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Xu L, Feng X, Wang D, Gao F, Feng C, Shan Q, Wang G, Yang F, Zhang J, Hou J, Sun D, Wang T. Improved Liver Intravital Microscopic Imaging Using a Film-Assisted Stabilization Method. ACS Sens 2024. [PMID: 39228132 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.4c01464] [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: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Intravital microscopy (IVM) is a valuable method for biomedical characterization of dynamic processes, which has been applied to many fields such as neuroscience, oncology, and immunology. During IVM, vibration suppression is a major challenge due to the inevitable respiration and heartbeat from live animals. In this study, taking liver IVM as an example, we have unraveled the vibration inhibition effect of liquid bridges by studying the friction characteristics of a moist surface on the mouse liver. We confirmed the presence of liquid bridges on the liver through fluorescence imaging, which can provide microscale and nondestructive liquid connections between adjacent surfaces. Liquid bridges were constructed to sufficiently stabilize the liver after abdominal dissection by covering it with a polymer film, taking advantage of the high adhesion properties of liquid bridges. We further prototyped a microscope-integrated vibration-damping device with adjustable film tension to simplify the sample preparation procedure, which remarkably decreased the liver vibration. In practical application scenarios, we observed the process of liposome phagocytosis by liver Kupffer cells with significantly improved image and video quality. Collectively, our method not only provided a feasible solution to vibration suppression in the field of IVM, but also has the potential to be applied to vibration damping of precision instruments or other fields that require nondestructive ″soft″ vibration damping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libang Xu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaobing Feng
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Dazhi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Fang Gao
- Department of No.1 Operating Room, Dalian Municipal Central Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Chenxu Feng
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Qiji Shan
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ge Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Fang Yang
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- Department of Medical Equipment, Ningcheng Traditional Chinese and Mongolian Medicine Hospital, Chifeng 024200, China
| | - Jingwei Hou
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Donglei Sun
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Tiesheng Wang
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
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2
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Morano AA, Ali I, Dvorin JD. Elucidating the spatio-temporal dynamics of the Plasmodium falciparum basal complex. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012265. [PMID: 38829893 PMCID: PMC11175456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012265] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Asexual replication of Plasmodium falciparum occurs via schizogony, wherein 16-36 daughter cells are produced within the parasite during one semi-synchronized cytokinetic event. Schizogony requires a divergent contractile ring structure known as the basal complex. Our lab has previously identified PfMyoJ (PF3D7_1229800) and PfSLACR (PF3D7_0214700) as basal complex proteins recruited midway through segmentation. Using ultrastructure expansion microscopy, we localized both proteins to a novel basal complex subcompartment. While both colocalize with the basal complex protein PfCINCH upon recruitment, they form a separate, more basal subcompartment termed the posterior cup during contraction. We also show that PfSLACR is recruited to the basal complex prior to PfMyoJ, and that both proteins are removed unevenly as segmentation concludes. Using live-cell microscopy, we show that actin dynamics are dispensable for basal complex formation, expansion, and contraction. We then show that EF-hand containing P. falciparum Centrin 2 partially localizes to this posterior cup of the basal complex and that it is essential for growth and replication, with variable defects in basal complex contraction and synchrony. Finally, we demonstrate that free intracellular calcium is necessary but not sufficient for basal complex contraction in P. falciparum. Thus, we demonstrate dynamic spatial compartmentalization of the Plasmodium falciparum basal complex, identify an additional basal complex protein, and begin to elucidate the unique mechanism of contraction utilized by P. falciparum, opening the door for further exploration of Apicomplexan cellular division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A. Morano
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ilzat Ali
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey D. Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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3
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Ullah I, Farringer MA, Burkhard AY, Hathaway E, Khushu M, Willett BC, Shin SH, Sharma AI, Martin MC, Shao KL, Dvorin JD, Hartl DL, Volkman SK, Bopp S, Absalon S, Wirth DF. Artemisinin resistance mutations in Pfcoronin impede hemoglobin uptake. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.22.572193. [PMID: 38187525 PMCID: PMC10769401 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.22.572193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Artemisinin (ART) combination therapies have been critical in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality, but these important drugs are threatened by growing resistance associated with mutations in Pfcoronin and Pfkelch13 . Here, we describe the mechanism of Pfcoronin -mediated ART resistance. Pf Coronin interacts with Pf Actin and localizes to the parasite plasma membrane (PPM), the digestive vacuole (DV) membrane, and membrane of a newly identified preDV compartment-all structures involved in the trafficking of hemoglobin from the RBC for degradation in the DV. Pfcoronin mutations alter Pf Actin homeostasis and impair the development and morphology of the preDV. Ultimately, these changes are associated with decreased uptake of red blood cell cytosolic contents by ring-stage Plasmodium falciparum . Previous work has identified decreased hemoglobin uptake as the mechanism of Pfkelch 13-mediated ART resistance. This work demonstrates that Pf Coronin appears to act via a parallel pathway. For both Pfkelch13 -mediated and Pfcoronin -mediated ART resistance, we hypothesize that the decreased hemoglobin uptake in ring stage parasites results in less heme-based activation of the artemisinin endoperoxide ring and reduced cytocidal activity. This study deepens our understanding of ART resistance, as well as hemoglobin uptake and development of the DV in early-stage parasites.
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4
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Das S, Manna A, Majumdar O, Dhara L. M- O-M mediated denaturation resistant P2 tetramer on the infected erythrocyte surface of malaria parasite imports serum fatty acids. iScience 2024; 27:109760. [PMID: 38726364 PMCID: PMC11079477 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109760] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In Plasmodium falciparum, DNA replication, and asynchronous nuclear divisions precede cytokinesis during intraerythrocytic schizogony. Regulation of nuclear division through the import of serum components was largely unknown. At the trophozoite stage, P. falciparum ribosomal protein P2 (PfP2) is exported to the infected erythrocyte (IE) cytosol and the surface as a denaturation-resistant tetramer. The inaccessibility of the IE surface exposed PfP2 to its bona fide ligand led to the arrest of nuclear division. Here, we show that at the onset of schizogony, denaturation-resistant PfP2 tetramer on the IE surface imports fatty acids (FAs). Blockage of import reversibly arrested parasite schizogony. In 11Met-O-Met11 mediated denaturation resistant PfP2 tetramer, the 12/53Cys-Cys12/53 redox switch regulates the binding and release of FAs based on oxidized/reduced state of disulfide linkages. This mechanistic insight of FAs import through PfP2 tetramer reveals a unique regulation of nuclear division at the onset of schizogony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Das
- Division of infectious Disease and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Anwesa Manna
- Division of infectious Disease and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Oindrila Majumdar
- Division of infectious Disease and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Lena Dhara
- Division of infectious Disease and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
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5
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Verhoef JM, Boshoven C, Evers F, Akkerman LJ, Gijsbrechts BC, van de Vegte-Bolmer M, van Gemert GJ, Vaidya AB, Kooij TW. Detailing organelle division and segregation in Plasmodium falciparum. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.30.577899. [PMID: 38352445 PMCID: PMC10862848 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.30.577899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The malaria causing parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, replicates through a tightly orchestrated process termed schizogony, where approximately 32 daughter parasites are formed in a single infected red blood cell and thousands of daughter cells in mosquito or liver stages. One-per-cell organelles, such as the mitochondrion and apicoplast, need to be properly divided and segregated to ensure a complete set of organelles per daughter parasites. Although this is highly essential, details about the processes and mechanisms involved remain unknown. We developed a new reporter parasite line that allows visualization of the mitochondrion in blood and mosquito stages. Using high-resolution 3D-imaging, we found that the mitochondrion orients in a cartwheel structure, prior to stepwise, non-geometric division during the last stage of schizogony. Analysis of focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) data confirmed these mitochondrial division stages. Furthermore, these data allowed us to elucidate apicoplast division steps, highlighted its close association with the mitochondrion, and showed putative roles of the centriolar plaques (CPs) in apicoplast segregation. These observations form the foundation for a new detailed mechanistic model of mitochondrial and apicoplast division and segregation during P. falciparum schizogony and pave the way for future studies into the proteins and protein complexes involved in organelle division and segregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M.J. Verhoef
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cas Boshoven
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Felix Evers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Laura J. Akkerman
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Barend C.A. Gijsbrechts
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan van Gemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Akhil B. Vaidya
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Taco W.A. Kooij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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6
