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Majhi S, Awasthi BP, Sharma RK, Mitra K. Buparvaquone Induces Ultrastructural and Physiological Alterations Leading to Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Caspase-Independent Apoptotic Cell Death in Leishmania donovani. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2024; 30:521-538. [PMID: 38709559 DOI: 10.1093/mam/ozae034] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease (endemic in 99 countries) caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Leishmania. As treatment options are limited, there is an unmet need for new drugs. The hydroxynaphthoquinone class of compounds demonstrates broad-spectrum activity against protozoan parasites. Buparvaquone (BPQ), a member of this class, is the only drug licensed for the treatment of theileriosis. BPQ has shown promising antileishmanial activity but its mode of action is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrastructural and physiological effects of BPQ for elucidating the mechanisms underlying the in vitro antiproliferative activity in Leishmania donovani. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy analyses of BPQ-treated parasites revealed ultrastructural effects characteristic of apoptosis-like cell death, which include alterations in the nucleus, mitochondrion, kinetoplast, flagella, and the flagellar pocket. Using flow cytometry, laser scanning confocal microscopy, and fluorometry, we found that BPQ induced caspase-independent apoptosis-like cell death by losing plasma membrane phospholipid asymmetry and cell cycle arrest at sub-G0/G1 phase. Depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane leads to the generation of oxidative stress and impaired ATP synthesis followed by disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis. Collectively, these findings provide valuable mechanistic insights and demonstrate BPQ's potential for development as an antileishmanial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swetapadma Majhi
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility and Research, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Sector 19, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201 002, India
| | - Bhanu Priya Awasthi
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility and Research, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Sector 19, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201 002, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Sharma
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility and Research, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Sector 19, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201 002, India
| | - Kalyan Mitra
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility and Research, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Sector 19, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201 002, India
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Sülzen H, Volkov AN, Geens R, Zahedifard F, Stijlemans B, Zoltner M, Magez S, Sterckx YGJ, Zoll S. Beyond the VSG layer: Exploring the role of intrinsic disorder in the invariant surface glycoproteins of African trypanosomes. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012186. [PMID: 38648216 PMCID: PMC11065263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012186] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In the bloodstream of mammalian hosts, African trypanosomes face the challenge of protecting their invariant surface receptors from immune detection. This crucial role is fulfilled by a dense, glycosylated protein layer composed of variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs), which undergo antigenic variation and provide a physical barrier that shields the underlying invariant surface glycoproteins (ISGs). The protective shield's limited permeability comes at the cost of restricted access to the extracellular host environment, raising questions regarding the specific function of the ISG repertoire. In this study, we employ an integrative structural biology approach to show that intrinsically disordered membrane-proximal regions are a common feature of members of the ISG super-family, conferring the ability to switch between compact and elongated conformers. While the folded, membrane-distal ectodomain is buried within the VSG layer for compact conformers, their elongated counterparts would enable the extension beyond it. This dynamic behavior enables ISGs to maintain a low immunogenic footprint while still allowing them to engage with the host environment when necessary. Our findings add further evidence to a dynamic molecular organization of trypanosome surface antigens wherein intrinsic disorder underpins the characteristics of a highly flexible ISG proteome to circumvent the constraints imposed by the VSG coat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagen Sülzen
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alexander N. Volkov
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Flemish Institute of Biotechnology (VIB), Brussels, Belgium
- Jean Jeener NMR Centre, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rob Geens
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Flemish Institute of Biotechnology (VIB), Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry (LMB) and the Infla-Med Center of Excellence, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiteit of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Farnaz Zahedifard
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Biocev, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Benoit Stijlemans
- Brussels Center for Immunology (BCIM), Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Martin Zoltner
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Biocev, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Stefan Magez
- Brussels Center for Immunology (BCIM), Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Environment Technology and Food Technology, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Yann G.-J. Sterckx
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry (LMB) and the Infla-Med Center of Excellence, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiteit of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sebastian Zoll
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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Halliday C, de Liz LV, Vaughan S, Sunter JD. Disruption of Leishmania flagellum attachment zone architecture causes flagellum loss. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:53-68. [PMID: 38010644 PMCID: PMC10953051 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15199] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania are flagellated eukaryotic parasites that cause leishmaniasis and are closely related to the other kinetoplastid parasites such as Trypanosoma brucei. In all these parasites there is a cell membrane invagination at the base of the flagellum called the flagellar pocket, which is tightly associated with and sculpted by cytoskeletal structures including the flagellum attachment zone (FAZ). The FAZ is a complex interconnected structure linking the flagellum to the cell body and has critical roles in cell morphogenesis, function and pathogenicity. However, this structure varies dramatically in size and organisation between these different parasites, suggesting changes in protein localisation and function. Here, we screened the localisation and function of the Leishmania orthologues of T. brucei FAZ proteins identified in the genome-wide protein tagging project TrypTag. We identified 27 FAZ proteins and our deletion analysis showed that deletion of two FAZ proteins in the flagellum, FAZ27 and FAZ34 resulted in a reduction in cell body size, and flagellum loss in some cells. Furthermore, after null mutant generation, we observed distinct and reproducible changes to cell shape, demonstrating the ability of the parasite to adapt to morphological perturbations resulting from gene deletion. This process of adaptation has important implications for the study of Leishmania mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Halliday
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
| | - Laryssa Vanessa de Liz
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e ParasitologiaUniversidade Federal de Santa CatarinaFlorianópolisSCBrazil
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
| | - Jack D. Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
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4
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Zuo W, Tian M, Qi J, Zhang G, Hu J, Wang S, Bao Y. The functions of EF-hand proteins from host and zoonotic pathogens. Microbes Infect 2023:105276. [PMID: 38072184 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
EF-hand proteins not only regulate biological processes, but also influence immunity and infection. In this review, we summarize EF-hand proteins' functions in host and zoonotic pathogens, with details in structures, Ca2+ affinity, downstream targets and functional mechanisms. Studies entitled as EF-hand-related but with less solid features were also discussed. We believe it could raise cautions and facilitate proper research strategy for researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zuo
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Mingxing Tian
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jingjing Qi
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Guangdong Zhang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jiangang Hu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Shaohui Wang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China; Engineering Research Center for the Prevention and Control of Animal Original Zoonosis of Fujian Province University, College of Life Science, Longyan University, Longyan, 364012, Fujian, China.
| | - Yanqing Bao
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China; Engineering Research Center for the Prevention and Control of Animal Original Zoonosis of Fujian Province University, College of Life Science, Longyan University, Longyan, 364012, Fujian, China.
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5
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Lukeš J, Speijer D, Zíková A, Alfonzo JD, Hashimi H, Field MC. Trypanosomes as a magnifying glass for cell and molecular biology. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:902-912. [PMID: 37679284 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei, has developed into a flexible and robust experimental model for molecular and cellular parasitology, allowing us to better combat these and related parasites that cause worldwide suffering. Diminishing case numbers, due to efficient public health efforts, and recent development of new drug treatments have reduced the need for continued study of T. brucei in a disease context. However, we argue that this pathogen has been instrumental in revolutionary discoveries that have widely informed molecular and cellular biology and justifies continuing research as an experimental model. Ongoing work continues to contribute towards greater understanding of both diversified and conserved biological features. We discuss multiple examples where trypanosomes pushed the boundaries of cell biology and hope to inspire researchers to continue exploring these remarkable protists as tools for magnifying the inner workings of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic.
| | - Dave Speijer
- Medical Biochemistry, University of Amsterdam, AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alena Zíková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Juan D Alfonzo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Hassan Hashimi
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Mark C Field
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic; School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
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6
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Campbell PC, de Graffenried CL. Morphogenesis in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes proceeds via a highly asymmetric cell division. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011731. [PMID: 37917723 PMCID: PMC10656021 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011731] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protist parasite that is the causative agent of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease endemic to the Americas. T. cruzi cells are highly polarized and undergo morphological changes as they cycle within their insect and mammalian hosts. Work on related trypanosomatids has described cell division mechanisms in several life-cycle stages and identified a set of essential morphogenic proteins that serve as markers for key events during trypanosomatid division. Here, we use Cas9-based tagging of morphogenic genes, live-cell imaging, and expansion microscopy to study the cell division mechanism of the insect-resident epimastigote form of T. cruzi, which represents an understudied trypanosomatid morphotype. We find that T. cruzi epimastigote cell division is highly asymmetric, producing one daughter cell that is significantly smaller than the other. Daughter cell division rates differ by 4.9 h, which may be a consequence of this size disparity. Many of the morphogenic proteins identified in T. brucei have altered localization patterns in T. cruzi epimastigotes, which may reflect fundamental differences in the cell division mechanism of this life cycle stage, which widens and shortens the cell body to accommodate the duplicated organelles and cleavage furrow rather than elongating the cell body along the long axis of the cell, as is the case in life-cycle stages that have been studied in T. brucei. This work provides a foundation for further investigations of T. cruzi cell division and shows that subtle differences in trypanosomatid cell morphology can alter how these parasites divide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C. Campbell
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Christopher L. de Graffenried
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
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7
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Black JA, Klinger CM, Lemgruber L, Dacks JB, Mottram JC, McCulloch R. AAK1-like: A putative pseudokinase with potential roles in cargo uptake in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei parasites. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2023; 70:e12994. [PMID: 37548427 PMCID: PMC10952953 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12994] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Selection and internalization of cargo via clathrin-mediated endocytosis requires adaptor protein complexes. One complex, AP-2, acts during cargo selection at the plasma membrane. African trypanosomes lack all components of the AP-2 complex, except for a recently identified orthologue of the AP-2-associated protein kinase 1, AAK1. In characterized eukaryotes, AAK1 phosphorylates the μ2 subunit of the AP-2 complex to enhance cargo recognition and uptake into clathrin-coated vesicles. Here, we show that kinetoplastids encode not one, but two AAK1 orthologues: one (AAK1L2) is absent from salivarian trypanosomes, while the other (AAK1L1) lacks important kinase-specific residues in a range of trypanosomes. These AAK1L1 and AAK1L2 novelties reinforce suggestions of functional divergence in endocytic uptake within salivarian trypanosomes. Despite this, we show that AAK1L1 null mutant Trypanosoma brucei, while viable, display slowed proliferation, morphological abnormalities including swelling of the flagellar pocket, and altered cargo uptake. In summary, our data suggest an unconventional role for a putative pseudokinase during endocytosis and/or vesicular trafficking in T. brucei, independent of AP-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Black
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & ImmunityUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical SchoolUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Christen M. Klinger
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & ImmunityUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health, Research InnovationUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Leandro Lemgruber
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & ImmunityUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Glasgow Imaging Facility, School of Infection & ImmunityUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Joel B. Dacks
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical SchoolUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology CentreCzech Academy of SciencesCeske Budejovice (Budweis)Czech Republic
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of BiologyUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | - Richard McCulloch
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & ImmunityUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
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8
