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Feix AS, Joachim A. Cystoisospora suis. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:647-648. [PMID: 38614866 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sophia Feix
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Anja Joachim
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
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Cruz-Bustos T, Dolezal M, Feix AS, Ruttkowski B, Hummel K, Razzazi-Fazeli E, Joachim A. Unravelling the sexual developmental biology of Cystoisospora suis, a model for comparative coccidian parasite studies. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1271731. [PMID: 37953800 PMCID: PMC10635411 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1271731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The apicomplexan parasite Cystoisospora suis has global significance as an enteropathogen of suckling piglets. Its intricate life cycle entails a transition from an asexual phase to sexual development, ultimately leading to the formation of transmissible oocysts. Methods To advance our understanding of the parasite's cellular development, we complemented previous transcriptome studies by delving into the proteome profiles at five distinct time points of in vitro cultivation through LC/MS-MS analysis. Results A total of 1,324 proteins were identified in the in vitro developmental stages of C. suis, and 1,082 proteins were identified as significantly differentially expressed. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD045050. We performed BLAST, GO enrichment, and KEGG pathway analyses on the up- and downregulated proteins to elucidate correlated events in the C. suis life cycle. Our analyses revealed intriguing metabolic patterns in macromolecule metabolism, DNA- and RNA-related processes, proteins associated with sexual stages, and those involved in cell invasion, reflecting the adaptation of sexual stages to a nutrient-poor and potentially stressful extracellular environment, with a focus on enzymes involved in metabolism and energy production. Discussion These findings have important implications for understanding the developmental biology of C. suis as well as other, related coccidian parasites, such as Eimeria spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. They also support the role of C. suis as a new model for the comparative biology of coccidian tissue cyst stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Cruz-Bustos
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marlies Dolezal
- Platform for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Sophia Feix
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bärbel Ruttkowski
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Hummel
- VetCore Facility (Proteomics), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ebrahim Razzazi-Fazeli
- VetCore Facility (Proteomics), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anja Joachim
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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D'Ambrosio HK, Keeler AM, Derbyshire ER. Examination of Secondary Metabolite Biosynthesis in Apicomplexa. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300263. [PMID: 37171468 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300263] [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: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Natural product discovery has traditionally relied on the isolation of small molecules from producing species, but genome-sequencing technology and advances in molecular biology techniques have expanded efforts to a wider array of organisms. Protists represent an underexplored kingdom for specialized metabolite searches despite bioinformatic analysis that suggests they harbor distinct biologically active small molecules. Specifically, pathogenic apicomplexan parasites, responsible for billions of global infections, have been found to possess multiple biosynthetic gene clusters, which hints at their capacity to produce polyketide metabolites. Biochemical studies have revealed unique features of apicomplexan polyketide synthases, but to date, the identity and function of the polyketides synthesized by these megaenzymes remains unknown. Herein, we discuss the potential for specialized metabolite production in protists and the possible evolution of polyketide biosynthetic gene clusters in apicomplexan parasites. We then focus on a polyketide synthase from the apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii to discuss the unique domain architecture and properties of these proteins when compared to previously characterized systems, and further speculate on the possible functions for polyketides in these pathogenic parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah K D'Ambrosio
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Aaron M Keeler
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Emily R Derbyshire
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Sena F, Cancela S, Bollati-Fogolín M, Pagotto R, Francia ME. Exploring Toxoplasma gondii´s Biology within the Intestinal Epithelium: intestinal-derived models to unravel sexual differentiation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1134471. [PMID: 37313339 PMCID: PMC10258352 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1134471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A variety of intestinal-derived culture systems have been developed to mimic in vivo cell behavior and organization, incorporating different tissue and microenvironmental elements. Great insight into the biology of the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii, has been attained by using diverse in vitro cellular models. Nonetheless, there are still processes key to its transmission and persistence which remain to be elucidated, such as the mechanisms underlying its systemic dissemination and sexual differentiation both of which occur at the