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Gurung P, McGee JP, Dvorin JD. PfCAP-H is essential for assembly of condensin I complex and karyokinesis during asexual proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum. mBio 2024; 15:e0285023. [PMID: 38564676 PMCID: PMC11078010 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02850-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Condensin I is a pentameric complex that regulates the mitotic chromosome assembly in eukaryotes. The kleisin subunit CAP-H of the condensin I complex acts as a linchpin to maintain the structural integrity and loading of this complex on mitotic chromosomes. This complex is present in all eukaryotes and has recently been identified in Plasmodium spp. However, how this complex is assembled and whether the kleisin subunit is critical for this complex in these parasites are yet to be explored. To examine the role of PfCAP-H during cell division within erythrocytes, we generated an inducible PfCAP-H knockout parasite. We find that PfCAP-H is dynamically expressed during mitosis with the peak expression at the metaphase plate. PfCAP-H interacts with PfCAP-G and is a non-SMC member of the condensin I complex. Notably, the absence of PfCAP-H does not alter the expression of PfCAP-G but affects its localization at the mitotic chromosomes. While mitotic spindle assembly is intact in PfCAP-H-deficient parasites, duplicated centrosomes remain clustered over the mass of unsegmented nuclei with failed karyokinesis. This failure leads to the formation of an abnormal nuclear mass, while cytokinesis occurs normally. Altogether, our data suggest that PfCAP-H plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the condensin I complex on the mitotic chromosomes and is essential for the asexual development of malarial parasites. IMPORTANCE Mitosis is a fundamental process for Plasmodium parasites, which plays a vital role in their survival within two distinct hosts-human and Anopheles mosquitoes. Despite its great significance, our comprehension of mitosis and its regulation remains limited. In eukaryotes, mitosis is regulated by one of the pivotal complexes known as condensin complexes. The condensin complexes are responsible for chromosome condensation, ensuring the faithful distribution of genetic material to daughter cells. While condensin complexes have recently been identified in Plasmodium spp., our understanding of how this complex is assembled and its precise functions during the blood stage development of Plasmodium falciparum remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigate the role of a central protein, PfCAP-H, during the blood stage development of P. falciparum. Our findings reveal that PfCAP-H is essential and plays a pivotal role in upholding the structure of condensin I and facilitating karyokinesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratima Gurung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James P. McGee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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7
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Guttery DS, Zeeshan M, Holder AA, Tewari R. The molecular mechanisms driving Plasmodium cell division. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:593-602. [PMID: 38563493 PMCID: PMC11088906 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Malaria, a vector borne disease, is a major global health and socioeconomic problem caused by the apicomplexan protozoan parasite Plasmodium. The parasite alternates between mosquito vector and vertebrate host, with meiosis in the mosquito and proliferative mitotic cell division in both hosts. In the canonical eukaryotic model, cell division is either by open or closed mitosis and karyokinesis is followed by cytokinesis; whereas in Plasmodium closed mitosis is not directly accompanied by concomitant cell division. Key molecular players and regulatory mechanisms of this process have been identified, but the pivotal role of certain protein complexes and the post-translational modifications that modulate their actions are still to be deciphered. Here, we discuss recent evidence for the function of known proteins in Plasmodium cell division and processes that are potential novel targets for therapeutic intervention. We also identify key questions to open new and exciting research to understand divergent Plasmodium cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Guttery
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, U.K
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, U.K
| | - Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, U.K
| | - Anthony A. Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, U.K
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, U.K
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8
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Liffner B, Absalon S. Expansion microscopy of apicomplexan parasites. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:619-635. [PMID: 37571814 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15135] [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: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites comprise significant pathogens of humans, livestock and wildlife, but also represent a diverse group of eukaryotes with interesting and unique cell biology. The study of cell biology in apicomplexan parasites is complicated by their small size, and historically this has required the application of cutting-edge microscopy techniques to investigate fundamental processes like mitosis or cell division in these organisms. Recently, a technique called expansion microscopy has been developed, which rather than increasing instrument resolution like most imaging modalities, physically expands a biological sample. In only a few years since its development, a derivative of expansion microscopy known as ultrastructure-expansion microscopy (U-ExM) has been widely adopted and proven extremely useful for studying cell biology of Apicomplexa. Here, we review the insights into apicomplexan cell biology that have been enabled through the use of U-ExM, with a specific focus on Plasmodium, Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium. Further, we summarize emerging expansion microscopy modifications and modalities and forecast how these may influence the field of parasite cell biology in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Liffner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Sabrina Absalon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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9
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Morano AA, Xu W, Shadija N, Dvorin JD, Ke H. The dynamin-related protein Dyn2 is essential for both apicoplast and mitochondrial fission in Plasmodium falciparum. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.15.585229. [PMID: 38559241 PMCID: PMC10980034 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.15.585229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Dynamins, or dynamin-related proteins (DRPs), are large mechano-sensitive GTPases mediating membrane dynamics or organellar fission/fusion events. Plasmodium falciparum encodes three dynamin-like proteins whose functions are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that PfDyn2 mediates both apicoplast and mitochondrial fission. Using super-resolution and ultrastructure expansion microscopy, we show that PfDyn2 is expressed in the schizont stage and localizes to both the apicoplast and mitochondria. Super-resolution long-term live cell microscopy shows that PfDyn2-deficient parasites cannot complete cytokinesis because the apicoplast and mitochondria do not undergo fission. Further, the basal complex or cytokinetic ring in Plasmodium cannot fully contract upon PfDyn2 depletion, a phenotype secondary to physical blockage of undivided organelles in the middle of the ring. Our data suggest that organellar fission defects result in aberrant schizogony, generating unsuccessful merozoites. The unique biology of PfDyn2, mediating both apicoplast and mitochondrial fission, has not been observed in other organisms possessing two endosymbiotic organelles. Highlights PfDyn2 is essential for schizont-stage development.PfDyn2 mediates both apicoplast and mitochondrial fission.Deficiency of PfDyn2 leads to organellar fission failures and blockage of basal complex contraction.Addition of apicoplast-derived metabolite IPP does not rescue the growth defects.
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10
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Gurung P, McGee JP, Dvorin JD. PfCAP-H is essential for assembly of condensin I complex and karyokinesis during asexual proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.26.582160. [PMID: 38464281 PMCID: PMC10925219 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Condensin I is a pentameric complex that regulates the mitotic chromosome assembly in eukaryotes. The kleisin subunit CAP-H of the condensin I complex acts as a linchpin to maintain the structural integrity and loading of this complex on mitotic chromosomes. This complex is present in all eukaryotes and has recently been identified in Plasmodium spp. However, how this complex is assembled and whether the kleisin subunit is critical for this complex in these parasites is yet to be explored. To examine the role of PfCAP-H during cell division within erythrocytes, we generated an inducible PfCAP-H knockout parasite. We find that PfCAP-H is dynamically expressed during mitosis with the peak expression at the metaphase plate. PfCAP-H interacts with PfCAP-G and is a non-SMC member of the condensin I complex. Notably, the absence of PfCAP-H does not alter the expression of PfCAP-G but affects its localization at the mitotic chromosomes. While mitotic spindle assembly is intact in PfCAP-H deficient parasites, duplicated centrosomes remain clustered over the mass of unsegmented nuclei with failed karyokinesis. This failure leads to the formation of an abnormal nuclear mass, while cytokinesis occurs normally. Altogether, our data suggest that PfCAP-H plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the condensin I complex on the mitotic chromosomes and is essential for the asexual development of malarial parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratima Gurung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, M.A
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, M.A
| | - James P. McGee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, M.A
| | - Jeffrey D. Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, M.A
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, M.A
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11
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Liffner B, Cepeda Diaz AK, Blauwkamp J, Anaguano D, Frolich S, Muralidharan V, Wilson DW, Dvorin JD, Absalon S. Atlas of Plasmodium falciparum intraerythrocytic development using expansion microscopy. eLife 2023; 12:RP88088. [PMID: 38108809 PMCID: PMC10727503 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites exhibit tremendous diversity in much of their fundamental cell biology, but study of these organisms using light microscopy is often hindered by their small size. Ultrastructural expansion microscopy (U-ExM) is a microscopy preparation method that physically expands the sample by ~4.5×. Here, we apply U-ExM to the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum during the asexual blood stage of its lifecycle to understand how this parasite is organized in three dimensions. Using a combination of dye-conjugated reagents and immunostaining, we have cataloged 13 different P. falciparum structures or organelles across the intraerythrocytic development of this parasite and made multiple observations about fundamental parasite cell biology. We describe that the outer centriolar plaque and its associated proteins anchor the nucleus to the parasite plasma membrane during mitosis. Furthermore, the rhoptries, Golgi, basal complex, and inner membrane complex, which form around this anchoring site while nuclei are still dividing, are concurrently segregated and maintain an association to the outer centriolar plaque until the start of segmentation. We also show that the mitochondrion and apicoplast undergo sequential fission events while maintaining an association with the outer centriolar plaque during cytokinesis. Collectively, this study represents the most detailed ultrastructural analysis of P. falciparum during its intraerythrocytic development to date and sheds light on multiple poorly understood aspects of its organelle biogenesis and fundamental cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Liffner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Ana Karla Cepeda Diaz
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s HospitalBostonUnited States
| | - James Blauwkamp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - David Anaguano
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
- Department of Cellular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | - Sonja Frolich
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of AdelaideAdelaideAustralia
- Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, University of AdelaideAdelaideAustralia
| | - Vasant Muralidharan
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
- Department of Cellular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | - Danny W Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of AdelaideAdelaideAustralia
- Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, University of AdelaideAdelaideAustralia
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial RoadMelbourneAustralia