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Albisetti AC, Douglas RL, Welch MD. FAZ assembly in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei requires kinesin KIN-E. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar103. [PMID: 37531263 PMCID: PMC10551704 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-01-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness, uses its flagellum for movement, cell division, and signaling. The flagellum is anchored to the cell body membrane via the flagellum attachment zone (FAZ), a complex of proteins, filaments, and microtubules that spans two membranes with elements on both flagellum and cell body sides. How FAZ components are carried into place to form this complex is poorly understood. Here, we show that the trypanosome-specific kinesin KIN-E is required for building the FAZ in bloodstream-form parasites. KIN-E is localized along the flagellum with a concentration at its distal tip. Depletion of KIN-E by RNAi rapidly inhibits flagellum attachment and leads to cell death. A detailed analysis reveals that KIN-E depletion phenotypes include failure in cytokinesis completion, kinetoplast DNA missegregation, and transport vesicle accumulation. Together with previously published results in procyclic form parasites, these data suggest KIN-E plays a critical role in FAZ assembly in T. brucei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C. Albisetti
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Robert L. Douglas
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Matthew D. Welch
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
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Robledo SM, Pérez-Silanes S, Fernández-Rubio C, Poveda A, Monzote L, González VM, Alonso-Collado P, Carrión J. Neglected Zoonotic Diseases: Advances in the Development of Cell-Penetrating and Antimicrobial Peptides against Leishmaniosis and Chagas Disease. Pathogens 2023; 12:939. [PMID: 37513786 PMCID: PMC10383258 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2020, the WHO established the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030, which aims to control and eradicate 20 diseases, including leishmaniosis and Chagas disease. In addition, since 2015, the WHO has been developing a Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. In this context, the achievement of innovative strategies as an alternative to replace conventional therapies is a first-order socio-sanitary priority, especially regarding endemic zoonoses in poor regions, such as those caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. infections. In this scenario, it is worth highlighting a group of natural peptide molecules (AMPs and CPPs) that are promising strategies for improving therapeutic efficacy against these neglected zoonoses, as they avoid the development of toxicity and resistance of conventional treatments. This review presents the novelties of these peptide molecules and their ability to cross a whole system of cell membranes as well as stimulate host immune defenses or even serve as vectors of molecules. The efforts of the biotechnological sector will make it possible to overcome the limitations of antimicrobial peptides through encapsulation and functionalization methods to obtain approval for these treatments to be used in clinical programs for the eradication of leishmaniosis and Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Robledo
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales PECET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Silvia Pérez-Silanes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Celia Fernández-Rubio
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Poveda
- DNA Replication and Genome Instability Unit, Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Zoonosis y Salud Pública (GIBCIZ), Instituto de Investigación en Zoonosis-CIZ, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador
| | - Lianet Monzote
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kourí", Apartado Postal No. 601, Marianao 13, La Habana 10400, Cuba
| | - Víctor M González
- Grupo de Aptámeros, Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km. 9.100, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Alonso-Collado
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Carrión
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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10
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Danazumi AU, Ishmam IT, Idris S, Izert MA, Balogun EO, Górna MW. Targeted protein degradation might present a novel therapeutic approach in the fight against African trypanosomiasis. Eur J Pharm Sci 2023; 186:106451. [PMID: 37088149 PMCID: PMC11032742 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
African trypanosomiasis (AT) is a hemoparasitic disease caused by infection with African trypanosomes and it is prevalent in many sub-Saharan African countries, affecting both humans and domestic animals. The disease is transmitted mostly by haematophagous insects of the genus Glossina while taking blood meal, in the process spreading the parasites from an infected animal to an uninfected animal. The disease is fatal if untreated, and the available drugs are generally ineffective and resulting in toxicities. Therefore, it is still pertinent to explore novel methods and targets for drug discovery. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) present a new strategy for development of therapeutic molecules that mimic cellular proteasomal-mediated protein degradation to target proteins involved in different disease types. PROTACs have been used to degrade proteins involved in various cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and immune disorders with remarkable success. Here, we highlight the problems associated with the current treatments for AT, discuss the concept of PROTACs and associated targeted protein degradation (TPD) approaches, and provide some insights on the future potential for the use of these emerging technologies (PROTACs and TPD) for the development of new generation of anti-Trypanosoma drugs and the first "TrypPROTACs".
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammar Usman Danazumi
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | | | - Salisu Idris
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Matylda Anna Izert
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Emmanuel Oluwadare Balogun
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; African Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
| | - Maria Wiktoria Górna
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
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11
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Campbell PC, de Graffenried CL. Morphogenesis in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes proceeds via a highly asymmetric cell division. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.24.542100. [PMID: 37293088 PMCID: PMC10245916 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.24.542100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protist parasite that is the causative agent of Chagas' disease, a neglected tropical disease endemic to the Americas. T. cruzi cells are highly polarized and undergo morphological changes as they cycle within their insect and mammalian hosts. Work on related trypanosomatids has described cell division mechanisms in several life-cycle stages and identified a set of essential morphogenic proteins that serve as markers for key events during trypanosomatid division. Here, we use Cas9-based tagging of morphogenic genes, live-cell imaging, and expansion microscopy to study the cell division mechanism of the insect-resident epimastigote form of T. cruzi, which represents an understudied trypanosomatid morphotype. We find that T. cruzi epimastigote cell division is highly asymmetric, producing one daughter cell that is significantly smaller than the other. Daughter cell division rates differ by 4.9 h, which may be a consequence of this size disparity. Many of the morphogenic proteins identified in T. brucei have altered localization patterns in T. cruzi epimastigoes, which may reflect fundamental differences in the cell division mechanism of this life cycle stage, which widens and shortens the cell body to accommodate the duplicated organelles and cleavage furrow rather than elongating the cell body along the long axis of the cell, as is the case in life-cycle stages that have been studied in T. brucei. This work provides a foundation for further investigations of T. cruzi cell division and shows that subtle differences in trypansomatid cell morphology can alter how these parasites divide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C. Campbell
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Tenaglia AH, Luján LA, Ríos DN, Molina CR, Midlej V, Iribarren PA, Berazategui MA, Torri A, Saura A, Peralta DO, Rodríguez-Walker M, Fernández EA, Petiti JP, Serradell MC, Gargantini PR, Sparwasser T, Alvarez VE, de Souza W, Luján HD. Antibodies to variable surface antigens induce antigenic variation in the intestinal parasite Giardia lamblia. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2537. [PMID: 37137944 PMCID: PMC10156722 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38317-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The genomes of most protozoa encode families of variant surface antigens. In some parasitic microorganisms, it has been demonstrated that mutually exclusive changes in the expression of these antigens allow parasites to evade the host's immune response. It is widely assumed that antigenic variation in protozoan parasites is accomplished by the spontaneous appearance within the population of cells expressing antigenic variants that escape antibody-mediated cytotoxicity. Here we show, both in vitro and in animal infections, that antibodies to Variant-specific Surface Proteins (VSPs) of the intestinal parasite Giardia lamblia are not cytotoxic, inducing instead VSP clustering into liquid-ordered phase membrane microdomains that trigger a massive release of microvesicles carrying the original VSP and switch in expression to different VSPs by a calcium-dependent mechanism. This novel mechanism of surface antigen clearance throughout its release into microvesicles coupled to the stochastic induction of new phenotypic variants not only changes current paradigms of antigenic switching but also provides a new framework for understanding the course of protozoan infections as a host/parasite adaptive process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albano H Tenaglia
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIDIE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC), X5016HDK, Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba (CIQUIBIC), CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Lucas A Luján
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIDIE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC), X5016HDK, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Diego N Ríos
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIDIE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC), X5016HDK, Córdoba, Argentina
- Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Cecilia R Molina
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIDIE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC), X5016HDK, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Victor Midlej
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho and Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-170, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paula A Iribarren
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIBIO), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), B1650HMP, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María A Berazategui
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIBIO), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), B1650HMP, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alessandro Torri
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIDIE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC), X5016HDK, Córdoba, Argentina
- Viruses and RNA Interference Unit, CNRS Unité Mixte de Recherche, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Alicia Saura
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIDIE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC), X5016HDK, Córdoba, Argentina
- Cátedra de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Damián O Peralta
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIDIE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC), X5016HDK, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Macarena Rodríguez-Walker
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIDIE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC), X5016HDK, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Elmer A Fernández
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIDIE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC), X5016HDK, Córdoba, Argentina
- Fundación para el progreso de la Medicina, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Juan P Petiti
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA), Centro de Microscopía Electrónica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. CONICET/Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5016HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Marianela C Serradell
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIDIE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC), X5016HDK, Córdoba, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Parasitología y Micología, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5016HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Pablo R Gargantini
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIDIE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC), X5016HDK, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Tim Sparwasser
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Vanina E Alvarez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIBIO), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), B1650HMP, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho and Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-170, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hugo D Luján
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIDIE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)/Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC), X5016HDK, Córdoba, Argentina.
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13
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Sülzen H, Began J, Dhillon A, Kereïche S, Pompach P, Votrubova J, Zahedifard F, Šubrtova A, Šafner M, Hubalek M, Thompson M, Zoltner M, Zoll S. Cryo-EM structures of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense ISG65 with human complement C3 and C3b and their roles in alternative pathway restriction. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2403. [PMID: 37105991 PMCID: PMC10140031 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37988-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
African Trypanosomes have developed elaborate mechanisms to escape the adaptive immune response, but little is known about complement evasion particularly at the early stage of infection. Here we show that ISG65 of the human-infective parasite Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is a receptor for human complement factor C3 and its activation fragments and that it takes over a role in selective inhibition of the alternative pathway C5 convertase and thus abrogation of the terminal pathway. No deposition of C4b, as part of the classical and lectin pathway convertases, was detected on trypanosomes. We present the cryo-electron microscopy (EM) structures of native C3 and C3b in complex with ISG65 which reveal a set of modes of complement interaction. Based on these findings, we propose a model for receptor-ligand interactions as they occur at the plasma membrane of blood-stage trypanosomes and may facilitate innate immune escape of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagen Sülzen
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000, Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Began
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Chemin des Boveresses 155, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Arun Dhillon
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sami Kereïche
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000, Prague, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Albertov 4, 12800, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Pompach
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Votrubova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Farnaz Zahedifard
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University Prague, Biocev, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Adriana Šubrtova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Šafner
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Hubalek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Maaike Thompson
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000, Prague, Czech Republic
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Agidens, Industrial Machinery Manufacturing, Zwijndrecht, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Martin Zoltner
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University Prague, Biocev, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Sebastian Zoll
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000, Prague, Czech Republic.