intestinal level. Because this event occurs in a complex and specific cellular environment (the intestine upon ingestion of infective forms, and the feline intestine, respectively), traditional reductionist in vitro cellular models fail to recreate conditions resembling in vivo physiology. The development of new biomaterials and the advances in cell culture knowledge have opened the door to a next generation of more physiologically relevant cellular models. Among them, organoids have become a valuable tool for unmasking the underlying mechanism involved in T. gondii sexual differentiation. Murine-derived intestinal organoids mimicking the biochemistry of the feline intestine have allowed the generation of pre-sexual and sexual stages of T. gondii for the first time in vitro, opening a window of opportunity to tackling these stages by "felinizing" a wide variety of animal cell cultures. Here, we reviewed intestinal in vitro and ex vivo models and discussed their strengths and limitations in the context of a quest for faithful models to in vitro emulate the biology of the enteric stages of T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Sena
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Biology, Institut Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Saira Cancela
- Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Molecular, Cellular, and Animal Technology Program (ProTeMCA), Institut Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mariela Bollati-Fogolín
- Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Molecular, Cellular, and Animal Technology Program (ProTeMCA), Institut Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Romina Pagotto
- Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María E. Francia
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Biology, Institut Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Warschkau D, Seeber F. Advances towards the complete in vitro life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii. Fac Rev 2023; 12:1. [PMID: 36846606 PMCID: PMC9944905 DOI: 10.12703/r/12-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The full life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii cannot be recapitulated in vitro, and access to certain stages, such as mature tissue cysts (bradyzoites) and oocysts (sporozoites), traditionally requires animal experiments. This has greatly hindered the study of the biology of these morphologically and metabolically distinct stages, which are essential for the infection of humans and animals. However, several breakthrough advances have been made in recent years towards obtaining these life stages in vitro, such as the discovery of several molecular factors that induce differentiation and commitment to the sexual cycle, and different culture methods that use, for example, myotubes and intestinal organoids to obtain mature bradyzoites and different sexual stages of the parasite. We review these novel tools and approaches, highlight their limitations and challenges, and discuss what research questions can already be answered with these models. We finally identify future routes for recapitulating the entire sexual cycle in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Warschkau
- FG16: Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Seeber
- FG16: Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany
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Feix AS, Cruz-Bustos T, Ruttkowski B, Joachim A. Inhibition of sexual stage-specific proteins results in reduced numbers of sexual stages and oocysts of Cystoisospora suis (Apicomplexa: Coccidia) in vitro. Int J Parasitol 2022; 52:829-841. [PMID: 36270547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Parasites of the order Coccidia (phylum: Alveolata, subphylum: Apicomplexa) have sophisticated life cycles that include a switch from asexual to sexual development, characterised by distinct cell types. During the development of gametes (gamogony), substantial changes occur at the cellular and subcellular levels, leading to cell fusion of micro- and microgametes, and the development of a zygote that forms a protective outer layer for environmental survival as an oocyst, the transmissible stage. Studies on the porcine coccidian Cystoisospora suis already identified changes in transcription profiles during different time points in the parasite's development and identified proteins with potential roles in the sexual development of this parasite. Here, we focus on three proteins that are possibly involved in the sexual development of C. suis. Enkurin and hapless protein 2 (HAP2) play important roles in signal transduction and gamete fusion during the fertilisation process, and oocyst wall forming protein 1 (OWP1) is a homologue of oocyst wall forming proteins of related parasites. We evaluated their locations in the different life cycle stages of C. suis and their inhibition by specific antibodies in vitro. Immunolocalization detected enkurin in merozoites and sporulated oocysts, HAP2 in merozoites and microgamonts, and OWP2 in merozoites, macrogamonts, oocysts and sporozoites. Up to 100% inhibition of the development of sexual stages and oocyst formation with purified chicken immunoglobulin IgY sera against recombinant enkurin, HAP2, and especially OWP1, were demonstrated. We conclude that the three investigated sexual stage-specific proteins constitute targets for in vivo intervention strategies to interrupt parasite development and transmission to susceptible hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sophia Feix
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna A-1210, Austria.
| | - Teresa Cruz-Bustos
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna A-1210, Austria
| | - Bärbel Ruttkowski
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna A-1210, Austria
| | - Anja Joachim
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna A-1210, Austria
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