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Liu J, Fike KR, Dapper C, Klemba M. Metabolism of host lysophosphatidylcholine in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320262121. [PMID: 38349879 PMCID: PMC10895272 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320262121] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum requires exogenous fatty acids to support its growth during the pathogenic, asexual erythrocytic stage. Host serum lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is a significant fatty acid source, yet the metabolic processes responsible for the liberation of free fatty acids from exogenous LPC are unknown. Using an assay for LPC hydrolysis in P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes, we have identified small-molecule inhibitors of key in situ lysophospholipase activities. Competitive activity-based profiling and generation of a panel of single-to-quadruple knockout parasite lines revealed that two enzymes of the serine hydrolase superfamily, termed exported lipase (XL) 2 and exported lipase homolog (XLH) 4, constitute the dominant lysophospholipase activities in parasite-infected erythrocytes. The parasite ensures efficient exogenous LPC hydrolysis by directing these two enzymes to distinct locations: XL2 is exported to the erythrocyte, while XLH4 is retained within the parasite. While XL2 and XLH4 were individually dispensable with little effect on LPC hydrolysis in situ, loss of both enzymes resulted in a strong reduction in fatty acid scavenging from LPC, hyperproduction of phosphatidylcholine, and an enhanced sensitivity to LPC toxicity. Notably, growth of XL/XLH-deficient parasites was severely impaired when cultured in media containing LPC as the sole exogenous fatty acid source. Furthermore, when XL2 and XLH4 activities were ablated by genetic or pharmacologic means, parasites were unable to proliferate in human serum, a physiologically relevant fatty acid source, revealing the essentiality of LPC hydrolysis in the host environment and its potential as a target for anti-malarial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiapeng Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | | | - Christie Dapper
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Michael Klemba
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
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2
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Hervé P, Monic S, Bringaud F, Rivière L. Phospholipases A and Lysophospholipases in protozoan parasites. MICROBIAL CELL (GRAZ, AUSTRIA) 2023; 10:204-216. [PMID: 37786811 PMCID: PMC10513453 DOI: 10.15698/mic2023.10.805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Phospholipases (PLs) and Lysophospholipases (LysoPLs) are a diverse group of esterases responsible for phospholipid or lysophospholipid hydrolysis. They are involved in several biological processes, including lipid catabolism, modulation of the immune response and membrane maintenance. PLs are classified depending on their site of hydrolysis as PLA1, PLA2, PLC and PLD. In many pathogenic microorganisms, from bacteria to fungi, PLAs and LysoPLs have been described as critical virulence and/or pathogenicity factors. In protozoan parasites, a group containing major human and animal pathogens, growing literature show that PLAs and LysoPLs are also involved in the host infection. Their ubiquitous presence and role in host-pathogen interactions make them particularly interesting to study. In this review, we summarize the literature on PLAs and LysoPLs in several protozoan parasites of medical relevance, and discuss the growing interest for them as potential drug and vaccine targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perrine Hervé
- Université de Bordeaux, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, CNRS UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sarah Monic
- Université de Bordeaux, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, CNRS UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
| | - Frédéric Bringaud
- Université de Bordeaux, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, CNRS UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
| | - Loïc Rivière
- Université de Bordeaux, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, CNRS UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
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Anschütz NH, Gerbig S, Ghezellou P, Silva LMR, Vélez JD, Hermosilla CR, Taubert A, Spengler B. Mass Spectrometry Imaging of In Vitro Cryptosporidium parvum-Infected Cells and Host Tissue. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1200. [PMID: 37627264 PMCID: PMC10452350 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic-relevant parasite belonging to the phylum Alveolata (subphylum Apicomplexa). One of the most zoonotic-relevant etiologies of cryptosporidiosis is the species C. parvum, infecting humans, cattle and wildlife. C. parvum-infected intestinal mucosa as well as host cells infected in vitro have not yet been the subject of extensive biochemical investigation. Efficient treatment options or vaccines against cryptosporidiosis are currently not available. Human cryptosporidiosis is currently known as a neglected poverty-related disease (PRD), being potentially fatal in young children or immunocompromised patients. In this study, we used a combination of atmospheric pressure scanning microprobe matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP-SMALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to determine and locate molecular biomarkers in in vitro C. parvum-infected host cells as well as parasitized neonatal calf intestines. Sections of C. parvum-infected and non-infected host cell pellets and infected intestines were examined to determine potential biomarkers. Human ileocecal adenocarcinoma cells (HCT-8) were used as a suitable in vitro host cell system. More than a thousand different molecular signals were found in both positive- and negative-ion mode, which were significantly increased in C. parvum-infected material. A database search in combination with HPLC-MS/MS experiments was employed for the structural verification of markers. Our results demonstrate some overlap between the identified markers and data obtained from earlier studies on other apicomplexan parasites. Statistically relevant biomarkers were imaged in cell layers of C. parvum-infected and non-infected host cells with 5 µm pixel size and in bovine intestinal tissue with 10 µm pixel size. This allowed us to substantiate their relevance once again. Taken together, the present approach delivers novel metabolic insights on neglected cryptosporidiosis affecting mainly children in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils H. Anschütz
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.H.A.); (S.G.); (P.G.)
| | - Stefanie Gerbig
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.H.A.); (S.G.); (P.G.)
| | - Parviz Ghezellou
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.H.A.); (S.G.); (P.G.)
| | - Liliana M. R. Silva
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (L.M.R.S.); (J.D.V.); (C.R.H.); (A.T.)
- Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - Juan Diego Vélez
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (L.M.R.S.); (J.D.V.); (C.R.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Carlos R. Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (L.M.R.S.); (J.D.V.); (C.R.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (L.M.R.S.); (J.D.V.); (C.R.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Bernhard Spengler
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.H.A.); (S.G.); (P.G.)
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Liu J, Dapper C, Klemba M. Metabolism of host lysophosphatidylcholine in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.17.537066. [PMID: 37131712 PMCID: PMC10153170 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.17.537066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum requires exogenous fatty acids to support its growth during the pathogenic, asexual erythrocytic stage. Host serum lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is a significant fatty acid source, yet the metabolic processes responsible for the liberation of free fatty acids from exogenous LPC are unknown. Using a novel assay for LPC hydrolysis in P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes, we have identified small-molecule inhibitors of key in situ lysophospholipase activities. Competitive activity-based profiling and generation of a panel of single-to-quadruple knockout parasite lines revealed that two enzymes of the serine hydrolase superfamily, termed exported lipase (XL) 2 and exported lipase homolog (XLH) 4, are the dominant lysophospholipase activities in parasite-infected erythrocytes. The parasite ensures efficient exogenous LPC hydrolysis by directing these two enzymes to distinct locations: XL2 is exported to the erythrocyte, while XLH4 is retained within the parasite. While XL2 and XLH4 were individually dispensable with little effect on LPC hydrolysis in situ, loss of both enzymes resulted in a strong reduction in fatty acid scavenging from LPC, hyperproduction of phosphatidylcholine, and an enhanced sensitivity to LPC toxicity. Notably, growth of XL/XLH-deficient parasites was severely impaired when cultured in media containing LPC as the sole exogenous fatty acid source. Furthermore, when XL2 and XLH4 activities were ablated by genetic or pharmacologic means, parasites were unable to proliferate in human serum, a physiologically-relevant fatty acid source, revealing the essentiality of LPC hydrolysis in the host environment and its potential as a target for anti-malarial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiapeng Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061
| | - Christie Dapper
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061
| | - Michael Klemba
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061