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14
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Cruz Camacho A, Alfandari D, Kozela E, Regev-Rudzki N. Biogenesis of extracellular vesicles in protozoan parasites: The ESCRT complex in the trafficking fast lane? PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011140. [PMID: 36821560 PMCID: PMC9949670 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) provide a central mechanism of cell-cell communication. While EVs are found in most organisms, their pathogenesis-promoting roles in parasites are of particular interest given the potential for medical insight and consequential therapeutic intervention. Yet, a key feature of EVs in human parasitic protozoa remains elusive: their mechanisms of biogenesis. Here, we survey the current knowledge on the biogenesis pathways of EVs secreted by the four main clades of human parasitic protozoa: apicomplexans, trypanosomatids, flagellates, and amoebae. In particular, we shine a light on findings pertaining to the Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT) machinery, as in mammals it plays important roles in EV biogenesis. This review highlights the diversity in EV biogenesis in protozoa, as well as the related involvement of the ESCRT system in these unique organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abel Cruz Camacho
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Daniel Alfandari
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ewa Kozela
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Neta Regev-Rudzki
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- * E-mail:
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15
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Brosseau NE, Vallée I, Mayer-Scholl A, Ndao M, Karadjian G. Aptamer-Based Technologies for Parasite Detection. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:s23020562. [PMID: 36679358 PMCID: PMC9867382 DOI: 10.3390/s23020562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Centuries of scientific breakthroughs have brought us closer to understanding and managing the spread of parasitic diseases. Despite ongoing technological advancements in the detection, treatment, and control of parasitic illnesses, their effects on animal and human health remain a major concern worldwide. Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides whose unique three-dimensional structures enable them to interact with high specificity and affinity to a wide range of targets. In recent decades, aptamers have emerged as attractive alternatives to antibodies as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Due to their superior stability, reusability, and modifiability, aptamers have proven to be effective bioreceptors for the detection of toxins, contaminants, biomarkers, whole cells, pathogens, and others. As such, they have been integrated into a variety of electrochemical, fluorescence, and optical biosensors to effectively detect whole parasites and their proteins. This review offers a summary of the various types of parasite-specific aptamer-based biosensors, their general mechanisms and their performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Emerson Brosseau
- UMR BIPAR, Anses, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health (IDIGH) Program, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Isabelle Vallée
- UMR BIPAR, Anses, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Momar Ndao
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health (IDIGH) Program, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Grégory Karadjian
- UMR BIPAR, Anses, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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16
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Ramirez-Montoya MV, García-Olivares D, Acosta H, Rojas A. In silico integrative analysis for the characterization of LYT1 a unique protein of Trypanosoma cruzi. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:13154-13160. [PMID: 34583627 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1982771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma rangeli is the most similar organism to Trypanosoma cruzi. They share distribution areas, hosts, and some vectors. However, there are key differences between them; the first lacks a multiplicative form in the host and does not cause disease, while the second is the etiological agent of the American tripanosomiasis, a tropical disease that still does not have an effective vaccine nor treatment. Aiming to reveal the differences in their gene expression patterns in each life cycle form, the comparison of expression profiles was made parting from the ESTs available in TriTrypDB. We verified that there are no genes unique to T. rangeli in the ESTs. Astonishingly, we determined that T. cruzi has a single copy gene called LYT1, which has no similarity to any other protein of any organism on Earth. LYT1 is involved in invasion, motility, and cell cycle, making it an attractive vaccine target. After its identification, using immunoinformatics programs, we found multiple potential B- and T-cell epitopes in this protein, which is also rich in intrinsically disordered regions. Additionally, an approximation of the 3 D structure was predicted where the B-cell epitopes were located to assess their solvent access. We propose that its particular structural conformation confers the flexibility required for the interactions with multiple proteins, which in part may be performed through N-myristoylation sites. Given its important role in the infectiveness of T. cruzi and its antigenic potential, we highlight the need for future studies focused on its molecular and immunological in vivo characterization.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Virginia Ramirez-Montoya
- The National Center of Scientific Calculus at the Universidad de Los Andes (CeCalCULA, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
| | - Danielle García-Olivares
- The National Center of Scientific Calculus at the Universidad de Los Andes (CeCalCULA, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
| | - Héctor Acosta
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela.,Laboratory of Parasite Enzimology, Faculty of Science, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
| | - Ascanio Rojas
- The National Center of Scientific Calculus at the Universidad de Los Andes (CeCalCULA, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
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17
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Etheridge RD. Protozoan phagotrophy from predators to parasites: An overview of the enigmatic cytostome-cytopharynx complex of Trypanosoma cruzi. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12896. [PMID: 35175673 PMCID: PMC11110969 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Eating is fundamental and from this basic principle, living organisms have evolved innumerable strategies to capture energy and nutrients from their environment. As part of the world's aquatic ecosystems, the expansive family of heterotrophic protozoans uses self-generated currents to funnel prokaryotic prey into an ancient, yet highly enigmatic, oral apparatus known as the cytostome-cytopharynx complex prior to digestion. Despite its near ubiquitous presence in protozoans, little is known mechanistically about how this feeding organelle functions. Intriguingly, one class of these flagellated phagotrophic predators known as the kinetoplastids gave rise to a lineage of obligate parasitic protozoa, the trypanosomatids, that can infect a wide variety of organisms ranging from plants to humans. One parasitic species of humans, Trypanosoma cruzi, has retained this ancestral organelle much like its free-living relatives and continues to use it as its primary mode of endocytosis. In this review, we will highlight foundational observations made regarding the cytostome-cytopharynx complex and examine some of the most pressing questions regarding the mechanistic basis for its function. We propose that T. cruzi has the potential to serve as an excellent model system to dissect the enigmatic process of protozoal phagotrophy and thus enhance our overall understanding of fundamental eukaryotic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Drew Etheridge
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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18
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Danazumi AU, Iliyasu Gital S, Idris S, BS Dibba L, Balogun EO, Górna MW. Immunoinformatic design of a putative multi-epitope vaccine candidate against Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:5574-5585. [PMID: 36284708 PMCID: PMC9576565 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a neglected tropical disease that is caused by flagellated parasites of the genus Trypanosoma. HAT imposes a significant socio-economic burden on many countries in sub-Saharan Africa and its control is hampered by several drawbacks ranging from the ineffectiveness of drugs, complex dosing regimens, drug resistance, and lack of a vaccine. Despite more than a century of research and investigations, the development of a vaccine to tackle HAT is still challenging due to the complex biology of the pathogens. Advancements in computational modeling coupled with the availability of an unprecedented amount of omics data from different organisms have allowed the design of new generation vaccines that offer better antigenicity and safety profile. One of such new generation approaches is a multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) designed from a collection of antigenic peptides. A MEV can stimulate both cellular and humoral immune responses as well as avoiding possible allergenic reactions. Herein, we take advantage of this approach to design a MEV from conserved hypothetical plasma membrane proteins of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, the trypanosome subspecies that is responsible for the west and central African forms of HAT. The designed MEV is 402 amino acids long (41.5 kDa). It is predicted to be antigenic, non-toxic, to assume a stable 3D conformation, and to interact with a key immune receptor. In addition, immune simulation foresaw adequate immune stimulation by the putative antigen and a lasting memory. Therefore, the designed chimeric vaccine represents a potential candidate that could be used to target HAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammar Usman Danazumi
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland,Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland,Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, the Netherlands,Corresponding authors at: Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland (A.U. Danazumi, M. W. Górna).
| | | | - Salisu Idris
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria,Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Kazaure School of Health Technology, Jigawa, Nigeria
| | - Lamin BS Dibba
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria,Department of Physical and Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, University of the Gambia, Brikama Campus. P.O Box 3530, Serrekunda, the Gambia
| | - Emmanuel Oluwadare Balogun
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria,Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria,Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Maria Wiktoria Górna
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland,Corresponding authors at: Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland (A.U. Danazumi, M. W. Górna).
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19
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Benz C, Müller N, Kaltenbrunner S, Váchová H, Vancová M, Lukeš J, Varga V, Hashimi H. Kinetoplastid-specific X2-family kinesins interact with a kinesin-like pleckstrin homology domain protein that localizes to the trypanosomal microtubule quartet. Mol Microbiol 2022; 118:155-174. [PMID: 35766104 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Kinesins are motor proteins found in all eukaryotic lineages that move along microtubules to mediate cellular processes such as mitosis and intracellular transport. In trypanosomatids, the kinesin superfamily has undergone a prominent expansion, resulting in one of the most diverse kinesin repertoires that includes the two kinetoplastid-restricted families X1 and X2. Here, we characterize in Trypanosoma brucei TbKifX2A, an orphaned X2 kinesin. TbKifX2A tightly interacts with TbPH1, a kinesin-like protein with a likely inactive motor domain, a rarely reported occurrence. Both TbKifX2A and TbPH1 localize to the microtubule quartet (MtQ), a characteristic but poorly understood cytoskeletal structure that wraps around the flagellar pocket as it extends to the cell body anterior. The proximal proteome of TbPH1 revealed two other interacting proteins, the flagellar pocket protein FP45 and intriguingly another X2 kinesin, TbKifX2C. Simultaneous ablation of TbKifX2A/TbPH1 results in the depletion of FP45 and TbKifX2C and also an expansion of the flagellar pocket, among other morphological defects. TbKifX2A is the first motor protein to be localized to the MtQ. The observation that TbKifX2C also associates with the MtQ suggests that the X2 kinesin family may have co-evolved with the MtQ, both kinetoplastid-specific traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Benz
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Nora Müller
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Sabine Kaltenbrunner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Johannes Kepler University, Medical Faculty, Linz, Austria
| | - Hana Váchová
- Laboratory of Cell Motility, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Marie Vancová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Vladimír Varga
- Laboratory of Cell Motility, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Hassan Hashimi
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
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20
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Ramanantsalama MR, Landrein N, Casas E, Salin B, Blancard C, Bonhivers M, Robinson DR, Dacheux D. TFK1, a basal body transition fibre protein that is essential for cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:275643. [PMID: 35588197 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In Trypanosoma brucei, transition fibres (TF) form a nine-bladed pattern-like structure connecting the base of the flagellum to the flagellar pocket membrane. Despite the characterization of two TF proteins, CEP164C and TbRP2, little is known about the organization of these fibres. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the first kinetoplastid-specific TF protein named TFK1 (Tb927.6.1180). Bioinformatics and functional domain analysis identified three TFK1 distinct domains: an N-terminal domain of an unpredicted function, a coiled-coil domain involved in TFK1-TFK1 interaction and a C-terminal intrinsically disordered region potentially involved in protein interaction. Cellular immuno-localization showed that TFK1 is a newly identified basal body maturation marker. Further, using ultrastructure expansion and immuno-electron microscopies we localized CEP164C and TbRP2 at the TF and TFK1 on the distal appendage matrix of the TF. Importantly, RNAi knockdown of TFK1 in bloodstream form cells induced misplacement of basal bodies, a defect in the furrow or fold generation and eventually cell death. We hypothesize that TFK1 is a basal body positioning specific actor and a key regulator of cytokinesis in the bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolas Landrein
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Elina Casas
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Bénédicte Salin
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microscopy Department IBGC, UMR 5095, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Corinne Blancard
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microscopy Department IBGC, UMR 5095, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Mélanie Bonhivers
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Derrick R Robinson
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Denis Dacheux
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.,Bordeaux INP, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
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21
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Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei belongs to a genus of protists that cause life-threatening and economically important diseases of human and animal populations in Sub-Saharan Africa. T. brucei cells are covered in surface glycoproteins, some of which are used to escape the host immune system. Exo-/endocytotic trafficking of these and other molecules occurs via a single copy organelle called the flagellar pocket (FP). The FP is maintained and enclosed around the flagellum by the flagellar pocket collar (FPC). To date, the most important cytoskeletal component of the FPC is an essential calcium-binding, polymer-forming protein called TbBILBO1. In searching for novel tools to study this protein, we raised nanobodies (Nb) against purified, full-length TbBILBO1. Nanobodies were selected according to their binding properties to TbBILBO1, tested as immunofluorescence tools, and expressed as intrabodies (INb). One of them, Nb48, proved to be the most robust nanobody and intrabody. We further demonstrate that inducible, cytoplasmic expression of INb48 was lethal to these parasites, producing abnormal phenotypes resembling those of TbBILBO1 RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown. Our results validate the feasibility of generating functional single-domain antibody-derived intrabodies to target trypanosome cytoskeleton proteins. IMPORTANCETrypanosoma brucei belongs to a group of important zoonotic parasites. We investigated how these organisms develop their cytoskeleton (the internal skeleton that controls cell shape) and focused on an essential protein (BILBO1) first described in T. brucei. To develop our analysis, we used purified BILBO1 protein to immunize an alpaca to make nanobodies (Nb). Nanobodies are derived from the antigen-binding portion of a novel antibody type found only in the camel and shark families of animals. Anti-BILBO1 nanobodies were obtained, and their encoding genes were inducibly expressed within the cytoplasm of T. brucei as intrabodies (INb). Importantly, INb48 expression rapidly killed parasites producing phenotypes normally observed after RNA knockdown, providing clear proof of principle. The importance of this study is derived from this novel approach, which can be used to study neglected and emerging pathogens as well as new model organisms, especially those that do not have the RNAi system.