| | - Jeffrey D Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s HospitalBostonUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Sabrina Absalon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
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12
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Schmidt S, Wichers-Misterek JS, Behrens HM, Birnbaum J, Henshall IG, Dröge J, Jonscher E, Flemming S, Castro-Peña C, Mesén-Ramírez P, Spielmann T. The Kelch13 compartment contains highly divergent vesicle trafficking proteins in malaria parasites. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011814. [PMID: 38039338 PMCID: PMC10718435 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011814] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Single amino acid changes in the parasite protein Kelch13 (K13) result in reduced susceptibility of P. falciparum parasites to artemisinin and its derivatives (ART). Recent work indicated that K13 and other proteins co-localising with K13 (K13 compartment proteins) are involved in the endocytic uptake of host cell cytosol (HCCU) and that a reduction in HCCU results in reduced susceptibility to ART. HCCU is critical for parasite survival but is poorly understood, with the K13 compartment proteins among the few proteins so far functionally linked to this process. Here we further defined the composition of the K13 compartment by analysing more hits from a previous BioID, showing that MyoF and MCA2 as well as Kelch13 interaction candidate (KIC) 11 and 12 are found at this site. Functional analyses, tests for ART susceptibility as well as comparisons of structural similarities using AlphaFold2 predictions of these and previously identified proteins showed that vesicle trafficking and endocytosis domains were frequent in proteins involved in resistance or endocytosis (or both), comprising one group of K13 compartment proteins. While this strengthened the link of the K13 compartment to endocytosis, many proteins of this group showed unusual domain combinations and large parasite-specific regions, indicating a high level of taxon-specific adaptation of this process. Another group of K13 compartment proteins did not influence endocytosis or ART susceptibility and lacked detectable vesicle trafficking domains. We here identified the first protein of this group that is important for asexual blood stage development and showed that it likely is involved in invasion. Overall, this work identified novel proteins functioning in endocytosis and at the K13 compartment. Together with comparisons of structural predictions it provides a repertoire of functional domains at the K13 compartment that indicate a high level of adaption of endocytosis in malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Schmidt
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Jakob Birnbaum
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Jana Dröge
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ernst Jonscher
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Flemming
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Tobias Spielmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
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13
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Cepeda Diaz AK, Rudlaff RM, Farringer M, Dvorin JD. Essential function of alveolin PfIMC1g in the Plasmodium falciparum asexual blood stage. mBio 2023; 14:e0150723. [PMID: 37712738 PMCID: PMC10653860 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01507-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Infection by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite is responsible for the most severe form of human malaria. The asexual blood stage of the parasite, which occurs inside human red blood cells, is responsible for the symptoms of malaria and is the target of most antimalarial drugs. Plasmodium spp. rely on their highly divergent cytoskeletal structures to scaffold their cell division, sustain the mechanical stress of invasion, and survive in both the human bloodstream and the mosquito. We investigate the function of a class of divergent intermediate filament-like proteins called alveolins in the clinically important blood stage. The functional role of individual alveolins in Plasmodium remains poorly understood due to pleiotropic effects of gene knockouts and redundancy among alveolins. We evaluate the localization and essentiality of the four asexual-stage alveolins and find that PfIMC1g and PfIMC1c are essential. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PfIMC1g is critical for survival of the parasite post-invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Karla Cepeda Diaz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachel M. Rudlaff
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Madeline Farringer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Biological Sciences in Public Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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14
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Liffner B, Cepeda Diaz AK, Blauwkamp J, Anaguano D, Frölich S, Muralidharan V, Wilson DW, Dvorin J, Absalon S. Atlas of Plasmodium falciparum intraerythrocytic development using expansion microscopy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.22.533773. [PMID: 36993606 PMCID: PMC10055389 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.22.533773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites exhibit tremendous diversity in much of their fundamental cell biology, but study of these organisms using light microscopy is often hindered by their small size. Ultrastructural expansion microscopy (U-ExM) is a microscopy preparation method that physically expands the sample ~4.5x. Here, we apply U-ExM to the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum during the asexual blood stage of its lifecycle to understand how this parasite is organized in three-dimensions. Using a combination of dye-conjugated reagents and immunostaining, we have catalogued 13 different P. falciparum structures or organelles across the intraerythrocytic development of this parasite and made multiple observations about fundamental parasite cell biology. We describe that the outer centriolar plaque and its associated proteins anchor the nucleus to the parasite plasma membrane during mitosis. Furthermore, the rhoptries, Golgi, basal complex, and inner membrane complex, which form around this anchoring site while nuclei are still dividing, are concurrently segregated and maintain an association to the outer centriolar plaque until the start of segmentation. We also show that the mitochondrion and apicoplast undergo sequential fission events while maintaining an association with the outer centriolar plaque during cytokinesis. Collectively, this study represents the most detailed ultrastructural analysis of P. falciparum during its intraerythrocytic development to date, and sheds light on multiple poorly understood aspects of its organelle biogenesis and fundamental cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Liffner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ana Karla Cepeda Diaz
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston MA, USA
| | - James Blauwkamp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - David Anaguano
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Sonja Frölich
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Vasant Muralidharan
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Danny W. Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jeffrey Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sabrina Absalon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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15
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Cooper C, Thompson RCA, Clode PL. Investigating parasites in three dimensions: trends in volume microscopy. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:668-681. [PMID: 37302958 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To best understand parasite, host, and vector morphologies, host-parasite interactions, and to develop new drug and vaccine targets, structural data should, ideally, be obtained and visualised in three dimensions (3D). Recently, there has been a significant uptake of available 3D volume microscopy techniques that allow collection of data across centimetre (cm) to Angstrom (Å) scales by utilising light, X-ray, electron, and ion sources. Here, we present and discuss microscopy tools available for the collection of 3D structural data, focussing on electron microscopy-based techniques. We highlight their strengths and limitations, such that parasitologists can identify techniques best suited to answer their research questions. Additionally, we review the importance of volume microscopy to the advancement of the field of parasitology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal Cooper
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation, and Analysis, University of Western Australia, Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - R C Andrew Thompson
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Peta L Clode
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation, and Analysis, University of Western Australia, Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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16
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Bell DC, Greg Lin HY, Akey A, Kraemer S, Borenstein JT, Dvorin JD, Chang A. From Archeology to the Malaria Parasite, the Exciting Quests of Microscopy. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2023; 29:86-87. [PMID: 37613100 DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozad067.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David C Bell
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Hao-Yu Greg Lin
- Center for Nanoscale Systems, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Austin Akey
- Center for Nanoscale Systems, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Stephan Kraemer
- Center for Nanoscale Systems, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey D Dvorin
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Research groups thereof
| | - Angela Chang
- Harvard Art Museums, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Research groups thereof
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17
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Morano AA, Rudlaff RM, Dvorin JD. A PPP-type pseudophosphatase is required for the maintenance of basal complex integrity in Plasmodium falciparum. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3916. [PMID: 37400439 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39435-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
During its asexual blood stage, P. falciparum replicates via schizogony, wherein dozens of daughter cells are formed within a single parent. The basal complex, a contractile ring that separates daughter cells, is critical for schizogony. In this study, we identify a Plasmodium basal complex protein essential for basal complex maintenance. Using multiple microscopy techniques, we demonstrate that PfPPP8 is required for uniform basal complex expansion and maintenance of its integrity. We characterize PfPPP8 as the founding member of a novel family of pseudophosphatases with homologs in other Apicomplexan parasites. By co-immunoprecipitation, we identify two additional new basal complex proteins. We characterize the unique temporal localizations of these new basal complex proteins (late-arriving) and of PfPPP8 (early-departing). In this work, we identify a novel basal complex protein, determine its specific role in segmentation, identify a new pseudophosphatase family, and establish that the P. falciparum basal complex is a dynamic structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Morano
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Rachel M Rudlaff
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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18