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Dual role of an essential HtrA2/Omi protease in the human malaria parasite: Maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis and induction of apoptosis-like cell death under cellular stress. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010932. [DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the HtrA family of serine proteases are known to play roles in mitochondrial homeostasis as well as in programmed cell death. Mitochondrial homeostasis and metabolism are crucial for the survival and propagation of the malaria parasite within the host. Here we have functionally characterized a Plasmodium falciparum HtrA2 (PfHtrA2) protein, which harbours trypsin-like protease activity that can be inhibited by its specific inhibitor, ucf-101. A transgenic parasite line was generated, using the HA-glmS C-terminal tagging approach, for localization as well as for inducible knock-down of PfHtrA2. The PfHtrA2 was localized in the parasite mitochondrion during the asexual life cycle. Genetic ablation of PfHtrA2 caused significant parasite growth inhibition, decreased replication of mtDNA, increased mitochondrial ROS production, caused mitochondrial fission/fragmentation, and hindered parasite development. However, the ucf-101 treatment did not affect the parasite growth, suggesting the non-protease/chaperone role of PfHtrA2 in the parasite. Under cellular stress conditions, inhibition of PfHtrA2 by ucf-101 reduced activation of the caspase-like protease as well as parasite cell death, suggesting the involvement of protease activity of PfHtrA2 in apoptosis-like cell death in the parasite. Under these cellular stress conditions, the PfHtrA2 gets processed but remains localized in the mitochondrion, suggesting that it acts within the mitochondrion by cleaving intra-mitochondrial substrate(s). This was further supported by trans-expression of PfHtrA2 protease domain in the parasite cytosol, which was unable to induce any cell death in the parasite. Overall, we show the specific roles of PfHtrA2 in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis as well as in regulating stress-induced cell death.
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Shunmugam S, Arnold CS, Dass S, Katris NJ, Botté CY. The flexibility of Apicomplexa parasites in lipid metabolism. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010313. [PMID: 35298557 PMCID: PMC8929637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexa are obligate intracellular parasites responsible for major human infectious diseases such as toxoplasmosis and malaria, which pose social and economic burdens around the world. To survive and propagate, these parasites need to acquire a significant number of essential biomolecules from their hosts. Among these biomolecules, lipids are a key metabolite required for parasite membrane biogenesis, signaling events, and energy storage. Parasites can either scavenge lipids from their host or synthesize them de novo in a relict plastid, the apicoplast. During their complex life cycle (sexual/asexual/dormant), Apicomplexa infect a large variety of cells and their metabolic flexibility allows them to adapt to different host environments such as low/high fat content or low/high sugar levels. In this review, we discuss the role of lipids in Apicomplexa parasites and summarize recent findings on the metabolic mechanisms in host nutrient adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Shunmugam
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Christophe-Sébastien Arnold
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Sheena Dass
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Nicholas J. Katris
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Cyrille Y. Botté
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
- * E-mail: ,
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Briquet S, Gissot M, Silvie O. A toolbox for conditional control of gene expression in apicomplexan parasites. Mol Microbiol 2021; 117:618-631. [PMID: 34564906 PMCID: PMC9293482 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites encompass diverse pathogens for humans and animals, including the causative agents of malaria and toxoplasmosis, Plasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. Genetic manipulation of these parasites has become central to explore parasite biology, unravel gene function and identify new targets for therapeutic strategies. Tremendous progress has been achieved over the past years with the advent of next generation sequencing and powerful genome editing methods. In particular, various methods for conditional gene expression have been developed in both Plasmodium and Toxoplasma to knockout or knockdown essential genes, or for inducible expression of master developmental regulators or mutant versions of proteins. Conditional gene expression can be achieved at three distinct levels. At the DNA level, inducible site‐specific recombinases allow conditional genome editing. At the RNA level, regulation can be achieved during transcription, using stage‐specific or regulatable promoters, or post‐transcriptionally through alteration of mRNA stability or translation. At the protein level, several systems have been developed for inducible degradation or displacement of a protein of interest. In this review, we provide an overview of current systems for conditional control of gene expression in Plasmodium and Toxoplasma parasites, highlighting the advantages and limitations of each approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Briquet
- INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Gissot
- CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, CIIL, Univ. Lille, Lille, France
| | - Olivier Silvie
- INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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