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22
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Bardet-Biedl syndrome proteins modulate the release of bioactive extracellular vesicles. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5671. [PMID: 34580290 PMCID: PMC8476602 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25929-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia are microtubule based sensory organelles important for receiving and processing cellular signals. Recent studies have shown that cilia also release extracellular vesicles (EVs). Because EVs have been shown to exert various physiological functions, these findings have the potential to alter our understanding of how primary cilia regulate specific signalling pathways. So far the focus has been on lgEVs budding directly from the ciliary membrane. An association between cilia and MVB-derived smEVs has not yet been described. We show that ciliary mutant mammalian cells demonstrate increased secretion of small EVs (smEVs) and a change in EV composition. Characterisation of smEV cargo identified signalling molecules that are differentially loaded upon ciliary dysfunction. Furthermore, we show that these smEVs are biologically active and modulate the WNT response in recipient cells. These results provide us with insights into smEV-dependent ciliary signalling mechanisms which might underly ciliopathy disease pathogenesis. Extracellular vesicles (EV) are known to be released from the primary cilium, but the role ciliary proteins play in EV biogenesis remains unexplored. Here, the authors demonstrate increased secretion of small EVs with altered cargo composition from cells with known ciliarelated mutations. Wnt related molecules made up a majority of altered cargo
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23
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Orrego PR, Serrano-Rodríguez M, Cortez M, Araya JE. In Silico Characterization of Calcineurin from Pathogenic Obligate Intracellular Trypanosomatids: Potential New Biological Roles. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091322. [PMID: 34572535 PMCID: PMC8470620 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcineurin (CaN) is present in all eukaryotic cells, including intracellular trypanosomatid parasites such as Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc) and Leishmania spp. (Lspp). In this study, we performed an in silico analysis of the CaN subunits, comparing them with the human (Hs) and looking their structure, post-translational mechanisms, subcellular distribution, interactors, and secretion potential. The differences in the structure of the domains suggest the existence of regulatory mechanisms and differential activity between these protozoa. Regulatory subunits are partially conserved, showing differences in their Ca2+-binding domains and myristoylation potential compared with human CaN. The subcellular distribution reveals that the catalytic subunits TcCaNA1, TcCaNA2, LsppCaNA1, LsppCaNA1_var, and LsppCaNA2 associate preferentially with the plasma membrane compared with the cytoplasmic location of HsCaNAα. For regulatory subunits, HsCaNB-1 and LsppCaNB associate preferentially with the nucleus and cytoplasm, and TcCaNB with chloroplast and cytoplasm. Calpain cleavage sites on CaNA suggest differential processing. CaNA and CaNB of these trypanosomatids have the potential to be secreted and could play a role in remote communication. Therefore, this background can be used to develop new drugs for protozoan pathogens that cause neglected disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricio R. Orrego
- Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile
- Correspondence: (P.R.O.); (J.E.A.); Tel.: +56-55-2637664 (J.E.A.)
| | - Mayela Serrano-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile;
| | - Mauro Cortez
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil;
| | - Jorge E. Araya
- Departamento de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile;
- Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, CeBIB, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile
- Correspondence: (P.R.O.); (J.E.A.); Tel.: +56-55-2637664 (J.E.A.)
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24
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Link F, Borges AR, Jones NG, Engstler M. To the Surface and Back: Exo- and Endocytic Pathways in Trypanosoma brucei. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:720521. [PMID: 34422837 PMCID: PMC8377397 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.720521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei is one of only a few unicellular pathogens that thrives extracellularly in the vertebrate host. Consequently, the cell surface plays a critical role in both immune recognition and immune evasion. The variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coats the entire surface of the parasite and acts as a flexible shield to protect invariant proteins against immune recognition. Antigenic variation of the VSG coat is the major virulence mechanism of trypanosomes. In addition, incessant motility of the parasite contributes to its immune evasion, as the resulting fluid flow on the cell surface drags immunocomplexes toward the flagellar pocket, where they are internalized. The flagellar pocket is the sole site of endo- and exocytosis in this organism. After internalization, VSG is rapidly recycled back to the surface, whereas host antibodies are thought to be transported to the lysosome for degradation. For this essential step to work, effective machineries for both sorting and recycling of VSGs must have evolved in trypanosomes. Our understanding of the mechanisms behind VSG recycling and VSG secretion, is by far not complete. This review provides an overview of the trypanosome secretory and endosomal pathways. Longstanding questions are pinpointed that, with the advent of novel technologies, might be answered in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Link
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alyssa R Borges
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nicola G Jones
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Engstler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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25
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Lechuga GC, Napoleão-Pêgo P, Gomes LR, da Matta Durans A, Provance DW, De-Simone SG. Nicastrin-Like, a Novel Transmembrane Protein from Trypanosoma cruzi Associated to the Flagellar Pocket. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081750. [PMID: 34442829 PMCID: PMC8400621 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicastrin (NICT) is a transmembrane protein physically associated with the polytypical aspartyl protease presenilin that plays a vital role in the correct localization and stabilization of presenilin to the membrane-bound γ-secretase complex. This complex is involved in the regulation of a wide range of cellular events, including cell signaling and the regulation of endocytosed membrane proteins for their trafficking and protein processing. Methods: In Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of the Chagas disease, a NICT-like protein (Tc/NICT) was identified with a short C-terminus orthologous to the human protein, a large ectodomain (ECD) with numerous glycosylation sites and a single-core transmembrane domain containing a putative TM-domain (457GSVGA461) important for the γ-secretase complex activity. Results: Using the Spot-synthesis strategy with Chagasic patient sera, five extracellular epitopes were identified and synthetic forms were used to generate rabbit anti-Tc/NICT polyclonal serum that recognized a ~72-kDa molecule in immunoblots of T. cruzi epimastigote extracts. Confocal microscopy suggests that Tc/NICT is localized in the flagellar pocket, which is consistent with data from our previous studies with a T. cruzi presenilin-like protein. Phylogenetically, Tc/NICT was localized within a subgroup with the T. rangeli protein that is clearly detached from the other Trypanosomatidae, such as T. brucei. These results, together with a comparative analysis of the selected peptide sequence regions between the T. cruzi and mammalian proteins, suggest a divergence from the human NICT that might be relevant to Chagas disease pathology. As a whole, our data show that a NICT-like protein is expressed in the infective and replicative stages of T. cruzi and may be considered further evidence for a γ-secretase complex in trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - Paloma Napoleão-Pêgo
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - Larissa Rodrigues Gomes
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - Andressa da Matta Durans
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - David William Provance
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
- FIOCRUZ, Interdisciplinary Medical Research Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Salvatore Giovanni De-Simone
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Fax: +55-21-2590-3495
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26
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Structural and functional studies of the first tripartite protein complex at the Trypanosoma brucei flagellar pocket collar. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009329. [PMID: 34339455 PMCID: PMC8360560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The flagellar pocket (FP) is the only endo- and exocytic organelle in most trypanosomes and, as such, is essential throughout the life cycle of the parasite. The neck of the FP is maintained enclosed around the flagellum via the flagellar pocket collar (FPC). The FPC is a macromolecular cytoskeletal structure and is essential for the formation of the FP and cytokinesis. FPC biogenesis and structure are poorly understood, mainly due to the lack of information on FPC composition. To date, only two FPC proteins, BILBO1 and FPC4, have been characterized. BILBO1 forms a molecular skeleton upon which other FPC proteins can, theoretically, dock onto. We previously identified FPC4 as the first BILBO1 interacting partner and demonstrated that its C-terminal domain interacts with the BILBO1 N-terminal domain (NTD). Here, we report by yeast two-hybrid, bioinformatics, functional and structural studies the characterization of a new FPC component and BILBO1 partner protein, BILBO2 (Tb927.6.3240). Further, we demonstrate that BILBO1 and BILBO2 share a homologous NTD and that both domains interact with FPC4. We have determined a 1.9 Å resolution crystal structure of the BILBO2 NTD in complex with the FPC4 BILBO1-binding domain. Together with mutational analyses, our studies reveal key residues for the function of the BILBO2 NTD and its interaction with FPC4 and evidenced a tripartite interaction between BILBO1, BILBO2, and FPC4. Our work sheds light on the first atomic structure of an FPC protein complex and represents a significant step in deciphering the FPC function in Trypanosoma brucei and other pathogenic kinetoplastids. Trypanosomes belong to a group of zoonotic, protist, parasites that are found in Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe and are responsible for severe human and animal diseases. They all have a common structure called the flagellar pocket (FP). In most trypanosomes, all macromolecular exchanges between the trypanosome and the environment occur via the FP. The FP is thus essential for cell viability and evading the host immune response. We have been studying the flagellar pocket collar (FPC), an enigmatic macromolecular structure at the neck of the FP, and demonstrated its essentiality for the biogenesis of the FP. We demonstrated that BILBO1 is an essential protein of the FPC that interacts with other proteins including a microtubule-binding protein FPC4. Here we identify another bona fide FPC protein, BILBO2, so named because of close similarity with BILBO1 in protein localization and functional domains. We demonstrate that BILBO1 and BILBO2 share a common N-terminal domain involved in the interaction with FPC4, and illustrate a tripartite interaction between BILBO1, BILBO2, and FPC4. Our study also provides the first atomic view of two FPC components. These data represent an additional step in deciphering the FPC structure and function in T. brucei.