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Bohmer MJ, Wang J, Istvan ES, Luth MR, Collins JE, Huttlin EL, Wang L, Mittal N, Hao M, Kwiatkowski NP, Gygi SP, Chakrabarti R, Deng X, Goldberg DE, Winzeler EA, Gray NS, Chakrabarti D. Human Polo-like Kinase Inhibitors as Antiplasmodials. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1004-1021. [PMID: 36919909 PMCID: PMC10106425 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinases have proven to be a very productive class of therapeutic targets, and over 90 inhibitors are currently in clinical use primarily for the treatment of cancer. Repurposing these inhibitors as antimalarials could provide an accelerated path to drug development. In this study, we identified BI-2536, a known potent human polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor, with low nanomolar antiplasmodial activity. Screening of additional PLK1 inhibitors revealed further antiplasmodial candidates despite the lack of an obvious orthologue of PLKs in Plasmodium. A subset of these inhibitors was profiled for their in vitro killing profile, and commonalities between the killing rate and inhibition of nuclear replication were noted. A kinase panel screen identified PfNEK3 as a shared target of these PLK1 inhibitors; however, phosphoproteome analysis confirmed distinct signaling pathways were disrupted by two structurally distinct inhibitors, suggesting PfNEK3 may not be the sole target. Genomic analysis of BI-2536-resistant parasites revealed mutations in genes associated with the starvation-induced stress response, suggesting BI-2536 may also inhibit an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica J Bohmer
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Jinhua Wang
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Cancer Biolo gy, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Eva S Istvan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Madeline R Luth
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jennifer E Collins
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Edward L Huttlin
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Lushun Wang
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Nimisha Mittal
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Mingfeng Hao
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Cancer Biolo gy, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Nicholas P Kwiatkowski
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Cancer Biolo gy, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Ratna Chakrabarti
- Division of Cancer Research, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Xianming Deng
- School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Daniel E Goldberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Debopam Chakrabarti
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
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19
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Rashpa R, Klages N, Schvartz D, Pasquarello C, Brochet M. The Skp1-Cullin1-FBXO1 complex is a pleiotropic regulator required for the formation of gametes and motile forms in Plasmodium berghei. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1312. [PMID: 36898988 PMCID: PMC10006092 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36999-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria-causing parasites of the Plasmodium genus undergo multiple developmental phases in the human and the mosquito hosts, regulated by various post-translational modifications. While ubiquitination by multi-component E3 ligases is key to regulate a wide range of cellular processes in eukaryotes, little is known about its role in Plasmodium. Here we show that Plasmodium berghei expresses a conserved SKP1/Cullin1/FBXO1 (SCFFBXO1) complex showing tightly regulated expression and localisation across multiple developmental stages. It is key to cell division for nuclear segregation during schizogony and centrosome partitioning during microgametogenesis. It is additionally required for parasite-specific processes including gamete egress from the host erythrocyte, as well as integrity of the apical and the inner membrane complexes (IMC) in merozoite and ookinete, two structures essential for the dissemination of these motile stages. Ubiquitinomic surveys reveal a large set of proteins ubiquitinated in a FBXO1-dependent manner including proteins important for egress and IMC organisation. We additionally demonstrate an interplay between FBXO1-dependent ubiquitination and phosphorylation via calcium-dependent protein kinase 1. Altogether we show that Plasmodium SCFFBXO1 plays conserved roles in cell division and is also important for parasite-specific processes in the mammalian and mosquito hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravish Rashpa
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Natacha Klages
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Domitille Schvartz
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Proteomics Core Facility, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Carla Pasquarello
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Proteomics Core Facility, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
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20
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Abstract
Malaria remains a significant threat to global health, and despite concerted efforts to curb the disease, malaria-related morbidity and mortality increased in recent years. Malaria is caused by unicellular eukaryotes of the genus Plasmodium, and all clinical manifestations occur during asexual proliferation of the parasite inside host erythrocytes. In the blood stage, Plasmodium proliferates through an unusual cell cycle mode called schizogony. Contrary to most studied eukaryotes, which divide by binary fission, the parasite undergoes several rounds of DNA replication and nuclear division that are not directly followed by cytokinesis, resulting in multinucleated cells. Moreover, despite sharing a common cytoplasm, these nuclei multiply asynchronously. Schizogony challenges our current models of cell cycle regulation and, at the same time, offers targets for therapeutic interventions. Over the recent years, the adaptation of advanced molecular and cell biological techniques have given us deeper insight how DNA replication, nuclear division, and cytokinesis are coordinated. Here, we review our current understanding of the chronological events that characterize the unusual cell division cycle of P. falciparum in the clinically relevant blood stage of infection.
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21
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Clements RL, Morano AA, Navarro FM, McGee JP, Du EW, Streva VA, Lindner SE, Dvorin JD. Identification of basal complex protein that is essential for maturation of transmission-stage malaria parasites. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2204167119. [PMID: 35972967 PMCID: PMC9407223 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204167119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a global driver of morbidity and mortality. To generate new antimalarials, one must elucidate the fundamental cell biology of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the deadliest cases of malaria. A membranous and proteinaceous scaffold called the inner membrane complex (IMC) supports the parasite during morphological changes, including segmentation of daughter cells during asexual replication and formation of transmission-stage gametocytes. The basal complex lines the edge of the IMC during segmentation and likely facilitates IMC expansion. It is unknown, however, what drives IMC expansion during gametocytogenesis. We describe the discovery of a basal complex protein, PfBLEB, which we find to be essential for gametocytogenesis. Parasites lacking PfBLEB harbor defects in IMC expansion and are unable to form mature gametocytes. This article demonstrates a role for a basal complex protein outside of asexual division, and, importantly, highlights a potential molecular target for the ablation of malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L. Clements
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Alexander A. Morano
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Francesca M. Navarro
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | - James P. McGee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Esrah W. Du
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Vincent A. Streva
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Scott E. Lindner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Jeffrey D. Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
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22
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Engelberg K, Bechtel T, Michaud C, Weerapana E, Gubbels MJ. Proteomic characterization of the Toxoplasma gondii cytokinesis machinery portrays an expanded hierarchy of its assembly and function. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4644. [PMID: 35941170 PMCID: PMC9360017 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32151-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The basal complex (BC) is essential for T. gondii cell division but mechanistic details are lacking. Here we report a reciprocal proximity based biotinylation approach to map the BC’s proteome. We interrogate the resulting map for spatiotemporal dynamics and function by disrupting the expression of components. This highlights four architecturally distinct BC subcomplexes, the compositions of which change dynamically in correlation with changes in BC function. We identify BCC0 as a protein undergirding BC formation in five foci that precede the same symmetry seen in the apical annuli and IMC sutures. Notably, daughter budding from BCC0 progresses bidirectionally: the apical cap in apical and the rest of the IMC in basal direction. Furthermore, the essential role of the BC in cell division is contained in BCC4 and MORN1 that form a ‘rubber band’ to sequester the basal end of the assembling daughter cytoskeleton. Finally, we assign BCC1 to the non-essential, final BC constriction step. The basal complex is orchestrating Toxoplasma gondii cell division steps. Here, the authors use proximity biotinylation to map the proteome of this contractile ring, identify components acting on its formation, stability and constriction, and reveal bidirectional daughter budding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tyler Bechtel
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Cynthia Michaud
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
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23
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Gubbels MJ, Ferguson DJP, Saha S, Romano JD, Chavan S, Primo VA, Michaud C, Coppens I, Engelberg K. Toxoplasma gondii's Basal Complex: The Other Apicomplexan Business End Is Multifunctional. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:882166. [PMID: 35573773 PMCID: PMC9103881 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.882166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The Apicomplexa are famously named for their apical complex, a constellation of organelles at their apical end dedicated to invasion of their host cells. In contrast, at the other end of the cell, the basal complex (BC) has been overshadowed since it is much less prominent and specific functions were not immediately obvious. However, in the past decade a staggering array of functions have been associated with the BC and strides have been made in understanding its structure. Here, these collective insights are supplemented with new data to provide an overview of the understanding of the BC in Toxoplasma gondii. The emerging picture is that the BC is a dynamic and multifunctional complex, with a series of (putative) functions. The BC has multiple roles in cell division: it is the site where building blocks are added to the cytoskeleton scaffold; it exerts a two-step stretch and constriction mechanism as contractile ring; and it is key in organelle division. Furthermore, the BC has numerous putative roles in 'import', such as the recycling of mother cell remnants, the acquisition of host-derived vesicles, possibly the uptake of lipids derived from the extracellular medium, and the endocytosis of micronemal proteins. The latter process ties the BC to motility, whereas an additional role in motility is conferred by Myosin C. Furthermore, the BC acts on the assembly and/or function of the intravacuolar network, which may directly or indirectly contribute to the establishment of chronic tissue cysts. Here we provide experimental support for molecules acting in several of these processes and identify several new BC proteins critical to maintaining the cytoplasmic bridge between divided parasites. However, the dispensable nature of many BC components leaves many questions unanswered regarding its function. In conclusion, the BC in T. gondii is a dynamic and multifunctional structure at the posterior end of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Jan Gubbels
