infected erythrocyte to enable its survival and pathogenesis. The infected host cell has parasite-resident and erythrocyte-resident chaperones, which appear to play a vital role in the folding and functioning of P. falciparum proteins and potentially host proteins. This review critiques the current understanding of how the major chaperones, particularly the Hsp70 and Hsp40 (or J domain proteins, JDPs) families, contribute to proteostasis of the malaria parasite-infected erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory L Blatch
- The Vice Chancellery, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia.,Biomedical Biotechnology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.,Biomedical Research and Drug Discovery Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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