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Campbell PC, de Graffenried CL. Alternate histories of cytokinesis: lessons from the trypanosomatids. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 31:2631-2639. [PMID: 33180676 PMCID: PMC7927182 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e19-12-0696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Popular culture has recently produced several “alternate histories” that describe worlds where key historical events had different outcomes. Beyond entertainment, asking “could this have happened a different way?” and “what would the consequences be?” are valuable approaches for exploring molecular mechanisms in many areas of research, including cell biology. Analogous to alternate histories, studying how the evolutionary trajectories of related organisms have been selected to provide a range of outcomes can tell us about the plasticity and potential contained within the genome of the ancestral cell. Among eukaryotes, a group of model organisms has been employed with great success to identify a core, conserved framework of proteins that segregate the duplicated cellular organelles into two daughter cells during cell division, a process known as cytokinesis. However, these organisms provide relatively sparse sampling across the broad evolutionary distances that exist, which has limited our understanding of the true potential of the ancestral eukaryotic toolkit. Recent work on the trypanosomatids, a group of eukaryotic parasites, exemplifies alternate historical routes for cytokinesis that illustrate the range of eukaryotic diversity, especially among unicellular organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C Campbell
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
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28
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Corrales RM, Vaselek S, Neish R, Berry L, Brunet CD, Crobu L, Kuk N, Mateos-Langerak J, Robinson DR, Volf P, Mottram JC, Sterkers Y, Bastien P. The kinesin of the flagellum attachment zone in Leishmania is required for cell morphogenesis, cell division and virulence in the mammalian host. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009666. [PMID: 34143858 PMCID: PMC8244899 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites possess a unique and complex cytoskeletal structure termed flagellum attachment zone (FAZ) connecting the base of the flagellum to one side of the flagellar pocket (FP), an invagination of the cell body membrane and the sole site for endocytosis and exocytosis. This structure is involved in FP architecture and cell morphogenesis, but its precise role and molecular composition remain enigmatic. Here, we characterized Leishmania FAZ7, the only known FAZ protein containing a kinesin motor domain, and part of a clade of trypanosomatid-specific kinesins with unknown functions. The two paralogs of FAZ7, FAZ7A and FAZ7B, display different localizations and functions. FAZ7A localizes at the basal body, while FAZ7B localizes at the distal part of the FP, where the FAZ structure is present in Leishmania. While null mutants of FAZ7A displayed normal growth rates, the deletion of FAZ7B impaired cell growth in both promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania. The kinesin activity is crucial for its function. Deletion of FAZ7B resulted in altered cell division, cell morphogenesis (including flagellum length), and FP structure and function. Furthermore, knocking out FAZ7B induced a mis-localization of two of the FAZ proteins, and disrupted the molecular organization of the FP collar, affecting the localization of its components. Loss of the kinesin FAZ7B has important consequences in the insect vector and mammalian host by reducing proliferation in the sand fly and pathogenicity in mice. Our findings reveal the pivotal role of the only FAZ kinesin as part of the factors important for a successful life cycle of Leishmania. Leishmania are flagellated trypanosomatid parasites causing worldwide human and animal diseases. As ’divergent eukaryotes’, their biology presents unique features and structures, of which the specific functions constitute potential drug targets. Among others, they possess a unique cytoskeletal structure termed the flagellum attachment zone (FAZ) attaching the base of their flagellum to one side of the flagellar pocket (FP), which is the sole site for endocytosis and exocytosis. The FP together with other unique flagellum-associated structures are crucial for parasite survival, but the functioning of this whole remains largely enigmatic. Leishmania also possess an expanded repertoire of kinesins (>55), including two trypanosomatid-specific families. Here, we show that the deletion of the sole kinesin among FAZ proteins disrupts cell morphogenesis, FP organisation and cell division. Furthermore, the ability to proliferate in the insect vector and mammalian host is reduced in parasites lacking the kinesin FAZ7B. This study helps elucidate the factors contributing to the successful lifecycle and pathogenicity of the parasite. It also highlights the functional diversification of motor proteins during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Milagros Corrales
- Research Unit “MiVEGEC”, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- * E-mail: (RMC); (PB)
| | - Slavica Vaselek
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rachel Neish
- York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Laurence Berry
- Research Unit “LPHI” (Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Camille D. Brunet
- Research Unit “MiVEGEC”, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Lucien Crobu
- Research Unit “MiVEGEC”, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Nada Kuk
- Research Unit “MiVEGEC”, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Derrick R. Robinson
- Research Unit “Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity”, “Protist Parasite Cytoskeleton (ProParaCyto)”, University of Bordeaux, UMR 5234, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Yvon Sterkers
- Research Unit “MiVEGEC”, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Bastien
- Research Unit “MiVEGEC”, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- * E-mail: (RMC); (PB)
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Calvo-Álvarez E, Bonnefoy S, Salles A, Benson FE, McKean PG, Bastin P, Rotureau B. Redistribution of FLAgellar Member 8 during the trypanosome life cycle: Consequences for cell fate prediction. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13347. [PMID: 33896083 PMCID: PMC8459223 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The single flagellum of African trypanosomes is essential in multiple aspects of the parasites' development. The FLAgellar Member 8 protein (FLAM8), localised to the tip of the flagellum in cultured insect forms of Trypanosoma brucei, was identified as a marker of the locking event that controls flagellum length. Here, we investigated whether FLAM8 could also reflect the flagellum maturation state in other parasite cycle stages. We observed that FLAM8 distribution extended along the entire flagellar cytoskeleton in mammalian‐infective forms. Then, a rapid FLAM8 concentration to the distal tip occurs during differentiation into early insect forms, illustrating the remodelling of an existing flagellum. In the tsetse cardia, FLAM8 further localises to the entire length of the new flagellum during an asymmetric division. Strikingly, in parasites dividing in the tsetse midgut and in the salivary glands, the amount and distribution of FLAM8 in the new flagellum were seen to predict the daughter cell fate. We propose and discuss how FLAM8 could be considered a meta‐marker of the flagellum stage and maturation state in trypanosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Calvo-Álvarez
- Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur and INSERM U1201, Paris, France.,Trypanosome Transmission Group, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Serge Bonnefoy
- Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur and INSERM U1201, Paris, France
| | - Audrey Salles
- Unit of Technology and Service Photonic BioImaging (UTechS PBI), C2RT, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Fiona E Benson
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Paul G McKean
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Philippe Bastin
- Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur and INSERM U1201, Paris, France
| | - Brice Rotureau
- Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur and INSERM U1201, Paris, France.,Trypanosome Transmission Group, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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Halliday C, de Castro-Neto A, Alcantara CL, Cunha-E-Silva NL, Vaughan S, Sunter JD. Trypanosomatid Flagellar Pocket from Structure to Function. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:317-329. [PMID: 33308952 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The trypanosomatids Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania spp. are flagellate eukaryotic parasites that cause serious diseases in humans and animals. These parasites have cell shapes defined by a subpellicular microtubule array and all share a number of important cellular features. One of these is the flagellar pocket, an invagination of the cell membrane around the proximal end of the flagellum, which is an important organelle for endo/exocytosis. The flagellar pocket plays a crucial role in parasite pathogenicity and persistence in the host and has a great influence on cell morphogenesis and cell division. Here, we compare the morphology and function of the flagellar pockets between different trypanosomatids, with their life cycles and ecological niches likely influencing these differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Halliday
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Artur de Castro-Neto
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Carolina L Alcantara
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil; Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Narcisa L Cunha-E-Silva
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil; Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Jack D Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
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APEX2 Proximity Proteomics Resolves Flagellum Subdomains and Identifies Flagellum Tip-Specific Proteins in Trypanosoma brucei. mSphere 2021; 6:6/1/e01090-20. [PMID: 33568455 PMCID: PMC8141408 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.01090-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleeping sickness is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The disease disrupts the sleep-wake cycle, leading to coma and death if left untreated. T. brucei motility, transmission, and virulence depend on its flagellum (cilium), which consists of several different specialized subdomains. Trypanosoma brucei is the protozoan parasite responsible for sleeping sickness, a lethal vector-borne disease. T. brucei has a single flagellum (cilium) that plays critical roles in transmission and pathogenesis. An emerging concept is that the flagellum is organized into subdomains, each having specialized composition and function. The overall flagellum proteome has been well studied, but a critical knowledge gap is the protein composition of individual subdomains. We have tested whether APEX-based proximity proteomics could be used to examine the protein composition of T. brucei flagellum subdomains. As APEX-based labeling has not previously been described in T. brucei, we first fused APEX2 to the DRC1 subunit of the nexin-dynein regulatory complex, a well-characterized axonemal complex. We found that DRC1-APEX2 directs flagellum-specific biotinylation, and purification of biotinylated proteins yields a DRC1 “proximity proteome” having good overlap with published proteomes obtained from purified axonemes. Having validated the use of APEX2 in T. brucei, we next attempted to distinguish flagellar subdomains by fusing APEX2 to a flagellar membrane protein that is restricted to the flagellum tip, AC1, and another one that is excluded from the tip, FS179. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated subdomain-specific biotinylation, and principal-component analysis showed distinct profiles between AC1-APEX2 and FS179-APEX2. Comparing these two profiles allowed us to identify an AC1 proximity proteome that is enriched for tip proteins, including proteins involved in signaling. Our results demonstrate that APEX2-based proximity proteomics is effective in T. brucei and can be used to resolve the proteome composition of flagellum subdomains that cannot themselves be readily purified. IMPORTANCE Sleeping sickness is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The disease disrupts the sleep-wake cycle, leading to coma and death if left untreated. T. brucei motility, transmission, and virulence depend on its flagellum (cilium), which consists of several different specialized subdomains. Given the essential and multifunctional role of the T. brucei flagellum, there is need for approaches that enable proteomic analysis of individual subdomains. Our work establishes that APEX2 proximity labeling can, indeed, be implemented in the biochemical environment of T. brucei and has allowed identification of proximity proteomes for different flagellar subdomains that cannot be purified. This capacity opens the possibility to study the composition and function of other compartments. We expect this approach may be extended to other eukaryotic pathogens and will enhance the utility of T. brucei as a model organism to study ciliopathies, heritable human diseases in which cilium function is impaired.
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Lechuga GC, Napoleão-Pêgo P, Bottino CCG, Pinho RT, Provance-Jr DW, De-Simone SG. Trypanosoma cruzi Presenilin-Like Transmembrane Aspartyl Protease: Characterization and Cellular Localization. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10111564. [PMID: 33212923 PMCID: PMC7698364 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing detection of infections of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, in non-endemic regions beyond Latin America has risen to be a major public health issue. With an impact in the millions of people, current treatments rely on antiquated drugs that produce severe side effects and are considered nearly ineffective for the chronic phase. The minimal progress in the development of new drugs highlights the need for advances in basic research on crucial biochemical pathways in T. cruzi to identify new targets. Here, we report on the T. cruzi presenilin-like transmembrane aspartyl enzyme, a protease of the aspartic class in a unique phylogenetic subgroup with T. vivax separate from protozoans. Computational analyses suggest it contains nine transmembrane domains and an active site with the characteristic PALP motif of the A22 family. Multiple linear B-cell epitopes were identified by SPOT-synthesis analysis with Chagasic patient sera. Two were chosen to generate rabbit antisera, whose signal was primarily localized to the flagellar pocket, intracellular vesicles, and endoplasmic reticulum in parasites by whole-cell immunofluorescence. The results suggest that the parasitic presenilin-like enzyme could have a role in the secretory pathway and serve as a target for the generation of new therapeutics specific to the T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme C. Lechuga
- Center for Technological Development in Health/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Diseases of Neglected Population (INCT-IDPN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (C.C.G.B.); (D.W.P.-J.)
- Cellular Ultrastructure Laboratory, FIOCRUZ, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Paloma Napoleão-Pêgo
- Center for Technological Development in Health/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Diseases of Neglected Population (INCT-IDPN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (C.C.G.B.); (D.W.P.-J.)
| | - Carolina C. G. Bottino
- Center for Technological Development in Health/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Diseases of Neglected Population (INCT-IDPN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (C.C.G.B.); (D.W.P.-J.)
| | - Rosa T. Pinho
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, FIOCRUZ, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
| | - David W. Provance-Jr
- Center for Technological Development in Health/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Diseases of Neglected Population (INCT-IDPN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (C.C.G.B.); (D.W.P.-J.)
- Interdisciplinary Medical Research Laboratory, FIOCRUZ, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Salvatore G. De-Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Diseases of Neglected Population (INCT-IDPN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (C.C.G.B.); (D.W.P.-J.)