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - David J. P. Ferguson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, University of Oxford John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sudeshna Saha
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Julia D. Romano
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Suyog Chavan
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Vincent A. Primo
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Cynthia Michaud
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Klemens Engelberg
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
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24
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Elaagip A, Absalon S, Florentin A. Apicoplast Dynamics During Plasmodium Cell Cycle. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:864819. [PMID: 35573785 PMCID: PMC9100674 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.864819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The deadly malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, contains a unique subcellular organelle termed the apicoplast, which is a clinically-proven antimalarial drug target. The apicoplast is a plastid with essential metabolic functions that evolved via secondary endosymbiosis. As an ancient endosymbiont, the apicoplast retained its own genome and it must be inherited by daughter cells during cell division. During the asexual replication of P. falciparum inside human red blood cells, both the parasite, and the apicoplast inside it, undergo massive morphological changes, including DNA replication and division. The apicoplast is an integral part of the cell and thus its development is tightly synchronized with the cell cycle. At the same time, certain aspects of its dynamics are independent of nuclear division, representing a degree of autonomy in organelle biogenesis. Here, we review the different aspects of organelle dynamics during P. falciparum intraerythrocytic replication, summarize our current understanding of these processes, and describe the many open questions in this area of parasite basic cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arwa Elaagip
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Sabrina Absalon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- *Correspondence: Sabrina Absalon, ; Anat Florentin,
| | - Anat Florentin
- The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- *Correspondence: Sabrina Absalon, ; Anat Florentin,
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25
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Cárdenas P, Esherick LY, Chambonnier G, Dey S, Turlo CV, Nasamu AS, Niles JC. GeneTargeter: Automated In Silico Design for Genome Editing in the Malaria Parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. CRISPR J 2022; 5:155-164. [PMID: 35191751 PMCID: PMC8892962 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2021.0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional characterization of the multitude of poorly described proteins in the human malarial pathogen, Plasmodium falciparum, requires tools to enable genome-scale perturbation studies. Here, we present GeneTargeter (genetargeter.mit.edu), a software tool for automating the design of homology-directed repair donor vectors to achieve gene knockouts, conditional knockdowns, and epitope tagging of P. falciparum genes. We demonstrate GeneTargeter-facilitated genome-scale design of six different types of knockout and conditional knockdown constructs for the P. falciparum genome and validate the computational design process experimentally with successful donor vector assembly and transfection. The software's modular nature accommodates arbitrary destination vectors and allows customizable designs that extend the genome manipulation outcomes attainable in Plasmodium and other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Cárdenas
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lisl Y. Esherick
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gaël Chambonnier
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sumanta Dey
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher V. Turlo
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Armiyaw Sebastian Nasamu
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jacquin C. Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Address correspondence to: Jacquin C. Niles, MD, PhD, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Room 56-341, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA,
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26
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Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the Apicomplexan parasite that causes the most severe form of human malaria, divides via schizogony during the asexual blood stage of its life cycle. In this method of cell division, multiple daughter cells are generated from a single schizont by segmentation. During segmentation, the basal complex forms at the basal end of the nascent daughter parasites and likely facilitates cell shape and cytokinesis. The requirement and function for each of the individual protein components within the basal complex remain largely unknown in P. falciparum. In this work, we demonstrate that the P. falciparum membrane occupation and recognition nexus repeat-containing protein 1 (PfMORN1) is not required for asexual replication. Following inducible knockout of PfMORN1, we find no detectable defect in asexual parasite morphology or replicative fitness. IMPORTANCEPlasmodium falciparum parasites cause the most severe form of human malaria. During the clinically relevant blood stage of its life cycle, the parasites divide via schizogony. In this divergent method of cell division, the components for multiple daughter cells are generated within a common cytoplasm. At the end of schizogony, segmentation partitions the organelles into invasive daughter parasites. The basal complex is a ring-shaped molecular machine that is critical for segmentation. The requirement for individual proteins within the basal complex is incompletely understood. We demonstrate that the PfMORN1 protein is dispensable for blood stage replication of P. falciparum. This result highlights important differences between Plasmodium parasites and Toxoplasma gondii, where the ortholog T. gondii MORN1 (TgMORN1) is required for asexual replication.
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27
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Morita M, Kanoi BN, Shinzawa N, Kubota R, Takeda H, Sawasaki T, Tsuboi T, Takashima E. AGIA Tag System for Ultrastructural Protein Localization Analysis in Blood-Stage Plasmodium falciparum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:777291. [PMID: 34976861 PMCID: PMC8714843 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.777291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise subcellular localization of proteins is the key to elucidating the physiological role of these molecules in malaria parasite development, understanding of pathogenesis, and protective immunity. In Plasmodium falciparum, however, detection of proteins in the blood-stage parasites is greatly hampered by the lack of versatile protein tags which can intrinsically label such molecules. Thus, in this study, to develop a novel system that can be used to evaluate subcellular localization of known and novel proteins, we assessed the application of AGIA tag, consisting of 9 amino acids (EEAAGIARP), in P. falciparum blood-stage parasites. Specifically, AGIA-tagged ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA-AGIA) was episomally expressed in P. falciparum 3D7 strain. The RESA-AGIA protein was detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using recombinant rabbit anti-AGIA tag monoclonal antibody (mAb) with a high signal/noise ratio. Similarly, AGIA-tagged multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1-AGIA), as an example of polyptic transmembrane protein, was endogenously expressed and detected by Western blotting and IFA with anti-AGIA tag mAb. Immunoelectron microscopy of the RESA-AGIA transfected merozoites revealed that mouse anti-RESA and the rabbit anti-AGIA mAb signals could definitively co-localize to the dense granules. Put together, this study demonstrates AGIA tag/anti-AGIA rabbit mAb system as a potentially useful tool for elucidating the subcellular localization of new and understudied proteins in blood-stage malaria parasites at the nanometer-level resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Morita
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Bernard N. Kanoi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Naoaki Shinzawa
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rie Kubota
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takeda
- Division of Proteo-Drug-Discovery, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Sawasaki
- Division of Cell-Free Sciences, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Cell-Free Sciences, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
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28
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Liffner B, Absalon S. Expansion Microscopy Reveals Plasmodium falciparum Blood-Stage Parasites Undergo Anaphase with A Chromatin Bridge in the Absence of Mini-Chromosome Maintenance Complex Binding Protein. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2306. [PMID: 34835432 PMCID: PMC8620465 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum undergoes closed mitosis, which occurs within an intact nuclear envelope, and differs significantly from its human host. Mitosis is underpinned by the dynamics of microtubules and the nuclear envelope. To date, our ability to study P. falciparum mitosis by microscopy has been hindered by the small size of the P. falciparum nuclei. Ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM) has recently been developed for P. falciparum, allowing the visualization of mitosis at the individual nucleus level. Using U-ExM, three intranuclear microtubule structures are observed: hemispindles, mitotic spindles, and interpolar spindles. A previous study demonstrated that the mini-chromosome maintenance complex binding-protein (MCMBP) depletion caused abnormal nuclear morphology and microtubule defects. To investigate the role of microtubules following MCMBP depletion and study the nuclear envelope in these parasites, we developed the first nuclear stain enabled by U-ExM in P. falciparum. MCMBP-deficient parasites show aberrant hemispindles and mitotic spindles. Moreover, anaphase chromatin bridges and individual nuclei containing multiple microtubule structures were observed following MCMBP knockdown. Collectively, this study refines our understanding of MCMBP-deficient parasites and highlights the utility of U-ExM coupled with a nuclear envelope stain for studying mitosis in P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabrina Absalon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
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29
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Simon CS, Funaya C, Bauer J, Voβ Y, Machado M, Penning A, Klaschka D, Cyrklaff M, Kim J, Ganter M, Guizetti J. An extended DNA-free intranuclear compartment organizes centrosome microtubules in malaria parasites. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:e202101199. [PMID: 34535568 PMCID: PMC8473725 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum in red blood cells is the cause of malaria and is underpinned by an unconventional cell division mode, called schizogony. Contrary to model organisms, P. falciparum replicates by multiple rounds of nuclear divisions that are not interrupted by cytokinesis. Organization and dynamics of critical nuclear division factors remain poorly understood. Centriolar plaques, the centrosomes of P. falciparum, serve as microtubule organizing centers and have an acentriolar, amorphous structure. The small size of parasite nuclei has precluded detailed analysis of intranuclear microtubule organization by classical fluorescence microscopy. We apply recently developed super-resolution and time-lapse imaging protocols to describe microtubule reconfiguration during schizogony. Analysis of centrin, nuclear pore, and microtubule positioning reveals two distinct compartments of the centriolar plaque. Whereas centrin is extranuclear, we confirm by correlative light and electron tomography that microtubules are nucleated in a previously unknown and extended intranuclear compartment, which is devoid of chromatin but protein-dense. This study generates a working model for an unconventional centrosome and enables a better understanding about the diversity of eukaryotic cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Simon