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24220-008, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-3865-8183
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Halliday C, Yanase R, Catta-Preta CMC, Moreira-Leite F, Myskova J, Pruzinova K, Volf P, Mottram JC, Sunter JD. Role for the flagellum attachment zone in Leishmania anterior cell tip morphogenesis. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008494. [PMID: 33091070 PMCID: PMC7608989 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The shape and form of the flagellated eukaryotic parasite Leishmania is sculpted to its ecological niches and needs to be transmitted to each generation with great fidelity. The shape of the Leishmania cell is defined by the sub-pellicular microtubule array and the positioning of the nucleus, kinetoplast and the flagellum within this array. The flagellum emerges from the anterior end of the cell body through an invagination of the cell body membrane called the flagellar pocket. Within the flagellar pocket the flagellum is laterally attached to the side of the flagellar pocket by a cytoskeletal structure called the flagellum attachment zone (FAZ). During the cell cycle single copy organelles duplicate with a new flagellum assembling alongside the old flagellum. These are then segregated between the two daughter cells by cytokinesis, which initiates at the anterior cell tip. Here, we have investigated the role of the FAZ in the morphogenesis of the anterior cell tip. We have deleted the FAZ filament protein, FAZ2 and investigated its function using light and electron microscopy and infection studies. The loss of FAZ2 caused a disruption to the membrane organisation at the anterior cell tip, resulting in cells that were connected to each other by a membranous bridge structure between their flagella. Moreover, the FAZ2 null mutant was unable to develop and proliferate in sand flies and had a reduced parasite burden in mice. Our study provides a deeper understanding of membrane-cytoskeletal interactions that define the shape and form of an individual cell and the remodelling of that form during cell division. Leishmania are parasites that cause leishmaniasis in humans with symptoms ranging from mild cutaneous lesions to severe visceral disease. The life cycle of these parasites alternates between the human host and the sand fly vector, with distinct forms in both. These different forms have different cell shapes that are adapted for survival in these different environments. Leishmania parasites have an elongated cell shape with a flagellum extending from one end and this shape is due to a protein skeleton beneath the cell membrane. This skeleton is made up of different units one of which is called the flagellum attachment zone (FAZ), that connects the flagellum to the cell body. We have found that one of the proteins in the FAZ called FAZ2 is important for generating the shape of the cell at the point where the flagellum exits the cell. When we deleted FAZ2 we found that the cell membrane at the end of the cell was distorted resulting in unusual connections between the flagella of different cells. We found that the disruption to the cell shape reduces the ability of the parasite to infect mice and develop in the sand fly, which shows the importance of the parasite shape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Halliday
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ryuji Yanase
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | | | - Flavia Moreira-Leite
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jitka Myskova
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Jack D. Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Alghamdi AH, Munday JC, Campagnaro GD, Gurvic D, Svensson F, Okpara CE, Kumar A, Quintana J, Martin Abril ME, Milić P, Watson L, Paape D, Settimo L, Dimitriou A, Wielinska J, Smart G, Anderson LF, Woodley CM, Kelly SPY, Ibrahim HM, Hulpia F, Al-Salabi MI, Eze AA, Sprenger T, Teka IA, Gudin S, Weyand S, Field M, Dardonville C, Tidwell RR, Carrington M, O'Neill P, Boykin DW, Zachariae U, De Koning HP. Positively selected modifications in the pore of TbAQP2 allow pentamidine to enter Trypanosoma brucei. eLife 2020; 9:56416. [PMID: 32762841 PMCID: PMC7473772 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Trypanosoma brucei aquaporin AQP2 are associated with resistance to pentamidine and melarsoprol. We show that TbAQP2 but not TbAQP3 was positively selected for increased pore size from a common ancestor aquaporin. We demonstrate that TbAQP2’s unique architecture permits pentamidine permeation through its central pore and show how specific mutations in highly conserved motifs affect drug permeation. Introduction of key TbAQP2 amino acids into TbAQP3 renders the latter permeable to pentamidine. Molecular dynamics demonstrates that permeation by dicationic pentamidine is energetically favourable in TbAQP2, driven by the membrane potential, although aquaporins are normally strictly impermeable for ionic species. We also identify the structural determinants that make pentamidine a permeant although most other diamidine drugs are excluded. Our results have wide-ranging implications for optimising antitrypanosomal drugs and averting cross-resistance. Moreover, these new insights in aquaporin permeation may allow the pharmacological exploitation of other members of this ubiquitous gene family. African sleeping sickness is a potentially deadly illness caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The disease is treatable, but many of the current treatments are old and are becoming increasingly ineffective. For instance, resistance is growing against pentamidine, a drug used in the early stages in the disease, as well as against melarsoprol, which is deployed when the infection has progressed to the brain. Usually, cases resistant to pentamidine are also resistant to melarsoprol, but it is still unclear why, as the drugs are chemically unrelated. Studies have shown that changes in a water channel called aquaglyceroporin 2 (TbAQP2) contribute to drug resistance in African sleeping sickness; this suggests that it plays a role in allowing drugs to kill the parasite. This molecular ‘drain pipe’ extends through the surface of T. brucei, and should allow only water and a molecule called glycerol in and out of the cell. In particular, the channel should be too narrow to allow pentamidine or melarsoprol to pass through. One possibility is that, in T. brucei, the TbAQP2 channel is abnormally wide compared to other members of its family. Alternatively, pentamidine and melarsoprol may only bind to TbAQP2, and then ‘hitch a ride’ when the protein is taken into the parasite as part of the natural cycle of surface protein replacement. Alghamdi et al. aimed to tease out these hypotheses. Computer models of the structure of the protein were paired with engineered changes in the key areas of the channel to show that, in T. brucei, TbAQP2 provides a much broader gateway into the cell than observed for similar proteins. In addition, genetic analysis showed that this version of TbAQP2 has been actively selected for during the evolution process of T. brucei. This suggests that the parasite somehow benefits from this wider aquaglyceroporin variant. This is a new resistance mechanism, and it is possible that aquaglyceroporins are also larger than expected in other infectious microbes. The work by Alghamdi et al. therefore provides insight into how other germs may become resistant to drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali H Alghamdi
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jane C Munday
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Dominik Gurvic
- Computational Biology Centre for Translational and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Fredrik Svensson
- IOTA Pharmaceuticals Ltd, St Johns Innovation Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Chinyere E Okpara
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Arvind Kumar
- Chemistry Department, Georgia State University, Atlanta, United States
| | - Juan Quintana
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | | | - Patrik Milić
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Watson
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Paape
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Settimo
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Dimitriou
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Wielinska
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme Smart
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Laura F Anderson
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Siu Pui Ying Kelly
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Hasan Ms Ibrahim
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Fabian Hulpia
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mohammed I Al-Salabi
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anthonius A Eze
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Teresa Sprenger
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ibrahim A Teka
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Gudin
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Simone Weyand
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Field
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.,Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Richard R Tidwell
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Mark Carrington
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Paul O'Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - David W Boykin
- Chemistry Department, Georgia State University, Atlanta, United States
| | - Ulrich Zachariae
- Computational Biology Centre for Translational and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Harry P De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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The Functional Characterization of TcMyoF Implicates a Family of Cytostome-Cytopharynx Targeted Myosins as Integral to the Endocytic Machinery of Trypanosoma cruzi. mSphere 2020; 5:5/3/e00313-20. [PMID: 32554712 PMCID: PMC7300353 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00313-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease and chronically infects upwards of 7 million people in the Americas. Current diagnostics and treatments remain grossly inadequate due, in part, to our general lack of understanding of this parasite’s basic biology. One aspect that has resisted detailed scrutiny is the mechanism employed by this parasite to extract nutrient resources from the radically different environments that it encounters as it transitions between its invertebrate and mammalian hosts. These parasites engulf food via a tubular invagination of its membrane, a strategy used by many protozoan species, but how this structure is formed or functions mechanistically remains a complete mystery. The significance of our research is in the identification of the mechanistic underpinnings of this feeding organelle that may bring to light new potential therapeutic targets to impede parasite feeding and thus halt the spread of this deadly human pathogen. Of the pathogenic trypanosomatids, Trypanosoma cruzi alone retains an ancient feeding apparatus known as the cytostome-cytopharynx complex (SPC) that it uses as its primary mode of endocytosis in a manner akin to its free-living kinetoplastid relatives who capture and eat bacterial prey via this endocytic organelle. In a recent report, we began the process of dissecting how this organelle functions by identifying the first SPC-specific proteins in T. cruzi. Here, we continued these studies and report on the identification of the first enzymatic component of the SPC, a previously identified orphan myosin motor (MyoF) specifically targeted to the SPC. We overexpressed MyoF as a dominant-negative mutant, resulting in parasites that, although viable, were completely deficient in measurable endocytosis in vitro. To our surprise, however, a full deletion of MyoF demonstrated only a decrease in the overall rate of endocytosis, potentially indicative of redundant myosin motors at work. Thereupon, we identified three additional orphan myosin motors, two of which (MyoB and MyoE) were targeted to the preoral ridge region adjacent to the cytostome entrance and another (MyoC) which was targeted to the cytopharynx tubular structure similar to that of MyoF. Additionally, we show that the C-terminal tails of each myosin are sufficient for targeting a fluorescent reporter to SPC subregions. This work highlights a potential mechanism used by the SPC to drive the inward flow of material for digestion and unveils a new level of overlapping complexity in this system with four distinct myosin isoforms targeted to this feeding structure. IMPORTANCE The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease and chronically infects upwards of 7 million people in the Americas. Current diagnostics and treatments remain grossly inadequate due, in part, to our general lack of understanding of this parasite’s basic biology. One aspect that has resisted detailed scrutiny is the mechanism employed by this parasite to extract nutrient resources from the radically different environments that it encounters as it transitions between its invertebrate and mammalian hosts. These parasites engulf food via a tubular invagination of its membrane, a strategy used by many protozoan species, but how this structure is formed or functions mechanistically remains a complete mystery. The significance of our research is in the identification of the mechanistic underpinnings of this feeding organelle that may bring to light new potential therapeutic targets to impede parasite feeding and thus halt the spread of this deadly human pathogen.
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Basal Body Protein TbSAF1 Is Required for Microtubule Quartet Anchorage to the Basal Bodies in Trypanosoma brucei. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.00668-20. [PMID: 32518185 PMCID: PMC7291619 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00668-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei contains a large array of single-copied organelles and structures. Through extensive interorganelle connections, these structures replicate and divide following a strict temporal and spatial order. A microtubule quartet (MtQ) originates from the basal bodies and extends toward the anterior end of the cell, stringing several cytoskeletal structures together along its path. In this study, we examined the interaction network of TbSpef1, the only protein specifically located to the MtQ. We identified an interaction between TbSpef1 and a basal body protein TbSAF1, which is required for MtQ anchorage to the basal bodies. This study thus provides the first molecular description of MtQ association with the basal bodies, since the discovery of this association ∼30 years ago. The results also reveal a general mechanism of the evolutionarily conserved Spef1/CLAMP, which achieves specific cellular functions via their conserved microtubule functions and their diverse molecular interaction networks. Sperm flagellar protein 1 (Spef1, also known as CLAMP) is a microtubule-associated protein involved in various microtubule-related functions from ciliary motility to polarized cell movement and planar cell polarity. In Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of trypanosomiasis, a single Spef1 ortholog (TbSpef1) is associated with a microtubule quartet (MtQ), which is in close association with several single-copied organelles and is required for their coordinated biogenesis during the cell cycle. Here, we investigated the interaction network of TbSpef1 using BioID, a proximity-dependent protein-protein interaction screening method. Characterization of selected candidates provided a molecular description of TbSpef1-MtQ interactions with nearby cytoskeletal structures. Of particular interest, we identified a new basal body protein TbSAF1, which is required for TbSpef1-MtQ anchorage to the basal bodies. The results demonstrate that MtQ-basal body anchorage is critical for the spatial organization of cytoskeletal organelles, as well as the morphology of the membrane-bound flagellar pocket where endocytosis takes place in this parasite.
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Xu ZS, Li FJ, Hide G, Lun ZR, Lai DH. Vacuolar ATPase depletion contributes to dysregulation of endocytosis in bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:214. [PMID: 32334612 PMCID: PMC7183646 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04068-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) is a highly conserved protein complex which hydrolyzes ATP and pumps protons to acidify vacuolar vesicles. Beyond its role in pH maintenance, the involvement of V-ATPase in endocytosis is well documented in mammals and plants but is less clear in Trypanosoma brucei. Methods In this study, the subcellular localization of V-ATPase subunit B (TbVAB) of T. brucei was assessed via in situ N-terminal YFP-tagging and immunofluorescence assays. Transgenic bloodstream forms (BSF) of T. brucei were generated which comprised either a V-ATPase subunit B (TbVAB) conditional knockout or a V-ATPase subunit A (TbVAA) knockdown. Acridine orange and BCECF-AM were employed to assess the roles of V-ATPase in the pH regulation of BSF T. brucei. The endocytic activities of three markers were also characterized by flow cytometry analyses. Furthermore, trypanosomes were counted from trypanolysis treatment groups (either containing 1% or 5% NHS) and endocytosed trypanosome lytic factor (TLF) was also analyzed by an immunoblotting assay. Results TbVAB was found to localize to acidocalcisomes, lysosomes and probably also to endosomes of BSF of T. brucei and was demonstrated to be essential for cell growth. TbVAB depletion neutralized acidic organelles at 24 hours post-tetracycline depletion (hpd), meanwhile the steady state intracellular pH increased from 7.016 ± 0.013 to 7.422 ± 0.058. Trypanosomes with TbVAB depletion at 24 hpd were found to take up more transferrin (2.068 ± 0.277 fold) but less tomato lectin (49.31 ± 22.57%) by endocytosis, while no significant change was detected in dextran uptake. Similar endocytic dysregulated phenotypes were also observed in TbVAA knockdown cells. In addition, TbVAB depleted trypanosomes showed a low uptake of TLF and exhibited less sensitive to lysis in both 1% and 5% NHS treatments. Conclusions TbVAB is a key component of V-ATPase and was found to play a key function in endocytosis as well as exhibiting different effects in a receptor/cargo dependent manner in BSF of T. brucei. Besides vacuolar alkalinization, the dysregulation of endocytosis in TbVAB depleted T. brucei is considered to contribute to the reduced sensitivity to lysis by normal human serum.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Shen Xu
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, The People's Republic of China
| | - Feng-Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 11754, Singapore
| | - Geoff Hide
- Biomedical Research Centre and Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK
| | - Zhao-Rong Lun
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, The People's Republic of China. .,Biomedical Research Centre and Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK.
| | - De-Hua Lai
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, The People's Republic of China.
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Magez S, Pinto Torres JE, Obishakin E, Radwanska M. Infections With Extracellular Trypanosomes Require Control by Efficient Innate Immune Mechanisms and Can Result in the Destruction of the Mammalian Humoral Immune System. Front Immunol 2020; 11:382. [PMID: 32218784 PMCID: PMC7078162 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Salivarian trypanosomes are extracellular parasites that affect humans, livestock, and game animals around the world. Through co-evolution with the mammalian immune system, trypanosomes have developed defense mechanisms that allow them to thrive in blood, lymphoid vessels, and tissue environments such as the brain, the fat tissue, and testes. Trypanosomes have developed ways to circumvent antibody-mediated killing and block the activation of the lytic arm of the complement pathway. Hence, this makes the innate immune control of the infection a crucial part of the host-parasite interaction, determining infection susceptibility, and parasitemia control. Indeed, trypanosomes use a combination of several independent mechanisms to avoid clearance by the humoral immune system. First, perpetuated antigenic variation of the surface coat allows to escape antibody-mediated elimination. Secondly, when antibodies bind to the coat, they are efficiently transported toward the endocytosis pathway, where they are removed from the coat proteins. Finally, trypanosomes engage in the active destruction of the mammalian humoral immune response. This provides them with a rescue solution in case antigenic variation does not confer total immunological invisibility. Both antigenic variation and B cell destruction pose significant hurdles for the development of anti-trypanosome vaccine strategies. However, developing total immune escape capacity and unlimited growth capabilities within a mammalian host is not beneficial for any parasite, as it will result in the accelerated death of the host itself. Hence, trypanosomes have acquired a system of quorum sensing that results in density-dependent population growth arrest in order to prevent overpopulating the host. The same system could possibly sense the infection-associated host tissue damage resulting from inflammatory innate immune responses, in which case the quorum sensing serves to prevent excessive immunopathology and as such also promotes host survival. In order to put these concepts together, this review summarizes current knowledge on the interaction between trypanosomes and the mammalian innate immune system, the mechanisms involved in population growth regulation, antigenic variation and the immuno-destructive effect of trypanosomes on the humoral immune system. Vaccine trials and a discussion on the role of innate immune modulation in these trials are discussed at the end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Magez
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Emmanuel Obishakin
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea.,Biotechnology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria
| | - Magdalena Radwanska
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Evaluation of the Immunoprotective Potential of Recombinant Paraflagellar Rod Proteins of Trypanosoma evansi in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010084. [PMID: 32059486 PMCID: PMC7157580 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomosis, caused by Trypanosoma evansi, is an economically significant disease of livestock. Systematic antigenic variation by the parasite has undermined prospects for the development of a protective vaccine that targets the immunodominant surface antigens, encouraging exploration of alternatives. The paraflagellar rod (PFR), constituent proteins of the flagellum, are prominent non-variable vaccine candidates for T. evansi owing to their strategic location. Two major PFR constituent proteins, PFR1 (1770bp) and PFR2 (1800bp), were expressed using Escherichia coli. Swiss albino mice were immunized with the purified recombinant TePFR1 (89KDa) and TePFR2 (88KDa) proteins, as well as with the mix of the combined proteins at equimolar concentrations, and subsequently challenged with virulent T. evansi. The PFR-specific humoral response was assessed by ELISA. Cytometric bead-based assay was used to measure the cytokine response and flow cytometry for quantification of the cytokines. The recombinant TePFR proteins induced specific humoral responses in mice, including IgG1 followed by IgG2a and IgG2b. A balanced cytokine response induced by rTePFR 1 and 2 protein vaccination associated with extended survival and improved control of parasitemia following lethal challenge. The observation confirms the immunoprophylactic potential of the covert antigens of T. evansi.
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40
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Regulation of the Extracellular Matrix by Ciliary Machinery. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020278. [PMID: 31979260 PMCID: PMC7072529 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary cilium is an organelle involved in cellular signalling. Mutations affecting proteins involved in cilia assembly or function result in diseases known as ciliopathies, which cause a wide variety of phenotypes across multiple tissues. These mutations disrupt various cellular processes, including regulation of the extracellular matrix. The matrix is important for maintaining tissue homeostasis through influencing cell behaviour and providing structural support; therefore, the matrix changes observed in ciliopathies have been implicated in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Whilst many studies have associated the cilium with processes that regulate the matrix, exactly how these matrix changes arise is not well characterised. This review aims to bring together the direct and indirect evidence for ciliary regulation of matrix, in order to summarise the possible mechanisms by which the ciliary machinery could regulate the composition, secretion, remodelling and organisation of the matrix.
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P De Koning H. The Drugs of Sleeping Sickness: Their Mechanisms of Action and Resistance, and a Brief History. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:E14. [PMID: 31963784 PMCID: PMC7157662 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
With the incidence of sleeping sickness in decline and genuine progress being made towards the WHO goal of eliminating sleeping sickness as a major public health concern, this is a good moment to evaluate the drugs that 'got the job done': their development, their limitations and the resistance that the parasites developed against them. This retrospective looks back on the remarkable story of chemotherapy against trypanosomiasis, a story that goes back to the very origins and conception of chemotherapy in the first years of the 20 century and is still not finished today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry P De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
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42
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Chasen NM, Coppens I, Etheridge RD. Identification and Localization of the First Known Proteins of the Trypanosoma cruzi Cytostome Cytopharynx Endocytic Complex. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 9:445. [PMID: 32010635 PMCID: PMC6978632 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The etiological agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects an estimated 7 million people in the Americas, with an at-risk population of 70 million. Despite its recognition as the highest impact parasitic infection of the Americas, Chagas disease continues to receive insufficient attention and resources in order to be effectively combatted. Unlike the other parasitic trypanosomatids that infect humans (Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp.), T. cruzi retains an ancestral mode of phagotrophic feeding via an endocytic organelle known as the cytostome-cytopharynx complex (SPC). How this tubular invagination of the plasma membrane functions to bring in nutrients is poorly understood at a mechanistic level, partially due to a lack of knowledge of the protein machinery specifically targeted to this structure. Using a combination of CRISPR/Cas9 mediated endogenous tagging, fluorescently labeled overexpression constructs and endocytic assays, we have identified the first known SPC targeted protein (CP1). The CP1 labeled structure co-localizes with endocytosed protein and undergoes disassembly in infectious forms and reconstitution in replicative forms. Additionally, through the use of immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry techniques, we have identified two additional CP1-associated proteins (CP2 and CP3) that also target to this endocytic organelle. Our localization studies using fluorescently tagged proteins and surface lectin staining have also allowed us, for the first time, to specifically define the location of the intriguing pre-oral ridge (POR) surface prominence at the SPC entrance through the use of super-resolution light microscopy. This work is a first glimpse into the proteome of the SPC and provides the tools for further characterization of this enigmatic endocytic organelle. A better understanding of how this deadly pathogen acquires nutrients from its host will potentially direct us toward new therapeutic targets to combat infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Michael Chasen
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ronald Drew Etheridge
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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Glucose homeostasis is regulated by pancreatic β-cell cilia via endosomal EphA-processing. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5686. [PMID: 31831727 PMCID: PMC6908661 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12953-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus affects one in eleven adults worldwide. Most suffer from Type 2 Diabetes which features elevated blood glucose levels and an inability to adequately secrete or respond to insulin. Insulin producing β-cells have primary cilia which are implicated in the regulation of glucose metabolism, insulin signaling and secretion. To better understand how β-cell cilia affect glucose handling, we ablate cilia from mature β-cells by deleting key cilia component Ift88. Here we report that glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion deteriorate over 12 weeks post-induction. Cilia/basal body components are required to suppress spontaneous auto-activation of EphA3 and hyper-phosphorylation of EphA receptors inhibits insulin secretion. In β-cells, loss of cilia/basal body function leads to polarity defects and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Defective insulin secretion from IFT88-depleted human islets and elevated pEPHA3 in islets from diabetic donors both point to a role for cilia/basal body proteins in human glucose homeostasis. Primary cilia have been proposed to regulate glucose metabolism and insulin secretion in beta cells, but it is not known how. Here the authors show that primary cilia play a role in adult β-cell function via a mechanism involving endosomal EphA-processing.