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Charlotta Funaya
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johanna Bauer
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yannik Voβ
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marta Machado
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Graduate Program in Areas of Basic and Applied Biology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alexander Penning
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Darius Klaschka
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marek Cyrklaff
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juyeop Kim
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Ganter
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julien Guizetti
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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30
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Wichers JS, Wunderlich J, Heincke D, Pazicky S, Strauss J, Schmitt M, Kimmel J, Wilcke L, Scharf S, von Thien H, Burda PC, Spielmann T, Löw C, Filarsky M, Bachmann A, Gilberger TW. Identification of novel inner membrane complex and apical annuli proteins of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13341. [PMID: 33830607 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The inner membrane complex (IMC) is a defining feature of apicomplexan parasites, which confers stability and shape to the cell, functions as a scaffolding compartment during the formation of daughter cells and plays an important role in motility and invasion during different life cycle stages of these single-celled organisms. To explore the IMC proteome of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum we applied a proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID)-based proteomics approach, using the established IMC marker protein Photosensitized INA-Labelled protein 1 (PhIL1) as bait in asexual blood-stage parasites. Subsequent mass spectrometry-based peptide identification revealed enrichment of 12 known IMC proteins and several uncharacterized candidate proteins. We validated nine of these previously uncharacterized proteins by endogenous GFP-tagging. Six of these represent new IMC proteins, while three proteins have a distinct apical localization that most likely represents structures described as apical annuli in Toxoplasma gondii. Additionally, various Kelch13 interacting candidates were identified, suggesting an association of the Kelch13 compartment and the IMC in schizont and merozoite stages. This work extends the number of validated IMC proteins in the malaria parasite and reveals for the first time the existence of apical annuli proteins in P. falciparum. Additionally, it provides evidence for a spatial association between the Kelch13 compartment and the IMC in late blood-stage parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Stephan Wichers
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Juliane Wunderlich
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dorothee Heincke
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Samuel Pazicky
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Strauss
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marius Schmitt
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Kimmel
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Louisa Wilcke
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Scharf
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heidrun von Thien
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paul-Christian Burda
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Spielmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Löw
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Filarsky
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Bachmann
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Tim W Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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31
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Abstract
Malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites, remains a significant global health concern. For decades, genetic intractability and limited tools hindered our ability to study essential proteins and pathways in Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite associated with the most severe malaria cases. However, recent years have seen major leaps forward in the ability to genetically manipulate P. falciparum parasites and conditionally control protein expression/function. The conditional knockdown systems used in P. falciparum target all 3 components of the central dogma, allowing researchers to conditionally control gene expression, translation, and protein function. Here, we review some of the common knockdown systems that have been adapted or developed for use in P. falciparum. Much of the work done using conditional knockdown approaches has been performed in asexual, blood-stage parasites, but we also highlight their uses in other parts of the life cycle and discuss new ways of applying these systems outside of the intraerythrocytic stages. With the use of these tools, the field’s understanding of parasite biology is ever increasing, and promising new pathways for antimalarial drug development are being discovered.
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32
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Morano AA, Dvorin JD. The Ringleaders: Understanding the Apicomplexan Basal Complex Through Comparison to Established Contractile Ring Systems. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:656976. [PMID: 33954122 PMCID: PMC8089483 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.656976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The actomyosin contractile ring is a key feature of eukaryotic cytokinesis, conserved across many eukaryotic kingdoms. Recent research into the cell biology of the divergent eukaryotic clade Apicomplexa has revealed a contractile ring structure required for asexual division in the medically relevant genera Toxoplasma and Plasmodium; however, the structure of the contractile ring, known as the basal complex in these parasites, remains poorly characterized and in the absence of a myosin II homolog, it is unclear how the force required of a cytokinetic contractile ring is generated. Here, we review the literature on the basal complex in Apicomplexans, summarizing what is known about its formation and function, and attempt to provide possible answers to this question and suggest new avenues of study by comparing the Apicomplexan basal complex to well-studied, established cytokinetic contractile rings and their mechanisms in organisms such as S. cerevisiae and D. melanogaster. We also compare the basal complex to structures formed during mitochondrial and plastid division and cytokinetic mechanisms of organisms beyond the Opisthokonts, considering Apicomplexan diversity and divergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Morano
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jeffrey D Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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33
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Gubbels MJ, Coppens I, Zarringhalam K, Duraisingh MT, Engelberg K. The Modular Circuitry of Apicomplexan Cell Division Plasticity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:670049. [PMID: 33912479 PMCID: PMC8072463 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.670049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The close-knit group of apicomplexan parasites displays a wide variety of cell division modes, which differ between parasites as well as between different life stages within a single parasite species. The beginning and endpoint of the asexual replication cycles is a 'zoite' harboring the defining apical organelles required for host cell invasion. However, the number of zoites produced per division round varies dramatically and can unfold in several different ways. This plasticity of the cell division cycle originates from a combination of hard-wired developmental programs modulated by environmental triggers. Although the environmental triggers and sensors differ between species and developmental stages, widely conserved secondary messengers mediate the signal transduction pathways. These environmental and genetic input integrate in division-mode specific chromosome organization and chromatin modifications that set the stage for each division mode. Cell cycle progression is conveyed by a smorgasbord of positively and negatively acting transcription factors, often acting in concert with epigenetic reader complexes, that can vary dramatically between species as well as division modes. A unique set of cell cycle regulators with spatially distinct localization patterns insert discrete check points which permit individual control and can uncouple general cell cycle progression from nuclear amplification. Clusters of expressed genes are grouped into four functional modules seen in all division modes: 1. mother cytoskeleton disassembly; 2. DNA replication and segregation (D&S); 3. karyokinesis; 4. zoite assembly. A plug-and-play strategy results in the variety of extant division modes. The timing of mother cytoskeleton disassembly is hard-wired at the species level for asexual division modes: it is either the first step, or it is the last step. In the former scenario zoite assembly occurs at the plasma membrane (external budding), and in the latter scenario zoites are assembled in the cytoplasm (internal budding). The number of times each other module is repeated can vary regardless of this first decision, and defines the modes of cell division: schizogony, binary fission, endodyogeny, endopolygeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Jan Gubbels
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kourosh Zarringhalam
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Manoj T. Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Klemens Engelberg
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
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34
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Perrin AJ, Bisson C, Faull PA, Renshaw MJ, Lees RA, Fleck RA, Saibil HR, Snijders AP, Baker DA, Blackman MJ. Malaria Parasite Schizont Egress Antigen-1 Plays an Essential Role in Nuclear Segregation during Schizogony. mBio 2021; 12:e03377-20. [PMID: 33688001 PMCID: PMC8092294 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03377-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites cause disease through repeated cycles of intraerythrocytic proliferation. Within each cycle, several rounds of DNA replication produce multinucleated forms, called schizonts, that undergo segmentation to form daughter merozoites. Upon rupture of the infected cell, the merozoites egress to invade new erythrocytes and repeat the cycle. In human malarial infections, an antibody response specific for the Plasmodium falciparum protein PF3D7_1021800 was previously associated with protection against malaria, leading to an interest in PF3D7_1021800 as a candidate vaccine antigen. Antibodies to the protein were reported to inhibit egress, resulting in it being named schizont egress antigen-1 (SEA1). A separate study found that SEA1 undergoes phosphorylation in a manner dependent upon the parasite cGMP-dependent protein kinase PKG, which triggers egress. While these findings imply a role for SEA1 in merozoite egress, this protein has also been implicated in kinetochore function during schizont development. Therefore, the function of SEA1 remains unclear. Here, we show that P. falciparum SEA1 localizes in proximity to centromeres within dividing nuclei and that conditional disruption of SEA1 expression severely impacts the distribution of DNA and formation of merozoites during schizont development, with a proportion of SEA1-null merozoites completely lacking nuclei. SEA1-null schizonts rupture, albeit with low efficiency, suggesting that neither SEA1 function nor normal segmentation is a prerequisite for egress. We conclude that SEA1 does not play a direct mechanistic role in egress but instead acts upstream of egress as an essential regulator required to ensure the correct packaging of nuclei within merozoites.IMPORTANCE Malaria is a deadly infectious disease. Rationally designed novel therapeutics will be essential for its control and eradication. The Plasmodium falciparum protein PF3D7_1021800, annotated as SEA1, is under investigation as a prospective component of a malaria vaccine, based on previous indications that antibodies to SEA1 interfere with parasite egress from infected erythrocytes. However, a consensus on the function of SEA1 is lacking. Here, we demonstrate that SEA1 localizes to dividing parasite nuclei and is necessary for the correct segregation of replicated DNA into individual daughter merozoites. In the absence of SEA1, merozoites develop defectively, often completely lacking a nucleus, and, consequently, egress is impaired and/or aberrant. Our findings provide insights into the divergent mechanisms by which intraerythrocytic malaria parasites develop and divide. Our conclusions regarding the localization and function of SEA1 are not consistent with the hypothesis that antibodies against it confer protective immunity to malaria by blocking merozoite egress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail J Perrin