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Wang Z, Wheeler RJ, Sunter JD. Lysosome assembly and disassembly changes endocytosis rate through the Leishmania cell cycle. Microbiologyopen 2019; 9:e969. [PMID: 31743959 PMCID: PMC7002101 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The Leishmania lysosome has an atypical structure, consisting of an elongated vesicle‐filled tubule running along the anterior–posterior axis of the cell, which is termed the multivesicular tubule (MVT) lysosome. Alongside, the MVT lysosome is one or more microtubules, the lysosomal microtubule(s). Previous work indicated there were cell cycle‐related changes in MVT lysosome organization; however, these only provided snapshots and did not connect the changes in the lysosomal microtubule(s) or lysosomal function. Using mNeonGreen tagged cysteine peptidase A and SPEF1 as markers of the MVT lysosome and lysosomal microtubule(s), we examined the dynamics of these structures through the cell cycle. Both the MVT lysosome and lysosomal microtubule(s) elongated at the beginning of the cell cycle before plateauing and then disassembling in late G2 before cytokinesis. Moreover, the endocytic rate in cells where the MVT lysosome and lysosomal microtubule(s) had disassembled was extremely low. The dynamic nature of the MVT lysosome and lysosomal microtubule(s) parallels that of the Trypanosoma cruzi cytostome/cytopharynx, which also has a similar membrane tubule structure with associated microtubules. As the cytostome/cytopharynx is an ancestral feature of the kinetoplastids, this suggests that the Leishmania MVT lysosome and lysosomal microtubule(s) are a reduced cytostome/cytopharynx‐like feature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyin Wang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard J Wheeler
- The Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jack D Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
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Kariuki CK, Stijlemans B, Magez S. The Trypanosomal Transferrin Receptor of Trypanosoma Brucei-A Review. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:tropicalmed4040126. [PMID: 31581506 PMCID: PMC6958415 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4040126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential element for life. Its uptake and utility requires a careful balancing with its toxic capacity, with mammals evolving a safe and bio-viable means of its transport and storage. This transport and storage is also utilized as part of the iron-sequestration arsenal employed by the mammalian hosts’ ‘nutritional immunity’ against parasites. Interestingly, a key element of iron transport, i.e., serum transferrin (Tf), is an essential growth factor for parasitic haemo-protozoans of the genus Trypanosoma. These are major mammalian parasites causing the diseases human African trypanosomosis (HAT) and animal trypanosomosis (AT). Using components of their well-characterized immune evasion system, bloodstream Trypanosoma brucei parasites adapt and scavenge for the mammalian host serum transferrin within their broad host range. The expression site associated genes (ESAG6 and 7) are utilized to construct a heterodimeric serum Tf binding complex which, within its niche in the flagellar pocket, and coupled to the trypanosomes’ fast endocytic rate, allows receptor-mediated acquisition of essential iron from their environment. This review summarizes current knowledge of the trypanosomal transferrin receptor (TfR), with emphasis on the structure and function of the receptor, both in physiological conditions as well as in conditions where the iron supply to parasites is being limited. Potential applications using current knowledge of the parasite receptor are also briefly discussed, primarily focused on potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher K. Kariuki
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Interactions (CMIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium;
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research (IPR), 00502 Nairobi, Kenya
- Correspondence: (C.K.K.); (S.M.); Tel.: +322-629-1975 (C.K.K.); +82-32626-4207 (S.M.)
| | - Benoit Stijlemans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Interactions (CMIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium;
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, 9052 Gent, Belgium
| | - Stefan Magez
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Interactions (CMIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium;
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Yeonsu-Gu, Incheon 219220, Korea
- Correspondence: (C.K.K.); (S.M.); Tel.: +322-629-1975 (C.K.K.); +82-32626-4207 (S.M.)
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Lobo M, Balouz V, Melli L, Carlevaro G, Cortina ME, Cámara MDLM, Cánepa GE, Carmona SJ, Altcheh J, Campetella O, Ciocchini AE, Agüero F, Mucci J, Buscaglia CA. Molecular and antigenic characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi TolT proteins. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007245. [PMID: 30870417 PMCID: PMC6435186 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background TolT was originally described as a Trypanosoma cruzi molecule that accumulated on the trypomastigote flagellum bearing similarity to bacterial TolA colicins receptors. Preliminary biochemical studies indicated that TolT resolved in SDS-PAGE as ~3–5 different bands with sizes between 34 and 45 kDa, and that this heterogeneity could be ascribed to differences in polypeptide glycosylation. However, the recurrent identification of TolT-deduced peptides, and variations thereof, in trypomastigote proteomic surveys suggested an intrinsic TolT complexity, and prompted us to undertake a thorough reassessment of this antigen. Methods/Principle findings Genome mining exercises showed that TolT constitutes a larger-than-expected family of genes, with at least 12 polymorphic members in the T. cruzi CL Brener reference strain and homologs in different trypanosomes. According to structural features, TolT deduced proteins could be split into three robust groups, termed TolT-A, TolT-B, and TolT-C, all of them showing marginal sequence similarity to bacterial TolA proteins and canonical signatures of surface localization/membrane association, most of which were herein experimentally validated. Further biochemical and microscopy-based characterizations indicated that this grouping may have a functional correlate, as TolT-A, TolT-B and TolT-C molecules showed differences in their expression profile, sub-cellular distribution, post-translational modification(s) and antigenic structure. We finally used a recently developed fluorescence magnetic beads immunoassay to validate a recombinant protein spanning the central and mature region of a TolT-B deduced molecule for Chagas disease serodiagnosis. Conclusion/Significance This study unveiled an unexpected genetic and biochemical complexity within the TolT family, which could be exploited for the development of novel T. cruzi biomarkers with diagnostic/therapeutic applications. Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a lifelong and debilitating neglected illness of major significance in Latin America, for which no vaccine or adequate drugs are yet available. Identification of novel biomarkers able to transcend the current limits of diagnostic and/or therapeutic assessment methods hence surfaces as a main priority in Chagas disease applied research. In this framework, we herein undertook a thorough biochemical and antigenic characterization of T. cruzi TolT surface antigens. Our results unveil an unexpected complexity within this family, with at least 12 polymorphic TolT genes in the T. cruzi CL Brener reference strain genome. According to structural features, TolT deduced molecules could be split into three robust groups that show differences in their structural features, expression profile, sub-cellular distribution, post-translational modification(s) and antigenic structure. Overall, we show that TolT molecules are conspicuously expressed by both major mammal-dwelling stages of the parasite, and that they are differentially recognized by the immune system in Chagasic patients and in T. cruzi-infected mammals. Our findings are discussed in terms of the evolution and possible structural/functional roles of TolT molecules, as well as in terms of their applicability in Chagas disease serodiagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite Lobo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Virginia Balouz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciano Melli
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Giannina Carlevaro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María E. Cortina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María de los Milagros Cámara
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gaspar E. Cánepa
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago J. Carmona
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jaime Altcheh
- Servicio de Parasitología-Chagas, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Oscar Campetella
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés E. Ciocchini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Mucci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (JM); (CAB)
| | - Carlos A. Buscaglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (JM); (CAB)
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Leishmania flagellum attachment zone is critical for flagellar pocket shape, development in the sand fly, and pathogenicity in the host. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:6351-6360. [PMID: 30850532 PMCID: PMC6442623 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1812462116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania alternates between an insect vector and human host; in these different environments, the parasite adopts different forms. There are important commonalities between these different forms, particularly the flagellar pocket (FP) and associated flagellum attachment zone (FAZ). We show that the FAZ is important in different forms of Leishmania for FP shape and function, which are altered in mutants lacking a FAZ protein, FAZ5. FAZ5 deletion did not affect parasite proliferation and differentiation in culture; however, it dramatically reduced parasite proliferation in the sand fly and mouse. These results demonstrate the importance of the FAZ for FP function and architecture, and show that deletion of one FAZ protein can have a dramatic effect on Leishmania development and pathogenicity. Leishmania kinetoplastid parasites infect millions of people worldwide and have a distinct cellular architecture depending on location in the host or vector and specific pathogenicity functions. An invagination of the cell body membrane at the base of the flagellum, the flagellar pocket (FP), is an iconic kinetoplastid feature, and is central to processes that are critical for Leishmania pathogenicity. The Leishmania FP has a bulbous region posterior to the FP collar and a distal neck region where the FP membrane surrounds the flagellum more closely. The flagellum is attached to one side of the FP neck by the short flagellum attachment zone (FAZ). We addressed whether targeting the FAZ affects FP shape and its function as a platform for host–parasite interactions. Deletion of the FAZ protein, FAZ5, clearly altered FP architecture and had a modest effect in endocytosis but did not compromise cell proliferation in culture. However, FAZ5 deletion had a dramatic impact in vivo: Mutants were unable to develop late-stage infections in sand flies, and parasite burdens in mice were reduced by >97%. Our work demonstrates the importance of the FAZ for FP function and architecture. Moreover, we show that deletion of a single FAZ protein can have a large impact on parasite development and pathogenicity.
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The antidepressant clomipramine induces programmed cell death in Leishmania amazonensis through a mitochondrial pathway. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:977-989. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-06200-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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49
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Sengupta PP, Rudramurthy GR, Ligi M, Jacob SS, Rahman H, Roy P. Development of an antigen ELISA using monoclonal antibodies against recombinant VSG for the detection of active infections of Trypanosoma evansi in animals. Vet Parasitol 2019; 266:63-66. [PMID: 30736948 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma evansi, a haemo-flagellated protozoan parasite causes chronic wasting disease in a wide range of animals. For its diagnosis, blood smear examination is useful in clinical cases for direct identification of the parasite but in latent infection the carrier animals are difficult to screen out by conventional blood smear test. Harboring low level of parasites and showing no symptom, the carrier animals for surra can act as a source of infection. The level of parasitaemia fluctuates, especially during latent infection; moreover the antibodies which are not found early in the infection may persist even after recovery or chemotherapy. In the present study a double antibody sandwich ELISA exploring, monoclonal antibodies and hyperimmune serum, raised against recombinant variable surface glycoprotein has been developed to detect circulating trypanosome antigens. The developed antigen detection ELISA (Ag-ELISA) was evaluated using 652 blood samples collected from cattle, buffalo, equine and camel. The statistical analysis of the data showed diagnostic sensitivity and specificity at 97.4% and 96.4% respectively, with a positive-negative cut-off OD value >0.28. Furthermore, the detection limit of the assay was found to 7.15 trypanosomes per mL. The present finding revealed that the developed assay can be exploited as a potential diagnostic test in the detection of circulating trypanosome antigens and also can be used as a population screening test for multiple animal species for detection of active infection for further treatment and control of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- P P Sengupta
- National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Ramagondanahalli, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, 560064, Karnataka, India.
| | - G R Rudramurthy
- National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Ramagondanahalli, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, 560064, Karnataka, India
| | - M Ligi
- National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Ramagondanahalli, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, 560064, Karnataka, India
| | - S S Jacob
- National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Ramagondanahalli, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, 560064, Karnataka, India
| | - H Rahman
- National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Ramagondanahalli, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, 560064, Karnataka, India
| | - P Roy
- National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Ramagondanahalli, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, 560064, Karnataka, India
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Mudogo CN, Werner SF, Mogk S, Betzel C, Duszenko M. The conserved hypothetical protein Tb427.10.13790 is required for cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei. Acta Trop 2018; 188:34-40. [PMID: 30153427 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei, a flagellated protozoan causing the deadly tropical disease Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), affects people in sub-Saharan Africa. HAT therapy relies upon drugs which use is limited by toxicity and rigorous treatment regimes, while development of vaccines remains elusive, due to the effectiveness of the parasite´s antigenic variation. Here, we evaluate a hypothetical protein Tb427.10.13790, as a potential drug target. This protein is conserved among all kinetoplastids, but lacks homologs in all other pro- and eukaryotes. Knockdown of Tb427.10.13790 resulted in appearance of monster cells containing multiple nuclei and multiple flagella, a considerable enlargement of the flagellar pocket and eventually a lethal phenotype. Furthermore, analysis of kinetoplast and nucleus division in the knockdown cell line revealed a partial cell cycle arrest and failure to initiate cytokinesis. Likewise, overexpression of the respective protein fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein was also lethal for T. brucei. In these cells, the labelled protein appeared as a single dot near kinetoplast and flagellar pocket. Our results reveal that Tb427.10.13790 is essential for the parasite´s viability and may be a suitable new anti-trypanosomatid drug target candidate. Furthermore, we suggest that it might be worthwhile to investigate also other of the many so far just annotated trypanosome genes as a considerable number of them to lack human homologs but may be of critical importance for the kinetoplastid parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celestin Nzanzu Mudogo
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
| | | | - Stefan Mogk
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Christian Betzel
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Michael Duszenko
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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