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claudine Bisson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Ultrastructural Imaging, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter A Faull
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Renshaw
- Advanced Light Microscopy, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca A Lees
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roland A Fleck
- Centre for Ultrastructural Imaging, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen R Saibil
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ambrosius P Snijders
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - David A Baker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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35
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Ferreira JL, Heincke D, Wichers JS, Liffner B, Wilson DW, Gilberger TW. The Dynamic Roles of the Inner Membrane Complex in the Multiple Stages of the Malaria Parasite. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:611801. [PMID: 33489940 PMCID: PMC7820811 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.611801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites, such as human malaria parasites, have complex lifecycles encompassing multiple and diverse environmental niches. Invading, replicating, and escaping from different cell types, along with exploiting each intracellular niche, necessitate large and dynamic changes in parasite morphology and cellular architecture. The inner membrane complex (IMC) is a unique structural element that is intricately involved with these distinct morphological changes. The IMC is a double membrane organelle that forms de novo and is located beneath the plasma membrane of these single-celled organisms. In Plasmodium spp. parasites it has three major purposes: it confers stability and shape to the cell, functions as an important scaffolding compartment during the formation of daughter cells, and plays a major role in motility and invasion. Recent years have revealed greater insights into the architecture, protein composition and function of the IMC. Here, we discuss the multiple roles of the IMC in each parasite lifecycle stage as well as insights into its sub-compartmentalization, biogenesis, disassembly and regulation during stage conversion of P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josie Liane Ferreira
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Heinrich Pette Institut, Leibniz-Institut für Experimentelle Virologie, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dorothee Heincke
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Stephan Wichers
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Liffner
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Danny W. Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tim-Wolf Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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36
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Absalon S, Dvorin JD. Depletion of the mini-chromosome maintenance complex binding protein allows the progression of cytokinesis despite abnormal karyokinesis during the asexual development of Plasmodium falciparum. Cell Microbiol 2020; 23:e13284. [PMID: 33124706 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The eukaryotic cell cycle is typically divided into distinct phases with cytokinesis immediately following mitosis. To ensure proper cell division, each phase is tightly coordinated via feedback controls named checkpoints. During its asexual replication cycle, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum undergoes multiple asynchronous rounds of mitosis with segregation of uncondensed chromosomes followed by nuclear division with intact nuclear envelope. The multi-nucleated schizont is then subjected to a single round of cytokinesis that produces dozens of daughter cells called merozoites. To date, no cell cycle checkpoints have been identified that regulate the Plasmodium spp. mode of division. Here, we identify the Plasmodium homologue of the Mini-Chromosome Maintenance Complex Binding Protein (PfMCMBP), which co-purified with the Mini-Chromosome Maintenance (MCM) complex, a replicative helicase required for genomic DNA replication. By conditionally depleting PfMCMBP, we disrupt nuclear morphology and parasite proliferation without causing a block in DNA replication. By immunofluorescence microscopy, we show that PfMCMBP depletion promotes the formation of mitotic spindle microtubules with extensions to more than one DNA focus and abnormal centrin distribution. Strikingly, PfMCMBP-deficient parasites complete cytokinesis and form aneuploid merozoites with variable cellular and nuclear sizes. Our study demonstrates that the parasite lacks a robust checkpoint response to prevent cytokinesis following aberrant karyokinesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Absalon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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The Riveting Cellular Structures of Apicomplexan Parasites. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:979-991. [PMID: 33011071 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic protozoa of the phylum Apicomplexa cause a range of human and animal diseases. Their complex life cycles - often heteroxenous with sexual and asexual phases in different hosts - rely on elaborate cytoskeletal structures to enable morphogenesis and motility, organize cell division, and withstand diverse environmental forces. This review primarily focuses on studies using Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp. as the best studied apicomplexans; however, many cytoskeletal adaptations are broadly conserved and predate the emergence of the parasitic phylum. After decades cataloguing the constituents of such structures, a dynamic picture is emerging of the assembly and maintenance of apicomplexan cytoskeletons, illuminating how they template and orient critical processes during infection. These observations impact our view of eukaryotic diversity and offer future challenges for cell biology.
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38
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mSphere of Influence: the Dynamic Nature of the Nuclear Envelope during Mitosis of Malaria Parasites. mSphere 2020; 5:5/5/e00815-20. [PMID: 32878936 PMCID: PMC7471010 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00815-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Sabrina Absalon works in the field of cellular and molecular biology of Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent parasite causing malaria in humans. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the paper “3D nuclear architecture reveals coupled cell cycle dynamics of chromatin and nuclear pores in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum” by Allon Weiner et al. (A. Weiner, N. Dahan-Pasternak, E. Shimoni, V. Shinder, et al., Cell Microbiol 13:967–977, 2011, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1462-5822.2011.01592.x) triggered her aspiration to study the molecular mechanisms governing nuclear envelope assembly and integrity of P. falciparum throughout the intraerythrocytic development cycle. Sabrina Absalon works in the field of cellular and molecular biology of Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent parasite causing malaria in humans. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the paper “3D nuclear architecture reveals coupled cell cycle dynamics of chromatin and nuclear pores in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum” by Allon Weiner et al. (A. Weiner, N. Dahan-Pasternak, E. Shimoni, V. Shinder, et al., Cell Microbiol 13:967–977, 2011, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1462-5822.2011.01592.x) triggered her aspiration to study the molecular mechanisms governing nuclear envelope assembly and integrity of P. falciparum throughout the intraerythrocytic development cycle.
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Abstract
Malaria elimination efforts have been repeatedly hindered by the evolution and spread of multidrug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The absence of a commercially available vaccine emphasizes the need for a better understanding of Plasmodium biology in order to further translational research. This has been partly facilitated by targeted gene deletion strategies for the functional analysis of parasite genes. However, genes that are essential for parasite replication in erythrocytes are refractory to such methods, and require conditional knockdown or knockout approaches to dissect their function. One such approach is the TetR-DOZI system that employs multiple synthetic aptamers in the untranslated regions of target genes to control their expression in a tetracycline-dependent manner. Maintaining modified parasites with intact aptamer copies has been challenging since these repeats can be lost by recombination. By interspacing the aptamers with unique sequences, we created a stable genetic system that remains effective at controlling target gene expression. One of the most powerful approaches to understanding gene function involves turning genes on and off at will and measuring the impact at the cellular or organismal level. This particularly applies to the cohort of essential genes where traditional gene knockouts are inviable. In Plasmodium falciparum, conditional control of gene expression has been achieved by using multicomponent systems in which individual modules interact with each other to regulate DNA recombination, transcription, or posttranscriptional processes. The recently devised TetR-DOZI aptamer system relies on the ligand-regulatable interaction of a protein module with synthetic RNA aptamers to control the translation of a target gene. This technique has been successfully employed to study essential genes in P. falciparum and involves the insertion of several aptamer copies into the 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs), which provide control over mRNA fate. However, aptamer repeats are prone to recombination and one or more copies can be lost from the system, resulting in a loss of control over target gene expression. We rectified this issue by redesigning the aptamer array to minimize recombination while preserving the control elements. As proof of concept, we compared the original and modified arrays for their ability to knock down the levels of a putative essential apicoplast protein (PF3D7_0815700) and demonstrated that the modified array is highly stable and efficient. This redesign will enhance the utility of a tool that is quickly becoming a favored strategy for genetic studies in P. falciparum. IMPORTANCE Malaria elimination efforts have been repeatedly hindered by the evolution and spread of multidrug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The absence of a commercially available vaccine emphasizes the need for a better understanding of Plasmodium biology in order to further translational research. This has been partly facilitated by targeted gene deletion strategies for the functional analysis of parasite genes. However, genes that are essential for parasite replication in erythrocytes are refractory to such methods, and require conditional knockdown or knockout approaches to dissect their function. One such approach is the TetR-DOZI system that employs multiple synthetic aptamers in the untranslated regions of target genes to control their expression in a tetracycline-dependent manner. Maintaining modified parasites with intact aptamer copies has been challenging since these repeats can be lost by recombination. By interspacing the aptamers with unique sequences, we created a stable genetic system that remains effective at controlling target gene expression.
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40
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Three-dimensional ultrastructure of Plasmodium falciparum throughout cytokinesis. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008587. [PMID: 32511279 PMCID: PMC7302870 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
New techniques for obtaining electron microscopy data through the cell volume are being increasingly utilized to answer cell biologic questions. Here, we present a three-dimensional atlas of Plasmodium falciparum ultrastructure throughout parasite cell division. Multiple wild type schizonts at different stages of segmentation, or budding, were imaged and rendered, and the 3D structure of their organelles and daughter cells are shown. Our high-resolution volume electron microscopy both confirms previously described features in 3D and adds new layers to our understanding of Plasmodium nuclear division. Interestingly, we demonstrate asynchrony of the final nuclear division, a process that had previously been reported as synchronous. Use of volume electron microscopy techniques for biological imaging is gaining prominence, and there is much we can learn from applying them to answer questions about Plasmodium cell biology. We provide this resource to encourage readers to consider adding these techniques to their cell biology toolbox.
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Gubbels MJ, Keroack CD, Dangoudoubiyam S, Worliczek HL, Paul AS, Bauwens C, Elsworth B, Engelberg K, Howe DK, Coppens I, Duraisingh MT. Fussing About Fission: Defining Variety Among Mainstream and Exotic Apicomplexan Cell Division Modes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:269. [PMID: 32582569 PMCID: PMC7289922 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular reproduction defines life, yet our textbook-level understanding of cell division is limited to a small number of model organisms centered around humans. The horizon on cell division variants is expanded here by advancing insights on the fascinating cell division modes found in the Apicomplexa, a key group of protozoan parasites. The Apicomplexa display remarkable variation in offspring number, whether karyokinesis follows each S/M-phase or not, and whether daughter cells bud in the cytoplasm or bud from the cortex. We find that the terminology used to describe the various manifestations of asexual apicomplexan cell division emphasizes either the number of offspring or site of budding, which are not directly comparable features and has led to confusion in the literature. Division modes have been primarily studied in two human pathogenic Apicomplexa, malaria-causing Plasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, a major cause of opportunistic infections. Plasmodium spp. divide asexually by schizogony, producing multiple daughters per division round through a cortical budding process, though at several life-cycle nuclear amplifications stages, are not followed by karyokinesis. T. gondii divides by endodyogeny producing two internally budding daughters per division round. Here we add to this diversity in replication mechanisms by considering the cattle parasite Babesia bigemina and the pig parasite Cystoisospora suis. B. bigemina produces two daughters per division round by a “binary fission” mechanism whereas C. suis produces daughters through both endodyogeny and multiple internal budding known as endopolygeny. In addition, we provide new data from the causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), Sarcocystis neurona, which also undergoes endopolygeny but differs from C. suis by maintaining a single multiploid nucleus. Overall, we operationally define two principally different division modes: internal budding found in cyst-forming Coccidia (comprising endodyogeny and two forms of endopolygeny) and external budding found in the other parasites studied (comprising the two forms of schizogony, binary fission and multiple fission). Progressive insights into the principles defining the molecular and cellular requirements for internal vs. external budding, as well as variations encountered in sexual stages are discussed. The evolutionary pressures and mechanisms underlying apicomplexan cell division diversification carries relevance across Eukaryota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Jan Gubbels
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Caroline D Keroack
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam
- Department of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Hanna L Worliczek
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States.,Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aditya S Paul
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ciara Bauwens
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Brendan Elsworth
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States.,School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Klemens Engelberg
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Daniel K Howe
- Department of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
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42
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Anti-PfGARP activates programmed cell death of parasites and reduces severe malaria. Nature 2020; 582:104-108. [PMID: 32427965 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2220-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum remains the leading single-agent cause of mortality in children1, yet the promise of an effective vaccine has not been fulfilled. Here, using our previously described differential screening method to analyse the proteome of blood-stage P. falciparum parasites2, we identify P. falciparum glutamic-acid-rich protein (PfGARP) as a parasite antigen that is recognized by antibodies in the plasma of children who are relatively resistant-but not those who are susceptible-to malaria caused by P. falciparum. PfGARP is a parasite antigen of 80 kDa that is expressed on the exofacial surface of erythrocytes infected by early-to-late-trophozoite-stage parasites. We demonstrate that antibodies against PfGARP kill trophozoite-infected erythrocytes in culture by inducing programmed cell death in the parasites, and that vaccinating non-human primates with PfGARP partially protects against a challenge with P. falciparum. Furthermore, our longitudinal cohort studies showed that, compared to individuals who had naturally occurring anti-PfGARP antibodies, Tanzanian children without anti-PfGARP antibodies had a 2.5-fold-higher risk of severe malaria and Kenyan adolescents and adults without these antibodies had a twofold-higher parasite density. By killing trophozoite-infected erythrocytes, PfGARP could synergize with other vaccines that target parasite invasion of hepatocytes or the invasion of and egress from erythrocytes.
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43
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Frénal K, Krishnan A, Soldati-Favre D. The Actomyosin Systems in Apicomplexa. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1239:331-354. [PMID: 32451865 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-38062-5_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The phylum of Apicomplexa groups obligate intracellular parasites that exhibit unique classes of unconventional myosin motors. These parasites also encode a limited repertoire of actins, actin-like proteins, actin-binding proteins and nucleators of filamentous actin (F-actin) that display atypical properties. In the last decade, significant progress has been made to visualize F-actin and to unravel the functional contribution of actomyosin systems in the biology of Toxoplasma and Plasmodium, the most genetically-tractable members of the phylum. In addition to assigning specific roles to each myosin, recent biochemical and structural studies have begun to uncover mechanistic insights into myosin function at the atomic level. In several instances, the myosin light chains associated with the myosin heavy chains have been identified, helping to understand the composition of the motor complexes and their mode of regulation. Moreover, the considerable advance in proteomic methodologies and especially in assignment of posttranslational modifications is offering a new dimension to our understanding of the regulation of actin dynamics and myosin function. Remarkably, the actomyosin system contributes to three major processes in Toxoplasma gondii: (i) organelle trafficking, positioning and inheritance, (ii) basal pole constriction and intravacuolar cell-cell communication and (iii) motility, invasion, and egress from infected cells. In this chapter, we summarize how the actomyosin system harnesses these key events to ensure successful completion of the parasite life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Frénal
- Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, University of Bordeaux and CNRS, Bordeaux Cedex, France. .,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Aarti Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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44
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Hammarton TC. Who Needs a Contractile Actomyosin Ring? The Plethora of Alternative Ways to Divide a Protozoan Parasite. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:397. [PMID: 31824870 PMCID: PMC6881465 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokinesis, or the division of the cytoplasm, following the end of mitosis or meiosis, is accomplished in animal cells, fungi, and amoebae, by the constriction of an actomyosin contractile ring, comprising filamentous actin, myosin II, and associated proteins. However, despite this being the best-studied mode of cytokinesis, it is restricted to the Opisthokonta and Amoebozoa, since members of other evolutionary supergroups lack myosin II and must, therefore, employ different mechanisms. In particular, parasitic protozoa, many of which cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans and animals as well as considerable economic losses, employ a wide diversity of mechanisms to divide, few, if any, of which involve myosin II. In some cases, cell division is not only myosin II-independent, but actin-independent too. Mechanisms employed range from primitive mechanical cell rupture (cytofission), to motility- and/or microtubule remodeling-dependent mechanisms, to budding involving the constriction of divergent contractile rings, to hijacking host cell division machinery, with some species able to utilize multiple mechanisms. Here, I review current knowledge of cytokinesis mechanisms and their molecular control in mammalian-infective parasitic protozoa from the Excavata, Alveolata, and Amoebozoa supergroups, highlighting their often-underappreciated diversity and complexity. Billions of people and animals across the world are at risk from these pathogens, for which vaccines and/or optimal treatments are often not available. Exploiting the divergent cell division machinery in these parasites may provide new avenues for the treatment of protozoal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tansy C Hammarton
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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